The Daughter of Darkness saw the Black Pearl weave through the crowd and return to their spot, having been chatting with someone just moments ago.
"Your savior has arrived," the Daughter of Darkness said to Viserys.
"I paid for it; a true dragon never forgets," Viserys said, tasting the slightly sour lemonade. He disliked the spiced wines; they were too impure.
Seeing the Black Pearl approach, the Daughter of Darkness said no more.
"Preston came looking for you?" the Black Pearl, Bellerose, asked.
"Yes, that young master wants to host a banquet for me, and he made it sound very appealing," Viserys replied.
Although Viserys hadn't clearly seen Preston's full face, he didn't seem particularly old.
"Preston," the Black Pearl murmured their family name. "You refused?"
"I can go for dinner, but I refused anything more," Viserys replied.
"Then your trouble has arrived," the Black Pearl sighed. "I didn't expect Preston to be so brazen, but it also shows your value is great enough. A first-rate singer, an artist."
Braavosi, like Pentoshi and Lyseni, are all fond of songs, and they are always very generous to excellent singers.
These city-states also seem to love works of art; ancient statues of the Seven Gods are said to fetch a good price in Pentos.
"Thanks to you," Viserys said. "My reputation…"
People fear fame, pigs fear getting fat—this is true throughout history. This arena of fame and fortune is also a battlefield.
Before, The Swordswoman and Nightingale were merely minor skirmishes, but with the First Courtesan, the Black Pearl, singing the Silver Traveler's works, this became a tremendous honor and promotional boost.
After the masked ball and the Courtesan's performance, there was an atmosphere of "who in the world doesn't know him."
The Black Pearl elevated Viserys's fame, but it was also destined to lead him into troubled waters.
"Is there a way to resolve this trouble?" Viserys asked.
"It's simple, you sign an agreement with me, and I become your boss," the Black Pearl said. "In Braavos, my words still carry some weight."
"Then I'll pass. Could you choose another path for me?" Viserys shook his head.
He was planning to flee Braavos and didn't want too deep a relationship with any party.
Moreover, the Preston family seemed like black-hearted capitalists. Could they offer more than the Black Pearl?
"I can introduce you to a captain. This captain might be able to solve your troubles," the Black Pearl mused. "Although he doesn't know you, he knows your songs. Sailors all love 'Five Hundred Miles Away From Home.'"
"A captain?"
"Exactly, the leader of the Crabbers, the head of the Rum Association," the Black Pearl nodded.
The Ice Ocean Crabbers are considered the most cohesive and wildest group of fishermen, and they hold considerable deterrent power in Braavos.
"Why are the fishermen the Rum Association?"
"That pitch-black rum is only truly loved by sailors," the Black Pearl explained.
Black rum, like pitch, is primarily a drink for seafarers and sailors, allowing them to get drunk with comrades when their ships dock.
To stick together, merchants organized themselves into guilds, and the Crab Captains' guild is the Rum Association.
Like Qarth, there are also three large guilds.
"You are truly dedicated," the Daughter of Darkness said, a hint of sourness in her tone.
Viserys suddenly wondered if the Daughter of Darkness was somewhat aloof, or perhaps harbored unusual feelings for the Black Pearl.
"I'm just afraid my investment will fall through," the Black Pearl stretched lazily. "Right, Mysterious Knight?"
"I hope so too. But what if the Preston family doesn't back down?" Viserys asked. "Then I can only move forward."
Perhaps it could be resolved peacefully, but there was also the possibility of a confrontation.
"The Preston family is not to be trifled with, and the Titan's Bastard is also a very brutal assassin mercenary," the Daughter of Darkness looked at Viserys in surprise, seemingly admiring his courage.
Viserys appeared to be merely an artist, but he unexpectedly possessed such spirit and bravery.
"What do you intend to do?" the Black Pearl asked, looking at Viserys.
"I am an apprentice of the Water Dancer. I may have to follow the way of the Water Dance. I've heard the rules of the Water Dance: if a Water Dancer retreats from a challenge, he will retreat again and again. The enemy will demand his cloak, then his boots, and before long, the weak will be left naked," Viserys's words were chilling.
Violence is not the best answer, but violence is always an alternative.
Viserys hadn't expected to encounter trouble with Braavosi first, rather than assassins from Westeros.
To put it bluntly, by placing himself in the arena of power, he was destined to be entangled in these intrigues.
"I hope it doesn't come to that," the Black Pearl said, looking at Viserys. A warrior cannot escape blood and fire. There's no convincing him otherwise.
"A Water Dancer?" the Daughter of Darkness looked at Viserys. "With purple eyes, are you also the Violet Swordsman?"
If one saw Viserys's silver hair and purple eyes, it would be easy to link "Silver Traveler" and "Violet Swordsman."
"Shh," Viserys raised a finger, indicating silence. He indeed had a few too many aliases.
A discerning person could still connect them.
"To success," Viserys said, raising his cup.
"It will be successful," the Black Pearl still had some confidence.
On the third floor of the Hall of the Sea King, in the Sea King's private room.
Orwyl Ferrego suffered from a childhood illness, so he disliked noise and preferred to be alone and quiet.
Although he appeared healthy on the surface, only those close to him knew he had a vulnerable side.
"Jaqo Prestan of the Preston family went to see Viserys Targaryen," First Sword Quilo said.
"Jaqo Prestan is the heir of the Preston family. He's quite eager. He wants to win over the Silver Traveler to add luster to the Mermaid Queen and enhance his family's prestige," Threygo said softly.
Braavos also had its power struggles, with many families rising and falling, but only the top three families remained stable.
Those outside the three great families who wished to distinguish themselves needed to put in more effort.
"He probably doesn't care about Viserys's identity; he just purely wants to bring the Silver Traveler over."
"That boy and the Black Pearl are only partners. Would he be easily swayed by Preston?" Threygo said with disdain.
"Should we give Preston a warning? They are indeed too bold," Quilo suggested. "And Viserys is also someone you are watching."
"No need," Threygo waved his hand. "The art of power lies in balance, and I will balance it at the appropriate time."
"A wise answer, Your Majesty. But what if Viserys is too weak and Preston deals with him harshly?"
"If that happens, it means he is not a suitable candidate for the arena of power. Every person who rises to prominence should have a beast within them. It is true for the kings of Westeros, and it is true for me…"
The First Sword seemed to understand, yet not fully.
"This Viserys truly is a storm. In a short time, his reputation has soared. I am quite curious to see how he will handle this." Threygo said, reflecting.
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