When Cohollo entered the Throne Hall, his reaction mirrored Jhaqo's initial awe. The sight of the three-headed dragon banners hanging from the walls, alongside the various statues of gods, was far more impressive than any hall he had ever seen. Cohollo's eyes were drawn to two bronze horses rearing among the statues, almost like smaller versions of the grand bronze steeds that flanked Viserys Targaryen. The sheer magnificence of the decorations made Cohollo feel as though an invisible weight had settled on him, causing even his footsteps to become lighter.
The stares from the surrounding nobles added to the pressure he felt, but the knowledge that he was representing Khal Drogo made him square his shoulders and stand tall.
"Prince Viserys, I am Cohollo, Bloodrider of Khal Drogo," he announced.
The powerful figures in the room were well-versed in Dothraki customs. They not only knew what a Bloodrider was but some even recognized Cohollo personally. Tregar, for instance, understood that Cohollo's presence meant important news was at hand. Given that Viserys had recently decimated thousands of Dothraki, Tregar suspected the envoy might be there to declare war. Tyrosh's officers, on the other hand, eyed Cohollo with a mix of anticipation and excitement. Those who had fought alongside Viserys in annihilating Jhaqo had been rewarded handsomely, and the Dothraki had gone from being a feared menace to walking treasures and jesters.
As Cohollo bowed before him, Viserys spoke, "Lord Cohollo, I wonder how Khal Drogo has considered my proposal. Will he accept my challenge?"
All eyes turned to Cohollo, waiting expectantly for his response. For men like Tregar, Cassius, and even Kambron, Viserys's challenge would be advantageous no matter the outcome. If Viserys lost, they would be rid of a formidable opponent, and Lys and Myr would be spared the threat of war. The slave owners of Tyrosh could return to their old lives of indulgence. If Viserys won, they would no longer have to pay tribute to the Horselord, and business could continue as usual.
However, Cohollo's response was not what they had hoped for. "Khal Drogo will select some of his Dothraki warriors to face your men. If we win, the Prince will agree to Khal Drogo's marriage proposal to your sister. If we lose, the Dothraki will never cross the Rhoyne."
Viserys glanced at Dany, seated before him. Her displeasure was evident, as she barely concealed her disdain, refusing even to look at the Dothraki. Drogo's counterproposal had also disrupted Viserys's plan to face the Horselord in single combat, leading him to reassess the "barbarian chieftain's" cunning.
Viserys let out a cold laugh and addressed the dignitaries and envoys below, "So, they say Khal Drogo is the most powerful Khal who ever lived. Yet, after I've slain thousands of his people, he lacks the courage to take revenge on me. Instead, he sends his warriors to die in his place. It seems the Dothraki are all bluster when it comes to boasting."
Viserys knew that the most effective way to undermine someone was to mock them openly in their presence, then amplify the insult by addressing others around them. The impact of such humiliation increased exponentially.
The hall erupted in merciless laughter at his taunt, and the look of scorn on the faces around him made Cohollo's face flush from pale to crimson. Rage surged within him, as if he were being watched by a crowd while wallowing in mud. As Drogo's "blood of my blood," he couldn't allow his Khal to be ridiculed so easily.
"Hmph! Our Khal is the strongest warrior among the Dothraki. In a fair fight, no one can defeat him. But everyone knows you, Prince, are a sorcerer. The great Khal Drogo cannot fall to vile magic!"
Cohollo's retort drew a few more chuckles, though some found the truth in his words unsettling. Kambron, in particular, recalled the scene in the bell tower where Viserys had seemingly conjured a thick cloud of smoke from nowhere. Rumors even suggested that Viserys could control fire—rumors that were not entirely baseless.
Viserys himself had to suppress a smirk. He had nearly overlooked this aspect. The Horselord was not just a barbarian chieftain; in the original timeline, he was a shrewd politician with real cunning, outmaneuvering even the nobles of Westeros, who were often mired in chaos. Drogo's handling of Viserys in the original story had been a calculated move—provoking him in the Dothraki's holy city, forcing him to lose his temper and draw his sword, and then using that as a justification to eliminate him. It was a brilliant strategy, far beyond what some of the lords of Westeros could muster.
Fortunately, Viserys hadn't pinned all his hopes on this move. The key was still to secure the support of the other Free Cities in the war against the Dothraki. By defeating the Dothraki's forces, he could eliminate the threat from the Great Grass Sea, ensuring a stable rear as he prepared to launch his counterattack on Westeros.
However, what Cohollo said next nearly made Viserys want to commend the Horselord for his cunning once again.
"Khal Drogo said that he will challenge you to a contest of archery, and he will send other warriors to compete in martial arts and horse battles."
Drogo, it seemed, had reasoned that poison or sorcery required close proximity to be effective. Archery, however, allowed him to maintain a safe distance, minimizing the risk. As a Khal, Drogo was confident in his skills with a bow, which would not only showcase his strength but also rally his warriors. It was a strategic move that appeared to be a win-win situation.
Yet in Caggo's mind, Drogo had miscalculated. Drogo had not witnessed the extraordinary skill of Viserys's "Nine Arrows" technique. Had he seen it, he might have reconsidered issuing such a challenge.
Viserys, of course, had no reason to refuse. "Very well, I accept. The duel will take place at the Lhorulu River, as your Horselord requested—if that gives him some semblance of security," he replied with a mocking tone.
Cohollo remained stoic in the face of Viserys's taunts. Drogo had chosen the Lhorulu River for the duel but planned to station his army in the Golden Fields. The area was vast enough to accommodate tens of thousands of troops and offered strategic advantages. Bordered by the Lhorulu to the west and the Rhoyne to the east, it was easily defensible. The Sorrows to the south, home to the legendary "Shrouded Lord" and plagued with greyscale, provided a natural barrier.
Viserys quickly decided on his own champions for the horse battle and jousting competition. Caggo would represent him in the horse battle, while Jorah would take up the challenge of the joust. Jorah, though unpredictable at times, was unmatched in combat.
In truth, the outcome of the competition mattered little to Viserys. He had already noticed that Drogo was mobilizing his forces, clearly preparing for more than just a duel. It was evident that the Horselord had no intention of settling their conflict with a simple contest.