The second negotiation took place on the Isle of the Gods, in front of the doors to the House of Black and White.Little White dropped Ser Gerold Dayne off on the island, but Dany herself didn't appear.
Soon after, Big Black announced the new negotiation location to Bessaro and the Kindly Man from the sky—they were a little shocked. They hadn't expected the Dragon Queen to go to the House of Black and White. The three of them quickly reached an agreement on four terms.
The first two were indeed fair.
The gold dragons from Slaver's Bay would be deposited into the Iron Bank, and the handling fee would drop from 13.5% to 13%. The Iron Bank would act as a grain broker, and grain prices would be increased by 30% over the current peak—this would serve as the bank's commission.
Of course, they might earn more or less depending entirely on the Iron Bank's capabilities.
All that was required was for them to deliver a sufficient amount of grain to the Dragon Queen five years later.
—Dany wasn't expecting to actually receive any grain. The Long Night was coming. Who would sell life-saving food then?
The aim was to have the Iron Bank spend those five years encouraging the people of Westeros to grow more grain—just like Guan Zhong buying deer to manipulate Chu, Dany's goal would be achieved.
As for what she'd gain in return...Perhaps only peace of mind.Knowing the Long Night was coming, she had done everything in her power to help. How many she saved didn't matter. She had no regrets.
The last two terms were a product of compromise. The Dragon Queen would receive a massive fleet for free.
A fully equipped fleet, with tens of thousands of tons of supplies.
Braavos would minimize the damage to its reputation from breaking oaths and violating guest rights, while also gaining the Dragon Queen's forgiveness: she would no longer send her eldest son to rain down "meteors from the sky" or "chat casually" over Braavos.
At the end of the negotiations, the Braavosi even brought over the bruised and filthy Copernicus, Cantona, and other leaders of the coup, handing them over for Deathwing's judgment—hoping he would burn them with dragonflame to satisfy the Queen's anger.
Dany refused.
"Mother said this is Braavos' internal affair. She will not interfere. Besides, Copernicus's father, old Arathon, once treated her to a meal. For that alone, she must forgive Lord Copernicus this time. If possible, he can even remain Sea Lord," said Big Black from the air in a booming voice.
Copernicus, who moments ago had looked utterly defeated, was instantly revitalized. He knelt to the ground, loudly thanking the Queen for sparing his life, and went on at length about his past friendship with young Dany (they once shared a meal).
He even promised earnestly that as long as he remained Sea Lord, he would do everything in his power to maintain the traditional friendship between Braavos and House Targaryen.
Not only Bessaro and the Kindly Man, even Gerold Dayne felt nauseated by it all.
After the treaty was signed, Big Black flew back to Slaver's Bay, Little White returned to Dragonstone, and Gerold Dayne would command the fleet to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea.
That night, on Dragonstone, atop the Stone Drum, in the map room—
It was a circular chamber with four tall, narrow windows facing north, south, east, and west.
Inside stood a uniquely shaped long wooden table, carved with a detailed map of the Seven Kingdoms—an almost to-scale miniature of Westeros.
The "Map Table" was 15 meters long. At the spot marking Dragonstone, there was a high-backed chair offering a full view of the map. Long ago, Aegon had sat here, pondering his conquest of the western continent.
"That's roughly how it went,"
Dany sat in the main seat, recounting to Barristan what had occurred in Braavos.
The massive room contained only the two of them.
Well, Dany was there only as a mental projection—Barristan was actually alone.
"Big Black can really speak now?" Barristan mused for a while, still in disbelief.
"After devouring the rat cook, it seems his vocal cords evolved in some way. Not only can he speak, he can produce a range of complex tones. It's fascinating."
Dany couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of herself speaking through Big Black's mouth, switching between Smaug, a holy dragon, and the Buddha.
"The Braavosi likely won't truly give up on revenge," the White Knight said with concern.
"If they want to take revenge or cause trouble, they'll have to survive the Long Night first," Dany said with a cold smile.
