Chapter Fifty-eight: Encounters.

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~~~Third Person, Eleventh-Twelfth Moon, 276 AC~~~

~~~Zoo, Xandar~~~

Isabella approached Endoxes at a slow, calculated pace, her eyes always on the giant dragon, wanting to be on the lookout in case Endoxes thought it was a good appetizer.

She was several attempts away from resting her hand on the pommel of her sword but declined after further thought. It was not a good idea to appear threatening in front of a giant dragon, let alone its rider, since, according to her, just as dogs would protect their masters, the dragon in front of her would be the same if it felt it might be a danger to Azrael.

Fortunately for her, the dragon presented no danger whatsoever. Endoxes was only designed to continue enjoying the caresses provided by Azrael, who never stopped scratching him under his jaw.

"He is called Endoxes; we will travel with him; he will be our transport." Azrael looked over his shoulder and said to Isabella once she got close enough to him, noticing the tense look on Isabella's face. While she knew the king had a dragon, she didn't think they would travel with him.

"On him?" Isabella asked, thinking she had misheard, "What?"Azrael said since he didn't understand what Isabella had said.

"Will we travel in it?" Isabella repeated, with Azrael nodding. Yes, it is that, or in carriages, but the journey would take more time, which I don't have."

Isabella just went on to rub her collarbone, an act Azrael saw: "But don't worry, Endoxes won't hurt you, or if you wish, you can travel on a Wyvern; you'll just have to travel with a witch since you don't know how to maneuver and control one."

Isabella smiled uncomfortably, trying hard to keep from sighing. "Don't worry, I can do it if you guarantee you won't attack me."

"Very well, then come, touch him," Azrael offered, reaching over to where Isabella stood and asking permission to take her hand. Isabella accepted, and she avoided blushing.

[Ao gīmigon iksan daor mēre hen animalkas isse aōha zuoly, (you know I'm not one of your zoo animals)] Commented Endoxes, not so excited to have a person so close to him other than Azrael.

[Ikanic ao kuld ivestragon bona, coring ao glaesagon isse ziry, (ironic you should say that, considering you live in it)] Azrael commented sarcastically, earning a moo from Endoxes, causing hot air to reach him.

Isabella was staring blankly, trying to comprehend the level of foolishness she was showing. Sure, she had killed, fought Qilins, fought winged men, and even disobeyed her father many times, but now, none of that compared to being in front of a dragon that could kill her effortlessly.

"Relax," Azrael advised her, taking Isabella's hand in his and bringing Isabella's palm close to Endoxes' stiff, roughneck, which, though he wouldn't say it, was pleased to be the center of attention.

"It's cold," Isabella said in surprise, shocked at the low temperature of Endoxes, who, even standing next to a river of lava, looked as if he had been in Antarctica as Isabella's hand went a little numb from the cold.

Azrael laughed at Isabella's face, causing her to frown and roll her eyes. "Yeah, did you expect it to be hot?"

"Well, not so much, but the stories tell a different story." Isabella said through her teeth, to which Azrael replied somewhat stoically, "Well, stories are often written by third parties who didn't live through the events themselves, twisting the facts and showing a truth that isn't true."

"But well, enough is enough; we must leave; we have to take advantage of the sunlight." With that, Azrael offered to take the satchel carried by Isabella on her back, who gave it to him with a half smile.

Azrael took it and passed it to Endoxes, who took it carefully with his long, pointed teeth and hoisted it onto his back, dropping the backpack onto an oversized chair on his back.

While Azrael didn't need a saddle to ride Endoxes since he could fly and it didn't feel at all uncomfortable to sit on Endoxes' back directly, if there were times when the ride was long, and he ended up getting tired, he had ordered a saddle for him.

The saddle had compartments on the sides, similar to those used on horse saddles to store belongings. It also had cushions baked into the saddle to provide a comfortable ride without worrying about the cushions falling off due to wind currents or Endoxes' sudden movements.

Once the bag fell onto the chair, Azrael helped Isabella into it. Then, he levitated and helped buckle Isabella into the chair, where she talked to Endoxes about where they would be going.

"Are you ready?" Azrael turned and looked at Isabella, who had white knuckles from tightly holding onto her chair. "Ehmm, yes." She said it nervously, with Azrael nodding and ordering Endoxes to rise.

