Chapter 154: The Peak

The union between Storm's End and Highgarden was celebrated with a wedding in King's Landing. To attend the wedding, the nobles who had been stranded in Tyrosh set out, leaving only Wright and Robert, who had already paid the dragon-riding fee, among them.

At this stage, it was a time for infrastructure development, with a shortage of money and manpower. Wright asked Stannis for more men and brought in Salladhor saan, a pirate leader who had defected from Lys. He was now part of the Royal Fleet and a skilled naval commander.

Near the harbor, at the warehouse where prisoners had previously been judged, Captain Balon Swann and several soldiers climbed a wooden ladder to hang up a newly made flag at the entrance. The banner featured a golden crown with a flaming stag. The warehouse had now officially become the Wright's temporary office hall.

"Left, left... Good, this position is perfect."

Balon Swann was directing the soldiers to adjust the angle of the flag when Salladhor saan arrived at the warehouse.

"Ser Balon, is Lord Wright inside?"

Balon Swann recognized him and led him inside, calling loudly, "Sergeant Major Salladhor saan from the Royal Fleet has arrived. Please come in."

"Salladhor saan! Over here!" Wright called out as soon as he heard the announcement.

Wright was busy revising the city planning map of Tyrosh with Gunthor Hightower.

Salladhor saan stood straight, removed his hat, and bowed. "Duke Wright! Lord Gunthor, good afternoon."

This self-proclaimed Prince of the Narrow Sea stood tall in front of Wright, the recognized Guardian of the Narrow Sea.

Wright looked at him and said, "No need for formalities, help yourself to some wine over there."

After living in Tyrosh for a while, everyone knew Wright's style. He was very casual unless it was a formal occasion, but he hadn't moved yet, which meant he probably wanted to discuss something important.

Seeing that Saraldo didn't move, Wright put down his ruler and pen. "I borrowed you from the Royal Fleet because I heard you used to run trade and banking in Lys. Is that true?"

Salladhor saan chuckled modestly. "Just small-scale business, not worth comparing to Lord Wright's enterprise." He had been involved in smuggling, trading goods, and even lending at high interest.

Wright handed him a parchment, which was a formal document already sealed with the Tyrosh Magister's stamp.

"Take this document to Lys first. Tyrosh is now welcoming all merchants, transport fleets, and bankers to settle here. The conditions are favorable, and the only stipulation is that the interest rates must not be too high. I've outlined the details in the document."

Salladhor saan took the parchment and examined it carefully. "'Tyrosh City Investment Guide'?"

Wright nodded. "This document provides a general overview, but the specific details will only be disclosed in Tyrosh. Your task is to go to Lys, where the war has just ended, and bring all the merchants there to Tyrosh for business. Even if they don't do business, at least get them to visit."

Salladhor saan folded the parchment. "I understand, Lord Wright. I will leave immediately."

Wright: "Safe travels!"

Salladhor saan was surprised by Wright's courtesy. He gave Wright an imperfect salute and hurriedly exited the warehouse.

Wright turned to Gunthor Hightower. "While I'm away, you'll act as the acting Lord of the City. I'm entrusting you with the matters of the Stepstone Islands. I'll set off for King's Landing tomorrow morning, then go to Braavos to get the money. I expect to be gone for about a month."

The Hightower family was also attending the wedding in King's Landing, but Tyrosh was short-handed. Gunthor Hightower, being the third son of his family, could handle things in his father's and brother's absence. He was also highly skilled in business, making him the perfect person for the job.

"Thank you for your trust, Lord Wright! I won't disappoint you." Gunthor Hightower bowed to Wright.

Wright patted his shoulder. "Let's continue working. Let's aim to finish the main city plan today."

The war had been won not long ago, and this was the time when Wright's reputation was at its peak. Odahviing also often flew over the islands of the Stepstone Archipelago, and no one dared to cause trouble at this time. Tyrosh City remained relatively safe.

The next morning, Odahviing had already landed in the ruins of the inner city, waiting.

