Summary: Viserys Targaryen X Gaunter O'Dimm
The Pact with the Devil
All credit goes to George Martin for Game of Thrones and the people of CD Projekt for Witcher III - Hearts of Stone.
Chapter 1 – Dothraki Nuptials and Gingerbread
At the coast of Pentos, during the wedding feast for Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo, they had just rode their horses to consummate their marriage. Viserys was strutting among the celebrants of the wedding, sneering at the Dothraki as he sees them nothing but worms beneath his feet. Then he spotted the man he remembered seeing earlier at the Magister's place, the same bald man wearing yellow tunic and blue trousers, but this time also a wreath of colorful flowers as he was talking with the servants.
"I beg to differ, madme. You omit the most important ingredient in gingerbread – Time." The man argued.
"Time? What do ye mean, time? An ingredient?" The servant inquired.
"Time gives the proper consistency. Time provides that ideal crunch on the outside, the delicious moistness within." The man answered.
"So how much o' this time does it take?" Another servant questioned.
"That you will not find in any recipe. You must surrender to your senses. Let them lead you so close to time you touch it. Let you sniff I, stroke it, even. Time, Time is the key." The man answered and he rose and approached Viserys.
"What nonsense was he talking about?" Viserys thought.
"Greetings your grace. I hope the wedding meets your expectations." The man greeted.
"You seem to know more then your trade, merchant." Viserys perceived.
"I was recommended by the Magister, I have traveled a lot so I tend to learn a lot on my travels." The man replied and he turned to a servant. "Get us some wine for the king." He ordered and a servant rise up and complied. "You look haggard. It's just a few drops to improve your mood. A little wine never hurt a soul, although I recommend Schnapps." He suggests.
"What brought you here this time, merchant?" Viserys inquired.
"Daenerys Targaryen." The man answered as the servant arrived and handed a flask of wine to the man and Viserys.
"I never mentioned her name to you." Viserys belittled. "Who told this merchant!? I'll cut out his tongue!" He thought.
"Yet this wedding described her perfectly. And once I hear something, I never forget. Can't help it." The man excused.
"How did you know? Who told you?" Viserys demanded.
"The servants, don't punish them on my expense. They always gossip when a wedding of a high-born is celebrated. The only way a humble merchant might hope to rub up against greatness. Unless, that is, he's as lucky as I am." The man answered as a matter of fact.
"And runs into the dragon." Viserys intimidates.
"Into King Viserys Targaryan himself. The Third of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms." The man exalts.
"Who are you exactly? I hardly believe a simple merchant can be so knowledgeable." Viserys confronted.
"A mangy vagrant. Gaunter O'Dimm at your service. I specialized in crafting and trading mirrors. The maddening crowd dubbed me Master Mirror, or the man of Glass." Gaunter introduced then he takes a drink. "To your health!" He toasts and after they finished their drinks, a servant presents a package to Viserys.
"What is this?" Viserys inquired as he takes the package.
"It's a little something for the wedding and a token of appreciation." Gaunter answered it as Viserys removed the fur skin wrapping which revealed a mirror in a stylish frame, crafted in elvish style. As Viserys looked into the mirror he saw himself wearing royal Targaryen attire being coronated king as he sits on the Iron Throne.
"What sorcery is this?!" Viserys demanded.
"This is the Mirror of Erised, it shows you your greatest desires. Even though the elves are long gone, their style and craftsmanship are nearly forgotten. We men of the road must stick together, perhaps one day you'll be able to reward me for your ascension." Gaunter answered and he turned and left, leaving Viserys pondering of this merchant.
TBC
