"A dragon requires time to mature," Chiolier stated, breaking the heavy silence in Ivika's study. "We still possess an opportunity, for he cannot maintain such vigilance indefinitely. Let us first engage in normal cooperation. After all, he intends to share the beauty soap, does he not?" He chuckled, a dry, mirthless sound.
Ivika nodded, acknowledging that this was the only feasible course of action at present. Cayman was at his most alert; an impulsive assassination would likely fail and only heighten his defenses.
"Is there no alternative to assassination?" the reticent Destin suddenly inquired.
"Poisoning," Ivika countered. "Poisoning is akin to assassination. It still necessitates infiltrating his estate, and that old wretch Marwan is not easily swayed." He leaned forward, a new idea forming. "Perhaps we could attempt to contact Benick, urging him to approach the chef."
"Benick's intentions remain uncertain," Chiolier remarked with a cynical grin. "Let us not forget that Cayman is his son. A son of a dragon knight." He let the phrase hang in the air. "What would any man here do if he had a dragon rider for an offspring?"
Ivika averted his gaze. Was there truly any question? For this assembly of power brokers, trepidation towards a dragonlord was customary, yet their greater ambition was to ascend to that very throne. Lys was once a progenitor of Valyria; their veins, marked by golden hair and azure eyes, still carried that legacy. Though diluted, it ignited within Ivika a fervent and audacious notion. He had never married, and one could argue his Valyrian blood remained purer than most. The thought made his ambition swell uncontrollably. He yearned to eliminate Cayman and seize the black dragon for himself.
Lost in his revery, Ivika remained oblivious to the profound gaze Chiolier directed at him. In that moment, Chiolier could discern the fanciful musings without a doubt. He gently massaged his right thumb, refraining from disturbing the daydream while mentally calculating how to maneuver to best serve his own interests.
Unlike Ivika, who was enraptured by power, Chiolier was a pragmatist, enamored with wealth. As long as profit could be secured, what did it matter if a dragon lord loomed above him? Currently, the Governor's Council was dictated by Ivika and Anders, while he and Destin were relegated to the periphery. The benefits seldom extended to them, yet they were always expected to contribute. Thus, whether Ivika or Cayman stood above him made little difference. He resolved to observe Cayman's demeanor during the evening banquet before making any final decisions.
Ivika emerged from his daydream, reassembling his expression into one of grim determination. "We must devise a way to eliminate Cayman. He poses too great a danger. In due course, we could capture his little dragon and sell it to the Targaryen family, reaping substantial profits." He naturally refrained from openly expressing his ulterior motive—to keep the dragon for himself.
"This notion is promising," Chiolier agreed, playing along. "Yet how shall we divide the proceeds from the dragon's sale?"
"This idea was mine," Ivika declared. "I shall take forty percent. The remaining share will be evenly divided between you two."
"No problem," Chiolier readily agreed, though inwardly he scoffed. There was a time when the council had devolved into a mere mouthpiece for Ivika, who had grown increasingly arrogant, believing Chiolier lacked independent thought. In truth, Chiolier had once played the loyal follower to maintain stability. But times had changed with the rise of Anders and now the emergence of a dragon rider. Chiolier would not blindly align himself with a sinking ship. He needed a more stable and reliable ally. As for Destin, the man was a fool who lost his resolve in a crisis, blindly following Ivika's every command. Such allegiance would only invite calamity should Ivika falter.
"Thus, the matter is settled for now," Ivika said, satisfied. "But further discussions regarding the Stepstone Islands are still necessary. Cayman, cunning as he is, would rather forego his gubernatorial bid than engage in battle. Our decision to deploy warships remains a contentious issue."
Ivika furrowed his brow, a sentiment echoed by Chiolier. While abstaining from sending warships was an option, it would leave them vulnerable and adversely affect future profit distributions from the Tri-City Alliance.
"If Cayman is unwilling to engage in battle," Chiolier proposed, "I believe we should still make a gesture. Contribute more supplies while sending fewer ships. There are a dozen scorpion ballistae within the city that can be sent as well, mounted on decks. They represent the only weapons capable of threatening a dragon, albeit only at low altitudes. A dozen may not seem like much, yet they stand as a testament to our resolve. In the future, when Tyrosh brings this matter up, they will be able to counter." He spread his hands. "I provided dragon-slaying ballistae. What more do they want?"