Chapter 52: Journey to Nightsong
Two days passed in a flash.
Prince Jacaerys's dragon was still young. The brown-haired boy, like Prince Dragonzel, often made people overlook his age due to his overly mature behavior. In reality, Jacaerys was only nine years old by traditional reckoning this year. Perhaps it was in line with Westeros's old saying about children with questionable lineage: Prince Jacaerys and Prince Lucerys both grew faster than children of the same age.
Of course, not by much, which was why Aslan Longdel so readily acknowledged Jacaerys's courage and ability.
After all, being able to stand his ground for so long in front of a seventeen-year-old was enough to prove that Jacaerys indeed possessed real skill.
"Hiss~"
Vermax cautiously crawled out of the Dragonpit.
In front of it, the majestic, mountain-like Vermithor had its eyes slightly narrowed, seemingly conserving its strength. Vermax carefully glanced at this senior dragon many, many times larger than itself. Seeing that Vermithor was not paying attention, Vermax affectionately rubbed against Jacaerys, who had already changed into riding attire decorated with the three-headed dragon sigil.
"Valarr, I'll leave the castle to you while I'm away."
Prince Dragonzel, dressed in riding attire decorated with a silver dragon and laurel leaves, patted his younger brother's shoulder.
"If anything major happens in Dorne, contact me immediately. For minor matters, make the decision yourself. You don't need to worry about the development of the territory. There are professionals handling those matters."
"I understand, brother. Don't worry. I won't interfere with things I don't understand."
Prince Valarr nodded earnestly.
Dragonzel trusted his younger brother on this point. Although Valarr was not particularly brilliant, he understood the simple principle of allowing capable people to manage matters he did not understand.
Dragonzel nodded before turning to walk toward Vermithor.
The great dragon slowly raised its head and gently nudged Dragonzel's chest. Dragonzel instinctively hugged the dragon's enormous snout, which was larger than his entire body.
"Alright, old friend. We're heading out again."
Vermithor gave a low rumbling sound and slowly lay down.
Dragonzel grabbed the rope ladder and climbed toward the dragon saddle with a grunt.
Jacaerys's ascent was much easier. He did not even need the ladder. With a light leap, he jumped directly onto Vermax's saddle.
Just like his rider, Vermax had also grown rapidly.
Perhaps it was because he had been raised freely on Dragonstone and in Dragon Nest City, but Vermax appeared very robust.
Of course, compared with Vermithor, the young dragon was still insignificant.
"Prince Jacaerys," Dragonzel called down while gripping the handle of his dragon saddle, "you know how to fly alongside me, right? It will save Vermax's stamina."
"Yes, Your Highness. Don't worry. My mother and father taught me dragon-riding techniques."
Jacaerys slowly pulled the reins of the dragon saddle.
The young dragon let out a long cry and spread its wings.
With powerful flaps, Vermax rose into the sky.
Vermithor shook his massive head and unfolded his enormous wings. With a single powerful beat, dust and wind exploded outward.
The dragons took flight.
Dragonzel felt the rushing wind pass by his ears.
Vermithor sensed the smaller dragon flying nearby and intentionally kept his pace steady.
Jacaerys could feel Vermax's thoughts beneath him. Flying alongside a larger dragon was indeed extremely energy-efficient. The young dragon flapped its wings for a while before flattening them slightly, allowing the airflow generated by Vermithor's wings to help carry it forward.
This was one of the few times Vermax had flown since hatching.
Jacaerys was gradually getting used to it, slowly mastering the flying techniques he had been taught earlier.
Still, Vermax could not yet perform any complex maneuvers.
Even so, it was clear that dragons were the fastest method of travel in the world.
After allowing Vermax to rest midway and devour half of a stag roasted by Vermithor's dragonfire, the two dragons took flight again.
Soon, they arrived at their first destination.
Nightsong
Nightsong was a beautiful castle—but one scarred by war.
Legend said that the towers of Nightsong could sing ancient songs when the wind blew through them.
But legends were merely legends.
The true importance of the castle lay in its location.
It guarded the northern entrance of Prince's Pass, the critical route connecting the Stormlands and Dorne.
Over the centuries, the castle had endured at least thirty-seven sieges.
It had witnessed the struggles between the Stormlands and the Dornish. It had also endured the constant conflicts along the border.
