After scanning the kingdoms he cared most about, Viserys stopped reading.
Leaving the cavern thick with the scent of ink, he returned to Gohor under Arthur's escort.
Along the way, Mathos briefed him on recent developments.
"Braavos has increased the number of heavy infantry. Elder Lothan, who oversees the Upper Rhoyne, believes they may have offensive intentions."
"That is Freygo strengthening his own position," Viserys replied calmly. "Nothing to worry about."
"Recently, there were reports of Dothraki raiding near Qohor."
"Mm. What about Khal Barbo's khalasar?"
Barbo was Drogo's father. Drogo himself was only a little over twenty now.
"No news."
"Keep watching."
"Yes, Your Grace. Also, the Targaryen Royal Officer Academy will open the day after your coronation. There are already over a thousand cadets enrolled."
"A thousand is enough. Raise the admission standards from now on."
Mathos delivered several more reports before Viserys asked the question he truly cared about.
"What of the Usurper?"
"Your Grace, Pyke likely cannot hold much longer. Balon will fall by next month at the latest."
Viserys nodded. That was only natural.
If Robert could not suppress a rebellion with the strength of the entire realm within a year, he would be incompetent beyond belief.
Talking as they rode, they soon left the territory of the Goosefeather Mountains and entered Gohor.
A full year had passed since the great battle.
Little trace of war remained.
Outside the walls, estates and farmsteads had sprung up.
There were no orchards yet—no apples, no vineyards.
It was still winter.
But the sight of fields of wheat stretching like waves filled Viserys with satisfaction.
After two or three years of struggle, House Targaryen no longer needed to worry about food.
As they rode onward, the green walls came into view.
The outermost Vhagar Wall had been rebuilt entirely. Timber supports reinforced the rammed earth.
Thickened and heightened, the wall now stood six to seven meters tall, bearing the presence of a true fortress.
Beyond the walls, arrow towers and the Miraxes Wall were already under construction.
Completion was expected within two years.
Passing through the Vhagar Wall, a straight stone road led directly to the Balerion Wall.
The space between the two would henceforth be known as the Upper District.
Viserys had relocated the wealthier and more powerful families of Gohor inside the walls.
Rows of townhouses lined the streets.
It was then that he noticed a luxurious carriage ahead.
A dual-colored banner flew from it.
Audro's carriage.
Audro halted when he saw Viserys's procession and quickly stepped down, bowing deeply.
After the formalities, he hurried toward the young king, his smile openly ingratiating.
Viserys intended to cultivate Audro. Some courtesy was required.
He dismounted and approached him.
"King Viserys!"
"Prince Audro!"
They greeted each other like old friends long reunited, both smiling broadly.
In truth, this was their first meeting.
Audro had openly declared his support for Viserys and now visited without concealment.
Over the past year, several weaker magisters had pledged allegiance to him as well.
After all, should he die, the next Prince might come from their own houses. Gradually, Audro's words carried more weight.
Seeing Viserys in person shocked him most of all.
The king was astonishingly young.
Almost impossibly so. Silver hair perfectly arranged. Violet eyes sharp and calculating.
Clad in black attire, a crown of Valyrian steel and rubies resting upon his head. They stood of similar height, but Viserys's vitality far surpassed Audro's.
'So this was what Aegon the Conqueror must have looked like in youth.'
Audro sighed inwardly, then declared loudly, "By the gods, I see the next Conqueror before me!"
Flattery though it was, no one disliked such praise.
Arthur and the royal guards behind Viserys felt a surge of pride. To them, Audro merely stated the obvious.
Clement, who had been overseeing preparations, leaned in and whispered something to Viserys, making Audro's gesture appear even more sincere.
"Prince Audro, you are too kind," Viserys said warmly. "My coronation is still five days away. You need not have arrived so early."
In truth, Audro had reached Gohor days ago.
He had lingered near the Vhagar Gate daily, clearly hoping to manufacture a chance encounter.
"To attend your coronation is my honor," Audro replied.
Viserys took his hand.
"House Targaryen shall always be your friend. Ride with me to the Dragon Palace."
"With pleasure!"
They entered the carriage together.
From a distance, a red-robed woman and a blue-haired man watched silently as the carriage rolled toward the inner Balerion Wall.
Though Viserys treated Audro as an equal, Audro understood his role.
He was to balance the magisters of Pentos. To secure advantages for Viserys. That was his value.
Inside the carriage, Audro reported on internal affairs in Pentos.
After losing vast sums of wealth, the magisters had grown even more ruthless in squeezing the lower classes.
Several riots had already broken out.
The anger of the common folk had turned toward Audro himself.
He was deeply troubled.
Viserys knew Pentos functioned on collective debt. If selling blood were possible, they would have done so long ago.
"Very well, Prince Audro," Viserys said. "I will provide thirty thousand golden dragons each year. Establish relief stations in Pentos in both your name and mine."
Audro reacted quickly.
"Your Grace, on behalf of the people of Pentos, I thank you."
He could sense Viserys's larger ambitions regarding Pentos. But he had no grounds to refuse.
He came from a minor house. Even now, the title of Prince carried little real authority.
Viserys, for his part, studied Audro carefully.
If one year of support bred dangerous ambition, he would consider replacing him.
Trust did not mean blindness.
He had not even told Audro about Illyrio's new position.
In fact, he had deliberately allowed Audro and Illyrio to clash publicly on occasion, fostering the impression that the two were irreconcilable rivals.
Appearances were useful tools.
And Viserys intended to use every one of them.
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