Chapter 137: Chasing the Dragon Thief
"Ray, that's just your theory. You need sufficient data and practical cases to support your claim." Dragonzel pulled the wooden lever of the lift platform. "At least you can't deny the theory that dragons have genders now."
"Alright." Ray couldn't refute his brother's words. Indeed, he didn't have enough evidence to prove his theory of egg dragons and fighting dragons. He could only wait for the family's dragon population to expand to gradually verify his immature ideas.
The lift platform steadily descended into the Dragonpit. The Silver Guards in the Dragonpit surrounded them. The Grand Steward Ammor seemed to know why the three brothers had come and came forward to greet them. "Your Highness, it was indeed Candlelight that laid the egg. We have confirmed it repeatedly."
"I know." Dragonzel raised his hand, signaling the Silver Guards not to follow. He led Valarr and Ray to the dark cliff wall, stepped on the stones, and climbed into the nest of the three young dragons. Realizing someone had entered, Star Song immediately poked its head out of its small nest, just about to let out a roar, but Dragonzel's command—"Quiet, Star Song"—made it suppress the roar.
Normally, Star Song had been tamed by Lingor, and it would not accept commands from anyone else. But Dragonzel was different. His dragon Vermithor was the "Monarch" in the Dragonpit. Young dragons under its protection, upon seeing its companion, also needed to consider Vermithor. Moreover, Dragonzel was also a blood mage, though at least for now, he wouldn't use blood magic on dragons.
Dragonzel led his brothers into Candlelight's nest. Candlelight, seeing Dragonzel enter, immediately covered its head with its large wing.
"Candlelight, don't be afraid." Dragonzel said in High Valyrian. Candlelight then slowly opened its wings. Its head still had no sharp horns, nor any visible scales; it was still so ugly. Its tentacles were tightly pressed against its body at this time, but the strange tentacles could be clearly distinguished. The most surprising thing was that Candlelight could even control these tentacles, making them stick tightly to its body instead of hanging down, dragging on the ground like when it first hatched.
Dragonzel inspected Candlelight, nodded, and then led his brothers out. Ray wanted to ask something, feeling a bit confused, but Valarr stopped him. Only after they returned to the Silver Guards' station did Dragonzel answer his brother's question.
"You've also noticed that Candlelight's tentacles might have a unique role in future close-quarters dragon combat." Dragonzel tapped his brother's forehead. "Its ability to control those tentacles means it won't be weak in dragon combat. Even in a fight between dragons of the same size, if those tentacles entangle the opponent's dragon, or can directly attack the opponent's rider, plus Candlelight's claws are far sharper than other dragons'."
Dragonzel looked into his brother's eyes and continued, "How can you deny its combat capability?"
Ray lowered his head, but he wouldn't give up his theory. He would use Candlelight, Star Song, Dawn, Dawn, and the newly born Sarafasas and Igaras as research subjects to gradually refine his theory.
"Big Brother, I heard you're going to choose new Bloodsworn Brothers?" Valarr saw his brother lost in thought and felt the atmosphere shouldn't grow cold, so he took over the topic. Dragonzel's Bloodsworn Brothers were not like the Kingsguard, who served for life and had to take strict oaths, with a fixed number of seven. Bloodsworn Brothers only needed a small squad to protect Dragonzel personally. Bloodsworn Brothers holding important positions, or those who were granted fiefs or sent on foreign assignments, would not be removed from the list.
"Do you have any good candidates?" Dragonzel asked.
"Athor Saetiga." Valarr immediately said the name. After Leira married him, Athor Saetiga also came along. This young man was already fifteen this year, skilled in archery and horsemanship, and especially proficient with the spear. His spear skills were even taught by Hofa.
"That child, Athor." Dragonzel smiled. "Hofa had already put him on the list."
Valarr felt a bit embarrassed. He should have expected it. Given Hofa's character and ability, Athor couldn't possibly be excluded.
While the three brothers were inspecting Candlelight.
Dragon's Nest Tower, Dragon Rearing Greenhouse.
Aegon, Lingor, Viserys, and Samantha were gathered in a circle, smiling as they watched Igaras circle Sarafasas. The sapphire-colored young dragon lay lazily on the greenhouse's dragon crystal rack, its long tail hanging down, flicking back and forth. Igaras stared at Sarafasas's dangling tail, dragging its body, which was more than a circle thicker than other young dragons, running back and forth tirelessly, oblivious to the circle of people sitting nearby.
Viserys wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. Aegon, on the other hand, after mocking his brother once in the hot springs a few days ago, had gradually become calmer watching Igaras's actions these past few days.
"So dragons also have such rich emotions," he thought. Thinking of his own Stormcloud, although it was impeccably good in terms of loyalty and temper, it still acted like a sycophant in front of Shadow Nightmare and Vermax. Aegon felt much more at ease.
"Is Igaras courting?" Samantha asked curiously. She had just learned these terms recently and was very curious if the two young dragons also had this relationship. Just as she asked this, Sarafasas instantly pulled its tail back. Igaras looked up eagerly as Sarafasas lazily stretched its body, slowly crawling on the rack, and immediately lowered its head to the ground, slowly crawling into a corner, making a sharp sound.
Then the children saw Sarafasas elegantly spread its wings, gliding to Igaras's side. Its posture was so graceful, its sapphire-like dragon scales shimmering with dazzling light under the greenhouse's flames. The young dragon elegantly landed beside Igaras, letting out a roar. Igaras immediately stopped whimpering and pounced on Sarafasas's side, but dared not get too close, only daring to crawl around Sarafasas, huffing and puffing.
