Illyrio was a troubled man. A really troubled man.
It had been a couple of months since he had received a fresh set of ideas from his Varys. Technically, he and Varys were partners, two n working together on equal footing but both of them knew the reality.
It was Varys who held all the cards, and he was the one who made all the decisions regarding their partnership. Varys was like the decisionmaker in the two mber team. And Illyrio did not mind.
He was not at all interested in what Varys was interested in. He did not truly care for the realm, nor was he concerned with placing a good man, an honourable and able ruler on the Iron Throne. What he did worry about was his business.
He was far more interested in expanding his wealth, and he hoped that whenever Varys succeeded in his plans, he himself would reap the benefits. A queen or king who took the throne with their help would surely be favourable toward his ventures, and then he could dream of becoming the business magnate of Westeros. A dream he had been dreaming for too long.
So, when he had received a new set of instructions from Varys, Illyrio set out to do what had been asked of him. He would not deny that, in this endeavour, he also intended to extract so personal benefits. After all, making money before Varys' grand plan succeeded was not such a bad idea. His wealth would only help Varys and few of his plans required a certain number of coins.
To be honest, the task entrusted to him was a dangerous business. He was about to et one of the most dangerous n in Essos and then attempt to lure him into their sches.
He knew well that if things turned sour, he could lose his head. But what choice did he have? What he was about to do was important. And he if he succeeded, it would be a boost to all their plans.
"Magister," one of his servants bellowed from below deck. "We are about to reach the port."
Illyrio nodded absentmindedly. If it was not clear already, he was on a ship, and they were about to dock at ereen. The current seat of Lord Aeos.
Illyrio had made careful preparations for the visit. He had arranged for exquisite gifts to present to Lord Aeos. Back in Pentos, he owned quite a number of slaves, but he had brought none with him. Firstly, because he did not wish to displease Lord Aeos with the presence of slaves in a slave free city.
And secondly, because he did not want to stir rebellion among them. Who knew how his slaves might have reacted if brought here?
The ship finally reached the shore. The gangplank was lowered, and Ilyrio stepped down, his eyes taking in ereen.
This was not his first visit to the city, yet the ereen before him was completely transford. It was beautiful and clean. It was unlike any city he had ever seen. Plants and flowers lined the port and the streets leading from it.
Even from where he stood, he could see two public bathhouses and lavatories. He had long known that Lord Aeos placed special emphasis on cleanliness, even for the poor.
The city walls seed sturdier than before, and the guards patrolling the streets were in a league of their own. Disciplined, sharp, focused.
The port of ereen seed quite busy and it was not unexpected. The city centre and the pleasure house of ereen were about to be inaugurated in a couple of days and rchants from all almost every corner of Essos and even from Westeros were flocking to ereen to attend this event. When the Astapori city centre had been inaugurated, it had not received much attention. But now after its trendous success, no wanted to miss an opportunity in ereen.
And it was good for Illyrio. He had a valid reason to show up in ereen. He had delayed his visit by a fortnight to ti it with the inauguration. He would not have to answer questions about why he was visiting ereen.
"Illyrio Mopatis, the magister of Pentos. What an unexpected visit," a familiar voice snapped Illyrio's attention to his side.
He turned to see a face he recognised all too well. Van Haos. The very sa who had traded the three dragon eggs with him for Lord Aeos.
Illyrio might have considered himself a partner of Lord Aeos. As per the terms, he had been receiving the unobstructed supply of alcohol from Lord Aeos and he had made a small fortune out of it. But tis had changed.
When he had made the deal, Lord Aeos had just started consolidating his power in Astapor. But today, he was ruling over three cities and had one of the most powerful and formidable army to boost in the entirety of Essos.
And the man standing before him. Van Haos. He had been nothing more than a rchant, yes, a rich rchant, but still a rchant. But today, he was one of the most important mbers of the Lord Aeos' ruling administration. Van Haos held a very senior position in the Departnt of Finance.
"Van Haos," Illyrio strode forwards and greeted the man. He had not expected for Van Haos to be in ereen. He should have been in Astapor. But now that he found him here, Illyrio was happy. Maybe, Van Haos could help him.
"I heard from a group of people that were preparing for the arrival of a magister from Pentos," Van Haos. "On enquiry, I found that it is magister Illyrio who is arriving. I thought why not see an old accomplish."
As Van Haos recalled his relation and what he had traded with Illyrio, his mind automatically reeled to what he had seen in the mansion few days ago. 5 dragons. That scene was to remain buried in his heart forever.
Illyrio chuckled, "I also did not expect to see you here."
"How have you been?" He asked. "Now you are in important official."
Van Haos chuckled but did not reply.
"And I am surprised to see you here," he said. "I wonder that the other magisters would not be very happy knowing that you are participating in the event of Lord Aeos. The very sa Lord Aeos, who they believe to have designs on their city."
"It does not matter," Illyrio scoffed. "Before I beco a magister, I was a rchant and will always be."
"And I know few of magisters who have sent their own n in disguise in search for better business opportunities. Not to ntion that they are envious of having an ensured supply of your alcohol."
"Great," Van Haos patted Illyrio's shoulder. "I was wondering if you have any more dragon egg with you. Lord Aeos was very pleased to have the three eggs and I am certain that he would not mind another one or two. The price this ti would be better than the previous."
Lord Aeos already had 5 dragons which in itself was an impossible number to think of. But if Van Haos could help his lord acquire one or more eggs, it would be even greater.
"Lord Aeos is very fascinated by dragons?" Illyrio questioned.
"That he is… that he is," Van Haos replied as his mind again flashed the 5 dragons before his eyes.
Illyrio did not say anything and he himself seed to be lost in his own thoughts.
"You should proceed towards your accommodation," Van Haos said. "We will et again."
Illyrio nodded, "Yes. I am feeling quite tired and we will et again."
With a final nod, Van Haos walked away while Illyrio too departed towards where his accommodation had been arranged by his servants.
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