Chapter 84: The Prince and the Dragons at the Tourney
In 269 AC, the weather was cooperative; it was clear and calm when the tourney began, making it perfect for the contests.
On Rhaenys's Hill, the Dragonpit had been arranged as the venue for the contests and viewing, and tens of thousands of common folk poured into it.
The Dragonpit was tall and imposing. After the dome was removed, it now resembled an arena. The stone benches originally planned beneath the dome could accommodate at least eight thousand people, but now the dome was gone, the benches vanished, and the Dragonpit was packed full.
Rhaegar couldn't help but sigh. As a port city, a commercial hub, and the political center of Westeros, King's Landing was still dominated by those seeking entertainment and excitement. Rhaegar had never seen so many people.
In the North and Dorne, due to the smaller populations, the people weren't particularly enthusiastic about knightly culture.
Three magical dragons circled in the air above the Dragonpit, and Rhaegar smiled and waved to the crowd.
"This tourney is surely the most brilliant chapter in a hundred years of tournaments! Our Silver Prince first leads his three dragons—the Silver Dragon Silver Emperor, the Black Dragon Balerion, and the Purple Dragon Vhagar—to present this gift to you!" the Master of Ceremonies shouted loudly, followed by the sound of trumpets and horns.
Rhaegar rode a black steed, raising the black-and-red dragon banner of House Targaryen, and rode three laps around the Dragonpit arena.
The name Balerion reminded everyone present of the Black Dread, representing slaughter, death, and fire.
The three magical dragons moved with their master's figure, flying around the arena with Rhaegar, occasionally spitting out flames.
The Silver Dragon was proud like an emperor, its golden eyes showing arrogance, conceit, and wildness. Its shining silver scales, golden horns, and pale gold wing membranes gave it inherent majesty and nobility.
The Silver Dragon flew, leading the other two young dragons. The Black Dragon was profound like the eternal night, and the Purple Dragon was magnificent like crystal. Everyone had to admit that these three were the most beautiful dragons in the world, and once they grew up, they would become terrifying behemoths.
Both the eastern and western continents still remembered the history of great dragons rising with the wind and ravaging battlefields.
Everyone saw the lords, great and small, of Westeros, and the envoys from the Free Cities. Looking at the three magnificent young dragons, their eyes revealed various emotions: terror, envy, jealousy, disgust, or greed.
Originally, this ceremony should have involved Rhaegar riding a great dragon and flying three circles around the Dragonpit, but since the dragons were small, it was changed to riding three laps around the arena.
But even so, seeing magical dragons again after more than a hundred years sparked endless cheers.
"Long live King's Landing!"
"Long live House Targaryen! Long live King Aerys!"
"Long live the Silver Prince!"
"Long live Lucky Rhaegar!" the crowds shouted loudly.
The entire Dragonpit had turned into an ocean of cheers.
The sense of satisfaction brought by the appearance of the magical dragons was unparalleled.
The tourney was not only for knights to show off their prowess but also served as entertainment for the populace, similar to an arena performance, meant to appease the people. A king who fails to ensure his people feel joy is destined to be criticized.
Rhaegar saw that one area at the core of the Dragonpit was requisitioned for a military camp, another area was reserved for the King and the Lords to view the proceedings, and the central area was the tourney ground.
The Gold Cloaks and the household guards of many Lords marked out lines and positions on the ground to prevent trampling caused by the massive crowd.
Camping was forbidden in the Dragonpit, so over a hundred tents were pitched directly outside the walls of King's Landing, along the riverbank.
The shining armor, tall warhorses, and handsome knights performing under various flags and sigils greatly enhanced the enjoyment of the people of King's Landing. The crowds would cheer loudly for the knights.
Rhaegar's gaze swept over the viewing platform. He saw various banners and Lords: the Black-and-Red Dragon, the Crowned Stag, the Green-Field Rose, the Blue-and-White Crescent Falcon, the Running Wolf of the North, the Sun-Piercing Spear, and the Roaring Lion. The colors bloomed like clustered flowers. Today's event could certainly be called one of the most lively tourneys in Westeros.
