The year was 269 AC, and the weather cooperated perfectly; the tournament began on a clear, windless day, ideal for competition.
On Rhaenys's Hill, the Dragonpit was set up for the games and spectators, with thousands of commoners pouring in.
The Dragonpit was towering and majestic. With the dome removed, it resembled a vast arena. The stone benches originally planned beneath the dome could have held at least eight thousand people, but now, with the dome gone and benches missing, the pit was simply a sea of people.
Rhaegar couldn't help but sigh. As a port city, commercial hub, and political center of Westeros, King's Landing was packed with people seeking entertainment and excitement. Rhaegar had never seen so many people.
In the North and Dorne, due to smaller populations, people weren't particularly fanatical about knightly culture.
As the three magic dragons circled above the Dragonpit, Rhaegar smiled and waved to the crowd.
"This tournament is undoubtedly the most glorious chapter of the century! Our Silver Prince leads the way, presenting this gift to you with his three giant dragons—the Silver Dragon Silver Emperor, the Black Dragon Balerion, and the Purple Dragon Vhagar!" the herald shouted loudly, followed by the sound of horns and trumpets.
Rhaegar rode a black horse, holding high 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, symbolizing slaughter, death, and fire.
The three magic dragons moved with their master's figure, circling above the arena with Rhaegar, occasionally breathing fire.
The Silver Dragon was as proud as an emperor, its golden eyes flashing with arrogance, conceit, and wild light. Its shining silver scales, golden horns, and pale gold wing membranes gave it an innate majesty and nobility.
The Silver Dragon flew, leading the other two hatchlings. The Black Dragon was deep as eternal night, the Purple Dragon brilliant as crystal. Everyone had to admit these three were the most beautiful dragons in the world, destined to become terrifying beasts when fully grown.
Both Essos and Westeros still remembered the history of dragons riding the wind and sweeping the battlefield.
Everyone saw the lords of Westeros, high and low, and the envoys from the Free Cities. Looking at these three awe-inspiring hatchlings, their eyes revealed a mix of emotions: fear, jealousy, disgust, or greed.
Originally, the ceremony was supposed to have Rhaegar fly three laps around the Dragonpit on a dragon, but since they were too small, it was changed to riding a horse around the arena.
Even so, seeing magic dragons again after more than a hundred years triggered endless cheers.
"Long live King's Landing!"
"Long live House Targaryen! Long live King Jaehaerys!"
"Long live the Silver Prince!"
"Long live Lucky Rhaegar!" the crowd shouted.
The entire Dragonpit instantly turned into a sea of jubilation.
The satisfaction brought by seeing these magical dragons was unparalleled.
This tournament was not only a stage for knights to display their martial arts but also provided entertainment for the people, akin to arena shows, aimed at appeasing the populace. A king who failed to keep his people happy was destined for criticism.
Rhaegar saw one area in the center of the Dragonpit requisitioned as a military camp, another reserved for the King and lords to watch the games, and the central area as the tourney ground.
Gold Cloaks and many lords' household guards marked out lines and positions on the ground to prevent stampedes by the massive crowd.
Camping inside the Dragonpit was forbidden, so over a hundred tents were pitched directly on the riverbanks outside King's Landing's walls.
Shining armor, tall warhorses, and handsome knights performing under various banners and sigils greatly enhanced the entertainment experience for the people of King's Landing. The smallfolk cheered loudly for the knights.
Rhaegar's gaze swept over the royal box. He saw flags and lords of all kinds: the Black Dragon, the Crowned Stag, the Golden Rose, the Crescent Falcon, the Running Wolf, the Sunspear, and the Roaring Lion. Colorful as blooming flowers. Today's event could undoubtedly be called one of the liveliest tournaments in Westeros.
Rhaegar saw the King and the Great Lords of the realms in the first row. White Knights in snow-white scale armor and cloaks guarded King Jaehaerys and his family. Closest to the King were the Baratheons, Lannisters, and Martells. A cute little deer girl with black hair and blue eyes was waving her small hand at Rhaegar. Though young, she was already stunningly beautiful. Robert Baratheon glanced at his sister, feeling she was a bit too enthusiastic, but dared not speak, having been suppressed too much at home.
