Chapter 146: Friends
*So, he's asking if I orchestrated the entire affair at the banquet.*
Ian was only mildly surprised that Hazan had managed to guess the truth. After all, Illyrio's previous assessment of the man had been a single, ominous word: *formidable*.
It might be difficult for others to discern Ian's intentions, but as the very person Ian had sought to impress, it was only natural for Hazan to harbor such suspicions.
The only true surprise was that Hazan had chosen to ask the question so directly, as if he were already certain of the answer.
"I told you before, it is an honor for me to be friends with Your Highness." Ian readily admitted his primary motive; trying to hide his desire to befriend Hazan would be pointless.
"I advised Governor Illyrio to make a choice," Ian continued. "To choose your uncle."
Hazan's composure finally fractured. He stared at Ian, his voice laced with astonishment. "Governor Illyrio told you even this?"
"His Excellency trusts me a great deal," Ian replied with a placid smile.
"And how did Lord Illyrio respond?" Hazan pressed.
"It's a pity I failed to convince him. He is a very cautious man. Both he and the commander wish to remain neutral."
"That is Lord Illyrio's character," Hazan said, nodding in agreement. Had Ian claimed success, he would have doubted him instantly. "I have extended my goodwill to him many times, but he has never offered a positive response."
"So, I created an opportunity for you," Ian said. "An opportunity for a tangible cooperation with the Governor. Regardless of whether His Majesty Viserys acknowledges it, to the outside world, his will and Governor Illyrio's are one and the same. In the eyes of the Neptune Palace, any help I give you is help from Illyrio himself."
"Then why?" Hazan asked, his gaze sharp. "Why are you helping me? You are a knight of Westeros—no, a Count," he corrected himself. "You have been in Pentos less than two months, and our paths have never crossed before."
"But as we all know, your uncle, Tormo Frega, has the best chance of winning the next election for Sea King. If he gains the support of the commander, the outcome will lose all suspense," Ian said, rising to his feet with a faint laugh. "Tell me then, Your Highness, why *shouldn't* I stand on the side of the winner?"
Of course, Hazan had no way of knowing that Ian was playing with time.
Ian had only learned the specific details of the factional struggles in Braavos *after* Drogo's banquet. Now, he was using that insider knowledge to construct a more perfect, retroactive justification for his earlier actions.
At the same time, he was dangling a grand prize before Hazan—the promise of his help in securing the support of Illyrio and the commander of the purple fleet.
With such a monumental incentive as his leverage, Ian knew he would gain a powerful voice in his dealings with the Braavosi prince.
Unfortunately, upon hearing this spectacular news, the first emotion that surfaced in Hazan's eyes was not excitement, but something intensely complicated, something that bordered on strange.
The flicker of emotion vanished in an instant, replaced by a brilliant, eager smile. "My uncle will not disappoint you or Governor Illyrio," Hazan said. "Ian, if you can truly help me convince Lord Illyrio, I will owe you a massive favor."
*He doesn't believe I can do it,* Ian thought, a cold sneer forming in his mind.
"I think," Ian said aloud, his eyes sweeping their surroundings, "that you already owe me a massive favor, long before I attempt to persuade Lord Illyrio."
The four of them—Ian, Hazan, Delif, and Darren—were alone in the main stand. It was far enough from the other viewing boxes that their words were impossible to overhear. And here, deep underground, the air was still. No birds, no animals, not even a mouse scurrying across the impeccably clean floor.
"I wonder what you mean by that?" Hazan asked.
"The Neptune Palace instigated a rebellion among your two water dancers," Ian stated, dropping the bombshell. "They decided the two of them would turn traitor on the spot, during the official competition, and join Suda's side."
"How did you know?" Hazan's surprise was not at the news itself, but at the fact that Ian *also* knew of it.
Now it was Ian's turn to be stunned. "You already knew?" he blurted out.
"This…" Hazan hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I did receive word, yes."
*Damn it! How is that possible?* Ian felt a surge of incredulity. Suda couldn't possibly be foolish enough to let such a critical piece of information leak, could he? Or was there a traitor within the Volantis Party's inner circle?
"No need to feel discouraged," Hazan said, apparently sensing Ian's dismay. "Regardless, your willingness to tell me something so important proves your sincerity, Ian. As a friend, even if I don't truly owe you a favor, if you ever need my help, you need only ask. At worst, you will simply owe me a favor in return," he finished with a laugh.
Ian could feel his sincerity—at least in that moment, the words were genuine. Unless, of course, Hazan's acting skills were so flawless as to rival his own.
"So, knowing that two of your water dancers will defect, you are still so certain of victory? You must be aware that Suda has numerous champion gladiators and an Andal knight of astonishing combat prowess."
"Actually, no," Hazan admitted with a sigh, choosing to be truthful. "I was planning to kill the two traitors before the games begin. That way, even if they cannot fight for me, they cannot fight for Suda. If it were only those two, your master Yada's unexpected help would still give me a decisive advantage. But just yesterday, some bad news came from Suda's White Sands Arena."
"What is it?"
"Suda has acquired a very powerful Andal mercenary. The man passed the qualifiers in a single afternoon, then killed Suda's defending champion challenger—the champion of the Meereen Arena, 'The Banshee's Claw'—in just three minutes."
*He doesn't know that warrior is one of mine,* Ian thought, hiding a secret smile.
"According to my men who witnessed the fight at White Sands," Hazan continued, "that man's strength is likely on par with Suda's personal guard captain, Ander Poole, and the 'Elephant Hunter' from Iban. With the loss of two water dancers, our chances of winning have now fallen to only fifty percent."
Ian felt a wave of relief.
First, Hazan's willingness to admit his slim chances, without fear that Ian might abandon him and Yada to a desperate situation, proved that he truly recognized him as a friend.
Second, Hazan's precarious position meant that Ian still had opportunities to leverage the situation to his advantage.
"I've just had an idea, Hazan," Ian began. "About those two water dancers."
"Oh?"
"Do you think we could find a poison with a delayed onset? Have the two of them drink it, so that after the competition begins, just as they are fighting for Suda, the drug will take effect."
*You can do that?* Hazan's eyes went wide, as if the door to a new world had just been thrown open. He turned quickly to Delif beside him. "Does such a poison exist?"
"Ash mushroom powder, Your Highness. The toxicity takes six hours to manifest. Symptoms include diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain. If the effects were to begin on the battlefield…" Delif left the sentence unfinished, but his meaning was perfectly clear.
A look of pure excitement washed over Hazan's face. He impulsively leaned over and kissed Delif's cheek, then stood and threw his arms around Ian in a tight embrace.
"You have been an immense help, Ian! I don't know how I can ever thank you enough."
"Not only that, but I will also recommend some warriors to fight for you," Ian said, pointing to Keith, who stood below the stands. "One of them is my sworn knight, Sir Keith." This was the first time Ian had used his real name. "He is the most powerful knight I have ever seen. Even Master Yada, the Water Dancer, believes he is no match for him."
It was an impromptu decision, a sudden urge to raise the stakes in the tournament.
First, it would further guarantee their victory.
Second, he felt that Hazan's character was well-suited for a deep and lasting friendship.
If a break between himself and Illyrio was indeed inevitable in the future, then Hazan's friendship would become the most valuable card in his hand.
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