hotmtlnovel Chapter 509: The Dragonlord’s Oppression
Chapter 509: The Dragonlord’s Oppression
Chapter 509: The Dragonlord’s Oppression
Spicetown, the Harbor.
A royal ship with three red dragon banners was moored at the harbor, and Erryk, captain of the Kingsguard, was overseeing the unloading of cargo. Nearby, Rhaenys walked with the Sea Snake, their gazes fixed on a single figure.
“Roar!”
Syrax flapped its wings, its topaz-colored scales shining brightly in the sunlight, flamboyant and beautiful. Rhaenyra stood beside the dragon, holding her infant daughter and cooing softly to her.
Half an hour earlier, Rhaegar had departed with Helaena and Aemon on their dragons. Unwilling to remain in Driftmark, Rhaenyra decided to set off for King’s Landing.
“Rhaenyra, be careful on the road,” Rhaenys said, her voice heavy with guilt. The assassination attempt on her nephews and niece had taken place on her land, and she couldn’t escape the blame.
Rhaenyra smiled reassuringly. “When this is all over, I will bring Rhaena back.” She didn’t trust Driftmark’s safety and had her children pack their belongings.
Sea Snake, pale and leaning on his crutches, limped over. “The Iron Throne is surrounded by wolves. Your Grace has a plan, but as a queen you need to give more advice.”
Rhaenyra didn’t hesitate. “The assassin who harmed my son was on a Braavosi ship.”
Sea Snake’s words were just short of accusing Rhaegar of acting impulsively. However, Braavos was also one of the culprits. If the three dragons could deter them, she would support Rhaegar’s actions.
Sea Snake sighed and stepped back, speechless. Rhaenys, understanding her husband’s worries, felt helpless. Volantis and Slaver's Bay were allied and eyeing the Disputed Lands. Provoking Braavos could be dangerous.
“Your Grace, we are ready to depart,” Erryk reported after the cargo was loaded.
“Thank you,” Rhaenyra replied, grabbing the soft ladder extending from Syrax’s saddle with her bare hands.
Suddenly, Daeron stepped out of the crowd, full of apologies. “I still have to serve as a wine steward. The watch on Driftmark is over, so I’ll return to King’s Landing to console my nephews.”
Rhaenyra looked around before asking, “Have you found Aegon yet?”
“The patrol soldiers are still searching,” Daeron admitted, blushing with embarrassment. After ensuring Baelon's safety, Aegon had slipped away alone. Though still on Driftmark, he had lost contact.
He wasn’t in any danger; the assassins had been killed. This wasn’t the first time Aegon had disappeared.
Rhaenyra was speechless but said nothing. She immediately climbed onto Syrax’s back.
As the dragon took to the sky and the ship sailed out of the harbor, the Sea Snake and the others watched them depart.
On the vast sea, the royal ship, like a red crystal, sailed back alone.
Roar!
Syrax led the flight, soaring above Blackwater Bay to escort the ship safely. On the deck, many guards looked up in awe. Flanking the bright yellow dragon were two smaller ones, one emerald green and the other pale green. They resembled leaves, highlighting Syrax's nobility and grace.
...
Inside the Cabin.
Bang! Bang!
Arrows struck the targets set up in the corridor, embedding themselves in the straw man's chest. Baela, holding a Myrish triple crossbow, clenched her lower lip, directing her frustration at the straw target.
“Great, right in the bull's-eye,” Baelon commented.Diiscover new stories at
“Don't praise me, it's too close,” Baela replied, dismissing the compliment.
Baelon stood farther away, on his toes, peering through the window at the three dragons in the sky. His ears twitched as he sensed Baela wiping her sweat. Yearning in his eyes, he joked, “You should really ride a dragon with Aemon. He's the only one having any fun. I wonder how he'll feel when he gets back.”
Baela put down the crossbow, her mood sour. “Forget it. No matter how good you are at riding a dragon, you’re still running for your life when you get off.”
