Braavos, the Great Fountain, the Moon Pool.
The Moon Pool is located in the northeast of Braavos, south of the Sealord's Palace and in front of the Iron Bank headquarters, where the Sweetwater Canal finally flows into it.
The area around the Moon Pool, also known as the Sealord's Palace district, is essentially the noble quarter of Braavos, much like the houses near the Red Keep in King's Landing or the Black Walls of Volantis.
In this prime, expensive location, besides the Moon Pool where people watch duels, there are also many good taverns, brothels, and inns, all with hefty prices. Cheaper inns are not found here; one would need to look near the Old Docks.
There are quite a few Braavosi people here, and fewer outsiders.
This is because only Braavosi are allowed to use the Purple Harbor, from the Flooded Town to the Sealord's Palace. Ships from other Free Cities and around the world can only go to the Ragman's Harbor.
The slaughter at the Moon Pool was like an interlude; the assassins were long accustomed to it.
Besides the previous killings, there might be other duels later on.
"Clams, fresh clams." The fishmonger's daughter would sell clams in the alley near the Moon Pool every day, or peddle them at the temples on the Isle of Gods.
Viserys and Moro bought some clams, and they ate and chatted.
"You can't back down when you meet a Water Dancer," Moro said, sharing his experience. "You have to be fiercer, stronger than them. Otherwise, they'll duel you, or demand your boots, then your coat, your sword belt, your weapon, and you'll end up fleeing the Moon Pool naked."
Viserys swallowed the warm clams, slightly salty from the sea. It would have been even better with a bit of lemon, but lemons were sky-high in price now. "The seafood in Braavos is truly abundant; I feel like I'm about to turn into a salted fish."
Moro scrutinized Viserys. "It seems you're quite different from the legendary True Dragons. From what I've heard, everyone says you are very proud people, an arrogant Dragon family."
"Of course I am a True Dragon, but even True Dragons nap sometimes." Viserys was noncommittal; now was not the time to show off, and no one would fawn over him if he acted like a True Dragon.
"Now you're truly famous. The whole city is calling that name, the Silver Traveler," the bald, bearded Moro told Viserys.
"Let them guess," Viserys said with a smile.
"But being too famous also brings trouble, it seems you anticipated that," Moro reminded him.
"For example?"
"Courtesans have a chain behind them, and these people also have their investors..." Moro whispered softly.
"Every courtesan tries to rival the Black Pearl, but they don't have that kind of power. However, important figures still work hard to bring various resources to the courtesans. Some important figures are retired courtesans, while others are wealthy merchants and Archons."
This was easy to understand, like a medieval form of venture capital, high risk, high reward.
Courtesans were like the celebrities and brokers of Braavos; investors cultivated them, hoping they would shine brightly and bring substantial returns to the investors.
Every famous courtesan supported a large number of people, truly a livelihood for hundreds and thousands.
Courtesans needed flower boats, boatmen, reception halls, villas, and guards. All these people incurred significant costs, plus the portion for investors.
However, this also showed how profitable courtesans were; it was a lucrative industry.
"Are you saying I might be noticed by other courtesans?"
"That's inevitable. A talented singer is also very valuable for cooperation. But it's not always a good thing; some people will also seek trouble with you. For example, rivals in the same profession, who are often enemies," Moro said meaningfully.
People fear fame, pigs fear getting fat; it has always been so.
Once Viserys's alias, "the Silver Traveler," became famous, he could earn a lot of money. If it meant taking on some risks, that was acceptable.
Viserys needed to earn money and raise funds in Braavos.
"So the courtesans' struggles aren't particularly brutal?" Viserys asked.
Moro shook his head. "There are struggles, but with the Sealord in charge, these conflicts have some limits. That said, trouble is everywhere."
Viserys understood the deeper meaning: there were struggles, but they were largely under the Sealord's control.
Behind the top courtesans were important figures like the Sealord, Archons, and great families, so this market indeed had its rules.
After leaving the Moon Pool, the two passed by several-story-high upscale inns, where only wealthy people stayed.
Viserys saw several plank tables in the shady area outside the inn, each with different flags fluttering in the wind.
Since it was late at night, the mercenary recruiters and those interviewing mercenaries had gone back to rest.
"Are these the banners of mercenary companies?" Viserys immediately recognized them.
"Yes," Moro replied.
The blue and white striped swallowtail banner, fluttering in the wind, represented the Windblown.
Besides the Windblown, there was also a banner depicting a blood-red hunting cat, representing the Cat's Company.
And, of course, another banner depicted a golden skull, tied to a spear.
This golden skull banner, naturally, represented the Golden Company.
The Golden Company had ten thousand men, the Windblown two thousand, and the Cat's Company three thousand. In terms of scale, they were all large mercenary companies, with the Golden Company being preeminent.
Although the Golden Company was a team of exiles, drifting without a home, it had always maintained excellent discipline, comparable to a regular army.
Ten thousand regular soldiers, even in Westeros, were not to be underestimated.
"These three are currently the largest mercenary companies, and they are not short on money, so they stay here. They also set up recruitment points in Braavos, recruiting a small number of people each year," Moro explained. "But the headquarters of these mercenary companies are all in the Disputed Lands, where there is always war."
The Disputed Lands, after the collapse of the Triarchy, had always been in chaos and division. Coupled with another powder keg, the Stepstones, the eastern continent also supported a large number of mercenaries.
"Even from distant Sunset Continent, I have heard of the Golden Company's name," Viserys said.
The Targaryens and the Golden Company were very familiar with each other; this mercenary company, founded by Bittersteel, was originally intended to fight their way back to Westeros.
"The Braavosi are also very familiar with them. Mercenaries will entice swordsmen who are short on money. You know young people are always short on money, needing money, needing women. Many deceived assassins will be lured away, beginning to wield longswords and spears, and go to battle with the Beggar King."
Viserys looked at the Golden Company's banner, truly a sight of old enemies meeting, their eyes burning with hatred.
Viserys remembered the original plot: during his exile, he borrowed money to host a banquet for the Golden Company's commanders, hoping they would help him reclaim his throne.
Unfortunately, those bastards all ate the delicious food, listened to his pleas, and then mocked Viserys.
The pain, it was truly too much.
Seeing the Golden Company's banner again, Viserys had no extra emotions.
Such an army of ten thousand men now wouldn't even deign to look at the few gold coins in his pocket. Besides, the Golden Company already had a secret agreement with Illyrio and the Griffins; why would they move for him?
Young Aegon's side had a powerful lineup of Archons, spies, and exiled Griffins, far stronger than Viserys's beggar's lineup.
Unless, a thought changed in Viserys's mind.
Unless Viserys got rid of young Aegon, then he would become the only choice.
With young Aegon gone, the Golden Company would have no choice but the True Dragon. But the possibility of this scheme succeeding was too low; it was better to focus on his own affairs first.
"Let's go," Viserys said to Moro.
Abandoning his original impatience, taking one step at a time was the most stable approach. Contacting the Golden Company now would only be asking for humiliation.
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