章 19: "Brave Aemon"
A massive maw opened wide, spewing blazing orange flames that illuminated the entire dark cavern.
In an instant, the temperature skyrocketed.
Before the dragonkeepers could react, the fiery torrent fanned out toward them.
"Ahhh!!"
Screams filled the cavern as chaos erupted, with people fleeing in panic amidst the flames and thick smoke.
"Aemon, run!"
Rhaenyra acted swiftly, grabbing his small hand and trying to pull him away.
However, despite her efforts, Aemon didn't budge.
He remained rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed firmly ahead.
"Skrreee!!"
The flames vanished, revealing the true form of the pale blue dragon. It let out a deafening roar, its amber eyes flashing with a warning that echoed through the chamber like the territorial growl of an enraged beast.
Aemon's breathing quickened, but he refused to move. "Wait, Rhaenyra," he said firmly.
"What?!" Rhaenyra was dumbfounded.
"She didn't attack us," Aemon explained, his eyes locked on the dragon.
The elder dragonkeeper stumbled back toward them, his singed hair and soot-covered face a testament to his close call with the flames. "Your Highness, for your safety, you should keep your distance!"
The other dragonkeepers scrambled to their feet, shaken but trying to regain their composure and form a defensive line.
Aemon's face was tense, his focus entirely on the magnificent creature before him.
Clink-clank!
The sound of rattling chains echoed as the pale blue dragon inhaled deeply, its breaths rumbling through the cavern.
By the faint light of the lingering fire, Aemon took in the full sight of her.
In the dim cavern stood a slender dragon with shimmering silver streaks across her pale blue scales. Her head was crowned with regal white horns, her wings glinted like the sky at dawn, and her silvery dorsal spines shimmered faintly.
"Dreamfyre," Aemon murmured, his cheeks flushing with excitement and his heart racing like a drum.
Boom!
Dreamfyre took a step forward, her massive amber eyes filled with vigilance as she scanned the intruders.
"She's so big," Aemon said, his voice trembling with awe.
The dragon was a stunning and majestic sight, her sleek body stretching over fifty meters in length. Though she was not the largest of the second-generation dragons, her presence alone was awe-inspiring.
"Aemon, do you still want to try?"
Rhaenyra tugged at him, her voice trembling with worry as she struggled to pull him away.
"Absolutely!"
Any doubts Aemon had before were completely erased the moment he laid eyes on her. The dragon's beauty was beyond anything he had imagined, and his resolve solidified.
"Let me try," he said, taking a deep breath and turning to the elder dragonkeeper. "She's not attacking—can you help calm her down?"
The dragonkeeper's expression was grim as he nodded. "We'll do our best," he replied, signaling the others to retrieve their bamboo rods and cautiously approach the dragon.
Dreamfyre was known for her temper, but the keepers had long experience in handling her for feeding. Her current outburst was likely triggered by the sheer number of people present.
"You stay here," Aemon said sternly, pushing Rhaenyra toward the cavern wall.
Rhaenyra opened her mouth to protest but froze as she realized how serious he was. His strength caught her off guard, and she allowed herself to be guided to a safer spot.
Meanwhile, the dragonkeepers began singing a soothing Valyrian lullaby, their voices echoing through the cavern in an attempt to calm the agitated beast.
Boom!
Dreamfyre's massive head lowered slightly as her growls softened, her body settling into a crouch atop the rocky ground.
The elder dragonkeeper approached cautiously, ensuring she wouldn't lash out. Once he was confident, he called out, "Prince Aemon, you may approach."
Aemon took a deep breath, steeling his nerves. "Don't worry," he whispered, patting the satchel where his trembling golden-nosed mouse was hiding.
Step by step, he walked toward the majestic dragon.
The closer he got, the more he felt the sheer power radiating from her. Yet Dreamfyre didn't move, her massive body lying still as if drained of energy.
"What should I do next?" Aemon asked, his voice steady despite his racing heart.
From a distance, the dragonkeeper replied in a hushed tone, "Stand before the dragon and raise your hand."
This was the crucial step to test the dragon's temperament. If she didn't react aggressively, he could try climbing onto her back—a gesture that, if accepted, would mean the dragon acknowledged him.
"I understand," Aemon said, clenching his fists briefly before raising one small, chubby hand toward Dreamfyre's head.
His hand, pale and soft like a lotus root fresh from the water, trembled slightly but remained raised with determination.
"Grroooaaarrr..."
Dreamfyre's amber eyes glanced at him briefly before she let out a low rumble and turned her head away, her disinterest palpable.
Aemon blinked in confusion. "Look at me, Dreamfyre," he said, stepping closer.
The dragon's disinterest was not what he had expected. He had braced himself for rejection or even a fiery rebuke, but outright dismissal?
Dreamfyre yawned, shifting her massive head to the opposite side, clearly uninterested in the small human before her.
"What the...?" Aemon's eyes widened in disbelief.
She wasn't rejecting him outright, but her indifference was almost more insulting.
"Don't ignore me!" Aemon shouted, his voice echoing through the cavern.
He circled around to her other side, trying to catch her gaze. When she moved her head to the left, he followed; when she shifted to the right, he pursued relentlessly.
Around and around they went, the boy determined, the dragon indifferent.
By the fifth lap, Aemon was panting heavily, his arm trembling from holding it up for so long. "Dreamfyre, what will it take for you to acknowledge me?!"
Finally, the dragon had enough.
"Screeeee!!"
With a furious roar, Dreamfyre rose to her full height, her massive wings flaring out as she glared down at the persistent boy.
The sheer force of her roar sent a gust of hot, stinging wind that made Aemon squint and brace himself.
But he didn't back down.
"She hasn't attacked. That means there's still a chance," he thought.
The dragon let out a final snort of exasperation before lowering her head and nudging Aemon's stomach with her massive snout, sending him tumbling backward.
"Oof!" Aemon landed hard on the ground, his small body rolling once before coming to a stop.
When he looked up, Dreamfyre was already turning away.
"Wait! Don't go!" Aemon shouted, scrambling to his feet.
Dreamfyre paused briefly, her body language dismissive, before continuing deeper into the cavern.
Without thinking, Aemon sprinted after her, throwing his arms around one of her massive legs in a desperate attempt to stop her.
"Don't leave! I'll take you outside to feel the sky and the clouds!" he pleaded.
The dragon stopped for a moment, but only to shake him off before lumbering away.
"Aemon!!"
Rhaenyra's panicked voice echoed as she rushed to grab him by the collar and drag him back.
The dragonkeepers moved in quickly, forming a protective line between the dragon and the two royals.
As Rhaenyra scolded him, Aemon stared after Dreamfyre, his heart heavy with frustration.
She wasn't his dragon—not yet.
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