Lord Royce Caron, the Lord of Nightsong, was already waiting in the castle courtyard with his knights.
When he learned that Prince Dragonzel would personally visit his castle, Lord Royce had fallen into deep internal conflict.
By law, after the establishment of the Frontier Governor, the border lords should pledge allegiance to the Governor.
However, House Caron had served the Stormlands for centuries.
It was not easy to abandon that tradition—especially since Royce Caron's daughter was married to Lord Borros Baratheon.
Vermithor landed first.
The courtyard of Nightsong barely had enough space for the enormous dragon, but it still managed to leave room for Vermax to land afterward.
"Your Highness."
Lord Royce bowed respectfully.
"I have prepared chambers and a banquet for Your Highness."
"One chamber will be enough," Dragonzel replied with a nod.
"Also, please prepare food for my dragon and Prince Jacaerys's dragon. It should have been mentioned in the letter."
"It has already been prepared, Your Highness."
Lord Royce gestured to his attendants.
Several servants led forward livestock.
"We have prepared three cattle and twenty sheep, all alive."
"Thank you for your generosity."
Dragonzel nodded.
Under Lord Royce's guidance, he entered the castle's banquet hall.
Jacaerys was already starving. The moment he was allowed to eat, he focused entirely on the roasted lamb chops and chicken in front of him.
"Lord Royce," Dragonzel said calmly, "I believe you already know the purpose of my visit."
"I would like to hear your opinion. After all, you are one of the most senior lords of the Borderlands."
"I would not dare," Lord Royce sighed.
"Strictly speaking, I should avoid giving an opinion. My daughter is married to Lord Borros Baratheon, and my granddaughters are among the candidates being considered."
Dragonzel slowly chewed his food while silently watching Lord Royce.
"However, if I were to speak purely from personal interest," Royce continued, "I would naturally suggest that Your Highness marry someone from my own family."
He gestured toward a quiet girl seated nearby.
The girl stood up.
"Tiya Caron," Royce introduced.
"My niece."
Dragonzel sighed softly.
"You should understand that my marriage alliance is not a simple matter."
"Are you truly prepared for the consequences?"
Royce sighed and shook his head.
"Your Highness… there is no easy answer."
"The traditions and loyalties of House Caron span more than a thousand years. They cannot be abandoned easily."
"So I merely offer a suggestion."
Hearing this, Tiya lowered her gaze and slowly sat down again.
Although she was indeed attracted by Dragonzel's handsome appearance, marriage was not something she could decide herself.
Royce raised his goblet.
"The Caron family cannot pledge allegiance to you. Therefore we cannot hope for a marriage alliance either."
"But we can still be allies."
"After all, after a thousand years, we have finally seen those damned Dornish suffer their due punishment."
"To Prince Dragonzel's wisdom!"
Everyone raised their cups.
Jacaerys raised a cup of milk.
Royce drained his wine in one gulp before the servants quickly refilled his goblet.
"To the courage of Prince Jacaerys and Prince Lucerys!"
He drank again.
"And to His Majesty King Viserys I!"
After the banquet, Lord Royce was carried back to his chambers by servants.
Dragonzel and Jacaerys remained completely sober.
House Caron had prepared two comfortable beds for them.
One of them had clearly been moved in recently.
"Your Highness," Jacaerys said after washing and changing into nightclothes, "Lord Royce seems to be avoiding reality."
"He is unwilling to bear the consequences of changing his allegiance," Dragonzel replied while sitting cross-legged on the bed.
"After all, his family's interests are closely tied to House Baratheon."
"Prince Jacaerys, get some rest. Tomorrow morning we will fly to Horn Hill."
"Alright."
Jacaerys obediently lay down.
Just then, the door creaked open slightly.
A figure slipped silently into the room.
"Your Highness," the man whispered.
"No one knows how this Faceless Man managed it, but Quengur had arrived in Nightsong even before Dragonzel."
"The girl has already been escorted back to her room. She was lingering outside your door earlier."
"Tiya Caron?"
Quengur nodded.
"But she never made up her mind to enter."
Dragonzel sighed softly.
"You will have to guard the night again."
"That is my duty."
Quengur's figure slowly melted into the shadows.
Dragonzel watched the darkness for a moment before extinguishing the candle.
The room was swallowed by darkness.
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