Preparation for Volantis

285 AC, Lys, Temple of God, Meeting Room…

The meeting room of the Temple of God was lighted brightly as usual. The fire of torches was grazing the walls as the white walls were shining brightly. Five men were occupying the great room and only one of them was standing on foot.

Gerold was seated on the head of the table and he was having a meeting as usual with Raenar, Trios and Sargoso. However, the person standing on foot was not one of them. He was Aemon, one of the Old Blood of Volantis. Aemon was an exile from Old Volantis as he was branded with a sword tattoo on his face.

All the eyes in the room were looking on the table as there was a big map with pins on it but Aemon was still pinning some other places on the map. Finally, he was done with pinning and stopped with it.

Gerold looked at the map and saw a city divided by a river. This map was showing the city of Volantis and, currently, Aemon was informing them about the important locations and the current political situation in the city.

"Volantis is the oldest, largest and the most populous of Free Cities. There is no other city like Volantis in the known world." Aemon's chest puffed out as he spoke but others rolled their eyes, "However, it is also the most corrupt and decadent city in Essos." This time, Aemon grunted as he spoke.

He pointed to the river that divided the city into two halves and said, "The city is located at one of the several mouths of the River Rhoyne and it was built around it so you need to cross from a bridge to pass the other half of the city as it is an immense metropolis."

Aemon put three pins on the northeastern side of the city, "There three cities there named as Volon Therys, Valysar and Shelorys. However, they won't be a problem if the upper sections of River Rhoyne are blocked. What we need to concern is this part, "Aemon pointed to the southmost side of the city's western half, "Volantis is a port city so its harbour is large and deep. It is a natural harbour so it can be said that it should be defended easily and a naval attack to the city would be nearly impossible from the south side but if the harbour side of the family is controlled then it should be easy for a few boats to get in without being noticed."

"And yet, the biggest obstacle will not be harbour but the walls of the eastern half of the city." Aemon put a wooden ring on top of the eastern half of the city. "We call it Black Walls. Behind the walls lies the heart of the Volantis, Old Volantis, and scions of Old Blood who can trace their ancestry to the Great Valyria." At this point, Aemon's eyes shone with pride. However, at the next moment, his eyes darkened with a grimace, "Though it is a wonder, it is also our biggest obstacle because the walls are so thick that six four-horse chariots can race around its top abreast. And, it is also nearly sixty meters high."

"To reach the Black Wall, you need to cross the Long Bridge. The bridge is very old and connects two halves of the city. However, it is also the trading centre. Buildings rise on either side of the roadway of the bridge. In the centre, they display the hands of thieves and the heads of executed criminals but I also heard they, now, put the heads of the believers." Faces of the room's occupants grew cold with these words, "Despite this cruelty, the bridge is bustling with people but it grows thicker at the western end of the bridge so people can hide there easily amongst the crowd."

"There are a few places in the western half of the city that could be important. One of them is Fishmonger's Square. It is a bustling square where fishmongers sell their catches. Though the reason for its being crowded is Merchant's House that is located on Fishmonger's Square. It is the finest inn in Volantis and houses nearly most merchants that come from outside of the city."

"The eastern side is the older and richer part of the city, containing the Black Wall and the temple of the demon. Generally, no foreigner can pass to the east side without permission from one of the Old Bloods. However, as the demon's temple is located in the east, they can also invite people to the east side but not inside the Black Wall so when they want to meet Old Blood, it usually happens outside of the walls."

"Though the scions of Old Blood are rarely seen outside the Old Volantis, their influence can be seen in every corner of Essos. Even Iron Bank of Bravoos heeds their call despite calling Volantis city of slavers. And the politics…" Aemon raised his head to look at the others and seeing stoic faces, he cleared his throat and continued, "Well, there are millions of citizens in the city and freeman/slave ratio is one to five but rulers are chosen by only freeborn landowners. Volantis is ruled by three triarchs, as you know. However, only the Old Blood who can prove unbroken descent from old Valyria can run for elections and they will only serve for a year. However, they can be re-elected. The elections last ten days and during that time they invite mummers, minstrels and dancers from outside to the city."

"There are two parties amongst the Old Blood; elephants and tigers. Elephants are a party of merchants, moneylenders and those who want more trade in the city. On the other hand, tigers are a party of people who support military conquest. Though one of the tigers rule as a Triarch for nearly three hundred years the rule of the city is in the hands of the elephants as they have two triarchs in position. Old Blood doesn't have faith in the red demon but they have faith in the gods of old..."

Sargoso coughed into his hand and said, "Not Gods, demons…"

"Yes… yes, demons of old Valyria. So… There is a tension between these two powers because the red demon has too much control in the city and Old Blood does not like it but they couldn't do anything because around half of the guards of the city, tiger cloaks, worship R'hllor." said Aemon while wiping the sweat on his brows.

Gerold thought for a while with creased brows and looked at the map one last time before asking, "You said you were exiled because of your father but can you return behind the Black Walls?"

"Yes, Your Holiness. Though my father exiled me from the family, he can't meddle whether I can get in the city or not," Aemon laughed while speaking, "I can even join the elections."