Chapter 69 This Is Not a Simple Repetition

The town of Veronthes is located on the west bank of the Rhoyne River. It was established by the Valyrian Empire when it expanded westward after the war with the Ghis Empire. It crosses the river to the east to the ruins of Sal-Mel, and goes south along the river, and you can reach Volantis in a moment.

The history of towns along the Rhoyne River is full of disasters, but if there is a devastating blow, it is all caused by the war between Valyria and Rhoyna.

The wars and conflicts between them lasted for nearly three centuries and it is difficult to describe them all.

A thousand years ago, the Second Spice War, the last of these wars, was fought in the town of Veronthes.

The cause of the war was that Volantis, located at the four estuaries of the Rhoyne River, had a trade competition with the Rhoyna city of Sahoy, so Volantis joined forces with three dragon kings to plunder Sahoy, slaughtered the soldiers in the city, and sold the children as slaves. Later, the Volantis burned the city and sprinkled salt on the surface.

The destruction of Sahoi led to a complete escalation of the conflict. Prince Garin of Rhoyna assembled 250,000 troops and marched south, capturing cities and territories along the way. He fought a decisive battle with the 100,000-strong army of Volantis led by three dragon kings in the town of Veronthus. The Rhoyna people killed two dragons and drove away another one. In the end, the Valyrians lost the war and the town of Veronthus was flooded.

But the war did not end there. The Volantis people who received the news of the defeat were panicked and immediately sought help from the Valyrian Empire. The dragon kings immediately drove 300 dragons to fight and defeated Prince Garin. The dragons turned all the Rhoyna cities, including Sal-Mare on the Rhoyne River, into ruins.

The town of Veronthus was rebuilt after the war. Now it is surrounded by high white walls. Its scale is large enough to be called a city in the seven kingdoms of Westeros. Since the expansion led by the Tiger Party in the Bloody Century, it has been under the control of Volantis.

The Rhoyne River has long since changed, and the process of things developing is also different, but history is always surprisingly similar.

At this time, the sunset is dusk, and the sunset glow is like a red leaf falling and covering the water. The prosperous scene of the riverside in the past has disappeared like a dream, and the long port berth is full of warships.

Under the setting sun, the whole town has turned golden red, looking solemn and peaceful. The tents made of blue canvas are connected together, located outside the town of Veronces, where the Windblown Group is stationed.

These tents are not the dirty, smelly, bulky and difficult to control tents of ordinary mercenary groups, but it is not the kind of unbreakable and well-equipped stone house.

This is a special tent made by the Windblown Group, which can provide a comfortable bed for ten soldiers. The founder and current leader of the Windblown Group, "Prince Ragged", likes to call it a canvas castle, which allows soldiers to move out in a very short time.

At this time, the Tiger Party Archon Malachor Megia had just finished dinner and was standing at the door of the largest commander's tent, looking into the distance.

Since leaving the Black Wall of Volantis, he has been living in the Windblown's camp. The Archon is not as panic-stricken as other old nobles, but at this critical moment, he also does not trust those slave soldiers.

The subordinates of the "Tattered Prince" called him the Tattered King, and the prince also evaluated himself: "Tattered and rogue, cunning and taking advantage of opportunities. But Malachor thought he was an elegant man.

After all, the "Tattered Prince" was also a legendary nobleman. At the age of 23, he was elected as the new ruling prince by the governors of Pentos. However, he did not accept this title that was in danger of his life at any time and had no real power. He fled to the disputed land and became a mercenary. Finally, he established the Windblown and never returned to Pentos.

Of course, the reason why the Windblown is more trustworthy is that the "Tattered Prince" met with Malachor, the ruling Tiger Party, before signing the contract, and needed Volantis to meet one of his conditions: to seize Pentos for him.

Sparse wind swept Passing the blue and white forked flags, the cavalry spears waving pale blue silk ribbons, accompanied by the sound of rapid horse hooves, Malachor saw the owner of this camp.

