hotmtlnovel Chapter 575: Searching for the Wild Dragon
Chapter 575: Searching for the Wild Dragon
Chapter 575: Searching for the Wild Dragon
In the blink of an eye, several days had passed, and King's Landing had returned to its usual state. The Silk Street, Flea Bottom, and other notorious areas buzzed with gossip about the prince's wedding. Rumors swirled that a second wedding might be on the horizon.
Over Blackwater Bay, a cobalt blue dragon roared as it soared across the vast, dark sea. It soon glided over Hull on the island of Driftmark, circling a few times before heading toward The Gullet.
Meanwhile, on Dragonstone, the Cannibal stood on Dragonmont, its black wings spread wide. With a thunderous roar, it launched itself into the sky, crushing the cliff beneath its hind legs. Its massive body blotted out the sun, sending fishermen on the beach into a panic.
The two dragons descended slowly, landing in parallel—one behind the Stone Drum Tower, followed closely by the other.
...
The Stone Drum Tower, beneath which lay the underground greenhouse, was dimly lit by the torch Daeron held in his hand. He glanced around anxiously before speaking, "Brother, are we really going to set off?"
Click!
Rhaegar, standing by the wall, skillfully opened the incubator and carefully counted the dragon eggs inside. He set down the undamaged eggs with a satisfied nod. Then, turning his attention to a pile of fossilized eggs in the corner, he picked up a dark red one, and replied calmly, "Aegon has been pestering me. How can I refuse?"
Weighing the stone-covered dragon egg in his hand, Rhaegar added, "This is the one I've been looking for."
Daeron’s eyes lit up with excitement as he leaned in closer. "Is this the fossilized dragon egg you found in Sothoryos?"
"Let's get going. We'll be back in a few days," Rhaegar said nonchalantly, tossing the egg aside before clapping his hands. "That way, Aegon won’t keep thinking about it."
"Good." Daeron carefully cradled the fossilized egg like a diligent Maester. As they exited the greenhouse, the Dragonkeepers of Dragonstone were already waiting.
Rhaegar’s expression grew serious as he issued commands in High Valyrian, "Iragaxys and the Grey Ghost will return to Dragonstone and guard the eggs on Dragonmont."
"As you wish," the Dragonkeeper responded, lowering his staff and bowing respectfully.
Rhaegar paused, considering his next words, before adding, "Move the Wyvern eggs out of the greenhouse and try them on Dragonmont."
The Dragonkeeper hesitated but then nodded. "Yes, Your Grace."
Though familiar with Wyverns due to their profession, the Dragonkeepers knew that hatching these creatures—natives of Sothoryos—had proven difficult in Westeros. So far, none of the eggs had hatched. Rhaegar’s mention of it was a subtle reminder for the Dragonkeepers to give the matter more attention.
As dragons aged, their appetites grew. The House’s dragons had multiplied from just a few to a dozen, and each one required a substantial amount of fresh meat, which was becoming increasingly expensive. If the Wyverns could be successfully bred in Westeros, they would provide a new, high-quality food source for the dragons.
After Rhaegar and Daeron departed, the Dragonkeepers entered the greenhouse and began lifting out a nest of colorful, round eggs that resembled stones.
Click!
One of the black-spotted dragon eggs at the bottom quietly and almost imperceptibly cracked open.
...
King's Landing, Red Keep.
"This is the monthly expenditure for the Dragonpit, Your Grace," Lyman said, speaking slowly and methodically as he held a ledger in his hands.
Helaena sat behind her desk, her expression serious as she toyed with a light blue stone ball. "I'll review it carefully," she replied.
"Your Grace," Lyman began hesitantly, despite having lost his sight many years ago, his instincts still sharp. "When the king is away, did he inform Prince Aegon to govern in his stead?"
Given the little princess’s usual demeanor, it was hard not to wonder if she had lost her wits.
Helaena tilted her head, her voice full of confidence. "Aegon is with his bride. He likely won’t be coming."
"Well, you're probably right," Lyman murmured, somewhat taken aback. He set a few pages from the ledger on the desk before leaving with a heavy heart, silently praying there were no errors in the accounts.
Helaena glanced at the papers and began flipping through them. "The cost of cattle and sheep, the Dragonkeepers’ food and supplies..." she muttered to herself, the quiet council hall echoing with her soft voice, occasionally punctuated by a few approving "mm-hmm's."
Knock, knock!
"Release the arrows! Drive it away!"
A large group of foreign mercenaries, clad in armor, poured out onto the deck, drawing their crossbows and aiming at the dragon in the sky. But provoking the beast was a grave mistake. The dragon's eyes flashed with fury, and its temper flared.
Seasmoke, enraged by the challenge, dove toward the lead ship, unleashing a torrent of orange and silver dragonfire.
Boom!
Dragonfire rained down from the sky, engulfing the deck in flames and decimating the Sellswords below.
Roar...
As the panicked cries of the Sellswords echoed, Seasmoke darted through the air with deadly precision, unleashing its fiery wrath without missing a target. A one-sided massacre had begun.
Hoo!
Cannibal swooped in, its massive wings blotting out the sun and casting a shadow over the islands below.
"Ahhh!"
A group of Sellswords, ablaze and desperate, looked up in terror as they fled, their faces drained of color.
"Seasmoke!?"
Rhaegar’s eyes widened as he recognized the pale silver dragon wreaking havoc below. A moment of realization struck him—no wonder Seasmoke had been missing from Dragonstone and Driftmark; it had flown to the Stepstones. The dragon was still within the dangerous territory where wild dragons prowled.
Roar...
Seasmoke obliterated the last ship before catching sight of the shadowy form of the Cannibal overhead. Rhaegar, his mind racing, intended to send Seasmoke back to Dragonstone.
Roar...
Sensing the overwhelming presence of the Cannibal, Seasmoke hesitated for a brief moment before plunging toward the other end of the island, fleeing in the direction of Cape Wrath.
"This dragon!" Rhaegar muttered, shaking his head in disbelief as Seasmoke’s figure soon vanished over the horizon. He had no intention of pursuing it and sighed, "Let it go."
A dragon as loyal as Seasmoke was a rare find in this world. Who knows, perhaps some worthy soul would tame it again one day.
Just then, Daeron, riding Tessarion, flew in, circling the burning fleet. "There’s a ship from the Citadel!" he called out in astonishment.
Rhaegar turned at the sound, ignoring the smuggler's ship that was still ablaze. His gaze settled on a sunken ship beached on the island's shore, its distinctive sails unmistakable.
"It really is the Citadel," Rhaegar murmured, tilting his head in thought.
...
Lys.
"Roar..."
A thunderous roar echoed through the depths of the Dragonpit, reverberating with a note of inexplicable sorrow.
Boom!
The Bronze Gate creaked open slowly. Rhaenyra, draped in a flowing red cape, walked gracefully into the Dragonpit.
"Mother, Your Grace," a group of children called out as they ran over, interrupting their play to greet her.
Rhaenyra smiled warmly, gently waving them off. "Go on and play. I’m here to see Laena."
As the children scampered away, Rhaenyra turned and spotted Laena sitting on the ground, leaning against the edge of the Dragonpit. Concern etched across her face, she approached. "The Maester said you should be resting in the Topless Tower," Rhaenyra said softly, bending down to help her up.
Laena had grown noticeably thinner. She looked up, her eyes vacant, as if the very essence of her spirit had been drained away. Dressed in a simple white gown, her face bare of any adornment, she appeared almost ghostly in the dim light of the Dragonpit, her presence unsettling against the shadows.