Chapter 529: Vhagar Injury
Helaena lowered her head, lovingly holding the little clothes in her arms. Rhaegar was momentarily distracted, a feeling of joy welling up in his heart, causing his lips to rise unconsciously. No wonder Helaena had been so focused on weaving recently; he had thought it was for Visenya.
Rhaegar couldn't help but ask, “How long has it been?”
Helaena looked puzzled and said in a low voice, “I don't know, but he's already in my belly.”
Aemond was stunned. Instead of helping him out, his sister had been holding back a significant revelation. No one paid him any attention at this moment.
Rhaegar's thoughts raced, and he made a decision right away: “Helaena will stay in Myr, and Rhaenys will take her place and join Laena in the naval battle.”
“No problem,” Rhaenys said calmly, unafraid of the battlefield.
Helaena nodded in silent approval of the change in plans.
Rhaegar's brows lifted with a hint of joy, and he said, “The battle will be three days from now. Helaena and I will hold a ceremony before we leave, and the location will be Lys.” He then looked at Rhaenyra, who was standing next to him. Rhaenyra took a small sip of wine and looked back at him with a dazed expression. She didn't object, looking at him as if he was in charge. Her clear purple eyes seemed to say, “Why are you looking at me? I'm not stopping you.”
Rhaegar smiled and said, “We don't have much time, so let's keep it simple.” It might mean that Helaena would have to put up with a less grand ceremony in Summerhall.
Helaena let out a sigh of relief, with a hint of joy, saying, “That's fine. It's just right.” Too many people would make it difficult to get around.
The atmosphere of the meeting relaxed with a few words. This was a good sign before the battle. It seemed they were on the path to a great victory.
Only one person was unhappy. Aemond glared with his one good eye and said, “The battlefield is full of danger. Why don't you let Rhaenys hide behind you and inspect the Gullet?”
Before Rhaegar could respond, Rhaenys, with her eyebrows raised, calmly replied, “Kid, when I was riding a dragon and exploring the world, you were still crying over a dragon.”
Aemond retorted angrily, “I've been in wars with Sheepstealer, not just sitting around.”
“The war you're referring to was the annihilation of House Swann and the murder of Laenor?” the Sea Snake interjected, his gaze piercing as he spoke out the grievances that had been in his heart for many years. Laenor's death was undoubtedly the result of the other side deliberately dragging out the battle.
If only they didn't give him trouble... He died for the sake of the royal family.
Foll𝑜w
A stifled laugh echoed through the hall, jarring and harsh. Aemond's eyes darkened instantly, and the culprit was still laughing. The laughter felt like a sword stabbing straight into Aemond's heart.
Sensing the tension, Daemon lowered his voice and took a tactical sip of wine. Aemond's clenched fists creaked, and he fixed his gaze on his older brother Rhaegar, eyes full of longing for a chance to prove himself.
Rhaegar ignored him, saying indifferently, “Patrol the Narrow Sea. That’s your mission.”
Bang!
Aemond slammed his hand down on the table, knocking over his chair, and stormed out of the room in a fit of anger. Helaena, standing nearby, was startled by the sudden noise.
Rhaegar's face darkened, and for the first time during the meeting, he stood up from his seat. That bastard, he still has the nerve to give me a cold shoulder.
“Rhaegar,” Rhaenyra whispered, tugging his sleeve as a reminder. The atmosphere was growing increasingly tense, and someone needed to pour a bucket of cold water on it.
Creak—
Helaena also stood up, gathered her belongings, and hurriedly left the room, slightly nervous. Seeing this, Aegon rubbed his cheeks with both hands, looking a bit helpless. No one would believe that he had just called his younger brother and sister a waste and a fool.
Daeron, restless and saddened, watched his brother and sister leave the table.
“Rhaegar, let him vent his anger,” Rhaenyra soothed, whispering, “Aemond is still obedient.” At least he listens to his king and hits where he's told to.
