Chapter 9: Daemon the Dragonrider
During the long and prosperous reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, House Targaryen flourished as never before. The skies above Westeros were alive with dragons — more than had been seen since the Doom of Valyria. Dragons roosted in the great Dragonpit upon Rhaenys's Hill in King's Landing, on Dragonstone's smoking cliffs, and even in the wild crags and caves of the island itself, where untamed beasts still roamed free.
Never before had there been so many dragonriders. The mightiest of all was Vhagar, the ancient she-dragon now ridden by Prince Baelon of Dragonstone. Bronze Fury Vermithor served King Jaehaerys, while Silverwing belonged to Queen Alysanne.
Yet age had tamed the king and queen; it had been years since either had taken to the skies. The days of their youthful flights together were now golden memories.
Among the remaining dragons was the proud she-dragon Dreamfyre, once the mount of Princess Rhaena Targaryen — Jaehaerys's elder sister and daughter of King Aenys. Forced to wed her cruel uncle, Maegor the Usurper, Rhaena became one of his six Black Brides. Though she had died over a decade past, the tales claimed that the ghosts of Maegor's brides still haunted the Widow's Tower in the Red Keep. Rhaena's ghost, however, was said to wander Harrenhal, where her life had ended.
Dreamfyre, riderless since her death, resided mostly within the Dragonpit, sometimes returning to Dragonstone. She was among the most fertile of the dragons, having laid many eggs through the years.
The swiftest of them all was the Red Queen, Meleys, bonded to Princess Rhaenys. After her marriage to Corlys Velaryon — the famed Sea Snake — House Velaryon became the only house besides the Targaryens to possess dragons of their own. Yet Corlys's ambition reached higher still. He dreamed that his children, Laena and Laenor, would each claim dragons too, securing his family's place among the true dragonlords.
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That night, under the soft glow of the moon, Prince Daemon accompanied King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne back to their chambers. Gael poured golden Arbor wine for them as they sat together in the royal solar.
"Grandfather," Daemon began after a sip, "we must be careful not to let House Velaryon claim too many dragons. If Corlys's children both bond with them, they will have three in total. Aegon the Conqueror, Rhaenys, and Visenya conquered all of Westeros with just three dragons."
Queen Alysanne frowned. "Daemon, mind your tongue. You speak as though Rhaenys would one day turn against us. Laena and Laenor are Aemon's grandchildren — your own kin."
King Jaehaerys nodded slowly. "True, yet they are Aemon's grandchildren through his daughter. They never knew him. The children are young, but they will grow — as will their dragons."
He paused, then added, "I believe Laena and Laenor will be loyal to the Iron Throne. But the generations that follow them… who can say?"
Queen Alysanne sighed. "How long will we even live, husband? Can you swear there will be no traitors among our own descendants? You fear Rhaenys's line, but what of Daemon's? Or Viserys's? Would you distrust your own blood as well?"
Daemon's gaze was steady. "If every Targaryen princess takes her dragon with her when she marries, and her children inherit that gift, then in time, half the great houses of Westeros could become dragonriding families. If that happens, how will the Targaryens keep the Hightowers, Lannisters, Starks, Baratheons — or even the Velaryons — in check?"
Queen Alysanne shook her head. "That is impossible. Even among us, not all can bond with dragons. Your grandfather and I have always ensured that too much dragon blood does not leave our house."
She sipped her wine before continuing, "When Aemma Arryn's mother, Daenella, died giving birth in the Eyrie, we saw to it that Aemma was wed to your brother Viserys. We loved her dearly, but more importantly, we wished to keep the dragon blood pure."
Daemon smirked. "Yet you still allowed Corlys Velaryon to marry Rhaenys."
King Jaehaerys gave a low chuckle. "Corlys is different. The Velaryons share our Valyrian ancestry. For generations they have wed our kin. Aegon the Conqueror's mother was a Velaryon, as was mine. Their blood is dragon blood — of a sort."
Daemon leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Sea Snake Corlys has grown prouder than ever. His wife rides a dragon, his fleet commands the Narrow Sea, and now he wants his children to soar through the skies as well. If Laenor rides tomorrow—"
"He will not," Jaehaerys interrupted firmly. "The boy is but three years old. Even Rhaenys knows it cannot be done."
He smiled thinly. "If Corlys wishes his family to ride dragons, he must first serve the Iron Throne faithfully."
Daemon's tone sharpened. "But Rhaenys's dragon, the Red Queen, is female. If Meleys lays eggs, Corlys might hide them from us — raise hatchlings of his own."
King Jaehaerys laughed softly. "Ah, Daemon… you think too little of your king. You forget my name — the Conciliator, the Wise. Do you truly believe I would leave such a thing to chance?"
"Before Rhaenys wed Corlys, she swore before the Seven that any dragon eggs laid by her mount would be sent to the Iron Throne. And we've set spies on Driftmark to ensure that oath is kept."
Queen Alysanne added, "Maester Barth examined Meleys just yesterday. He says the Red Queen has laid no eggs — not yet, at least."
King Jaehaerys's expression hardened. "After the Doom, we alone hold the right to ride dragons. No other family, city, or kingdom will ever possess them again — not while I sit the Iron Throne."
Alysanne drained her cup. "All this trouble began with my sister Rhaena. Because of her, we nearly went to war with Braavos. She was… fond of women, thank the Gods — or she would have filled the world with bastards. One of her companions, Alys Farman of Fair Isle, dreamed of sailing beyond the Sunset Sea. To fund her voyage, she stole three dragon eggs from Dragonstone and fled to Braavos."
"She called herself Alys Hysan there," Jaehaerys said, voice low, "and sold the eggs to the Sea Lord. We discovered the theft years later. I sent Maester Barth to demand their return, threatening 'fire and blood.' The Sea Lord replied by threatening to send the Faceless Men."
"In the end," Alysanne continued, "he placated us with a generous loan from the Iron Bank and the matter was… set aside. Those eggs turned to stone long ago, I'm sure."
Then she smiled at Daemon, eyes softening. "Enough politics. Tomorrow, you will take to the skies as a true dragonrider. Be brave, Daemon — conquer the blue heavens."
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The next morning dawned bright and clear. Upon Rhaenys's Hill, the royal family and the court gathered before the massive bronze gates of the Dragonpit.
King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne stood beside Prince Baelon, rider of mighty Vhagar, and Prince Viserys. Rhaenys and her husband, Corlys Velaryon, waited nearby, Meleys's crimson scales shimmering in the sun.
The great gates creaked open. From the darkness within emerged Blood Wyrm Caraxes — lean, long-necked, and red as molten steel, his golden eyes blazing with fire.
At the sight, young Laenor, perched in Rhaenys's arms, began to wail in terror.
Daemon laughed. "Didn't you say your son wished to ride Caraxes, Princess?"
Rhaenys dismounted Meleys, clutching the frightened boy. "Laenor is only a child — and besides, I heard Caraxes devoured a dragonkeeper yesterday. He's far too vicious."
Corlys's voice was cool. "Then pray he doesn't devour you, Prince Daemon. If you fall from the sky, my son will have his chance soon enough."
Daemon's eyes gleamed with challenge. "You curse me already? Then listen well, Lord Corlys — before you're ever lost to shipwreck or swallowed by a sea monster, I'll ride my dragon beyond the edge of the world."
He stepped forward as Caraxes lowered his massive head, hissing softly. The dragon's nostrils flared, tasting the air — tasting him. Daemon reached out and laid a hand upon the hot, scaled snout.
In that instant, something passed between them — a spark of recognition.
He climbed into the great saddle, and with a thunderous roar, Caraxes spread his wings.
The Blood Wyrm launched into the air, sending a blast of wind across the hilltop. The onlookers shielded their faces as Daemon and Caraxes soared upward, circling the city.
Queen Alysanne raised her gaze and smiled. "A new dragonrider of House Targaryen," she whispered.
From the streets below, the people of King's Landing cried out in awe. Gold Cloaks on the city walls pointed skyward. The poor of Flea Bottom, the merchants of Mud Gate, the smiths of Steel Street, and the courtesans of Silk Street all looked up as a red shadow passed overhead.
Higher and higher Caraxes climbed — above the towers of the Red Keep, above the clouds. From his saddle, Daemon could see the Blackwater Rush glinting below, the dark line of the Kingswood, the smoky peaks of Dragonstone, and the ships clustered like toys around Driftmark.
And at that moment, with the wind tearing at his cloak and the dragonfire burning beneath him, Prince Daemon Targaryen felt the world itself bow beneath his wings.
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