“Go to Valyria?” Ser Jon Darry asked, somewhat shocked, his face full of disapproval as he said, “Your Grace, right now there is only a ruin, and a cursed place at that.
The Doom destroyed everything—thick smoke, toxic gas, molten lava, and terrifying things said to still wander there.”
“For centuries, countless explorers, treasure hunters, and outlaws have sailed there, and only one in ten thousand has returned.
Most of those who do return are either mad or dead shortly after.
It is a dead zone cursed by the gods.”
Although Ser Willem was equally shocked, he was more cautious.
“Your Grace, perhaps the dream has some other deep meaning.
Rashly heading to the ruins of Valyria carries far too great a risk.”
“We have only just established a foothold in Braavos, and the situation is still unclear.
Furthermore, you bear the heavy responsibility of restoring House Targaryen; you must never risk yourself in danger.
Perhaps this dream is warning of other dangers, or symbolizing some difficulty we need to overcome.”
Ser Arthur looked into Viserys’s firm gaze, knowing the young king had made up his mind.
He said in a deep voice, “Your Grace, if this dream truly is some form of guidance, why did it appear now, and why in Valyria?”
“Aside from destruction and death, what is there that can relate to you and the future of Targaryen?
If it is about dragons, we already have dragon eggs, and you previously said that dragons will surely return.”
“Intuition,” he said softly, repeating it once more.
“Ever since I acquired the gift of a Dreamwalker, the first thing I learned was to trust this intuition; it led me to find the dragon eggs.”
“Now, it has shown me the Valyrian Freehold once more.
I believe there is something I need there that can help the family’s restoration.
Ser Arthur, you just mentioned dragon eggs.
But how are dragon eggs to be hatched?
It has been a very long time since Targaryen had dragons.”
“The ancient records are vague and incomplete, leaving only the maxim of ‘Blood and Fire’.
Dragonstone holds no answers, and Braavos even less so.
Valyria is the origin of dragons and the source of magic.
His gaze swept over the three loyal knights.
“I am not going to blindly walk to my death.
But we cannot remain trapped in Braavos forever; relying on trade and mercenary missions will never win back the Iron Throne.”
“Robert, Tywin, and the other rebellious nobles will not let us go either.
The olive branch extended by Dorne is also thorny; their support requires us to have sufficient strength to back it up, otherwise we will be the ones devoured down to the bones.
We now need the power to break the deadlock—a force that can truly turn the tide.
Therefore, the place pointed to by the dragon dream is somewhere I must go and see.”
“But Your Grace…” Ser Jonothor tried to dissuade him.
“My mind is made up,” Viserys raised a hand to halt his words, his tone unquestionable.
“But I will also act with caution, making a thorough plan before entering Valyria.
However, Ser Jonothor, you are advanced in years yet rich in experience, so I would like to ask you to stay behind to protect Daenerys and Princess Rhaenys, as well as the women and children of all our people.
Their safety is more important than my personal adventure.
If an accident truly befalls me, I ask that you continue to support Daenerys.”
He looked again at Ser Willem Darry.
“Ser Willem, your organizational talent is unmatched.
After I leave, you shall have full authority over all external affairs here in Braavos.
Continue contacting merchants, expanding trade routes, managing finances, and having the remaining soldiers participate in suitable mercenary tasks to maintain discipline and combat capability.
At the same time, closely monitor news from all sides in Westeros and Essos.
This is our temporary root for now, and it needs stability.”
Finally, he looked at Arthur Dayne.
“Ser Arthur, you shall select personnel to accompany me to Valyria.
I need a lean and capable team, controlled between one hundred fifty and two hundred people, who must be the bravest and most adept fighters.
Do not have too many ships for the journey—two ships will be enough, and publicly announce that we are setting sail for Volantis for trade.
You will be responsible for commanding this force and protecting my safety.”
Viserys’s arrangements were clear and orderly, showing both determination and caution. New chapters come out on g.com first.
The three knights exchanged glances, seeing worry in one another’s eyes, but also seeing that unshakable, resolute look in the young king’s eyes.
“Your Grace,” Ser Arthur knelt on one knee, placing a hand over his heart, “I will surely follow to the death and protect your safety.
I will select the most elite warriors and make thorough preparations.”
Ser Willem also bowed deeply.
“It shall be as you command, Your Grace.
Here in Braavos, I shall take command, and I will certainly not fail this commission.”
Ser Jonothor looked at Viserys, finally sighed, and lowered his aging head.
“May the Seven—no, may the ancient gods of Valyria bless you, Your Grace.
Please be sure, be absolute sure to be extremely careful.
Princess Daenerys and Princess Rhaenys, I will protect their safety.”
The plan was thus settled.
In the days that followed, everything was prepared intensively for the trip to Valyria.
Ser Arthur screened personnel like a sifter, ultimately selecting one hundred eighty warriors, of whom more than one hundred twenty were soldiers and castle guards from the Dragonstone fleet who had weathered storms before.
The rest were also free knights of good reputation who had undergone strict examination.
Most of them came from nobles who originally swore allegiance to the dragon family in Westeros, but now, squeezed out by the Iron Throne, had crossed the sea to Essos to pledge themselves under Viserys’s command.
The two warships were also the fastest and highest quality in the fleet.
However, they were still reinforced and modified; after all, this voyage was rather long, and the destination was the dangerous ruins of Valyria.
They also bought some navigation charts from Braavos to Volantis, because Volantis was the Free City closest to Valyria.
They were going to rest and regroup there first, and also gather detailed intelligence concerning Valyria there.
Upon learning that Viserys was going to such a dangerous place, Daenerys and Rhaenys were naturally extremely worried.
Seven-year-old Daenerys wept as she grabbed her brother’s sleeve and refused to let go.
Although Rhaenys was a few years older and tried hard to maintain a princess’s composure, her pale complexion and the tearful light in her eyes still betrayed her worry.
Ever since her birth, Daenerys had only her brother Viserys and little niece Rhaenys as family, so at night she often had Viserys sleep with her, sometimes with all three of them together, and asked Viserys to tell stories about the family and Westeros.
Now that Viserys was going to leave for a very long time, they were naturally extremely reluctant to part with him.
Viserys spent a long time comforting them, assuring them that there was no real danger this time, and that Ser Arthur and the bravest warriors would protect him so he could return safely.
He emphasized once more that while staying in Braavos, they should listen more to Miss Ashara.