Chapter 250: The Golden Company

In the distant North, a baby boy named Brandon Stark was born. The escalating conflict between the Night's Watch and the wildlings near the Wall, the impending war, could not affect the scenery across the Narrow Sea.

The waves still crashed against the rocks, and the cold wind howled from the sea. It had been a few days since Viserys returned from Andalos. The events of a few days ago were merely a false alarm.

When the king disappeared on the first day, no one took it seriously, after all, he had a dragon by his side. However, when Viserys did not return on the second day, some began to worry.

Jon sent soldiers out of the city to search, and also met with the Beggar Prince, hoping that the Windblown could also help find the king. The Beggar Prince hesitated at first, but seeing Jon's readiness to draw his sword, he finally agreed.

However, after a whole day of searching on the second day, there was still no sign of Viserys. Just when various forces in Pentos were slightly restless, Viserys descended from the sky on his dragon late that night, returning to Pentos.

With the young king's reappearance on his dragon, all the restless voices and thoughts vanished. Viserys returned to Pentos in a high-profile manner, holding Maester Aemon's plea for help, but did not consult his staff.

He decided to keep it for now and wait quietly for news from across the Narrow Sea.

A few days passed.

Viserys was dealing with some official business when Jon Connington suddenly came to his room, bringing him unexpected news.

"The Golden Company?"

At the top of the Nine Towers of Pentos, the sea breeze blew in through the window. The silver-haired youth heard Jon's words and paused, then put down the pen in his hand and looked up.

"Yes."

Jon Connington, sitting across from him with his hands on his knees, spoke seriously.

"The current commander of the Golden Company, 'Blackheart' Myles Toyne, has asked me to convey his request to you."

Myles Toyne first contacted Illyrio, then Jon, and asked Jon to convey his intention to Viserys. He was still in Lys, leading the Golden Company to fulfill their contract with Lys, but he sent a trusted messenger with a verbal message, hoping to come to Pentos one day to meet the 'true dragon', the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.

Viserys heard Jon Connington repeat what he had just said, confirming that he had not misheard.

"Oh?"

The commander of the Golden Company wanted to see him... this was interesting.

Viserys stroked his chin thoughtfully, leaning back in his chair. He didn't speak immediately, but pondered for a moment, then said.

"As far as I know, Jon."

"The Golden Company was created by the 'Unworthy' King Aegon IV's noble bastard."

The first commander of the Golden Company was 'Bittersteel' Aegor Rivers.

Perhaps others are not too familiar with this name, but Viserys knew it very well. It can be seen in the history of the Targaryen family or the history of the Seven Kingdoms.

In the year 196 AC.

Daemon Blackfyre and his followers started the first 'Blackfyre Rebellion'. As a bastard legitimized by Aegon IV, 'Bittersteel' Aegor Rivers also participated in the Blackfyre Rebellion.

He joined Daemon Blackfyre's side, challenging the legitimacy of the Targaryen family. After the rebellion was suppressed, he fled to Essos and established the Golden Company.

To this day, the Golden Company is filled with descendants of knights and lords who lost their titles and lands in the 'Blackfyre Rebellion'.

The fact that the current commander of the Golden Company, Myles Toyne, suddenly wanted to visit Viserys was intriguing.

"Of course, I know the background of the Golden Company, Your Grace."

Jon Connington took a deep breath, nodded, and spoke.

He had once been Myles Toyne's right-hand man in the Golden Company, effectively serving as the deputy commander.

He left the Golden Company and came to Pentos because of Viserys.

"But..."

Jon Connington hesitated, then carefully chose his words and continued.

"Since its establishment, the Golden Company has been making a living in disputed lands, hired by Myrmen, Lyseni, or Tyroshi, to wage endless wars of harassment."

"But they have always dreamed of reclaiming their ancestral homes."

"They are the descendants of exiles, owning nothing, never forgiven, but also a powerful armed force."

Jon Connington paused again, then said.

"Now the nobles of Westeros have also betrayed the Targaryens."

"The Golden Company may wish to help Your Grace reclaim the Iron Throne, to wash away their sins."

"And hope for Your Grace's forgiveness, to return to their fathers' homeland."

Jon Connington suggested that Viserys should not directly reject the Golden Company's request.

Although he wanted to say that red dragons and black dragons are all family, he eventually held his tongue.

Because the red dragon is a dragon, while the black dragon is a 'dragon' not recognized by the Targaryen family.

Even though they share the same bloodline, it ultimately depends on Viserys's decision.

Viserys pondered for a moment, but neither agreed nor disagreed with Jon's view.

The man with grey-red hair secretly observed Viserys's expression, but unfortunately, he couldn't read anything from it.

Then Viserys nodded and suddenly said.

"Alright."

"Since that's the case, there's no harm in meeting."

Viserys's sudden agreement didn't surprise Jon Connington too much.

Although the Targaryens and the Blackfyres are mortal enemies due to several 'Blackfyre Rebellions', they share the same origin and bloodline.

'Red or black, a dragon is still a dragon.'

Jon Connington suddenly thought of this phrase.

Moreover, the Golden Company has tens of thousands of elite soldiers, five hundred knights, five hundred squires, and a thousand archers, and even terrifying war machines like elephants.

Jon Connington stayed in Viserys's room for a while longer, they chatted for a bit, then Jon excused himself, not wanting to disturb Viserys further.

However, not long after Jon Connington left, there was another knock on the door.

Viserys's room was unusually lively today.

The next person to enter was the Dornish girl, Arianne Martell.

"Viserys."

The girl, dressed in a simple sand-colored dress, brought a tantalizing fragrance as she walked in.

She casually sat on the armrest of Viserys's chair, then leaned over and gently kissed his cheek.