Chapter 92: Rumors

"That thing of yours is terrifying!" Nymeria exclaimed as she dismounted. Despite her initial reaction, she approached Arvak without fear, her time at the magic School having made her familiar with Wright's summoning theories. Curiously, she even ran her hand along the skeletal horse's bones.

"It's just bones — how does it even run?" Tyene asked, her attention clearly drawn to different details.

Wright explained, "It has a soul. Essentially, aside from its appearance, it functions just like any other horse. Its strength comes from its soul."

Nymeria nodded thoughtfully. "I'll go buy blinders for our horses. They don't have the nerve to walk alongside this thing otherwise."

Wright mounted Arvak with ease. Controlling the skeletal horse didn't require reins, leg commands, or any of the usual signals used for regular mounts. Instead, Arvak was directly connected to Wright's mind through their magical link.

Since riding Arvak beyond the Wall, Wright had found ordinary horses unappealing. In terms of strength, Arvak was unmatched — its towering frame, durable bones, and immense power could easily crush the helmeted of a knight with a single kick.

For endurance, Arvak drew energy from its soul. While prolonged activity could dim its strength, Wright could replenish it with his own magicka. As long as Wright had magicka reserves, Arvak could keep running — potentially until Wright himself succumbed to hunger.

When it came to adaptability, ordinary horses didn't even compare. Arvak had survived in the hostile environment of the Soul Cairn, a realm filled with dangers. Moreover, Arvak didn't need food or water, making it far more practical for long journeys.

Nymeria and Tyene, having grown up around horses, were far more skilled in riding and handling them than Wright. Without summoning magic, they relied on their expertise and quickly fitted their horses with blinders.

As Wright mounted Arvak, the crowd, reassured that the horse posed no immediate threat, cautiously approached. Some pointed at the skeletal horse, while others hesitated, unnerved by its eerie appearance. Then, someone recognized Wright.

"A richly dressed mage with a beautiful wive and a lover — that must be Wright Baratheon!"

"The Red Demon of Braavos!"

"He killed the last prince of House Targaryen!"

"He destroyed half of Braavos!"

"They say he killed tens of thousands with a single spell!"

"I even heard he chopped off the Titan of Braavos's head!"

"Those with him must be the 'Demon Bride' Nymeria and the 'Demon Maid' Tyene!"

The murmuring crowd quickly dispersed, their fear overtaking their curiosity. On horseback, Nymeria and Tyene exchanged amused glances before turning to Wright, who met their gazes with a resigned shrug.

During his time in Braavos, Wright had ensured that only the death of Viserys Targaryen was publicized. No one dared slander him while he remained in the city. But once he left, rumors spread like wildfire across Essos and Westeros, carried by ravens and merchant ships. Worse, the tales grew increasingly exaggerated.

Wright sighed. "Let's go," he said, nudging Arvak forward as the trio began their journey along the Valyrian Road toward Ghoyan Drohe.

"You destroyed half of Braavos? That's impressive," Nymeria teased.

Wright replied seriously, "That's a bit of an overstatement."

"But did you really kill tens of thousands?" Tyene asked, her tone filled with curiosity.

"If the Sealord hadn't evacuated the civilians, it might have been more."

"Amazing!" Tyene's eyes sparkled with admiration.

Wright stroked an imaginary beard. "And as for the Titan, that's pure nonsense. All I did was jump off its head. When did I supposedly decapitate it?"

Nymeria laughed. "Didn't you also relieve yourself on its head?"

Tyene chimed in, "Oh, there's an even crazier one. According to the stories, after destroying Braavos, you abducted Prince Oberyn's daughters, forced them to be your bride and maid, and left Oberyn helpless as he watched his daughters suffer."

"Seven hells! I've become the villain in every tale!" Wright exclaimed. "Our marriage was arranged over a decade ago, and it was formally sealed. People just love sensational gossip. Let's pick up the pace!" Wright urged, commanding Arvak to accelerate. Nymeria and Tyene's white horses quickly matched its speed, flanking Arvak as they raced down the Valyrian Road. Arvak's purple flame-tipped tail flickered in the wind, visible even as the trio disappeared into the distance.

"They don't look anything like the rumors," someone at the gates of Pentos muttered as they watched them vanish.

The Valyrian Road stretched straight and smooth, but their destination was nearly three hundred kilometers away. Along the way, they rested at several inns before finally reaching Ghoyan Drohe a few days later.

Ghoyan Drohe was a city reduced to ruins by dragonfire. Every Dornish noble knew the history well, especially House Martell, for whom the tale was a part of their family legacy.

"Looking at these remnants, our ancestors must have endured so much," Nymeria said as she touched the strange shapes of stone ruins melted by dragonfire and cooled into jagged formations.

"I've read about the Rhoynish Wars in books," Wright added, examining the ruins. "When faced with dragons, abandoning the city was the only rational choice."

The temperature of dragonfire is exceedingly high, enough to melt stone. For there to have been survivors during the Valyrian Empire's destruction of this city was a testament to the Dragonlords' arrogance—they deemed it beneath them to give chase. Despite the devastation, the Little Rhoyne River provided a direct route to Volantis and the sea. After conquering the city, the Valyrian Empire built a road to connect it with Pentos and utilized river transport to link it with their capital.

The harbor was bustling with ships, their design uniquely suited to the tranquil waters of the river. Without the need to withstand fierce ocean storms, the ships lacked figureheads but were painted in bright, vibrant colors and adorned with intricately carved patterns.

Wright, having little interest in naval design, immediately chose the largest lateen-sailed ship.

"I am Yedari, captain of the Shy Maiden. Where are you headed, and how many of you are there?" the captain asked.

"Three," Wright replied. "I'm hiring your entire ship."

Seeing the relatively small vessel, Wright preferred not to share it with other passengers.

"Not a problem. Let me show you the cabins," Captain Yedari said with a grin. "My wife and I operate this ship. Its shallow draft allows it to navigate narrow streams and sandbars with ease. When the sails are fully deployed, and the current is strong, she moves even faster."

Wright glanced at the captain, who seemed excited by his ship's capabilities. "No need for speed. A normal pace will do. We're not in a hurry."

Captain Yedari's expression turned serious. "You may not realize this, but the upper reaches of the Rhoyne are infested with bandits. If the ship moves too slowly, their small boats will quickly catch up. Speed can mean the difference between life and death."

Wright dismissed his concerns with a wave. "Your ship isn't a warship either, so don't push it. Just maintain a normal pace. If we encounter bandits, call for me in the cabin — I'll handle it."