Rhaegal's tent was full of activity as a war council was quickly summoned. Everyone of note in their expedition was seated around a long table, discussing their next move.
"So they mean to attack us?" Lucerys' face was full of disbelief. "Do they not understand what this means? This is treason!"
"Somehow I doubt they see it that way," Oberyn said, his voice cracked with humor.
Stannis looked at Brynden. "What did they say exactly?"
"That we're not Starks, and we do not command them," the knight said, his face impassive.
"And here I thought they rebelled against the Starks," Rhaegar said, confused. "Why would they bow to them now?"
"We can ask them that after we bring them to heel." Rhaegal was not going to lose sight of what was important here. They could wonder about the "why" later. They had to survive first.
"How many men do they have?" Barristan wondered.
Gerold answered, "Uncertain. The castle had a full garrison, but they were not well-armed. Their armor was mostly leather and others just had animal hides. Deepdown itself isn't all that impressive of a keep. With our catapults, we could tear it down within the hour."
They had two catapults with them, which Rhaegal had brought for a specific reason.
"My order is more than happy to supply the firepower needed to tear down their walls," Hallyne piped in. "You would have no need of something messy like a boulder."
"You would have us use that blasted wildfire of yours?" Lucerys slammed his fist down on the table. "Do you have any idea what could happen if it spreads beyond control? The whole island could be wiped out!"
"Some might say that we would be doing the world a favor," Oberyn said, shrugging.
Hallyne did not look bothered by Lucerys' outburst. "Our prince brought us here for a reason, my lord. I am only trying to be of assistance."
"Calm yourself, Lord Velaryon." Rhaegal stepped in before the man lost his temper again. "Wisdom Hallyne is correct. I brought the Alchemists' Guild along for a situation like this."
Brynden raised an eyebrow. "You really mean to use wildfire?"
Euron looked interested at the prospect. Unfortunately, Rhaegal was going to have to disappoint him.
"No. I have no desire to tear down their keep unless necessary. That would just hinder us in the long run. Besides, according to your reports, they're already marching toward us. There will be no need for a siege."
"You mean to defeat them in the field." Tytos looked relieved.
"Precisely. It'll be faster this way. If we fight in close quarters inside their walls, they'll have the advantage. They might not be well armed, but this does not mean we can underestimate them. I will have the cavalry carry the day today."
"A sound idea." Brynden could get behind that. "The average man was twice as thick and as big as a mountain. Fighting them up close would be a daunting task."
It would not be easy to defeat a force like that in close quarters. That would be giving them all the advantage.
Rhaegar looked at his brother. "What's your plan?"
"They're confident that they can smash us in open battle. That's why they have no issue marching out when it would be smarter for them to stay holed up in their castle. We'll use their arrogance to our advantage." Rhaegal turned to Lucerys first. "Lord Velaryon, I will leave you at camp with a hundred men. Make sure the ships stay secure. They're our lifeline." He then looked at Lord Ardrian. "Lord Celtigar, I'll have you be in charge of our center. We do not know yet how many of them there are, but your job will be the same regardless. I want you to lure them in. Stay close in formation, and slowly retreat while luring them deeper in. No doubt they'll see your slow retreat as a weakness and become more blinded at the prospect of victory. When that happens, our riders will attack both flanks in a pincer movement. We'll use their overwhelming force to trap them in before they realize what's happening. I'll lead our right while Ser Gerold and Ser Brynden command our left. Ser Barristan will accompany me on the right. When we smash into them from both sides, it'll confuse them, especially when I unleash my flames on them. However, to make sure that our men don't get caught in my fire, I'll ride in first. Ser Brynden and Ser Gerold can follow after."
Gerold frowned. "My prince, I cannot allow you to go into battle. You are far too young. The king would-"
"My father is not here, and so you are under my command." Rhaegal's eyes went to the Commander of the Kingsguard. "If we don't smash them with everything we have, it's possible that they might regroup. With the horses and my magic, it'll cause enough panic in their ranks for us to rout them and round them up before they can flee back to Deepdown. It's the fastest way to secure victory."
