Chapitre 57: Planning

AOT World

Dragonstone

The passageways of the island's volcano have noticeably expanded since Aemon's last visit. The previous passages which were once big enough to allow any of the dragons to pass through unobstructed has at the very least doubled in size.

Aemon knows that this must not be a recent occurrence, however he usually does not venture into this part of the island, preferring to leave the dragons to their lair. Even on his daily morning visits for his flights with Caraxes, he prefers to meet the dragon on the beach.

This time, however, he can sense excitement and urgency from Caraxes through their bond; prompting him to make his way into the Dragonmont. However, as he makes his way through the winding ways leading to the various caves that the dragons have made into their lairs, Aemon is surprised to find, through their bond, that Caraxes is not within his lair but is currently in Silver's lair, the lair of Rhaenys' dragon.

Entering the cave, Aemon finds it littered with the bones of various fishes and other animals. The inside is dark and were it not for his enhanced senses Aemon would be unable to see Caraxes' long and serpentine body coiling in on itself as if to protect something precious, and already he wagers that he knows what his wyrm is attempting to protect.

More surprising to Aemon however is Silver's absence from her lair. Then again, he knows nothing of the mating practices of dragons.

"Hassan." Aemon calls out, prompting one of the assassins to appear before him. "Observe the dragons and compile a book on them. Everything from personality to mating habits, write it all down."

With a nod the Hassan disappears to begin his work.

Satisfied, Aemon continues to approach Caraxes, only for the Blood Wyrm to snarl at him.

Rolling his eyes, Aemon continues to approach unencumbered, "Yes yes the eggs must remain warm. However, the time it takes for me to move them from this nest to the hatcheries below the Dragonmont will not hinder their development." Aemon tells Caraxes, yet the dragon hears none of it as he coils himself tighter around the eggs and screeches at Aemon, the building fire at the back of his throat illuminating the cave.

The screech brings Aemon up short and causes him to narrow his eyes. Through their bond Aemon can sense Caraxes' aggressiveness and threat, and yet even without the bond Aemon would know that Caraxes means to harm him should he continue to insist upon this endeavor, leaving Aemon at a loss.

Historically House Targaryen has always taken the eggs laid from the dragons and placed them in the hatchery beneath the Dragonmont. Aemon has always assumed that this tradition was born out of necessity for the well being of the eggs, yet judging by Caraxes' reaction to him Aemon thinks that person this is another area where his ancestor has blundered.

First the Dragonpit in King's Landing, and now the Dragon Hatchery in Dragonstone; what other tradition practiced by his ancestors was detrimental to the health of the dragons in the long term.

Before Aemon can continue to speculate, the shaking of the Dragonmont announces Silver's return.

"Shit." mutters Aemon to himself as he senses Silver enter the lair. Being in a she-dragon's lair after she has laid a clutch of eggs is one easy way to find oneself incinerated.

Aemon himself doubts that Silver can bring any harm to him in truth, he is however worried that in her attempt to kill him that she will harm herself, and that is not something that he is willing to explain to Rhaenys.

As Silver stalks into her lair, her fangs bared in warning at him, Caraxes uncoils himself from their clutch and snarls a warning at Silver. Yet his sister's dragon cares not for her mate's warning and lunges at him.

Before she can even move a foot forward a domineering roar shakes Dragonstone to its very foundation and a massive pressure forces her to the ground. As she struggles against the pressure, Silver opens her mouth wide intending to burn Aemon only for Caraxes to slither around his rider and stomp her mouth shut while screeching in her face.

Despite wishing nothing more than to burn Aemon to a crisp for entering her lair and being near her eggs, Silver bows before Caraxes' might and turns to tend to her eggs.

With a huff that sends smoke out of his nostrils, Caraxes' turns to Aemon and questioningly tilts his head.

With a chuckle Aemon gently caresses his partner's lower jaw, "Aye we can still attend to our daily flights. However, afterwards she shall go elsewhere. I have a surprise for you." he tells Caraxes before mounting the dragon.

With an excited screech, Caraxes wraps his wings around his torso and slithers his way out of Silver's lair, his movements no different from a serpent and much faster than the other dragons who must hobble around through the passageways.

As he observes his dragon's movements Aemon cannot help but think that Caraxes is responsible for the widening of the passageways in the Dragonmont; and should Aemon's conjecture be true then no castle is safe from the reach of his Blood Wyrm. Not even Casterly Rock, House Lannister's fort carved out of a colossal stone hill that not even Balerion can burn.

Of course the top of the hill and its surroundings can be burned, but the members of House Lannister need to only burrow into the depths of the hill in order to escape the dragon flames, for no dragon in Westeros possesses flames hot enough to melt a mountain. Of course in a siege like situation the Lannisters will starve to death, but it would not be as quick nor as glorious as Balerion melting Harrenhall.

Should House Lannister ever step out of line Aemon could take Caraxes into the hill and burn them to ashes instead of waiting for them to starve.

…

PJO World

The Winter Realm, The Winter Fort

Caraxes' unannounced appearance above the Winter Fort causes chaos amongst the fey as they prepare for an assault. It is only Malenia noticing Aemon riding the dragon that calms them down.

As he dismounts from Caraxes, the commanders of Aemon's forces attempt to approach him only to quickly retreat upon seeing the dragon's snarl.

Only Simon and Percy are allowed to approach, for even when Jennifer and Anakin attempt to do so Caraxes does not shy from threatening them with incineration.

