บท 496: Chapter 497: The Princess and the Dragon Egg
King's Landing is built upon three great hills, each named after Aegon the Conqueror and his two Queens.
Aegon's High Hill is crowned by the Red Keep. Visenya's Hill holds the Great Sept of Baelor. Rhaenys's Hill is home to a massive, nest-like structure known as the Dragonpit—a place where the Targaryens once kept their dragons.
The Dragonpit was colossal, its bronze gates wide enough for thirty knights on horseback to ride through side by side.
During the Dance of the Dragons, a prophet-like figure known as the "Shepherd" incited tens of thousands of frenzied commoners to storm the Dragonpit, killing four young dragons—Shrykos, Morghul, Tyraxes, and Dreamfyre.
Even the full-grown dragon Syrax, who arrived later, was overwhelmed and killed by the mob.
That horrific "dragon-slaying" battle caused the Dragonpit's dome to collapse. Now, only its scorched ruins remain.
---
"Four young dragons killed by the mob, I can understand. But Syrax… how did unarmed commoners manage to kill a full-grown dragon without heavy weapons?"
As they walked through the ruins, Bruus Antaryon, a young prince from Braavos, asked curiously.
"The cause of Syrax's death has always been a mystery," Sarella Tarly replied, lifting her skirts carefully to avoid the charred rubble.
Seeing her struggle, the Braavosi prince offered his hand gallantly.
Sarla blushed slightly but accepted.
She didn't mind the match her brother had arranged for her. Bruus Antaryon's status as the son of the Sealord of Braavos was noble enough, and his appearance was pleasant. For a count's daughter like Sarella, such a union would have been unattainable in the past.
But now, things were different.
Sarla was the King's younger sister—a member of House Caesar, which commanded immense influence. While her surname was still Tarly, her connection to King Samwell gave her a prominence and standing she could not have dreamed of before.
Besides, her father was the Hand of the King.
---
"Some say Syrax was hacked to death by a lumberman named Hobb with an axe," Sarella continued, narrating as they walked. "Others claim a knight wielding a Valyrian steel sword severed one of her wings while a crossbowman shot her in the eye, after which the mob swarmed and killed her.
There's also a tale that the Shepherd summoned the Warrior, one of the Seven Gods, who wielded a divine black blade to decapitate the dragon."
She stole a glance at Bruus from the corner of her eye as she spoke.
This was Bruus's last day in King's Landing; tomorrow, Sarella would leave with him for Braavos to formalize their betrothal. Taking advantage of the opportunity, she had decided to give her fiancé a tour of the city's major landmarks.
The Dragonpit, despite its ruined state and lack of resident dragons, was an essential stop. For dragon enthusiasts, its significance endured.
"Where are House Caesar's dragons now?" Bruus asked.
"They're kept on a mountain north of King's Landing," Sarella replied. "People deliver meat to them daily. Cleopatra followed His Majesty to the Wall, so only Queen Daenerys's three dragons remain there.
However, Viserion is still gravely injured and cannot fly. The queen has called in many maesters and healers, and while his external wounds are healed, the golden dragon remains lethargic. I don't know if he'll ever recover..."
"Doesn't Prince Octavian also have a dragon?" Bruus inquired.
"Oh, yes," Sarella replied, smiling. "His Royal Highness red dragon is still small and is kept in the Red Keep. The prince spends every day with it. Everyone says he's destined to become its rider. The dragon's name is DawnFire, a name personally chosen by His Majesty."
Sarella shared everything she knew without reservation, her innocent enthusiasm painting a vivid picture. Bruus listened patiently, occasionally asking questions to piece together House Caesar's dragon situation.
As they talked, a gust of wind whistled overhead.
Looking up, Sarellabsaw a shadow sweep across the Dragonpit ruins, blocking the sunlight.
"It's Drogon and Rhaegal!" Bruus exclaimed, recognizing the two dragons circling above.
"Wait! There's another one!" Sarella cried out in excitement.
