Meanwhile, across the narrow sea in Tyrosh, a meeting was being held in the city’s council chambers.
In the center of the hall stood a long black stone table, with Archon Tyrio Adaris of Tyrosh sitting in the main seat at the very head, and nine magisters seated on both sides.
After receiving the message from his younger brother, Archon Tyrio urgently summoned the nine magisters to begin discussing countermeasures.
“Magisters, please first look at the message sent back by Governor Corio.” Archon Tyrio passed the letter to a magister seated lower down.
After all the magisters finished reading it, he said in a deep voice, “Everyone, please share your thoughts on how Tyrosh should reply to Talvey.”
Although the Archon of Tyrosh nominally managed all affairs of Tyrosh, he was in fact merely the most powerful among the eleven magisters, and the absent magister at this moment was none other than the Archon’s younger brother, Governor Corio.
The council chambers fell into a commotion as the nine magisters expressed their own views, arguing until their faces were red.
“Lord Archon, if we withdraw from the Triarchy, what if Talvey of The Stepstones fails to keep his promise and attacks Tyrosh? By then, wouldn’t we be isolated and helpless?” A bald, old-faced magister whose beard was dyed green interrupted the debate and took the lead in questioning the Archon.
“I do not agree with Magister Salio’s view.”
At this moment, a middle-aged magister with red hair and beard stood up to refute: “Governor Corio made it very clear in his letter that the forces led by Talvey attacking The Stepstones were merely to maintain shipping lane security. Moreover, the nobles of Westeros have never in thousands of years made any move to occupy any Free City. Compared to the nobles on the Westeros continent, what we should worry about more are Myr and Lys. The hatred between us and them is crystal clear to everyone present, and there is absolutely no possibility of reconciliation. This alliance was merely to counter Volantis. Now that Volantis has been repelled, it is time for us to make early plans.”
“I agree with Viola’s view.” A magister with pink hair and beard expressed agreement with the red-haired Magister Viola’s proposal.
After standing up, his gaze swept across the face of every magister, and he said with calm composure: “Magisters, we also need to consider one point: even if we are willing to continue maintaining the Triarchy, once a war breaks out, compared to Myr relying on the Essos mainland and Lys isolated overseas, we in Tyrosh are the closest city-state to The Stepstones and will inevitably suffer the first attack. Do you think Myr and Lys will fully aid us at that time? I reckon they must be dying for us to be wiped out by the forces led by Talvey, so that Myr and Lys can evenly divide the Disputed Lands. Wouldn’t that be even better? I am not sounding a false alarm. Think about it, magisters: The Stepstones heavily tax us in Tyrosh, yet Myr and Lys turn a blind eye. Doesn’t this prove that the Triarchy is already a dead letter at this moment? Therefore, I support reaching cooperation with Talvey and Dorne. Compared to the Westeros nobles who have never launched a war against Essos, Myr and Lys should be our greatest enemies.”
After listening to the pink-haired magister’s clear and logical analysis, the remaining magisters nodded in agreement, including the dissenting bald Magister Salio.
Archon Tyrio was also very pleased after hearing the pink-haired magister’s speech.
He clapped his hands to draw the attention of the magisters to himself, and looked at the pink-haired magister with a gratified smile, saying: “Magister Mylaro’s speech is truly deafening. Having a magister with such vision and strategic insight is the fortune of us Tyroshis. If the magisters have no dissenting opinions, I will send someone right away to reply to Governor Corio and agree to Talvey’s proposal.”
“I agree with Magister Mylaro’s proposal.”
“I also agree with Magister Mylaro’s proposal.”
The magisters all expressed agreement.
Seeing this, Archon Tyrio said solemnly: “In that case, I will immediately have Governor Corio notified. I have another proposal: to deepen cooperation, I propose gifting that dragon egg to Talvey. What do you all think?”
The magisters nodded in agreement; they didn’t care about that dragon egg at all.
After all, for so many years in Tyrosh, no one had been able to hatch that dragon egg—it was completely useless.
Seeing that everyone had no objections, Archon Tyrio immediately instructed the attendants to send the message, then looked at Mylaro with a smile, scanned the assembled magisters, and said: “Let us offer our applause for Magister Mylaro!”
The council chambers were instantly filled with the warm applause of the magisters…
When the Tyroshi messenger arrived at Sunspear, Talvey had already spent five days in the tender embrace of Sunspear, and three Dornish noble ladies had by now completely become shaped by Talvey inside and out.
Originally, their ranking in the line of succession was very far back, so now they only wanted to be Talvey’s lovers for the rest of their lives, and proposed to Talvey during their intimate sessions that as long as they could always stay by his side, they didn’t care about any status.
Talvey naturally would not refuse the request of these three beauties well-versed in the arts of the bedchamber, and readily agreed to their request.
Although they were bastards, each possessed a considerable fortune.
Thus, the three noblewomen successively sold off their assets, leaving behind only a few personal maids, waiting to leave Dorne together with Talvey.
From then on, by day they accompanied Talvey to enjoy the scenery of Dorne—sometimes Talvey would even ride Terentius to carry them soaring through the sky—and by night they accompanied Talvey in intimacy, living a wonderfully carefree and cozy life.
Until this day, Talvey, who was strolling around the Shadow City within Sunspear, was invited back to the Old Palace by Prince Qoren’s herald.
Stepping into the Tower of the Sun, Talvey immediately caught sight of the distinct-looking Governor Corio chatting smilingly with Prince Qoren.
Talvey strode toward the two of them.
Prince Qoren and Governor Corio noticed Talvey approaching, and the two exchanged a smile.
“Lord Talvey, the Tyroshi messenger has brought good news. My brother Archon Tyrio and all the magisters are very supportive of our cooperation, and have also brought you a unique gift.” Governor Corio said with a sincere smile.
Talvey shrugged his shoulders and teased, “Could it be another’specialty’ from Tyrosh?”
“Hahaha!”
Prince Qoren and Governor Corio let out good-natured laughter.
“No, no, no, it is a gift of great value to you.” Governor Corio feigned mystery to keep him in suspense, and then gently clapped both hands.
Two attendants walked up carrying a brazier, and Talvey suddenly understood, already knowing what the gift was.
“I said Lord Talvey would be able to guess it at a glance, am I right?” Prince Qoren chuckled.
Governor Corio nodded in agreement, and then introduced to Talvey, “This dragon egg is the gift given to you by the people of Tyrosh.”
Talvey lifted the stove lid, revealing a black dragon egg half-buried in the charcoal fire.
He nodded with satisfaction, looked solemnly at Governor Corio, and said, “I like this gift very much. Convey my sincere thanks to Archon Tyrio. I have felt the Archon’s sincerity. May our friendship last forever!”
“I will certainly convey your thanks. May friendship last forever!”
“May friendship last forever!”
The three of them looked at each other and laughed heartily.
There shouldn’t be any more outbreaks of war in The Stepstones from now on; it’s time to start building, Talvey thought to himself.