The one thing that could cause this plan to break apart was if there were too many of them to entrap. If that happened, Rhaegal would have no choice but to let them retreat lest his own forces get overwhelmed. But that was only in the unlikely scenario that there were tens of thousands of them, and Rhaegal doubted that that would be the case.
"I'm sure they have their own cavalry," Arthur said.
Right, those supposed unicorns.
"We saw a few strange beasts around their keep," Brynden reported. "They were bigger than the average horse. Hairy too. It looked like a weird combination between a goat and a horse."
"Yes, the face of a goat and the body between the two." Gerold looked unsettled just thinking about those creatures.
"We'll see how their beasts handle my flames." Rhaegal's answer remained unchanged.
"Simple but effective." Oberyn nodded. "I quite like it. I'm in."
"The same goes for me." Euron did not hesitate to jump in as well. "I've been wanting to see your magic up close."
Of course they wanted to take part.
"You both realize that this isn't a training exercise? It'll be real combat out there."
Oberyn smirked. "I already said that I'm coming. You don't have to sweeten the deal."
Rhaegal could tell that Euron shared Oberyn's sentiment, which just made him sigh.
"Do as you like. But I make no promises regarding your safety."
If they stayed at the camp, then that would be a different story. Real battle was different.
Somehow, his words just made Oberyn and Euron look more excited.
"What of me, brother?" Rhaegar asked, his face eager.
Rhaegal did not hesitate to respond, "You'll be staying at camp with the others, Rhaegar. I cannot have you risking yourself while I'm out there."
Rhaegar did not look pleased. "Brother, if you're going, then why can't I? I've trained just as much as you! I'm the better rider!"
"I know, but you still will not go. That's my command as the crown prince. Is that understood?"
Rhaegar looked like he was going to argue further, but Arthur placed a hand on his shoulder while shaking his head.
"Your brother is just making sure that you are safe. Don't fight over it."
"If he's risking his life, then so should I."
"You need not fear for your brother's safety, prince Rhaegar," Melisandre spoke up, her voice soothing. "The Lord of Light will deliver victory for him today. Nothing can withstand his flames."
The Lord of Light? No. Rhaegal was going to achieve victory here through his own means, not through her "god."
Before he could respond, one of his men entered the tent in a hurry, panting heavily as he knelt.
"My prince! I apologize for the interruption. Our scouts have reported in. They have caught sight of the enemy. They are emerging from the woods. We believe there are a thousand strong, maybe a bit more."
A thousand strong, huh. Rhaegal was slightly surprised by the number.
He wasn't the only one as Brynden spoke up, "No doubt they recruited the men from the villages we passed through earlier. It's no different from what the mountain clans do. Every man is a potential soldier."
And unlike their levies, these men were tough and ready for battle. If they had the discipline to match, then this was going to be a daunting task indeed.
Rhaegal's eyes were determined as he stood up.
"It's time for us to move. You have your orders. We march."
---
There was little time to waste. Rhaegal didn't want to get caught purely on the defensive and have a prolonged battle. He'd much rather take the initiative. He could minimize his losses that way.
Rather than choosing to intercept the Skagosi near the forest, where their horses would be less than worthless, Rhaegal was more than happy to let the Skagosi walk into his trap. The flat plains between the beachhead and the forest was perfect for that. Rhaegal's forces had unintentionally landed on the best part of the island for this battle.
Rhaegal rode out with Euron and Oberyn joining him, taking command of the right flank with Ser Barristan at his side. They were far enough from the center where the Skagosi would be unable to charge at them without spreading themselves too thin.
The scouts had not been wrong. As the Skagosi began to emerge on the plains, it became clear that they outnumbered Rhaegal's forces, and now that part of the infantry had been left behind, this numerical difference was more strongly felt. Even from a distance, Rhaegal was able to tell that much.
On the plus side, it did not appear as though there were many riders in the enemy force. The few that Rhaegal could pick out were in the back, and they were not riding horses.
'So those are the so-called unicorns.'
