Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Riding the Blood Wyrm
While walking to the lair in which Vortigren and Caraxes were stored, a statement repeated inside Baelon's head. 'After all, you are Targaryen. You have it in your blood to seek out and tame dragons.'
In the history books, Baelon learned that Targeryans were dragon riders descended from the old Valyrain clans. They were blessed with the ability to ride dragons. Some special Targeryans were immune to fire as well. If this was considered magic, then it made sense why most people he saw had an F for magic attribute. To confirm this theory, he checked the statuses of Alyssa and Daemon.
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Status Window:
★★★★☆
Daemon Targaryen 19 ♂
Stats:
Leadership: 86
Bravery: 94
Strategy:73
Politics: 50
Ambition: 67
Attributes:
Infantry: A
Cavalry: A
Archery: B
Magic: D
Construction: D
Weaponry: A
Naval Warfare: C
Aerial Warfare: A
Speech: B
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Status Window:
★★★★☆
Alyssa Targaryen 3 ♀
Stats:
Leadership: 10
Bravery: 50
Strategy:15
Politics: 15
Ambition: 10
Attributes:
Infantry: B
Cavalry: B
Archery: C
Magic: C
Construction: D
Weaponry: B
Naval Warfare: C
Aerial Warfare: A
Speech: B
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So the Targaryens do have a magic bloodline. Wicked. But what can they do with the magic? That was one thing that Baelon needed to ask Daemon.
As they approached the temporary dragon's lair, a roar greeted them. The elder Dragon Keeper and the younger one brandished their sticks at Vortigren, trying to keep him calm.
Baelon noted that the younger one had a much bigger stick while the older one had a shorter stick. The logical explanation was that the younger was inexperienced, thus he needed a bigger stick fend off Vortigren's teeth. The older one was more experienced, thus he could deal with Vortigren with more ease. There was a dick joke in the making, but Baelon decided to control his dirty mind.
"Vortigren," Alyssa waved happily, but she stopped waving, her mouth wide open with shock at seeing Caraxes close up. The blood Wyrm, true to its name, was a dragon whose scales looked like they were coated in blood. Caraxes was about 130 to 140 feet long. He was lean, with a long neck.
"Father, when can I ride Vortigren?" asked Alyssa.
"You can ride him in another three years, and claim the title as the youngest dragon rider in Westerros." said Daemon.
"What is the current record now father?" Baelon asked him.
"Now, it is held by princess Rhaenyra. She rode her dragon Syrax, which was bonded to her when she was born, much like Vortigren."
"Father, does every Targaryen need a dragon?" Baelon asked his father.
"Why, do you not want one?" asked Daemon.
"Not really," Baelon replied," I just don't see myself bonding with a dragon."
"That's because you haven't felt the joy of flying yet." Daemon settled Caraxes. The dragon Keepers brought out an extra safety belt for Daemon. Once Daemon felt like he had secured the belt safely, he sat down on his dragon. "Right, who's up first."
"Dad, me first." Alyssa raised her arms, begging to go first.
"Okay then." Daemon lifted Alyssa up and set her in front of him. After strapping her tightly to the saddle and his chest, Daemon said "Soovés Caraxes" and the dragon flew up into the clouds amidst Alyssa's squeals of surprise.
Instead of just waiting ídly, Baelon asked the elderly DragonKeeper," Sir, why does every Targaryen need a dragon."
"My prince, a dragon is a reflection of who the master truly is," began the dragonkeeper," When Aegon rode Balerion, he became a conqueror. Maegor became known as Maegor the Cruel. In fact, Princess Rhaena transformed from a young shy girl to a fearless dragon rider."
'True, nothing tells more about yourself than owning a nuclear bomb. Maybe I'll be like them when I get my Noble Phantasms in their full glory." mused Baelon.
"Still, my prince, we must always keep in mind that it is the dragon who chooses its master, not the other way around."
As their conversation grew to an end, Daemon returned with Alyssa. He set her down gently. Alyssa's legs were quivering, but that fact did not curb the excitement in her face and eyes. Her fifty stats in bravery had truly done her justice.
Baelon supported Alyssa, and handed her over to the elderly DragonKeeper. Then, Baelon turned towards Caraxes, who was sniffing the air. Daemon offered his hand to Baelon, who gratefully accepted the invitation.
Daemon pulled him up and strapped Baelon to his chest similar to Alyssa. Daemon asked," Would you like to do the honors?"
Baelon gulped and said," So~Sooves"
"What was that? Is this the same Baelon who denied Targeryan traditions. I knew that the house of Royce was a waste, polluting you with weakness. Causing you to become like your mother." Daemon smirked, causing Baelon to feel an unknown fire in his chest. Damn it, he was Baelon, the inheritor of Artoria Pendragon's abilities, the king of knights. He had the bloodlines of Targaryen and Royce flowing through his viens. He also had the treasury of Caemolot in his mind. He would not be baited by Daemon.
Thinking quickly, he remembered.' Artoria Pendragon. She had the bloodline of the red Welsh Dragon. That means it is in my body as well.'
Baelon concentrated on the fire in his chest and screamed out with a deep voice "Sōvēs Caraxes."
Without wasting a moment, Caraxes rose to the skies quickly in a frenzy. Daemon almost fell off, bringing Balerion with him, but at the last second, Daemon stabilized himself. With the bond between him and Caraxes, he could feel all of Caraxes emotions. He felt all of his dragon's confusion, panic, and for a split second, he felt fear.
Daemon took a moment to gather himself," Perhaps there is a bit of Targaryen blood in your veins after all. Other than the obvious single strand of silver that refuses to stay down."
"You should really think of another way to inspire me. Other than provoking my mother," said Baelon calmly. After commanding Caraxes, he felt like a shackle on his body was broken. He could feel his body activating his hidden dragon genes. His heart was loud, like he was hearing it through a stethoscope, but it was quite tiring. Baelon held his palm over his chest, trying to calm down the rapidly beating chest. Still, Baelon still could not feel magic. This had plagued him several times, because he wouldn't be able to unleash the noble phantasms fully without magic.
"Father, I heard that the Targeryans could use magic. What is the magic that we can use," asked Baelon.
"Didn't you read about it," asked Daemon with a confused expression.
"I tried to, but there are no books available on it in Runestone." replied Baelon.
"Well, I don't know much about others, but our family used to be able to perform fire magic."
"Used to?" questioned Baelon.
"Like I said. This is back in the days of Old Valyria. When we were just another house in a kingdom." said Daemon," In those days, there were countless dragons and magic was abundant, but something changed, causing the other clans to die out. Only three clans from Valyria survived. House Targaryen, Celtigar, and Velaryon."
"So can no one perform magic." asked Baelon.
"We may have lost the ability to control flames, but we do have better resistance to it. Lots of Targaryen bastards tried to bathe in the flames of their dragons, trying to purify their bloodline, but it has failed, with a few exceptions." said Daemon,"Don't go thinnking that you are special you hear me."
Baelon wanted to know more, but it was clear that the topic was over. He chose to stay silent, feeling the cold air hit his face. The landscape of Vale was beautiful. The hills, the mountains, grasslands, all of it. Baelon grasped all of its grandeur with his senses, immersed in its natural beauty.
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