A Courtesan's Return Gift

In the courtyard enclosed by high walls, Viserys Targaryen practiced slashing and thrusting at a wooden target.

Viserys had switched to a blunted sword rather than Ser Willem's blade.

Viserys was now agile and fairly strong, but without professional instruction, his swordsmanship still lacked proper form.

For a warrior, shutting oneself away to develop in isolation was dangerous.

Without sparring and exchanging techniques with first-rate companions, there was rarely much improvement.

Viserys kept thrusting at the target until his muscles ached, only ending his training when the sun had set.

After resting briefly, Viserys checked his panel. His Strength attribute was rising, though very slowly.

Training could also improve his attributes, but it could not raise them as quickly as Talent did.

Even so, it was positive feedback. He simply had to keep working hard.

For now, Viserys only needed to improve Strength, Toughness, and Agility. The Spirit attribute was somewhat elusive, and he had yet to find the right approach.

Perhaps once Viserys improved his strength further, other parts of the panel, such as his class, would also advance.

I need a better instructor, Viserys thought.

Ser Willem Darry had originally been quite suitable, but he had gone half-blind early on, and now he was gone as well.

The only skills Viserys possessed were the basics Ser Willem had taught him. They were solid enough, but his training had to keep up.

In Braavos, the most common sight was those flashy assassin Water Dancers.

But Water Dancers focused on lightness and speed. That was not true Iron Dance.

Fighting in heavy armor, meeting force with force—this was the Westerosi way of battle.

Viserys still wanted to find a Westerosi knight, preferably a loyal royalist. That made the task exceedingly difficult.

Proper knightly training was entirely different from that of Water Dancers. It included sword-and-shield combat, swordsmanship, archery, and training with many weapons such as lances, morningstars, and battleaxes.

Viserys watched the sky gradually darken. His training was over, but tonight he still had distinguished guests to entertain.

Compared to the splendid Sealord's Palace or the courtyards of wealthy noble houses, Viserys's residence appeared somewhat shabby.

The courtesan Female Swordswoman arrived under Xisa's guidance, followed by a tall, thin, silent Braavosi swordsman with a large beard.

Female Swordswoman wondered whether the private dishes in this residence could truly be so delicious, but considering Xisa's position as a constable, he was probably not lying.

"My friend, Viserys Targaryen," Xisa introduced.

Viserys wore black clothing embroidered with the emblem of a three-headed red dragon.

"The king cut his hair short? Who knows how many girls will be heartbroken," Xisa said in surprise.

Viserys had cut off his long hair. His silver-white hair was now short, which did nothing to diminish his handsomeness and instead made him look more spirited.

"Short hair is easier to manage," Viserys explained.

"The Braavosi courtesan, Female Swordswoman," the Braavosi courtesan introduced herself.

"I never expected you to be the Beggar King." Female Swordswoman looked at Viserys and naturally recognized him as the exiled king of the Targaryen Dynasty.

Though only a second-tier courtesan, Female Swordswoman was still exceptionally beautiful, and she truly seemed to possess some foundation in swordsmanship.

Viserys glanced at the lavishly dressed courtesan. A slender sword hung at her waist, the source of her professional name.

Viserys had to silently praise the professionalism. Braavos's courtesan industry was now highly developed.

A famous courtesan had to possess her own distinctive appeal and talking points.

If a courtesan wished to rise above the rest, self-promotion was also indispensable.

Black Pearl was young and lovely, and she had the blood of the Sealord, the Pirate Queen, and the true dragon.

Moonshadow wore only white and silver, while Nightingale's singing was beyond compare.

Poetess always held a book in her hand. Only lovers approved by Masked Lady could see her face.

The Mermaid Queen was never apart from her mermaids—four girls in the first bloom of youth who held up her skirts and long hair.

Now, Female Swordswoman had likely chosen a new path, somewhat like an imitation of Poetess.

"This is my guard, Moro," Female Swordswoman said. "He does not like to talk. Unlike those assassins by the Moon Pool, his sword is far sharper."

The Braavosi swordsman had remained silent throughout, simply following the courtesan as her guard.

Once they entered the reception hall, the atmosphere had been properly set.