"Is that… Viserion?" Bruus squinted at the third dragon trailing behind. "He's flying?"
"It really is Viserion!" Sarella waved her arms joyfully. "The Seven be praised—he's healed! That's wonderful!"
"Not necessarily..." Bruus frowned. The golden dragon appeared to be flying unsteadily. "Something seems wrong with Viserion."
Just as he spoke, Viserion faltered mid-air, wobbled, then dove sharply toward the Dragonpit.
"Move!" Bruus shouted, tackling Sarella to the ground.
Sarella, frozen with fear, felt the world spin as the ground beneath her trembled. A furnace-like heat, laced with a thick metallic scent of blood, engulfed the air.
Viserion landed with a crash, writhing and roaring in pain.
"What's wrong with him?" Sarella asked, her voice trembling.
"He seems to be in great pain." Bruus helped her to her feet, carefully stepping back to avoid the dragon's thrashing limbs.
"It looks like he's trying to crawl south," Sarella observed. "He must be heading for the Red Keep but collapsed here due to his injuries."
Bruus glanced southward and saw Drogon and Rhaegal continuing toward the Red Keep, seemingly unaware of their sibling's plight.
"Why are they flying to the Red Keep?" Sarella wondered aloud. "Are they looking for Queen Daenerys?"
Bruus didn't answer. Instead, he cautiously guided Sarella to a safe spot away from the dragon's path.
"We need to call for help."
"Yes," Sarella agreed. She prepared to leave but suddenly froze, pointing at Viserion's abdomen. "Look! Something's coming out!"
Bruus turned his attention to Viserion's belly.
Liquid dripped from the dragon's underside, so hot it evaporated instantly upon contact with the ground. Amid the steam, an egg-like object began to emerge.
"He's laying an egg," Bruus murmured, his eyes glinting with excitement.
"An egg?" Sarella exclaimed. "A dragon egg?"
"Yes." Bruus stopped in his tracks, staring intently at the golden dragon's abdomen.
Viserion noticed the humans nearby and let out a weak roar, a feeble attempt at intimidation that only underscored his vulnerability.
"Go fetch help, Sarella," Bruus instructed. "I'll stay here and watch over Viserion."
"Alright!"
Sarella didn't hesitate. She hurried down Rhaenys's Hill, regrouped with their guards, and rode swiftly toward the Red Keep.
---
When Sarella arrived, she was met with unexpected news.
"What? Queen Daenerys is also in labor?"
"Also?" the captain of the guard caught her odd phrasing. "Who else is in labor?"
"Viserion!" Sara replied.
"The golden dragon?"
"Yes. Quickly, inform—" She hesitated, realizing this wasn't the time to disturb Daenerys. "Inform Queen Margaery, I'll go find my father"
"Yes, Your Highness."
When Sarella found Lord Randyll Tarly in the Hand's Tower, he was convening a royal meeting to discuss arrangements for Queen Daenerys's delivery.
When the Council learned that Viserion also laid eggs at the same time, they were a little stunned
Lucas Dayne was the first to recover, chuckling:
"When Queen Margaery gave birth last time, Cleopatra laid a dragon egg as well. It seems dragons have a peculiar sense of timing."
Lord Randyll Tarly stood, his expression serious.
"I'll head to the Dragonpit with Grand Maester Qyburn. The queen's care will be left in your capable hands."
The assembled council members nodded in agreement.
"I'd like to come along," Tyrion Lannister interjected, rubbing his hands together eagerly. "You know how fascinated I am by dragons, and such an opportunity is rare."
Randyll nodded, and the group quickly set off.
---
Upon arriving at the ruins of the Dragonpit, they found Viserion lying limp on the ground, his breathing shallow and labored.
"Where is Bruus Antaryon?" Randyll asked, his sharp gaze scanning the area.
"He… he was here just a moment ago," Sarella stammered, confused.
Grand Maester Qyburn approached the dragon cautiously, inspecting it.
"It appears the dragon has laid an egg," he concluded.
"But where is the egg?" Tyrion asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
Sarella blinked, realization dawning. "Could it be… stolen?"
