Tyrion watched as the coast of Essos got closer and closer with every passing moment. The sea was calm and not even the slightest wind could be felt. It was as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for things to come. This would either mean good or bad, he wasn't so sure about that. He never liked to predict the future based on superstitions. But he knew what would await him in the city his ship was approaching at the moment. Pentos, one of the Free Cities and the current home of the two members of the royal family. Here he would find a possible future for the Seven Kingdoms.
A prince... no, the future king if their plans would work as intended. But this future king was also an insolent child. An insolent twenty three year old child with delusions of grandeur, caused by the wrong kind of counseling.
Tyrion knew that he would have to rectify that, one way or another. A lot of work. He knew that it would not be easy. But he liked a good challenge. His entire life was a challenge, one that he mastered every day anew.
"So this is Pentos. I have to admit that I feel a bit disappointed by it. I expected it to be... more grand. The Maester said it was built by the Valyrians, so I expected something much more impressive." A woman said, as she stopped next to Tyrion.
He looked over to the woman with a smirk, admiring her alluring figure, before he said, "Make no mistake, my dear, this city is one of the nicer settlements in Essos. Money rules, but those who are wealthy love to spend their money on luxuries and those who entertain them."
She laughed lightly, as she brushed a strand of black hair from her face. "And do you think we will be... entertaining to them?" She asked.
"Most certainly. I am a handsome dwarf and you are the beautiful heiress of Dorne. I doubt they have ever seen such a pair before." Tyrion said, as he allowed himself an amused chuckle. "Your father, though, must be downright pissed about your decision to leave Dorne without his permission, my dear Arianne."
She seemed to be even more amused than him, as she heard his words, not at all sorry for running away to join Tyrion on his excursion to Essos. "Serves him right. Never involving me in his grand plans as if I am a foolish child. At least he should allow me to see this prince, before he marries me off to him." She looked miffed all of a sudden, before she continued, "My father should consider himself lucky that I found out about his plans to marry me off to that prince and not just the fact that he prepares Quentyn for ruling Dorne after his death. And even if all else fails and he wishes to disown me for this, well I will just have to go and visit my mother. Should be interesting to be with her again, after such a long time. And I've always wondered what Norvos looks like at this time of the year. But I have a future husband to meet, so my mother has to wait."
"Prince Viserys won't know what has hit him. You do have that effect on men." He knew how many men fell for her, one way or another, if she wanted them to. Only few resisted her charms. Jaime did, but she did not really try to seduce him, it was more like a childish game. But others... Arianne knew what effect she had on men and she wasn't afraid to use that to her full advantage.
"On you as well?" Arianne asked flirtatiously.
"I would be lying if I claimed the opposite, but I am also not foolish enough to allow you to fool me. A great many women have tried, none have succeeded so far."
"The charm of a man that stops at half the normal height." Arianne replied with a smile. "But tell me, what do you know of my betrothed?" He could see the curiosity in her dark eyes. There was this certain shine to them, a glint that not many managed to see. But Tyrion was good as studying people closely and he had seen this glint before anyone else had.
"Ah, the one question that must have bothered you ever since we have left Dorne." Tyrion looked thoughtful, thinking about all he had heard about Viserys Targaryen."He is a year older than you, the second born son of King Aerys and Queen Rhaella. He is Rhaenys uncle... but you already knew all of this." He wondered aloud, tapping his chin with his index finger in an attempt to look in deep thought. "He had a rather hard time after his father's death, when he was forced to flee with his newborn sister across the Narrow Sea. Luckily for him your uncle found them with their protector, Ser Willem Darry, and reported it back to your father. Who knows what might have happened to him and his sister after Ser Willem's death, had your father not smuggled them to Pentons to escape the Fat King's assassins."
"Is he handsome?"
"He is very much a true Targaryen. Rhaenys was one of the few that did not share their classic looks, but Viserys was blessed with the handsome looks that his brother Rhaegar once had, or so reports say. Sadly people also said that he is very much his father's son, meaning that he likely is as crazy as some of his ancestors have been before him."
"So he will be quite dangerous?" Arianne asked. He could see that she wondered why her father would even consider marrying her to this man if this was true. They both remembered Jaime's gruesome tales from the Red Keep, when he had told Doran and Oberyn about what had transpired there under Aerys reign. How he had treated his subjects, his bannermen... and his wife. Arianne had eavesdropped one day while Jaime talked about the ordeals of Queen Rhaella, how she had suffered and no one would help her. She had told him later about that. And now Arianne wondered whether she would have to suffer the same fate if Viserys is truly insane.
