Chapter 204: Making Things Happen

After analyzing the situation, Rhaegar proposed a strategic adjustment.

He immediately sent ravens to redeploy troops from the Crownlands and the Riverlands. The remaining ships in King's Landing were loaded with supplies and sent to Driftmark for transport to the Stepstones.

"We'll need to transport some supplies immediately," Rhaegar mused. "I'll assign 800 Dragonkeepers from the Dragonpit to escort them."

From King's Landing to Driftmark and then to the Stepstones, the journey would take at least three days. Factoring in the time for loading supplies and deploying soldiers, it would stretch even longer. The troops on the Stepstones couldn't afford to wait; they needed immediate support.

"Prince, the Triarchy pirates have taken over Bloodstone Island and may intercept our transport ships in the Narrow Sea," Lyonel pointed out.

Rhaegar remained calm. "It's alright. I'll ride the dragon and escort the supplies myself."

With Meleys and Sea Smoke still guarding Grey Gallows, he didn't need to rush there immediately. Ensuring the safe transport of supplies was crucial. If the supply line was cut, the battle for the Stepstones would be lost.

The tension in the hall eased as the plan took shape.

Viserys' face lightened, and he waved his hand. "Lyonel, do as Rhaegar says."

The king had been in a state of panic, consumed with anger towards Tyland and the others. Rhaegar's organized plan was exactly what he needed.

"Yes, Your Grace," Lyonel said, and hurried out of the hall.

Grand Maester Mellos also stood and left to release the ravens and deliver the messages.

Seeing them go, Rhaegar added, "Father, this battle is significant. I suggest sending Aegon with his dragon to Grey Gallows to bolster our defenses."

Another dragon would greatly strengthen their position. At this critical moment, he couldn't worry about family affections - Aegon had to act.

Viserys agreed, "Very well, I will inform him immediately."

Aegon had been drinking heavily the previous night and was likely still hungover, but there was no time to waste.

Having said all that needed to be said, Rhaegar offered his resignation. "Father, I will go and gather the Dragonkeepers."

"Go ahead. Lord Lyman will prepare the supplies and cargo ships," Viserys replied.

Rhaegar rose quickly, his impatience evident.

Jeyne, who had been quietly observing, also got up. "Farewell," she said, following Rhaegar out.

...

Rhaegar descended the stairs and left the Red Keep, his mind racing with worry. The near-total destruction of the royal fleet was a significant blow, and he worried about the fate of the Second Sons he had recently supported, all of whom were elite knights.

He hurried to the Dragonpit and found Maynard, instructing him to gather the Dragonkeepers.

The standard force consisted of 1,000 men, but Rhaegar also assembled 200 additional free folk from Crackclaw Point, totaling 1,200. He assigned 800 of these guards for the mission, leaving 400 to protect the Dragonpit.

As Rhaegar addressed the guards, Jeyne entered the Dragonpit, escorted by Vale knights. Seeing her filled him with mixed emotions, especially guilt for rejecting her the previous night.

Jeyne, with her noble status and outstanding beauty, had humbled herself for him. He feared the rejection would breed resentment.

"Rhaegar, are you okay?" Jeyne's voice was filled with concern as she approached him.

Rhaegar's eyes showed surprise and suspicion at her behavior.

"What are you afraid of? I'm still me, I haven't changed physically or mentally," she reassured him with a smile. "Even though you left me last night, I still want to be your wife and love you."

"Jeyne, you should go back and rest," Rhaegar said, pulling away gently, trying to convince her.

Jeyne stepped forward and gripped his hand, her knuckles white with tension. "I was in a hurry last night; I don't blame you."

Rhaegar looked at her clenched hand, noting the tension. "It's good you can forgive me. One must always follow one's heart."

"No! I will not forgive you; I will remember this for the rest of my life," Jeyne declared, closing the gap between them. "I love you, and I don't mind that you make your own choices, but it embarrasses me."

"Do you want me to apologize?" Rhaegar asked, stepping back.

"Don't apologize; you didn't do anything wrong," Jeyne said, surprisingly open-minded. "And I don't feel sorry either, at least I haven't betrayed Rhaenyra yet."

Rhaegar blinked, recognizing Jeyne's unusual psychological state.

"Rhaegar, your strategic thinking at the meeting was impressive," she continued with a smile. "I asked the Grand Maester to send a message to Runestone. The Royce House has a small harbor that can support additional troops."

"Runestone has suffered significant losses. Can they still provide troops?" Rhaegar asked, concerned.

"Don't worry," Jeyne said confidently. "Most of the wealth collected from the Shett and Arryn branches will compensate Runestone, enough to cover their losses."

