章 16: The Threat Stuck

The Day of the Dragon Song

The commotion outside the Red Keep was so deafening that everyone in the castle was either peering out of their windows or rushing outside to look up at the sky. The only figure missing was the king, who had been put to sleep by the Maester after a tense conversation with his wife. Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, stood among the gathering crowd, his heart sinking as he looked to the heavens.

There, among the swirling chaos of dragons, was his grandson, Aegon II, desperately trying to calm his golden mount. But the figure that truly unnerved Otto was a shirtless Aegon the Younger, flying out of a castle window, joining the airborne beasts, and landing effortlessly on his mother's dragon, which clung to the cliffside.

What truly shocked Otto, however, was the sight of Jacaerys Velaryon striding confidently toward his family. The elder Strong boy was dressed in riding leathers, his younger brother Lucerys following suit. Their mother, Rhaenyra, stood nearby in a somber black gown, surrounded by her guards.

Jacaerys approached his uncles, aunt, Lord Otto, and Queen Alicent, before addressing them directly. "Uncles, Aunt, Lord Hand, and Queen Alicent, I bring a message from Prince Aegon. May I deliver it?" he asked, his tone formal.

Before Jace could finish, the Velaryons and Daemon Targaryen joined the gathering, eager to hear what the young prince had to say. Jace offered a respectful nod to the latecomers and continued.

"These are Prince Aegon the Third's words to the nobles, but right now, this message is specifically for you, Lord Hand." He paused, letting the tension build. "I am going to fetch Daeron. That part of the message was for you, and he said you would understand. For the rest of you, all who bear the name Targaryen, you are called to choose a mount you wish to ride and take to the skies with him. For today, the dragons will oblige any of you."

Jace's voice grew louder as he addressed the gathered nobles. "To you, the laws are yours to follow, but for us, it is the dragon who lays them out. You have bastards; we have fire and blood. You have legitimacy; we have fire and blood. You have traditions; we have fire and blood. End of message."

With that, Jace turned on his heel, his younger brother following close behind. A soft chuckle escaped from Aegon II, who threw an arm around his brother's shoulders as they walked toward the so-called "Strong bastards."

Helaena, with a serene smile, bowed to her mother Alicent and whispered to her grandfather, "Don't worry. There won't be any fire today. It's only a threat," her innocent tone sending a chill down Otto's spine. For the first time, Otto realized that the Targaryens were not just turning the wheel—they were breaking it. That boy, Aegon, was influencing them, changing them.

"Stop your children," Otto demanded of Alicent. But she only stared at the sky, lost in thought. If she had not listened to her father, perhaps she might have married into a simpler noble house or even served as Rhaenyra's hand in the future. She was trapped in a web of 'what-ifs.'

Daemon strolled past Otto with a dark chuckle. "Kick him while he's down," he said. "Fire and blood." His voice was a mocking whisper.

Rhaenys joined him, glancing disdainfully at both Daemon and Otto. "A week," she scoffed. "Imagine what he could do in ten years. In a single week, he has instilled fear in knights and nobles alike, undone schemes that have been in motion since before his birth. Run and hide, rats. The dragons have awoken from their slumber—fire and blood."

For the first time in a long while, Rhaenys' words were a direct jab at Otto. All he could think was, *Was I wrong to want more?*

As the Targaryens made their way to the gates of the Red Keep, Rhaenyra remained behind. Her dragon perched menacingly on the Hand's tower, as if staking a claim.

With a quiet, cutting voice, Rhaenyra addressed Otto. "A woman as queen doesn't seem so outrageous anymore, does it, when the alternative is a boy who would burn down a city over a single word? Smart men always forget—might makes right. I met him for a day, and who would have thought that all it takes is a reminder that there are worse choices out there? I think you've just discovered the worst of them. Beautiful words, aren't they? Simple, yet telling—fire and blood."

She turned away, walking back into the castle, leaving Otto standing there, his mind reeling. The chaos of that day would be known far and wide. The maesters would call it the "Day of the Dragon Song," the Citadel would dub it the "Winged Curse," and the septons would later name it the "Day of Rebirth." But those names would come in time, as the consequences of that day unraveled across the realm.