We Bleed Silver(GOT/ASOIAF Fanfic)

"What? The Vaelarys family's elephant carriage is heading to the Senate?"

Ramal Cyrenica froze for a moment as he stepped out of a brothel, but he quickly realized what was happening. He whipped the slave carrying his litter with a resounding crack.

"You fool, what are you waiting for? Get to the Senate, now!" He turned to a nearby slave who had just escorted him out and lashed him as well. "Go find Lady Klifna and Lord Vagadu. Tell them the Tiger faction's in trouble and get our people to support us—move it!"

The slave stumbled and ran toward the Vissamar family estate.

"Hurry up!" Another whip struck the slaves carrying the litter. Though seething with anger, they dared not complain and picked up their pace.

"Gods be damned," Ramal muttered, cursing the Vaelarys family's peculiar customs.

In Volantis, slavery was entrenched in every aspect of life. Every free citizen of Volantis owned at least five slaves, and slaves formed the backbone of its economy.

Volantene customs extended to transportation: only slaves or foreigners would allow their feet to touch the filthy ground. Nobles traveled in palanquins, their status determined by the number of slaves carrying them, while commoners used carts pulled by dwarf elephants.

Dwarf elephants were native to the region and widely used for transportation. Wealthier commoners owned them, while poorer citizens could rent them.

The Vaelarys family, however, was different. Despite being one of the most prominent families within the Black Walls, they had, since Cleorius's reforms, officially abolished slavery. Cleorius himself had despised palanquins, preferring a faster means of travel. Thus, the Vaelarys family adopted elephant-drawn carriages for transportation.

To avoid appearing too eccentric, Cleorius made a compromise. He invested heavily in acquiring massive forest elephants from the mysterious Sothoryos colonies. These giant beasts, far larger than the native dwarf elephants, were imposing and fearsome.

After much effort—and a great deal of Draezell's blood loss—the Vaelarys family managed to tame two male and six female forest elephants, housing them in their estate's private zoo.

Thus, an unusual scene unfolded within the Black Walls that day.

Nobles from both the Tiger and Elephant factions, upon hearing the news, abandoned their lavish gold-laden palanquins and rushed toward the Senate. Elephant-drawn carriages flooded the streets, more than ever seen before.

"So, the old sorcerer's son strikes again," Lady Klifna remarked as she was helped into an elephant carriage by her family. Opposite her sat Vagadu Cyrenica, the elderly magistrate.

Vagadu was a gaunt man with silver-gold hair streaked with gray. His piercing blue eyes were as sharp as ever. "Whatever he plans to do, the Tiger faction's fools have given him the perfect excuse to profit from the conflict between the factions."

"And we'll have to support him." Lady Klifna glanced at the hurried senators passing by. "Even in the Age of Blood, assassinating key figures of opposing factions is considered beneath us."

"Do you have proof that Mogul Bontaro hired a regret man to assassinate the boy?" Vagadu's gaze was enigmatic as he studied Lady Klifna's violet eyes.

"The House of Regret, the Regret Men's outpost in Volantis, has some of our investments." Klifna lowered her voice. "While we can't control their actions, our spies saw members of the Bontaro family entering the establishment."

Vagadu nodded in understanding. "It seems the Cyrenica family needs to step up its intelligence efforts."

" The senator of the Elephant party should stand together, Lord Vagadu," Lady Klifna responded with a smile. "Now, let's discuss the spoils."

"Stubborn old hag," Vagadu thought, biting the inside of his cheek to suppress his irritation.

"Regardless, the Vaelarys family will claim a significant share. Do you take issue with that, Lady Klifna?"

"Not at all," Klifna replied. "Though, given Draezell Vaelarys's recent actions, he's likely to demand gold as compensation."

"The gold required for compensation will be covered by us," Vagadu declared. "The slaves will be counted as part of the payment, but the land and estates must remain."

Lady Klifna frowned deeply. "What exactly is he planning?"

The Senate Hall, modeled after the Freehold Senate of Old Valyria, began to fill with people. Soon, the seats were occupied by members of both factions.

Naturally, the Elephant party dominated, taking up nearly two-thirds of the room, while the Tiger faction's presence was sparse.

Berisio Megaya, the Tiger faction's consul, sat calmly in his seat, while the Bontaro family's chairs remained conspicuously empty.

The large doors slowly creaked open, and sharp footsteps echoed through the hall.

"Behold, the bearer of ancient bloodlines, enforcer of the seas, commander of the Silver-Blooded Legion, hereditary noble of Volantis, and substitute senator—Lord Draezell Vaelarys!"

Aslan Rondel's voice boomed across the mosaic-tiled circular hall of the Senate as he respectfully announced Draezell's arrival.

"Lord Draezell Vaelarys," Consul Lady Klifna began, her voice carrying authority, "for what reason have you summoned this session of the Senate?"

"I am here to accuse someone of hiring a Regret man to assassinate a noble of the Black Walls," Draezell declared. "Under the Volantis Black Walls Codex, I have the right to demand a thorough investigation by the Senate to expose the culprit."

