Night.
Braavos.
Illyrio's mansion.
Viserys looked at the fat man before him, with his golden hair and forked beard. A jeweled ring adorned every one of his fingers.
He had a greasy, yellow, forked beard and a mouthful of uneven yellow teeth.
"Your Highness, allow me to introduce myself formally. I am a magister of Pentos. To tell you the truth, I wish to fund your restoration in hopes of securing greater benefits in the future."
A smile appeared on Viserys's face at Illyrio's words. Viserys was a very simple man, so simple that he blindly believed the people of the Seven Kingdoms were "sewing dragon banners through the night," awaiting his return.
The moment he heard that someone wanted to fund his return to the Iron Throne, he could not restrain himself and said:
"If I defeat that wretched Robert and reclaim the Iron Throne, I will grant you House Baratheon's Stormlands, name you a duke, and appoint you Master of Coin."
Illyrio listened to Viserys's grand promises. Although he privately disdained them, House Targaryen's name was still useful. Perhaps it would allow him to intervene in the affairs of Westeros someday.
Outwardly, Illyrio smiled and said, "Then I thank you, my future king. However, it seems Your Grace's life in Braavos has not been satisfactory. Would you care to come with me to Pentos for a while, so I may entertain you properly?"
After a moment's consideration, Viserys said, "Yes, but I have a younger sister. I must bring her to Pentos with me."
Illyrio was not surprised by Viserys's words. He had already learned that two Targaryen descendants remained: Viserys Targaryen and his younger sister, Daenerys Targaryen.
However, Viserys's sister was still very young, only eleven.
Illyrio smiled and said, "Of course. Your Grace's sister may certainly come as well. You can fetch her first and stay here for two days, then we will set out for Pentos together."
After hearing this, Viserys bade Illyrio farewell and returned to the tavern where he was staying in Braavos. The house where he had lived as a child in Braavos had already been seized and sold by the servants.
Upon returning to the tavern, Viserys went to find Daenerys. Before he had even opened the door, he called out excitedly:
"Dany, Dany, I have good news! Guess who I met today!"
Inside the room, Daenerys heard Viserys's voice coming from outside, but showed little reaction. This young girl, whose life had been filled with misfortune, had only been carefree during her early childhood, when she had lived with Ser Willem.
Since Ser Willem's death, she had wandered through the Free Cities with Viserys, from Braavos to Myr, from Myr to Tyrosh, and then to Lys. The cities passed them back and forth like a ball, leaving them forever adrift, without anyone to depend on or a settled home, while they constantly had to guard against assassins sent by King Robert.
Moreover, because the queen had died giving birth to Daenerys, Viserys had never forgiven her. Combined with his humiliating life in exile, this left Viserys venting his anger on his pitiful sister through insults and beatings, making her afraid of him from childhood.
Viserys had instilled in her from childhood that they must reclaim the Iron Throne someday. Her only pleasure was listening to the stories Ser Willem had told her since she was little, about Aegon I of House Targaryen conquering Westeros and the legends of House Targaryen's dragons.
Viserys excitedly opened the door and saw Daenerys sitting motionless by the window, staring outside. Seeing that his sister had shown no reaction to his words, he was about to lose his temper.
But then he remembered that they would be seeing Illyrio shortly. If Daenerys appeared bruised and swollen from his beatings, it would embarrass him as well. So he forced a smile and said:
"Dear Dany, my sister, our opportunity has come.
I have received an invitation from Illyrio, a magister of Pentos, to go to Pentos. He intends to help us reclaim the Iron Throne." After hearing Viserys's words, Daenerys said timidly:
"Brother, aren't you afraid he might be plotting something?"
At Daenerys's words, Viserys immediately snapped, "Fuck, can't I judge that for myself? Or do you think I have no brains? Dany, do not try to awaken my anger, or I will let you taste the Dragon's Wrath!"
He raised his hand to strike Daenerys, but restrained himself in the end. After all, if Daenerys did not look presentable, he would be the one losing face.
Viserys could only gently place both hands on Daenerys's shoulders and say, "Dear Dany, as long as Illyrio can help me reclaim the Iron Throne, no price matters to me."
"Once I reclaim the Iron Throne, I will make those who betrayed our House Targaryen pay, especially Robert Baratheon, the chief culprit who started the rebellion."
With that, Viserys released Daenerys, walked over to the wardrobe, and said to her:
"Get dressed now. In a little while, we will go to Illyrio's mansion in Braavos and stay for two days before heading to Pentos."
After speaking, Viserys could not help fantasizing about what would happen after he reclaimed the Iron Throne.
Seeing Viserys like this, Daenerys had no choice but to pick out a beautiful gown and prepare to meet Illyrio.
Before long, Viserys set off to meet Illyrio with the now-dressed Daenerys.
Meanwhile, to show how much he valued Viserys and Daenerys, Illyrio had specially prepared a small banquet at his mansion to welcome the two Targaryens who would soon arrive.
Viserys hurried over with Daenerys. When Illyrio heard from a guard that Viserys had arrived, he made a point of coming outside to greet him.
Emerging from the house, Illyrio saw Viserys and Daenerys following behind him. His attention was immediately drawn to Daenerys.
Daenerys was petite and extraordinarily beautiful, with the silver-gold hair and purple eyes typical of Valyrians. Though still young, she already showed signs of her future splendor.
However, Illyrio noticed that although Daenerys was dressed in her finest, she radiated a lack of confidence. Her eyes were far too timid and shy, and she only dared hide behind Viserys.
But Illyrio had, after all, experienced a great deal. After only a moment's distraction, he recovered and spoke to Viserys as though nothing had happened:
"Welcome, Your Grace. This must be your younger sister, Princess Daenerys. Please come in, please come in. I have prepared a banquet to welcome you both."