章 460: Chapter 460: The Underground Palace
Viserys rode a mighty dragon to launch a night raid on Braavos, spreading chaos throughout the city.
In Braavos proper, on a remote islet far from the Sea Lord's Palace, lay a residence that hid a secret tunnel leading underground to a hidden palace connected by passageways.
Several silver-haired, purple-eyed individuals gathered there, their expressions filled with trepidation, uncertain of what was to come. Among them were men and women, from slender youths to white-haired elders.
The Braavosi elite had summoned the descendants of the once-great Valyrian noble houses, their direct families now extinct, connected only through distant relations.
These people were considered 'Dragonseed' by Braavos, collected long ago in the hope that their bloodline could control the dragons.
The young dragon stolen from Pentos was hidden in this underground palace. Its feet were bound with chains, but its mouth was left free, as it could not breathe fire.
Boom! Boom!
The heavy underground stone doors were pushed open, and the dark, silent underground palace was greeted by the first ray of light.
The silver dragon, chained and lying on the ground, opened its clear eyes, raising its head to look toward the source of the light.
In the distant sky, Viserys seemed to sense something, turning his head in a particular direction.
"Lord Ihralo, what is...?" stammered a young Valyrian, shivering at the sight of the shadow in the darkness, fearing that the Braavosi officer meant to feed them all to a beast.
"Look closer, it's a dragon," said Ihralo of Braavos, draped in a cloak and wearing leather boots, cautiously approaching with a torch in hand.
"You claim to be from House Belaerys, don't you? Shouldn't this be your dream?" he challenged, "Boy."
Though just a few months old, a dragon is a dragon, possessing unparalleled hunting abilities, its teeth capable of tearing through tough hide and killing a full-grown ox.
The Braavosi had tested this after the dragon's arrival, and according to the only surviving Faceless Man, this was even the weakest of the five young dragons.
What a bloody mess of a life.
That's how Ihralo had felt after hearing the news. Dragons should not exist in this world; their threat to other creatures was too great.
But as Ihralo spoke and the torchlight revealed the shadowy creature, the assembled people saw the young dragon, and their eyes shone.
"It's really a dragon!"
Their ancestors came from dragon-riding families; some were offspring from noble liaisons with commoners, even accidental 'Dragonseeds' left by carelessness.
Some of the children's fathers didn't even know they had left behind a bastard.
Such situations were common in Valyria, Lys, Tyrosh, Dragonstone, and the Iron Islands. Among them was someone from Dragonstone, where Targaryen liaisons were sought after.
Over the years, the Targaryens left many bastards. During the 'Dance of the Dragons,' they had even selected riders from these 'Dragonseeds' due to a lack of dragon riders.
The Braavosi elite sought to replicate this method to control dragons.
"Yes, it is a young dragon," confirmed Ihralo, "Your chance has come."
The tanned-skinned Braavosi raised his torch, eyeing the gathered Valyrians, who had nothing but their noble bloodline. Before being found by Braavos, many had nearly starved, relying on their looks to deceive others.
Ihralo continued, "If you gain the dragon's trust and become its companion, you can become a true dragon rider, changing your fate."
To become a dragon rider and restore ancestral glory was these Valyrians' greatest dream, and Ihralo's words ignited their passion.
"Ever heard of Viserys?" he asked, lighting up their eyes.
They all knew of Viserys Targaryen, the most successful house since Valyria's fall, rulers of the Seven Kingdoms.
Though success was tempting, dragons were dangerous, even in youth.
"I'm old, if I die, I die. Let me try," volunteered an elder Valyrian, breaking the hesitation.
Ihralo nodded, and the old man slowly approached the silver beast.
Everyone's eyes were on him, and they saw him actually reach the young dragon's side. The silver dragon seemed gentle, staring calmly, only growling in warning when the old man tried to touch it.
"Failed," sighed the elder, content to have tried and failed without forcing the issue.
Seeing him return unharmed and unhurt, the rest of the Valyrians grew excited, eager for their chance.
"I'll go!" exclaimed the silver-haired, purple-eyed youth who had spoken earlier, eager to try.
He answered so quickly that others were left disappointed.
Ihralo nodded, and the youth from Tyrosh approached the dragon.
"What's its name?"
"I don't know; you can try naming it," shrugged Ihralo.
The youth shrugged and smiled what he thought was a handsome smile, reaching out to touch the dragon's head. The dragon still lay on the ground, its feet chained, its eyes calmly watching, growling in warning again.
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