The conversation flowed much more smoothly thereafter. The magisters examined the dragonsteel dagger one by one. And they were unable to hide their awe and surprise. They marveled at the exceptional quality of the forged metal. They could not believe it and could neither stop themselves from praising it.
They were quick to inquire when it would be available for purchase, and were ecstatic when Rhaenys assured them it would be very soon. She explained that merchants were already picking up shipments in Qohor, and it would not be long before the steel reached the markets of the Free Cities.
The conversation then shifted toward the recent changes she had introduced in her city. The new drainage systems, the beautification programs, and her strict law enforcement. The Magisters had not seen it but they had heard about it.
Aside from Rhaenys, Oberyn was the only one at the table who had spent significant time in Qohor, and he added quite a few observations of his own. Ellaria and Arianne, though they had just come from the city, chose to remain silent.
Naturally, when the topic of city development and governance came up, the conversation shifted toward Lord Aeos, who was considered a pioneer in such matters. It was he who had given a start this culture from Astapor.
But discussing architecture with Rhaenys was not the true goal of the magisters. They wanted to know something else entirely.
"Lady Rhaenys," one of the magisters asked in a hesitant tone. "What do you think of Lord Aeos's conquest of the Free Cities of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh?"
"I think he did it brilliantly," Rhaenys acknowledged. "What he executed across those three cities was nothing short of genius. I doubt there is anybody else who could have pulled something like that."
"Oh! Yes. Yes," the magister nodded eagerly. "Indeed, it was a genius plan."
"But which city do you think he will target next?" He pressed. "There are many who say Pentos, our city, given that it is the closest to his borders."
"Perhaps," she remarked mildly. "It is hard to tell."
"And what of you, Lady Rhaenys?" Another magister finally gathered the courage to ask. "It has been a long time since you captured Qohor. Your reign is stable. Your dragons have only grown larger and so has your army, and now your soldiers will wield this dragonsteel in battle."
A suffocating silence fell over the table as they waited for Rhaenys's reaction. Many expected her to blow up. Instead, she chuckled mildly.
"I have no further plans as of now," she said lightly. "Maybe I will do something. Maybe I will not. I have not decided as of yet."
"Just because I have dragons does not mean my first instinct is to burn everything," she remarked, her eyes sliding deliberately toward Viserys.
"Oh! Splendid," the magister smiled, visibly relieved.
It was good to hear that their city was not being conquered. At least not in this visit of hers.
"But the same cannot be said of Lord Aeos," he continued, growing bolder. "They say he wants to forge the greatest empire this world has ever seen. He might have expanded easily before, but if he overreaches now, he will have to contend with you and your dragons."
Rhaenys did not respond. Instead, she fixed the magister with a cold, hard stare.
"Magister," she sighed, her tone dropping dangerously low. "If I were you, I would be very careful with the words you speak regarding Lord Aeos."
"Who knows which one of the men sitting at this very table might be working as a spy for him?" She questioned smoothly.
A deadly silence spread through the hall. The magisters exchanged uneasy, paranoid glances. Given how Lord Aeos had infiltrated and conquered Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh from within, it was a terrifying possibility they could not ignore. Rhaenys was right. They needed to be exceedingly careful about what they said of the conqueror in the east.
"Oh!" Oberyn interjected with an amused laugh. "He has created a real fear in you all."
But none of the Magisters were amused.
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[Arianne Martell POV]
This was my first time seeing Rhaenys up close. I had expected to meet her in Qohor, but that did not pan out. When I had left the city, I was not sure if I would ever get the chance to meet her. Who would have thought the opportunity would present itself within a month?
She was sitting there, reveling in being the centre of attention. The Magisters were sparing no effort in flattering her, especially after receiving her confirmation regarding the Dragon steel.
Not to mention, they saw in her a shield, a protector who could save them if Lord Aeos ever came for their city. They were desperate to forge an alliance with her. And they were doing everything in their power to pull her on their side. They had tried to dangle this bait, probing to gauge her reaction. But she had given away absolutely nothing.
As a warrior myself, I too was in awe of Rhaenys Targaryen. Everything about her radiated confidence and strength. She was imposing, powerful and effortlessly dwarfing every other person in the room. And perhaps that should not have come as a surprise. When you have five dragons at your back capable of burning a city to ash in moments, effortless confidence comes naturally.
But there was one person in the room who surely despised the attention she was receiving. Viserys Targaryen. My betrothed. My future husband. Unfortunately.
One look at him out on the lawns had told me everything I needed to know. I did not want this man as my husband. Never.
He was an utterly incompetent man. But worse than that, he was sheerly arrogant and deeply delusional. He could not read the writing on the wall. Somehow, he still harbored the delusion that he would take back the Iron Throne. He had no plans, no ideas, no understanding and yet he wanted to capture the Iron Throne.
I was certain of it. Even if he were handed the entire army of Lord Aeos, some seventy or eighty thousand war hardened men, he would still fail to conquer Westeros. He was incompetent. He was foolish. And he was utterly delusional.
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