Since they were so far away, it was difficult for Rhaegal to make out their full shape. They were big and very hairy. And they definitely had a horn on their heads. They did not resemble horses at all, but maybe the distance was playing tricks on him.
'I'll be able to know soon enough.'
In a few moments, Rhaegal would be close enough to better discern their features….if he didn't burn them alive first that is.
"Dorne's sand steeds would be able to run circles around those things," Oberyn proclaimed as he squinted to try and get a better look at the unicorns.
The Dornish prince wore his traditional light armor, and he was left shivering because of it. He had his spear at his side. Despite Rhaegal's previous warning, Oberyn had no intention of staying back with the others.
Euron scoffed. "Yeah, if they could survive the cold first."
Euron's Ironborn armor, with its leather, mail, and dark heavy cloak, was offering him more protection from the cold than Oberyn's more maneuverable armor.
Oberyn smirked. "You underestimate the desert cold, Greyjoy. You lot have meddled in the north many times in your history, but rarely have you had to survive the desert nights. It provides its own challenges."
For a moment, Rhaegal wondered which would be more cold: the North in the summer or the Dornish desert at night. It would be interesting to find out one day.
Out in the middle of the plains, Lord Celtigar organized the remainder of Rhaegal's men into a tightly packed three-line formation to allow an organized rotation of soldiers to the front lines as they slowly retreated. Lord Celtigar kept the archers in the back, but he brought the crossbows to the front lines in order to deliver a powerful first strike.
As the enemy got closer, Rhaegal began to notice just how tall these Skagosi were. He had heard how a house in the North, the Umbers, were rumored to descend from giants due to their size. If they were as big as these Skagosi, then Rhaegal could believe it. He was sure that any of them could crack a man's skull with their hands alone.
"My prince, it appears the enemy has not yet noticed our presence," Barristan reported.
Sure enough, the Skagosi were still charging directly at Lord Celtigar in the center. Either they were blind or they did not think that Rhaegal and his men were any threat.
Rhaegal also noticed how the Skagosi had no organization. It really was a full on frontal assault. If the scouts hadn't reported that this was the entirety of the enemy force, Rhaegal would be worried that they were going to get outflanked somehow.
No, perhaps he was giving these Skagosi too little credit. Under normal circumstances, this kind of charge would prove effective. If not for what was about to happen, then Rhaegal was sure that the Skagosi would be able to drive his men from the field and back to the camp.
Unfortunately, the day was not going to be kind to them.
Once the enemy was within range, the crossbowmen unleashed a volley of bolts into the charging Skagosi. Many went down with one hit, but to Rhaegal's surprise he noticed how some were able to shrug off the crossbow bolts, only staggering for a moment before resuming with their charge.
Euron noticed this as well, and his eyes were gleaming with interest at the detail.
"They would make fine thralls if captured," he said.
Oberyn rolled his eyes. "We're not here to take slaves, you fool."
Euron did not answer him.
Back out in the center, the crossbowmen were able to fire one more volley of bolts before retreating to the back of the formation lest they get caught in the charge. The heavy infantry and spearmen then readied themselves for the coming charge.
"Brave men," Oberyn muttered.
Rhaegal silently agreed. Most of the Skagosi were twice their size, but his forces weren't faltering.
It was good to see.
Then the two forces met head-on.
The initial clash was brutal. Some in the front were flung back like dolls with their shields, unable to keep their footing. Even when prepared, the Skagosi men had enough raw strength to push through the shielded formation. However, Rhaegal's men did not give more ground beyond that, and thanks to three-line formation the gaps that were opened up from the initial clash were quickly closed by the second line.
From there, it was a difference between discipline and instinct. Rhaegal's men were able to keep their formation even as they slowly fell back in a coordinated fashion. Behind them, the archers and the crossbowmen rained down a hail of missiles into the Skagosi as they too began to slowly retreat.
Many Skagosi fell. Even with their immense size and strength, they were still human. They bled, and they died.
It was not enough.
Rhaegal had underestimated the ferocity of the Skagosi. Adding to the fact that his men were already outnumbered, it was not surprising to see that they were already faltering.
"My prince." Barristan had noticed as well. If they didn't act soon, then their forces were going to be routed.
