Candles brightly lit the reception room, and there was an exotic ambiance within the space.
Here, there were scented candles from the Valyrian Freehold, and a silver-haired, purple-eyed exiled Dragon King.
The red three-headed dragon emblem shimmered in the candlelight, a symbol of a Dragon King who once ruled vast lands, now reduced to living as a private citizen in Braavos.
The Swordswoman couldn't help but sigh at the fickle nature of the world, but seeing Viserys's composed demeanor, she couldn't help but think more highly of him.
Westeros and the continent of Essos were closely connected.
Viserys knew that two types of people lived long-term in Essos: the first were exiled political failures, and the other were outlaws.
The Usurper's War had been fiercely fought back then; supporters of the Targaryen royalists either died on the battlefield or donned black and went to the Night's Watch, but a small portion did escape across the Narrow Sea.
People are worthless away from home, and while there were such individuals, they were indeed few.
If Ser Willem had not been half-blind and paralyzed, he might have had the energy to organize these restorationists.
But the accident came too quickly, leaving Viserys without even a small restoration group, completely a lone commander.
They had no base of their own in Essos, nor any messengers traveling across the Narrow Sea.
As for the second type of outlaws, they were like Jorah Mormont, who illegally sold poachers into slavery, or those who stole deer and dogs, offended their liege lords, and couldn't make a living in Westeros.
There were more of these people, but they were all villains.
Viserys still preferred to recruit the first type of people: loyal royalist knights.
Most of the second type had now joined mercenary companies, such as the Golden Company, which he couldn't afford to hire. Moreover, these people were insatiably greedy and of mixed backgrounds.
"Knights from Westeros?" The Swordswoman's almond-shaped eyes looked at Viserys, a glint of intelligence flashing through them.
The Swordswoman found it somewhat amusing; it seemed this handsome young king could never forget the Iron Throne he had lost.
After all, that was a vast and fertile land, ruling millions of people.
But with the king's current resources, returning to reclaim it was nothing short of a pipe dream.
In extreme circumstances, Westeros could raise an army of two or three hundred thousand, while this exiled king was as weak as an ant.
"Although it will be somewhat difficult, I will secretly search for them for you," the Swordswoman promised.
Although it sounded simple, the conditions Viserys requested were indeed somewhat challenging.
The requirements specified experienced knights, loyal exiles of the Targaryen royal family, and people of reliable character.
"I thank you in advance," Viserys was still very happy.
Courtesans had their own intelligence networks, moving between nobles, officials, merchants, and assassins.
The more famous the courtesan, the larger her intelligence and social network.
These women acted like large-scale brokers, connecting people, and they could also act as matchmakers for their clients.
This wasn't a free ride; a meal had been exchanged for a piece of information.
"However, finding a qualified Westerosi exile for you won't be that simple. If the King trusts me, I can first arrange a Water Dancer master for the King," the Swordswoman said, changing the subject.
Such a good thing?
Viserys thought, this courtesan is quite generous.
She offered Viserys two options at once.
Coming and going, it's no wonder many people become utterly infatuated with these courtesans.
"I am truly grateful," Viserys expressed his thanks.
"You are truly generous, but where is the Water Dancer you arranged for the King?" Syessa asked.
"Far away, yet close at hand," the Swordswoman said, pointing to her bearded guard, Morro.
"This gift is too precious," Viserys quickly waved his hand. "How could I accept this?"
This was the Swordswoman's guard; if she was willing to give him up, this woman had a gambler's madness about her.
"Don't overthink it," the Swordswoman quickly waved her hand. "Before I find a Westerosi for you, you can first learn the Water Dancer's sword style from Morro. Although it's different from the Dance of Steel, the Dance of Water is also ever-changing."
"Then who will protect you?" Viserys asked.
"I have other guards. Courtesans are always like this; many people are willing to die for us. This is also the charm of a courtesan," the Swordswoman smiled brightly, very confident.
"The King also needs a guard's protection. The Secret City is a dangerous place. Swordsmen dreaming of making a name for themselves are everywhere; they even duel over which courtesan is the most charming."
And indeed, it was true; duels happened daily by the Moon Pool.
If Viserys dressed flamboyantly, he would surely be provoked by swordsmen.
In the Seven Kingdoms, nobles wore colorful velvets, brocades, and silks, while peasants and common folk wore undyed woolens or dark brown coarse cloth.
Braavos was the opposite.
Assassins strutted about like peacocks, playing with their swords, while powerful people either chose deep gray, deep purple, or deep blue, close to black, or simply wore black clothes, as black as a moonless night.
"Morro, do you agree?" the Swordswoman asked.
Morro replied in a muffled voice. "Whatever the Swordswoman says, I listen. Also, will there be this much good food if I stay here?"
"Yes, King Viserys is a generous man," the Swordswoman said.
"Just accept it, Viserys. You really do need a guard," Syessa also approved. "If you really want to thank us, you can treat us to a few more meals."
Anyway, these weren't their official people; it was a matter of mutual consent, and no one could say much.
"That is for sure," Viserys promised.
Viserys thought of Caesar's success strategies: first, using women to gather intelligence, and second, borrowing large sums of money to build momentum for himself.
These courtesans were now ready-made, all-powerful, with money and intelligence, but getting intimately involved with courtesans could lead to a swift death.
For now, Viserys only wanted to get money and intelligence from them.
"The Swordswoman's generosity fills me with joy."
This Water Dancer guard being the Swordswoman's person was just how it was; anyway, most of the servants in the courtyard were already other people's eyes and ears. One more instructor wouldn't make much difference.
Viserys was now at his wit's end, like finding a stick in a pond, just grabbing it for now.
Of course, the Swordswoman didn't believe in Viserys that much either.
She just thought that since Viserys was already fourteen or fifteen, practicing the Dance of Water wouldn't be very useful for someone his age, so it was just a way to make a friend.
After all, for Water Dancing, the Faceless Men, and even knight training, the youngest started at six or seven. Someone as old as Viserys typically wouldn't achieve much mastery.
Viserys also understood the Swordswoman's thoughts, but that was no big deal, as Viserys still had his cheats.
So, the matter was thus settled.
The Swordswoman would find a suitable Westerosi knight for Viserys and also arrange for Morro to train Viserys.
"May our friendship dance with the wine," Syessa laughed heartily.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The glasses clinked crisply, and the few of them drank it all..
Viserys's heart stirred; this was the first step of his venture.
Although everything is difficult at the start, by adhering to the principle of acquiring money and people, he would gradually develop in the future.
This was a small step for Viserys, starting from expanding his social circle and attempting to build his own team.
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