"I can't take it anymore, Igaras, whoever wants to tame him, tame him." Viserys almost cried. How could he have imagined his own companion dragon would be so… speechless.
"Relax." Lingor couldn't help but comfort him. "Perhaps this is only a temporary situation, Cousin Viserys. Have you forgotten that Caraxes and Vhagar were once mates, but after Vhagar was tamed by the One-Eyed Dragon, Caraxes and Vhagar also fought each other on the battlefield?"
"When did Caraxes fight Vhagar? Wasn't it your father riding Vermithor who killed Vhagar?" Viserys immediately held back his tears and asked, puzzled.
"I'm just giving an example." Lingor covered his forehead. "It's clear you didn't listen to Maester Visari's class, Cousin. While dragons certainly have emotions, they are more attuned to their companions. If I were about to have a younger brother, then Igaras and Sarafasas would definitely not be like this in the future."
"Oh," Viserys uttered, calming down slightly.
"By the way, Lingor, Daenerys…" Aegon leaned over and inquired. This time it was Samantha who spoke: "Father means for Brother to marry Daenerys, so Cousin Viserys, you'll have to wait a few more years." The little girl looked at Viserys with a mischievous smile.
Viserys could only pray that Daenerys's belly held a boy now. He didn't want his dragon to continue circling his wife's dragon like this in the future.
The children were still watching the two young dragons play.
Meanwhile, in King's Landing.
Daemon looked at the letter in his hand, suppressing the urge to smash his fist down. There was no reason, only because he was sitting on the Iron Throne, and if he missed and hit a blade, everything would be over. He hadn't expected that someone would actually try to steal a dragon, and even act on it, even planning to come to Dragonstone after failing. Did they really think the Targaryen family had no dragon knights?
Seeing the regent on the Iron Throne so furious, the petitioners below the throne exchanged glances, not knowing what to do.
Daemon took a deep breath, tucked the letter into his clothes, and said in a deep voice, "Next."
A merchant cautiously stepped forward. He dared not look into Daemon's eyes: "Your Majesty the Regent, I wish to request that you appropriately raise the tariffs on foreign grain entering King's Landing. A large amount of grain is now flooding the King's Landing market, and our local grain merchants are suffering heavy losses. Could you perhaps consider our past…"
"Merchant, winter is coming. Do you want King's Landing to starve?" Daemon was almost amused to anger by these greedy merchants. He admitted that the heavy taxes imposed by Lord Bartimos Celtigar back then had indeed severely impacted King's Landing's local grain merchants, but if they wanted to use this to raise King's Landing's grain prices, Daemon could only say, in the next life.
The regent waved his hand, signaling that today's audience was over, ignoring the merchant's shouts as he was dragged away. As he walked, he said to Tyland and Bartimos, "I need to go to Dragonstone for a trip. It won't be too long. The Small Council will be suspended during this time, and King's Landing will continue to be managed by the Small Council. Tyland, please put more effort into selecting the Master of Whisperers. Bartimos, the grain price in King's Landing must not rise by a single copper. Also, have the warships from Crab Island keep an eye on all ships heading north."
"As you wish."
Watching Tyland leave, Bartimos nervously followed, "Your Majesty, is it about the dragon thieves?" Daemon looked at Count Bartimos with some confusion. Then he suddenly realized. "I almost forgot your daughter married Valarr. Dragonzel must have sent you a raven."
"All the warships on Crab Island are patrolling," Bartimos said. "I can guarantee that as soon as any suspicious individuals appear, we will immediately arrest them."
Daemon stopped and looked at Bartimos for a moment. "Let Caraxes speak instead." The regent withdrew his gaze. "The rats of the Free Cities have forgotten the taste of fire. It's time to wake them up."
Over the sea.
The Mouse cut through the wind and waves, like an arrow shooting straight into the distance.
Hugh stood on the deck, gently patting the back of a Dothraki youth wearing a painted fur vest. "Ah, tell me, Dorco, you get seasick, but you still insist on coming along."
Dorco wiped the stains from the corner of his mouth, looking at the seawater with some lingering fear. Indeed, it was poisonous water that even horses wouldn't drink. If it weren't for punishing those who dared to offend Dragon Sand Great Khal's Winged Steeds, he would never ride a wooden horse again. During the Great Migration back then, they hid in the ship's cabin the whole way, not daring to look at the poisonous water even once.
"Brother Dorco, you'll get used to it after a few more boat rides," Adam, barefoot and shirtless, said loudly as he organized the ropes. However, he only received a glare from Dorco.
The youth shrank his neck and continued with his work.
"Hugh, it's been so many days already." The captain of the Mouse, Dennis's wife, "Mouse" Marda, emerged from the cabin. "No clues yet?"
Hugh shook his head. They had intercepted a merchant ship from Lys yesterday. There were indeed many silver-haired, purple-eyed sailors on board, but not the two people Adam and Elin had seen.
"It's strange. We didn't see them on Tarth, and we still haven't found them in Blackwater Bay. Could it be that they've really reached Dragonstone?" Dennis muttered discontentedly, "Hugh, I say we should quickly let that little brat release the raven and tell the prince to go directly to Dragonstone. No matter where those dragon thieves go, they will surely land on Dragonstone." Before he finished speaking, a scream interrupted their conversation.
It was Elin's voice, dressed like Adam. The youth was looking out from the crow's nest.
"Dragon!"
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