Chapter 26

Androw's hurried descent from the castle didn't go unnoticed by Rhaena, who was scouring every corner for her daughter to lash out at. But seeing Androw in a rush and hearing the roar of his dragon caused Rhaena's thoughts to wander to her worst fear. She hurried down to the courtyard just as Androw approached his dragon. Tears welled up in her eyes as she hoped her daughter wouldn't ride the beast that killed her father. Balerion was a willful creature, not one to be trifled with. The dangers of such a powerful beast in the hands of an angry thirteen-year-old girl were not something the whole realm wanted.

As Androw neared his dragon, he noticed Baal looking in a specific direction. The dragon, sensing Androw's thoughts, lowered his head closer to Androw and turned it to indicate the direction he was focused on. By that time, dawn had begun to appear, making the sight of a distant flying Balerion visible, though just a tiny spot to Androw.

Straining his eyes to confirm he wasn't hallucinating, Androw murmured, "Not good." Without hesitation, he commanded Baal in High Valyrian, "Ilagon, ilagon." Baal complied, lowering himself to allow Androw to mount. Androw hurried onto Baal's back and commanded, "Zirȳla." The dragon, excited, began to flap his wings, taking to the sky.

As they ascended, another dragon joined the pursuit. Androw heard the roar of a dragon from behind and turned to see Rhaena following him, or rather, the dragon ahead.

But Baal didn't seem to like being followed by another dragon and growled. If not for Androw's control, he would have attacked Dreamfyre by now. Instead, Baal suddenly increased his speed to catch up with the bigger prey, Balerion, not knowing Androw didn't intend to attack the mighty dragon. Balerion, still a free-willed and untamed beast, didn't hesitate to respond to Baal's provocation by turning around and roaring.

Androw, who had been expecting to catch up with Balerion, suddenly felt unease as the massive dragon turned to face them. At first, he murmured, "Not good, not good..." before screaming, "Not good!" He commanded Baal in High Valyrian, "Pālegon arlī," instructing him to turn around. But Baal, a hunter at heart, was eager to face Balerion head-on. He roared in discontent as he reluctantly turned away.

To make it quick, Androw thought of leading the giant beast to Dragonmont rather than trying to outrun a beast like Balerion who is coming after him. Baal, who understood his rider, did exactly as Androw wanted and took a steep dive to the hill bottom where there was another entrance to Dragonmont.

Meanwhile, Rhaena didn't hesitate to fly towards Balerion to get a closer look and confirm who was riding the beast. She got the glimpse she wanted: her daughter, Aerea, was indeed the one riding Balerion. Aerea clung closer to the dragon, trying to talk to Balerion, urging him not to follow Androw's dragon. But the moment she saw her mother, fear gripped Aerea. Rhaena was glaring at her from Dreamfyre, flying alongside to avoid Balerion.

Balerion, sensing his rider's fear, turned his eyes towards Dreamfyre, who was flying dangerously close. This didn't go unnoticed by Rhaena, who saw the dragon turning again in mid-air towards her dragon. Panic set in, and she screamed to her dragon to fly hard and fast in High Valyrian, "Sōvegon qopsa!"

But it was too late. Despite Dreamfyre's attempts to evade, Balerion's massive form closed in swiftly. His jaws snapped shut, catching Dreamfyre's wing in between, tearing apart flesh. Dreamfyre let out a piercing roar of pain that echoed through the sky. Aerea screamed in horror as she witnessed her dragon attacking her mother, who clung desperately to her injured mount.

For a brief moment, Aerea saw the sadness in her mother's eyes before Rhaena and Dreamfyre plummeted from the sky. Rhaena struggled to hold on, torn between letting go and facing the inevitable fall. Just as she thought all hope was lost, the man she never loved—Androw—appeared on his dragon.

Baal surged forward with incredible speed, closing the distance in a heartbeat. With a fierce roar, Baal aimed for the head of Rhaena's dragon. His claws gripped the beast's skull, nearly causing Rhaena to lose her grip and fall.

Rhaena couldn't believe her eyes. She had thought all hope was lost just a moment ago. The sudden turn of events jolted her back to her senses when Dreamfyre roared in agony. Baal, as if exacting revenge for the earlier provocation, dug his claws into Dreamfyre's neck. Rhaena, her voice strained with desperation, called out, "Androw!" though she couldn't see him.

She didn't want her dragon to endure more pain. However, the response she received was not what she expected. "Hold on, bitch!" Androw yelled, unaware of Baal's actions. His focus was solely on keeping Rhaena from falling.

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Hello, everyone. I just thought of a sudden turn of events that might escalate the situation quickly. Some might find it a bit unrealistic, but since this fiction is all about uncertainty, please bear with it. The tourney is coming soon, in the next volume. I'm wondering if it would be good for Androw to abandon his family name and choose a new one, later gaining land for himself. Any ideas? Also, the last three chapters of this volume have been released.

link: patreon.com/AmouxCreationX

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