Capítulo 274: Chapter 274: The Dragon Arrives in Volantis
The glass candle was a foot long, as thick as a baby's arm, and composed of transparent, glazed crystal.
The red-robed old man hesitated before explaining, "The Dragonlords of Valyria could use glass candles to tap into magic and see scenes thousands of miles away."
He handed the glass candle to Rhaegar, adding softly, "This candle was recovered from the ruins of Valyria. It cannot be replicated in the present world. I am giving it to you."
In his mind, the vision in the flames alone might not convince the Targaryen Dragonlord. Offering the glass candle could create the value it deserved and potentially solve many problems.
Rhaegar examined the glass candle curiously. "How do I use this thing?"
He had heard of glass candles before. The Citadel in Oldtown had such alchemical artifacts. According to a de-named Maester, he earned his Valyrian Steel link, symbolizing expertise in the occult, when he accidentally lit a glass candle in an empty room.
The red-robed old man's eyes grew distant as he recalled, "The glass candle may require magic. You will need to figure out the rest on your own."
"I'll try," Rhaegar said.
He closed his eyes and focused on the glasscandle in his hand. After talking with the old priest, he was certain the man harbored no illintent—just a genuine concern.
Rhaegar flattened the glass candle in his handand silently summoned the magic within his blood. As a pyromancer, he could channel magic.
Suddenly, the familiar beep of the ExplorerSystem rang in his ears.
"Quest initiated: Target—Bloodmage's Secret Candle."
Rhaegar opened his eyes in surprise.
The glass candle flickered, its glazed wick igniting. Rhaegar felt the magic in his blood being drawn into the candle at a slow but steady rate.
"Does it really need magic to activate?" he murmured to himself, ignoring the old man'ssuspicious gaze as he checked the Exploration System.
[Bloodmage's Secret Candle]
Exploration Progress: 0.3%
Note: This relic is a product of alchemy. Please maintain magic infusion.
Rhaegar realized he had instinctively cut off the magic flow.
[Blood Witch's Secret Candle]
Exploration Progress: 0.3% (paused)
"Magic is the source..." Rhaegar speculated, his eyes brightening. "Secret Candle? Could it behiding a bloodmage's legacy?"
The thought of sorcery inheritance excited him.
"Guest, it seems you truly are the owner of this glass candle," the red-robed old man marveled, watching the candle dim and flicker in Rhaegar's hands.
This glass candle had remained inert in his possession for decades. Occasionally, during sacrifices to the Lord of Light, it would ignite, a miracle that boosted the faith and offerings of his followers.
The old man sighed and rose to leave the temple. He had ceded the hall to the Targaryen Dragonlord, hoping that Rhaegar might indeed uncover something within the glass candle.
The magic tidal wave of disaster had been foretold.
...
Hours passed.
Rhaegar sat before the dying bonfire, feeling drowsy. The glass candle rested between his legs, its wick burning with a small, wavering orange flame.
"Fiery Hands! Protect the temple!"
"The Tiger Cloaks have gone mad, hide in the temple!"
A terrified woman's scream suddenly pierced the calm, echoing from outside the R'hllor Temple.
Rhaegar snapped awake, confused. Everything had been quiet—why the sudden chaos?
As he lifted his head, a dozen red-robed priests and women rushed into the temple. The priests, of various ages, all had shaved heads. The women were young, dressed in revealing clothes, with tattoos of tears or flames on their cheeks.
Rhaegar knew the temple of Rahlo included slaves. The red-robed guards, called the Fiery Hands, were slave soldiers trained from a young age. Additionally, young girls were purchased to serve as lifelong slave girls, with the most devout becoming Red Priestesses who spread the faith of the Lord of Light.
"Honorable guest, please come with me! There's a rebellion within the Black Wall—the rebels have invaded the entire east city district."
The Red Priestess who had invited Rhaegar earlier now ran towards him, panic evident in her voice.
"Rebellion? What's going on?" Rhaegar frowned, his eyes scanning the Fiery Hands gathering rapidly outside the temple.
Hundreds of them surrounded the temple entrance, their spears pointed at the chaotic streets.
The priestess 's voice trembled with fear, but she spoke quickly, "The two Triarchs of the Elephant Party assassinated the Tiger Party's Triarch. The commander of the Tiger Army has led a riot."
As she spoke, she ran ahead of Rhaegar, her loose sash flying open, revealing bouncing snow-white curves. She seemed oblivious to it.
Rhaegar averted his eyes, dismayed. "Volantis is in chaos?"
No wonder he hadn't found the two Elephant Party Triarchs earlier—they'd been plotting an assassination.
The priestess, still in a hurry, continued, "The streets are filled with Tiger Cloaks burning and looting. Many slaves have joined in. You and I must hide in the temple cellar."