Rhaegar's anger subsided a little. The strategy was clear: four dragons would attack Volantis from land and sea, Rhaenyra would sit in Lys, and Aegon would block Dorne. Additionally, at least one dragon must patrol the upper part of the Gullet and the Narrow Sea.
Rhaenys should have been in charge of the Gullet, and it made sense to replace Helaena. A dragon of considerable strength had to be placed in the Narrow Sea, and Aemond with Sheepstealer was the obvious choice. If Aemond didn't understand this, he wasn't fit to be on the main battlefield. Once on the battlefield, he would need to follow military orders precisely.
As the meeting drew to a close and the dragons' deployment was finalized, Daeron reached out hesitantly, “Brother, can I go into battle with Lord Corlys?”
Rhaegar, still in a bad mood, replied casually, “As you wish. Be careful of stray arrows.”
“Okay, thanks brother.” Daeron raised his smiling face, pleasantly surprised by his brother's unexpected willingness.
...
On the rooftop of the Topless Tower, the ceremony began.
"Hen lantoti anogar, Va syndroti v?edroma (Blood of two, Joined as one)." Varys intoned, his voice solemn and resonant.
"Mēro perzot gihoti / Elēdroma i?rza sir (Ghostly flame and song of shadows)."
"Izuli ampā perzi, Prumi lanti sēteksi (Two hearts as embers, Forged in fourteen fires)."
Rhaegar and Helaena stood opposite each other, both dressed in red and white linen robes. They were conducting the ancient Dragonlord ceremony of Valyria under the auspices of the gods. The rooftop was crowded with representatives from various families who had come to witness and fight.
Varys, adorned in his red robe with tattoos covering his round face, continued, "Hen jeny mazilarion, Qēlossa ozundesi (A future promised in glass, The stars stand witness.)"
Rhaegar, looking calm, took Helaena’s waist in his arms and sipped the wine of oaths with blood-stained lips. "Syndroro o?o jēdo, Ry kivia mazvestraksi (The vow spoken through time, Of darkness and light)." he declared.
Helaena's eyes glowed with emotion. She placed her hand on Rhaegar's waist and shared a drink with him. Both had "Blood" and "Fire" tattoos on their foreheads. Their silver hair was tied in long braids, and their purple eyes locked in a silent exchange.
For a moment, the brother and sister looked at each other, understanding passing between them without words. Their foreheads touched, mingling their blood. A silvery thread stretched out, marking the end of the ceremony.
Crackling applause broke the silence. Aegon was the first to clap, laughing and toasting everyone. Sea Snake and Rhaenys stood at the forefront, displaying the poise of elders. Rhaenyra, her eyelashes lowered, also clapped along with the crowd. The Baelon and the children surrounded her, their little heads leaning together in curiosity.
“Hmph!” Aemond snorted in the corner and walked away, having stayed only to witness the ceremony. He had seen it with his own eyes and sent his blessings, but he couldn’t bring himself to stay longer.
“Roar!” Cannibal whirred in, circled the Topless Tower once, and then clamped its feet to the edge of the roof.
“Rest well and don’t stay up sewing,” Rhaegar said, his eyes lighting up as he stroked Helaena’s pretty face. He gave her the most sincere of reminders.
Helaena nodded and gave her brother another hug. After a long moment, Rhaegar mounted the dragon’s back, his red and white linen robes shining in the dust. He raised his arm and shouted, “Army, set out!”
“Roar!” At the command, the Cannibal roared into the sky.
Roar! Roar...
One dragon roared, and the others followed. Vhagar, Bloodwyrm, Red Queen, Blue Queen... The five dragons roared together, carrying their riders into the sky.
In the harbor, a large fleet of ships set sail, flying colorful flags. Above Lys, several dragons of different sizes flew out of their Dragonpits, as if cheering them on. The silver-gray Tyraxes, the light green Moondancer, the emerald green Trickster...
