Chapter 175: Inspecting the Dragonpit
The next morning, departed from the and returned to the atop .
The silver dragon swept across the skies of , its vast wings casting shadows over the city below. From above, the capital revealed its defining landmarks—three great structures rising from three hills, giving the city its nickname: the City of Three Hills.
Upon stood the Red Keep, a symbol of royal authority, its pale red stone walls crowned with towers and battlements. On rose the , radiant in white marble, its seven crystal towers gleaming under the sun. And upon Rhaenys's Hill stood the Dragonpit—dark, massive, and steeped in the legacy of dragons.
Of the three, Rhaegar favored the Dragonpit.
The Red Keep felt stifling, bound by tradition and intrigue. The Dragonpit, by contrast, was his creation—rebuilt, reorganized, and reborn under his command. It was no longer a crumbling relic, but a living military stronghold filled with energy and purpose.
As he circled above, Rhaegar studied the transformed structure.
The great bronze-and-iron gates stood open, guarded by disciplined soldiers. The once-collapsed dome had been restored. Inside, where broken stone benches had once littered the ground, now lay a vast open میدان for drills and assembly. Behind it stretched rows of tents, training fields, and supply areas.
The Dragonpit had become a fortress-camp.
Banners snapped sharply in the wind—House Targaryen's three-headed dragon on red, Rhaegar's personal black dragon on silver, and the golden lion of .
Below, soldiers trained in tight formations.
War was bloodshed made real; training was war without blood.
Rhaegar watched with approval.
His forces were organized into three elite divisions:
Dragon Guards – the central force
Eagle Guards – the left flank
Spear Guards – the right flank
Together, they formed the foundation of a professional standing army—something rare in Westeros.
Rhaegar had imposed strict standards: discipline, structure, and even hygiene. Latrines, barracks, and mess areas had been carefully planned. In crowded camps, disease could kill faster than swords.
Most of these soldiers came from noble or wealthy families, making them easier to train and discipline. They understood order, and they valued status.
At present, the total force numbered around 4,200 men, though only about 2,500 remained in the Dragonpit. The rest were stationed at or deployed to the Stepstones under commanders like and .
Maintaining even this number strained resources. Soldiers required food, equipment, and pay—war demanded gold as much as blood.
Rhaegar could easily recruit more men. Many second sons, hedge knights, and ambitious youths would eagerly join him. But numbers alone meant nothing.
Quality mattered.
Thus, lesser recruits were placed into auxiliary forces, such as the Stepstones garrison, where they could prove themselves before earning promotion.
With a thunderous beat of wings, the silver dragon descended into the Dragonpit. Two other dragons followed, their roars echoing through the stone structure.
The soldiers stiffened but did not break formation.
Discipline held.
Waiting near the command tent were several officers, including Ser Jon Connington, Ser Joffrey Arryn, and other commanders.
Rhaegar stepped down, his gaze sweeping across them—then paused.
Among the gathered figures stood several youths.
Very young.
Too young for war.
Pages.
He recognized them immediately.
A boy with golden hair and sharp green eyes stepped forward first.
"I am of Casterly Rock."
Next came a red-haired youth with a proud bearing.
" of Griffin's Roost."
The third bowed slightly.
" of Maidenpool."
Rhaegar studied them quietly.
Sons of great houses. Future knights. Future players in the game of power.
In another time, they would have served as companions at court—cupbearers, squires, fostered wards.
But Rhaegar had chosen a different path.
If they were to follow him, they would not learn softness in halls of luxury.
They would learn discipline… in the shadow of dragons.
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