Faced with the combined pressure of Danyla and the dragon Dreamfyre, even the most silver-tongued merchants fell silent as frightened mice. The clever ones hurried over to Rouge and obediently formed a line, acting as though they could hardly wait to sign their promissory notes.
It had to be said that anyone capable of conducting overseas trade between the eastern and western continents possessed superb acting skills and a talent for changing faces. Looking at their sincere, eager attitudes now, who would remember how indignant they had been moments earlier, swearing to argue their case to the bitter end?
At that moment, Danyla understood more clearly than ever that, as long as you were powerful enough, anything you said could be treated as words of wisdom!
Of course, the prerequisite was to give no one grounds for criticism. Ideally, whatever decision you made, whenever you made it, you should have an excuse ready beforehand, along with something to cover your shame.
This game of power really was rather dirty!
A richly dressed, plump young man stepped out from among the merchants and rushed straight up to Rouge, feigning tearful gratitude as he launched into a performance worthy of the stage.
"Praise the Gods! Praise Princess Danyla!"
"Thank you, Princess Danyla, for freeing our ships from House Hightower's control. I am Negar, eldest son of House Neratys of Pentos, and I am willing to sign this promissory note on behalf of House Lyratys."
"Of course, once I return safely to Pentos, I will be sure to bring gifts and personally express my heartfelt gratitude to Your Highness!"
"It was the beautiful, noble, merciful, and courageous Princess Danyla who shattered House Hightower's plot and dispelled the darkness hanging over ancient Oldtown. Her kindness toward us runs deeper than the Summer Sea."
"From