The next day:
The weather was clear with a gentle breeze.
Aemon was sleeping on the ground when he subconsciously frowned and slowly opened his eyes.
A few white clouds drifted across the azure sky.
"Huh, why am I sleeping outside?"
Aemon pounded his head; his thoughts were a bit confused.
Wasn't he in the dragon's lair on Lonely Mountain last night?
"Roar—"
Two massive dragon heads emerged from the lair's entrance nearby.
Vermithor's face was majestic, and his nostrils twitched slightly as he sensed his rider's distress.
Silverwing tilted his head, a hint of doubt flickering in his vertical pupils.
Last night, they had only heard a muffled sound when the silver-haired boy flew outside the lair.
Being young has its advantages; falling asleep instantly is much better than how these nearly century-old dragons sleep.
"I remember now,"
Aemon said, seeing the flaming hammer beside him. A sudden realization dawned on him, and memories flooded back.
The hammer collided with the bronze disc, unleashing a dazzling halo of bronze and fiery red.
Then...nothing happened.
Aemon was a big-hearted man who could even laugh. "I slept through the night. I slept pretty well." Not dead—that meant nothing.
His Royal Highness was incredibly tough.
"Roar—"
Vermithor leaned closer to his rider. His dragon snout was cracked on the upper jaw and slightly parted, revealing a mouthful of jagged fangs.
"Ding!"
A small bronze bell dropped, and the scarlet tongue curled back.
"Thank you,"
Aemon smiled and reached out to rub the dragon's hard jaw.
It felt as rough as rock, and warmth seeped from beneath its scales.
Vermithor shook his head, his throat rolling up and down as he let out a rough growl.
It seemed to be responding to its rider's petting.
Satisfied with his service to the old dragon, Aemon shook off the sticky ambergris coating the bronze bell, put away his hammer, and set off down the mountain.
Halfway down,
Aemon suddenly frowned and glanced around.
He sensed that he was being watched.
With his right hand on the "Lady of the Void" at his waist, he remained vigilant, scanning for any suspicious targets.
But the Lonely Mountain was bare rock, with only overgrown weeds and shrubs growing unchecked.
There wasn't even a decent tree, so it would be impossible for anyone to hide.
"No, there must be someone,"
Aemon thought. But then he dismissed the idea. He had just distinctly sensed a prying gaze.
It was like a petty thief, secretly observing his every move.
"Where is he hiding?"
Aemon's eyes sharpened as he scanned the dense brush and massive rock formations.
His first thought was that it was a skinchanger.
Riverdale had reformed Skinchangers from the High Mountain Clan who were capable of controlling mountain hounds for hunting and scouting.
He needed to check for suspicious animals, such as eagles, wolves, deer, or ravens.
However, there were none.
"Flew away?"
Aemon was puzzled. Something could have evaded his senses.
The prying sensation came and went quickly.
But the presence was unmistakable.
"Has something happened to cause unrest in the Lonely Mountain?"
Aemon frowned slightly and continued down the mountain.
His Lonely Mountain lacked the boundless treasures left by the dwarves.
The lone bronze sacred tree was guarded by the silver wings of a dragon.
Sneaking into a dragon's lair was as risky as stealing from a greedy, talking dragon.
"Those mining at the foot of the mountain will also be inspected daily,"
Aemon decided.
Perhaps the bronze sacred tree and the Flaming Hammer had brought something sinister to the Lonely Mountain. If he couldn't catch it now, he would find a way later.
He must never return.
King's Landing:
The Red Keep. The Great Council Chamber.
Viserys looked at the king's councilors, his face gloomy. They were sitting in mute quarters.
"Who can offer me a plan to stop this senseless fratricide?"
He was anxious, urging the councilors to come up with a solution.
"..."
The hall was eerily silent.
Viserys's anger rose as he looked around at the group of people who had failed at the crucial moment.
"Your Majesty, the course of events is strange. I'm afraid we can't stop it," said King's Hand Lyonel, looking helpless.
Otto placed his hands on the table, breaking the silence. "Daemon has brought this upon himself. We should have foreseen this."
"Stop talking nonsense! I want a solution!"
Viserys shouted, slamming the table.
"A fight is on the verge of death over there! This meeting isn't for your nonsense. If they don't understand the situation, how can they possibly come up with a solution?"
The Sea Snake remained silent, gently rubbing his chin.
The suddenness of the situation left little time for preparation.
Honestly, he was a bit anxious.
After all, one was his future son-in-law and the other was a partner with whom he shared interests.
He couldn't predict who would win, let alone support either side.
