GOT: Molten Crown

Oberyn and Davos had already heard about the great storm while still on their journey.

Especially Davos—being a smuggler, he knew the sea's temperament better than most.

And combined with the information they had gathered, they reached a grim conclusion— The Dragonstone fleet might have been destroyed.

On this matter, Oberyn and Davos had differing reactions.

The former believed the Targaryens had run out of luck and that he should take Elia and leave this cursed island as soon as possible.

Davos, on the other hand, was more concerned about his family.

In short, neither of them was particularly concerned about the Targaryens.

However, upon returning to Dragonstone, they found that the number of ships had not decreased—in fact, they had increased.

Not only were there more ships, but also more people. The number of inhabitants had nearly doubled.

Willem, the one welcoming them, told them what had happened, his tone tinged with pride.

Both men were stunned.

First, Viserys's dreamwalking ability—like a prophet—was simply astounding.

It seemed that as long as he lived, the Targaryens could avoid any disaster.

Second, Viserys's ingenuity—he had come up with the idea of chaining ships together, a tactic possibly unprecedented in naval warfare history.

And lastly, his bravery—to strike at Storm's End in such conditions, eliminating Robert's threat to Dragonstone for the next five years or more.

This made Davos raise his evaluation of Viserys yet another notch.

He also became curious about which of the two choices he brought from the Free Cities Viserys would choose.

Soon, another meeting on eastward migration was convened.

Naturally, the Kingsguard were present. Even though Rhaella was somewhat frail, she still attended.

She looked around the hall.

Four Kingsguard knights, Adrian Celtigar, Oberyn, three maesters, her son, and newly promoted officers.

Compared to when they first arrived at Dragonstone—just a castellan and a single maester—it seemed the Targaryens were beginning to flourish again, even after such a heavy blow.

Since the carved map table in the Round Hall didn't include the Free Cities, Oberyn brought out a map to present the options offered by them.

"Davos and I only visited Braavos and Pentos. We met with the Sealord of Braavos and the Prince of Pentos.

They did not oppose the Targaryens moving to Essos, but requested that we establish our holdings within the territories they've designated."

Viserys nodded, signaling him to continue.

After all, even a mighty dragon does not suppress the local lords—and the Targaryens had long lost their wings and claws. They were little more than lizards now.

And compared to any one of the Free Cities, those cities were the real dragons here.

Oberyn pointed to the plains south of Braavos and said:

"This is Braavos's proposal. The Sealord suggested that the Targaryens could establish a base near the Upper Rhoyne River.

However, population and army size would be strictly limited,

And within five to ten years, we must leave and begin our campaign to reclaim the Iron Throne."

"Hmph! Do they take the royal family for what? Plowmen for their fields?" Arthur slammed the table in anger.

Andalos was territory seized by Braavos and Pentos after several wars.

A large portion of the land was still undeveloped.

Braavos essentially wanted to use the Targaryens as beasts of burden. Their plan was likely to wait until the Targaryens had cultivated the land, then seize it for themselves.

Turning wasteland into farmland requires massive manpower. Even worse, Braavos wanted to limit the Targaryens' army size.

They were being treated as vassals.

No one could accept this.

Seeing the somber looks on everyone's faces, Oberyn turned to Viserys and Rhaella and said:

"Then let me explain Pentos's offer."

He pointed to the Velvet Mountains in the southern Andalos plains:

"Here is Pentos's proposal. The Targaryens would be required to build their castle north of the Velvet Mountains.

In my opinion, the benefit of this location is safety. The downside is that it would turn us into a buffer zone between Pentos and Braavos.

The Targaryens would be forced to survive in the cracks."

Everyone looked at the map and agreed with Oberyn's assessment.

"Your Grace, I believe there is another drawback if the destination is set here." The old crab, who was also allowed to join the discussion, spoke up somewhat nervously.

"Go ahead," Viserys nodded to him.

"In fact, I think the problem is that this place is too close to Pentos.

Pentos is highly developed in trade, and our population might gradually migrate toward it."

What the old crab was referring to was the siphon effect a major city has on the population in nearby areas.

It seemed even Pentos's offer came with hidden malice. They wanted to "eat from both sides"—using the Targaryens as both sword and blood bank.

In short, both cities had bad intentions.

One wanted beasts of burden; the other, expendable fighters.

But what could be done? The once-mighty Dragonlords had become little more than stray dogs.

Viserys didn't respond. His eyes moved across the map, scanning it intently.

Eventually, his gaze stopped on a red X.

"How about here—Gho Dhorro?"

At his words, everyone leaned in slightly, their eyes falling upon the red mark.

Gho Dhorro was a ruined city of the Rhoynar. It had been in ruins since the Spice Wars centuries ago.

"Your Grace, Gho Dhorro is inland. Moving people and supplies there would be extremely expensive," the old crab said, cautious but direct.

Even using the nearest city—Pentos—as a transit point, they would still have to cross a long stretch of land.

And land transportation was the most costly.

"Ser Adrian, there is a saying: 'spend richly on the road, even if poor at home.' The cost of relocation is not our primary concern right now."

Seeing Viserys's firm stance, the old crab fell silent.

Viserys looked around the room and realized most people had no useful opinions. He turned to Oberyn.

Sensing Viserys's gaze, Oberyn was about to let his sharp tongue loose—but then glanced at Arthur and Willem standing on either side of him, and made the wiser choice.

"Your Grace, if you choose Gho Dhorro, you may as well go nowhere at all. You'll bleed your last drop of blood there, spend your last coin."

Though the Prince of Dorne's words sounded grim, no one refuted him.

After all, he was the only one among them who had actually worked as a mercenary in the Free Cities. His understanding surpassed everyone else's.

Viserys leaned forward, pressing his hands on the table.

"Prince Oberyn, please—tell us more."

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