Chapter 87: North, West, South
The two teenagers ran out of the courtyard without hesitation, preparing to ride their dragons. Rhaenyra pondered for a moment, then, supported by her maid Elinda Massey, walked up to Dragonzel:
"Prince, would you mind escorting my son north?"
Dragonzel glanced at the newly crowned queen:
"I intended to. Jacaerys is my squire; protecting him is my duty."
"As a mother, I thank you for looking after Jacaerys and the others," Rhaenyra said softly. "As a queen, I also hope you can help him fulfill his mission."
Dragonzel bowed slightly in acknowledgment and walked outside. His dragon was parked on the beach, some distance from the castle, and he needed to ride quickly to catch up with the speed of the smaller dragons.
"Prince, I appoint you Guardian of the Borderlands and Commander of the South," Queen Rhaenyra said solemnly. "Upon your return to Dragon Nest City, you shall command all military affairs in the Reach, Stormlands, Borderlands, and Dorne."
Dragonzel nodded, took a warhorse from a Dragonstone guard, and immediately galloped towards the dragon on the beach. Vermithor looked up at the two smaller dragons taking off, seemingly sensing something, and crawled towards the castle, just in time to meet his master.
Vermithor roared and flew north.
"Your Majesty, I should also depart," Daemon said, taking Queen Rhaenyra's hand and kissing it gently.
"I wish you a triumphant return," Rhaenyra replied with a kiss on his cheek. Daemon smiled, took Dark Sister from his squire, and jogged towards Dragonmont.
Moments later, the slender, snake-like Caraxes roared as he took off from Dragonmont, disappearing into the clouds in a blink of an eye.
King's Landing, Red Keep.
Aegon II Targaryen's face was ashen as he read the message brought by the raven from Dragonstone.
The message was simple, with two main points. The first declared to all lords, knights, and commoners that Otto Hightower, Alicent Hightower, and Ser Criston Cole had betrayed their king and were oathbreakers and traitors scorned by the gods. As for his half-siblings, who had been deceived by traitors, Rhaenyra generously stated that if they were willing to come to Dragonstone and kneel in apology, she would gladly pardon them, as they all shared Targaryen blood, and kinslaying was the greatest sin under heaven.
The second point followed immediately: Dragonzel announced his support for Rhaenyra's claim to the throne and participated in her coronation ceremony.
"Traitors! They are committing treason!" Aegon II felt a chill run down his neck. He wasn't stupid; though he loved drinking and women, he could still do the math. If Dragonzel joined Rhaenyra's faction, it meant the Black faction would have five adult dragons and four smaller dragons capable of flight and combat.
"Seven Hells," Aegon II ultimately did not utter the words, "I will chop off their heads." Instead, he sat wearily on the Iron Throne.
"Hiss." As soon as he sat down, Aegon II inhaled sharply. He lifted his hand to see that an unknown sharp blade had cut his finger. Blood immediately welled up, and Aegon II quickly put his finger in his mouth. Fortunately, the wound was not deep; it was just a superficial cut.
Aegon II immediately felt annoyed. But there was nothing he could do but sit idly in the empty throne room, lost in thought.
Vermithor quickly caught up with Vermax, but this was because Jacaerys saw Dragonzel chasing him and intentionally slowed down.
"My lord, why did you follow us?" Jacaerys shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Your mother told me to!" Dragonzel yelled back, and Vermithor also roared, flying alongside Vermax.
Dragonstone was not far from the Eyrie. The two dragons, one after another, quickly flew past Gulltown. As the continuous high mountains appeared in the dragons' sight and the familiar Giant's Lance reappeared, Jacaerys suddenly pointed below.
"My lord, there's an army!"
Dragonzel pressed his gauntlet, and Vermithor flew a little lower. Sure enough, he saw a small but well-equipped army surrounding the Moon Gate. They flew banners with golden eagles and were completely unaware of what had appeared above them.
"Jeyne, this is for your own good," Lord Gunthor Arryn earnestly pleaded with the expressionless lady on the city wall. Lady Jeyne Arryn was thirty-five years old this year. Since her father and brother were killed by the Stone Crows in the mountains, the lady had held power in the Vale until today.
This golden-haired "Maiden of the Vale," who inherited her family's Andal features, was still beautiful, but long-term governance had also given her an indescribable majesty. Especially when she looked at these "relatives" below the city walls, this majesty was even more pronounced.
Ser Joffrey Arryn, clad in fine plate armor, stood by her side, as did Lord Gunthor Royce.
This was also why the Lady of the Vale could stand here steadily: Lord Royce brought 700 well-equipped knights of the Vale, and Ser Joffrey commanded 500 crossbowmen.
"King Aegon is the true king. The king promises that as long as you are willing to kneel to him, he will recognize your rule over the Vale. Cousin, wake up."
"Dragon!" A terrified scream interrupted Lord Gunthor. The old lord of the Vale had just looked up when he saw a massive dragon shadow descend from the sky, landing unceremoniously among his army. Lord Gunthor was trampled into the stone by Vermithor, man and horse, without even uttering a word. The dragon seemed uncomfortable and roared immediately after landing. With a sweep of its tail, another group of people was directly knocked to the ground, and screams and pleas for mercy instantly spread throughout the area below the city.
"Is that a dragon?" Ser Joffrey looked at the newly arrived mountain and couldn't help but swallow.
"Yes," Lady Jeyne nodded expressionlessly.
The remaining people, seeing Vermax also descending, immediately scattered, abandoning even their banners. Vermax then shook his head and flew onto the walls of the Moon Gate.
Prince Jacaerys nimbly leaped from the dragon's back.
"Lady Jeyne, I come as an envoy from my mother, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, First of Her Name." The prince bowed deeply to the lady with perfect politeness before looking up at her.
On the other side.
Lightning rolled in the dark clouds, and the storms common in the Stormlands battered the round towers of Storm's End. Arrax laboriously brought a drenched Lucerys to the plaza of Storm's End.
The young prince wiped his face and dismounted the dragon.
Arrax suddenly roared at the other side, and Lucerys followed the sound.
A mountain slowly rose from the side.
Vhagar.
Lucerys immediately recognized the dragon.
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