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 The widow of the waterfront, by Dleoblack © Fantasy Flight Games | ||||
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| Aliases | ||||
| Culture | Volantene | |||
| Spouse | Vogarro | |||
| Book | A Dance with Dragons (appears) | |||
The widow of the waterfront is a businesswoman and former bedslave who runs several docks, piers, and shipping lanes in a section of western Volantis. Her late husband was Vogarro, a triarch of Volantis.[1] Her given name is unknown.
Appearance and Character
[edit]The elderly woman has wrinkled skin, a bent spine, and a hump on her back. Her white hair is so thin that the pink of her scalp shows through. The widow's eyes are bright and black. There are faint and faded scars on her cheek under her right eye, from where her tear tattoos were cut away after she was freed from slavery. She has a soft and sinister voice, and she speaks the Common Tongue with only a trace of accent.[1] The widow has a vulpine smile.[1]
The businesswoman's bodyguards are known as the widow's sons, and she has many captains in her debt.[1] Her customary table at the Merchant's House is well situated for security and privacy. Every petitioner must bring her a gift.[1]
The widow is opposed to slavery. She enjoys wine.[1]
The Old Blood of eastern Volantis refer to the widow as Vogarro's whore, though not to her face.[1]
History
[edit]The widow of the waterfront was once a pleasure slave taught the way of the seven sighs in Yunkai. She was purchased by Vogarro, a Triarch of Volantis. Vogarro fell in love with her, causing a great scandal, and an even greater scandal when he freed her and married her.[1]
Vogarro owned piers, storehouses, brokered cargoes, changed money, and insured shipowners against the hazards of the sea. When he died in 268 AC, his widow took over his business. She had to sell his manse, because no freedman may live within the Black Wall in eastern Volantis, regardless of wealth. She took up residence at the Merchant's House west of the Rhoyne, and set up her business in its common room.[1]
The widow once had a monkey which performed clever tricks.[1]
Recent Events
[edit]A Dance with Dragons
[edit]
The widow meets in the Merchant's House with Ser Jorah Mormont, who seeks passage in a ship to bring the captive Tyrion Lannister with him to Meereen to meet Daenerys Targaryen, Queen of Meereen. Jorah presents the widow with a pair of leather gloves he bought on the Long Bridge, which look cheap and tawdry next to the other gifts she had received that morning: a silver goblet, an ornate fan of thin translucent jade leaves, and an ancient bronze dagger marked with runes.[1]
The widow informs Jorah about the Golden Company preparing to sail for Westeros, and the exiled knight dispels rumors she has heard about Daenerys. She informs her guests about Volantene politics and the growing influence of Benerro, High Priest of the Temple of the Lord of Light.[1]
The widow is initially reluctant to aid the Westerosi due to Jorah's attitude and because she does not trust his motivations in seeking Daenerys. She begins to relent after Tyrion speaks honestly about his intentions, but their conversation is interrupted when Tyrion is attacked by Penny over the death of her brother, Oppo. After the dwarfs are separated, the widow has the inn's landlord bring Penny up to her rooms and given wine and new clothes to wear.[1]
The widow decides that Volantis is not safe for dwarfs, and she tells the travelers to take the Selaesori Qhoran, which is leaving for Qarth in two days. Since Jorah is trying to get to Meereen instead of Qarth, the widow explains that Benerro has had a fire vision that the ship will not make it to its ultimate destination. On behalf of the slaves in Volantis, she asks the Westerosi to tell Daenerys that the slaves of Volantis are waiting for her and that she should come soon.[1]
The widow writes a binder for the mates of the Selaesori Qhoran, all free men, promising to pay their ransom in case of capture.[2] The ship, crippled by a storm while sailing on the Summer Sea toward Qarth, is eventually boarded by slavers.[3] While the mates are ransomed, the slave sailors and the Westerosi are sold into slavery in a Yunkish camp near Meereen.[2]
Quotes
[edit]
Keep your silver. I have gold. And spare me your black looks, ser. I am too old to be frightened of a scowl. You are a hard man, I see, and no doubt skilled with that long sword at your side, but this is my realm. Let me crook a finger and you may find yourself traveling to Meereen chained to an oar in the belly of a galley.[1]
—the widow to Jorah Mormont
Men are beasts, selfish and brutal. However gentle the words, there are always darker motives underneath. I do not trust you, ser. If you want to get to Meereen, swim. I have no help to give you.[1]
—the widow to Jorah Mormont
Knights defend the weak and protect the innocent, they say. And I am the fairest maid in all Volantis.[1]
—the widow, to Jorah Mormont
Tyrion: Perhaps you would remove these charming iron bracelets as well? This monster has but half a nose, and it itches most abominably. The chains are too short for me to scratch it. I'll make you a gift of them, and gladly.
Widow: How generous. But I have worn iron in my time, and now I find that I prefer gold and silver. And sad to say, this is Volantis, where fetters and chains are cheaper than day-old bread and it is forbidden to help a slave escape.[1]—Tyrion Lannister and the widow
Tyrion: If I were Volantene, and free, and had the blood, you'd have my vote for triarch, my lady.
Widow: I am no lady, just Vogarro's whore. You want to be gone from here before the tigers come. Should you reach your queen, give her a message from the slaves of Old Volantis. Tell her we are waiting. Tell her to come soon.[1]—Tyrion Lannister and the widow
Quotes about the widow
[edit]Serving girl: The widow will see you next, noble ser. Have you brought a gift for her?
Jorah: Yes. Thank you.
Jorah: The widow of the waterfront. East of the Rhoyne they still call her Vogarro's whore, though never to her face.[1]
Tyrion: Whose widow is this?
—Serving girl, Jorah Mormont, and Tyrion Lannister
There was something vulpine about the way the woman sat in her corner by the courtyard, something reptilian about her eyes.[1]
—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister
Fool, thought Tyrion. It's not coin she wants, it's respect. Haven't you heard a word she's said?[1]
—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister