In the secret manor outside Wolfs Den, the 'Pear Orchard' cultivated various plants, mostly pear trees from Tyrosh, and gunpowder herb from Myr.
The Pear Orchard was a beautiful estate, heavily guarded by Unsullied Attendants.
The little dragons also frolicked in the garden.
Under the largest pear tree, a fine tapestry was spread, and Gendry, Daenerys, Qyburn, Anguy, Dick the Fletch, and Grey Wolf sat on the Myr tapestry, watching the circling dragons.
The tapestry was laden with various fruits, as well as drinks and snacks, like a picnic in the woods.
The little dragons did not fly very high now, but they could already fly: Balerion, Vhagar, Viserion.
Their size was like that of cats, with Balerion being slightly larger than his companions.
But cats are heavier than dragons, because a dragon's body is mainly composed of neck, tail, and wings, making them lighter than they appear.
However, the most terrifying thing about dragons is their growth potential; they can eat several times their body weight in meat daily and grow robustly.
Balerion's color was the most ancient black and red; he was also the largest of the three dragons and the most wild, always very hungry.
Balerion had black scales all over his body, with blood-red eyes, horns, and dorsal scales, seemingly representing blood and fire.
Vhagar was made of the summer's emerald green and autumn's bronze, while Viserion's scales were a fresh creamy white, and his horns, wing bones, and spine were dark gold, like shining metal under the sun.
Vhagar and Viserion soared near the pear trees, circling higher and higher, competing with each other.
Balerion also flew, but higher and farther than his companions.
The black dragon was bolder than the other two; he was the first to rush into the sky... and would also be the first to attempt hunting and killing.
Dragons liked to attack from above; when they climbed between their opponent and the sun, they would fold their wings and dive down with a shrill roar.
Then the two dragons would lock onto each other, tangling into a ball of scales, tumbling from the sky while clawing and whipping their tails.
When they first fought, Gendry and Daenerys were both afraid they would hurt each other, but it turned out to be just a warm-up for the little dragons.
As they neared the ground, the two dragons separated instantly, shrieked, and then rose again, flapping their wings.
"Regarding King Robert, please accept my condolences," Maester Qyburn said.
"The dead are dead; face the future, and what's important is to avenge the King.
Under our banner, House Lannister will cough up their lands and wealth," Gendry said calmly.
Speaking coldly, he had only met King Robert a few times.
If Gendry hadn't been lucky enough to remain undiscovered, he might have been assassinated by House Lannister long ago.
This was like a long-unseen biological father suddenly sending a large inheritance, leaving one with mixed feelings.
Gendry then remembered that fat face, the foolish King who laughed and cursed.
"Boy, I know you don't want to accept this gift.
But this is my last offering; avenge me."
It was nothing more than posturing and performance, but it made it easier for him to climb to the pinnacle of power.
Daenerys looked at Gendry's face; Gendry's hair was like an eternal dark night.
He had sadness, joy, and perhaps a sense of loss.
People said Robert was once as strong as a bull, but died by the hand of a wild boar.
Daenerys was also unsure of her own emotions regarding Robert's death.
The history of the War of the Usurper was clearly not as her brother Viserys had described it; aside from the despicable House Lannister, her father Aerys's actions also seemed equally terrifying.
Gendry, Ser Jorah, Maester Qyburn, Arrow Maker, and even the Old Knight Barristan, who briefly appeared to greet them before leaving.
Daenerys learned more and more about the past from them.
Perhaps it should be as Gendry said: reconcile, be tolerant, face the future, and defeat the damned House Lannister.
After flying, Balerion returned to the ground and landed in his master Gendry's arms.
Perhaps it was a covenant of blood and fire, or perhaps he sensed the violent power within Gendry, but Balerion was very satisfied with his master.
Dany watched this scene curiously, captivated by the mystery of the dragons.
"Truly amazing, you've become a dragon rider," Anguy said, looking at the black dragon with wonder.
Anguy had once been curious and afraid of dragons, but now felt a strange and strong pride for the Commander-in-Chief's dragon; this was the world's unique black dragon, the reincarnation of the black death.
"To see a dragon is to rejoice; dragons are indeed the most wondrous creatures in the world," Grey Wolf also praised.
"I am truly too fortunate."
"Not 'little man,' you are not my slave, but my subordinate, my friend," Gendry corrected Grey Wolf's wording; Grey Wolf was the commander of the Free Legion.
"Yes, My Lord," Grey Wolf puffed out his chest.
The Unsullied were not the past, and the reality was that he was a Free Folk of the new nation.
"They're so hot," Daenerys said, touching the black dragon's scales.
The scales were so hot they were difficult to touch, like armor baking under the scorching sun.
Although the black dragon was displeased, he did not resist Dany's touch.
The three dragons were also very friendly with Gendry.
"A dragon's flesh and blood are composed of blood and fire," Maester Qyburn said.
Dragons are creatures of magic, a power beyond human imagination.
"How big can it grow?" Daenerys asked.
"Do you know, Old Maester?"
"Legends in the Seven Kingdoms say some dragons could catch sea monsters from the ocean," Qyburn said.
"But those are truly legends.
Based on their performance on the battlefield, the largest dragon, The Conqueror Balerion, had wings whose shadow could cover a bustling town."
"How long can they live?" The other two dragons, seeing their companion land, also glided over the pear trees, gently flapping their wings, then landed on the tapestry.
"Dragons live much longer than humans, at least according to the songs.
However, based on my research at The Citadel, traceable dragons can live for about two hundred years.
This lifespan already far exceeds that of normal humans," Qyburn said.
"But to say this is the longest a dragon can live, I don't think that's entirely true."
"What do you mean?" Dany asked curiously.
Daenerys also liked these two old men; they reminded her of the Old Knight who had once raised her.
"Balerion might have visited the ancient Valyrian Ruins before his death, where he suffered severe injuries, likely shortening his lifespan.
As for other dragons, because they were born for war, there are very few.
Also, the dragonlords of old Valyria possessed powerful sorcery; if so, their dragons might have grown larger and lived longer."
"Old Maester, those Wights you speak of will scare the Princess," the Arrow Maker couldn't help but say.
"Magic is a sword without a hilt, impossible to master."
"That may be true, but magic originates from blood and fire, not baseless superstition.
Look at that Red Comet in the sky; I guarantee that soon, you will witness the wonder of magic," Qyburn said.
After all, besides Dany, Gendry's blood also contained ancient power that would eventually shock the world.
"Leaving magic aside for now, I'm thinking about the dragon egg and Dragonstone," Gendry said.
"dragon eggs are already priceless, and if the news of dragons hatching spreads now, then dragon eggs will become invaluable treasures."
Gendry understood that the hatching of the three dragons came from magic, but he didn't know if other dragon eggs would also have a chance to hatch after the magic tide arrived, or if they too would require life sacrifices.
In short, he needed to control the dragon egg.
"Hmm," Qyburn said.
"Unfortunately, dragon eggs have now vanished without a trace; not even fossilized dragon eggs have been heard of.
However, I have considered a few locations where there might still be some clues: Dragonstone, The Red Keep, Summerhall, and some other hidden places for dragon eggs.
But please rest assured, even if dragon eggs are at the ends of the earth, I will find the relevant information."
Qyburn's secret organization was now secretive and great, performing multiple roles, not only intelligence gathering and Qyburn's magic research, but now also a 'dragon-seeking' team.
"Very good." Gendry's finger brushed over Balerion.
Having dragon eggs might allow for more and more dragons, and having Dragonstone could help dragons grow well; these were all indispensable.
"However, I'm not worried about Lord Stannis; Lord Renly, on the other hand, will certainly claim the throne."
"Renly is the truly ambitious one.
He's merely a second son who gained the Stormlands through the King's favor, yet he's always been colluding with House Tyrell.
Now, is he going to defy the King's last will?" Anguy couldn't help but complain.
Gendry currently had several teams operating in secret: the 'leaflet' team composed of Jon Snow and Barristan, Qyburn's 'magic' team and 'intelligence' team, and his own 'inside' team in Westeros.
Those loyal people, loyal warriors, would achieve his cause.
"Is there going to be another war?" Daenerys asked.
Dany knew that Dragonstone was the fiefdom of one of her fiancé's uncles, and he probably wouldn't give it up easily.
"Yes, my Princess," Gendry said to Daenerys, kissing Dany's finger.
"A nation where people live happily is guarded by blood and fire."
"Then I wish the gods in heaven bless you, bless my sun, my stars, bless my beloved, my comrades."
"Princess, he will, after all, no one dislikes having children with a beautiful princess," the Arrow Maker laughed heartily.
"It's a troubled time, and everyone is working hard," Gendry said, looking around at everyone.
Great achievements stem from hardship.
"To your cause," Qyburn said, raising his cup.
The others also raised their cups, "Your Highness, Princess, to your cause, long live the warhammer."
Then the Arrow Maker stood up and sang a song for everyone.
"Oh, the wandering Brotherhood Without Banners, they say we are thieves.
We make the forest our castle, and the earth our home.
No gold can escape our blades, no maiden can escape our grasp.
Oh, the wandering Brotherhood Without Banners, who isn't afraid when they see us..."
The Arrow Maker felt an unspeakable sorrow; that was his friend, his past.
He wanted to return to The Kingswood and see his old surroundings.
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