Barristan thought for a moment, then said, "Since Big Black can speak, let him visit the Citadel and King's Landing. In the ten or so days since we took Dragonstone, the Citadel hasn't stayed quiet—they've been sending ravens all over, slandering you to the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms.
One day they say you violated guest rights, the next they accuse you of practicing dark blood magic and being a sorceress. Then they claim you've inherited the Mad King Aerys's madness and are the second coming of the Mad King."
The old knight cautiously watched Dany's expression, and seeing only a faint smile instead of fury, he continued:
"After that, they accused you of lying endlessly, trying to use the White Walkers to distract the nobles and hide the truth that House Targaryen has returned to Westeros.
Yes, Perestan sent word of the White Walkers to the Citadel and the Seven Kingdoms, but no one believed him.
Some maesters even claim the 'Maester Perestan' on the Wall is a fake, and that the real one was killed during the upheaval at the Citadel."
"That imposter is actually Maester Aemon in disguise," Dany muttered, lips twitching.
"The fact they'd even say such things... The Citadel truly has no shame."
"Well, if the violation of guest rights is proven true, it won't just be their honor at stake—they might struggle to survive."
"They even dare to send ravens to Dragonstone and slander me to my face?" Dany asked, incredulous.
"No," Barristan suddenly laughed, "Your Grace, you wouldn't believe how much the people of the Seven Kingdoms love you.
The moment the Citadel makes a move, ravens fly in from all corners of the realm, reporting their rebellious acts to you."
"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Dany grew interested.
"The day after you left, Earl Duran Balemon of Sharp Point Castle came to Dragonstone to pledge his loyalty."
Between Dragonstone and Massey's Hook lies a narrow strait called the "Gullet."
The Gullet is the outlet of Blackwater Bay.
If Sharp Point swore fealty, Dany could theoretically blockade the Gullet and sever trade between King's Landing and the far side of the Narrow Sea.
And the Balemons of Sharp Point weren't just Crownland lords—they were one of Dragonstone's few direct vassals.
"Don't forget, up at the Wall, there was a banner with the blue fish too," Dany said hesitantly.
The blue fish was the sigil of the Earl of Sharp Point.
"Yes, Earl Durran's uncle joined Stannis's forces and went to the Wall together with him, but that doesn't affect Sharp Point's loyalty to you."
"I don't want his loyalty. The more territory I have, the greater the responsibility," Dany said.
"I understand," Barristan nodded. "Besides Earl Durran, many other nobles have written to discuss pledging their allegiance— from the Crownlands, the Riverlands, Dorne, and the Vale. Among them, there may even be spies from the Iron Throne.
But since you never intended to conquer Westeros immediately, I turned down all offers of allegiance, whether explicit or covert.
And I explained your plan to each of them — that you would not contend for the Iron Throne before the next summer comes. Moreover, if someone truly ends the Long Night, you would submit to them."
Dany waved her hand. "I won't submit. The Duke of Dragonstone will be passed down to my descendants."
She didn't even want the Iron Throne, let alone come to Westeros to serve as someone's vassal?
"Speaking of descendants…" Barristan hesitated. "Since you understand that the realm needs heirs, why did you reject Earl Celtigar's marriage proposal?
I think Aerys Celtigar is quite suitable — capable, good-looking, from a noble house worthy of you. Most importantly, he values honor and is a worthy knight."
"The fact that his name is Aerys already disqualifies him in the first round." Dany said with a strange smile.
"Uh, that reason is a bit…" Barristan's expression twisted, "I'm afraid Earl Celtigar won't be able to accept that."
"If I have to satisfy every vassal, what kind of queen would that make me?"
"Celtigar is different," Barristan emphasized.
"You think I'd compromise myself for Celtigar?"
"Your Grace, no one can force you to choose Ser Celtigar."
"Don't worry about this matter. If we can't survive the Long Night, even four generations living under one roof won't help. If we do survive it, I'm still young and have plenty of time."
