NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: 5
[A month later]
The news he's just received from Pentos is, to say the least..... disturbing, like almost everyone else, Varys knows that Skagos is by far the poorest and weakest of the places and the one with the least importance of the Seven Kingdoms, of course, he also knows that it has nothing to do with a story of curses or savages.
He knows full well that even though Skagos was given to Lord Harlow, no one expected anything from the place, including him, so he never made an effort to send his little birds there - there was nothing to spy on.
And yet, it seems he was wrong.
If the information he'd received was true, and he knew it was, then Skagos was more important than he'd thought.
The fact that Lord Harlow is dead doesn't surprise him, it was a miracle they managed to pay their taxes to the crown, their finances must have been at rock bottom, and without money, well.
However, he hadn't expected Lord Harlow's heir to be so....resourceful.
Taking another sip of the nectar his friends had sent him, he let out an ecstatic sigh, still feeling the exquisite taste of the drink on his tongue.
He understood perfectly why the young lord's creation had sold so well with the free cities, and he knew full well that this nectar would bring him a great deal of money and influence in the Seven Kingdoms.
Especially with a king like Robert.
'Mmm, looks like I'll have to make some adjustments.' The spider starts moving because Skagos might not be as poor and weak as before.
The young Lord Harlow may prove useful for these plans.
-
[Two months later]
'Like butterflies attracted by light.'
I smile knowing that the last shipment of alcohol has already left for Braavos while the holds of my ships are full of gold and trade deals have been made, money won't be a problem, however, it looks like I'll have to take all that gold back to my lands to make it completely mine.
I suppose the system reckons I can still get attacked on the way back, which I know will undoubtedly happen, I've got a million seven hundred thousand gold dragons in my holds and I haven't exactly been discreet about it.
Besides, it's been almost three months since I've been here and a lot of criminal groups have had time to prepare an attack, fortunately, all my soldiers are aware of this, they know that the way home is likely to be eventful, but I have no fear, they're ready, Salazar is ready, and I'm ready.
"Are we ready to go, señor?" Salazar asks me as my gaze remains fixed on the infinite expanse of water.
"Yes, it's time to go home." I say, positioning myself next to the helm as Salazard gives orders to the sailors.
"WEIGH ANCHOR, EVERYONE TO THEIR STATIONS, VAMOS."
-
Watching the boat disappear over the horizon faster than any ship he'd seen in his life, Illyrio is immersed in these thoughts, trying to think of several ways to use the young lord for a certain house of which he is a supporter.
During these three months, Illyrio has taken advantage of Alexander's presence in his city to probe the young man and the least he can say is that the young lord is a dangerous man, the fact that Alexander knew what he was trying to do and made sure to give the answers he wanted makes him more dangerous.
Despite his many years of negotiations, Illyrio had no illusions that every time he spoke to the young lord, he was not directing the conversation.
His mastery of the language and his charisma meant that he controlled conversations as he saw fit, and although Illyrio was aware of this, there was nothing he could do to stop him, and this simple fact sent a chill down his spine.
However, his many experiences as a merchant had taught him many things, including a little about Alexander, even if he knew he'd only learned what the young lord wanted him to learn.
However, with the little he has learned, a semblance of a plan forms in his head as he orders a servant to bring him what he needs to send a message to a friend harboring the two dragons.
-
"You seem troubled, señor?" Sitting at my desk in my quarters, my mind is wrenched from my thoughts to focus on Salazar, who has just entered through the door.
I shake my head, smiling slightly, "Nothing important, capitán, at least for now." I sigh slightly before addressing him again: "Report."
"Despite the many attacks we've suffered, damage to the ships and these cargoes is almost non-existent." He says in a serious tone, while I can't prevent a small sneer from appearing on my face.
Yes, the pirates.
If there's one thing I can give them, it's that they're stubborn. We left about three days ago and have suffered no less than twelve attacks.
Fortunately, we've had no trouble exterminating them, but the non-stop attacks will soon begin to take their toll on the crew members, who don't have compound V in their veins.
"Besides, we'll be in Skagos in about five days."
My eyebrows furrow at Salazar's estimate before I remember that the gold we're carrying slows the ships down considerably.
"Well, keep up the good work, Captain." Salazar nods before exiting the cabin, allowing me to plunge back into my thoughts, well, especially one thought in particular.
The White Walkers.
Even though chronologically they won't appear for at least 10 years, this worries me a little, because I doubt the canon will survive with what I'm going to do.
I promised Father that I'd take care of our family and make House Harlow powerful and feared, and if that means killing the psychopathic lion cub and his incestuous mother, so be it.
I have no desire to be in their race for the crown, but I doubt I'll escape the Game of Thrones.
Well, I guess I'll see when I get there, for now, let's go home, there's lots to do at home.