Chapter 12: Chapter 12
As it was, it took about a week for Volantis to finish its preparations for war against the Dothraki. Given that it was only a small Khalasar of around 4.000, it wasn't exactly a threat. Not even 40.000 would have been, but I was curious nonetheless as the Dothraki haven't been so far south for centuries or possibly thousands of years. They knew the dangers of Dragons and feared it.
They are primitive people with a nomadic lifestyle but are feared warriors either way. Even Robert Baratheon would later on say that the Dothraki would stomp their armies if they came across the narrow sea. Something that was unthinkable ever to happen, but it did, in the end.
The Valyrian Freehold had always managed to keep them away from their business, but it seems something drew them here. Whatever hope they had to gain something in this raid, it was in vain.
At that moment, I was flying toward Volantis, where I was meant to assist the Army. Another reason was that I wanted to see the famous Eldest Daughter of Vaylria for myself. I have heard much of it in my previous life and learned of its history in my lessons, but I have never seen it with my own pair of eyes, and this was a chance to make it happen.
I was in a good mood, not just because I get to see Volantis but also because a letter had reached me before I took off on Ancalagon. It was from Lysandra, and I knew it even before opening it, as it smelled just like her. She had perfumed the letter.
Dear Kaelarys,
I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. The news of your departure for battle reached me, and my heart aches with worry. I know that you are a strong warrior, and with Ancalagon at your side, nobody will be able to touch you, but I cannot help but feel anxious for your safety nonetheless.
I wanted to write to you and let you know that you are constantly in my thoughts. I didn't spend a single waking moment without the memory of us since you have left for the Capital.
Please take care of yourself, my love.
With all my love and longing,
Lysandra
If this wasn't a motivation, then I don't know what else could qualify as one.
I have thought a lot about what happened between Lysandra and me and what I am meant to do about it. I am set to marry my sister in the future, but it isn't like Dragonlords are only allowed to have one wife. Many have two or more. So, there is room within our customs for me to maintain my relationship with Lysandra, but the question is how my sister will react to it.
But those are questions that will be answered in the future.
It wasn't long before Volantis, the oldest and most powerful of Vaylria's daughters, came into our view. Volanti's insanely large lagoon stretched out far beyond the eye could see. From up here, I could also see the Bridge of Volantis crossing the lagoon at its widest point, made of the same black stone the dragonroads and the black walls of Volantis are made of. Nigh-unbreakable by any force humans could come up with, at least in this world.
The lagoon was filled with hundreds of ships, ranging from small fishing boats and long-distance trade vessels to warships. Many flew various banners of different noble houses of Volantis, while just as many bore the banners of the Freehold or Dragonlord families.
I also saw the banners of the Qoheros family, with whom I handle my whisky business. Speaking of which, my whisky business has officially started and has become very popular. I am making gold at a rate I have never seen before. Truthfully, I have to thank my family name for that because nobody in their right mind would refuse to do business with one of the most powerful families in the known world. This is the reason I could put whisky on the market so quickly without many problems. If I had been a common man with enough money to sponsor such an endeavor, I might have met my end already, or worse, nobody would have bought my goods.
Volantis, like many other cities close to or under the rule of Valyria, has a specifically made 'landing pit' for when a Dragonlord visits. And here it was where Ancalagon and I descended towards.
Ancalagon landed with a ground-shaking thud, his wings lowered gracefully against his sides so I could easily dismount. As I did, I could see a group approaching me. A group of Volantene officials, no doubt. With them were four slave soldiers, easily identified by their tattoos, a skull right under their eyes.
In Volantis, it is customary to tattoo slaves on their faces. The slaves are marked for their entire lives and carry the burden of their past even after they are freed.
The one leading the group stepped forward.
He was a tall, imposing man with a stern face and piercing blue eyes. Beside him stood the captains of the legions stationed in Volantis, each wearing armor adorned with the sigils of the Freehold.
"Welcome to Volantis, Kaelarys of House Baelaeron," Triarch Lemanor greeted me with a nod of respect. "Your presence here is most welcome."
"Thank you, Triarch Lemanor," I replied, inclining my head." I trust preparations are going well?"
Lemanor gestured for me to follow him, and we walked together towards a big carriage pulled by two beautiful white horses.
"Indeed, preparations are nearly complete," Lemanor said as we entered the carriage. The interior was equally impressive, with plush velvet seats and polished wood paneling.
As the carriage started moving, I took the opportunity to observe the city through the window. Volantis was a huge city with people from all walks of life going about their business. The streets were lined with markets, inns, and workshops, brothels, and about anything you can expect from a city with more than a million inhabitants. Not as great as Vaylria, but that is something entirely impossible to match.
