Chapter 197: Taming A Second Dragon?

Seeing the dragon in front of him, Rhaegar called out its name in one breath, "Gray Ghost."

"Roar..." The Gray Ghost roared, tilting its head, its pupils scrutinizing him.

"Does it appear often?" Rhaenyra asked, observing the Gray Ghost.

The last time Rhaegar had seen the Gray Ghost was two years ago, during a night spent on Dragonstone Island when it had briefly appeared in the clouds.

Rhaenyra stepped in front of Rhaegar, her voice cautious. "The Gray Ghost has always been active around the reef piles on the east coast. It never comes near the castle."

After many years, the Gray Ghost had matured past the stage of a young dragon. Its light gray scales, white wing membranes, and backward-curved gray horns gave it a distinctive appearance.

Its slim and even body was about the same size as Sunfyre, marking it as a young dragon.

Ta Ta...

The Gray Ghost flapped its wings and moved, its hind feet stepping on the stone paths as it cautiously approached the siblings, never taking its eyes off Rhaegar. Its long neck stretched out, sniffing at the two of them.

Suddenly, the Gray Ghost's pupils glowed, and it raised its head to roar in joy.

Rhaenyra was taken aback. "Rhaegar, why do I feel like it's celebrating?"

"I feel the same way," Rhaegar replied. He gently pushed down Rhaenyra's arm, which she had raised protectively in front of her chest, and took a step towards the Gray Ghost.

Man and dragon were only a dozen meters apart, and soon they were face to face. The Gray Ghost watched his movements, folded its wings, and prostrated itself on the stone steps.

Rhaegar approached it slowly, extended a hand, and tentatively said, "Courageous little dragon, do you still remember me?"

Their first encounter had been at Dragonmont when he saved the Gray Ghost from becoming prey while trying to tame Cannibal.

"Roar..." The Gray Ghost responded to Rhaegar's voice, its breath filling the air with a salty, fishy smell.

"Ugh! It stinks!" Rhaegar exclaimed, pinching his nose and closing his eyes against the foul wind.

As the roar ended, Rhaegar felt a cold, rough touch against his palm. He opened his eyes and saw the Gray Ghost rubbing its head against his hand.

"Rhaegar, the Gray Ghost is very close to you," Rhaenyra said cautiously, shocked.

Dragons were solitary creatures. One person could usually only tame one dragon unless the dragon died, allowing for a new bond.

Rhaegar had been with Cannibal for many years, and other dragons, including the Gray Ghost, typically wouldn't show affection towards him. But now, the Gray Ghost's eyes were full of affection for Rhaegar.

"Maybe it's because I saved it," Rhaegar mused, smiling as he hugged the Gray Ghost's head, stroking its scales.

Over the years, whenever he visited Dragonstone Island, he had felt a gaze watching him. Now he realized it had been the Gray Ghost observing him from the shadows.

"Courageous little dragon, do you also want to be my partner?" Rhaegar asked, pleased with the dragon's intimacy.

"Roar..."

The Gray Ghost lifted its head from Rhaegar's stroking hand, reluctantly shook it, and gazed towards the end of the long stone stairs. Rhaegar followed the dragon's gaze to the black stone gate of Dragonstone Island.

He realized the Gray Ghost was indicating that Rhaegar already had a dragon.

Understanding this, Rhaegar said regretfully, "Unfortunately, I was hoping to ride on your back and fly for a while."

The rule of one man, one dragon had been established since the days of the Freehold. No one could control two dragons.

"Roar..."

The Gray Ghost's eyes flashed with thought. It twisted its body and used its flexible tail to wrap around Rhaegar's waist.

"Rhaegar!" Rhaenyra cried out in alarm as the Gray Ghost lifted Rhaegar and placed him on its smooth spine.

Stunned, Rhaegar asked, "Gray Ghost, are you offering me a ride?"

The Gray Ghost raised its head proudly and spread its wings.

Seeing this, Rhaenyra reached out and shouted in surprise, "Rhaegar, hold my hand!"

Rhaegar extended his hand, and with a strong pull, he helped Rhaenyra onto the dragon's back.

"Roar..."

As soon as Rhaenyra was securely on the dragon's back, the Gray Ghost roared and soared into the sky.

"Be careful, Gray Ghost doesn't listen to me," Rhaegar warned, laughing as he held Rhaenyra close.

"You're the only one brave enough to ride a wild dragon!" Rhaenyra's heart raced as she experienced her first ride on a wild dragon.

The Gray Ghost flew swiftly, its balanced body easily maneuvering through the air, diving into thin clouds. The two of them laughed and screamed, bathed in the light of the setting sun.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, a loud roar echoed across Dragonstone Island. Cannibal's roar carried a strong sense of warning.

The Gray Ghost, trembling at the sound, fear evident in its eyes, quickly descended and landed on the Stepstones near the black stone gate. The memory of the black dragon that once hunted it was still vivid.

Once they landed, Rhaegar helped Rhaenyra to her feet and they slid down the dragon's wing.

Stroking Gray Ghost's wing, Rhaegar smiled and said, "Cannibal is angry. This is as far as we go."

"Roar..."

The Gray Ghost looked at Rhaegar one last time before turning and flying towards the east coast of Dragonstone Island.

"It's jealous," Rhaenyra said, amused.

"Maybe," Rhaegar replied, watching the Gray Ghost until it disappeared into the clouds.

Other than Cannibal, no dragon had ever been this close to him. Even Syrax avoided Cannibal out of fear.

In high spirits, Rhaegar took Rhaenyra's hand and said, "Let's go. Your two adopted daughters are still waiting for their dragon eggs."

"Hmph, I only care about my future children," Rhaenyra teased, tossing her long hair as she strode towards the black stone gate.

Rhaegar's eyes gleamed with understanding as he followed her.

...

Night had fallen, and the stars were faint in the sky.

Driftmark, High Tide.

"Rhaenyra, you're finally here!"

Rhaenyra and Rhaegar walked into the grand hall of High Tide, greeted warmly by Laena, who had been waiting eagerly.

Seeing Rhaegar, Laena curtsied gracefully and smiled, "Cousin, you're equally welcome."

Her demeanor remained poised and elegant, showing no sign of impropriety.

"I should be at the Stepstones, but I came on a mission," Rhaegar chuckled.

He admired Laena's composure, as if her relationship with her husband, Daemon, and their familial ties were purely cordial.

"There's no need for formality with me. Quickly bring out the eggs; I'm here to adopt a daughter," Rhaenyra said with a warm smile, extending her hand to Rhaegar.

Rhaegar took off the case strapped to his back and opened it, revealing two dragon eggs.

The Space Bracelet couldn't hold living things, so the eggs had been carried by Rhaegar himself.

At the sight of the eggs, Laena's smile widened, and she embraced Rhaenyra gratefully.

A maid quickly went upstairs to fetch the nanny and bring down the two children.

Seizing the moment, Rhaegar discussed the ongoing war in the Stepstones and the challenges of transporting goods and supplies.

(Word count: 1,196)