"What's up Caraxes." greets Simon with a grin, causing the dragon to huff in amusement before laying down and coiling in on himself.

"How did you find your accommodations?" asks Aemon.

"Um, fine. I slept pretty well." replies Percy.

Before Simon can give his answer, Alflyse's voice calls out to Aemon.

"My liege, we have news." says Alflyse.

"It seems that your surprise will have to wait." Aemon tells Caraxes, though the dragon merely snorts dismissively in response before taking to the sky.

…

Entering the war room, Aemon's commanders seamlessly take their positions around the table as if they have done so hundreds of times before while Jennifer, Simon, Percy, and Anakin take the empty positions.

"Our spies have reported House Cumhail mobilizing their knights. However, rather than securing their borders they have been commanded to retreat to the White Fort." reports Alflyse.

"They prepare for a siege." observes Algrim, Commander of the Winter Knights, the Winter Court's personal forces.

"A siege would be disadvantageous to us. The White Fort's defenses are more formidable than any other in the Winter Realm." says Malenia. "No bombardement has ever even cracked the first defensive layer, much less the deeper ones, and none have ever succeeded in infiltrating the Fort; not even the Black Knives." she adds, causing Aemon to look at Alflyse.

"As much as it pains me to admit, Princess Malenia speaks the truth. We Black Knives have never successfully infiltrated the White Fort." says Alflyse.

"If the war goes into a siege, wouldn't it just be a stalemate? And if it's a stalemate wouldn't the war be pointless." asks Percy.

"No. A stalemate would result in House Cumhaill's victory in truth." says Aemon. "Should House Cumhail force us into a stalemate then it would prove me unworthy of ruling the Unseelie Court; should that become the case then challenging me to a duel for the Unseelie Throne would not be treason. This begs the question however, where does House Cumhail's confidence come from. They know that I have ascended the throne, and to do so would require me to defeat Malenia in single combat. The very same Malenia that none in the Winter Realm have successfully defeated in combat." Aemon explains.

"Maybe they have a secret weapon." suggests Anakin.

"Aye, I am inclined to believe so." agrees Aemon. "Still that is a matter for later, now they must be stopped from forcing us into a siege." he says before turning to Eredin.

Seeing Aemon looking at him, Eredin cannot help but let his bloodlust leak before bowing to Aemon.

"This loyal servant awaits your command." he says with a grin.

"Set out with your pack and wreak havoc upon the retreating forces. Kill the knights, steal their crops, and force Cumhail's force to engage you. It is a temporary measure at best but it will buy us time for devising a proper solution." commands Aemon.

With a bloodthirsty grin on his face and a salute Eredin leaves the room to carry out Aemon's command.

"You have a dragon. Why don't you make use of it to directly attack the White Fort?" asks Jennifer.

"Caraxes is nowhere near powerful enough to damage the White Fort. I would merely be tiring him out while allowing House Cumhail an opportunity to shoot him down." Aemon explains.

With the mention of Caraxes Aemon can sense the burning questions in his commanders' minds as they stare at him, no doubt wondering where the dragon came from.

Like all mythical beasts in the PJO universe, dragons do exist and have been the source of many calamities in both human and supernatural history. For the fey however, their existence is much more significant as opposed to in other civilizations such as the Greek and Romans. The fey have been allies to many a dragon and enemies to many more. It is to the point where some of the princes and princesses of both the Seelie and Unseelie had their own companion dragons with the Queens and Kings of both courts being good friends with named dragons of legend.

For example, the White Dragon, Albion, was an ally of Queen Mab at first before becoming a friend. The two had formed an alliance to count Queen Titania's alliance with the Red Dragon, Y Ddraig Goch.

Another example is King Vortigern, King Arthur's uncle, who had turned himself into a black dragon through a ritual known as Dragon Communion, a dark ritual that not even a member of the Unseelie Court would dare partake in. In the end he ended up becoming a pet for one of Queen Mab's sons before being killed by King Arthur.

The political nightmare that the entire situation brought about is one that can never be overstated.

In short, the importance of dragons in fey culture is easily reminiscent of their importance in Westerosi society. As such the fact that the new king of their court is a dragonrider is an important detail that Aemon's commanders cannot overlook.

"Enough about Caraxes." says Aemon as he turns his attention to the map before him. "Alflyse, I want a report on House Cumhail's neighbors. Everything from their grievances to their favorite food, leave no detail unmentioned."

"Finlay and Algrim, from now on your knights are to drill together and against each other. I want them to be familiar with each other's habits before we set out."

"Grendell, you and the rest of the Royal Guard are to coordinate with Caleb's castle guards. None are to enter this fort, not even a rat. Should it be necessary you may enlist the aid of the Black Knives." Aemon commands them all before finally turning to Miquella.

"For the remaining weeks until my departure you shall shadow, for in my absence the Winter Fort's matters and the surrounding territories shall fall under your command." he says before turning to his fellow group chat members and Malenia.

"The rest of you shall spar with me in the meantime. Would not want some no name knight to kill you on the battlefield." Aemon says.

Author's Note: Guess who's fucking back haha. Anyway, sorry about the unplanned hiatus. My laptop broke and I got sick after getting a new one. But I'm back now. As usual, tell me what you guys think of the chapter.

Also a special thank you to my patrons for staying pledged despite not getting a chapter for two weeks. Your support really means a lot to me.