Chapter 95 The Fearless Queen
"Master Larys, what do your informants say?" Tyland Lannister, clad in golden-red armor, led twenty guards of House Lannister. Though few in number, every man was armored and mounted. After Vhagar collapsed Duskendale's walls, he led this armored western knight cavalry into the town, cutting down Lord Guncer Darklyn's city guard.
Larys rode over, swaying precariously, tied to the horse's back. Of course, his hands weren't bound; his lower limbs were fixed to the saddle. With one leg severely deformed, the Clubfoot couldn't ride a horse properly. Tyland feared problems if he remained in King's Landing, so he brought him along with Lord Jasper Wylde. Lord Jasper also had a well-equipped cavalry squad with him, though it couldn't outpace Tyland's western cavalry.
"My informants saw Rhaenyra's Syrax fly south," Larys said. "I have no informants in the Stormlands, but I can guarantee there have been no sightings of a dragon heading north." The Master of Whisperers had faster channels than ravens, though he never revealed the source of his intelligence. "Prince Daemon and Caraxes have left Harrenhal. He is forming a defensive line along the Red Fork with Lord Petyr Piper, Lord Tristan Vance, and Lord Forrest Frey. Riverrun did not stop them, nor did it stop my agents from sending messages. House Darry, House Butterwell, and House Mooton are besieging the King's supporters. There have been no sightings of Prince Longze'er and Prince Jacaerys's dragons crossing the Neck south."
Larys continued, "Vermithor is difficult to conceal during long-distance flight, just as Vhagar is easily spotted unless she uses the cover of night and clouds."
"Then our strategy is sound," Aemond said. "Ser Criston, organize the army. We depart for Rook's Rest immediately."
"Yes," Ser Criston Cole, the acting Hand of the King, nodded. Though his army was small—only nine hundred men from King's Landing, plus a thousand gathered from Rosby and Stokeworth, and over seventeen hundred surrendered soldiers from Duskendale—with two dragons, conquering a small castle would be more than enough.
As Criston led this force on a forced march toward Rook's Rest, in the Stormlands to the south, two dragons were returning north to Dragonstone. A golden dragon and a silver dragon flew one after the other, vast forests receding beneath them.
Just then, Rhaenyra suddenly noticed something. Syrax dove sharply, plummeting toward the ground. Before Valarr could react, he quickly followed.
Ser Davos Staunton and Ser Desmond Caron were tasked with escorting Lady Cassandra Baratheon and Aemond's betrothal escort. Six thousand Stormlanders marched north. Most were farmers, hired riders, and mercenaries, with only two hundred knights among them.
"Lord Borros is unwilling to take a side," Desmond Caron sighed. His house was trapped in a difficult position. Night Song, their seat, lay dangerously close to hostile territories. His niece Cassandra rode with them, and he could not abandon her.
"What is that in the sky?" Davos suddenly pointed upward.
"Dragon! Run!" Desmond immediately turned his horse and fled, grabbing Cassandra and pulling her onto his saddle.
Before Davos could react, a torrent of dragonfire descended from the sky, incinerating him along with Aegon's golden banner. The army collapsed instantly. Soldiers fled in terror, shedding armor as they ran.
Rhaenyra showed no mercy. Syrax unleashed wave after wave of dragonfire, turning the road into a scene of devastation. The smoke could be seen even from Storm's End.
When Lord Borros Baratheon saw the rising smoke, he collapsed onto his seat. "I never thought I'd be undone by a woman…"
Dragonstone
The Queen's Small Council met in her absence. Prince Joffrey and Baela Targaryen attended in her stead.
"We have received a plea for aid from Lord Staunton of Rook's Rest," said Maester Gerardys. "An army of about a thousand men has appeared beneath the castle. Reinforcements continue to arrive. The castle has only two hundred defenders."
"We must act," Corlys Velaryon said after studying the map. "If the Queen cannot protect her vassals, her rule will weaken."
"Then I will go," Princess Rhaenys said, already dressed for battle. "Meleys is swift and strong. No matter which dragon they send, I can face it."
"Grandmother, I will go too," Prince Joffrey said.
"You cannot," Corlys replied. "Tyraxes is too small."
Rhaenys smiled gently. "Be good, little Joff. I will return victorious."
The Red Queen roared as Meleys took flight toward Rook's Rest.
Rook's Rest
Lord Staunton watched grimly as enemy forces surrounded the castle. Waves of soldiers advanced under arrow fire.
"Dragon!" the defenders shouted.
Meleys streaked overhead, unleashing dragonfire that scattered the besieging army.
But then—
Two roars echoed from the woods.
Sunfyre burst forth first, swift and radiant. Behind him came Vhagar.
"Dracarys!"
Sunfyre attacked, but Meleys dodged and countered, seizing his wing and tearing into him.
"Hold her!" Aemond shouted as Vhagar descended.
Meleys twisted, biting deep into Sunfyre's neck, golden blood spilling into the air.
Then Vhagar struck.
Her massive jaws closed around Meleys's neck, tearing her apart.
The three dragons plummeted from the sky.
They crashed in a fiery explosion that engulfed the forest, shaking the very walls of Rook's Rest.
When the smoke cleared, only flames remained.
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