Rhaegar saw that the first row consisted of King Aerys II Targaryen and the Great Lords of the Realm. The White Knights, clad in white scale armor and cloaks as pure as fresh snow, protected the King and his family. Closest to the royal family were House Baratheon of Storm's End, House Lannister of Casterly Rock, and House Martell of Dorne.
The adorable Deer Girl with black hair and blue eyes was still waving her small hand at Rhaegar. The girl was young but already strikingly beautiful. Robert Baratheon glanced at his older sister, feeling she was a bit too enthusiastic, but he dared not speak, having been suppressed too much at home.
King Aerys II, Lord Tywin Lannister, and Prince Rhaegar all bore expressions of pride; this was the glory due to fathers and sons alike. Queen Rhaella, Lady Joanna Lannister, Princess Elia Martell, and Lady Cassana Baratheon laughed and chatted together—the Four Roses of King's Landing gathered once more. Queen Rhaella's face was full of pride; her eldest son had brought her honor, laughter, and praise.
Next was Lord Jon Arryn, accompanied by his wife and young son Rennal. The family, dressed in magnificent blue-and-white falcon robes, signaled to Rhaegar.
Under the banner of the Running Wolf were Lord Rickard Stark, his wife, and his children: the somewhat reserved second son Eddard, and the unrestrained, lively, and confident eldest son Brandon. The Stark family had brown hair, long faces, and gray eyes; many said they possessed the Blood of the Wolf, inherited by a few in every generation.
House Tyrell's banner appeared the freshest green. Lord Luthor Tyrell and his wife, along with their son Mace, wore green velvet coats, with a rose pattern outlined in golden thread on their chests. Young Mace looked very excited, and Lady Tyrell quietly urged him to be more composed.
"Those flashy Targaryens, they can't wait to tell the whole world they have dragons again," she whispered critically. Yet when her eyes fell on Rhaegar, and then returned to her own son, the difference was stark.
Mace had studied martial skills since childhood, yet excelled neither in scholarship nor in arms. Lady Tyrell had long understood that her son was destined for mediocrity. In every generation, perhaps only one or two shone like the sun, while the rest merely orbited them.
Rhaegar also spotted envoys from the Free Cities. The Sealord of Braavos had sent a son. The Archon of Tyrosh brought his son and daughter; the Archon's daughter, with blue-green hair and sharp eyes, watched Rhaegar intently.
Pentos sent a lavish delegation of Magisters to witness the rebirth of dragons. Though Myr and Lys were reluctant, they too dispatched envoys.
Rhaegar paid particular attention to the men of Volantis. The Volantene delegation included a powerful merchant said to have ties to the ruling Triarchs. The man smiled warmly upon seeing Rhaegar. Many other merchants from the Free Cities had paid dearly to witness dragons with their own eyes.
Prince Rhaegar, having completed three laps with the dragons, returned to his position amid thunderous cheers and regrouped with his Jicheng Bing. The soldiers had not moved, waiting on horseback, their formation hard as iron. Though young, their bearing was fierce, like a mountain range at rest.
"Now I announce that the victor, the Spearbreaker, Lucky Rhaegar, the Silver Prince of House Targaryen, and his Eagle Guards, will perform a simulated battle for us!" the Master of Ceremonies cried. "Though young, Prince Rhaegar is already a proven warrior. He led his men to victory on the Valley Road and personally slew three knights at Maidenpool!"
Straw dummies had already been erected in the center of the arena.
At Rhaegar's command, horns sounded low and cold. The longbow unit advanced, loosing a storm of arrows that blanketed the dummy ranks.
Then came the cavalry. Spears lowered, swords raised, they charged like a gale, tearing through the straw soldiers in moments.
The Eagle Guards moved as one—longbow suppression, battlefield division, reserves advancing, encirclement and flanking. Every motion was precise, disciplined, relentless.
Though young, they already bore the shape of steel.
Above them, the magical dragons circled, and the straw dummies burned fiercely.
Some Lords and envoys watched in silence, wondering why such an elite force was being forged in a time of peace.
Then the applause returned like a tidal wave, and cheers rang out once more for the Silver Prince and his soldiers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics