NOVEL NEXT Chapter 64: The Old Boatman’s Awakening
When Viserys, the messenger, and the musician left, Falia and Asha could no longer contain their excitement. Falia abandoned her usual composure, chatting animatedly with Asha about Viserys' new song.
"He had only taken a few steps in the cabin, humming a few melodies, before picking up the harp and starting to play," Falia recounted, her eyes sparkling. Viserys had finished composing before the messenger had even completed his tea.
The song enchanted all who heard it. In less than five days, the ship had witnessed the birth of two everlasting songs.
Viserys played the song for himself first, then spent nearly an hour teaching it to the musician. When the messenger returned, there was still plenty of time left.
"Could it be that he is a genius?" Falia whispered in awe.
"Yes, he is a genius!" Asha said decisively. "And he even wrote your name into the song."
Falia's cheeks flushed at the thought of the lyrics Viserys had penned.
...
The next day, a new song about beauty began to spread through Braavos. Viserys had transformed "Katyusha" into "Falia," merging themes of beauty and elegance. This catchy, enchanting version captivated listeners.
While many still enjoyed singing "Sailor," the musicians and singers were growing weary of it. They eagerly embraced the new song, especially since it resonated with young lovers who appreciated its misty, romantic flavor.
An old boatman reportedly burst into tears upon hearing the song, prompting his passengers to ask what was wrong. He explained, "I was transporting goods for a master craftsman. His daughter kept asking if I was hungry and gave me plenty to eat. I was only 16 and could eat a lot, so I did. But she kept asking if I was still hungry, which made me uncomfortable, so I ran away. Now I realize she meant more, and I regret it." This poignant story spread throughout Braavos, with "Falia" becoming synonymous with a beloved person.
The House Zalyne deftly promoted the song, though not everyone agreed with its name. Kethmo, for instance, thought it should be called "Gortave." Viserys's impressive swordsmanship had left him feeling uneasy, even suspecting that Viserys might surpass him in skill. Kethmo's pride and admiration for Gortave, who openly admired Viserys, fueled his jealousy. He felt overshadowed by Viserys's multifaceted talents and noble heritage.
This sense of crisis soon turned into a burning desire to compete with Viserys. News that someone had entered both the Swordsmanship and Poetry Competitions spread like wildfire. When people learned that it was the 'Beggar King' himself, they were astonished. Sensitive young girls wept upon hearing of Viserys's hardships.
As the second round of the tournament began, the arena where Viserys was fighting was packed with three times the usual number of spectators. Security had to deploy more guards to manage the crowd. Thanks to his wealth, Illyrio secured a prime spot at the edge of the arena. His opinion of Viserys continued to rise as he observed his growing popularity and prowess.
Although Illyrio acknowledged Viserys' martial arts skills, he also knew that Viserys had never experienced the brutal reality of war. In Illyrio's eyes, the difference between those who had been to war and those who had not was vast. War veterans carried a unique aura, a hardened momentum that could only be gained through actual combat.
However, Viserys' calm demeanor when facing Illyrio was surprising. He exuded a battle-hardened confidence, as if the wars Illyrio had seen were mere child's play to him. The only advantage Illyrio felt he still had over Viserys was his knowledge of Varys and the ongoing presence of Jorah. He wanted to evaluate one last time the feasibility of killing Viserys.
Kyla couldn't understand why Viserys didn't just eliminate Jorah, given that he knew his intentions. After all, when Jorah came to kill him, Viserys could confront him directly. Viserys, however, aimed to subdue Jorah, not through Daenerys' beauty but by leveraging his knowledge. Jorah was familiar with the Sellswords, the Free Cities, the Dothraki, and even Slaver's Bay. Although Viserys knew the general plot, he needed a guide for the details.
Now that their interests didn't conflict, they could negotiate. Jorah wanted to return to Westeros, to Bear Island. If he worked hard for Viserys, he could not only return to Bear Island but also find his wife, who had run away with someone else.
The second round of the tournament consisted of two days of fighting. The first day was one round, and the second day was another, with the top 16 competing in the final round to determine the champion. After the first round of eliminations, the tournament became more entertaining. The matches were intense, and the audience was thrilled.
However, the real draw was not the other fighters but the fallen prince, Viserys Targaryen, who was both a swordsman and a composer. This time, House Fregar seemed to have changed tactics. They didn't try to exhaust Viserys by scheduling him for the last round. Instead, he was scheduled to fight before noon.
When Viserys entered the arena, the audience fell silent. The men stared with wide eyes, unable to hide their jealousy, while the women clutched their handkerchiefs, their hearts racing.
Viserys' opponent was Thane, a muscular swordsman in his thirties who wielded a two-handed sword. It was a powerful weapon, well-suited for a middle-aged swordsman against a younger opponent. The sheer force could break through a young swordsman's defenses.
"Lord, perhaps you should consider giving up. If I had a face as beautiful as yours, I definitely wouldn't risk coming here," Thane taunted.
Viserys merely smiled, his calm confidence unshaken.
