Chapter 84: Taming the Mammoths
"Weren't dragons wiped out a hundred years ago?" Ygritte blurted out when she heard Saelen claim he had seen one. "Wasn't that so-called dragon dynasty overthrown by your current king?"
For a wildling to know that much, Jon must have told her.
"Dragon skulls," Saelen replied calmly. "They're kept in the dragonpit beneath King's Landing."
That, at least, was true—he had seen them himself.
The others let out quiet breaths of relief. For a moment, they had thought Saelen meant living dragons.
With that, the conversation ended. Under Chief Mag's supervision, Rosso and his apprentices began measuring the mammoths. With the giant leader present, the beasts showed little resistance.
In truth, it was Mag doing most of the work—they simply recorded the measurements. Val translated, everyone played their part, and progress was swift.
But then, an accident.
The very mammoth Val had shot earlier suddenly flew into a rage when it saw them approaching again. With a furious trumpet, it charged straight at the group.
The attack came too suddenly. By the time anyone reacted, it was already too late to dodge.
Fortunately, Saelen moved first. He shoved Jon and Val aside, then rolled sharply to the right, narrowly avoiding the beast's charge.
The mammoth missed—but it didn't stop.
Snorting in fury, it wheeled around and charged again. Saelen twisted his body and slipped to the left, evading once more.
"ROAR—!"
The mammoth refused to relent. It backed up several steps, then let out a thunderous bellow before launching another full-force charge.
Enough of this.
Saelen felt his own fighting spirit ignite. This time, he didn't dodge.
He stilled his breathing, locking his gaze onto the oncoming giant.
The mammoth's tusks came crashing toward him—
At the last instant, Saelen struck both tusks with his hands. A tremendous shock surged through his body, but he used the recoil to propel himself upward. Flipping through the air, he landed squarely on the mammoth's back.
Enraged, the beast bucked wildly, trying to throw him off. Its massive body surged forward, twisting and thrashing as its enormous feet pounded the ground with booming thuds.
Saelen was jolted violently, nearly losing his sense of direction. He clung tightly to its back—and then activated his warg ability.
In an instant, his consciousness slipped into the mammoth's body.
The beast's furious eyes gradually calmed. Its frantic movements slowed to a steady trot.
Seizing the moment, Saelen straightened himself on its back…
Controlling the mammoth, Saelen urged it forward across the open ground. Trees blurred past on both sides as the massive beast thundered ahead. A surge of exhilaration rose in his chest, and he let out a triumphant roar—the mammoth echoed it with a deafening bellow.
The onlookers stood frozen, stunned by what they had just witnessed. Moments ago, the beast had been uncontrollably enraged—now it was obedient, almost docile.
Jon, however, seemed to grasp what had happened.
Val's eyes shone with interest as she watched Saelen riding the mammoth freely across the field.
"Saelen!"
"Master of the Mammoths—Saelen!"
Chief Mag and the other giants beat their chests and shouted loudly, their voices filled with reverence.
After circling the field for a while, Saelen guided the mammoth back. With a satisfied smile, he released his control and leapt down.
The mammoth immediately regained its awareness. It shook its head, then let out a low rumble, gently draping its long trunk over Saelen's shoulder.
Saelen reached up and patted it, feeling the rough, heavy texture beneath his hand.
"Alright, go on. Eat."
The mammoth seemed to understand. With a lazy swish of its tail, it wandered off.
"Master of the Mammoths—Saelen!"
Mag proclaimed again, and the other giants echoed him in unison.
Saelen turned to Val in confusion.
"The giants respect only strength," she explained, idly smoothing her honey-colored braid. "You subdued the mammoth. You've earned their true recognition. From now on, whatever you command, they will not refuse."
Saelen nodded thoughtfully toward Chief Mag. It seemed he would have to learn the giants' language eventually—relying on translation was far from convenient.
After that brief incident, everyone became far more cautious while measuring the remaining mammoths. They worked until evening before finishing, then returned to camp.
---
Back at camp, Saelen stopped Jon. Ygritte lingered nearby, curious, but Saelen waved her away. Once they were alone, he leaned closer.
"I've got something to show you."
"What is it?" Jon asked, curiosity immediately piqued.
"You'll see."
Saelen refused to elaborate and led the way.
They soon arrived at the tent. Saelen stepped inside first. Jon glanced at the heavily guarded perimeter, hesitated briefly, then followed.
"Roar…!"
"Roar…!"
The moment Jon entered, Bloodshadow and Sunflame snapped to attention atop the stone platform. Their bodies tensed, wings slightly spread, crimson eyes locked onto him.
Low, sharp cries escaped their throats—like furious hawks, harsh and grating, filled with warning.
"This… this is…"
"Dragons?!"
"Saelen… you hatched them?!"
Jon stared in shock at the two hatchlings—one slightly larger, the other noticeably smaller.
"Yes."
Saelen answered calmly, pouring himself a cup of wine and draining it in one go. He raised the cup toward Jon, but Jon waved it off, his attention completely fixed on the dragons.
He took a cautious step closer, unable to contain his curiosity.
Sunflame reacted instantly, bristling like an agitated cat. It shifted restlessly, issuing sharp warning cries.
Still, Jon slowly reached out a hand.
At once, Sunflame crouched low, jaws opening wide. A faint glow flickered in its throat as heat gathered—dragonfire building, visible even to the naked eye. A harsh, sizzling sound filled the air, and the scent of sulfur spread.
Jon froze.
He swallowed hard, his hand suspended midair, then slowly turned his gaze toward Saelen…