Chapter 117: Wolves March South, Eagles Leave the Vale, Yet the War Is Over
"Did they find out where they came from?" Ray poked at the small piles of ash left behind by Shadow Nightmare's Dragonflame. "What was their purpose? Was there someone behind them?"
Bishop Ke'erlun shook his head. "I don't know. Within the Faith, only those wandering Friars who travel among villages dress like that. Usually, they simply recite scripture, and many Friars don't even possess the ability to properly interpret holy texts. Only a tiny number are true preachers, much like the missionaries of King Renly in earlier years."
"It sounds like they are also an indispensable part of common life." Ray nodded, understanding Bishop Ke'erlun's explanation.
"Your Highness, we do have some clues." Tigaro Dagareon stepped forward, his long hair hanging over his shoulders while holding a thick ledger. Ray gestured for him to continue.
Tigaro opened the notebook and explained, "According to records at the checkpoint in Willow Road Village, these heretics claimed they came from the Crownlands and did not belong to any local sept or temple. Based on their statements, I have sufficient reason to suspect their target was the children's Dragons."
"No, Tigaro." Ray scratched beneath Shadow Nightmare's chin as the black Dragon affectionately pressed against him. The Dragon let out several satisfied purring noises.
"It should also include my Dragon, Aegon's Dragon, and perhaps even Stormcloud. I'm worried that King's Landing may already be in trouble."
"Should I send a letter to Prince Daemon, asking him to return to Dragon Nest City and oversee matters? With Vermithor and Silverwing there, no one should be able to cause trouble," Tigaro said gravely.
Ray shook his head.
"No need. I don't think they can stir up much trouble. Hugh, have the City Watch increase patrols during this period. The Market District, Grand Avenue District, Saffron District, Silk Street, and Flower Alley are all under temporary curfew."
Ray looked toward Hugh, who stood at the front of the City Watch.
This blacksmith, due to his exceptional craftsmanship and obvious Valyrian appearance, had become extremely popular among the Valyrian blacksmiths of House Varezes in Volantis. He had now become an upper-ranking member of Summerhall's Blacksmith Guild. Not only did he own his own forge, but he also served as one of the captains of the Silver Guards within the City Watch.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Hugh excitedly sneaked another glance toward the Dragons in Dragonpit. The hatchlings stayed deep inside the cavern and couldn't be seen from here, but Shadow Nightmare and Stormcloud wandered nearby.
He couldn't help but regret not seeing the two adult Dragons.
After giving out numerous orders regarding city affairs, Ray was finally free to rest.
The Prince returned exhausted to his chambers within Twin Towers and threw himself heavily onto his bed, stretching vigorously.
Crack. Crack.
Listening to his joints pop throughout his body, Ray felt indescribably relaxed.
"My eldest brother and second brother aren't here. They're really making me do the work of two people."
Ray collapsed across the bed and let out a miserable groan.
Knock knock.
A knock interrupted his complaints.
"Come in."
Hofa, with black hair and golden eyes, pushed open the door and stood at the entrance.
"Prince, Princess Rhaena wishes to see you."
Ray instantly sat upright.
"Please bring her in, Brother Hofa."
Hofa stepped aside, and Rhaena rushed into the room.
"Ray! My Dragon egg is about to hatch!"
"What?"
Ray did not immediately process her words.
"I said my Dragon egg is about to hatch!"
Rhaena spun excitedly around Ray's room.
"Little Viserys is upset because his Dragon egg is the only one showing no signs of movement."
"Your Dragon egg is hatching?"
Ray finally understood.
"Quick, take me there!"
Rhaena grabbed Ray's hand and immediately dragged him outside.
"Hurry! Hurry! The children and both Sisters are already waiting!"
Ray was equally delighted.
For Dragonlords, every Dragon was priceless.
The hatching of every Dragon egg was a joyous event worthy of celebration.
Though Ray vaguely remembered hearing that House Targaryen once enjoyed a glorious era when Dragon eggs hatched nearly every month, for some unknown reason, only a handful of Dragons remained now.
The Prince and Princess hurried across the skybridge of Twin Towers and pushed open the greenhouse doors.
Indeed, Diana Tarly and Laena Celtigar stood inside alongside the children, including Aegon and Viserys.
Everyone surrounded a Dragon egg covered in tiny cracks and stared at it with focused attention.
Three hatchlings also stared at it.
Lingor's black Dragon covered with star-shaped patterns had grown quite large.
To avoid damaging the eggs inside the greenhouse, the little Dragon curled itself into a miserable ball while pitifully watching the other two Dragons play.
