Aemon Targaryen

-Chapter 96-

-POV Harrold Shett-

"Bloody hell, we're finally here. We can finally eat and screw the women of this castle properly," grumbled one of the barbarian chiefs, provoking laughter from a few others who seemed particularly close to him.

"Don't listen to him; he's the chief of the Blind Serpents tribe. He doesn't speak for all of us," said the chief of the Selenite tribe.

Galfr, the chief of the Stone Crows, nodded, but just as he was about to say something, I smiled at the sound of Urrax's roar echoing from the sky.

URRAX'S ROAR

All the chiefs' proud and arrogant expressions faded instantly, and even more so when Vhagar, even larger than Urrax, appeared from behind, roaring as she tried unsuccessfully to catch up with her companion, who flew much faster.

VHAGAR'S ROAR

'I hope they don't kill each other,' I thought, concerned that the two dragons might fight to the death.

"They look like gods," said a man whose name and tribe I didn't know.

'In any case, if what I think Aemon plans to do is right, they won't need all these clan stories much longer,' I thought, trying to contain my frustration at the thought of having to fight alongside them.

'But it's the Prince's order.'

"Let's go; Prince Aemon awaits you," I said, urging them to follow me quickly.

I had barely taken two steps toward the entrance of the main building when the doors opened, revealing the Prince, accompanied by about twenty knights.

Though surprised to see him, I reacted instantly, setting an example for my men by kneeling and saying in a loud voice so all could hear:

"Bow before His Highness, Prince Aemon Targaryen, Lord of Runestone and Dragon Rider of Urrax."

I didn't turn to check if my men followed suit; the sound of armor clinking as the knights knelt before the Prince was a sufficient indicator. The Prince himself stared straight ahead, his gaze fixed on the barbarians.

"Ser Harrold," said the Prince, lowering his eyes to meet mine.

"Yes, my Prince," I said, meeting his gaze and waiting for his instructions.

"Rise," he said, and I did so without question.

"How are you?" Prince Aemon asked.

"Perfectly well," I replied, though I was exhausted from the long journey.

"Really?! You're not so young anymore," joked the Prince.

"I wouldn't say no to a little rest, but overall, I'm perfectly fine," I said, managing a slight smile despite my fatigue.

"You've done me a great service," said Aemon before signaling everyone to rise and leave the area.

I turned just in time to see a massive shadow covering the entire castle. I had a fair idea of what the Prince was planning.

'Thankfully, the Prince expanded the outer courtyard and the castle walls, or Urrax would have caused considerable damage.'

URRAX'S ROAR

'For a moment, I thought Vhagar would follow Urrax down, but she didn't, perhaps not wanting to endanger her rider,' I thought, observing Princess Laena, a few steps behind her husband.

One of the chiefs turned his head to look at Urrax, feeling his breath on his neck, and that was all it took for the Prince's dragon to seize him in his jaws, toss him into the air, burn him, and then swallow him whole.

The Prince stepped forward and said, looking at the mountain clan chiefs now surrounded by knights in front and Urrax at their backs:

"Do not look at my dragon. He does not like it when insects meet his gaze. Most of the time, he takes it as a challenge."

Prince Aemon suddenly smiled and added, extending a hand toward Urrax, who stretched his neck to meet his rider's hand, "I am quite similar in that regard."

Immediately, all the shocked and terrified gazes turned to the ground, and the arrogance that had characterized all the mountain clan chiefs vanished at once.

From where I stood, I could feel the hot breath of my lord's dragon, and though I knew he wouldn't harm me without the Prince's order, I was petrified, unable to move a muscle.

Princess Laena stepped forward calmly and said:

"Urrax is still a child; he loves to play with his food."

'A child? My ass! That beast could burn entire armies,' I thought, avoiding all eye contact with Prince Aemon's dragon.

The Prince smiled and said to his wife:

"That's true, but in the future, he'll have to stick to sheep, as the mountain clan chiefs are here to submit to my authority."

I allowed myself a slight smile, listening to the exchange between Prince Aemon and Princess Laena, well aware that it was a carefully orchestrated act to shock, terrify, but most importantly, secure the allegiance of the barbarians.

'Through fear or force, it seems,' I thought.

'After all, it's the only language they understand,' I told myself.

None of them dared say anything, and as the couple turned to lead the way for the barbarians, one of them asked, fear clear in his voice:

"Are we protected by guest right?"

'Does he want to die?' I thought, not understanding where he found the courage to question the Prince.