Chapter 20.6- The Seadragon's Roar

“Yes, yes there is” he found himself saying immediately after. Especially when the two additional dragons being spoken of were Meleys and Vhagar. One of them was old enough to have participated in the famed Conquest of Westeros and it had the size to prove it. The other, the other was old and experienced as well, ridden by a woman who his spies said rode like she had been born on a saddle. Without the two of them on the table to worry about, things were going to be simpler. Laenor Velaryon was a boy and nothing more. Daemon Targaryen was dangerous, but it would not be the first time the Iron Bank would kill a dangerous dragon rider.

“Regardless, I would not be comfortable putting the Bank and Braavos itself on a curse for conflict with the Sunset Kingdoms. While a kingdom of barbarians on any other account, the Sunset Kingdoms are famed for producing their own breed of warrior. Their numbers make ours seem paltry by comparison. They have vast forests to cut down to build more and more ships. They can keep coming for as long as it takes and one day we will not be able to resist.”

“I have assurances from within the Sunset Kingdoms— at the highest level of their government that they will not take any steps to retaliate if the Velaryons or even Daemon Targaryen fall in this war of theirs.”

“You would forgive me if I found myself doubting these assurances. The dragon lords are famously mercurial and to bank our continued survival on the promises made my one is not good business” Carvyn Orellis continued. Vorrick lleaned his head too show he understood the point even as he found himself scrambling for some angle to use to preserve the deal. A deal that could see a lot of gold flow into his personal coffers. If only he had that gold already. He would have won this vote handily before even raising the motion. These men ight act highhanded, sworn to work for the good of Braavos in general and the Iron Bank in particular, but he knew that they were inside. Grasping little greedy bastards that would slit their mother’s throats for enough gold. It was probably the only real requirement for becoming a keyholder.

“Regardless, alll we we would be doing is selling ships. The Westerosi would have to deal with the pirates in the Stepstones, and then the Triarchy, before turning to face us if they sought revenge for their lost Prince.” Domyrr Veyro spoke now with his signature cold smile. When he spoke, the meeting quietened. He was the Sealord’s personal representative on the Council of Keyholders.

“Is that the will of the Sealord?” Orellis asked, looking none too pleased.

“He would not have us turn down good business that would employ many in the city, see gold flow into our coffers, and give us leverage over the Triarchy in future.” He said.

“And the dragons?” Thellis, because who else would be such a coward.

“What is a dragon without their rider? Nothing but another wild beast. We kill the riders— preferably far away from their mounts. I trust that you honored Keyholders know how to secure such an event.” He said meaningfully.

“Such a contract would be expensive. Prohibitively so.”

“Have the Triarchy pay. They have the gold to splash around.”