"Your Majesty, we need another force to help us in this matter,"
The old man, Linman, advised, his face full of seriousness.
Viserys, momentarily unresponsive, asked in confusion, "What force?"
"You possess a power unseen since the days of old Valyria."
Linman lowered his voice. "A dragon!"
"Dragons?"
Viserys was stunned by the words.
Lin Man said solemnly, "Only dragons can fight dragons."
This statement sent a chill through Viserys's spine.
His face serious, Viserys said, "You know, they once led Valyria to destruction."
Dragons are not a force to be wielded lightly.
Valyria's lesson was painful enough.
"But we can't stop the conflict between the two dragon riders with just a raven and a message,"
Linman said loyally.
"Two dragons are already on the verge of slaying each other, and they might die at each other's hands. And you ask me to add to the casualties?"
Viserys spoke excitedly, saying, "They are prone to restlessness and unbridled behavior. If we're not careful, it could lead to even more tragic sacrifices."
"Once a dragon recognizes someone, it will no longer obey anyone else's orders."
Linman said. "You are a dragon, once possessed of the most powerful dragon in the world. You should know that dragons are not emotionless beasts."
Harness the dragon well and utilize it wisely.
The dragon's might is limitless."
Viserys fell silent, speechless.
Was he truly a dragon rider? He had only been granted permission to fly over King's Landing once, on the Black Dread, before he died.
He couldn't even steer Balerion back to Dragonstone to bury him.
There was one thing he never spoke to anyone about.
He feared dragons! He feared their immense power and was even more afraid that his family would use them as weapons and repeat the tragedy of Old Valyria.
Yet, he also longed for their power.
If possible, he would have all his children tame a dragon.
Whether or not they wanted to become dragon riders, they had to understand the power that came from their bloodline.
"I agree with Lord Linman's proposal,"
The Sea Snake suddenly said, expressing his opinion. "No one can remain unchanged after seeing a dragon.
"To deal with Aemon and Daemon, we must mobilize a force of equal strength."
Viserys was startled and stunned. "You think so?"
"As your subject, it is my duty to offer you counsel."
The Sea Snake said calmly.
Viserys fell silent after hearing this.
Who should he send?
Rhaenyra certainly wasn't an option. Aemon, their strongest and most consistent rider, was one of the perpetrators.
The family had no more dragon riders.
Seeing this, Otto glanced at the calm Sea Snake, opened his mouth, and remained silent.
Everyone in the Seven Kingdoms knew that the three most powerful factions were the Crown, the Vale, and House Velaryon.
Compared to these behemoths, Oldtown, Hightower, and the Greens paled in comparison.
As they grew up, his grandchildren would have to learn to be humble.
"I'll go!"
Viserys suddenly slammed the table and stood up.
"What do you mean?"
The Sea Snake frowned.
Everyone else was equally astonished.
Viserys twirled the emerald ring on his thumb to ease his anxiety and said gravely, "I'll go to the Vale and see if they're ready to slaughter each other." Just because the crown had no extra dragon riders didn't mean they had to beg for food.
His weakness and compromise couldn't extinguish the fire in his blood.
The Targaryens still had real dragons.
"Your Majesty, you are worth a fortune."
Lyonel was the first to object.
Otto feigned contempt, saying, "I'll go. I'm sure Prince Aemon will listen."
"Needless to say, I understand the dangers of two dragon riders openly challenging each other to a duel."
Viserys waved his hand, his conviction unwavering.
No one but him could stop the wicked father and son.
Seeing this, the Sea Snake's expression shifted slightly, evoking a dreamlike feeling akin to having eaten mushrooms. It was the first time he had seen Viserys like this.
Even at the Great Council of 101, he had always seemed like a fawning coward with an ingratiating smile. He never looked like a true dragonblood.
Knock, knock, knock—
A knock on the hall door, and someone walked in.
"Rhaenys?"
The Sea Snake turned to see his wife clad in soft armor.
Viserys looked up, surprised. "Cousin?"
"I heard from outside that you were going to the Vale to prevent this tragedy."
Rhaenys's eyes were filled with relief. As she put on her gloves, she said, "I'll take you. Dragons fly faster."
"Really?"
Viserys said in disbelief.
She had said she was going to give him a ride, clearly intending to help.
Rhaenys smiled broadly and said proudly, "A word from my family is as good as a word from my women."
In this family, no one knew what this meant, whether it was before or after a woman's marriage.
"Very well, let's go,"
Viserys said eagerly, choosing to trust her.
There was no time for hesitation—everything had to be done quickly.
The two of them set out in front of the king's council.
As Rhaenys turned, she placed her hand on the back of her husband's chair and leaned over to whisper, "I just saw Laena. She got to the dragon's lair first."