Setting that topic aside, Dany asked, "Any response from King's Landing?"
"On the third day after we took Dragonstone, Kevan Lannister returned to King's Landing and quickly took control of the Small Council, replacing Cersei as Regent.
He's currently trying to reach an understanding with House Tyrell. At the very least, grain from the Reach has resumed flowing down the Mander River to King's Landing."
"Highgarden doesn't believe in the threat of the White Walkers?" Dany frowned.
"Whether they believe it or not, King's Landing is short on food. As long as Highgarden wants to keep playing this game of thrones with the Lannisters, they have no choice but to send supplies. Otherwise, Tommen's rule collapses, and all of House Tyrell's previous investments go down the drain."
After a pause, Barristan added, "Actually, this may not be a bad thing. At least grain is now circulating within the Seven Kingdoms. If Highgarden is short on food, they'll likely hurry to plant another round."
Dany sighed. "Now I understand why the High Sparrow broke his promise and only purchased 500,000 gold dragons' worth of grain from the Free Cities. Go on — what else has Kevan done?"
"He personally went to the Great Sept of Baelor to meet the High Sparrow and persuaded the Church to support Tommen's rule."
Dany nodded in approval. "Not bad. The mess Cersei created has really been cleaned up by him. With the Reach's army and grain, and the Faith's backing… if I hadn't suddenly appeared, Tommen really would've solidified his throne."
"Your Grace, Kevan also considered your influence. As soon as he returned to King's Landing, he sent a letter to Dragonstone," Barristan said with a peculiar expression.
"Oh?" Dany grew interested. "What did it say?"
"First, he agreed to pay the ransom for Ser Pate — five thousand gold dragons, not a coin less — and acknowledged Targaryen ownership of Dragonstone. Regardless of who ends up on the Iron Throne, Dragonstone will always be the Targaryen ancestral seat.
Then, on behalf of House Lannister and the Iron Throne, he accepted your condition — that the one who ends the Long Night shall be king.
He also promised that once the Ironborn rebellion is quelled and the sea routes to the North are reopened, a supply shipment would be sent from Lannisport to the Shadow Tower.
If you don't blockade the sea routes, a batch of refugees from King's Landing would also be sent to the Wall to join the Night's Watch."
"But he asks that you uphold the vow made at the Wall — that you will not proactively wage war against any noble or king who supports the Wall. In other words, you must at least refrain from taking action against the Westerlands and Crownlands."
"Heh, what a clever move. Buy time this way, and stabilize the chaos in King's Landing," Dany sneered.
Barristan nodded and sighed. "I can see his intentions clearly. And he knows we can see them too. But if you break your oath, he'd only be happier.
No matter how many ravens the Citadel sends, hardly any nobles in the Seven Kingdoms truly believe you'd violate guest rights — even Kevan wrote plainly in his letter that both he and the Lannisters think the Citadel is lying. Frankly, no one in the Seven Kingdoms can find a reason for you to attack the Citadel.
But the vow made at the Wall is known by too many. If you're branded an oathbreaker, all your enemies will rejoice."
"Why would I break my oath? 'The one who ends the Long Night shall be king.' If that can't be done, even if the Lannisters build a kingdom as solid as an iron bucket, it's meaningless. If it can be done, then let them be king," Dany said calmly.
King's Landing is a huge pile of trouble — touch it, and you'll get your hands dirty.
She didn't even want Sharp Point, Dragonstone's neighbor — why would she wade into that mess?
Besides, even if the Lannisters outperform Arya in killing off enemies and truly end the Long Night, it still doesn't mean Dany will forgive the blood feud between House Targaryen and House Lannister.
Suddenly, Barristan's expression turned solemn. "Your Grace, Ser Kevan is rational, and there will likely be no conflict between the Iron Throne and Dragonstone for the time being. But Cersei — that madwoman — is about to be released. When that happens…"
(End of chapter)
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