hotmtlnovel Chapter 421: Encountering Sea Smoke
Chapter 421: Encountering Sea Smoke
Chapter 421: Encountering Sea Smoke
The environment of the Dornish Desert, where oases are scarce, makes it difficult for civilians to survive, causing them to flock to the Vulture Mountains. This issue, reported earlier this year, has now escalated into a significant problem.
Viserys frowned, confused. "It's just a group of disorderly people. Even if there are tens of thousands, the two passes should be able to handle it."
The Boneway was treacherous, with Blackhaven strategically positioned halfway through. The exit of the Prince's Pass was at Nightsong in the Dornish Borderlands, the territory of Lord Royce Caron, House Caron.
This territory was supported by House Tully to the west and led to Highgarden to the north. Whenever there was a rebellion in Dorne, large numbers of garrison troops were sent to defend The Reach.
Tormund sighed softly and explained, "Lady Jeyne of Eyrie City sent a message that the Sealord of Braavos recruited tens of thousands of mercenaries and transported them to Dorne for support."
Tens of thousands of people sounded like a lot, but in fact, only a dozen or so ships were needed, and they could be smuggled in batches with several round trips. Dorne was allied with the Triarchy and had always been adept at using mercenaries for their charges.
Viserys was stunned, aware of the danger. He stood and looked at the map, pointing out, "The Dornish sent their main force into the Stormlands, and the mercenaries and stragglers poured into the Vulture Mountains. Is this an attempt to fight on two fronts?"
As he said this, his finger pointed at the Disputed Lands and the Iron Islands, his face hardening. "With the Triarchy holding our main forces in check, and the Iron Islands taking the opportunity to invade the Westerlands and the Reach, we'll be stretched thin."
The weaker a person's mind was, the easier it was to see something in the worst possible light. Ironically, sometimes that kind of thinking was very close to the truth.
Lyonel and Otto stood up almost simultaneously and looked around at the map. Corlys' face fell, and the large hand holding the tablecloth clenched with tension.
Hearing the king's speculations, the possibilities seemed great indeed. Otto looked at Corlys and said flatly, "According to the current situation, Dorne has significant intentions of invading the realm, and the Vulture Mountains will be a trouble."
Another layer of meaning was implied. With Dorne paying such a high price, the sneaking up on Sunspear scenario would be difficult to pull off. After all, Qoren was no fool who only cared about his head and not his tail.
Corlys' face darkened even more, and not bothering to argue, he suggested, "There's no problem with sending troops from the Stepstones Islands. Sneaking an attack on Sunspear is more practical than sending reinforcements from the sea to aid the Stormlands."
Since there was a change in the Vulture Mountains, the sooner the war in the Stormlands was pacified, the better. Sunfyre plus two thousand naval forces would be more useful than the five thousand army that the King's Landing had temporarily conscripted.
"What about the Vulture Mountains?" Viserys asked bluntly, his eyes filled with inexplicable meaning.
"We can send word to Highgarden and Blackhaven to fortify the pass," Tormund replied.
"Tens of thousands of mercenaries, tens of thousands of refuges, plus the siege equipment secretly provided by Braavos..." Viserys raised his head, reciting Dorn's home base word for word. "With such thorough preparations, Blackhaven and Nightsong may not be able to hold them."
"Your Grace?" Tormund was confused for a moment, unsure of what the king meant. Otto and the others also looked puzzled, staring at the king in surprise.
It wasn't that fortresses hadn't been lost in history, but it seemed as if the king was almost expecting it.
Viserys felt uncomfortable under the scrutinizing gazes, lightly coughing twice to cover up his discomfort. His expression immediately turned serious. "The Vulture Mountains have treacherous terrain. Hidden threats are difficult to locate; a dragon with the defending army is necessary."
Otto's eyes flickered as he countered, "While it's true that many savages hide in the mountains to avoid detection, the people aiming to attack the fortress will have to reveal themselves."
He casually pointed the holes in the king's argument.
Lyonel nodded, adding, "We don't have any more dragons available. We may have to wait for Prince Rhaegar to return to the mainland."
Laenor's fate is uncertain, and they can't ask Laena, who just lost her son, to fight.
With Rhaenys and Daemon guarding the three city-states, the only dragon riders they can mobilize are Prince Rhaegar and Aegon.
Seeing the objections of his advisors, Viserys straightened his back and declared with determination, "My lords, don't forget that your king is also a dragon rider!"
As he spoke, he wiped the weariness from his face, revealing a few shades of firmness.
Otto said, "Your Grace, Prince Aegon's betrothal feast to Lady Selene has yet to be held. Perhaps you should focus on that matter instead."
"Don't mention these pesky matters to me now," Viserys snapped, his face darkening with disgust. He was disgusted by House Hightower's attempts to profit through his son. Alicent had also been pressuring him to recall Aegon, making a lot of noise.
Lyonel added, "Dorne and the Iron Throne have a long history of enmity. We lost a queen and dragon in the War of Dorne more than a hundred years ago, and now we've lost a Velaryon dragon rider. With all due respect, the kingdom cannot afford to lose the king, even if the likelihood is low."
"Lyonel..." Viserys began, his anger rising, ready to argue.
Cannibal's vertical pupils were cold and indifferent as it lifted its wings across the lush Rainwood, startling countless birds into flight.
One man and one dragon moved with extreme speed, rushing towards Crow’s Nest.
Halfway there.
"Roar..."
A sharp roar echoed, and orange and yellow Dragonfire laced with light silver shot into the sky.
The Cannibal's vertical pupils flashed with a cold light, and its flying speed slowed.
Rhaegar's heart filled with fear as he gazed into the distance.
In the southern part of the Rainwood, a greenish-gray castle stood majestically.
At that moment, a light silver dragon hovered in the air, recklessly spitting dragonfire and relentlessly bombarding the castle.
Rumble-
The castle towers were scorched black, the glazed windows shattered, and rolling black smoke rose into the air.
On the tall walls, there wasn't a single guarding soldier, and even the flags were carefully retracted.
A large portion of the defensive walls had collapsed, revealing the castle's dilapidation.
"Sea Smoke!?"
Rhaegar blurted out.
From a long distance away, he recognized both the castle and the dragon.
It was the Mistwood Castle of House Mertyns, and the dragon was Sea Smoke, now riderless.
"Roar..."
Sea Smoke's nose sniffed lightly, seemingly sensing danger, and stared at the black dragon approaching from the distance.
Its vertical pupils flashed with a touch of tyranny, and it growled as if in defiance.
Immediately afterward, it spat out another mouthful of Dragonfire at Mistwood below and then twisted its head to soar in the opposite direction.
Although it was furious, it still remembered the terror of the Dragoneater Cannibal.
As he watched Sea Smoke fly away, Rhaegar's mind raced, and he quickly called out, "Cannibal, go after it."
"Roar--"
Cannibal's green vertical pupils appeared gloomy, its wide black wings flapped, and it quickly stormed after Sea Smoke.
A young dragon, less than a third of its size, dared to challenge it. It didn't know what was good for it!
The two dragons chased and fled, flying over the territory of Mistwood.
Sea Smoke flew very fast and was in a strange state.
Whenever it passed a village, even if it was unremarkable, it would lower its stature for a dive.
"Roar..."
Sharp and violent cries echoed as Dragonfire plowed through the villages without mercy.