Chapter 83

Merlin had completed his work on the fliers and Lightships, devices he envisioned revolutionizing transportation between the cities. His workshop buzzed with energy, the metallic smell of fresh machinery mingling with the crisp morning air.

The flier, now ready for its maiden voyage, stood gleaming under the sun. It was an impressive contraption: a sleek, cylindrical body equipped with instrument controls, a panoramic windscreen, and metallic wings that stretched out to gather solar energy.

Merlin approached the flier, his eyes alight with anticipation. Securing himself in the rear seat, he deftly powered up the engine. It sprang to life with a deep, throaty roar, resonating with potential.

The flier lifted off the ground, propelled by the steady thrum of its engine. Merlin guided it skyward, gradually increasing speed as he familiarized himself with the controls. The craft responded eagerly, banking sharply at his command, before looping gracefully back towards the city.

Below, Cassandra, Dastan, N'Jadaka, Balthazar, and Queen Isis watched in awe as Merlin piloted the flier back to the ground. It landed smoothly before them, the engine's roar dying down to a whisper.

Balthazar's eyes were wide with amazement. "This could change everything," he murmured, the weight of the statement hanging in the air.

Queen Isis nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. "From war to transporting goods," she added thoughtfully, envisioning the future these innovations could usher in.

Cassandra knew that Merlin had bigger plans in store, the Lightships being just the beginning of his vision.

Merlin led the group to the courtyard where a Lightship awaited, its grand form a testament to his genius. The ship was a marvel—wishbone-shaped with mechanical feathers, built from a delicate balance of glass and rope. Its wings, spanning a hundred meters, were comprised of solar panel-like tiles that adjusted to capture the sun's rays, creating a mesmerizing dance of light.

Dastan whispered, "Amazing," as he marveled at the ship's elegant design.

Balthazar, thinking strategically, saw the broader implications. "These ships will connect our cities, and bring reinforcements when needed," he said, his voice filled with optimism.

As they discussed the future, Cassandra remembered urgent news. "We received word from Westeros," she announced, her tone serious. "The Targaryens have already conquered Westerland, Vale, Stormlands, and Riverlands."

Merlin sighed, his expression somber. "So, it's begun," he murmured, contemplating the challenges ahead.

Cassandra turned to Merlin with a question. "Will you go there?"

Merlin nodded, resolute. "Yes. The major regions—Dorne, Reach, and the North—will be crucial allies. They each have roles to play in the coming events."

Merlin has already made contact with Reach, Dorne and North.

In Westeros, Aegon Targaryen arrived with his sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya, accompanied by their mighty dragons: Balerion, Vhagar, and Meraxes. Their conquest of Westeros began with the successful subjugation of the Westerlands, Vale, Stormlands, and Riverlands. Along their path to dominance, they formed an alliance with King Loren I Lannister of the Rock.

However, the House of Gardener maintained a neutral stance towards the Targaryens, neither hostile nor friendly. The Reach posed a unique challenge as King Mern IX Gardner had only a daughter named Merly Gardner, whom he married to a promising man named Marius Tyrell. The agreement stipulated that Marius's offspring would bear both the Gardner and Tyrell names, co-ruling the Reach as king and queen.

With their new conquests, Aegon faced a pressing concern—dealing with the North, Reach, and Dorne, marked on the map respectively by the Direwolf, Roses, and Sword and Snakes sigils.

Visenya, standing beside Aegon, was the embodiment of classical Valyrian beauty, exuding an austere demeanor. Her sister, Rhaenys, was known for her sensual and passionate nature.

Aegon, deep in thought, muttered, "We are going to have a hard time dealing with these Kingdoms."

Curious, Rhaenys asked, "What do you mean by that, Aegon?"

Orys Bartheon, Aegon's half-brother, he chimed in, "What Aegon means is, we must not underestimate the North, Dorne or Reach, as they are supported by the ancient gods. They have a giant beast that breathes ice and a giant wolf guarding their borders. The Reach is famous for Yggdrassil, but also notorious for a venomous golden dragon that breathes poison. And Dorne has two giant serpents guarding them, with its desert battleground, is challenging to conquer."

Orys Baratheon was a well-traveled man who had explored many corners of Westeros and delved deep into its history through the Baratheon Library.

Having extensively studied the lore and legends, Orys was familiar with the powerful deities, the magical beasts controlled by the Gardner and Stark families, and the renowned demigods like Achilles of Reach and Karna of Dorne. He recognized that the North, Dorne, and Reach owed much of their prosperity and strength to their connections with these divine entities.

Furthermore, Orys learned about the blessings once bestowed upon the Baratheons and Lannisters, which they lost when they turned away from the ancient gods in favor of following the Faith of the Seven. This knowledge had a profound impact on Orys, leading him to adopt a more open-minded and cautious approach to the world around him.

As Orys shared his insights with Aegon and Visenya, he emphasized the importance of understanding the cultural and religious beliefs of the regions they sought to conquer.

Visenya nodded had done research of her own, she had to dig a little deep since Faith of Seven was trying hard to curb the influence of Ancient gods in South.While researching she found many amazing things about the Ancient gods,Reach, Dorne and North.

So he added her insights, "These legendary figures like the demigods of Reach, Achilles, and Dorne's Karna.If they entered the battle things would be bad. Plus, the House of Tepes in the North and House Dayne in Dorne are renowned for their skilled swordsmen."

Aegon nodded in agreement and continued, "Even with all three dragons, victory is uncertain, as these realms are united in their alliance."

Visenya murmured, "If we lose the dragons, we lose everything."

Rhaenys recalled their grandmother's wisdom, "Indeed, attacking them could anger the gods and lead to dire consequences."

Taking a deep breath, Aegon made a decision, "We will seek alliances and, if needed, consider marriages to solidify our position. We need them all for the future."

Orys nodded, while Rhaenys and Visenya offered their support, with Visenya also devising strategies to win the North's allegiance.

Yet, despite their efforts, Aegon couldn't shake the feeling that his visions of a dark future held imminent danger, the true nature of which remained uncertain.

While same time Horus fell in love with wildling named Hylla and Mandos during Maegors reign would fall in love with Torrhen Stark, Joanna Stark.