After a round of insincere pleasantries, Danyla spoke with a look of astonishment and a tone of profound regret.
"Gods preserve us! What happened here? Why is there such an enormous, smoking crater? Did a volcano erupt? Or did a meteor strike this place?"
Watching Danyla's masterful performance, Walda's eyes immediately filled with stars.
"Her Highness is amazing!"
I've learned so much! So much!
Governor Otherys, standing nearby, had lost his arrogance from yesterday, but he still could not resist giving Danyla a discreetly scornful glance as he thought,
What happened? Shouldn't you know better than anyone? A huge explosion happened the moment you arrived in Braavos. Who in their right mind would believe you had nothing to do with it?
Sealord Utherys, however, obligingly continued the performance.
"Ah! You may not know this, Your Highness, but this was where the House of Black and White stood. For some unknown reason, a massive explosion occurred last night, blowing the entire House of Black and White out of existence. Several nearby temples were caught in the blast and suffered considerable damage as well."
"Even the Sanctuary of the Blessed collapsed. Many nearby homes were also affected, and casualties among the populace numbered in the thousands. Braavos has never experienced a disaster of this magnitude."
Danyla listened attentively. When he finished, she added with boundless compassion,
"All men must die!"
Utherys immediately replied with reverence,
"All men must serve!"
"If there is anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask, my lord Sealord. Natural disasters may be merciless, but people need not be. I wonder, though, does the House of Black and White have any branches elsewhere? Surely we cannot let its traditions die out!"
"The House of Black and White here in Braavos was the Many-Faced God's