She thought about being chased through the city that morning and wished she could disappear into the ground. Baelon, looking away, commented, “That's different. You should ride a dragon if you have one. My father says there’s no rush to hone your martial arts.”
The gates of the Sealord's Palace were wide open. Sparda, his face ashen, led a group of advisers with cramped legs out of the palace. At the bottom of the palace steps, three silver-haired figures had already arrived, arms crossed, looking up at their host.
“Roar...” Dreamfyre stretched its neck, its wings supporting it as it crawled forward, its light blue dragon head level with the Sealord's palace. After several years of growth, this older female dragon had made great strides in size. Over 100 meters long from head to tail, it had become the third adult dragon after the Cannibal and Vhagar, climbing to the top tier in combat power.
Swish! Rhaegar unsheathed his sword, Truefyre, from his waist. The ruby glowed, and he aimed it straight at the new Sealord, who stood on the edge of several frightened advisers. The sound of the sword was like a signal. Helaena followed suit, unsheathing her sword, the Long Summer, its slender blade glistening with cold light.
Dreamfyre's pupils constricted, and the dragon's head slowly lowered, its mouth converging into a ball of light blue Dragonfire.
At that moment, Rhaegar tilted his head and said softly, “Sealord, would you like to talk?”
Sparda's heart skipped a beat. His legs froze in place, and he hesitated to agree.
Shifting perspectives, although Rhaegar and his party were clearly below the high platform, their presence and the looming threat of the dragons made them seem higher, dominating the Sealord and his retinue.
...
King's Landing, Red Keep
Rhaenyra had just finished washing and was slipping into a soft silk nightgown. She took a sip of strong wine, preparing for bed. Raising children was tiring enough, but dealing with assassination attempts made her feel like she had failed in her duties.
Knock, knock!
There was a knock on the door. Rhaenyra called out, “Elinda, come in.”
Creak
The door opened, and a thin maid entered. More accurately, she was a lady-in-waiting. Elinda carefully closed the door behind her, holding a letter. “Your Grace, the Black Swan of Lys.”
“Give it to me.”
Rhaenyra took the envelope, and a black and white rose medallion came into view. Johanna Swann, the famous courtesan of Lys, known as the “Black Swan,” had become a key ally after the war in the Narrow Sea. Rhaegar's army had installed her as the rightful Grand Master of Lys, and she had pledged loyalty to Rhaenyra.
Rhaenyra opened the letter and read it carefully. Her frown deepened, and soon she was furious. “That bastard Daemon has betrayed Laena after all.”
Bang!
The letter hit the table, and Elinda caught a glimpse of the contents.
“White Worm is pregnant, and the Prince Tyrosh is planning a wedding.”
Elinda was shocked and lowered her head in shame. Laena was one of the councilors in Lys, partly due to her position and partly because Lady Mysaria, known as “White Worm,” had almost broken with Daemon. Now that Mysaria was pregnant, her marriage to the royal family seemed unstoppable.
"Damn bastard!" Rhaenyra's anger flared and she let out a rare swear word. In recent years, she and Laena had become close friends, sharing similar fates. Seeing her friend's rights violated made her feel indignant.
Elinda's body trembled as she placed the letter on the candle flame to burn it. Rhaenyra sighed and raised her hand to her forehead. “Forget it, I'll deal with it later.”
Elinda whispered, “I'll do it. Sara is taking care of the little princess.”
Hearing this, Rhaenyra patted her friend's shoulder, feeling a bit relieved. The maids who served the Princess were also divided into different classes. The highest status was naturally the ladies-in-waiting, girls from noble families who had received a good education.
Elinda came from House Massey in the Crownlands and was one of the ladies-in-waiting who had grown up with Rhaenyra. In private, the master and servant had a very good relationship.
Rhaenyra sat down at the table and suddenly asked, “How are Rhaena and Maekar?”
“The children were scared.”
Elinda replied, “Lady Rhaena is still crying in her room, and the little Prince is already asleep.”
“Haha, Maekar can eat and sleep through anything,” Rhaenyra smiled helplessly.