Dragoness

(Lys, Essos)

She watched the fools that were the magisters haggle their prices, demanding this and that.

Her paymaster Gorys seemed apathetic with the whole negotiation, having already gone through this several times.

Perhaps she could've dealt with it, yet she had no interest in conversing with these groups of cowards more than necessary.

"The Golden Company boasts the most disciplined army in Essos. We have some of the finest swords and have never broken a contract. " Gorys said. "You insult us by offering such low standards."

Silencing many of the magisters. This rabble had been sanctioned by Triarchy to negotiate a contract with her Company. They feared Volantis would attack any day now.

It wasn't an unfounded fear, Volantis had been raising quite a fuss over the reemergence of the Triarchy for now, even going so far as to send representatives to Erlend seeking cooperation with the young Conqueror.

Another reason to hate them she supposed. How dare those pesky flies try and involve her beloved in such a silly scheme.

The silence seemed to stimulate the tension in the room, they were worried about her, it's been like this since she had the last magister to leer at her castrated and fed his own cock.

He should've known better than to ogle her, this body belonged to one man. It took a few castrations, a bit of torture, and some very nasty public executions to get the idea in their brains.

Even the stupidest dog learned eventually.

Rolling her eyes at their wariness, she gestured for them to continue the farce, well aware that many liked haggling just for the sake of it. Gorys was one of them.

An aged magister rose, looking somewhat hesitant. "Of course not," He spoke humbly. "We only seek to ensure the safety of our cities."

"Then cease attempting to pay lower than the standard rate," said Gorys. "Our Company has never broken a contract and won't do so anytime in the future."

"This… This…," another stammered. This one had a beard as rare as it was, though his cowardice was irritating. A dagger could fix that. "We have employed the company for decades now, surely that means something."

"We're here aren't we," Gorys pointed out. "Had it been any other, we'd have refused them already."

"Volantis is but a March away." Visenya interrupted, finally drawing their eyes to her, only for them to quickly avert it upon realising it. "We shall stand against whatever force they can scrounge up. Provided you pay the standard rate."

"If they attack, they will seek to take Myr first." A myrish Magister spoke, his jewelry clinking as he adjusted himself. "Should it fall, Lys would follow, and finally Tyrosh."

"All the more reason to keep the standard. The Golden Company will fight whatever Volantis and its conspirators decide to throw your way."

Rolling her eyes at the man, did they expect her to fight for less than what they were owed? These merchants even when their lives are at stake, still seek to squeeze out as many benefits as possible. It disgusted her.

Had it not been for the usefulness of maintaining the Company with their gold, she'd never have cared a wit for them.

Unfortunately, the company was necessary to attract the attention of her beloved. She was sure he'd be pleased with having another army loyal to him.

She didn't particularly care for any of the free cities. Many of them, especially Volatnis likened themselves to Valyria, yet they always fell short. Those deformed inbred lackwits would get their due soon enough.

No. what she cared for was the thrill she had in cutting down lesser men with Blackfyre, hearing them cry out in agony and disbelief as they lost their limbs.

It wasn't as pleasing as it would've been with Darksister, but it would do for now.

Foolish men who thought they could have her. Their deaths told a different tale.

The meeting continued as the Magisters tried to squeeze out whatever benefit they could from the contract. Gorys being experienced as he was in handling these merchant princes, rebuffed their moves smoothly.

The pay was decided and now the fools were clamoring to gain concessions for their cities.

Word of what had occurred in the Iron Islands had long since reached her. As expected of her beloved, he was none too merciful with those savages. Aegon was a fool to allow them to continue existing after the conquest, another stain to add to his record.

No doubt that dickless fool and his scheming cheesemonger were up to their old games again. She had warned the idiot not to go out so late in the dark, his mistake cost him his cock after all.

Their sister wasn't any better, falling for the fat imbecile. Honestly how far has her family fallen to produce such stupidity? It wasn't as if the main branch was any better, only slightly better off.

She knew at a different time, that neither she nor her beloved existed. Many times grandnephew had made a mess of things and his aunt was a fool high on power.

It was disgraceful and unbecoming of a member of the House of Dragons. Valyria's legacy is reduced to nothing but a kinslaying exile played by his own family.

Eventually, the negotiations concluded. Signing her name on the parchment offered after getting confirmation from Gorys. 

They would receive a third of the payment upfront, the rest would be sent once the contract was completed.

The magisters immediately began subtly mocking each other as soon as the signing was over, the united front that they had presented collapsing once everyone was done and over with.

No wonder they collapsed so easily. They were their own worst enemies.

It wasn't just between those from different cities, they were doing the same with those who came from the same ones too.

To magisters, there were no permanent alliances, just benefits and how long it would last.

As soon as they had the first payment, she immediately chose to leave. "Make sure it's secure. Not a single coin is to go missing." She ordered Gorys.

Gorys nodded towards a group of heavily armored company men. Two of them carried the chest, while the rest surrounded them as they made their way back to the camp.

Since she had taken control of the Company, Visenya had made sure to discard any filth. She wanted an army loyal to her and her beloved. Only the best and whose loyalty was unquestionable were allowed to remain.

It had taken years to ensure it.

"Send word to Lysono," She said. "I want to know what the Cheesemonger is planning and if we have to counter it." She knew Varys and his friend would be up to something.

The paymaster frowned at the mention of the fat Magister, having been cheated by him previously. "You think they're up to something"

"They're always up to something."

"What of Volantis?"

"It will take a while for them to shore up support before they can make any moves."

"Maybe they'll get the support of Braavos."

"Braavos has been divided since word got out that the Sealord attempted to seize the Twilight Isles." She'll find a way to punish the bastard later, how dare he attempt to seize Erlend's lands.

If it wasn't for them Mudd, this version of Braavos would never exist.

"The threat of a united Triarchy is more than enough to force them to work together." Gorys pointed out.

"You think someone from there had a hand in all of this."

"It wouldn't be far-fetched to assume one of the players decided to plant the idea in the heads of the magister."

He was right… presenting a potential external threat would force those within Braavos to play nice and let go of the matter.

She didn't know if it was worth it. Those idiots had created a dangerous enemy for themselves within the Triarchy.

Regardless, of whether it was intentional or not, she benefited from it. She was sure Erlend's network would make him aware of her soon enough. Maybe enough to convince him to make a personal visit.