Rhaegar hesitated, glancing at the glass candle. Should he follow her or deal with the chaos outside?
Rhaegar checked the status of the glass candle.
[Bloodmage's Secret Candle]
Exploration Progress: 56%
Note: This relic is a product of alchemy. Please maintain magic infusion.
The glass candle was halfway through its exploration and needed more time to complete. Rhaegar rubbed the candle, deep in thought. He wasn't afraid of the chaos outside, but he had come to Volantis with specific goals: to understand Volantis's stance towards the Triarchy and to establish initial diplomacy with the three Triarchs.
The assassination of the Tiger Party's Triarch complicated matters. The Tiger Triarch, a hardliner, had shared common ground with the Targaryens. With the Tiger Party's leader gone, their initial efforts seemed wasted. The two Triarchs of the Elephant Party, clearly opposed to the Tiger Party's policies, were likely responsible for the upheaval.
Rhaegar had to decide his next move. Ignoring the red priestess's urging, he noticed the glass candle had extinguished.
The Triarchy was always an enemy of theTargaryens. Volantis, under the Tiger Party, also despised the Triarchy, aligning with Targaryeninterests. But now, the Tiger Party was in disarray.
Rhaegar muttered to himself, uncertain of his next step. Suddenly, a thunderous explosion erupted at the temple entrance, followed by screams.
A burning stake hit a large torch in front of thetemple, igniting a raging fire. The Fiery Handsguarding the entrance were caught in the flames, their screams piercing the chaos.
Rhaegar's gaze turned cold as he asked, "Where are the two girls who came with me and the high priest of the temple?"
Only the red-robed priests and women had entered the temple. Daella, her sister and the High Priest were missing.
The red priestess replied quietly, "The high priest led the believers to preach, and the two girls followed."
Rhaegar cursed under his breath, "What terrible timing."
"I'll go find them. You all stay hidden."
Ignoring the fierce flames at the temple entrance, Rhaegar tucked the glass candle into his sleeve and walked out without looking back. He intended to understand the situation outside and find the Daella and Layla along the way.
The red priestess, wanting to stop him, heard the screams of the Fiery Hands and instead knelt before the bonfire to pray to the Lord of Light.
...
The East Side of Volantis was in chaos.
The Tiger Cloaks, identifiable by their tiger tattoos, had revolted and were robbing civilians. Among their ranks were stone-throwing vehicles aimed at wealthy merchants' residences. Their focus was clear: target the rich, without concern for collateral damage.
"Run!"
"Hide, hide in the cellar!"
Rhaegar, dressed in black robes, moved against the flow of fleeing civilians. After a short distance, he encountered a group of well-equipped mercenaries. Their mismatched armor indicated they were hastily assembled.
As soon as they appeared, they clashed with the Tiger Cloak army. Rhaegar took cover behind a stone pillar, listening to the curses from both sides.
"Damn Elephants! Assassinating our Triarch, you betrayed Volantis!"
"The Tiger Party tried to start a war and deserved it..."
"Our consul is dead. Kill the Elephant Party Triarch too. We'll take control!"
The conflict was irreconcilable.
"Volantis is going to be in complete chaos," Rhaegar thought, summoning the Cannibal dragon in his mind.
Avoiding the fighting, Rhaegar headed towards the Long Bridge. The High Priestesses were spreading their faith in this area, rallying the slaves.
Boom!
A flaming stake flew in, destroying a distant house. The heat wave knocked Rhaegar off his feet, sending him flying backwards.
"Ahem... Damn Tiger Cloaks."
Struggling to his feet, Rhaegar coughed, his arm sore from the impact.
"Run!"
Around the corner, a group of fleeing slaves appeared, pursued by Tiger Cloak soldiers wielding scimitars. One soldier spotted Rhaegar and sneered, "A Valyrian-blooded boy with no tattoos. He must be rich!"
Rhaegar's hood had slipped, revealing his long silver-gold hair.
"Grab him! It's not every day we get rich!"
The Tiger Cloak soldiers, eyes filled with greed, surrounded him. One rushed forward, machete in hand.
Clang!
Rhaegar dodged and drew his Dragon Claw sword, slicing through the approaching machete.
"You've got guts!"
With cold eyes, Rhaegar swung his sword horizontally.
Swoosh.
The sharp blade of the Dragon Claw cut through the Tiger Cloak soldier, bisecting him before he could react.
"It's a Valyrian steel sword! Let's take him down together!"
Recognizing the material of Rhaegar's sword, the soldiers' greed intensified.
"Oh, I really don't have any luck with the Free Cities."
Facing ten times his number, Rhaegar showed no fear, a sneer playing on his lips as he twirled his sword.
Believing he was scared, the soldiers charged even more fervently.
Suddenly, a shadow darkened the sky, enveloping the broken city.
"Roar!"
(Word count: 1,605)
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