Viserys frowned as he looked at the extra part of the dragon bone that Illyrio had sent.
"This is?"
He had just gotten up not long ago and hadn't had a chance to check on Daenerys yet, when he was summoned to Illyrio's study.
"This is a gift, Your Grace. I fear I was abrupt with you yesterday, so consider this an apology," Illyrio explained, seemingly unperturbed by Viserys' frown.
"And it was quite thoughtless of me not to realize that you didn't have a personal maid to serve you. It's a terrible oversight on my part."
He leaned in closer and whispered in an oily tone, "This is a Lysene girl, skilled in the arts of pleasure. I specifically bought her for you. I guarantee you will be satisfied."
Seeing Illyrio's eager display, Viserys was momentarily at a loss for how to respond. He had expected that the fat magister would eventually try to place someone in his entourage, but he hadn't anticipated such a blatant move, openly gifting him a bed slave.
Such actions might seem unimaginable to modern sensibilities, but in the current world of "A Song of Ice and Fire," this was entirely normal.
Not only in the slave cities of Yunkai, Meereen, and Astapor, but even in the relatively liberal Free Cities and the more conservative Westeros, it was quite common for powerful individuals to present a bed slave as a gift, as a display of their generosity and largesse.
"You are very considerate, Illyrio."
After a moment of contemplation, Viserys finally found his words.
"I will accept the dragonbone, but the girl is unnecessary. You did nothing wrong yesterday; I understand your actions were well-intentioned. If you truly feel remorseful, perhaps you could find me more dragonbone."
He pointed to the boxes of dragonbone, then whispered to the magister, "And if you have any dragon eggs, that would be even better."
But Illyrio was persistent. "You don't like her?" he simpered. "How about I get you a handsome boy instead?"
Ugh...
It was clear that Illyrio was determined to give him something.
Viserys's expression turned serious. "Someone once advised me, Illyrio, that a ruler's carelessness can bring disaster upon his subordinates, and the carelessness of those subordinates can ruin their efforts. Important matters handled without due caution will fail. Do you not understand the gravity of what we are doing?"
"Your Grace, I have not disclosed any information," Illyrio protested, eyes wide with apparent innocence. "This girl is from Lys, trained in Yunkai. She's just a bed slave meant to please men. Are you overthinking this?"
Viserys narrowed his eyes at Illyrio, who appeared aggrieved and eager to defend himself. Sensing the magister's persistence, Viserys felt a surge of stubbornness. "Someone told me that a king's downfall often lies in his indulgence in women. My brother Rhaegar lost the throne because of it, and now King Robert is likely to lose his because of it too. Do you think there's truth in that, Lord Illyrio?"
"Your Grace, I..." Illyrio lowered his stance, smiling bitterly. "I just wanted to gift you a maid."
At this point, Viserys regretted his earlier outburst. Illyrio was determined to present him with this maid, and by continually refusing, he risked unnecessary conflict with the magister.
While he remained wary of Illyrio, he couldn't afford to be too blunt and confrontational with every probing gesture. Their apparent relationship needed to be one of closeness. Since Illyrio was making an effort to appease him, Viserys had to respond in a more amicable and appropriate manner.
As long as there was dragonbone, he could endure and adapt.
After all, it was just one more spy to keep an eye on.
"Magister Illyrio, I didn't mean it that way." Viserys softened his tone. "I spoke rashly out of frustration. You see, I've spent many sleepless nights resenting my brother Rhaegar for losing the kingdom over a woman. I understand you meant well by sending a maid, and I do need someone to serve me. But a bed slave is unnecessary."
"Your Grace, what should we do with this girl?" Illyrio asked softly, backing off slightly but still pushing the issue. He glanced at the girl and then back at Viserys, whispering, "She might have overheard some of our conversation. If you are concerned..."
Viserys finally recognized the ruthless side of this portly magister. He couldn't tell if Illyrio genuinely intended to deal with the girl or if this was a calculated threat against the gift he had offered only minutes earlier.