I turned my head to one of the captains of the legions stationed in Volantis. "As you might have guessed, I will not lead the army personally. My role is to remind those barbarians that their small victory against their betters was nothing but luck and circumstance. Is there anything I should know before we meet the general?"
Captain Rhaemys, a middle-aged man with dark hair, green eyes, and a scar running down his cheek, responded, "I am sorry to say, but we will not be meeting the general. The plans have already been made. Given that they are only a small khalasar and with your presence, he doesn't intend to give this any more attention than necessary."
I raised my eyebrows at the answer but, in hindsight, this was something to be expected. They had an army of 50,000 from the Valyrian Freehold and another 50,000 of their own here. As Captain Rhaemys said, 4,000 Dothraki weren't any real threat. In fact, I could destroy them on my own, but we didn't want to let any of them escape. If they fled in all directions, even I would be unable to finish them all. Additionally, they could be made into slaves, and if there was one thing the Freehold never had enough of, it was slaves to work in the deep mines of the Fourteen Flames.
I nodded thoughtfully. "Very well."
The carriage continued through the bustling streets of Volantis, eventually arriving at the military headquarters. The building was a fortress in its own right, with high walls and heavily guarded gates. As we disembarked, Triarch Lemanor led us to a large tent near the entrance, where several officers were gathered around a map of the region.
Here, I was briefed on the exact plan. It was as straightforward as it could be because our enemy wasn't a trained army. The strategy revolved around utilizing my advantage in the skies and the overwhelming force of our disciplined soldiers.
My role was to reduce their numbers significantly and bring fire down upon them with Ancalagon. The Volantene army, consisting of 7,000 men, would then move in to encircle the remaining Dothraki. The objective was to capture as many of them alive as possible—a challenging task given the Dothraki's pride and their preference to die rather than surrender.
"Kaelarys," Captain Rhaemys began, pointing at the map spread out on the table. "You and Ancalagon will strike here," he indicated a location in the center of the Dothraki formation- if you can call that formation. "Your initial assault should create enough chaos to disrupt their ranks. Also, the sight of your dragon alone will make them flee. As much as they are barbarians, they are tough fighters through and through, but even they can do nothing but flee in the face of your dragon."
Captain Lyara nodded in agreement while twirling her dagger in her hands." Aye, I have fought against one of them in the Arena once, and they are nothing to scoff at."
She was one of the few female soldiers I have seen so far, and I gotta say, she is just as fierce as beautiful. She has long, fiery red hair cascading down her back in waves, amethyst-like eyes, high cheekbones, and a sharp jawline. Together with her curvaceous figure, she was one hell of a woman. Not to mention that she was a fighter as well.
As I observed her, she caught my gaze. A knowing smirk replaced her earlier bored expression, and she winked at me playfully. I blushed slightly at getting caught but returned my focus once again to the plan that was explained.
As the meeting came to a close, I was escorted to a House that was recently purchased by me.
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The young scion of House Baelaeron surprised me as I watched him being led to his quarters from the war tent; he was not at all what I had expected. We were told that a boy would assist us in the upcoming fight. We weren't exactly happy about it, as we wondered how much help he would be. Sure, he has a dragon, which we heard about, or else he would be useless. However, he is still a boy and lacks the ability to effectively command his dragon and claim as many lives as he is expected to. But what I and everybody else saw today was a different person than what we were told about. He stood tall, broad-shouldered, and incredibly handsome. I felt myself blush because of it.
Stupid me, how can I find myself attracted to a boy, even if he seemed more man than boy? I shook my head to clear my mind of such thoughts.
Lyara, are you alright? The touch of Captain Velaros' hand on my shoulder and his words brought me back to the present moment.
"Yeah... just thinking about our newest aid," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
Velaros nodded while sitting in one of the chairs and pouring himself a cup of wine. He took a sip and placed it back on the table." He might surprise us. I have heard he is remarkably bright. He even invented his own alcohol. Not that I got the chance to test it myself." He shrugged and laughed." But who knows, we might get a chance after the battle."
I smiled at him. He was the most casual out of us Captains, making him my favorite among them." Seems like he already won you over."
Velaros chuckled." Aye, and you him. Don't think I didn't notice you two during the meeting."
I felt my cheeks flush again and shot him a glare as he laughed at me.
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You don't know how much I struggled in this chapter. I somehow wasn't able to put the words to paper, but I managed another 2k+ words for you.
Rejoice!
Yours,
Jasonenrick.
Weekly Power Status
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