Chapter 339: House Targaryen Intimidation
The Next Morning
The sun had barely risen when Rhaegar, still sound asleep, was abruptly awakened by a soft goose feather pillow hitting his body. Groggily, he turned to look in the direction of the bed.
Rhaenyra was sitting up, her silk nightgown clinging to her form, her long hair disheveled and cascading over her smooth shoulders.
The sight jolted Rhaegar's memory and he instantly recalled the dream from the night before. Sleepiness vanished as excitement took its place.
Rhaenyra moved to the edge of the bed, her eyes bright and curious. Rhaegar could not resist asking, "Rhaenyra, do you feel... different?"
He needed to know if the dream had been a premonition.
Rhaenyra's eyes, still slightly red from sleep, showed a mixture of irritation and helplessness. Her delicate face, pale as porcelain, looked almost tearful.
"Are you unwell?" Rhaegar asked, concern in his voice.
"I'm just so hungry!" Rhaenyra murmured, her voice small. Tears welled up in her eyes, reflecting her frustration with the limited meals.
Rhaegar had limited her to three full meals a day, but after indulging in extra pastries the night before, she had woken up in the middle of the night starving.
"You're hungry?" Rhaegar's eyes widened in recognition.
He rose quickly and opened the door to her room. Kingsguard Lorent and the maid Sara stood guard outside.
"Prepare breakfast," he ordered, a broad smile spreading across his face. "Make enough for five."
Rhaegar believed he had found the cause of Rhaenyra's mood swings and insatiable hunger—two little ones growing inside her.
Sara moved quickly, and soon a large tray of delicious food was brought in.
Rhaegar took the tray and set it before Rhaenyra, his voice full of affection, "Eat up, eat up."
Rhaenyra eyed him suspiciously, but tentatively took a piece of cream cake. No one stopped her as she began to eat, and she quickly realized that it was safe to indulge.
Delighted, she grabbed various pies and pastries, stuffing her cheeks like a hamster.
Rhaegar watched her with a mixture of delight and concern, holding her gently as she ate.
Her violet eyes sparkled as she raised a large glass of milk to her lips.
"Eat slowly," Rhaegar advised, smoothing the ends of her hair. "There's plenty of time."
Despite the rush, today was the third day of the tournament, and a great feast awaited - a feast that only dragons could truly appreciate.
It was a subtle warning to those who might stir up trouble.
...
On the north shore of God's Eye Lake: The Martial Arts Field
After a night of relentless rain, the morning dawned surprisingly clear, with white clouds dotting the sky and a fresh breeze invigorating the air. A carriage rolled through the rain-soaked, muddy roadway and came to a stop at the open-air horse gallery by the lake.
Inside the martial arts arena, nobles of various ranks arrived as expected, gathering in small groups to discuss the latest rumors—chief among them the Tully family infighting and the question of Storm's End Castle's heir.
Those with keen interest cast glances toward the grand platform, hoping to catch a glimpse of the king's demeanor. Her Grace the Queen and a group of advisers were present, but no Targaryens were in sight.
Jason, searching the platform, approached the Sea Snake Corlys and inquired, "Lord Corlys, why aren't His Grace and Princess Rhaenys here?"
"They will be here soon," Corlys replied haughtily, his tone dismissive.
Jason, feeling slighted, withdrew with a sour expression. Corlys, indifferent, continued to rub the armrests of his chair, his eyes deep and contemplative. The Second Battle of the Stone Steps Islands had cost House Velaryon dearly, but their wealth and legacy remained intact. In the Seven Kingdoms, the Velaryons of Driftmark were still second only to House Targaryen.
Time passed, and the tournament's start was imminent. As the royal family members were late, the nobles grew restless. They were particularly eager to witness the duel between Rhaegar, the heir to the Iron Throne, and Prince Daemon the Rogue Prince. The previous day, the sight of Cannibal and Blood Wyrm Caraxes had left everyone in awe, and they eagerly anticipated the competition between the dragonriders.
Dang!