"Lord Vaelarys," a Tiger faction senator raised his hand, "you must provide evidence to the Senate to prove that such an assassination attempt occurred."

Draezell nodded toward the entrance.

Lynn Valtaken silently entered the hall, dragging a decapitated head attached to a mangled body. Without a word, he tossed it onto the mosaic floor.

The blood-streaked face bore the unmistakable features of a Qohorik mercenary.

The room erupted into murmurs.

"What does a corpse prove?" shouted Ramal Cyrenica, a senator from the Elephant faction.

Draezell raised his head, his gaze sharp as he addressed the room.

"My lords, as many of you know, my father possessed abilities that transcended mortal understanding." Draezell's eyes swept across the gathered senators.

The nobles of Volantis were no strangers to magic. During the reign of Old Valyria, Volantis was one of the Dragonlords' favorite colonies and one of the world's busiest ports. Sorcerers from Asshai often displayed their powers in the city, and the red priests of the Great Temple frequently showcased their fire magic.

Some families even kept magicians on retainer.

"My father left me a potion that can compel the dead to speak." Draezell held up a small vial containing a reddish liquid, which he took from Lynn's hand.

"In truth, it's just my blood mixed with other ingredients," Draezell thought to himself.

He poured the potion onto the corpse.

A strange scene unfolded. The body began to convulse violently, as if something were struggling to grow from its severed neck.

A hoarse but unmistakably clear voice rasped from the dead man's throat.

"Bontaro… kill… boy… regret…"

The hall fell into silence.

As the potion's effects faded, the corpse stopped twitching, and the nascent growths on its severed neck ceased to form.

"My lords," Draezell said, scanning the room, "do you require any further evidence?"

He was unconcerned about the potential repercussions of the Bontaro family's demise. Alekshiu death had been his own doing, while young Carvado showed no signs of poisoning. All the healers, including the Red Priests, concluded that he had died from cardiac arrest brought on by excessive drinking. Only Mogul refused to accept the truth.

And Mogul hadn't even bothered to attend the Senate session.

"I am deeply sorry," said Berisio Megarya, the Tiger faction consul, bowing his head. "Lord Vaelarys, we were unaware of such events."

He turned to a Tiger faction senator seated nearby. "Where is Mogul Bontaro?"

"Consul," the senator replied, "Lord Mogul met with misfortune on his way here. A rogue dwarf elephant collided with the Bontaro family's gilded palanquin. Lord Mogul was trampled to death."

"Lord Vaelarys, I regret to inform you that we cannot punish the culprits in accordance with the law," Vagadu said apologetically.

"In that case, I demand compensation, Consul," Draezell replied firmly.

"Lord Vaelarys," Vagadu reminded him with a polite tone, "under the law, the Bontaro family's assets can be used to compensate you. Berisio, I trust you won't shield your fellow faction members from justice."

"Of course not," Berisio responded, casting a pointed glance at Vagadu before turning to Draezell with a conciliatory smile. "Lord Vaelarys, what do you propose?"

"I am not greedy," Draezell declared, his voice echoing across the chamber as he fixed his gaze on the three consuls. "But the Bontaro family's attempt to assassinate my brother has crossed the Vaelarys family's line. Furthermore, our family is preparing to launch another fleet to eliminate the pirates of Lys and Tyrosh, ensuring safe trade routes for Volantis. At such a critical juncture, this treachery from the Bontaro family is intolerable."

Lady Klifna's mind raced as she listened. "He's planning to clear out pirates? But what does that have to do with liquidating assets? Could he be building a fleet?"

"Thus, I request that the Senate confiscate the Bontaro family's lands and assets to compensate the Vaelarys family with gold and ships," Draezell continued.

He formally announced the Vaelarys family's ambitions to the Senate: "I will follow in my father's footsteps. Once the trade routes are secured, I plan to initiate another great voyage to solidify our connections with Yi Ti and Asshai, while also expanding southward."

"So that's it," the consuls thought in unison.

No wonder Draezell was eager to liquidate assets. He was reviving the grand maritime endeavors of his late father. Supporting this initiative was imperative—after all, such ventures could only benefit Volantis.

As for the Bontaro family, their fate had long been sealed. There was no need to spare them any consideration.

"Lord Vaelarys, we are eager to participate in your grand voyage," a senator chimed in.

"Lord Draezell, our family can provide ships. Please consider us," another noble offered.

"Silence, you Tiger faction fool! Lord Draezell, our Elephant faction stands ready to provide both ships and funds," another voice cut in.

The mention of a new great voyage caused a stir among the nobles. High risk, high reward—such ventures were irresistible, especially when someone else was willing to shoulder the initial burdens.

The Senate erupted into chaos.

"Order!" Vagadu Cyrenica's booming voice finally restored silence.

"As you wish, Lord Vaelarys," Vagadu declared. "The Bontaro family's assets will be liquidated and converted into gold, warships, and merchant vessels to compensate you. As for your great voyage, do you require the Senate's assistance?"

"Not for now," Draezell replied with a smile. "But once we return from this expedition, we may need the Senate's resolutions."