Chapter 653: The Three Governors
"Asha Greyjoy," mused Governor Mors.
The white-haired elder before her was scrutinized by Asha Greyjoy, heir to the Iron Islands.
According to the intelligence she had gathered in Pentos, this man was a wealthy merchant who traded between Myr and Volantis. His fleet had fortuitously left port just as Myr faced its ruin, sparing him from disaster.
Afterward, Mors was approached by the people of Volantis, aiding him in his return to Myr, and now he represents the interests of Volantis.
He donated a significant fortune to restore his homeland and, thus, also referred to himself as Governor. Asha's address of him as 'Governor Mors' stemmed from this.
"Hmph, a lapdog of Volantis dares to call himself a governor,"
A young man adorned in luxurious attire approached the harbor of the Myrish sea with a retinue in tow, sarcastically addressing Governor Mors with unabashed rudeness.
"You..."
The once-trembling elder, momentarily halted his rebuttal as another group rushed over from a different direction.
"Welcome to Myr, Emissary of the True Dragon."
This time, a middle-aged man, clothed in a modest light yellow robe, adorned with various gemstone rings on every finger, and sporting a small mustache above his lips, spoke.
"Forgive our appearance."
He remained serene, ignoring the conflict of the two others, gazing at Asha and the Ironborn soldiers behind her before continuing.
"The naval might of the Empire is truly astounding."
Technically, Valyria isn't an empire but a freehold, a unique political entity. Nonetheless, due to its powerful stature, expansive territory, diverse population, and multitude of ethnicities, it's commonly referred to as an empire.
Valyria's forty families collectively elect rulers, somewhat akin to the Sea Lord of Braavos, who serves for life. The Targaryen family, due to its meager power, never ventured close to the title of the elected king.
However, following the fall of the Valyrian Freehold, a 'Valyrian Emperor' did emerge.
Dragonlord Aurion, one of the few surviving Dragonlords, mustered forces in Qohor, declaring himself Emperor of Valyria.
He rode his dragon, leading thirty thousand infantry towards the remnants of Valyria, intent on reconstructing the freehold. Yet, following this, neither Emperor Aurion nor his army were ever seen again.
Viserys, though initially crowned at Dragonstone at the tender age of seven or eight, and having several smaller coronations throughout his life due to his expansion of the kingdom to the Narrow Sea, rarely has his titles of Prince of Pentos and Andalos mentioned anymore.
Now, the entirety of Westeros and even lands across the Narrow Sea perpetuate a concept: that they all belong to a unified nation.
Even now, the definitive status of King's Landing and Pentos as capitals has not been legally established, with Viserys simply residing in King's Landing in recent years.
Viserys has never proclaimed himself emperor, yet the world broadly regards him as such, and the merged kingdom of Westeros, Andalos, and Pentos is referred to as an empire.
"My name is Salladhor Saan, a mercenary ship captain. My father hailed from Myr, while my mother was a woman of Lys, and currently, I serve as one of the governors of Myr."
The man in the light yellow robe, his slightly dark skin contrasted against the cloth, and hands bedecked with rings, spoke with an upright posture.
"To speak frankly, Emissary of the True Dragon, Myr now has three governors, each of us supported by a different power."
"Governor Mors is a spice merchant who operates in Volantis, now representing Volantene interests in Myr," Salladhor Saan began, turning with Asha towards the first speaking white-haired elder, Governor Mors, who nodded in agreement despite a slightly displeased expression.
"And this young Orton Adarys, a governor, is supported by Tyrosh. Interestingly, he is also a familiar face."
"During the War of the Ninepenny Kings, 'Silvertongue' Aquilo Adarys once ruled Tyrosh. After the war's defeat and subsequent six-year rule by Aquilo, he was poisoned, and the Archon of Tyrosh was restored."
"Governor Orton Adarys is 'Silvertongue's' youngest son."
"As for myself, as introduced to the Emissary just now, my father was Myrish, and my mother, a woman of Lys, a city renowned for its courtesans."
"I grew up assisting my mother with her clientele in her little abode, and upon maturity, took to the seas, eventually acquiring my own fleet, thus Lys has supported my position here."
"Quite serendipitous."
"Does the Emissary perhaps know of Davos Seaworth?"
"He's now known as the 'Onion Knight', I hear, working within the customs department in King's Landing. We have become quite the old friends."
Salladhor Saan spoke unreservedly, revealing not only the backgrounds of the other governors of Myr but his own humble origins as well.
Conversely, the young governor, clad in lavish attire, appeared slightly discontented, unable to resist his own sarcastic retort.
"Salladhor, you're but a bastard, raised by a whore, with no right to stand amongst us!"
"What's this about becoming a captain after going to sea? Just admit you're a pirate!"
Orton Adarys exposed the embellished nature of Salladhor's words. However, Salladhor Saan remained unphased, simply shrugging slightly.
"Tsk, tsk. Truly the son of 'Silvertongue', Orton, your venom knows no bounds."
The Tyroshi-supported young governor was indeed sharp-tongued, managing to mock two governors of Myr in just a short span of time.
Myr had always operated under a council of governors, so having three present wasn't unusual. While these three outwardly exhibited fierce competition, they covertly collaborated to exclude others aspiring to become governors.
Asha, her black hair cascading down her shoulders, observed their ceaseless bickering, reflecting upon the intelligence she had received in Pentos regarding the current state of Myr.
In the aftermath of its rebuilding, Myr was governed by three, backed by Volantis, Lys, and Tyrosh.
A spice merchant, an usurper's offspring, and a pirate?
Asha suddenly felt that this journey might become quite intriguing after all.