The obese referee, clad in a big red robe, excitedly shouted, "Your honorable Grace will be here soon. Let us welcome the arrival of the dragons!"
The nobles muttered and complained, eager to see the promised spectacle.
"Roar!!!"
A piercing dragon roar suddenly echoed through the sky, causing the crowd to look up. A massive bronze dragon soared into view, its wide brown wings beating the air, and its fierce dragon head roaring angrily.
"Roar--"
"Roar--"
Several more dragon roars followed, reverberating across the north shore of God's Eye Lake. A pitch-black dragon soared over the turquoise lake, diving into the clouds, its enormous wings casting a shadow like nightfall. From a few miles away, the sound of another dragon, as loud as muffled thunder, reached the audience.
Vhagar, running bipedally in the air, loomed like a small mountain, its passage marked by a whirlwind. At the same time, three huge adult dragons appeared above the martial arts arena.
"Roar--"
Cannibal roared and swooped low, its athletic figure and fierce aura captivating the nobles.
"Dracarys!"
The command, crisp and arrogant, rang out in High Valyrian. Cannibal's vertical pupils flashed cunningly. The dragon reared back, flapping its wings, and unleashed a stream of green dragonfire into the sky.
Amidst the flames, a silver-blond figure could be seen on the back of the pitch-black dragon. Clad in black dragon scale armor, with a scarlet cloak billowing behind him and shoulder-length hair flowing freely, Rhaegar sat in his saddle. Unchained at the waist, he smiled broadly and opened his arms, welcoming the baptism of dragonfire.
Boom—
Cannibal rose into the clouds, the ghostly green dragonfire scattering the thin white clouds in a blinding explosion, like green fireworks exploding in the sky. Rhaegar leapt from the saddle, clutching the pitch-black scales of his dragon's back, his scarlet cloak flickering with star-green flames.
"Roar..."
"Roar..."
Several dragon roars echoed, first from Harrenhal and then from the Isle of Faces. Light blue Dreamfyre, brown Sheepstealer, light gray Grey Ghost, cobalt blue Tessarion - these dragons appeared from different directions.
Golden Syrax and Sunfyre flew in tandem, darting out from the Flowstone Yard to circle around Vermithor.
"Roar..."
Two scarlet dragon shadows emerged in opposition. Meleys, the fastest, soared above the martial arts arena, unleashing a torrent of crimson dragonfire that dispersed Cannibal's remaining breath. Rhaenys, her silver hair braided and clad in bright silver armor on a red background, pursued Cannibal through the clouds, displaying the grace of the Queen Who Never Was and Master of Dragons.
"Roar..."
Sharp roars filled the air as Caraxes swooped low over the turquoise lake, its wide scarlet wings flapping, its slender tail stirring ripples. Daemon grinned, maneuvering his dragon closer to the hovering Vhagar. Caraxes rose swiftly, its neck twisting as it spewed scarlet dragonfire.
Gong! Gong!
Inside the arena, the obese referee struck the gong repeatedly, shouting like a madman, "The dragons! These are the Targaryen dragons!"
The God's Eye Lake Tourney, a spectacle destined for history, could not be without this wild dance of dragons.
"Roar..."
A total of eleven dragons appeared, each bearing a Targaryen rider. From the era of Aegon the Conqueror's three dragons, the dragons of Westeros now exceeded two dozen.
The sky was filled with dragon shadows, and their roars echoed constantly. Vhagar, Cannibal, and Vermithor broke through the clouds, gathering above the martial arts arena, maintaining a parallel and staggered flight, circling slowly. Their bronze bell-like pupils showed hostility, driven by their masters.
Each dragon's size occupied half the arena. With three giant dragons soaring together, the arena was shrouded in twilight, blocking out the sun.
"Roar..."
Blood Wyrm, Meleys, Syrax, and the others circled the martial arts field, surrounding the three giants, their necks stretched and roaring repeatedly. The arena seemed to transform into a new dragon's nest, the dragons dancing wildly, embodying blood and fire from the same source.
