Chapter 82: Valor

"Since learning from Prince Oberyn, your skills have truly become astounding."

As the two knights conversed beneath their horses, the grey-haired old man who had been sitting outside the racecourse walked over, leaning on his cane, and spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Indeed, I have nothing more to teach you."

"Sir William."

Upon hearing the old man's voice, Bessie turned his head and hastily greeted him with respect.

This grey-haired man had been teaching him the ways of a knight, not just riding, lance and sword skills, but also the honor and duty that a knight's heart should uphold.

Upon hearing the voice, Viserys also turned his head to look at the grey-haired old man, his eyes lingering for a moment before his good mood grew a little heavier. Then he spoke solemnly.

"Master-at-arms."

The grey-haired old man, whose appearance had changed drastically from his past, was none other than the former Red Keep's master-at-arms, Sir William Darry.

However, because of an old injury that hadn't received timely treatment, he had missed the best opportunity to address it, leaving behind an incurable affliction. In just six short years, the once spirited and valiant knight had become emaciated and skeletal.

His once-black hair had turned grey, one eye had grown blurry and was now half-blind, and by his early forties, he already needed a cane to walk.

Still, the master-at-arms had taught countless students and, even now, was unwilling to rest. He wanted to burn out the last of his strength.

The young men recruited to the castle still needed his training and polish to become qualified soldiers.

As one of the people who had migrated from an Andal village, the young Bessie was one of the soldiers trained by Sir William.

His talent was good, and he possessed exceptional bravery. Sir William then recommended him to be Viserys' personal attendant.

Bessie then followed Viserys on his expeditions to clear trade routes and eliminate bandits entrenched in the Norvos Mountains. He charged forward and achieved numerous military merits.

Viserys then personally drew his sword and placed it on Bessie's shoulder, bestowing him knighthood.

Viserys himself had also led soldiers in the eradication of bandits over the years, personally killing and executing many criminals. His personal strength had significantly improved.

However, the exceptionally brave Knight Bessie was knocked off his horse in a single round of combat against the young king, which astonished Master-at-arms William.

Prince Oberyn had dueled and killed Lord Ormond Yronwood at sixteen because of an affair.

Viserys' older brother, Prince Rhaegar, had just begun wielding a sword and wearing armor at fifteen, but he could also defeat a knight in single combat on horseback.

Viserys was younger than both of them, but he had achieved similar feats, defeating the nineteen-year-old Knight Bessie single-handedly, and that too without any leniency from his opponent.

Master-at-arms William's one eye may have been half-blind, but his other eye was still sharp.

This was the most astonishing part; the master could clearly see that Viserys was indeed stronger than the disciple he had trained so diligently.

...

Regardless of strength, speed, reflexes, or superb spear skills, Viserys could easily win even if he fought several times more.

"If a tournament were to be held in King's Landing, Your Majesty's current strength would likely have a chance to achieve a good result," Master-at-Arms Ser William, leaning on his cane, gave Viserys a high evaluation.

There were many warriors in the Seven Kingdoms, and it was already quite impressive for Viserys's strength to qualify for a tournament. However, Ser William believed that Viserys could achieve some success.

"Perhaps…"

At this point, the old man with gray hair hesitated, and then spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Your Majesty, in the future, you may avenge your father and brother yourself by killing Robert Baratheon, the Kingslayer, and the Mountain."

Viserys stood in place, holding his helmet in one hand, listening to Ser William's words, and remained silent for a while.

Bessie, who had a deep dent in his breastplate, overheard Ser William and took a discreet glance at the young king.

Since passing the rigorous selection process to enter the castle and even being recommended as Viserys's personal bodyguard, Bessie had gradually learned about some matters.

The Targaryen family had lost a war on the continent of Westeros, lost their throne, and then fled across the Narrow Sea to the continent of Essos. They had finally settled in Andalos in hopes of rising again.

The people just mentioned, Robert Baratheon, the Kingslayer, and the Mountain, were Viserys's enemies, with deep enmity between them, their hands stained with the blood of the Targaryens.

"I will, Ser William," Viserys said after a moment of silence, nodding his head and speaking calmly.

He knew Ser William was reminding him not to be content with his current peace, and never to forget the deep hatred of the past.

"In the future, I will kill them myself to avenge my father and brother."

Though Andalos had been established, the Iron Throne across the Narrow Sea would not let him go. Viserys had faced countless assassination attempts over the years, involving poison and ambush, but all had been safely resolved.

Baratheon had suffered a heavy blow five years ago but had quickly recovered. A new royal fleet was nearing completion.

Outsiders believed that although Robert Baratheon was furious, he had granted Storm's End to his younger brother Renly as a punishment for Stannis, while still preserving an opportunity for Stannis to make up for his mistakes.

The new royal fleet was still assigned to Stannis to build and train, with the goal of retaking Dragonstone.

However, due to the enormous amount of gold dragons spent in vain before, the new fleet plan encountered fierce opposition from Hand of the King Jon Arryn.

It took two more years, digging the Seven Kingdoms three feet deep and borrowing another sum from the Iron Bank, to gather enough funds for the new fleet.

This time, Stannis was fully prepared.

He would not make the same mistake again and give the Targaryen fleet any chance to ambush. From the moment he received the first gold dragon, it took more than three years for the new royal fleet to be nearly completed, and the plan to attack Dragonstone was finally put on the agenda.

Meanwhile, in Andalos.

As Viserys, Ser Bessie, and Ser William were conversing, a castle guard approached them.

"Your Majesty."

"There is a man claiming to be the Magister of Pentos seeking an audience."

...