"We will have to see about his madness. Either way, we might be able to influence him enough to turn him into a decent king." He wasn't so sure himself, but the chance was real. Viserys would either be a good king... or the one with the shortest reign. No one would tolerate another mad king like Aerys. Not as long as they still had Rhaenys and Daenerys and their eventual children to take the throne. Viserys had only one chance and Tyrion was here to make sure that he did not waste it on some foolish notions.
"So, is there anything else? What about his life before he came to Pentos? Do you know anything about that?"
"Let's just say that he has seen a lot more trouble than a man of his standing should be forced to see on his own and leave it at that. His mother's death has left him somewhat emotionally stumped, so don't expect him to fall for you on first sight. But if you can get him to actually love you, you will gain a lot of influence on him. Maybe the kind of influence we will need to battle the dormant Targaryen insanity inside his head. And try to befriend his sister, I am sure that she will be important for our future as well." That is if he manages to put an end to this planned wedding to that Dothraki horse lord. A royal princess should never marry such a savage.
"He wouldn't be the first to fall in love with me and even if what you say is true, I will succeed. I do like a good challenge." Tyrion had no doubt that she not just meant what she had said, but that she would actually manage to do this. But there was no need to tell her this. She would work harder, if her abilities are in question. Her childish pride wouldn't allow her a moments rest until she had succeeded.
So he chuckled, as he looked at her with one eyebrow raised in a doubtful look. "Do you. Well it is always nice to know that there are some people who know how to appreciate a good challenge. But how about we make it all a little more interesting?"
"What is going through that blonde head of yours now?"
"A challenge. Rumor says that Viserys still holds on to the crown of his beloved mother, Queen Rhaella. If you manage to make him fall for you, so he gives you this crown as a gift before we return to Westeros, you will win and I will be your servant for a year, as long as it does not mean bodily harm for me."
"And what would you get if you win?" She looked curiously at him, another flirtatious smile on her lips. She obviously expected him to say something like a night with her, but he asked for something entirely different.
"Then you will have to find me a noblewoman of acceptable looks and family for me to marry, once you become queen." Tyrion said, before a crooked grin spread on his lips. But Arianne smirked equally deviously.
"Deal. Now let's go and meet my future husband. Can't this boat go any faster?" All of a sudden she seemed impatient, almost giddy. And he couldn't fault her for that.
It was late at night, when Tyrion and Arianne finally arrived at the manse of Magister Illyrio Mopatis. They had been delayed more than once, due to the unexpected meeting with another Magister, who had cautioned them to be wary of Illyrio and question the motivations behind every decision he makes. It was obvious that the spies did not lie, when they told them of Illyrio's low standing among his peers.
But after some time they had finally managed to reach their intended destination. Luckily their host was still awake, as was the majority of his household. He had already awaited them. Both of them, even though Arianne was not expected to be with Tyrion at all. The young Lannister noted this with much concern, as it could only mean that their voyage across the sea had not been as secret as they had hoped. First the other Magisters found out and now Illyrio knew about Arianne, even though he should have only been informed about Tyrion's imminent visit.
Tyrion couldn't help but grin when he saw the barely concealed disgust Arianne felt, when she first saw Illyrio. The man was tall, especially in comparison to the dwarf and the rather short Dornish heiress. But worst of all was his appearance. He was morbidly obese, with fat cheeks and small, piggish eyes. She was especially grossed out when he grinned and started stroking one of the prongs of his oiled, forked beard. Even Tyrion found this to be an utterly repulsive gesture, but he wisely kept his mouth shut and made sure that Arianne did the same. It wouldn't do to offend the man so early during their visit.
After a short and superficial greeting Illyrio lead them through the courtyard of his manse to bring them to Viserys, who was waiting for them. Most impatiently as Illyrio had said more than once.
But as they walked through the courtyard, Arianne suddenly gasped and their guard jumped in front of her to protect her. All because of a boy, who stood in the center of the courtyard, in a pool, a sword raised in a dueling stance. It took Tyrion and his companions a moment to realize that this boy did not move... and that he was in fact a statue. Marble, painted in a way that made him look almost lifelike.
"Beautiful, isn't he?" Illyrio asked, obviously pleased by the effect the statue had on his guests.
Arianne nodded slightly. The statue was indeed beautiful, a lithe boy, with waving blond hair. The fact that he was naked as well only added to his appeal.
"Who is he?" She asked, her eyes still glued to the statue.
"Why me of course. At the tender age of sixteen. Oh what a glorious boy I was."
Arianne almost gagged all of a sudden. Her eyes were wide as she looked at the statue, than the man who claimed that he had actually looked like that many years ago... as a boy he was so handsome... and now he was a grotesque shadow of his former self.
