Chapter 113: The art of counter-controlling people
"Not finished yet?" Ian asked suddenly.
"No," Illyrio responded, his gaze sharp. "Tell me what you said to Talobane. Tell me everything you can remember."
"Haven't you already found out everything? It was about the slave ship."
"I was only able to discover that it was you speaking with him, Sir Ian, and I did so without alerting Talobane. My 'little mice' are not truly mice, after all. It is impossible for them to get close enough to overhear your conversation." Illyrio's voice was smooth as honey. "I only guessed that your discussion was related to the slave trade because you later sent someone to inquire about the 'Spearbreaker'."
*Damn it.* "So you were bluffing?" A corner of Ian's mouth twitched.
"A simple, necessary method," Illyrio said with a dismissive wave. "This business touches my very bottom line. A slave trade happening under the roof of my manse could not only embroil me in the factional struggles of Pentos, but also enrage the Braavosi ambassador, Oranto."
The magister leaned forward slightly. "So, what is your decision? Will you tell me everything, or will you cling to your honor?" He chuckled, clearly satisfied with the look of surprise on Ian's face.
"I would prefer to cling to my honor, but it seems Talobane has made quite a mess for me." Ian shook his head and began to recount the details of his conversation. "And that is how it was. There are a number of problems here, are there not?"
He continued, laying out his reasoning. "According to you, Talobane's slave trade crossed your line, which means he should have already been prepared to escape."
"My appearance was simply an accident. When he asked for my help, he claimed he had no other way to deal with the 'Spearbreaker'. And yet, his servants were still packing his belongings, which implies his decision to flee was made only after he saw me. It's all very strange."
"Of course he had no need to prepare an escape in advance," Illyrio explained, clarifying one point of Ian's query. "I checked. Talobane's last ship was lost in a wreck a year ago. He has no vessel on hand, so the slave ship he mentioned does not belong to him."
"Then the problem is even greater," Ian countered, spreading his hands. "If the incident with the slave ship cannot be traced back to him, why would he expose such a thing on his own?" He paused. "Unless… he wanted to use me to kill the 'Spearbreaker', and then use that as evidence to prove you are connected to the slave trade."
"Can you think of anything else?" Illyrio asked, a flicker of interest in his eyes. He was honestly impressed that Ian could perceive these questions; it had been a long time since he had met such a sharp young man. The magister felt a nascent desire to nurture such talent.
"This…" Ian pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "I can't think of anything."
"You promised to help Talobane kill the 'Spearbreaker' who threatened him after attending the banquet, yet he chose to run away anyway," Illyrio guided him consciously. "Judging by the fact that his servants were collecting all of his belongings, he doesn't plan on returning to Pentos. So, when was he planning to make his escape?"
"After I killed the 'Spearbreaker'?" Ian said, appropriately 'accepting' Illyrio's guidance. "He was preparing his things but hadn't left, to ensure I wouldn't find someone else after the banquet and abandon the task of killing the man."
Ian's eyes then widened, as if in sudden understanding. "But why would he need to run away *after* I killed the Spearbreaker? I would have already solved his problem for him. So… the fact that I killed the Spearbreaker was itself his trouble?!" He shouted the last part excitedly. "Does he want others to think that I was sent by you to silence the Spearbreaker?"
Illyrio nodded with deep satisfaction.
"But he hasn't returned. Isn't he afraid that I'll give up the action because I can't find him, causing his entire plan to fail?" Ian continued to press.
"Keep thinking," Illyrio urged, raising a hand. "What could cause such a situation?"
"He got scared?" Ian said casually. "So he abandoned the plan and chose to run away immediately." He had shown enough of his talent to Illyrio for now; it was important to leave space for his 'teacher' to perform.
"A possibility," Illyrio sneered, realizing the question was perhaps too difficult for a young Westerosi noble new to the city. "Well, you don't yet understand the current political situation in Pentos, so it's normal that you cannot grasp the truth."
He answered his own question. "Someone either reminded him, or someone silenced him. He left Pentos to meet with the mastermind behind this plot, because within the city walls, there is no way for them to meet without my discovery."
"Someone instigated Talobane? Was it the Volantis party?" Ian offered the most superficial guess, continuing to project an image of political inexperience. "After all, falsely accusing you of slave trading could directly provoke a conflict between you and the Hauket family, while also damaging your image in the eyes of the Braavosi ambassador."
"The Volantis Party? It's possible. They are, after all, the most direct beneficiaries." Illyrio nodded slowly. "But is it not also possible that the Braavos Party could use this to drive a wedge between myself and the Volantines? And destroying my image in the eyes of Ambassador Oranto would be equally beneficial to Prince Hazan and the other Braavosi partisans. It would make them the only choice for the Iron Bank."
Ian let his mouth fall open, as if to say, *It can work like that?*
"Hahaha," Illyrio laughed heartily. "As the first Westerosi nobles to declare for the king, you and Daeron will surely be at the core of the Royal Council that must be formed. But if you wish to perform your duties well, you still have so much to learn."
"Your Grace, the Magister… are you willing to teach me?" Ian asked, his voice full of sudden, overjoyed hope.
"Hahaha, you are a clever one. Though you still seem a bit young, prone to blindness and recklessness, these are the traits of all young men. Given time, you will sooner or later become an essential pillar in the restoration of the Targaryen Dynasty."
Illyrio watched him carefully. "By then, whether it is the name, the honor, the territory, or the wealth you desire, it will all be within your grasp." He had used the term *restoration of the Targaryen Dynasty* instead of *the restoration of His Majesty Viserys*. It was a subtle choice, paving the way for the day he would reveal 'Aegon VI' to the world.
Ian knew that he was now officially a part of Illyrio's grand design.
He recognized the magister's tactics perfectly. First, speak in a teaching, guiding tone to establish dominance in the relationship. Second, point out the other party's shortcomings while simultaneously dangling a grand prize, implying that only with your help can they achieve it, thus arousing their eagerness to serve you.
Illyrio's words in the latter half of their conversation were a masterclass in the art of controlling others. If Ian were a genuine youth, without the detached perspective of a 'player', he would have been thoroughly tamed.
But Ian, having seen through the magister's words, knew he only needed to play along. By cooperating with the performance, he could leave Illyrio with the perfect impression that he had been successfully dominated, and in doing so, gain even more of his trust.
This was the art of counter-controlling people.
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