Kinvara continued speaking, her tone level yet filled with an undeniable certainty, as if she were reciting a divine oracle: "The Long Night is long, and dangers lurk everywhere. Ancient powers are awakening, and some are secretly weaving a net of bondage. Beneath the ashes of The East lies the spark that will awaken the world, but that fire can grant life and bring destruction. Stars shall weep blood, ancient covenants will be remembered, and the dead shall..."
She paused abruptly here, tilting her head slightly as if listening to some invisible sound, before continuing with a slight change in tone, sounding more like a warning than a prophecy: "Pay attention, Son of the Dragon. Do not only look at the road ahead, but also see the shadow beneath your feet. The fire in your blood is both a gift and a trial. When you think you are closest to the sun, beware of being burned by your own light."
Having finished speaking, she looked deeply at Viserys, and the shadow of fire seemed to flash across her blue eyes. Then, she nodded slightly in farewell, turned, and walked back into the gloomy temple, her dark red figure vanishing behind the shadows.
The whole process felt brief and abrupt to Viserys. But the pedestrians in the square seemed used to it; it was not uncommon in Volantis for the Temple of the Red God's priests to occasionally come out and speak mysterious words.
Ser Arthur frowned: "Your Majesty, the followers of the red god, their words are always half-truths, full of metaphor and misdirection. They are keen on finding so-called 'heroes' or 'saviors' to expand their influence. red god followers have previously gone to Westeros to preach. Their words cannot be trusted."
"I know," Viserys said, gazing at the now empty temple gate. Some of Kinvara's words aligned strikingly with his dreams and intuition, while others were vague and difficult to understand.
Was it a coincidence? Was it a widely circulated template prophecy from the Temple of the Red God that just happened to fit? Or did the flames of rhllor truly glimpse certain threads of fate?
He couldn't be sure. But this encounter undoubtedly cast an even more mysterious veil over the journey into danger that lay ahead.
"Let's go." Viserys withdrew his gaze. "Let's go back and wait to see what news Ser Elissar and the others have gathered."
He turned and left the square, putting the Temple of the Red God and the words of the young priestess named Kinvara out of his mind. Prophecies were like cobwebs in the wind; they might point the way, but the road must ultimately be walked step by step, and the dangers of the ruins of Valyria ahead would not be lessened by any prediction.
Ser Elissar and his subordinates dispersed throughout the city of Volantis to gather information, only returning gradually after three full days.
"Your Majesty," Alliser's expression was a mix of excitement and solemnity, "There are many rumors in the city, and it's hard to tell fact from fiction, but several sources corroborate certain pieces of information that might be worth noting."
"Speak."
"First, regarding Valyria. Indeed, as we previously knew, Volantis has historically organized several large-scale expeditions into the ruins. The most recent was over ten years ago, initiated by Naharis, the then 'Tiger Party' Magistrate, who claimed he wanted to 'restore the Glory of the Ancestors.' That team consisted of over five hundred soldiers, one hundred slaves, fifty scholars and craftsmen, traveling on five specially built large ships into the Smoking Sea."
"What was the result?" Viserys asked.
"Only one ship returned," Alliser whispered. "There were only seventeen people left on board, five of whom went mad and committed suicide within a week of reaching the port. The rest were either incoherent or had terrible physical mutations—skin hardened like stone, limbs twisted.
The only one who could still speak haltingly was an old Maester, who kept muttering, 'The fire is singing,' 'The stones are alive,' and 'The dragon is sleeping below.' That expedition brought back very little, aside from a few strange black stones that seemed to contain magic, and some broken fragments of valyrian steel. Those stones and fragments are now stored in the basement of the Triarch's Palace, and are said to give off an 'ominous aura.'"
"Is there any other news?"
"Yes. There is an old sailor in the city who claims that twenty years ago he ventured near the outer islands of Valyria with a smuggling ship. He said that the Smoking Sea is not entirely impassable, but requires specific conditions. There is a period every year when the mist of the Smoking Sea briefly thins, and the currents form a relatively safe channel, lasting about three days. However, the location of that channel changes every year, and must be determined based on the stars and the flight path of seabirds."
"When is that time this year?"
"In about a month and a half," Ser Elissar calculated. "We have enough time to prepare."
Viserys pondered for a moment. "Continue."
"Furthermore, regarding the internal affairs of Volantis. As you can see, the 'Elephant Party' currently holds the advantage. The two Magistrates are both big merchants by origin. They advocate maintaining the status quo, consolidating power by controlling the Rhoyne River trade, and forming alliances with merchants from Qarth and New Ghis."
But the 'Tiger Party' has not given up the struggle for power. They have gained the support of many Military Nobles and the lower class of the Freemen, and are secretly accumulating strength. Rumor has it that the 'Tiger Party' leader, former Magistrate Malaquo Maegyr, is secretly recruiting Mercenaries, and may even be in contact with a Khalasar from the Dothraki Sea, attempting to regain control through a military adventure."
"That doesn't concern us," Viserys said, "unless they hinder our entry into Valyria."
"There is currently no indication that they will interfere. In fact, several factions in the city are secretly funding small 'Treasure Hunting Teams,' usually composed of desperadoes or those heavily in debt, who set off in dilapidated ships converted from slave ships, loaded with a few weeks' worth of supplies. If one in a hundred such teams manages to bring back something, even just fragments, it's enough to make some people rich. So they might even be happy to see outsiders go there 'to die.'"
"Very well. Is there any other news?"
"No, Your Majesty." Ser Elissar lowered his head, seemingly vexed that he hadn't gathered more information.
"Alright, listen up everyone. In a month and a half, we will depart for Valyria on schedule."
He paused and brought out a bag of Gold Dragons. One Gold Dragon could be exchanged for at least five Volantene Gold Coins.
"Ser Elissar, this is bonus money for the soldiers. Volantis is right there; let them take turns going ashore and relax when they should." He glanced over the group. "You should understand the meaning."
Everyone understood the implication: before risking their lives, they should loosen the taut string.
"Just one condition," his voice dropped slightly. "Don't mess up the mission. In a month and a half, I want to see sharp blades, not a bunch of useless wastrels softened by wine and women."
He waved his hand, dismissing the knights. The month-and-a-half rest and countdown began. The soldiers' apprehension about the unknown shadows ahead was temporarily suppressed by the gleam of the gold coins and the lights on the shore.
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