The three dragons soared over the Stepstones, their shadows stretching long across the churning sea.
Rhaegar looked down at his conquest. The islands were jagged teeth of rock, barren and wind-swept, but they were the teeth that bit the world's throat. Whoever held them held the Narrow Sea.
The Silver Emperor led the formation, a river of molten gold and silver against the blue sky. Flanking him were the twin terrors: Balerion, purple scales gleaming like polished copper, and Belaerys, black as obsidian with eyes like blood.
They were growing fast. The sea air and the abundant fish of the Stepstones agreed with them. They dived and rolled, snapping at each other in mock combat, learning the aerial dance of death.
High ground is life, Rhaegar thought, watching them. Always get the sun behind you. Always strike from above.
He practiced maneuvers with them, using the [Blood and Fire Chain] to coordinate their movements.
"Dracarys!"
"Break!"
"Scatter!"
They responded instantly, a single organism with three heads. But Rhaegar felt a gap in his knowledge. The bond was strong, but it was raw. He lacked the refined control of the old Dragonlords—the binding spells, the dragonhorns, the sorcery that made beasts into weapons of mass destruction.
I need to go to Essos, he realized. Valyria is dead, but its secrets are still out there, hiding in the ruins.
He opened his status window. The recent changes were significant.
[Name: Rhaegar Targaryen]
[Status: The Last Dragonlord, Fire Blood (High Rank), Water Blood (Low Rank)]
Water Blood. It was a small start, but it was there. A bridge between two ancient enemies.
[Titles: Prince of Dragonstone, Director of Bloodstone Customs, Guardian of the Narrow Sea (Provisional)]
[Aliases: The Silver Prince, The Dragon Prince, The Unburnt, The Crown Smasher, The Wall Builder, The Ship Burner]
[Traits: Dragonlord Potential, Dance of Fire and Water (Dual Affinity), Heart of the Sword and Harp, Awakened Dragon, Dragon Dreamer]
[Charisma: Child of Destiny (Unparalleled)]
[Achievements: Destiny Changer, Game of Thrones (Player), Commander, Lucky, Explorer, Weapon Master (Grandmaster), Precision Strike]
[Magic Achievements: Fire Devourer (River God, Fountain of Youth, Golden Eagle, Dawn Fire), Rune Combiner, Dragon Pact, Blood and Fire Chain, Dragon Rider, Dragon Dreamer, Fire Sight]
[Collection: Dragonlord Ring, Heart of Fire Nest, Fire Eye Stone, Curse of the Iron Throne, Cursed Eye of Harrenhal]
Rhaegar smiled. It was a formidable list for a boy of twelve.
He banked the Silver Emperor toward Bloodstone. The island was transformed.
A massive earthwork rampart now ringed the main harbor, topped with a palisade of sharpened stakes. Inside, the limestone hill was being hollowed out, the pirate caves expanded into a proper subterranean fortress.
"I name this castle Dragonroar," Rhaegar whispered to the wind. "Let the world tremble when it speaks."
From this vantage point, he could see the strategic genius of his position. The Stepstones were the shield. Behind them lay a friendly Dorne and a loyal Stormlands. To the north, the Tyroshi fleet guarded the flank.
It was a perfect defensive line. Any fleet trying to invade Westeros would have to run a gauntlet of stone, fire, and steel.
The Three Daughters are divided, Rhaegar mused. Tyrosh is with us. Lys and Myr are isolated. And Braavos watches from afar, counting its coin.
He felt a surge of pride. This was his work. His vision.
He let out a long, loud roar, channeling his voice through the bond.
The three dragons answered him.
ROAAAAR!
The sound rolled over the waves like thunder, shaking the dust from the rocks of Dragonroar. It was a challenge to the world.
We are here, the roar said. And we are not leaving.
Rhaegar looked east, toward the horizon where the Free Cities lay.
The game is just beginning, he thought. And I have the best pieces.