King's Landing, Rhaenys Hill, the heavy bronze gates of the Dragonpit had opened.
The Dragonpit had all its domes removed, facing the high skies and flowing clouds, somewhat resembling an amphitheater.
Three dragons circled above the Dragonpit, flying high like three balls of fire.
The dragons' roars were invigorating. Rhaegar felt proud, thinking, 'My dragons, currently the only force on both continents capable of integrated air and ground operations.'
From the center of the Dragonpit came the shouts and training sounds of soldiers.
Infantrymen brandished their weapons and charged forward. Cavalrymen, with superb horsemanship, wielded lances, greatswords, and morning stars like raging fire. Longbowmen drew their longbows, shooting swiftly and accurately.
Rhaegar also specially prepared some new training programs for the soldiers: parallel bars, long jump pits, stone throwing, and ball game courts to liven up the atmosphere.
However, the soldiers' favorite was one-on-one blunt weapon duels; this was the most popular.
Rhaegar stood on the viewing platform, looking at the soldiers below. 'My Old Royal Guard,' Rhaegar thought, 'this is my first army.'
As the Eagle Guards expanded, the troop numbers had increased to twelve hundred. Excluding the hundred stationed on Dragonstone, there were now eleven hundred in the Dragonpit.
Unexpected guests also arrived at the camp today: Lord Tywin and his brother Tyggett, Ser Gillian, and his son Jaime. Lord Tywin is also one of the current financiers in contact with Rhaegar.
Rhaegar recently wanted to import a new batch of double-curved goldenheart wood greatbows from the Black Tribes of the Summer Isles. These greatbows, when drawn, could shoot four hundred yards, second only to Rhaegar's dragonglass longbow in range. After that came the double-curved horn and sinew bows of Essos, and the common yew wood bows and weirwood bows of Westeros.
However, you get what you pay for; goldenheart wood greatbows were indeed expensive, their price lamentable.
Rhaegar planned to import fifty of them at once, as a secret weapon to kill the pirates of Lys. What is fire coverage? Shooting far is fire coverage. My goldenheart wood greatbows are even more terrifying than Bloodraven's Raven's Teeth.
"Though young, it's clear this is an elite force," Lord Tywin remarked with emotion.
Unified command, well-nourished, expertly equipped, and high morale—this force could absolutely be called elite. And judging by the reaction of the people of King's Landing, this army has excellent discipline, doesn't oppress the common folk, and doesn't engage in prostitution or gambling. It is indeed a formidable army.
Rhaegar was also very proud. The army is the foundation of rule. The Dragonpit's Three Camps: the Eagle Guard Camp, the Dragon Guard Camp, and the Spear Guard Camp. His Old Royal Guard, whether for dealing with King's Landing rioters or confronting the Free Cities, would be his Wall of Steel.
Rhaegar built the framework of the Three Camps from scratch, recruiting talented individuals, striving for an army that was quick, efficient, shrewd, and capable. 'I want to become emperor, to suppress all internal and external enemies in the world.'
Jaime Lannister's golden hair fluttered, his green eyes sparkled, and his face was handsome, though he was still a young boy. Rhaegar glanced at him, thinking, 'Jaime, even if you are handsome, I'm sorry, I'm more handsome.'
Jaime Lannister watched the troops drill intently. He loved the feeling, the gleaming armor and high morale.
"Lord Tywin, my men are currently divided into three companies: the Eagle Guard, the Silver Dragon Guard, and the Spear Guard. The Eagle Guard is commanded by Ser Brynden Tully, the Dragon Guard by Swordsman Cesar, and the Spear Guard by the proud Bronze Yohn." Rhaegar pointed out the different banners of the troops to Tywin.
The Eagle Guard banner features three red dragons symmetrical with a sky-blue falcon. The Spear Guard banner shows three red dragons clutching a broken spear, commemorating Rhaegar leading soldiers to break spears and lances, severely wounding the wildlings in the Battle of the Valley Road. The Dragon Guard banner features three Silver Dragons, representing Rhaegar, symmetrical with three red dragons.
To prevent regional cliques and indiscriminate attacks, Rhaegar specifically ordered Ser Brynden to scatter all soldiers from various regions and randomly assign them to the three units. Soldiers should be one body, one voice, one piece of steel.
Rhaegar looked at the drilling soldiers, who showed good nutrition and training. Rhaegar felt that maintaining an army truly consumed military funds, with people and horses eating. Moreover, he also maintained three dragons.
Lord Tywin also observed the structure and daily life of the Dragonpit Camp: clean and hygienic, everything in order. There was no sense of luxurious opulence; everything was kept simple.