Dreamfyre, Syrax, and Sunfyre also carried their riders, escorting the fleet to the Disputed Lands.
The full-scale war had begun.
...
After a long journey and a few hurried days, they reached the Summer Sea.
Rhaegar bid farewell to the Sea Snake and mounted the Cannibal, heading straight into the heart of Volantis.
Daemon cast a brief glance at Laena, who regarded Vhagar's back with a steely gaze, and chose not to disturb her.
“Keep up, Caraxes,” he ordered.
Caraxes, sleek and serpentine, trailed behind the Dragoneater with eyes as cold and cunning as ever.
...
The Sea Snake, holding a map of the sea, said solemnly, “There must be a garrison in this area. The first battle will be here.” He pointed at a curved dotted line on the map, representing the defense line at the mouth of the Volantis estuary.
Daeron, wearing armor and a helmet, responded with seriousness, “My lord, shall I ride my dragon to test the situation?”
“Roar...” Tessarion, curled up on the deck, its huge cobalt blue body shaking with anticipation, seemed eager to go into battle.
The Sea Snake considered it carefully. Tessarion's relatively small size made it suitable for high-altitude reconnaissance without being easily noticed. Daeron's eyes were full of hope, eager to prove himself and make a contribution.
“No need. We'll attack with full force.” The Sea Snake refused, giving the order, “You will ride the dragon and lead a fleet to attack the enemy's flank. When the battle begins, attack the enemy's flank to crush their morale.”
“Yes, my lord,” Daeron eagerly accepted the order.
...
At noon, the sun blazed high in the sky. A large fleet patrolled the waters of Volantis, the scorpion crossbows on the bows glinting coldly. Roughly estimated, there were no fewer than fifty warships, and the number of troops was countless. The scorpion crossbows alone numbered more than a hundred. The soldiers were tense, knowing every patrol was a gamble with their lives.
Hoo-hoo!
A gust of wind whistled, splashing waves against the ships. The lookout raised his head and squinted at the sky. A small black dot appeared, gradually growing larger.
“A dragon!” the lookout shouted, seeing an old, dark green dragon moving slowly.
“The dragon is here! It’s an enemy!”
Panic spread through the fleet as soldiers quickly deployed air control measures. The dragon drew closer, and Laena, with a cold look, shouted, “Dracarys!”
“Roar...”
The next second, Vhagar fell from the sky, black smoke and roaring Dragonfire sweeping across the sea.
Roar!
Meleys flew out from the side like a red lightning bolt, unleashing Dragonfire on the unsuspecting ships.
Boom, boom, boom...
Drums beat, and screams filled the air. The Sea Snake led the way, followed by a dozen warships, like an arrow shot from a bow, cutting through the chaos.
Boom!
Dragonfire rained down, and crossbow bolts were fired in rapid succession. The two dragons burned fiercely, causing the enemy army to temporarily lose its resistance and fall into disarray.
“Attack!” the Sea Snake seized the opportunity, and the warships broke through the siege, engaging in a more brutal battle of the drawbridge. Soon, the conflict became one-sided.
In the air, Vhagar glided slowly, leaving a trail of Dragonfire in its wake. Laena, pleased with their progress, couldn’t help but smile.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a water arrow shot out of the sea, aiming at Vhagar’s pupil with invisible speed. The water was sharp, mixed with the blood of soldiers on both sides, erupting like a mountain collapsing into the sea.
At that moment, Laena was still immersed in joy and hadn't realized the danger approaching. Vhagar shook its head and spat fire, his bloodshot pupils gleaming like ice. The next instant, its eye reflected the incoming water arrow.
Pop!
A shrill, piercing sound followed, and hot dragon blood splashed. At the last moment, Vhagar sensed the danger and swung its head sideways to the limit.
“Roar...” A furious roar of pain echoed as a scale on its chest burst open, flesh and blood spurting out.
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