"Land!"
The command rang out. Vermithor, wings outstretched, was the first to move. A muffled sound followed as Vermithor landed slowly in the open space on the south side of the arena, revealing King Viserys perched high on his back.
"Roar..."
Cannibal and Vhagar descended as well, landing one to the north and one to the west, surrounding the white-stoned tournament arena on three sides.
"Roar..."
The other dragonriders shouted their commands, and the swarm of dragons quickly descended through the clouds.
Syrax and Sunfyre, still relatively small, landed directly on the top platform of the martial arts arena. Dreamfyre and Meleys, being much larger, searched for suitable landing sites nearby.
Daemon and Caraxes, with its slender build, easily landed on the top platform, Caraxes shrieking at the spectators below.
Soon the dragonriders dismounted. Vhagar, Cannibal, and Vermithor lay prostrate on the ground, their towering spikes looming over the arena like mountains. Most of the other dragons, such as Dreamfyre and Sheepstealer, flew away.
Syrax and Grey Ghost stood on the top platform, approaching the steadily breathing Cannibal. Blood Wyrm roared at them, joining Vhagar in showing hostility toward the opposing dragons.
In the midst of this tension, the internal conflicts within House Targaryen became apparent. The spectators below covered their ears as they watched the scene unfold. The Targaryen dragons, numbering over a dozen, symbolized a power that no noble house or realm could challenge.
The dragonriders gathered on the broad platform. Viserys stood at the head, resplendent in pitch-black robes with a golden crown on his head. Behind him were all of his kin. Rhaegar stood to his left, flanked by Rhaenyra and Helaena, while Daemon stood to his right, surrounded by Laena and the twins.
Alicent and Rhaenys stood by Viserys' side, with Aegon and his brothers, Sea Snake Corlys, and their wives close by.
In one swift motion, Viserys drew Blackfyre, the symbol of kingship, and raised it high above his head. Looking down at his subjects, he could not contain his excitement as he proclaimed, "My Lords, forget the misfortunes of the past and welcome the dawn of a new era of Dragonlords!"
As he spoke, several swords were drawn beside him. Rhaegar and Daemon, clad in armor, drew their blades, defending their father and brother. Rhaenys displayed the Dark Sister sword with pride. Aegon, as a grown male heir, rightly drew his longsword and raised it high.
Targaryen power was on full display.
"Long live the Targaryens!"
The first cheer ignited the crowd. The martial arts arena erupted in fervent applause and chants of "Long live the King! Long live the Dragonlords!"
"Roar!!!"
The three giant dragons outside the arena roared, their heads held high. Syrax, Blood Wyrm, Dreamfyre, and the other dragons sensed their riders' emotions and joined in, raising their heads and spitting dragonfire. Under the dragonfire, all creatures were equal.
The nobles grew more frenzied, eager to join a world war with a dozen dragons on their side. Viserys basked in the warm applause and cheers, glancing back at his relatives, excitement written all over his face.
"Father, say something," Rhaegar reminded him with a smile.
"Yes!"
Viserys nodded vigorously and slammed Blackfyre to the ground. He took the hands of his eldest son and younger brother and raised them high as he faced the nobles.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this year's God's Eye Lake Tournament will feature a long-awaited duel between knights!" He announced, raising the arms of Rhaegar and Daemon. "Rhaegar Targaryen, Daemon Targaryen, my heir and sibling, they will pick off all contestants for the final showdown!"
His words were powerful, confident, even arrogant. He had already decided that the champion would be one of them.
"Roar--"
Cannibal craned his neck and roared, unleashing a torrent of green dragonfire. Caraxes roared defiantly, spewing scarlet dragonfire across the sky above the tournament. The dragons reflected the hearts of their riders.
Rhaegar turned suddenly to meet Daemon's eyes. Uncle and nephew exchanged smiles, their desire to fight boiling within them.
The martial arts arena erupted in applause and cheers, more intense than ever.
(Word count: 2,033)