Dishes of every kind began to arrive, laid out in an impressive array.

Viserys did not use much seafood. This time, he had chosen ingredients such as clams, muskfish, frogs, turtles, mud crabs, flower crabs, climbing crabs, red eels, black eels, striped eels, lampreys, and oysters.

The fish, shellfish, turtles, and crabs had to be deboned and sliced, while seasonings such as minced garlic, dried fruit, sea salt, and crushed pepper had to be prepared. Occasionally, expensive saffron was also needed.

The ingredients were not merely carefully selected; more importantly, the flavors were utterly unique.

"Such delicacies are rare indeed. Let us toast His Majesty Viserys."

"To His Majesty Viserys." Female Swordswoman smiled radiantly. Seeing Viserys so confident, she had become interested in the cook's dishes as well.

The cups of Summer Red clinked together, and delicious flavors began to dance upon their tongues.

The female warrior took a spoonful of flower crab soup, and with that single sip, she understood that it was truly exquisite.

"Indeed, delicious." It was as though a dagger had struck her soul. Every dish was outstanding.

Not even the governors' mansions offered food of this standard.

Female Swordswoman and her guard both enjoyed an immensely satisfying meal, unlike anything they had experienced even while serving under nobles.

The silent, bearded swordsman also dug in heartily. The lampreys he had eaten before had never possessed such perfect color, aroma, and flavor.

Having tasted such delicacies, the bearded swordsman put away his earlier arrogance.

"An extraordinary meal. I never imagined the cook here possessed such skill," Female Swordswoman praised.

Yet the courtesan was puzzled. His kingdom was already lost, yet he was still so particular about food and drink. It seemed rather pathetic.

Courtesans of her standing naturally lived extravagantly and were extremely particular about the details of life. Precisely because of this, they could easily recognize that the delicacies within the Red Door were one of a kind.

Xisa solemnly introduced Viserys. "It is not the cook's achievement. Viserys is a first-rate gourmet."

"Viserys?" The courtesan was startled. Her beautiful eyes shifted as she gazed at the silver-haired, purple-eyed youth.

She had not expected this exiled king to be not only handsome, but also a first-rate gourmet.

Such a man clearly knew how to enjoy life, though that was utterly useless when it came to restoring his kingdom.

"Wandering in exile, this is my only hobby," Viserys said.

"But why are these ingredients so delicious?" Female Swordswoman asked.

"The fish and shellfish around Braavos have too strong a sea flavor, which I do not like. But a gentle brown river flows into the Great Lagoon from the south, winding through a vast stretch of reeds, tidal pools, marshes, and shallows. The many clams and scallops produced there are all of superior quality. One must begin with the ingredients; with proper heat, the food will naturally be delicious."

"You truly are an expert in this field." Female Swordswoman applauded, her features beautiful and delicate.

"His Majesty Viserys's family banquets are not open to outsiders. We are here only because we are friends." With these words, Xisa both told the courtesan how much effort he had put in and emphasized his own friendship with Viserys.

"Yes. Because Xisa and I are friends, this is simply my generosity toward friends," Viserys said.

"After this meal, you and I are friends as well. But since we are friends, I must offer you a return gift," Female Swordswoman said.

"There is no need to stand on ceremony," Viserys said.

Female Swordswoman shook her head. "For us Braavosi, it is essential to return courtesy with courtesy."

"Fine wine, gold, beautiful women," Female Swordswoman declared proudly.

She did not like owing anyone favors, not even a king who had lost his kingdom. The beautiful women naturally did not mean herself; she knew many younger courtesans.

"You should accept it. It is the custom of the Secret City," Xisa signaled to Viserys.

Viserys felt that Braavosi were rather stubborn too. This was different from the Faceless Men's rules; it truly was a mercantile society.

"Then I will not refuse. I want to find a Westerosi knight to serve as an instructor. Preferably one of those who remained loyal to the royal family back then..."

Viserys seized the opportunity and pressed his advantage.

He did not have any intelligence network at all and was completely in the dark.

As a local powerbroker and intermediary in Braavos, the courtesan would certainly be better than Viserys at finding someone.