Rhaegal would have preferred the Skagosi dig for themselves a deeper hole, but he would have to make do with this.
Unsheathing Brightflame, Rhaegal signaled for the charge.
The rest of his men prepared their lances for the charge while Euron and Oberyn did the same.
"CHARGE!"
Rhaegal led the men forward. The cold vanished from their mind as they rode straight at the enemy. However, they knew to hang back and wait for Rhaegal's initial attack before they pounced.
They did not have to wait long.
From the other side, Brynden and Gerold led the remaining cavalry forward, ensuring that they had only ridden out after Rhaegal began his approach.
None of the Skagosi noticed their approach. They were too caught up in the battle, their bloodlust overriding their sense of awareness. And if any did notice the approaching horses, then they were unable to do anything about it.
The runes on Brightflame began to glow as Rhaegal raised the sword. Bright gold flames encased the sword like a living sheath, twisting and coiling with power. Rhaegal then swung Brightflame at the enemy line. For a split second, it almost looked like Rhaegal was swiping at the air. But from the swing emerged a tidal wave of pure flames that swam through the air and launched itself straight at the enemy. The wave was large enough that it loomed over the Skagosi like a shadow of death, ready to consume them all.
Then it crashed into the them without mercy.
Screams began to fill the battlefield as one by one the Skagosi were hit by the flames and burned alive.
Thanks to Lord Celtigar's precise movements, their front line was far back enough from the initial starting point of contact that none of Rhaegal's men were hit by the flames, which was what Rhaegal had been hoping for. In their eagerness, the Skagosi had positioned themselves exactly where Rhaegal had wanted them to. Now, he didn't have to hold anything back as he swung Brightflame two more times, unleashing two more fiery waves at the enemy that had them reeling in shock.
As their comrades were burned alive around them, the Skagosi in the front began to falter in their attack. In order to make sure that none of his men were struck, Rhaegal aimed his flames to the center and back of the Skagosi.
Panic and confusion began to spread through their ranks as smoke and ash began to litter the battlefield, giving Rhaegal's men the opening they needed to start fighting back. They began to halt the Skagosi assault, freezing them in place, which just made them easier prey to Rhaegal's flames.
The flames were powerful enough that they spread from one side of the Skagosi line all the way to the other, surrounding them in a fiery and smoky circle that allowed for no immediate escape.
Those that were lucky enough to not be burnt by the fiery waves found themselves getting hit by a full on charge from the cavalry as the horses emerged through the flames and smoke like an army of death. The Skagosi were unable to put a proper defense, still reeling from the unexpected magical attack.
Rhaegal was able to see the confusion and the fear of the first Skagosi that he decapitated. He did not flinch at the act despite the fact that it was the first life that he was taking up close and personal. He had not hesitated to burn any of these men alive either. What that said about him he did not know.
From there, it was hard to keep track of their faces as Rhaegal cut through their lines with a cold efficiency that was mirrored by his men.
Rhaegal thought that he heard Euron laughing at one point, but to be honest after a while he started to just zone out as he allowed his body to methodically do the rest.
It was only unfortunate that none of the unicorns survived the flames, all being burned alive along with their riders.
And so, this was how Rhaegal took part in and won the first battle of his life. It would soon come to be called the "Clash at the Stone."
---
Out of the thousand or so Skagosi that participated in the battle, less than a hundred survived.
Those few survivors were marched back to the camp, where they were brought before Rhaegal in his tent and forced to kneel with their hands bound.
The spirit in the camp was joyful after the battle. The men were once again calling Rhaegal "the living dragon" or "the dragon reborn" and a host of other names. To them, this overwhelming victory against this barbaric group was like a sign from the Seven that they were being led by a divine figure.
Rhaegal did not understand how his magical skills were tied to the Faith, but he was not going to question it. Let his men think that. If it inspired them, then all the better for him.
Those that had stayed behind were asking Oberyn and Euron for details about the battle. While the latter had been happy to just cut through the stunned Skagosi like they were practice dummies, Oberyn had been more disappointed that they had been unable to put up a resistance after Rhaegal unleashed his flames on them. However, there was one thing that they could both agree upon.