The prince is over sixty years old. Among the six founders of the Windblown, he is the only one who has survived to this day. His hair and armor are silver-gray, and he wears a cloak made of different colored cloths behind him. He rides a tall gray warhorse, and the warhorse's two hind legs also drag countless strips of cloth. These are souvenirs cut from the enemy's robes after he personally killed the enemy. He sits tall and straight on the high saddle, and everyone in the camp can see his style.

"Archon Megia, your plan has failed. "

As he got closer, the Tattered Prince dismounted. His eyes, which had huge eye bags, were filled with sadness. However, this was just his normal state. There was no difficulty in the world that could defeat the prince anymore. He spoke in a fluent High Valyrian voice, and said softly:

"Your soldiers betrayed you and surrendered to the Horse King. Your slaves were liberated."

The Tattered Prince claimed that his appearance was ordinary and he could be inconspicuous without the "tattered clothes", but his temperament and charm could not be concealed. He exuded calmness and elegance from the inside out.

"Good afternoon! Your Excellency, your healthy body and horsemanship are amazing." Malachor raised his thick eyebrows and looked at the Tattered Prince, and praised sincerely.

Compared with the other party, the Tiger Party Archon was more like a peaceful old man. Then, he grinned, revealing his toothless gums, and said with a smile:

"You are right. Someone betrayed Volantis, and some people in the city made wrong choices. However, this is nothing unexpected. If you have time, you might as well go and sit in the camp. , feel free to enjoy my sweet red wine.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Malachor opened the tent sideways and made a welcoming gesture. There was no one in the tent except for the traces of a sumptuous dinner. The Tattered Prince did not hesitate anymore and held his cloak. Went in.

"You seem to have more plans?" The prince stared at Malachor who was calmly playing with the drinking utensils. He felt a little confused and shaken in his heart, but taking Pantos' bargaining chip made him decide to continue:

"I mean those slaves and the horse king, and when will the attack on the ruins of Sam Mel be launched? I must know more about your plan."

"Don't worry! I will give you a reasonable explanation." Malachor patiently filled the wine glass for the prince, and then changed to a serious matter attitude and said:

"First of all, we are stationed here not to attack Sar Mel, but just to allow the Horse King to stay in Volantis for a longer time. The number and hostility of the Dothraki will scare the elects. They and the Light The collusion between the King's Temple and the attempt to liberate the slaves has made it increasingly difficult for the nobles to accept it. In these days, the Archon Council has given me full wartime command authority. After lobbying, the Golden Company is also heading to Velonthes from the disputed place. March on the town, they will work with the Wind Blowing Group and the Stormcrow Group to help me cleanse the traitors throughout Volantis and maintain peace until the consul election is over and the Tiger Party wins at least two seats. "

Such a radical plan made the Tattered Prince's expression gradually become serious. However, he had experienced various adventures and saw that Malachor had not finished speaking, so he continued to listen.

"Those slaves are my gift to the Horse King, which can also be said to be poison. After the news of liberating the slaves reached Slaver's Bay, Meereen, Yunkai and Astapor have all sent envoys to Volantis. , If their envoys hear the Horse King's declaration with their own ears and witness with their own eyes the terrifying sight that the slaves of Volantis have been waiting for, I believe that Slaver's Bay will be happy to form an offensive and defensive alliance with Volantis. "

"When the Volantis election is over, I will assist you with soldiers and fleets to help you retake Pentos. Everyone knows that Myr, Tyrosh, and Lys have been competing for the ownership of the disputed land, but that Don't Pentos and Volantis have ownership of the land? We can divide the disputed land equally. After that, Slaver's Bay, Pentos, and Volantis will form the Summer Sea Alliance and jointly inherit Valery. The glory of the Asian Empire and the Empire of Gith.”

After hearing all the plans of the Tiger Party to rule Malachor, the Tattered Prince shuddered. In the hot summer weather, he felt a chill running down his whole spine.