Wright, Nymeria, Tyene, Robert, Stannis, andRenly, six in total, were climbing up the dragon's wing.

"I didn't expect a single wing to be so big. Are we not there yet?" Robert was already panting heavily.

The flight time was longer this time, and they had to eat dry rations midway. Westeros had many cities that were easy to identify, so as long as Odahviing didn't wander off course, they could reach King's Landing by nightfall.

The wind was cold up in the sky, and Wright reminded everyone to wear thicker clothes. Robert insisted on wearing full armor to show his authority, with a thick lining inside, a heavy cloak on the outside, and carrying his war hammer. The wing membrane under his feet made it hard to push, so it wasn't surprising that he was tired.

Wright: "Just think of it as climbing a small mountain."

Finally, they reached the dragon's back.

Wright: "Hold on to the spines. Stay on the back for now. If you can handle the bumps, you can move to the neck. Odahviing will fly steadily."

Robert: "We're not prone to seasickness, so it should be fine. The neck—what the hell!"

Before he could finish his sentence, Odahviing had spread its wings, stood up, and began to accelerate, leaping from the mountaintop and flapping its wings to soar into the sky.

The people of Tyrosh had already become accustomed to the massive dragon flying overhead or splashing in the harbor outside the city. When the sky darkened, they just glanced up and continued with their work. If a few days passed without seeing it, they would even discuss whether Wright had gone on a journey.

Wright handed three waterproof bags to the others. In case they vomited on the dragon's back, Odahviing might bite him.

They quickly could no longer hold it in and vomited into the bags, throwing them into the sea after sealing them. The first flight at such high speed, especially in an open-air manner, was unbearable for most people.

King's Landing had already received word, and a fence had been erected outside the ruins of the Dragonpint to await the dragon's arrival.

The people were very excited. Who wouldn't want to see the legendary dragon? No one could focus on work, and Jon Arryn even ordered a city-wide shutdown for the day.

Aside from the guards on duty, everyone in the city gathered near the Dragonpit ruins, waiting for the dragon's arrival.

At night, countless torches were lit, and many people waited from the afternoon until evening without eating, just to get a good spot.

The crowd was so large that common folk had to stay outside the fence, while nobles were allowed inside. Petyr Baelish, the master of the King's Landing sewers, and the spymaster Varys were standing together, chatting idly.

Petyr Baelish: "Can we say that this is the peak of the Baratheon dynasty, Lord Varys?"

Varys stroked his bald head: "I suppose so."

Petyr Baelish: "The older brother is the king, the second brother is the Warden of Dragonstone and Master of ship, the third is the Duke of Storm's End and Master of Laws, and the fourth is the Lord of Tyrosh andArchmage. It's incredible! All the benefits are going to these four brothers."

Varys: "Robert is the founding king. It's not unreasonable for him to let his three brothers enjoy some wealth and power."

Petyr Baelish grinned: "Don't get me wrong, I've never complained. This is just something I overheard at the tavern."

Varys: "I hope you don't have any unrealistic thoughts."

Petyr Baelish: "I wouldn't dare! Renly and Highgarden are allied, Wright and Dorne are allied, the Warden of the Vale is the king's foster father, the Warden of the North and the king are close friends, and the Royal Fleet has stripped the Iron Islands of its youth. The Stormlands, the Riverlands, Dorne, the Vale, the North, and the Iron Islands are all tightly controlled by the four brothers. The Westerlands are also the king's former in-laws, and the Riverlands have connections with the North. Now, who would dare have any thoughts?"

Varys looked up at the stars in the night sky: "It's good that there are no such thoughts. The dragon will soon arrive. Let's hope for a golden age."

Petyr Baelish didn't look up at the sky. Instead, he turned to observe the people of King's Landing behind him. He remembered something Eddard Stark often said just a few days ago: "Winter is coming! What rises must fall! I wonder if the four Baratheon brothers will be able to defy the laws of history."