"It was almost like there was a dragon on the battlefield."
It was like they had witnessed the Field of Fire for themselves.
Monford and Mace were awestruck while Tytos and Stannis looked more apprehensive. Arthur just nodded in understanding.
Rhaegar still looked disgruntled about being left behind but said nothing.
What was important now was using this victory to lead Rhaegal to his main objective.
"You have committed treason on this day," Rhaegal began as he addressed the kneeling and bound men. He was uncertain if any of these Skagosi spoke the Common Tongue. If they did not, then this would become very tedious. "You attacked your crown prince."
"Piss on that." One of the kneeling men spoke up. His face was bloodied, and he had burned marks all over his body. He was wearing leather armor which was decorated with the bones of what Rhaegal could assume were many different animals. Maybe even from unicorns. "Our ancestors only recognized the Starks as the overseers of our island. We never knelt to any so-called Targaryen."
"So you have no knowledge of who rules the Starks?" Rhaegal wanted to know what information these Skagosi were operating under.
The man looked at him, but he did not glare. His voice was not spiteful or full of resentment. He spoke very calmly.
"We have heard of your Iron Throne, but we have never sworn ourselves to it. Only the Starks have ever demanded our loyalty, and even then they have continued to ignore us. They do not like us. Other than taking away our ships, the Starks leave us well enough alone."
"You belong to Westeros, and thus you are under the rule of King Aerys, the Second of His Name," Gerold said, scowling as he spoke. "By attacking his heir, you have forfeited your lives."
The Skagosi glanced at the Kingsguard. "You say that like it's supposed to mean something to us. We do not bow to the weak. The weak cannot control us. Demanding our loyalty without proof of power is a grave insult."
"And yet, I have beaten you in battle," Rhaegal pointed out.
"True, you have." He looked back at him. "You have proven yourself strong. Never have we been beaten in open battle like this. When the Starks came for us, it is told that they paid a heavy price for it. But not you. You are greater than the Starks. We see that now. And so, if you demand our loyalty, then you shall have it. If you demand our lives, then you shall have them also."
The way he spoke with such calmness was giving Rhaegal pause.
"My prince, allow me to take their lives myself." Gerold already had his hand resting on his sword, his face full of scorn.
None of the Skagosi reacted to this. Maybe some of them didn't understand what Gerold was saying, but even those that did kept their quiet.
They were ready to die today.
Rhaegal raised his hand. This short conversation had given him enough information on how to treat these Skagosi moving forward.
"Be calm, Ser Gerold. I believe that our misunderstanding here has come to an end."
"Misunderstanding?" Oberyn echoed, his arms crossed.
"Yes. Misunderstanding. They did not understand the power of the dragon. No Targaryen has ever set foot on this island before. Now that I've shown them what it means to stand against the crown, I'm sure they will never do it again."
"It is as you say." The Skagosi bowed his head, and the others followed his example. "We surrender ourselves to you fully, Targaryen."
Hmm, Rhaegal was going to have to work on their manners, but otherwise this was going to work just fine.
Gerold did not look convinced. "My prince, are you sure about this? Letting them live-"
"Their comrades already paid with their lives," Rhaegal said, cutting him off. "Besides, they'll be more useful to me alive than dead. I need them to bring the other houses to the table and understand this island belongs to the Iron Throne."
"Oh?" Oberyn grinned. "The Iron Throne? Not the Starks?"
Rhaegal didn't respond. He knew what Oberyn was fishing for, and while Oberyn could be amusing, Rhaegal wasn't going to reveal his true motivations to him. Not yet.
"The other houses?" The Skagosi raised his head, his expression one of confusion before understanding settled in. "Oh, you mean the other clans. I forget that you label us differently."
"So they are similar to the mountain clans," Rhaegar mused, cupping his chin in thought.
"There are many clans on the island," the Skagosi explained. "There are three that stand at the top. With my father's death, I am now the leader of my clan. I believe you call us Crowl."
