Viserys stood atop the highest obsidian tower in Dragonwing Castle, the salty sea breeze stirring his long silver hair. King Ghidorah lay on the platform outside the castle, his three heads comfortably overlapping as sunlight gleamed on his dark gold scales.
Blackflame was nowhere to be seen. After all, the dragon was now the Valyrian Peninsula's most industrious "patrol officer" and "engineer," spending most of the time working throughout the peninsula.
In the courtyard below the tower, Daenerys and Rhaenys were playing with Ashara in the garden, enjoying a rare break from their studies. Missandei sat quietly on a stone bench with a book in her hands, occasionally looking up at Daenerys and the others.
The peaceful scene warmed Viserys's heart, but when his gaze turned east, a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes. Under Arthur's leadership, Free Bay Province was already running smoothly, and the previous war had demonstrated the empire's strength to the outside world. That did not mean external threats would disappear, however.
In his hand was a secret report freshly delivered from Astapor, sent by an informant Ser Alliser had planted in the Disputed Lands. According to the report, the Golden Company, based in the Disputed Lands and reputed to be the strongest mercenary company in Essos, had recently shown signs of unusual troop movements. Some of its elite soldiers had left their camp in the Disputed Lands, their destination unknown.
Meanwhile, another set of reports indicated that the ruling council of New Ghis was holding frequent meetings. The city's defenses had also been visibly strengthened, and ships suspected to have come from Qarth and Volantis had appeared in its harbor.
"New Ghis... the Golden Company..." Viserys murmured.
As a former colony of the Valyrian Freehold and a major participant in the world's slave trade,