Chapter 131: On The Way To Driftmark

"Sister, you don't have to worry about me," Rhaegar said, feeling warmth and a sense of ease from her  words.

"Nonsense," Rhaenyra shot back. "You are my younger brother. If I don't worry about you, who will? Alicent?" She grabbed his ear and fiercely added, "I said all this for a reason, so remember it!"

"Of course, I won't forget," Rhaegar replied. The warmth and softness of their shared moment brought back memories, and he began to feel a hazy sleepiness overtaking him.

As he drifted off, a smile formed on his lips, and he murmured, "Sister, you and I are born of fire and blood. We have nothing to fear from treachery..."

...

The night deepened over the Red Keep.

In another room, the candlelight was pushing back the darkness. A delicious meal was laid out on the round table, and two people were seated across from each other.

"Your Grace, the Prince is too cautious, and I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help," Larys said, pausing with his knife and fork mid-motion and looking down.

Alicent sat across from him, her face expressionless, her eyes cold. She sipped sweet wine from her goblet and replied flatly, "It doesn't matter. As long as he stays away from King's Landing long enough for my father to return."

Larys glanced at her and smiled slightly. "With all due respect, Prince Rhaegar is the rightful heir. Even your father's ingenuity can't sway the King's decision."

"Rhaenyra was his appointed heir as well, and she was still pulled down," Alicent countered, her tone steely. "Our goal isn't the throne but to unite all the allies we can and ensure we can defend ourselves."

As she'd told Viserys, Rhaegar was set to become heir, and there was nothing she could do to change that.

It was a source of her nightmares and  fears. Rhaegar didn't want her as a stepmother and was mean to his half-brother, Aegon, undermining his confidence.

What would happen to her and her children if Viserys died?

She had considered showing weakness to ease relations with Rhaegar, but she was tired of being subservient and at the mercy of others. As queen, she had borne several princes and princesses for the kingdom and deserved high honor. She refused to live under anyone's thumb.

"Then you should join forces with the Velaryon House. They are quite influential," Larys suggested, his eyes darting. "Lady Laena has given birth to twin daughters, and your youngest son, Daeron, is four. We could propose a marriage alliance."

"Impossible," Alicent replied sharply, frowning. "The Sea Snake is a shrewd politician. We lack sufficient leverage to sway him."

"Uh..." Larys hesitated, then shrugged. "What's our next move then, Your Grace?"

His talents lay in gathering intelligence, not strategizing—unless The Queen was willing to consider more sinister tactics.

"There is no next step," Alicent said, draining her goblet and covering her forehead. "Viserys promised my father a return to King's Landing. Only then can we secure House Hightower's aid."

"The Three Daughters have shown signs of invading the Narrow Sea recently. "Maybe we can use that to our advantage," Larys added, revealing more hidden information with a sly smile.

Outside the window, a lush canopy swayed in the wind, with a bird's nest perched on top. A sparrow hopped between the branches, its beady eyes unblinking as it observed the room.

In the Dragonpit, Tormund, dressed in coarse linen, sat by a window, his pupils eerily vanished, leaving only the whites of his eyes. After a while, he blinked, and his pupils reappeared.

He looked puzzled but committed what he had seen and heard to memory. "There are traces of the Three Daughters in the Narrow Sea..." he muttered to himself.

Rhaenyra was right. There were no secrets in the big city of King's Landing, except for those within the Dragonpit, which was under Rhaegar's jurisdiction.

...

Seven days later,

A loud, deep dragon roar echoed over King's Landing, drawing the attention of onlookers.

Before long, three shadows crossed the city's skyline, heading towards the harbor. The busy townsfolk looked up to see three massive dragons soaring between the clouds, their wings outstretched.

"Dragons, three of them!" they marveled.

The people of King's Landing were used to seeing dragons—after all, the king had three dragon-riding children—but it was rare to see more than one dragon at a time. Sometimes Prince Rhaegar and Princess Rhaenyra would ride together, but it was pretty unusual to see three dragons at once.

This extraordinary event was due to Rhaenyra's insistent request. Her father, King Viserys, unable to refuse her, agreed for her to accompany Rhaegar to Driftmark. Encouraged by Alicent, Viserys decided that if one dragon-rider was good, then two were even better.

On a whim, he pulled a sleeping Aegon from his bed, commanding him to join Rhaegar for the journey. This display was meant to showcase the royal family's power and their dragons' might.

It wasn't just the three siblings making the journey; Lord Lyonel Strong, the Hand of the King, had already arrived at Driftmark a day earlier, bringing a ship laden with gifts.

...

The sky was a beautiful blue.

Leading the way, Rhaegar rode his dragon Cannibal, its broad black wings slicing through the white clouds like a dark meteor.

Behind him, two golden dragons followed closely. Rhaenyra, riding Syrax, wore a joyful expression, occasionally letting out cheers. Aegon, on Sunfyre, trailed far behind, his face a picture of dejection, punctuated by long sighs.

He had resigned himself to his fate. All he wanted was to stay hidden in the Red Keep, flirting with the maids and enjoying the privileges of a prince.

But his father had suddenly assigned him a mission, one that required him to accompany his elder brother to the Velaryon House— who weren't on good terms with them. He wasn't exactly thrilled about it.

Not only was Aegon reluctant, but Sunfyre also seemed equally resistant. The dragon's eyes were fixed on Cannibal ahead, and his usually agile wings were moving stiffly, as if he was afraid that the larger dragon might suddenly turn and devour him.

However, their concerns were unfounded. No one paid them any mind.

Rhaegar stood firmly on the saddle's footrests, arms outstretched, relishing the cool moisture from the crashing clouds. He glanced back at Syrax, who was struggling to keep up, and laughed heartily, proud of Cannibal's speed.

"Rhaenyra, you're too slow!" he called out, his voice filled with playful pride.

Rhaenyra, chained at the waist and only able to sit upright in her saddle, looked sideways at her brother, shouting, "Slow down, you're losing Aegon."

Aegon, far behind, could only sigh.

Rhaegar, reminded of his younger brother, signaled Cannibal to reduce speed, ensuring they didn't leave Aegon and Sunfyre too far behind. Soon, Rhaenyra caught up, and Syrax began flying alongside Cannibal.

She loved riding dragons and loved her brother Rhaegar, but she especially loved flying with him, feeling the exhilarating freedom of the skies. Rhaenyra smiled and played along, enjoying the ride.

Though it was just a formal trip, she was happy to be there.

The three dragons flew swiftly, crossing Blackwater Bay, and arrived at Driftmark just before afternoon.

(Word count: 1,205)