For politicians, anything can be sold as long as the other party's price is right.
Second Deer admitted that he was tempted.
"The Dragon Horn, dragon eggs, thirty wyverns. Is Aegon really worth that?" he asked in disbelief.
"Sigh!" The Ragged Prince threw back his head and let out a long sigh, his expression exceedingly complex. "What you should be asking is whether the outcome of the Battle of Slaver's Bay is worth that price.
"If we lose the war, not only will the tens of millions of gold dragons the allies invested in the early stages all go down the drain, it will also be nearly impossible to form another alliance next time.
"While we hide at home licking our wounds, the Dragon Queen will come knocking one by one and defeat us individually, as easily as nobles hunting deer on horseback."
Second Deer shook his head and said, "What were you originally planning to do with those thirty wyverns? Obviously, no matter where they're placed, their impact on the war far exceeds that of Aegon."
What was the plan?
I was planning to lead thirty wyverns to blast the Red Keep into ruins, unfortunately—
The Ragged Prince could not help recalling Jeyne's warning to him: never lead wyverns to attack the king on the Iron Throne, and it would be best not to directly intervene in the wars of the Seven Kingdoms, otherwise the green seers would make sure he never returned.
Westeros really is a small temple with strong winds, not a place for respectable people to stay long.
With a silent sigh, he shook his head and said, "No. Even three hundred wyverns are not worth as much as Aegon."
"Are you out of your mind?" Second Deer glared at him and sneered. "Even if Daenerys treats that fake nephew like her own son, she isn't stupid. If she loses the war, she'll have nothing left."
The Ragged Prince gave a bitter smile. "The total number of wyverns is far higher than the number of wyvern riders who can actually fight.
"Wyverns are rare on the continent of Sothoryos, that's true.
"But dragon riders capable of controlling wyverns are even rarer.
"To train a qualified dragon rider takes at least half a year and requires very careful selection.
"For example, dynamic vision, spatial perception, reaction speed, physical coordination, depth of faith, and mental strength.
"Not just anyone is qualified to become a reserve dragon rider.
"It's like how Westeros has countless warhorses, yet legendary knights like Barristan or Arthur Dayne are few and far between."
"But Tyrion, Aegon, and Sansa seemed to become dragon riders quite easily," Second Deer said, puzzled.
"I haven't seen Sansa, but she is definitely unqualified. In a dragon battle, any allied dragon rider could kill her. Aegon is barely passable. As for Tyrion…"
"That dwarf is exceptionally gifted and has more than half a year of dragon combat experience. East of the Summer Sea, 'Little Green Demon Tyrion' is quite a famous name."
"So even if we get wyverns, they're useless?" Ser Justin frowned.
"No. Our battlefields are different," the Ragged Prince said helplessly. "We need to deal with a Dragon Queen who rides true dragons. If a dragon rider doesn't possess top-tier tactics and combat skill, they are good for nothing except adding another bell to her braid.
"In Westeros, even wyverns are rare. There's no need for dragon-to-dragon combat at all. As long as you can ride a dragon and drop firebombs, you're considered qualified."
"How do you plan to deal with Aegon?" Second Deer asked slowly.
The Ragged Prince frowned. "Once the transaction is complete, Aegon will have nothing to do with you. Why do you care?"
"I need to know how the alliance will treat Aegon before I can decide whether to hand him over to you," Second Deer insisted.
A trace of mockery flashed in the blue eyes beneath the Ragged Prince's heavy eye bags. "You aren't that naïve, are you? Do you think we're paying such a huge price just to give him a change of scenery and let him continue enjoying royal待遇?"
"He'll die?" Second Deer said grimly.
"That depends on whether Daenerys cooperates. Aegon's life means nothing to us, but the alliance must win," the Ragged Prince replied calmly.
Second Deer closed his eyes, refusing to let anyone read the fierce struggle in his heart through his gaze.
He remained silent for a full ten minutes.
When he opened his eyes again, there was no hesitation or struggle left in his deep blue pupils. He slowly stood up and said, "I refuse."
With that, he turned and walked toward the cabin door.
Aunt Mei smiled faintly and, with graceful steps, walked alongside Second Deer.
Ser Justin opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing to dissuade him. With a deeply regretful sigh, he followed his liege.
The Iron Bank representative stood there dumbfounded.
The Ragged Prince, who had always seemed in full control, completely lost his composure. His expression twisted, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at Second Deer's retreating back.
After an awkward silence, he said coldly, "The Iron Bank has been far too lenient with him."
"He's stubborn by nature, reveres the law, and is strict with himself. Everyone in the Seven Kingdoms knows this," Tycho said helplessly.
"Hmph. How did his brother Renly die? That's common knowledge too. He can hold out only because he still has hope.
"Only the choice made in absolute despair reveals a person's true nature," the Ragged Prince said icily.
Tycho caught the implication in his words and quickly asked, "What are you planning to do? Stannis cannot die. He still owes the Iron Bank more than four million gold dragons!"
The Ragged Prince's mouth twitched a few times before he said, "Very well. Go make him understand the alliance's determination. If he knows what's good for him, everything will be easy. Otherwise,
"the alliance's investment in Slaver's Bay has already exceeded forty million. Increasing the cost by another ten percent is nothing."
"Your Grace Stannis, I think you might reconsider. The decisive battle of Meereen is about to begin. Even if it's only to increase our chances by one percent, the alliance will go all out and spare no expense."