The Sea Snake slowly closed its eyes.
"We women will go and leave Laenor to you."
Rhaenys said with a final instruction as she rose to leave.
The Sea Snake grabbed her arm.
Rhaenys frowned and was about to admonish him.
"Take Laenor with you. That boy has three dragons."
Unexpectedly, the Sea Snake opened his eyes and said only that.
Rhaenys's heart fluttered and her eyes softened.
"A calm sea doesn't produce a good sailor."
The Sea Snake smiled. "I'm just old, but I haven't lost my ambition.
"No, you're still young. I've experienced it."
Suddenly, Rhaenys took the wheel.
"Be careful."
The Sea Snake grabbed his wife's hand and kissed the back of it, acting as if he were a young man again.
Rhaenys rolled her eyes at him, then gathered her spirits and set off.
The king's ministers...
They're not avoiding people anymore.
"Let's go,"
Viserys urged.
It was interesting.
Aside from him and the Sea Snake, everyone present, including Lyonel, Otto, Grand Maester Melos, Linman, and the youngest, Taelan, was either widowed or unmarried.
A well-fed man doesn't know the hunger of a hungry man.
He couldn't empathize with a bunch of old bachelors.
As the two dragons flew out of King's Landing, dark green and scarlet intertwined, and the sky looked as if it had been painted with bright ink.
The queen's chambers were in the Red Keep.
Alicent watched with a worried look on her face as the two dragons flew away until they disappeared from sight completely.
News of Aemon's challenge to Daemon had spread to most of the noble castles of the Seven Kingdoms.
Daemon was a ruthless and evil man.
While Vermithor was powerful, Aemon was far behind in age and experience.
She was deeply worried about Aemon's safety, scratching her bruised fingers.
"It's all right,"
Rhaenyra's voice came from behind her.
Though persuasive, her words were tinged with worry.
Alicent slowly turned around.
Rhaenyra's expression was complex as she stared blankly in the direction where the dragon had disappeared.
She held the lively Daeron in her arms; his movements occasionally shifted her body.
A touch of life brightened as she gently patted the little one's back.
"Rest a while. Give him to me,"
Alicent said, taking the child.
Rhaenyra didn't refuse; her free hand gently caressed her growing belly.
She wanted to leave, but the baby's movements told her not to.
"What's wrong with them?"
Aemond asked from a corner of the chamber.
"Stupid!"
Aegon poked him on the forehead and explained, "Uncle Daemon wanted to divorce and marry a young, beautiful woman. Cousin Aemon disagreed, so they got into a fight."
"Did Cousin win?"
Aemond asked hurriedly.
"Still stupid!"
Aegon said complacently, "Can you defeat Father?"
Aemond fell silent.
He had always looked up to his cousin Aemon.
Deep down, he had mixed feelings about his tall, handsome, mysterious cousin.
He didn't like him, but he also admired him.
He didn't like him because he was betrothed to his eldest sister, Rhaenyra.
In the eyes of his grandfather and mother, Rhaenyra was a villain, and therefore, so was her fiancé.
On the other hand, his cousin had taken over the Vale.
In his mind, the Seven Kingdoms belonged to the Iron Throne.
His cousin's acquisition of territory was akin to stealing the family's wealth.
His father was the king, so everything in the kingdom belonged to them.
His cousin's father was his uncle, Daemon, and they weren't really family.
At the same time, he couldn't suppress his admiration for his cousin.
His cousin was a skilled warrior who was always victorious on his dragon.
Like his great-grandfather in his father's stories, he was a powerful and formidable dragon rider.
He had expanded his territory by conquering Myr and the Stepstones.
Some said he had followers in Slaver's Bay.
Aemond overheard the servants' private discussions in the Red Keep.
They said that after his cousin's death, Aemond would make his own mark on family history and be remembered as a great conqueror.
"Don't listen to his nonsense."
Helaena put down the bottles and jars and interrupted her brother's wild thoughts.
"Where did I talk nonsense?"
Aegon was unconvinced.
Aemond approached his sister and asked, "Sister, do you know anything?"
Helaena was suddenly startled. Fear flashed in her eyes, and she abruptly lowered her head.
"Sister?"
Aemond hurried to check on her.
He saw her covering her head and muttering in a low voice, "Blood, blood spilled on the lake. The lake water was dyed red and boiled..."
Anxious, Aemond asked, "What's wrong with you?"
"Be careful of the scarlet liquid flowing out of the cracks in the ground."
Her purple eyes cleared, and she spoke quickly as if seizing the moment to offer a warning.
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