Chapter 127: Neptune Election
"The Sea King commands two great fleets," Suda Tetrus said. "Does he truly need to worry about competitors?"
"If the Sea King were in good health, of course not. But Ferrego Antalion's old wounds have returned with a vengeance, and they've all but consumed him. No one knows how many years he has left."
"By tradition, he is bound to support the son of the governor who secured his own election. Unfortunately for him, that man's standing among the Keykeepers pales in comparison to Tormo Frega's."
"Tormo Frega… Prince Hazan's uncle? His mother Marianne's brother?"
The noble youth beside Suda nodded. "The very same. For Tormo, having his nephew Hazan as the 'true king' of Pentos is a powerful bargaining chip in his own campaign for the Sea King's seat."
Suda gave a short, sarcastic laugh. "You seem to know a great deal. My father never shares such matters with me."
"That is because you are not the eldest son, Suda," the young man said, shaking his head. "It is not for you to worry over. We are smart men; we know our place and carry out the duties our fathers assign us."
"True enough," Suda conceded, his gaze shifting back toward the arena. "I cannot wait to see the look on Ambassador Olanto's face when he realizes the water dancer he worked so hard to bring here is fighting for us. Hahaha!"
"That idiot Hazan," he continued, "he actually thought we didn't know he requested the month-long postponement just to wait for that dancer to arrive from the Sea King's palace."
"Hazan is no idiot," the other young noble corrected. "He is merely overconfident in his mother's influence. The contest for the new Sea King has not yet been made public in Braavos."
"They never expected His Grace the Sea King to humiliate them over a minor tourney in Pentos. It is an understandable oversight. But your chosen envoy played an indispensable role in this. His eloquence is truly something to behold."
"Is it not?" Suda beamed. "I feel I've struck gold. And he is not the only one." He gestured discreetly toward Ander Poole, standing not far away. "There is also him. They are a team—one of culture, one of martial prowess. Both are men of immense talent."
"Hush now," the noble youth whispered. "The games are beginning."
The two fell silent, their attention fixed on the center of the arena.
Ian did not move. He lingered in the shadows, trying to catch any further whispers while his mind raced to process the conversation he had just overheard.
The information exchanged between the two nobles was nothing short of explosive. In a few brief sentences, so many of his lingering questions had been answered.
He finally understood why Braavos tolerated the open existence of a so-called 'Volantis Party' within Pentos.
He understood how Prince Hazan, the son of a mere figurehead, could command the 'Braavos Party' over the city's actual governor, Haukate.
And he understood why Governor Illyrio, despite his clear allegiance to Braavos, consistently refused to cooperate with Prince Hazan. The pieces clicked into place: Illyrio's allies in Braavos must belong to the current Sea King's faction.
With the revelation of the core conflict—the imminent election for the next Sea King of Braavos—the entire web of political games in Pentos became terrifyingly clear.
At the same time, Ian had gleaned intelligence of vital importance to his own survival.
First, Ander Poole's player faction consisted of at least two members. One of them had served as Suda's envoy to the Sea King's palace and had somehow persuaded the ailing ruler to act.
Second, the two water dancers summoned from Braavos by Ambassador Olanto, meant to fight for Prince Hazan, had been turned. They now served Suda. And it was almost certain that neither the ambassador nor the prince had any idea.
If Ian did nothing, Hazan's side would be blindsided. In a competition where the rules dictated a fight 'until all on one side are slain,' the sudden loss of two champions meant certain death.
This information was a weapon. If he used it correctly, he could earn the immense gratitude of both Ambassador Olanto and Prince Hazan.
And if Prince Hazan's uncle, Tormo Frega, ultimately won the election, this act could forge a bond with the future Sea King of Braavos and the Prince of Pentos.
Beyond that, helping Hazan strike a blow against Suda served Ian's own goals. Ander Poole and his allies had thrown their lot in with Suda Tetrus. Defeating them in this contest, perhaps even killing Ander Poole himself, would cripple the Volantis party and make it easier for Ian to deal with the other player in Suda's employ.
But there was a problem. Such a move might directly oppose Illyrio's interests. If his patron was indeed allied with the current Sea King, helping Hazan would be an act of betrayal.
Should he ask Illyrio?
*No.* Ian dismissed the thought as soon as it formed. A new plan was already taking shape in his mind.
Tomorrow, at Khal Drogo's feast, he would bring Yada Mor, the water dancer master from Braavos he had recently recruited.
With preparations for the competition at a fever pitch, the sudden appearance of an elite water dancer was bound to catch Ambassador Olanto's eye. The ambassador would surely try to recruit Yada Mor to champion Prince Hazan's cause.
Faced with a direct, public request from the Braavosi ambassador, Illyrio would be unable to refuse without causing a diplomatic incident. He would have to agree.
And Ian would have his excuse. *It was for Governor Illyrio's sake!*
As for the factional strife? What strife? *I know nothing! You never told me, my lord.*
*How could I possibly know that your allies in Braavos are not of the same faction as Ambassador Olanto? You kept this from me. You could have at least given me a sign when the ambassador made his request!*
It was perfect. He would agree to help Ambassador Olanto, and the blame would fall on Illyrio's own secrecy. If Illyrio chose to forgive the transgression, Ian would throw himself fully into the competition.
If Illyrio refused to consent, then he would have to devise another way. Come what may, he could not afford to offend his patron.
Ian stayed through the end of the night's events, but he overheard no further mention of the Braavosi power struggle. He did, however, gather a great deal of information about Suda's chosen warriors—details that might prove useful for the plan taking root in his mind.
Upon returning to Illyrio's manse, Ian immediately summoned Sir Daeron Grafson and the water dancer master, Yada Mor. He laid out the plan for the following day.
He gave them their story: Yada Mor was Sir Daeron's personal guard. Daeron had once saved the water dancer's life during his time in Braavos, and in return, Yada had sworn an oath of unswerving loyalty.
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