Game of Thrones: Second Son of House Targaryen

Chapter 222: Viserys Sennesta

The Golden Fields, nestled between the Lhorulu and Rhoyne Rivers, were once a fertile land on the brink of harvest. But the arrival of tens of thousands of Dothraki horsemen shattered that peace. Riding their warhorses, they trampled the crops and turned the Golden Fields into a staging ground for their invasion. To keep their presence hidden, Drogo took the civilians of the Golden Fields captive.

The Dothraki's curved swords cut through the smoke rising from the ruined fields, and in no time, the once bountiful land was transformed into a massive military camp unlike any other. Drogo had truly invested blood and treasure this time. Over 40,000 warriors under his command gathered there, ready to sweep across the Disputed Lands at his command.

In the face of this formidable Dothraki cavalry, Viserys knew he couldn't hope to replicate the legendary feat of the "3,000 Unsullied in the legendary besieging of Qohor."

The Unsullied's victory at Qohor was due to their strong defensive position within the city walls. On an open plain like this, they would have been at a severe disadvantage. Drogo had chosen his battlefield well. The flat terrain was ideal for the Dothraki, who excelled in cavalry-based warfare. Whether attacking, harassing, or retreating, they moved with the speed and precision of the wind. With only 8,000 cavalry at his disposal, Viserys faced a daunting challenge in defeating Drogo head-on in such conditions.

To claim Drogo's head, Viserys would need to catch him off guard.

As he studied the map, Viserys's gaze settled on the ruins of Charybdis near the decayed remnants of Chroyane. Once a great city of the Rhoynar, Chroyane had been destroyed in the war with the Valyrians, and the dreaded greyscale disease had originated there.

This very history made Drogo dismiss the place as a potential threat, leaving it unfortified. If Viserys could lead his troops through The Sorrows, he could deliver a devastating surprise attack—a 'knife in the back' to Drogo. Killing Drogo would throw the Dothraki into disarray, allowing Viserys to secure his position without worrying about retaliation in Westeros.

However, Viserys's bold proposal was met with unanimous opposition.

“Prince, if you choose to go through The Sorrows, not many soldiers will be willing to follow,” Connington voiced his concern first. And he was right. Soldiers are willing to risk injury in battle if there is the promise of glory and generous rewards. But asking them to march through The Sorrows was asking too much. The thick grey mist that blankets the area year-round is feared, not just for its oppressive presence, but for the greyscale-infected 'Stone man' who roam within it.

Breathing in the mist could mean contracting the disease, and contact with an infected stone men almost guaranteed it. Even the pirates of the northern Rhoyne and the Volantenes of the southern Rhoyne avoided The Sorrows—it was nearly a forbidden place. Leading a large force through it could also attract the attention of the legendary “Shrouded Lord,” a risk too great for many to take.

"It’s said that if you can make the Shrouded Lord smile, he’ll grant you a wish. Perhaps you could go in and try," Shiera suggested to Viserys, her tone was met with hostility and with immediate opposition from the others, and even Dany’s gaze darkened as she looked at the woman in displeasure.

Though Targaryens were known for their immunity to most infectious diseases, not a single member of their house had ever been spared from the scourge of greyscale. Princess Maegelle, daughter of King Jaehaerys, had succumbed to the disease, a sobering reminder of its lethal power. To Jorah, Spider Webber, Dick, and the others, Viserys represented their hope of returning to Westeros. To Connington, he was the Targaryen destined to restore their dynasty to power. To Dany, he was her only hope. None of them wanted Viserys to take such a reckless risk. In their eyes, Shiera’s suggestion was tantamount to pushing Viserys into the flames. If he weren’t present, they might have killed her on the spot.

Their contempt deepened when they realized that the woman before them was the legendary Shiera Seastar. The revelation turned their fear into disgust, much like discovering a nest of ants in one’s bed.

Even in the original stories, the Shrouded Lord was more myth than reality, and Viserys knew little about him. But seeing that Shiera seemed to have more insight, he gestured for her to continue.

“Some say the Shrouded Lord was chosen from among the 'stone men.' Others claim he was originally just a stone statue, or that he was Garin himself... But those are just tales. The truth is that the Shrouded Lord was actually Prince Garin’s sister.”

“Sister?” The revelation piqued everyone’s curiosity—the Shrouded Lord was actually a woman! This twist was genuinely surprising.

What Shiera revealed next was also a rumor, but her ‘rumors’ were grounded in facts, making them far more reliable than the legends that had been distorted over a thousand years. This 'Shrouded Lord,' or rather 'Shrouded Lady,' was a genius in magic. Her name was said to be Valsha.

Valsha had attempted to combine blood magic and water magic to create a new form of sorcery. However, she failed disastrously, and the result was the greyscale disease, which plagued Chroyane. To punish her, Garin imprisoned his sister. Ironically, this imprisonment allowed her to survive the Dragonlords’ dragonflame for 300 years.

In her quest for revenge against the Valyrians, the Shrouded Lady released the sealed greyscale and, in an act of total destruction, unleashed the grey mist that enveloped the entire city of Chroyane. The Valyrians gained nothing from their conquest, only ruin.

"So, the Shrouded Lady hates the Valyrians. Then, Viserys, you shouldn't go!" Hoyt said. "After all, no matter how noble a person is, they won't help the descendants of their enemies."

"You just said that as long as someone can make her smile, she will grant that person a wish. Is that true?"

"Brother..." Seeing that he still seemed unwilling to give up on going to The Sorrows, Dany was a little concerned.

Viserys gave her a reassuring look and signaled for Shiera to continue.

"I remember a young man from House Sennesta with the same name as you—Viserys Sennesta. Because his talent for magic was so poor, he secretly ran away to The Sorrows and found the Shrouded Lord, hoping that she would grant him better magical talent..."

"Did he succeed?" Viserys asked.

Shiera nodded. "Yes, but he also died..."