Oh? How convenient for Rhaegal then!
"You refer to yourselves by different names?" Stannis couldn't help but ask. His curiosity got the best of him.
"Our clan has a different name in the Old Tongue, but it is pointless to go over that now." He kept his eyes on Rhaegal. "Tell me, why have you come to our island? I see no Stark with you."
"I do not need the Stark's permission to come here," Rhaegal replied. "This is my kingdom. I come and go as I please. The Starks are my servants. My word overrides theirs."
Rhaegal could tell that his words were making Brynden, Stannis, and Tytos uncomfortable, but he paid that no mind right now.
"But you are right. I have come here for a very specific reason. You appear to be well-informed, and so I believe that you will be able to help me find what I seek."
"I will try my best."
Rhaegal couldn't help but feel pleased. These Skagosi were very straightforward with their thinking. Compared to the rest of the realm and their double talks, Rhaegal had a feeling that he was going to enjoy their presence a lot more.
"Take us to your keep. And contact the other clans. I want them to know of my presence here."
It was time for the next step.
---
During the battle, Rhaegal had suffered around a hundred casualties. Thanks to Qyburn's presence, only half of those had resulted in deaths. The other half would survive their injuries.
Rhaegal left Lord Lucerys in command of the camp once more. The Velaryon was going to be overseeing the wounded as well as make sure that the ships remained safe. Monford opted to stay behind with his father.
The rest marched toward Deepdown with the Skagosi survivors who were now being led by the newly anointed Lord Crowl.
Under Rhaegal's orders, Lord Crowl sent two of his men ahead to get word to the other clans about Rhaegal's victory as well as magical prowess. It would show them that trying to resist would result in a similar fate.
Melisandre rode with Rhaegal on his horse. She was studying the island with great detail.
"I feel the presence of strong magic on this island."
She probably wasn't talking about the dragon eggs. Even now, Rhaegal could feel them calling to him. The closer they got to Deepdown, the stronger the sensation became.
Lord Crowl grunted. Despite walking on foot and being injured, he was keeping pace with the horses well enough. "The old gods have a strong presence here, witch." So he could tell that Melisandre had magical skills? How odd. "It is said that our ancestors planted weirwood trees to better keep us in touch with the old gods."
"So you really are followers of the old gods then." Tytos didn't know what to make of that. His house was one of the few houses south of the Neck that still practiced the same religion as the North, so he probably wasn't too fond of the idea of sharing the same beliefs as these Skagosi.
"Yes, and unlike the Starks and the others in the North we have never let ourselves be tainted by the Steel Men."
Steel Men?
"Are you referring to the Andals?" Stannis asked.
"Yes, those. Whether they want to admit it or not, the Starks have let the outsiders influence them. We have not."
How curious. Rhaegal silently wondered in what ways the Starks' beliefs differed from the Skagosi's. Was it practices like the first night, which the Skagosi were said to still partake in despite Jaehaerys I outlawing it throughout Westeros, or were there more significant differences?
"Do you practice cannibalism?" Rhaegar asked as he rode next to Rhaegal.
It appeared like this was going to become a game of a hundred questions.
Lord Crowl glanced at him with something akin to amusement dotting his eyes.
"So you still believe in those tales? Good. Our efforts have paid off then."
What?
"We offer sacrifices to the old gods as our ancestors have taught us, but we do not make a sport out of it. It is better for outsiders to believe otherwise. It means less unwelcome visitors for us."
So they were purposefully using a religious practice to scare off the rest of the world from visiting them?
Oberyn snorted. "That's one way to keep yourselves isolated I suppose."
"We do not require to be a part of the world.. We are happy to remain where we are."
Somehow, Rhaegal doubted that that was the full truth, but he didn't comment on it. Not yet.
Securing the dragon eggs was far more important.
---
The rest of their trek to Deepdown was done in silence.
Despite their overwhelming victory, Brynden, Gerold, and Barristan still looked on edge as they continuously studied their surroundings, watching for any signs of betrayal.
