hotmtlnovel Chapter 428: Blackhaven
Chapter 428: Blackhaven
Chapter 428: Blackhaven
"No!!!"
"Get out of the way, flee..."
Panic surged through the crowd, their bodies slick with sweat as they scrambled in desperation.
Boom-
The golden dragonfire surged relentlessly, carving a scorching path through the narrow pass, leaving a glowing line against the red-hued mountain rocks.
Someone glanced up in a fleeting moment of clarity, catching a final glimpse of life.
A massive dragon with bronze scales, brown wing membranes, and a fearsome demeanor.
Bronze Fury - Vermithor.
"Seven hells!"
His face twisted in terror as the bronze dragon unleashed its fiery wrath, erasing his features in an instant.
Above, a commanding voice echoed.
"Vermithor, Dracarys!"
"Roar!"
Vermithor, the bronze dragon, roared, its colossal body swooping down, jaws agape, spewing searing golden flames.
The mountains reverberated with cries and wails. Moments later, only charred remnants and lifeless forms remained.
"Vermithor, well done."
Viserys's face was flushed with excitement and pride. Clad in black steel armor, a red cloak billowing behind him, and the House sword Blackfyre at his waist, he exuded an air of determination and strength. The armor masked his aging form, making him appear twenty years younger—a fearless dragon rider ready for battle.
"Roar!"
Vermithor's vertical pupils scanned the terrain, wings flapping methodically as it hunted down the scattered mercenaries. Once spotted, they were engulfed in dragonfire, the nickname Bronze Fury lived up to its name.
"Haha, let's go."
Viserys, invigorated, grinned widely. "There are still many who need to witness the Wrath of the Sleeping Dragon."
He wiped away the sweat from his brow, though it was not from the heat but the thrill of the battle.
Viserys chuckled to himself, "Fighting with dragons is a bit too exhilarating for me."
But it was undeniably satisfying.
"Roar!"
Vermithor, a bronze sun in the sky, soared swiftly and ferociously towards the other side of the mountain range.
According to the Master of Whisperers, large groups of mercenaries had gathered on the Boneway.
They still needed to be dealt with, one by one.
...
Three days passed quickly.
A large crowd of refugees crossed the treacherous Boneway and gathered at a narrow fortress. This fortress, built between towering rock walls, stood over ten feet high with a massive bronze gate barring the entrance. The cliffs on either side were pierced with a honeycomb of rifle holes, constantly aimed at potential attackers.
Beyond the fortress loomed a majestic castle built into the mountain and towering over the city - Blackhaven, the seat of House Dondarrion.
"Roar!"
A bronze dragon emerged from the castle, its icy gaze sweeping over the refugees below. Their numbers swelled, blocking the entrance to the fortress and threatening its defenses.
Helaena looked slightly confused and replied vaguely, "I just saw a blue island."
"Then you should definitely go and see it," Viserys suggested, raising an eyebrow. He realized that his youngest daughter might be experiencing another bout of mental instability.
Viserys didn't believe Helaena possessed the gift of Dragon Dreams, which were typically triggered by indirect but persistent dreams. Helaena's visions seemed more like sporadic images that suddenly flashed through her mind.
"Father, let's discuss this inside the city," Rhaegar suggested, steering the conversation away.
"Alright," Viserys said quickly. "I'll have Lord Simon prepare the banquet."
Lord Simon Dondarrion, the elderly and meticulously dressed Lord of Blackhaven, nodded in approval. He was a proud and dignified old noble. Alongside him were the Kingsguard brothers, Arryk and Erryk, ever-vigilant in their protection of the King.
The brothers nodded respectfully. "Prince, Princess."
Rhaegar smiled, taking Helaena's hand as they walked inside. Helaena, her freckled face scrunched in a pout, followed reluctantly.
"Don't be upset," Rhaegar said softly. "We’ll be heading to Highgarden soon."
"Oh," Helaena responded with a squeak, her thoughts drifting to the strange vision she had of a fishmonger on the blue island.
The group entered the castle courtyard.
"Roar..."
Vermithor lay prostrate, its horned and crowned head raised slightly, emanating a fierce aura. Rhaegar glanced at the bronze beast, noting how Vermithor had regained some of his former ferocity after days of hunting mercenaries.
Viserys, slightly out of breath, spoke proudly, "Vermithor is a true warrior, even more powerful than I imagined."
Riding dragons in battle was a far cry from parades. Rhaegar looked at his father with concern. "Is your health holding up?"
Viserys reassured him with a dismissive wave, "I'm fine. It's just a little exertion, no serious wounds."
At first, Viserys had feared that fighting on a dragonback would reopen his wounds and humiliate him on the battlefield. To his surprise, Vermithor's control of the skies had protected him.
As they talked, they made their way to the castle. Blackhaven Castle, perched on a cliff, had walls facing the Boneway that were covered in vine-like greenery, resembling a green waterfall. Inside, the castle hall was cool, the walls and foliage blocking out the sun.
The old Lord commanded his attendants to prepare a sumptuous banquet.
Before taking his seat, another person arrived hurriedly.
"Your Grace, the military supplies have been reviewed thoroughly," Tyland reported, sweating profusely and panting from his haste.
His blonde hair was disheveled, and his clothes carried a faint odor of sweat, a stark contrast to his usually immaculate appearance.
Viserys inquired about the general situation and then gestured for Tyland to sit.
Tyland nodded curtly, not forgetting to send greetings to Rhaegar.
Rhaegar and Viserys were his superiors, but the Heir Prince was his first priority.
Rhaegar returned Tyland's smile, surprised to see him here. But upon reflection, it made sense. The Prince's Palace was located in the Dornish Borderlands, just past Blackhaven and at the exit of the Boneway. As an overseer and former royal advsiser, it was natural for Tyland to be temporarily drafted.
As the meal was being served, Tyland took a moment to report privately.
"Blackhaven has two thousand infantry, eight hundred archers, twenty-six knights, and a stockpile of defensive supplies such as oil," he began. "Outside the city, there are at least ten thousand Dornish refugees. Several side paths have been targeted by mercenaries, but His Grace, riding Vermithor, crushed them all."
Rhaegar listened attentively, analyzing the disparity between their forces and the enemy.
First, Blackhaven had no reinforcements. The Stormlands' army was either supporting the Triarchy or clearing out remnants of Dornish resistance. It would take at least a month to fully restore order and send reinforcements.
However, this was not a major concern. Blackhaven's treacherous terrain and strategic location at the Boneway's bottleneck meant that an army of 3,000 could effectively block 100,000 troops. Additionally, with his father and Vermithor defending the town, it was virtually impregnable.
Rhaegar realized that the Prince's Pass required the most reinforcement. Unlike the Boneway, it lacked natural defenses, and Nightsong did not have a seasoned leader like Lord Simon. Despite his age and questionable reputation, Simon Dondarrion had a history of fierce combat against the Dornish and was more experienced than many of his peers.
As the meal progressed, Viserys took a sip of wine and spoke seriously, "The Sea Snake has lost his son and has mobilized the navy of the Stepstones towards Salt Shore."