The wind in Myr was also gentle. The telescope was docked in the harbor, and after Gendry and Maester Qyburn disembarked, they entered this beautiful new city.
Myr was a city of craftsmanship, and it was built beautifully, shaped by white marble, fountains, and glass mirrors.
"Heed my advice, Child, Myr has many thieves. Be careful with your luggage when you leave!" Captain Dunster warned Gendry before leaving, advising him to find a good inn.
Gendry politely declined Captain Dunster's invitation but thanked him for his kindness. The Captain left them a contact address. Should they need it in the future, they could seek his help.
Stepping onto the land of Myr, Gendry felt much more at ease.
Except for Pyke, the power of the iron throne could hardly be projected in large numbers into the Free Cities; this was a paradise for exiles.
After the Battle of the Redgrass Field, Daemon Blackfyre died in battle, and "Cold Iron" Aegor Rivers and members of the Blackfyre family embarked on a path of exile, fleeing to Daemon's wife's homeland, Tyrosh.
And after the War of the Usurper, Daenerys and her brother also fled to various places.
"Come and buy! Master's paintings!"
"The best lenses, perfect as gifts for friends!"
"Fine carpets, only one gold coin!"
"Paintings, delicate paintings worth more than gold, now only five silver coins."
There were many Myrish people at the port selling goods to travelers, and many hawkers were still Children.
Most of the Free Cities were commercial cities, and merchants were considered a more honorable profession than warriors.
Myr was considered one of the most advanced Free Cities and was renowned for its art and learning.
Gendry looked at the goods with interest; these certainly weren't from Myrish masters, but they were quite exquisite.
After Gendry and Maester Qyburn deposited their goods in a clean and safe inn, the two were to head to the Mercenaries market, which was to the east, opposite the harbor.
Both Maester Qyburn and Gendry saw many Mercenaries lounging in the streets of Myr, many wearing old clothes, draped in dark brown wool cloaks, with longswords casually sheathed.
In commercial city-states, the Old Man and Child did not seem out of place.
"These lace sellers and carpet sellers also use gold to fight, so they can't do without Mercenaries!" Maester Qyburn grumbled.
Myr's handicrafts were famous throughout the known world: carpets and lace.
The best lenses and telescopes, as well as carpets, screens, mirrors, lace, and glass panes that could be sold at the same price as Eastern spices.
Myrish paintings and miniatures were also highly prized and had a vivid style.
"It's also because of the situation!" Gendry added.
"After all, whether it's for seizing the Disputed Lands or for long-distance merchant caravans, it's necessary! But why don't they choose to build their own army?"
"Perhaps it's more cost-effective to hire Mercenaries with food, gifts, or gold?" Maester Qyburn replied.
After all, in Westeros, even the wealthiest House Tywin disliked these cowards from the Free Cities.
"Gold cannot replace a longsword!"
"Indeed!"
"But Your Grace, the Mercenaries square is for small and medium-sized Mercenaries companies; large Mercenaries companies all have their own exclusive strongholds.
Here, we are destined not to be able to join those large Mercenaries companies.
Large Mercenaries companies don't need to solicit clients in the market; clients go directly to them!"
"Small and medium-sized Mercenaries companies might be a bit safer! If luck isn't on our side here, perhaps we can look elsewhere."
The two arrived near the Sunrise Gate and saw the Mercenaries square.
The gate of the Mercenaries square was ochre-red, and at the entrance, two dispirited Old Man Mercenaries stood guard, holding two Longspears.
They were too old, too old to face blood and fire, so they chose to guard the gate here.
But business at the Mercenaries square was still booming, with some Mercenaries looking for work and some clients needing to find Mercenaries companies.
Gendry and Maester Qyburn entered the Mercenaries square, which was an elliptical structure.
It truly resembled a bustling marketplace for bargaining, with tents set up like mushrooms, and in the center, a raised platform where employers could climb to call out.
Gendry saw that the Mercenaries companies had their representative flags flying high on Longspears.
The origins of the Mercenaries were diverse: the fair-skinned and slender were Lyseni, those with purple or red beards and hair were mostly Tyroshi, the olive-skinned were Myrish, and those most similar to Westerosi were Pentoshi.
Olive-skinned Myr Free Folk were discussing with Mercenaries leaders, and some Mercenaries were polishing their weapons, Longspears and longswords.
Their weapons and armor were mostly not as good as those of the regular Westerosi army.
"Recruiting two Mercenaries to escort our master's Child on a journey through Essos! Specific terms to be discussed!" an arrogant slave steward shouted from the platform.
Traveling was a costly activity, only nobles or children of wealthy merchants could afford such an expense.
"Me!" "Me!" "Me!" The Mercenaries below raised their hands; escorting the children of nobility on a journey was a relatively easy task.
This task was quickly concluded, with two Mercenaries taking it on.
"A big job, to rendezvous with a spice caravan from the far east near Qohor, the price for each Mercenaries is three times that of a normal task, and the commander can also get five beautiful Lysene slaves as an extra bonus!" This was another more exciting task.
The platform instantly fell silent; this task was too long and too far.
Especially with the hateful Dothraki, who occasionally crossed the Rhoyne River, this task also carried the risk of death.
"Damn it!"
"For such a dangerous task, you should go find the Golden Company or the Windblown!" The Mercenaries below reacted and began a massive barrage of insults.
Mercenaries were greedy, but not foolish.
The Mercenaries square was a mess, and then Gendry began to walk along the tents, looking for a Mercenaries company that suited him.
"You're too young, Child, and you have no Mercenaries experience.
And your companion, he's too old!"
"We don't recruit the Old Man and Child here.
Although your physique looks good, Child, the battlefield is too dangerous for you.
If you are willing to accept one-third of the pay, we can consider hiring you.
As for the Old Man next to you, we are very sorry!"
"You are not old, and you have no experience, and we would still have to pay to train you.
You can join us, but there's a one-year internship with no salary."
Gendry and Maester Qyburn were reasonably rejected by the Mercenaries companies before they even showed their specialties.
Gendry didn't bother to say much; although they were old and weak, the roles of blacksmith's apprentice and physician were urgently needed by most Mercenaries companies, but they lacked the patience and sincerity.
In a remote area of the Mercenaries square, Gendry discovered an ancient tent, its flag depicting a Wolf Pack in full gallop.
"This is!"
"The Wolf Pack Company!" Maester Qyburn said, "This was established by the Northmen who crossed the sea back then.
I didn't expect it to still exist!"