Adira froze when the dragon made eye contact with her. The bellowing roars eventually came to a stop and they just stared at each other. A bond though fragile and still new was welcomed between the two. Suddenly the dragon lowered its body to the ground while still looking at her with those pale green eyes. Adira placed her hand onto the dragon's snout before caressing it. She knew what to do in order to make the bond official.
***
Adira made her way to the back of the dragon using the dragon's horns to help her along the way. After making it up here she took a deep breath. So this is what it felt like to be able to ride a dragon. The blood of Old Valyria sung in her veins as the bond clicked into place like a missing puzzle piece. The she-dragon shifted patiently waiting for her rider's command. "Sōvegon, Vaelys" (Fly, Vaelys)
The she-dragon, now named Vaelys, let out a prideful roar before making her running ascent. Vaelys took off into the air with Adira holding on with sheer will and determination. The climb to the skies was brutal but it was also exhilarating in a way that pumped her blood. Finally they broke through the clouds and Vaelys stabilized herself to an equilibrium.
Adira felt joy and maybe a little bit of madness but this was hers. Vaelys was hers and she was Vaelys. Being up here in the clouds was like basking in freedom before reality pulled you back down. Although she doesn't like the ways of the Targaryens she had to admit that she could understand why they favored flying rather than dealing with incessant people. The feeling of riding with a companion who didn't judge you was amazing.
However the fun had to end sometime. Adira needed to figure out where Vaelys was going to go since she hadn't found the rumored dragon stables yet. Maybe she could nest in the cave near the stronghold. The cave had been worn down by time and the waves to the point it created a huge hole that somehow hadn't fallen down yet. "Ilagon, Vaelys" (Land, Vaelys)
The she-dragon followed the command with precise movement and landed. Adira climbed down to the ground. Vaelys let out a content thrill, nudging her head into her arms. Adira giggled and tried hugging all of her. Oh how she loved her beautiful dragon already. Now she needed to find that cave before someone spotted Vaelys and she didn't need that. "Māzigon, Vaelys" (Come, Vaelys)
After walking a considerable distance the she-dragon started to follow her. After all, she didn't want to smush her rider just when they were bonding. Once they made it to the cave Adira kissed her snout and let Vaelys settle into her temporary space. The Valeris wouldn't dare treat her bonded disrespectfully.
***
Far away from the island in the content know Westeros lay one of the last dragonlords, House Targaryen. They first established their place in Dragonstone where Aegon the Conqueror and his sister wives, Visneya and Rhaenys, with their dragons. After the conquest they built the capital, King's Landing. The oblivious would call it a new start where kings were born. In reality it was a cesspit full of corruption and snakes who hid behind thinly veiled smiles. The Red Keep housed the royal family and held court.
It was also a symbol of power. But that didn't stop tongues from talking and rumours being released. Everyday it was a new rumor and if not taken care of it could turn very deadly. However today was a special occasion for the royal family. It was the year 90 AC and the princess Rhaeny's wedding to the Sealord Corlys Velaryon is in succession. The Red Keep was decorated in Targaryen red and black with Velaryon sea green and silver.
Prince Aemon and his wife Lady Jocelyn Baratheon were waiting for their daughter to arrive. Everything was ready and in position all they needed was the bride to be to actually be here which didn't take that long. In the distance if you didn't have a trained ear you wouldn't hear it but others like Aemon and the other dragon riders knew that familiar sound. A dragon was approaching, more specifically one with the coloring of a deep wine. Meleys the 'Red Queen' was cooking towards them and on her back laid Rhaenys.
Gasps and cries filled the crowd as the she-dragon passed over them straight to the open field where everyone was. Rhaenys refused to get married under just the seven so King Jaehaerys reluctantly came up with a compromise. The princess would get married under the seven to keep the Citadel came and then have a more intimate Valyrian wedding to honor her heritage.
Rhaenys knew this wedding was going to create some political tension but she didn't care. Besides, she was marrying the love of her life and nothing was going to stop her, not even her grandfather. Little did she know that this moment in her life would be remembered in history as iconic. But that's for later in the future now was the time to enjoy a lavish banquet.
***
Back with Adira things were going spectacular with Vaelys. Currently they were riding around in the skies. She still didn't know what timeline she was in so she was being cautious. Hopefully she wasn't where Aerys II was king because that would just suck really bad. Don't get her wrong she'll try to help out where she can but everything had gone to shit after the Targaryens were overthrown.
And if she was stuck down here during Maegor the Cruel reign she'll just throw herself off a very high cliff. The man was smart but also a psychopath she did not want to meet in case of what he would do to her although it would be nice to see Visenya. Brushing those thoughts away, Adira guided her way down to the beach that was beside the stronghold. She knew she needed to go to Old Valyria and figure out why it was calling out to her.
But first, she needed to plan for it in order to prepare for anything to happen. Luckily she found a boat that hadn't been rotted away yet. With a bit of magic and help from Vaelys it would be good as new. Second, Adira had to make sure nothing got back to the Targaryens. Right now she didn't have an army and only had one dragon in her possession. And there was the fact that she had no idea which era she was currently in right now.
Third, and most of all, she still needed some seasonings for food. Well she also needed more gold but having some flavoring to accompany her tongue when she ate would be wonderful. Now that she's thinking about it she could probably start a restaurant or a bakery once she was a pro at cooking. Or she could buy and invest in the brothels surrounding both Voltanis and Westeros like Littlefinger even though she despises that man. However she still needed to go where she could find out what year she was in.
Slaver's Bay was off the list for various reasons and definitely Pentos where it seemed royals liked to visit. Maybe Voltanis where she would be able to fit in. Although there is tension between the two main political groups: the Elephants and the Tigers. Adira did not want to get caught in the crossfire of these two. Mainly because she doesn't want to bring attention to Vaelys and keep remaining hidden until she has a powerful force.
Even though Adira has been training ever since she got here she didn't want to push her luck. So she would go to Voltanis under the pretense of fleeing a marriage to a cruel and ugly noble. Then she would gather enough information to find out which era she was currently in and maybe think about that restaurant. Just as she was thinking about going, Vaelys suddenly dived down, jolting her out her thoughts. It seems she still needed to work on her bond before going to Voltanis.
Home.
Comfort.
Annoyed.
"Okay, yeah, I get it, I still need to find you a proper home," Adira shouted over the wind. Vaelys huffed before snorting in the clouds. Who knew she would get such a sassy dragon. Through the bond Adira showed she wanted to land and Vaelys followed it albeit with a little attitude. Well that plan would have to wait until next week.