In Braavos, Viserys Targaryen received good news from the courtesan in the cool antechamber.
The Braavosi courtesan, the "Swordswoman," brought him a genuine Westerosi armored knight.
He was quite old, around forty, with graying hair, but his body was still robust.
The knight wasn't dressed in silk or cotton, but in leather, with a blue and white surcoat embroidered with two crossed black warhammers on a diagonal cross.
However, both the leather and the surcoat showed signs of wear, indicating that the knight did not live a life of luxury.
"Your Majesty, Your Highnesses." The middle-aged knight knelt on the ground, apologizing for his tardiness.
"I did not know you were in Braavos, or I would have served the true dragon."
The middle-aged knight rubbed his eyes. "I once thought I would never see the true dragon again; the courtesan must be lying."
It was normal for the knight to be unaware; the royalists had long been scattered, like a tree falling and monkeys dispersing, with no one caring about Viserys and his small retinue.
Moreover, they had risked their lives to leave Dragonstone and flee to Braavos back then.
"House Rykker of Duskendale." Viserys recognized the warhammer insignia.
The Rykker family crest was two crossed black warhammers on a white diagonal cross on a blue field.
After the Duskendale Rebellion, House Darklyn was exterminated, and House Rykker took over Duskendale, essentially gaining a great advantage, and were eternally grateful to the Mad King.
From then on, House Rykker remained loyal royalists.
During the Usurper's War, Ser Jeremy Rykker chose to support the King and later surrendered to the Lannister forces during the Fall of King's Landing.
He chose the latter between death and joining the Night's Watch at the Wall.
"It is House Rykker, though I am but a distant Rykker, Roland Rykker, but I am also a knight who has been anointed and sworn."
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"Get up quickly." Viserys immediately helped Ser Roland to his feet; it was truly rare to meet a countryman in this foreign land.
Viserys was very excited to see Ser Roland.
A true loyalist in exile.
"Your Majesty Viserys, the person I sought for you has been found." The Swordswoman said with a smile. "But I must apologize, I have other matters to attend to; I must go see my pleasure barge."
The Swordswoman was very perceptive, not getting involved in Viserys's affairs at all.
Viserys's grand project of restoration was his own business; what did it have to do with her, a courtesan? She was only responsible for recruiting people and earning real benefits.
Such was the role of an agent and broker; the Swordswoman had indeed put in a lot of effort.
"This kindness will surely be repaid handsomely in the future." Viserys said gratefully, warmly seeing off the courtesan.
"How did you escape to Braavos, Ser Roland?" Viserys asked.
Roland Rykker looked at Viserys. "After the defeat at the Trident, I fortunately escaped. At that time, the Westerlands army was the last hope of the royal family, but I thought about how the royal family and our House Rykker had both offended the Lannisters, and also those rumors about Tywin. I didn't dare return to King's Landing, but instead fled directly across the sea. I heard that after King's Landing was sacked by the Lannisters, my relatives were forced by Tywin and eventually took the black."
"How did House Rykker anger Tywin?" Viserys asked curiously.
"That's an old story. At the feast the King held for Cersei Lannister's first appearance at court, our Lord Rykker, the head of our house, made a joke about Tywin Lannister's 'gold-producing ability.' As a result, Tywin stared at Lord Rykker, his gaze so cold, until our lord wisely gave up and walked away."
"Tywin had the nicknames 'Butcher' and 'Hard Man' even when he was young, so I chose not to return to King's Landing, but many of my friends died there." Roland said painfully.
"So there were such details." Viserys also learned some inside information.
Viserys also knew about Tywin and the Mad King's falling out, but certainly not as clearly as those involved, as he was just a child then.
Back then, Aerys, Tywin, and Steffon Baratheon were all close friends.
Later, the Mad King grew increasingly jealous of Tywin's talent and harmonious family, so he constantly tried to humiliate Tywin.
It just goes to show that a madman is a madman; he'd lash out at his own friends, a typical case of bullying those close to him.
With the King expressing himself in such a way, many of the Crownlands nobles and sycophants around him also changed with the wind.
These people were utterly despicable, and some even catered to the King's whims, suggesting that Viserys be made heir instead of Rhaegar, which was truly outrageous.
Right or wrong, Viserys was just a child of a few years old at the time.
"You have fulfilled your duties as a knight." Viserys looked at the old knight, not criticizing Ser Roland.
When a great edifice collapses, there's no need to blame others.
During the Battle of the Trident, the royal army's preparations were very hasty, and Rhaegar rushed into battle.
Although it numbered 40,000, only a tenth were knights; most of the others were archers, free riders, and infantry.
Robert's army, though smaller in number, was more experienced.
So when Rhaegar died, the leaderless royal army collapsed, scattering and fleeing; some returned to King's Landing, while others simply ran away.
In such a chaotic situation, it was normal for a few knights to flee.
But Ser Roland's foresight was quite remarkable.
Ser Roland said, "I heard about the bloodshed that later occurred in King's Landing, and I am very sorry. Many people went to beg the Usurper and Tywin for forgiveness, but I swore to take revenge."
Viserys looked at Ser Roland's figure; the failure of the Usurper's War still haunted him.
"You once fought alongside my father," Rhaenys said.
"I'm sorry, I was a deserter." Ser Roland said shamefully, the wrinkles on his face like knife marks. "As soon as Prince Rhaegar died, I fled with the collapsing unit."
"It's all in the past; you are still a hero in my heart," Rhaenys comforted him.
"I am a failed man, Your Majesty. From a failed war. Many of my companions became ghosts, some were sent to the Wall," Roland said, then knelt again. "If you don't mind, please allow me to serve you, Your Majesty. No one can escape death, but if I can see the true dragon banner flying over the Red Keep, and eliminate the Usurper and Tywin, I will die without regrets."
"Though you have failed, you are the first knight to pledge allegiance to me." Viserys placed Dark Sister on Ser Roland's shoulder, bidding him to rise.
When Knight Roland rose, he had already become a member of this vengeful team.
"And your life in exile?" Rhaenys asked Roland curiously.
"At first, I had some savings, but later I could only work as a mercenary. I've worked everywhere, fighting Dothraki, Lyseni, Myrmen, anyone who paid. I only recently came here; the Golden Company invited me before, but I didn't want to join the black dragon's ranks." After Ser Roland rose, he regained some of his former confidence and a glimmer of hope.
Viserys heard the displacement in Ser Roland's tone; Westeros was a homeland he was unwilling to return to.
Viserys thought that Roland was essentially replacing the future "Great Bear's" ecological niche, equally displaced, skilled in archery and horsemanship, and knowing some foreign languages and customs of other peoples.
The difference was that the Great Bear was a turncoat who still yearned for the North and knightly honor, while Ser Roland was a devoted royalist.
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