With Azrael's command, Endoxes stretched his enormous wings and swung them a bit, causing the trees to sway and a breeze to blow.

Once Endoxes was ready, he crouched down with his front legs while his hind legs brought them forward to gain momentum and jump, causing Isabella to scream. The force of the jump caused Endoxes to flap his wings safely, propelling him skyward and pushing Isabella backward, causing her to close her eyes out of instinct.

"You can open your eyes now." Isabella heard Azrael's voice above the strong wind blowing, making her open her eyes, observing that they were many meters above the sky, flying higher than the highest tower of Ischyros.

Isabella smiled, looking up at Azrael with a radiant smile. "It's beautiful."

"Yes, undoubtedly," Azrael commented, controlling Endoxes and getting him to take the right direction as they were closely followed by an escort of twenty Wyverns with their respective riders.

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~~~Red Keep, King's Landing~~~~~~

The members of the small council were, as usual, gathered to talk about the 'welfare' of the kingdom, which at this point was farther from the truth. At the table was the king speaking in High Valyrian with Varys, who had gained the king's trust and interest since arriving at King's Landing. Something that had put several small council members, including Tywin, in a bad mood.

"What are you waiting for?" Aerys suddenly shouted, earning startles from several cupbearers in the room, "I want wine from Xandar!" Aerys roared, spitting spittle towards the table, as a cupbearer filled a goblet with grape wine and offered it to Aerys, who took it and dismissed the boy without the slightest contemplation. "Ahhh, what a delicacy! What are you waiting for? Begin now."

With the king's permission, Tywin began the meeting by asking Varys about the new happenings in the Seven Kingdoms.

Varys chuckled and began his report: "Dorne is silent, though Prince Doran continues with the request to link House Targaryen to House Martell with the help of his sister Elia."

Tywin grew thoughtful, thinking he would have trouble committing his daughter Cersei to Prince Rhaegar if the Martells stood in the way. "Everyone knows they are notorious for wanting more power than they can have," Aerys said condescendingly, cheering Tywin's heart at the thought that he still had a chance.

"And what of the Reach, my friend?" When hearing the term 'friend,' Aerys turned to Varys, who looked at Aerys with an odd look but was still responding. "Lady Olenna continues to run the Reach while her son Mace continues to grow fat, my king, though apparently, they are asking for tax reductions due to the drop in the sale of their grain."

"And why are they asking for such foolishness?" Aerys asked angrily, looking at the coin lord Qarlton Chelsted, who looked like he would pee himself the moment Aerys rested his gaze upon him.

"Ehmm, well, that's because the Reach hasn't been able to sell their grain to the North; the North built trade ties with Braavosi merchants, who sell grain imported from Xandar, and while their prices are somewhat high, it's still much cheaper than buying it from the Reach." Qarlton managed to reply after Aerys grew impatient.

"Ohh, Xandar, apparently the Northerners have beaten us to it; who knew cold asses would have a view to trade" Aerys commented, scoffing and earning a disapproving look from Tywin. "Tell them their request is denied; let them pay their taxes just like everyone else," Aerys told Tywin, who nodded.

"And at Storm's End, what's going on in that rainy place?" Aerys asked Tywin, who replied that Lord Baratheon's wife, Lady Cassana, was pregnant and about to give birth to their third child.

"Aye, the Estermont bitch gives birth to strong sons one after another, and my queen has only given me a music-loving prince and several dead dragons." Aerys rants about Queen Rhaella, angry at his sister-wife.

"Well, it is known that the queen's health has been in decline, resulting from several miscarriages. If you wish, Your Grace, I could communicate with my friends on Xandar and bring health potions in; they would make the queen's condition a world of good," Varys offered, earning a calculating look from Tywin and a yellow smile from Aerys.

"Aye, you can do that! And while you're at it, organize a meeting with the Xandarian king; if the rumors of Braavos are true, he could sell us dragon eggs, which he could hatch." Aerys replied slightly maniacally, setting several up with serious looks. "Yes, me, Aerys II Targaryen, the one who brought dragons back to Westeros."

Everyone knew the news coming from across the narrow sea, and at this point, the existence of dragons in Xandar was more than believable. Knowing that King Aerys might have dragons in his possession unsettled many, as his sanity was already being called into question, and adding a deadly weapon under his control would not be the best way to go.