Point of View: Aegon Targaryen
The silence between us grew heavier.
The red priests did not take their eyes off me, as if the fire burning in the torches were only a pale reflection of something far greater watching through them.
—The eggs did not disappear by chance—said the priest who finally seemed to lead them—. They were stolen.
—I know— I replied coldly—. Tell me who.
The man slowly shook his head.
"It was not the one who possesses them now."
I frowned.
"Then speak clearly."
The priest stepped closer to the fire. The flames rose, stretching upward as if listening to his voice.
"The theft was indirect," he explained. "The initial act was committed by another traveler."
My pulse quickened.
"His name is Aegon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell."
The world seemed to stop for an instant.
A chill ran through my body.
—Then how did they end up…?
"In Kerse's hands."
The priest spoke the name with caution, as if it were a dangerous spark.
"Kerse…"
"Another traveler," he added. "More ambitious. More reckless."
The pieces fell into place with bitter clarity.
Aegon Targaryen had pushed the first piece.
Kerse had claimed the reward.
"And Terrence Celtigar?" I asked.
A slow, dark smile crossed the priest's face.
"He is the third flame."
"Terrence did not touch your eggs," he said. "But he awakened something worse. Ancient gods. Abyssal powers. Creatures that do not react to fire."
My fingers tightened.
—Then why speak to me of him?
The priest knelt.
"Because the Lord of Light desires balance."
The others followed suit.
"Travelers are an anomaly," he continued. "Only one can be corrected. Several… must destroy each other."
I slowly raised my gaze.
"You want me to kill him?"
"No," the priest replied with unsettling sincerity. "We want you to kill each other."
The fire roared.
"Kerse against BlackFire. BlackFire against Terrence. Targaryen against BlackFire."
My breathing slowed.
"The fire does not need to intervene directly," said the priest. "One only needs to fan the proper flame."
Then I understood the true nature of R'hllor.
He was not a god who granted miracles out of devotion.
He was a god who orchestrated wars.
"Terrence Celtigar is key," he continued. "His twisted faith, his kraken, his false god… will draw the attention of the other travelers."
"If we mark him as an enemy of fire," he added, "the others will come."
I clenched my teeth.
"And what do I gain?"
The priest lifted his gaze, and for an instant, I swear I saw something beyond his eyes.
"You will reclaim what is yours."
"Dragons."
"Destiny."
"And the right to decide who deserves to continue existing in this world."
The red comet burned even in broad daylight.
Not as a sign of hope.
But as a warning.
Aegon BlackFire had initiated the chaos.
Kerse was exploiting it.
Terrence was corrupting it.
And R'hllor…
R'hllor had chosen me to set the board on fire.