The morning came.Levi awoke feeling as though he didn't want to do a thing at all, but nonetheless he got up and prepared for the day.

As he went down to the tavern to order breakfast, he sat at a table, listening to the murmur of voices. People were still talking about the events of the tourney.

"Have you heard? It's the last two matches of the tourney. I heard Prince Rhaegar Targaryen will face Ser Arthur Dayne. Whoever wins will go on to fight Ser Barristan Selmy in the final bout."

"I heard that as well. My coin's on Ser Arthur Dayne—I'll be betting on him against Ser Barristan Selmy in that last match."

"I, on the other hand, will only be betting on the final bout, putting all my coin on Ser Barristan Selmy."

Laughter filled the tavern, even though it was still early in the day.

Food arrived, and Levi ate quietly as the talk continued around him.

Lysa came into the tavern and spotted Levi—but she wasn't alone. A stranger, dressed in fine clothes unlike those Levi was used to seeing, walked beside her.

As they approached, Lysa spoke."Levi, this is Harlonar Vhassyr, a Braavosi banker. He's one of the men funding the gambling dens here for the Iron Bank. He's also… interested in you, since you've won a great deal from them with your wagers."

Levi nodded politely.

Harlonar Vhassyr smiled. "So, you are the champion of the bow. I've heard the stories—how you won, and then bet on yourself. I wonder if we might gamble together on the semi-final and final bouts?"

Levi replied, "With pleasure. Why don't we go to the tourney grounds and talk there? I'm sure that's not the only thing you wish to discuss."

The Braavosi smiled. "Wise man."

They made their way to the arena. Levi spotted Arl and some caravan guards already among the crowd. When Arl noticed them, he nodded toward Levi and Lysa.

The trumpets blared, and the herald's voice rang out:

"The semi-final match shall soon begin!"

Harlonar spoke over the cheers."By my estimation, you should have close to ten thousand golden dragon coins by now."

"Yes," Levi said. "Something close to that. Why? Hoping to reclaim some of it? I'm certain someone who works for the Iron Bank shouldn't be short on coin. You probably have millions."

Harlonar smirked. "Oh, we do. But we always prefer to have more than a few."

Levi gave a small nod. "Then I'll bet on Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Do you agree? Ten thousand golden dragon coins."

"I'll be happy to take those coins and keep your earnings," Harlonar said with a deeper smile.

The match began—a clash between the realm's most celebrated prince and the man many called the greatest swordsman alive. Lances met. Dust swirled. In the end, Ser Arthur Dayne fell from his horse. The crowd erupted in cheers.

Harlonar's smile remained fixed. "It seems I've lost. I suppose I owe you coin now. But what about the final match? Shall we make it… more entertaining?"

Levi studied him, wondering what exactly this banker wanted. No lord's wealth would be lacking, so what could he possibly gain from Levi? The answer came to him—only one thing Levi owned would tempt a man like this.

"My merchant union," Levi said flatly. "It's the only thing I possess with real weight. Caravans filled with goods, merchants working under me, trade from the North and the South alike—it's made great profit. Unlike others who work alone, my network spreads far, with only Essos left untouched."

Harlonar nodded. "Smart man. Indeed, most lords have merchants, but they keep to themselves. You're different—you built something unified. We want it. Imagine it—merchant ships at sea, caravans on the roads, all serving one place. A great source of profit. Why don't we gamble it? Of course, I doubt the people of Westeros would be pleased with a Braavosi owning such a thing outright."

Levi narrowed his eyes. "That's a large gamble. Let's say I agree—what would you pay for it? Ten thousand? A hundred thousand? Coin is simple, it's just numbers. My merchant union isn't based on numbers."

Harlonar thought for a moment. "Do you want slaves? An army of Unsullied? Horses from the Dothraki Sea? Ships for your own trade fleet? Name it. Even a hundred thousand in coin could be negotiated."

The two were still talking when the herald's voice rose again:

"The final match is about to begin!"

"I'll bet on the same man," Levi said. "As for what I want—it's not slaves or armies or horses. I want to be partners. You and your Iron Bank. I won't claim ownership, but I want my requests given priority. We can set the details after the tourney."

Harlonar considered this. "Alright… but know this—if you lose, you work for the Iron Bank."

Levi nodded and shook his hand. Those nearby who knew Levi looked uneasy. Arl opened his mouth, then shut it. Lysa stared at him as if she'd aged fifty years in a moment.

The final match began—Prince Rhaegar Targaryen against Ser Barristan Selmy. They rode, each trying to unhorse the other. The crowd roared. In the end, Barristan fell, and the prince's name thundered from the stands:

"Prince Rhaegar Targaryen!""Prince Rhaegar Targaryen!""Prince Rhaegar Targaryen!"

Still astride his horse, the prince took a crown of blue winter roses, rode a circuit, and placed it in the lap of Lyanna Stark—naming her the new Queen of Love and Beauty.

The arena fell silent. Rhaegar was married to Princess Elia of Dorne, who was present, and Lyanna was betrothed to Robert Baratheon.

Utter silence.

Levi felt a ringing in his ears, as if the noise of the crowd had been sucked away. Then whispers began—spreading fast. He looked toward Lyanna but couldn't tell if she was smiling or uncertain.

The crowd began to leave, murmuring. Levi turned to his companions. "Go to the tavern. Wait for me."

To Harlonar, he said, "It seems I've won. We have much to discuss."

They went to the banker's tent.

"I won," Levi said. "Now it's time to talk about our deal. The condition was vague, and the bout started too early for us to settle terms. I won't ask for more than you can stomach."

He drew a breath. "I want you to join the merchant union. I control caravans—you control ships. I have none, but you have many. Other than the ten thousand golden dragons you owe me, I want a gift—a dragonbone bow. I've heard it's one of the finest there is. I know this deal is good for us both."

Harlonar was silent for a long while. At last, he said, "Agreed. We'll send merchant ships to White Harbor. We know you live near there—in a place called Bogwater. As for the dragonbone bow, it will be costly, but not beyond our reach."

He took out a contract and wrote out the terms, signed it, and handed it to Levi. "Sign here, and we will be partners."

Levi read every word, searching for hidden traps. Satisfied, he signed: Levi Hallaw.

The banker raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know you were a lord."

"I'm not. But that's my name nonetheless," Levi replied.

"It matters not," Harlonar said. "Now the deal is done."

They shook hands.

As Levi turned to leave, he looked back. "Don't forget my ten thousand golden dragons."

And with that, he left for the tavern—knowing that after what the prince had done this day, much would change in Westeros.