Lord Randyll's expression darkened. He turned to his attendants and barked orders:
"Seal all seven gates of King's Landing immediately! No one is allowed to leave. Inform Lord Gavin Mander that Bruus Antaryon and a dragon egg are missing!"
"Yes, my lord!"
Sarella's face turned pale. She shook her head in denial. "No… Bruus wouldn't steal the egg…"
Randyll sighed, placing a firm but gentle hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"Not everyone can resist such a temptation. This is not your fault."
Sarella's eyes welled with tears, her confidence in her fiancé crumbling.
Tyrion chimed in thoughtfully:
"I wouldn't be so quick to pin the blame on Bruus. While a dragon egg is undeniably tempting, it's hardly worth the risk for him.
Remember, the Sealord of Braavos's position is precarious, and Bruus's family needs House Caesar's support to stabilize their standing. Not to mention that if he did so, he would have to prepare himself for Caesar's wrath.."
Randyll nodded slightly. "Then who took it?"
"And kidnapped Bruus!" Sarella added, her voice trembling. She was still firmly convinced that her fiancé was a victim rather than the perpetrator.
"Difficult to say," Tyrion admitted with a shrug. "Sarella, was anyone else at the Dragonpit when you left?"
"No," Sarella shook her head firmly. "Only Bruus and I were there. Then I left to send a message to the Red Keep, and Bruus stayed behind to watch over Viserion. Could someone have come afterward?"
Qyburn spoke up, his tone measured.
"The Dragonpit has been abandoned for nearly a century, ever since the last Targaryen dragon died. There are no guards or security measures in place. Determining who might have entered is difficult."
"We'll rely on Lord Gavin's 'little birds,'" Tyrion said, referring to the intelligence network. "Let's hope they're as effective as Varys's spiders used to be."
Randyll didn't respond, his attention shifting back to Qyburn.
"How is Viserion?"
"He's incredibly weak," Qyburn replied. "He hadn't fully recovered from his injuries, and laying an egg has only worsened his condition. However, dragons are known for their resilience. I believe he will survive."
"Good," Randyll said briskly. "Stay here with a few men to monitor Viserion. The rest of us will return to the Red Keep."
---
As they rode back, Sarella looked up at her father, worry etched into her face.
"What about Bruus? What will happen to him?"
Tyrion, ever the jester, interjected with a sardonic smile:
"Don't worry, my dear. The entirety of King's Landing is searching for your fiancé and the dragon egg. If whoever took him hasn't fled on dragonback yet, we'll find them soon enough."
Sarella nodded reluctantly, her thoughts heavy as they returned to the Red Keep.
---
The atmosphere at the Red Keep was vastly different. It had turned into a scene of joyous celebration.
Overhead, Drogon and Rhaegal soared in jubilant circles, letting out playful roars that echoed across the castle. Servants scurried through the halls, their voices ringing with excitement:
"Queen Daenerys has given birth to a princess!"
"A princess is born!"
Tyrion let out a low whistle.
"I wonder how this little princess will react when she finds out her dragon egg has been stolen. Will she wail loud enough to shake the keep?"
Randyll ignored him, striding purposefully toward Maegor's Holdfast, where Queen Daenerys's chambers were located.
Inside, Queen Margaery Tyrell greeted him with concern etched across her face.
"Lord Tarly, I've heard something happened at the Dragonpit?"
"Yes," Randyll confirmed grimly. He relayed the events at the Dragonpit, including Viserion's laying of a dragon egg and its subsequent disappearance. He also mentioned Bruus Antaryon but refrained from directly accusing him.
"I've ordered the city gates sealed and tasked Lord Gavin with investigating. We should have answers soon."
"Good." Margaery nodded, her sharp mind clearly at work. "Send a raven to His Majesty, King Samwell, immediately. Inform him of the missing dragon egg and that Daenerys has given birth to a daughter. She's waiting for him to name her."
"Yes, Your Grace."
(End of Chapter)
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