141 A.L. Braavos

Tycho Nestoris, the Sealord of Braavos

There were times when Tycho wondered why the people had chosen him to become the Sealord of Braavos, a position he had held for three years now. Tycho had once been the First Sword of Braavos under Archon Nestoran, and that had been a role he had treasured above all else. Tycho knew how to fight, his mother had often joked that he had been born with a sword in his hand, fighting he knew, politics he did not, and yet being Sealord of Braavos meant that all decisions with regards to trade and commerce were his to make and say yay or nay to. It was a heavy burden for anyone, but especially now, especially with the Iron Throne looking to expand its territories. That the Targaryens were growing in power and influence in Essos was not lost to Tycho, he had seen and heard of the fall of Pentos, Volantis and the Daughters as well as the seemingly impenetrable Demon Cities, and as such this had caused a lot of concern and worry amongst the people of Braavos as well as those free cities that remained independent. That the lords of these new throne controlled states no longer traded with Braavos but instead traded almost exclusively with each other had seen the city's economy take a massive hit, one which Tycho was not sure it would recover from. The king on the iron throne had sent Logan Grafton as an ambassador to Braavos some two years ago, in an attempt to appeal to the businessmen of the city, and as such Tycho had played coy with the man, making it seem like it was an offer that he was seriously considering.

In actual fact, Tycho had been secretly negotiating with the remaining independent free cities as well as the slaver cities and the Dothraki to create an alliance that would break the Targaryens and their hold over Essos. Though Tycho did not like the other leaders, he had come to the conclusion that the enemy of his enemy could only be his friend, and afterwards he could always have them killed should the need arise. At present, the leaders of this alliance were present in his palace. There was High Magister Loro from Norvos, Denzo Lo Raq from Qohor, High Priest Denys Larama from Lorath, then a representative from the Slaver Alliance in Yezno Ro Razak Koro and Khal Pono the leader of the biggest Khalasar currently roaming Essos. Tycho spoke then trying hard to keep the disdain from leaking into his voice. "My lords, my most esteemed allies. Welcome to Braavos the hidden city, the bastard son of Valyria and the place where the Targaryen dreams shall die. It has been two years since the Velaryons defeated the force that the Slaver alliance sent to destroy them at the battle of the Demon Road. Since that time, Volantis and the new Valyria has increased its defences and man power, Pentos and Andalos have grown in power as well, and trade has all but dried up for all of us. We are in the straits my lords. And something must needs be done."

High Magister Loro a fat man but a smart one spoke then. "Yes, yes. This is what we all know. The Targaryens are fucking us in the rear whilst we squabbled over some petty issues with land and gold. Trade has dried up for all of us, and we are now feeling the pinch. I suggest we have a faceless man take care of the king and let his wives argue over the throne."

There was a laugh then and all of them turned to Denys Larama spluttering somewhat. "Oh now wouldn't that be nice. If we could all afford to pay for a faceless man who would be good enough to kill the king, with his dragon and his guards around him day and night. I do not think there is a man who is good enough for such a task, and even if there is he would likely cost more than whatever sum of money this alliance could put together. We would need a loan from the Iron Bank, and even then we might not have enough. No there must be some other way of doing this."

"Then what would you suggest Larama, for I do not see Lorath doing anything to quell the rapid advance of the Targaryens." The magister replied.

Larama was silent for a moment and then he replied with. "I say we use our men and forces to go on raiding missions on those cities under the control of the Targaryens, but we do so quickly and in many different places at the same time so that the throne does not know where to send the most aid to. Alternatively we could sow discord and enmity between the different cities and internally as well."

Tycho was intrigued by this suggestion and asked. "What do you mean by that Larama?"

The man smiled then and said. "We all have men within these cities controlled by the throne do we not? We were not so foolish as to believe that we could not gain something by seeing how they rule and how they mean to rule. And so we can use these men, who I assume have reached into high positions in court, they will have the ears of the lords ruling those cities under the command of lords sworn to Aemon Targaryen, we have them whisper and spread malcontent and watch as the war erupts between them."

Tycho nodded and then said. "A good idea but with no guarantee that it will work. After all the faith remained behind the king when there was disturbances in Andalos. What is there to say they won't remain behind him now?"

At this there was some murmuring and then Koro asked. "And what of the terms that we were promised by the Iron Bank?"

Tycho had expected this and said. "I thought you would never ask. Well my lords, I have this to offer you. Braavos shall offer you loans with very low interest rates and very lenient pay back times. I shall also offer you close to zero trade tariffs to my lords from Free Cities whilst for the men from the Slaver alliance shall see perhaps a 5% drop in trade tariffs and the Dothraki will find the gates open to them for feasting and trade as well."

Khal Pono spoke then. "We have no interest in money, we wish for war. And we wish for war now."

Tycho looked at the man said with a sly grin. "Then war is what you shall get, for we shall ride for Pentos soon enough."