High Tide, Driftmark
112 AC
"Oh, did he now? That was very surprising indeed," said Corlys Velaryon, twirling his new wand—carved from goldenheart wood—in his hand. It looked far more appealing than his old white wand. This new one, with a core of a tan sea snake's heartstring and a shard of sea crystal, pulsed softly with sea magic that Laenor had personally imbued into it over three moons. It was an excellent wand—no, more than excellent—for sea magic and life magic, particularly in healing and manipulating the fauna of both land and sea.
"Indeed, it's surprising. I never thought I'd hear that Viserys, of all Targaryens, had claimed another dragon. From what I've deduced of the man, when he loves, he loves fiercely. Balerion was his dream, and he adored the Conqueror's dragon—only for Balerion to die a few years later," Laenor said with a hint of surprise. He was lounging on a large couch while Laena popped grapes into his mouth, nibbling on them herself in between.
"Well, I once aimed to claim Vhagar too, but not anymore," Laena added, shrugging. "Veltharys is better."
"It seems magic is changing us over time," said their mother thoughtfully. "And the effects are so subtle we didn't notice. Viserys is shifting—from a man who always deferred to his council to one who tames dragons and takes more direct control over the realm."
It was she who had brought the news of Viserys' success in taming Vhagar.
"Well, we should be thankful that the change hasn't been drastic. Real power tends to bring more than subtle shifts," Laenor said, opening his mouth for another grape.
"Well, I'd wager it wasn't just power that pushed Viserys to claim Vhagar. Likely a healthy mix of fear and caution too—especially with House Velaryon's power growing by the day," Corlys remarked.
Laenor silently agreed. His father wasn't wrong.
"You can't blame him," Rhaenys said. "Not just Viserys, but all the lords of the realm are holding their breath, praying that Veltharys and Embaryx stop growing. None of them wants to see a behemoth larger than Balerion the Black Dread. Perhaps Embaryx will earn that title now—he's already big enough to deserve it. I have a feeling that soon he will receive a title that will be more ominous than the Conqueror's dragon."
Yes, Embaryx and Veltharys had grown to the size Balerion was when he died. But unlike the aging Black Dread, the two clutchmates could still fly with ease—slightly slower than before, perhaps, but still agile. Not to forget, Meleys, our resident Red Queen, who will soon contend with Silverwing about who is larger.
"Well, Laenor did say they'd stop growing this quickly once they reach ten years of age," Corlys said, a note of disappointment in his tone.
"Is it disappointment in your tone, Corlys?" Rhaenys scoffed. "Do you have any idea where we'd keep them if they didn't stop growing? And what would you do if those two decided they didn't want to hunt for their own food anymore? They might not harm their riders—or their riders' families—but to the smallfolk and merchants of Spicetown or Driftmark, they'd be nothing but death with wings."
"Mother, I don't think Embaryx or Veltharys are stupid or lazy enough to hunt men," Laenor said calmly. "They haven't just grown in size—they've grown more intelligent too. I'd even say Embaryx is wiser than most men and understands more than we give him credit for. So your fears, while understandable, are unfounded. And as I said, their growth will slow down after they turn ten."
"You said it would slow, not stop," Laena pointed out.
"Aye. Their growth rate will match that of adult Targaryen dragons. Incredibly slow, but yes, they'll continue to grow," Laenor replied.
"How do you know that for certain, Laenor?" his mother asked, raising an eyebrow, curiosity etched on her face.
"I just know," Laenor said simply, his voice firm. "Take it as fact."
In truth, it was Embaryx who had conveyed that to him. No, the dragon couldn't speak—but their bond was deep. Deeper than words. And dragons… dragons knew themselves better than any man ever could. Even Laenor.
"I wonder how large Veltharys will be able to grow?" Laena mused aloud. "Maybe one day she'll be the size of an island?"
"That would be one terrifying dragon," their father said slowly, the image clearly forming in his mind.
"But wouldn't that make them unable to fly?" their mother asked, glancing toward Laenor with raised brows.
"How do you think Balerion managed to fly despite his weight?" Laenor responded, straightening in his seat. "Even at their current size, Embaryx and Veltharys should not logically be capable of flight. But they are—and that is because it's not the rules of 'the Seven and Maesters' that govern them, but magic. It is magic that lets them soar, and I'd wager Velaryon dragons are more deeply suffused with magic than any other dragon to have ever lived—or will live—in this world."
He let that thought settle over the room like a stormcloud touched by fire, then leaned forward.
"Now, before this meeting strays from magic into dragon-talk," he continued pointedly, "I implore you all to begin your reports. I'm dead tired from mentoring our Velaryon cousins and uncles all day, and I need to return to sleep before I collapse here."
His father chuckled softly but nodded. "Very well. I'll begin. My water magic is coming along nicely. Healing magic is progressing too, although at a slower pace—but that's to be expected. Now, as for ship-controlling charms…" he paused, grimacing slightly. "Those are proving very difficult. Vaemond and I are still experimenting, using the advice you gave us. We've managed to craft a few rudimentary spells, but in that field, I'd say we're crawling at a snail's pace."
Laenor gave a nod of approval. "You're doing very well, Father. Truly. And believe me, ship-controlling charms were never meant to be easy. Unlike elemental magic or simpler charms, this kind requires deep understanding—complex calculations, navigation principles, tides, and a tremendous amount of willpower. Especially if the goal is to use them in war. But your foundation is solid."
He paused for a moment before adding thoughtfully, "I considered adding that raw magical power plays a part too—but given how fast your reserves are expanding, I doubt you'll run into that wall anytime soon." Laenor's tone hinted at his lingering amazement. Even at his father's age, his magical reserves continued to grow—a phenomenon that contradicted everything he had once read in fiction in his previous life on Earth. It seemed, in this world, age did not stifle magical growth.
His mother was next to speak. "My fire and thunder magic remain steady, progressing as expected. But where I'm truly seeing gains is in household charms and mind magic—thanks, of course, to your help, my son." Her voice was calm and assured, with a proud gleam in her eyes. "Now, that new branch of magic you introduced… Transfiguration," she said, the word rolling off her tongue like something exotic and rare, "that has utterly captivated me. I've been working hard. While I still haven't managed to turn a wooden needle into that of a glass one, I can now transmute that wooden needle into steel with increasing ease."
Laenor smiled. "Hmm, it seems your affinity leans toward magic that demands immense willpower and clarity of vision. Transfiguration isn't an easy field by any means. But your background in mind magic will serve you well—it sharpens your mental discipline. Though," he added with a thoughtful frown, "I still find it odd that your elemental magic isn't developing as quickly. Perhaps one day, we'll uncover why."
He turned next to his elder sibling, his expression expectant, eyes shining faintly with both curiosity and pride.
"Well, you already know my fire magic is growing stronger than ever. Though I must admit, casting silently and without significant wand movement isn't progressing as quickly as I hoped. Still, I've managed to reduce the wand movements for many spells in my arsenal, and soon I'll be able to cast them both silently and with barely a flick. But if there's anything I can already cast silently and with almost no wand movement, it's the levitation charm, the banishing charm, and the summoning charm. My progress with battle charms is also going well. Still no breakthrough with thunder or storm magic, though. Water magic is progressing at the same pace as fire. Now, I'm trying to create a spell that shields both me and Veltharys from physical and magical attacks. And yes, I know—don't make that face, Laenor. I understand it'll be difficult, but I will make it work. You'll see."
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