The Iron Bank naturally hoped the Dragon Queen would meet her end. Therefore, no sooner had the Ragged Prince departed than Tycho entered Snakewood to lobby Stannis.
"How exactly is 'doing your utmost' supposed to work?" Stannis asked coldly.
Tycho lowered his eyes and spoke softly and unhurriedly. "You know this well. The Ragged Prince is swamped with affairs in Slaver's Bay. He came to Westeros for only one purpose.
"For that purpose, he may stop at nothing.
"For example, he could offer more generous terms until you are satisfied. Or for example…" His voice grew even lighter and gentler. "It is true that the thirty wyverns controlled by the Dragonbinder horn have not found masters.
"But using them for simple aerial bombardment would be very easy."
A flash of harsh light crossed Stannis's eyes. He said stiffly, "Have him come and try."
"Your Majesty, why go this far? One more friend means thirty more wyverns. One fewer friend means one more formidable enemy," Tycho urged.
"This is a matter of principle." Stannis's expression was resolute as he shook his head in refusal.
"Alas, please think it over again." Helpless, Tycho took his leave.
"You are right. Until he is driven into a corner, he is still putting on airs. He deserves a lesson," Tycho sneered after leaving Snakewood, handing the Ragged Prince a sea chart.
Two days later, as Stannis's fleet crossed the Narrow Sea, it was attacked from the air by a group of wyverns. Ten large grain-laden ships were sunk, and five accompanying troop transports also failed to escape.
Nearly four thousand tons of supplies were lost, along with two thousand mercenaries.
When the news reached Braavos, no more mercenaries went to Stannis's recruitment points, and no merchants were willing to risk putting to sea.
"The route from Braavos to Snakewood is far too simple, just a straight line. Wyvern riders can easily locate the fleet," Tycho said to Stannis with a face full of worry.
Stannis's face was livid, his teeth grinding audibly.
With fifteen ships sunk, the disturbance was too great to conceal. The people of Snakewood finally learned that the allied forces had gone to negotiate with Stannis.
In the council chamber of the Fiery Heart nobles.
"Your Majesty, hand the pretender over to the allies. Thirty wyverns!" Gaudi Falin exclaimed, his face flushed with excitement.
Thirty wyverns. As a giant slayer, he would surely get one. A wyvern rider. Perhaps he should choose a black-scaled wyvern and name it "Black Death Balerion."
"Your Majesty, we have no choice," Pockmarked Richard said helplessly as he looked at the hesitant Stannis. "Our soldiers and provisions are all in the hands of the Braavosi, and Aegon's ransom, which is the command authority of the True Dragon Alliance…
"Alas, Ser Davos has lost contact. Most likely something happened to him amid the chaos of war.
"Now the Iron Throne is strong and well supplied. Even without counting Euron's sea monsters, they have more than forty thousand troops.
"And you?
"You command only ten thousand men. Two thousand Northerners can be used, but cannot be trusted.
"The remaining eight thousand mercenaries are even less reliable.
"Everyone understands that the reliability of mercenaries is directly proportional to the gold dragons in our hands and to how favorable the war situation is.
"The Iron Bank controls our economic lifeline. Tycho's meaning is actually very clear. He wants you to accept the Ragged Prince's terms.
"Perhaps the terms could even be negotiated to be more generous.
"If we refuse, the bombing of our ships will soon be repeated."
"I cannot hand Aegon over. That would violate the law."
Stannis struggled, his lips seeming to murmur unconsciously. "I judged Aegon in my capacity as king. He is now the Duke of Harrenhal, and in law he is my subject.
"Because of his crimes, he is to go into self-imposed exile.
"If I hand him over to the allies again, I would be violating the laws of the Seven Kingdoms and betraying my word."
The assembled Fiery Heart lords wore twisted expressions. They badly wanted to shout that the laws of the Seven Kingdoms be damned. You are a rebel king now, and we are rebels. But they could not say it, and they dared not.
Suddenly, Gaudi Falin had an idea. "Exile Aegon immediately. Put him ashore on the opposite coast in Braavos.
"If he is captured by the allies, that can only be chalked up to bad luck."
"Excellent idea!"
The pockmarked knight clapped his hands and laughed. "Aegon has already paid his ransom. We should exile him at once.
"There is no need to send him specifically to Braavos. Just give him a ship and let him choose his place of exile."
"Yes, arrange a ship for him."
Everyone voiced their agreement and then looked at Stannis with expectant eyes.
The chamber fell silent. Stannis's expression kept changing as all eyes rested on him.
After struggling for nearly a quarter of an hour, his once-straight back slumped. He collapsed wearily into the high-backed chair, waved his hand, and said weakly, "Let me think."
The Giant Slayer hesitated as if wanting to speak, then finally sighed and took his leave. The other knights and lords followed, their expressions complicated.
Late at night, a cold wind howled outside, while inside the hearth burned brightly, warm as spring.
After completing the routine rites, Stannis gently stroked Melisandre's seaweed-red hair and murmured, "I do not wish to break my promises to Aegon and to Sansa Stark, but the allies press me so hard…
"What should I do? Can the Lord of Light give me guidance?"
If the great R'hllor deemed this to be Aegon's fate, then he could only grit his teeth and bear the guilt that destiny had forced upon him.
"Let us look together," Melisandre said as she rose, took Stannis's knotted, bony hand, and walked with him naked to the hearth.
Then the two of them stared intently at the unsteady red flames within the firebox.
Gradually, scenes began to appear beyond the flames.
Stannis seemed to grasp something.
(End of chapter)
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