The fleet slowly sailed into the port of Volantis. Aegon stood at the bow, his silver hair fluttering in the salty sea breeze.
As the oldest colony of the Valyrian Freehold, this city, known as the "Daughter of Valyria," possessed a uniquely gifted deep-water port.
The harbor was bustling and prosperous, with masts like a forest and goods piled high as mountains.
The air was a mixture of sea salt, spices, and the stench of sweat. Among the crowds on the docks, some old sailors and traders exchanged meaningful glances.
A fleet of dozens of ships and no fewer than a thousand men had set out, but now only these hundred-odd survivors returned—a scene sufficient to cause whispers.
Aegon stepped onto the familiar stone pier, which reeked of fish and urine.
He had already changed out of his conspicuous Valyrian Steel armor, wearing instead a relatively clean set of black leather armor stripped from an Ironborn corpse, his silver hair loosely tied back with a leather cord.
"Henry," Aegon called out in a low voice.
"Here, Your Highness!" Henry stepped forward quickly, his fat face still bearing the exhaustion of the voyage, but his eyes were bright.
He had also changed into relatively clean clothes, and that war hammer of his had been recovered and was once again slung over his shoulder.
Aegon's gaze swept over the anchored ships, lingering for a moment on The Quiet and the two other vessels carrying their most important supplies: "Take half of the brothers and stay here to guard our ships and everything on them. No strangers are to approach. Stand guard in shifts and do not be negligent."
"Understood!" Henry nodded heavily. "With me here, not even a rat will manage to sneak onto the ship!"
Aegon turned to the other Mercenaries who were disembarking one after another.
These men had survived against all odds. Setting foot on solid ground now, their eyes held both the relief of having survived and a longing for the long-lost life on land.
"The rest of you may go ashore," Aegon raised his voice. "Go to a dockside inn, take a hot bath, taste fresh food for the first time in ages, and drink some ale that doesn't taste of mold—you've earned it."
A wave of suppressed cheering rose from the crowd.
"However," Aegon's tone suddenly turned cold, his purple eyes sharply scanning every face, "remember our identity."
"Until we reach our destination, we are merely an ordinary Mercenary group returning from the Disputed Lands having suffered heavy losses. Guard your tongues; do not speak of any experiences that should not be discussed."
Aegon paused, letting the warning sink into everyone's hearts. "Go ashore in shifts, no more than twenty people at a time."
"Stay alert, don't go looking for trouble, but don't be afraid of it either. You must return before sunset to relieve the brothers staying behind. Is that clear?"
"Crystal clear, Your Highness!" the Mercenaries responded in unison. Throughout the journey to Valyria, Aegon's prestige had been established imperceptibly.
"Karl." Aegon looked toward the lean Mercenary.
Karl immediately took a step forward: "Your Highness."
"Take a few of the sharper brothers and come with me to exchange those'stones' for usable coin."
Karl understood immediately and quickly picked out three Mercenaries who looked the most composed.
After giving a few more instructions to Henry, Aegon led Karl and the others into the surging crowds of the docks.
The port district of Volantis was vast and chaotic.
Merchants dressed in luxurious silk robes hurried past in litters carried by slaves.
Half-naked dockworkers toiled under the scorching sun, their bodies drenched in sweat, while prostitutes solicited business from the shadows.
Beggars stretched out mangled hands.
The cries of vendors in various accents, the sounds of haggling, and the shouts of reprimand mixed into a never-ending din.
Aegon ignored all of this, leading Karl and the others straight toward the deeper parts of the port district.
The buildings here were low and dilapidated, the streets narrow and muddy, and the air even more foul, filled with the smell of cheap alcohol and violence.
Their destination was a seemingly ordinary low stone house with a single iron-bound wooden door tightly shut.
But those familiar with the area knew that behind this door lay an important hub of the port district's underworld: the lair of Scorpion Tail Kurk.
Karl knocked on the wooden door with a specific rhythm.
After a brief silence, the door opened.
Aegon took only Karl and one other Mercenary inside, leaving the remaining two to stand guard outside.
Behind the door was a descending staircase leading to a dim basement.
Torches flickered and the scent of incense was heavy.
Deep in the room, behind a large wooden table, sat a short, stout bald man. His most striking feature was a black scorpion with its tail hook raised high tattooed on the top of his bald head.
Scorpion Tail Kurk looked up to size up Aegon: "A new face?"
"Making a trade," Aegon replied calmly. "Gems for hard currency."
...The transaction process was simple and direct.
Aegon displayed an unquestionable strength. Kurk tried to drive the price down and test the origin of the gems, but ultimately chose to close the deal.
A bag of high-quality gems was exchanged for a large bag of gold coins.
"Pleasure doing business, silver-haired kid," Kurk twitched his lips. "Hope there's more'stone' business next time."
Aegon nodded slightly, hung the coin purse from his waist, and turned to leave.
Right then—
"Bang!"
The door was kicked open violently. A Mercenary stumbled in, his face deathly pale: "Boss! It's bad! One of our men has been taken!"
Aegon paused and turned to the newcomer, his brow furrowed.
"What happened? Speak slowly." Karl grabbed the Mercenary to steady him and asked in a low voice.
"It's... it's the Iron Jaw Gang!" The Mercenary panted, speaking very fast. "The few of us split up outside the Sea Snake Tavern. I went to buy tobacco, and when I looked back, I saw Luke being cornered at the entrance of Mud Eel Alley by some thugs from the Iron Jaw Gang!"
"I heard them shouting that Luke owed their boss, Barry, a massive debt and couldn't pay, so they were going to take his sister to settle it!"
"Luke went crazy and rushed up to reason with them, but... but he was outnumbered and beaten until he was covered in blood. They're dragging him toward their lair right now! I saw things weren't right and ran here to deliver the news!"
"The Iron Jaw Gang?" Karl's face darkened as he looked at Aegon. "They're the local snakes of the port district. Their leader is 'Bonebreaker' Barry, and he has seventy or eighty desperadoes under him who specialize in swindling foreign sailors and Mercenaries.
I've heard his sister is the mistress of a certain Magistrate of the Elephant Party, so he usually acts with great impunity."
A cold light flashed in Aegon's eyes.
Trouble always arrived faster than planned.
He did not have a moment's hesitation.
"Let's go!"
He barked the order and was the first to walk out of the basement. Kurk's voice drifted over from behind: "The Iron Jaw Gang isn't to be trifled with, silver-haired kid. Barry is a madman..."
Aegon paid him no heed.
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