Qyburn was writing in a journal even as he rode. No doubt that he wanted to document everything that he saw for later study. He was going to be the first maester to ever get a chance to study the Skagosi up close, and he wasn't going to let that opportunity go to waste. No doubt many at the Citadel were going to be envious of him once word of this expedition got out.
Once they reached Deepdown, Rhaegal studied the castle. Sure enough, it wasn't big. It would not be hard to breach with siege engines. Of course, the difficulty in such a scenario would be getting close enough in the first place. There were no set paths, and the small villages scattered about were not connected in any meaningful way. If the Skagosi hadn't been overconfident in their victory and marched out like they did, then fighting through these woods would have been a pain. In that situation, Rhaegal would have burned everything down, but he didn't want to destroy parts of his kingdom if he didn't have to.
A part of him felt disappointed that he hadn't been able to showcase more of his skills, but another was still pleased with the performance. It was the first time that he was able to let himself go all out, if only briefly.
As Melisandre had predicted, his magic had grown with age. And with Brightflame's runes augmenting his powers, his flames were only stronger. He was now able to conjure more flames with a greater reach, and they burned hotter than before. There had practically been nothing left of the Skagosi that had been caught in his flames. Every part of them, from armor to weapons, had been turned to ash. It also helped that he was skillful enough now to control the flames even after he conjured them. It was how he had turned down their intensity just enough to allow his horses to traverse through them and complete the charge.
The quiet admiration that Euron kept giving him every time he glanced Rhaegal's way was an added bonus.
It was a pity that the others hadn't been there to witness the battle, but no matter. In the future that could be rectified.
Rhaegal had Lord Celtigar set up camp in front of the keep while he and the others made their way inside. They were still being led by Lord Crowl, who was welcomed by a couple of guards that had been left behind. There were also other servants, mostly women, who were walking about the keep. Rhaegal did not miss the way they were looking at them with distrust and perhaps even anger.
He was going to have to work on his image around here. Then again, he had just burned almost a thousand of their men. Not that he felt guilty about that.
On their way to the main hall, Rhaegal noticed several unicorns housed in what appeared to be the stables. Sure enough, they were massive. However, they appeared to be more like giant goats than anything else. It was a bit disappointing, but still interesting.
Rhaegal also spotted a weirwood tree in the courtyard of the keep. It was said that every castle in the North housed a weirwood tree. Perhaps that was also true for the castles in Skagos, except that there was no godswood here.
'Those things are still creepy to look at.'
The same blood red leaves and sap. The same screaming face carved into the trunk
It was not a pretty sight.
Once again, it felt like the face on the tree was staring right at him.
Melisandre didn't look all that thrilled about the weirwood tree either.
"My prince, those trees are servants to the darkness. They should not be allowed to remain. They would make great offerings to the Lord of Light."
Her words reverberated through the group, causing Lord Crowl to pause and turn his head in their direction. For the first time, his face was guarded.
"Are you here to take our gods from us, Targaryen prince?"
Such a loaded question.
"I care not what gods you worship," Rhaegal answered honestly. "So long as you serve me and keep the peace, your beliefs are your own." He then glanced at Melisandre. "That means that there will be no harm brought to the trees."
Melisandre merely smiled at his words while the Skagosi lord nodded in understanding. It was not hard to miss the relief that was coming from him at his answer.
"This might have just earned you a whole lot of goodwill," Oberyn whispered as he stepped closer to him.
Sure enough, the other Skagosi present appeared to be grateful by his words.
'Hmm, they can all understand me?'
Perhaps the Skagosi in all the castles spoke more than just the Old Tongue as opposed to the ones in the villages?
A question for another time.
Lord Crowl led them into the main hall of the keep. Inside there was a long table waiting for them. Some servants were scurrying about, placing drinks and food on the table for them. It was all meat.
No doubt the two men that Lord Crowl had sent ahead had also told the servants to prepare for their arrival.
It was not the most grand of feats, but Rhaegal still appreciated the gesture for what it was.
They all began to take a seat around the table. Rather than asking time to tend to his wounds, the Skagosi lord turned to Rhaegal.
"So tell me, Targaryen prince. What is it that you seek on Skagos?"