King Jaehaerys, Lord Ormund, Lord Tywin, and Crown Prince Aerys were all incredibly proud; this was glory owed to the fathers. Queen Rhaella, Lady Joanna, Princess Elia of Dorne, and Lady Estermont (Ser Steffon's wife) were laughing and chatting—the "Four Roses of King's Landing" reunited. Queen Rhaella's face beamed with pride; her eldest son brought her glory, laughter, and praise.
Next came Lord Jon Arryn, with his wife and young son (or heir) Elbert (text says "Reinal"? Maybe Ronnel or Elbert. Canon heir was Elbert). The family wore magnificent blue-and-white falcon robes and signaled to Rhaegar. Under the Running Wolf banner were Lord Rickard and his family: the slightly reserved second son Eddard, and the wild, lively, confident eldest son Brandon. The Starks all possessed standard brown hair, long faces, and grey eyes; everyone said they had wolf blood, and a few in every generation inherited it.
The Tyrell banner was lush green. The Lord and Lady Tyrell and their son Mace wore green velvet coats embroidered with gold roses. Young Master Mace, with brown hair and brown eyes, seemed very excited, while the Duchess (Lady Olenna?) admonished her son to be calmer.
"Those show-off Targaryens, they can't wait to tell the world they have dragons again," the Duchess whispered critically. But when she saw Rhaegar's figure and compared him to her own son, the difference was stark.
Master Mace had studied martial arts since childhood but had shallow learning and poor skills, never having achieved any heroic deeds on the battlefield. The Duchess realized her son was destined for mediocrity. Perhaps in every generation, only one or two people could shine like the sun, while the rest could only revolve around them.
Rhaegar also saw people from the Free Cities. The Sealord of Braavos sent a son. The Archon of Tyrosh brought his son and daughter; the Archon's daughter, with long blue-green hair, clever and graceful, fixed her beautiful blue eyes tightly on Rhaegar.
Meanwhile, Pentos assembled a lavish delegation of twenty officials to watch the dragons dance. Despite their suspicions, Myr and Lys also sent corresponding delegations.
Rhaegar paid most attention to the people from Volantis. The Volantis delegation sent a great merchant, rumored to be a candidate for the next Triarch. The man smiled kindly upon seeing Rhaegar. In addition, a large group of merchants from the Free Cities bought expensive tickets to glimpse the magic dragons.
After circling the field three times with the dragons, Prince Rhaegar returned to his position amidst the crowd's cheers and joined his Eagle Guard. The soldiers sat motionless on their horses, their formation iron-clad. Most had youthful faces, yet exuded a fierce air, forming a mountain-like, impenetrable army.
"Now I announce, the Victor, the Spear-Breaker, Lucky Rhaegar, the Silver Prince of House Targaryen, and his Eagle Guard will perform a mock battle for us! Though young, Prince Rhaegar is already an outstanding warrior. He led soldiers to victory in the Battle of the High Road and slew three knights in the Battle of Maidenpool!" the herald shouted excitedly.
Many straw dummies had been placed in the center of the arena.
At Rhaegar's command, accompanied by desolate horns, the longbow corps stepped forward. A rain of arrows poured down, completely covering the dummy troops.
Next came the cavalry. Soldiers followed closely behind the longbowmen, spurring their horses to charge, raising spears, longswords, and morningstars. They swept through like wind over clouds, cutting down the dummy troops, destroying them one by one.
The Eagle Guard obeyed orders—one unit, one collective, a raging fire.
Longbow cover, battlefield division, reserve commitment, encirclement, and flanking—these soldiers were well-trained, calm, and well-equipped. Even the slightest advantage on the battlefield could become a nightmare for the enemy.
Although the Eagle Guard members were young, they already displayed wills of steel. Silent but unstoppable, surging like a tide.
The magic dragons circled in mid-air, and the straw dummies began to burn fiercely.
However, some lords and envoys looked thoughtful. They didn't understand why, in a time of peace, the Kingdom needed to train such an elite force.
Applause surged like a tide again as everyone cheered enthusiastically for the soldiers' splendid performance.
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