Chapter 168: Pentos Rhapsody (Part 1)
"Congratulations, Your Highness," Ian greeted Hazan with a smile as he approached. "You made that villain Suda pay the price."
"We made that villain Suda pay the price," Hazan corrected. "Without your help, I might be the one lying on the fighting platform now."
What a convincing performance, Ian thought to himself.
Ian had previously learned from Celia that Hazan and his group had two plans for the outcome of this duel.
To avoid being discovered by Illyrio, they decided that both sides would go all out in recruiting their fighters and fight in earnest during the match.
However, if Suda's side was about to win, the Prince's Palace guards would rescue Hazan on the spot, preventing him from participating in the remaining matches. Then, Magister Tetrus could use Hazan's sabotage of the match as a pretext to demand a Grand Council meeting, thus tricking Illyrio into going to the Council Palace for mediation.
If Hazan's side ultimately won, he would publicly humiliate Suda and the entire House Tetrus during the battle. This would allow Magister Tetrus to use this as a pretext to demand a Grand Council meeting, thus luring Illyrio to the Council Palace for mediation.
Considering that the former scenario would damage Hazan's reputation and honor, they added an agreement to ensure Hazan's victory whenever possible. This led to the scene where Magister Tetrus personally revealed the information to Hazan.
"We're brothers, Your Highness," Ian responded to Hazan's enthusiasm. "By the way, just now Magister Tetrus..."
"He told me to go to the Council Palace to publicly repent and apologize to them. I know," Hazan said noncommittally. "Don't worry, I know everything."
"That's good," Ian nodded as if relieved.
"So, can we discuss the commission now?" Ian then asked.
"Commission?" Hazan paused, seemingly surprised by Ian's mercenary nature. He then chuckled. "That's just a small sum. Once you wed my sister, the future..."
"For the Iron Bank, it's certainly a small sum," Ian murmured to himself, You have no future... "But for us, especially His Grace the King, it's a considerable sum. We all fought in His Grace Viserys's name. He instructed me this morning to hand over the commission to him immediately upon receiving it."
"Very well, since it's His Grace Viserys's will, then please follow me." Hazan hadn't intended to renege on the payment—he simply planned to pay Ian after the civil war in Pentos was underway. Since Ian had asked for it, there was no harm in giving it to him directly.
Soon, Ian followed Hazan to the back gardens of the Prince's Palace.
A few minutes later, Hazan had a servant bring a small chest.
"Here are gold bars worth six thousand gold dragons," Hazan said, having consciously tripled Bronn's commission. "Of course, I'm referring to the old gold dragons, not the debased coins minted since the new Master of Coin took office in Westeros."
It's no wonder Hazan used the term "debased" to refer to the new gold dragons of the last two years. Since Petyr Baelish, 'Littlefinger,' seized control of the minting of coins for the Iron Throne, the newly minted gold dragons had less than half the gold content of the originals.
Ian didn't count the coin in front of him—after all, a man like Hazan wouldn't be so petty as to tamper with such a small amount.
After having Rol take the chest, he said goodbye to Hazan: "Since there's nothing else, please allow me to take my leave. I don't want to keep His Grace waiting too long."
"Wait, Ian," Hazan called after him. "Indeed, I have other matters to attend to. What do you think of Magister Illyrio?" he suddenly asked.
"Uh..." Ian blinked, seemingly not understanding what Hazan was asking. "Why would you ask such a question? Is it related to my promise to help you persuade Magister Illyrio to join our side?" He feigned ignorance.
"No," Hazan shook his head. "What I'm about to tell you might be a bit troubling for you, but I hope you can listen patiently. It will be entirely beneficial for you."
"What is it?"
I've already heard enough troubling things; what I'm about to hear is truly horrifying.
"I'm sorry, I'll have to wait a moment to tell you. It's not the right time yet. Perhaps you could stay and dine with us."
"I can't refuse that, can I?"
"Just to be safe... I can't let you leave, but I sincerely hope for your understanding."
The clouds in the sky were thick and heavy, a dark mass that almost completely blocked out the sun's rays, making the sky appear exceptionally gloomy.
Illyrio's luxurious four-wheeled carriage left his manse and headed toward the Council Palace, escorted by thirty-two Unsullied warriors.
Just moments ago, a herald from the Council Palace had found him and told him that Magister Groiro Tetrus had convened the Grand Council because his house had been insulted by Prince Hazan, and wanted to demand an explanation from Prince Trigg Moharis and his son.
The herald was extremely anxious, as if a civil war was about to break out in Pentos.
At the same time, many Pentoshi nobles, including Magister Haucot and the Prince himself, had also sent envoys to Illyrio, hoping that he would mediate.
After meeting with these people, Illyrio quickly agreed, then ordered his servants to prepare a carriage, and together with the herald, they hurried to the Council Palace.
"Your Grace Illyrio, I have rarely seen you so eager," the herald remarked.
"Next week is Princess Daenerys and Khal Drogo's wedding," Illyrio Mopatis sighed as he pulled back the purple velvet curtains of the carriage. "I hope nothing goes wrong in Pentos."
"Nothing should go wrong," the herald shrugged. "Magister Tetrus is just trying to save face—he's always been a prideful man."
"What exactly happened? Tell me in detail." Illyrio picked a strawberry from the tray inside the carriage and popped it into his mouth. "Wasn't the duel to the death agreed upon from the start? Why did Hazan humiliate House Tetrus?"
"The young man was blinded by love. Hazan actually demanded that Suda kneel before so many Pentoshi nobles, and then crippled him without killing him. With Magister Tetrus's temperament, how could he tolerate such a thing?" The herald's tone was helpless.
"I think even your intervention won't be effective," the herald continued. "During this morning's tournament, most of Hazan's matches were fought by King Viserys's knights.
"And you are His Grace Viserys's protector in Pentos, so rumors are circulating that you have allied with Prince Hazan, which is why he dared to so boldly provoke House Tetrus."
Illyrio's face stiffened upon hearing this, as if even the half-eaten strawberry lost its flavor. He placed the half-eaten strawberry back on the plate, remained silent for a long time, and finally uttered, "Seven hells."
Seeing this, the herald said nothing more and silently shifted his gaze to the window.
Then, at Illyrio's command, the driver quickened the pace, and the magnificent four-wheeled carriage sped along the wide cobblestone streets of Pentos, leaving behind a hurried silhouette.
(End of Chapter)
[Reader Support Milestones]
500 Power Stones → +1 Chapter
10 Reviews → +1 Chapter
Enjoyed the read? Leave a review.
30+ advanced chapters on P1treon Soulforger