"Now come, Prince Viserys is waiting for you." Illyrio said, before he turned around and walked away. Arianne did not move, instead she looked stunned at the statue again.
"Are you alright, Arianne?" Tyrion asked, as he saw her.
"How did he become so fat?" She whispered, horror audible in her voice. She couldn't believe that anyone could turn from a handsome man into such an abomination made of fat and grease.
"The peaceful life of a man with power does not agree with everyone." Tyrion said eventually. He knew that Robert Baratheon had been strong and good looking in the past, but now all that was left was a fat man on the throne who was bored to death. "But I reckon that he has even bigger teats than you, my dear." He said in an attempt to distract her, as he looked at the buxom girl.
His plan worked and she actually smirked mischievously. "Wouldn't you like to find out."
"Oh by all means. But not here, inside perhaps?" Tyrion replied.
"I'm sure that the Magister would love for you to see his teats. Want me to ask him for you?" Arianne asked, before she laughed at Tyrion's horror struck face.
"I think I'll pass..." Tyrion said lowly. After that he quickly followed Illyrio, lest Arianne would actually follow through with her offer. He knew that she would, just to bother him...
Inside the manse Illyrio lead his guests to a large room, ablaze with the light of hundreds of candles. And at the other side of the room sat a young man on a small, throne like pedestal, surrounded by golden ornaments... all of them depicting dragons. The man had the silver-blonde hair that the Targaryens were most renown for and a hard face, that made him look older than he actually was. But Tyrion was sure that many women would still consider him handsome, Arianne especially, considering the way she looked at him. It was obvious for both obvious that this was Prince Viserys, so she might start her plan to win the bet, right here, right now.
But Viserys did not look at the girl, his eyes were fixed on Tyrion. There was something in his violet eyes, cunning perhaps? Or was it merely distrust, born from ill counseling by Illyrio Mopatis.
"May I introduce, Viserys of House Targaryen, the Third of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm." Illyrio announced loudly, as he stopped next to Viserys. "And these are Tyrion of House Lannister, youngest son of Lord Tywin, and the enchanting Arianne of House Martell, oldest child and heiress of Doran, Prince of Dorne and Lord of Sunspear."
"My prince," Tyrion said, as he bowed slightly before Viserys, who looked almost offended. Maybe he had not expected a halfman, Tyrion mused, but no one would look this offended by the sight a dwarf.
"King," Viserys interjected coldly. "I am your rightful king." He sounded like a spoiled child to Tyrion.
"Forgive me your grace, but I must have missed the crown and the Iron Throne... it shan't happen again." Tyrion replied sarcastically. Illyrio, who was still standing close enough to the group to listen to their conversation, chuckled when he heard this, something that seemed to anger Viserys even more. Arianne next to Tyrion looked worried, as she watched her companion enrage her betrothed.
"You dare to mock the dragon?" Viserys thundered in outrage. "I will show you what..."
"Again I must beg your pardon. But you are neither a dragon, nor a king. I am here to help you with the latter, but I'm afraid that even my dwarfish magic can't turn you into the former."
Viserys was about to shout, when Arianne stepped forward, stalking in a manner that Tyrion would have described as seductively or maybe even predatory, with the sway of her hip and sultry smile on her lips. "Please pardon Lord Tyrion, your grace. He is not of right mind at the moment. It has been a long journey and all of us are tired at such a late hour. Maybe we can continue this meeting on the morrow?" Her words apparently had the intended effect on the prince, as he relaxed visibly.
"Yes, we will continue tomorrow. And then I expect the proper respect or else I won't be so merciful as I am now." Viserys said, before he stood up and left the room in a fast pace. Illyrio followed him, most likely to soothe the bruised ego of the offended prince.
Once the prince was out of sight, Arianne turned around and looked furiously at Tyrion, who had opted a much more thoughtful look. "Are you insane? Offending him like this on our first meeting. Do you want him to hate us?" Tyrion could see underlying worry in her poise. She was strong willed enough not to tremble, but it was obvious that she was afraid that he might have just ruined her father's careful preparations with one short meeting that did not even last for five minutes.
"This is much more troublesome than I had expected. I will have to squash his delusions first, then we can start turning him into a good king. But this will be a lot of work... far too much in fact." Tyrion said, as he started to pace. It wasn't as bad as he had feared, the boy wasn't completely mad, but his delusions would be troublesome in the near future. For a brief moment he wondered if it was the best choice to come here for this prince... maybe he should have gone with Jaime to Highgarden. He really wondered how his brother and his family are well at the moment...