Chapter 17: Gold makes the army

Jaime Lannister's POV

I watched as they loaded bricks of gold into iron chests onto the ship, each chest secured with red chains, the only key hidden around my neck. The stench of pig shit in the slums of Flea Bottom swirled around, and the sun beat down on me, making me sweat beneath my chainmail and armor. I stood there, drenched, as the contact I was supposed to meet in Volantis approached.

I wore my golden hand instead of the sword apparatus, which was hidden in my cabin on the ship. Watching the chests being loaded onboard, the woman who had approached me earlier spoke in a cool tone, reminding me of Cersei.

"The Golden Company is in Volantis, and the Dragon Queen has yet to show her face there. Quickly get them and any ships you can buy with the leftover gold. We are going to need naval power. Don't forget the Ironborn are still in open rebellion. There's a chance they might attack this ship."

"Understood," I replied, but as I said the words, my heart pounded with excitement and anxiety. Should I leave her here alone? She was losing her grip, and the others wouldn't try to keep her in check when she was wrong. Then there was Tommen; his name day was coming up, and Cersei would do anything to keep the throne. Would she kill her son for something as vain as power?

The sea breeze warmed my face, and the salt filled my mouth. The hot sun burned down, tanning my skin to a crisp golden color as sweat dripped down my white shirt, forcing it to cling to my chest. Soon, I noticed the golden coast of Essos on the horizon. The air grew warmer as we neared the coast.

As the ship sailed through the water, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at finally reaching Volantis after a two-month journey. The port of Volantis was a bustling sight, with dozens of ships of various types and purposes docked, showcasing the city's thriving trade and activity.

At the only available spot in the port, I noticed a man waiting for our ship, undoubtedly the contact Cersei had arranged to lead me to the Golden Company. He wore a sly smile on his face, his pale alabaster skin and smooth blond hair clipped short. His light blue eyes, almost the color of lilac, gave him a Targaryen-like appearance.

Quickly, we docked the boat, and I couldn't savor being on dry ground for long. "Welcome to Volantis," the man greeted me. "I hear you want to buy my men's services."

"Right, and who are you exactly?" I inquired, raising an eyebrow as I scrutinized him. He didn't look older than thirty, perhaps even younger. He had high cheekbones and a regal demeanor that seemed more suited to royalty than a mercenary commander. He wore a loose-fitting red shirt with black inserts and a pair of plain-looking boots.

"Right, I suppose I don't look like the commander of the best military might in the world," he replied. "Walk with me; I can show you what you're paying for."

He spoke in a polite tone, his Common Tongue flawless, but something about him didn't fit the image of a renowned sellsword commander. "Has the Dragon Queen not come here yet?" I asked casually, trying to gather more information.

"No, we're quite surprised," he said. "We've heard about the horrors they've unleashed on the poor slave masters, or so they say. But I can't say I'm broken up about it. Sometimes we can hear the dragon's roars of rage, but as of late, he hasn't come by."

His calm and nonchalant tone raised questions in my mind. If the city was plagued by a dragon, why didn't the Golden Company leave? "The city buys slaves from the other three cities, and there are even some Unsullied here," he continued. "We almost decided to go to her in Meereen, but when Cersei Lannister demands you take her gold, well, how could I say no?"

As he spoke, we navigated through the busy streets of Volantis. I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the poor of King's Landing and the slaves of Volantis. Even the slaves here appeared cleaner and better cared for.

"All right, do you happen to have war galleys as well?" I asked though I knew it was a long shot.

"Yes, actually," he replied. "But only enough for our men, and that will cost you extra. Would you like to see the ships?"

With a sharp nod, he led me to a crumbling, winding staircase that took us through several ruined halls. Finally, we emerged onto a balcony overlooking a bay. Below us, I saw massive gray beasts with thick white tusks, clearly elephants, a hundred of them. Faded brown or gray eyes met mine as their trunks bellowed a loud blast of sound.

Turning my gaze toward the figures dressed in golden armor, I counted thirty thousand men, each with suits of gold, a sword, shield, and spear at their back.

"That's thirty thousand, just as I offered you," he said, all business now. "But if you're willing to buy the boats, that will cost you extra. Are you interested?"

"All right, how does a hundred chests of pure gold sound?" I proposed, looking at him closely.

His reaction was surprising. His face showed shock and appalled disbelief. "Two hundred gold chests," he countered.

"Two hundred and fifty, but that's my final offer," I replied, my heart pounding with anxiety.

His smug grin confirmed the deal. "I would have taken the hundred, but I was too stunned to speak. You've got a deal. I'll get my men ready. Meet me where the bay meets the ocean with my payment."

Stunned by my success, I made my way back to the ship, getting lost a few times before finally reaching the port. The exchange of the two hundred and fifty chests of gold took less than an hour. We were pulling the wooden planks back when a vicious roar echoed through the air.

I looked up to see a large black dragon, its head the size of a carriage, soaring overhead. Its molten red eyes stared down at the ship, and as it roared, its tail swished in the air, and its mighty black wings with red tips beat against the sky.

For a moment, terror gripped me, and I hid from sight. Eventually, the dragon turned and disappeared into Valyria. The Golden Company members laughed, having grown accustomed to the dragon's occasional appearances.

"Told you he flies through here," the commander said. "Now, come on. Let's set sail for Westeros. We have a war to prepare for."