"You intend to kill her?" Viserys asked, astonished. He narrowed his eyes, gazing at Illyrio. It seemed he was more interested in Illyrio's response than the girl's fate.
"Kill her? Hiss~" Illyrio drew a sharp breath as if Viserys's question had shocked him. "I meant to sell her far away, Your Grace. What do you want me to do?"
Viserys, as if joking, said, "You just gave her to me, didn't you? I re-gift her to you. Illyrio, surely you aren't too old to make use of her, are you? Or do you need her to trade for a handsome boy? If that's the case, you'll have to figure it out yourself. Heh."
"Haha," Illyrio laughed along, "Your Grace jests. Unlike a king like you, who bears the weight of the realm and shuns female company, I am not so virtuous. Haha." With that, Illyrio called to his steward, "Take her away and arrange a room for her."
Viserys seized the opportunity to order, "And send these to my room."
The matter was set aside. The steward had barely left when Viserys began to think of an excuse to leave Illyrio's study. Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Illyrio turned to Viserys, apologizing with a bow of his head before calling out, "Enter. What is it?"
"Master," said the familiar eunuch guard of Illyrio, "the envoy of the Archon of Tyrosh has arrived. They are in the courtyard and request an audience with you. Here is their visiting card."
The eunuch respectfully handed over a gold-edged card to Illyrio.
"Unexpected guests," Illyrio muttered as he took the card, frowning. "What brings them here?"
He didn't open the visiting card but instead looked at Viserys with a troubled expression. "Your Grace, this..."
The portly magister seemed to be saying that this was an unexpected situation.
Viserys pondered whether this was another test. "What's the matter?"
"Your Grace, I must explain. Since this courtyard was secretly arranged for you and Princess Daenerys, I have not invited anyone here." Illyrio looked genuinely troubled as he explained in detail, "The envoy from the Archon of Tyrosh must have somehow discovered I was here and has come unannounced, likely to seek my assistance in contacting the Dothraki. You may not know, Your Grace, but there have been recent tensions between Tyrosh, Lys, and Myr over trade routes."
"Oh," Viserys responded, feigning understanding but subtly highlighting a point, "Since I am here 'secretly' and hiding, such things are expected. This is, after all, your courtyard, and you are the master, Magister. If this concerns your important business, my sister and I can stay out of the way. It's not a big deal."
"Your Grace..." Illyrio smiled bitterly, still speaking in a humble tone. "Please understand, I am merely one of the many merchant magistrates of Pentos, and this envoy is the brother of the Archon of Tyrosh."
'If you are just one of the many merchant magistrates of Pentos, why did he specifically come to find you?'
Viserys harbored secret suspicions but maintained a nonchalant demeanor. "Then I will return to my room, Magister. I had hoped we could have lunch together, but it seems that will not happen."
The portly magister respectfully responded, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Grace."
The portly magister and Viserys exited the study together. Viserys walked slowly along the corridor towards the guest rooms, while the magister headed to the entrance.
Viserys walked at a leisurely pace until he could see the appearance of the guest being greeted by the magister at the entrance. Then, he entered the building where the guest rooms were located.
The first to enter were servants carrying gift boxes.
The open boxes contained the finest velvet and brocade produced by the Free Cities, top-quality ceramics encrusted with jewels, and colorful enamels and glassware.
They were led into the reception hall by Illyrio's guards. Next came Illyrio himself, accompanied by a stout middle-aged man with a green beard, dressed in luxurious, colorful silk garments, as they entered the courtyard.
Finally, the attendants of the two men entered. Among them, half a step ahead of the guards but half a step behind the magister and the stout middle-aged man, was a burly man whose attire stood out from the others.
This burly man was somewhat bald, with dark skin, a tall and muscular frame, and dense hair. Unlike the eunuch guards in their standard leather armor, he wore chainmail and leather, with a dark green outer garment embroidered with a black bear standing on two legs.
Viserys guessed his identity.
Jorah Mormont.
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