"Thank you," Rhaegar said, genuinely grateful.

"You and I don't need to say thank you. You know what I'm asking for," Jeyne replied, her eyes filled with ambiguous intent.

Suddenly, she changed the subject, looking around the Dragonpit. "Where are the dragons? I heard there are still young dragons. Can we see them?"

Caught off guard, Rhaegar summoned a Dragonkeeper and spoke in High Valyrian, "Bring Stormcloud, and watch over the men and dragons."

Turning to Jeyne, he said, "I have other matters to attend to. There is a young dragon for you to see." He then mobilized the 800 Dragonkeepers and left the Dragonpit.

Jeyne watched Rhaegar lead the Dragonkeepers away, a slight smile playing on her lips.

...

Noon.

Three large cargo ships anchored at the River Gate port, and sailors and Dragonkeepers boarded them one by one. As the last of the crew climbed aboard, the ships set sail.

A gust of wind filled the sails as the Cannibal, a formidable dragon, flapped its wings and soared toward Blackwater Bay.

Before the Cannibal's departure, Aegon had been dragged out of bed by Viserys and forced to ride Sunfyre to the Stepstones.

Two days later, on the Narrow Sea.

Three ships sailed slowly, mere specks in the vast expanse of the sea. They were passing close to the Cape Wrath in the Stormlands when a sudden change occurred.

Five medium-sized warships approached, their sails emblazoned with three-headed monsters. They were manned by well-armed mercenaries from the Triarchy.

"Full speed ahead, hijack the cargo ships!" the leader of the mercenaries commanded in rough Valyrian.

The warships closed in on the cargo ships, which couldn't turn in time to escape. The lighter, faster mercenary ships quickly caught up.

Just as the warships lowered their ramming horns to engage, a dragon roar echoed across the sky.

"Roar!"

Ghostly green dragonfire descended, engulfing one of the warships in flames. Heart-wrenching screams filled the air as the ship and its crew were incinerated.

Panic spread among the remaining mercenaries as the Cannibal swooped down and unleashed dragonfire on another warship.

"Scorpion crossbows! Ready the scorpion crossbows!" the mercenary captain shouted.

But Cannibal gave them no chance. It unleashed another torrent of dragonfire, reducing the ship to a blazing wreck.

The last two ships, also set ablaze, scattered their surviving crew into the sea. Desperation drove the mercenaries to abandon ship, knowing they couldn't match the dragon's might.

"Enough, Cannibal!" Rhaegar commanded from the dragon's back, halting the assault.

The Cannibal descended, allowing Rhaegar to address the mercenaries on the final ship.

"Roll back to your lairs and tell your masters that once the kingdom's supplies are secure, our army will fight you in half a month," Rhaegar declared.

The terrified mercenaries stared at the dark dragon, paralyzed with fear.

"Roar!"

The Cannibal's roar, accompanied by a stench of sulfur, swept over the ship.

"Do you hear me clearly?" Rhaegar yelled.

"Yes, we'll inform our masters truthfully," the ship's commander replied, trembling.

"Then get lost!" Rhaegar's voice was icy, and the Cannibal's eyes bore into the warship.

The mercenaries hastily turned their ship and fled.

As the warship disappeared over the horizon, Rhaegar surveyed the three cargo ships.

The lead ship was packed with Dragonkeepers. Tormund, a skinchanger, lay motionless in the lap of a four-meter-tall giant.

Rhaegar had brought his most crucial skinchanger to monitor enemy movements. The half-giant Porus, clad in armor, was a formidable presence, a killing machine on the battlefield. Too often, though, he had been used for his father's amusement.

Tormund twitched, his pupils returning to normal. "Prince, why let that ship of mercenaries go?" he asked weakly.

Porus echoed the question in his booming voice.

"Patience," Rhaegar replied. "The battlefield is ever-changing."

...

The next afternoon, three cargo ships arrived at Grey Gallows Island.

The soldiers on the island had been starving for three days and were desperate for food. As soon as the freighters docked, supplies were unloaded, and fires were quickly lit to cook.

Cannibal landed on the island, and Rhaegar dismounted from the dragon's back. A crowd immediately gathered around him.

"Rhaegar, when will the kingdom's support arrive?" Rhaenys asked, her voice tinged with exhaustion and anxiety. "The Triarchy has been watching from the coast."

The soldiers had endured three days of hunger following a disastrous defeat and subsequent stranding on Grey Gallows Island. It was a testament to their discipline and the presence of three dragons that they hadn't mutinied.

"Aunt, I have a bold plan," Rhaegar said, his eyes gleaming with determination.

(Word count: 1,562)