-Chapter 98-

-Chapter 98-

-POV Robar Hawkeye-

I lowered my head to show my submission to Prince Aemon Targaryen, as I hadn't forgotten the 200-foot-long dragon waiting for us at the entrance, nor the hundreds of knights in full armor, ready to gut us like mere animals at his command.

'That's surely what they must think of us—that we're all animals,' I thought as I observed the many unfriendly faces of the members of House Royce.

'A house of cowards that threw its crown at the feet of the Andals,' I thought, recalling the legendary stories of the ancient bronze kings humiliated by their descendants.

'At least it seems they produced one decent descendant,' I thought as I watched the one they called the Bronze Dragon approach the hearth with slow steps.

He stopped once he was close enough to the Great Hearth in the Great Hall, then held his arm out to his servant, who handed him a sort of branding iron she had retrieved in the meantime, which he then plunged into the fire.

"It's been far too long since the Andals came to our lands and prevented us from being who we are…"

'Does he consider himself one of us as well?' I wondered, questioning if he also worshipped the Old Gods.

"…Some chose to yield for the greater good, like my ancestors, but others chose not to, like all of you."

'Because our people will never kneel before the weak Andals,' I thought, knowing the deep-rooted hatred and extraordinary pride that resided within each clan.

The Prince paused briefly before continuing, in the same calm tone:

"As of now, despite your isolation, none of you can claim to be entirely of First Men blood, as you've captured and violated so many women with Andal heritage over the years that you all bear a trace of that despised blood."

I frowned, disagreeing, until I recalled my mother's face.

I knew she came from a noble family or had worked in a castle, so it was highly likely she had Andal blood or was even fully Andal herself.

'He's not wrong,' I thought, for unlike the other clan leaders who barely knew the common tongue, I had been educated in my youth by my mother, and I knew this dated back thousands of years.

"The Bronze Kings lost the right to command you, just as the lords of the Vale did, due to numerous broken promises in the past. But fortunately for you, although I am the lord of this House, I am not a Royce—I am Aemon Targaryen, Prince of the Realm and 6th in the line of succession to the Seven Kingdoms," said the Prince.

'He's incredibly charismatic; he really exudes confidence,' I thought, listening to him speak.

Everyone hung on his every word, waiting to hear what he would say next.

'But how could they not, when he possesses a dragon?' I thought, while paying close attention to what Prince Aemon said.

"From now on, all the mountain clans must unite under one banner—mine, the banner of the Bronze Dragon. Do you accept?" he asked, still with his back turned.

'It's not really a question. Those who refuse will be eliminated in the future, so we might as well get ahead,' I thought, observing the other chiefs reluctant to kneel before the Prince.

I knelt and said:

"I, Robar Hawkeye, chief of the Selenites clan, swear allegiance to Prince Aemon Targaryen. The Selenites clan will never break this oath; may the Old Gods bear witness."

The Prince didn't turn, waiting for the others to do the same, but they seemed hesitant.

'They've always solved everything with force; they want to challenge him but can't because of the dragon.'

After a few moments of indecision, Gnorr, the leader of the Black Ears clan, finally followed my example and knelt.

"The Black Ears clan will follow the Bronze Dragon," Gnorr said.

I motioned for Galfr to kneel quickly, which he did, though he wasn't too keen on kneeling before the "cowardly liars" of the Vale.

"Galfr and the Stone Crows, same," said Galfr, practically spitting out the words.

'He really needs to learn the common tongue,' I thought, feeling slightly embarrassed, as the smirks on the faces of the Royce members showed that they clearly saw us as savages, mindlessly following our instincts.

'Like nothing more than animals,' I thought, slightly indignant at their insulting gazes.

Gradually, all the clan chiefs knelt, understanding that it was either that or the death of all their clan members.

What shocked me most was seeing the leaders of the major clans, such as the Painted Dogs, Mist Sons, Milk Snakes, Tree Sons, Howlers, and Red Forges.

They all knelt, and knowing the pride they all took in being clan leaders and their contempt for the weak Andal knights, I immediately understood what had convinced them to show such… humility.

'It only took one dragon for them to throw that damn pride into the fire.'

Prince Aemon retrieved the branding iron and approached us. As he drew nearer, I realized that what he had plunged into the blazing fire was not just a poker, but a branding iron.

'He wants to mark us like cattle,' I instantly understood.

I lowered my head so he couldn't see the furious look in my eyes. Even though I was outraged by this practice, I had no choice; I would have to go along with it to survive.

'And I'll even smile and thank him for it,' I thought, calming my inner rage and mentally preparing myself for the trial ahead.

"I'd like to trust your oaths, but I am someone demanding and particularly suspicious," said the Prince, pausing to look at us for a few moments before continuing. "I want each of you to prove that you are ready to be part of the Dragon's kin."

Once he had finished speaking, the Prince extended the branding iron, waiting to see who would match their actions to their words.

'Don't think, just act,' I told myself as I stood up without hesitation and rolled up one of my sleeves.

'For my future,' I thought.

'Mother always told me to aspire to more than being just a savage,' I thought as I took the branding iron from the Prince's hands, who raised his eyebrows at my quick decision.

'I'll honor her for all the pain she endured.'

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-POV Aemon Targaryen-

I smiled, watching this young man who had caught my attention throughout the day, wondering if he would really go through with it or if he would back down, given the constant tremor in his hand and the fear that was starting to fill his eyes.

He looked up to meet my gaze one last time before pressing the branding iron firmly onto his right arm.

'Truly impressive,' I thought, admiring the determination it must have taken to mark himself in such a way.

"AAAAAAAH!" he roared as he continued to press the branding iron to his arm, his legs giving out from the pain, causing him to become dizzy.

I caught him with one arm while taking back the branding iron, pulling him up so his knees wouldn't touch the ground. Then I spoke softly:

"Robar Hawkeye, from this day forward, you are under my protection, as are all the members of your clan. Anyone who harms you will taste my wrath and the fire of the dragon."

A long silence filled the room as everyone watched us, torn by what had just happened, until Laena broke the silence by clapping.

At first, she clapped alone, but a few seconds later, she was joined by Rogar, then by Ser Harrold.

Gradually, everyone applauded Robar Hawkeye's demonstration of courage and 'dedication.'