Samantha's ugly little Dragon remained ugly.
The tentacle-like appendages across its body still existed and had seemingly grown even longer.
Though still tiny, its Dragon teeth had become remarkably sharp.
Especially its dark green eyes, nearly devoid of pupils, along with its bald head and neck which lacked scales entirely, made it appear exceptionally strange.
Meanwhile, its wings remained oversized and could almost entirely cover its younger sister Daniela's white Dragon.
The white Dragon's dorsal fins had also grown larger and harder, seemingly replacing traditional Dragon horns.
Little Lingor hugged his black Dragon's head while watching the cracking Dragon egg.
Noticing his companion's attention had shifted elsewhere, the black Dragon grumbled unhappily.
Yet strangely, the Dragon's sounds followed a rhythm, almost like singing.
The sound was remarkably pleasant.
"Mama, when do you think the Dragon egg will hatch?"
Samantha Varezes asked curiously.
Diana smiled and shook her head.
"I don't know. You should ask Cousin Aegon."
Samantha immediately pestered Aegon.
"Cousin Aegon! Cousin Aegon! When do you think the little Dragon will come out?"
Aegon stroked his little fiancée's hair and smiled.
"I don't know either. It depends on the little Dragon's mood."
Lingor looked up immediately.
"Not mood. Strength."
"Alright, strength, strength."
Aegon helplessly soothed Lingor.
Just then, Ray and Rhaena entered, and Aegon secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Uncle Ray, look quickly!"
Lingor pointed excitedly.
"It's hatching!"
Ray looked over.
Sure enough, more cracks had formed across the shell.
Only Viserys sat alone while hugging his Dragon egg silently with a depressed expression.
Laena walked over and gently pinched the little Prince's face.
"There there. Look, Rhaena's Dragon egg is hatching. Yours will hatch very soon too."
"Really?"
Viserys instantly brightened.
After receiving Laena's reassurance, the little Prince immediately rushed back into the crowd.
"It's hatching! It's hatching!"
Daniela clapped excitedly.
The Dragon egg finally split open.
A pale pink Dragon hatchling with black horn-like crests cautiously crawled from its shell.
It timidly glanced around everyone.
Then immediately coughed and released a puff of black smoke.
Ray tilted his head.
At the doorway, Hofa immediately waved his hand.
The Silver Guards waiting outside entered carrying baskets of cooked meat and dumped them into the bronze basin in the greenhouse center.
Samantha's Dragon and Daniela's Dragon immediately tried rushing toward the food.
But Lingor's Dragon swept them away with its tail.
The black Dragon roared warningly.
This food wasn't theirs.
The two little Dragons immediately grumbled unhappily before obediently retreating.
Seeing no danger, the pale pink hatchling stumbled from its shell and plunged headfirst into the basin, greedily devouring meat.
"Have you thought of a name?"
Ray gently elbowed Rhaena.
Rhaena thought briefly.
"Let's call it Dawn. The war is almost over, and dawn is arriving."
Ray nodded.
He knelt beside his nieces and nephews.
"Have all of you thought of names for your Dragons?"
Lingor had already lost interest in the egg.
He turned around and hugged his Dragon again.
Seeing its companion's attention return, the little black Dragon happily rubbed itself against Lingor's arm and contentedly hummed another song-like tune.
"It's called Starsong."
Lingor answered without hesitation.
Clearly, he had already planned the name.
"Starsong. What a beautiful name."
Diana happily rubbed her son's cheek.
"How did you think of it?"
"Starsong has star patterns."
Lingor explained seriously.
"And its voice sounds like singing."
"So I called it Starsong."
"What about the girls' Dragons?" Diana asked smiling.
"My Dragon is called Candleflame."
Samantha immediately raised her hand.
"Cousin Aegon helped me choose it."
"He said it means a tiny spark that can eventually become a great blaze."
Aegon nodded.
"I also named Daniela's Dragon."
The boy puffed out his chest confidently.
"Aurora. Its color fits perfectly."
While the children named their Dragons—
The Twins.
Thirty thousand Northmen led by Lord Cregan Stark had finally crossed the Neck, passed over House Frey's bridge, and entered the Riverlands.
Meanwhile, the Vale host had finally completed its preparations and marched out from the Bloody Gate under Ser Artys Royce, advancing toward the Crownlands.
"Is the war over?"
Cregan Stark looked expressionlessly toward Lady Sabitha Frey, wife of Lord Forrest Frey.
Coldness filled his grey eyes.
"The war is not over."
"Because the traitors' heads are still attached to their necks."
Cregan returned the letter and spoke coldly.
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