TYRION — Chapter 23

Tyrion wakes aboard the Shy Maid after nearly drowning at the Sorrows, recalling the stone men’s attack. Haldon forces him to prick toes and fingers to test for greyscale, while Lemore tended him with vinegar and Griff hauled him from the river. Dothraki riders and Volantene galleys have been sighted; Selhorys braces for trouble.

Young Griff bristles at being kept aboard, so Tyrion entices him into cyvasse and conversation. Tyrion needles Aegon about relying on Daenerys and proposes a bold alternative: land in Westeros now, raise banners while Cersei weakens the realm, and compel Daenerys to join a living Targaryen cause. He wins the game by deceit, warning Aegon to trust no one and keep his dragon close, provoking the prince’s anger.

At dusk, Yandry and Ysilla return with provisions and rumors: Daenerys holds Meereen; Volantis may join the Yunkish war against her. Griff sends Haldon and Tyrion ashore to learn more. In Selhorys’s square, a red priest exhorts the crowd with Benerro’s prophecy, proclaiming Daenerys Azor Ahai reborn. Inside the Painted Turtle, Tyrion gambles and loses at cyvasse to customs officer Qavo Nogarys while Haldon draws out intelligence.

Qavo reports Yunkai has bribed Volantis; one triarch is bought, the city thirsts for war, and New Ghis and others will join any assault on Meereen. He repeats slaver calumnies about Daenerys but admits the true threat is her attack on the slave trade, which rattles both Old Blood and poor alike. Meanwhile, red priests inflame slaves and freedmen with visions of fire and prophecy.

Afterward, Tyrion insists on visiting a brothel, beds a red-haired Westerosi slave, and drinks to excess, sinking into shame and thoughts of Tysha. Staggering downstairs to pay for the damage, he’s confronted by a burly Westerosi in a black bear surcoat. The knight draws steel and declares he will deliver Tyrion to the queen.