Even Prince Rhaegar's tent was only slightly larger than a soldier's, but its furnishings and decorations were all simple, without gold, silver, or elaborate jewels.
Lord Tywin found that even the food here emphasized equal merit: based on performance and achievements, officers did not mistreat soldiers, eating and living together. Tywin couldn't help but sigh, 'Before long, all these soldiers will become Prince Rhaegar's mules, willing to go through fire and water for Rhaegar, giving their utmost loyalty.'
"The Prince is truly skilled in battle. I can also lend you the gold dragons you requested this time, but I have another request," Lord Tywin said, then pointed to his son. "My son also possesses the talent of a knight, and I would like him to stay here to train."
Lord Tywin found that his son liked it here, and he also hoped his son would become a great knight, not a cold politician like himself.
Lord Tywin was very satisfied with the atmosphere of the Dragonpit Camp. Moreover, with great knights like Barristan and Brynden Tully in the ranks, he felt reassured about Jaime staying there. More importantly, it allowed proximity to the Prince. Westerosi nobles often sent their children to other nobles as pages or squires, with the most honorable being sent to the Red Keep court.
Tywin himself was the King's cupbearer, and his wife was the Princess's companion. Now, he naturally hoped his son would follow his path, and being young didn't matter. Rhaegar, of course, knew his little schemes.
Rhaegar quickly declined. "Duke, your son is too young. I'm going to take some soldiers to the Riverlands soon. The journey is long, and bringing a child won't do. However, after we return from Harrenhal, your son can come to my camp to adapt."
Long journeys were not friendly to children at the moment, and Rhaegar didn't want to bring a burden. If something happened to the heir of the Westerlands, he would have trouble explaining. But to flat-out refuse would also make Tywin lose face.
Everything reached a tacit understanding: Tywin would provide funding, Rhaegar could purchase ultra-long-range bows from the Summer Isles, and in return, Jaime Lannister would be placed in the camp.
After seeing off Lord Tywin and his entourage, Rhaegar felt very relaxed. Next was the trip to the Riverlands, to Harrenhal. Besides raising an army, there was a more important task.
"Ser, we are going to Harrenhal soon. Are you feeling more timid the closer you get to home?" Rhaegar asked Ser Brynden beside him with a smile. Rhaegar decided to tour Harrenhal and recruit soldiers, and Ser Brynden, as his companion, also knew this information.
"A bit of both!" Ser Brynden also said with a smile. His red hair was as crimson as hot blood, and his blue eyes showed fearlessness and a warrior's innocence.
Brynden Tully then remembered that night when he refused his brother's request for him to marry Lady Redwyne, and Lord Hoster's flushed and angry face.
Ser Brynden and Lord Hoster had been at odds for a long time, and there were too many reasons. Although Lord Hoster was also tall and mighty, the world generally considered this Duke, like most Tully Dukes, to be unremarkable and mediocre in battle. His younger brother, Ser Brynden, on the other hand, was courageous and resourceful in the War of the Ninepenny Kings, arguably one of the greatest knights. This comparison, it must be said, was an objective fact.
The biggest reason was Ser Brynden's refusal of his brother's arrangements, refusing to marry into House Redwyne. Marriage alliances are one of the most important tasks for every lord's child. Brynden's refusal, Lord Hoster believed, offended his dignity as the eldest son, brother, and Duke, so their conflict grew increasingly intense.
"Ser, you should take a wife and take care of your own life," Rhaegar said. Ser Brynden's reputation for bravery was well-known, and both minor and major Lords would be happy to form a marriage alliance. In fact, this way, Ser Brynden could also secure support for House Tully itself.
"Thank you for your kindness, Prince, but I love the battlefield more than I love women," Ser Brynden said, smiling as he politely refused.
Seeing Brynden's stance, Rhaegar did not press further.
"Prince Rhaegar should worry about himself; those girls look at you like hungry wolves. Conquering the Silver Dragon Prince would give them a sense of accomplishment, like men conquering a battlefield," Ser Brynden's words sparked even greater laughter from everyone.
Silver Dragon Prince, the latest nickname given by the people of King's Landing to their beloved Silver Prince.
They were deeply impressed by Rhaegar's romantic appeal and charm. Many women, still in a romantic daze, even offered themselves to the Prince, dreaming of becoming the future Queen. Queen Rhaella also warned her son never to associate with the blue-green haired daughter of the Archon of Tyrosh; they were terrifying foreigners.
Rhaegar couldn't help but smile wryly. Successive Targaryens seemed to have a strong appeal to women, and he, this dashing Silver Dragon Prince, was even more of a walking hormone.