บท 60: Black Veil Within The Rain
(Aerion's POV)
I heard thunder above in the sky, "Hm.." I said looking up, "I imagine you'd smell the storm, eh?"
We were in the fishing village that was on the coast of Dragonstone, it was a bit large and somewhat populated. The smallfolk there mostly make their living from fishing on the sea, trading with us. I had helped fund several fishing boats and repairs on many buildings that required help. Some of our guards like to come and eat in a small tavern here. One would think there's no point in one here, but fishermen that come from Driftmark like to rest here to avoid being caught in a storm on the sail back to their homes.
As we walked towards said small tavern, I heard Vaemond clear his throat.
"Yes." He said, "I trust that we'd be welcomed to stay the night?"
"Sure, I don't see why not." I said as I looked at him, "But of course, I want to hear it from your mouth first."
"Hm..." He said as he looked down, "Yes, I apologize for that overstep in Bloodstone."
"Good." I said, "We're all in agreement here."
We approached the door to the tavern and opened it, walking inside as I saw several fishermen look up with surprise.
"L-Lord Aerion!" One of them said
I nodded at them, "Hello." I greeted, "I came here to ask a few questions. Well, Ser Vaemond here is.."
Vaemond took a step forward, "We are looking for a man. Average height, black hair, blue eyes." He said, "He has a scar on his left cheek. He was seen fleeing Driftmark and making his way to this island. Sources claim he is a fisherman one of the four villages in Dragonstone."
They all looked around, seeing the room, a bit confused.
I looked at him, "Doesn't look like he's here." I said
"That may be so." Daeron Velaryon said, "But he could be hiding here."
"Right." Daemion said
"Search the rooms." Vaemond told them, "Make sure no corner is unchecked."
Daeron and Daemion walked around and began to check rooms as many of the men were shifting awkwardly and moving out of the way.
I heard the crack of loud thunder and the pouring rain hit the roof of the tavern.
"Downpour...." I said as I looked back outside through the open door
"M-Milord..." I heard someone say
I turned to see an old man walking up to me, "Yea?" I asked
"I'm the tavern owner.." He said, "What did this man do, if you don't mind asking?"
"That is none of your concern." Vaemond told him, "If you're hiding him, know you'll be an accomplice."
I raised my hand, "Easy, Vaemond, do not overstep." I told him, "You see, if there's something about the smallfolk in this island that you should know, then it is the fact that they might be useful when it comes to our issue."
"Issue?" The old man asked
"Wild Dragon." I told him, "The Grey Annoyance. Have you seen him recently?"
"The Grey Annoyance..." He said as if in deep thought, "Oh! You mean Greyfiend?"
"Greyfiend?" I asked with a raised eyebrow
"The charcoal grey with white stripes, right?" He said, "We call him that because of his fiendish behavior, always causing trouble....he's been eating sailors as of lately. Quite erratic, it's very random."
"What do you mean?" Vaemond asked, "It's been doing this actively?"
"Well, I would like to know what Greyfiend has to do with this man." The old man said
"The Man got in an altercation with one of Vaemond's men, shoving him to the ground and by some coincidence, Greyfiend swooped down and ate him." I told him, "Quite suspicious. If what you're saying is true, about him just going around killing randomly. Out of all the people around them, the dragon chose the person that our man was arguing with."
"Yes, it hasn't been safe on the north-west side...where the Cannibal nests...." the old man said, "The Cannibal doesn't bother any man unless provoked. A few years ago, a white-haired man of unknown origin traversed the mountains. My brother told me that the man claimed to be a bastard descendant of Maegor the Cruel....Well, apparently they saw him being devoured by the Cannibal and Greyfiend decided to attack him. They got in a fight but the fiend was able to get away."
"Hm..." I said as I looked at Vaemond, "I knew that dragon was strong. It got in the way when I tried hunting the Cannibal. The Cannibal shouldn't be causing us trouble but this one is much more dangerous, I suppose."
"But why did it eat my shipwright?" Vaemond asked me, "It makes no sense!"
I heard the rain get harder, deafening as I felt the temperature drop as it does when a storm gathers.
"Greyfiend has been attacking sailors and fishermen on that side of the island, in the water and on land. " The old man said, "It's gotten quite bad, Milord. Many have decided to move on this side, where its safer. Not many Wild Dragons venture near the Dragonmont, especially because of Vermithor and Silverwing."
"Yes, I suppose that's true." I said, "While Silverwing is much more docile than my Bronze Grouch, she's quite formidable in a fight for territory. She's also larger than all the wild dragons with the exception of the Cannibal."
"This one is about Silverwing's size, Lord Aerion." Vaemond said, "I can understand why it's a problem."
"Not many wild dragons attack humans, you see." the old man said, "They attack our livestock, sure, our sheep, cows, swine...and they hunt for fish, sharks, and other marine life, but men? It's rare, unless provoked."
"I suppose I was targeting the wrong dragon...." I muttered, "Well, I'll keep that in mind. If people wish to migrate to this side, I'll speak to the Princess about helping out."
"O-Of course, Milord, you are too kind." He said as he bowed
"Father, no sign of anyone back here." I heard Daeron say as they both walked up to us
"Curses." Vaemond said, "I suppose we keep looking around, Lord Aerion."
"Yea, sure." I said as I turned around and walked out the door, "I love the rain....."
I felt the hard pouring all over my body as I made my way into the street.
"We should spread out." Vaemond shouted over the loud pouring, "I doubt anyone will have trouble with the locals."
"No, they're harmless." I responded, "And if the man is here, I doubt he'll trouble me. Or you guys."
He nodded, "Very well." He said as he turned around and walked away
I saw as his sons did the same, going in different directions.
"Alright..." I said as I turned around, "Where could I-"
I stopped speaking, seeing a figure on the far end of the street. Even through the rain, I was able to make out the same figure I saw in the Red Keep, a woman draped in a black veil, covering her face.
"Zaldrizes Jaes...." The same voice from back then whispered in my head, "The pieces are placed.....how will you respond?"
I narrowed my eyes as I placed my hand on my sword, "W-Who goes there?" I asked as I walked forward, "What sorcery is this?"
As I got closer, I felt a freezing sensation in my hand, the figure flickering as my sight got blurry.
"There is a message....from ahead..." the voice said as she raised her hand and pointed it at me, "You truly are the one....Zaldrizes Jaes...the one with the blood on his black feathers has seen it....the fire."
I stopped, my head beginning to throb as I heard a loud ring in my ears, "A-Aghh....." I groaned as I buckled slightly, "W-What the fuck?!"
"We are told not to interfere too much." the voice got louder, "So I will not. But one thing is for sure.....I see it...I feel it....I hear it....That Rage....in your heart....it will twist and warp you....."
"It will evolve you into your true self."
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