TYRION — Chapter 6

Tyrion departs Pentos concealed in Magister Illyrio’s swaying litter and is plied with rich food and wine. He presses Illyrio about traveling by sea and the dangers ahead, while Illyrio insists on an overland route toward the Rhoyne. Their talk turns to Daenerys: Illyrio praises her conquests and declares faith in her Targaryen blood and destiny.

As they crawl across the Valyrian road through the Flatlands toward the Velvet Hills, Tyrion challenges Illyrio’s motives and the politics of Volantis, slavery, and aiding a slave-breaking queen. Illyrio hints at promised rewards, then claims debts of affection, recounting his early partnership with Varys in Pentos and the origins of the eunuch’s spy network. Tyrion notes the Golden Company’s reputation and history; Illyrio reveals they have broken contract to await Daenerys, and that Tyrion will rendezvous with Griff and Young Griff.

Between cups, Illyrio shares personal history: his Lysene wife Serra died in a plague that reached Pentos, a loss that still haunts him. The pair pass Andalos landmarks and Valyrian relics; Tyrion reflects on faith, history, and Valyrian engineering, and trades barbs over Dothraki threats and sellswords. Tyrion sings of “hands of gold,” triggering memories of Shae and Tysha, and the murder of Tywin.

Tyrion’s sleep brings violent, guilty dreams of battle, dragons, and kinslaying. Waking stiff and hungover, he learns they still traverse the Flatlands but will soon climb the Velvet Hills toward the ruins of Ghoyan Drohe on the Little Rhoyne. He remains skeptical of Illyrio’s plans and motives but continues toward the river and the next stage of the scheme for Daenerys.