Boom—
A searing flame erupted, filling the narrow cave. Aemond's eyes widened, and he ran for his life.
"Shit! Shit! Shit!"
The flames chased him, and an accident was imminent. Aemond lunged forward, using the momentum to roll sideways and escape the cave.
Crash!
The tail of the flames rushed out, sweeping up a cloud of flying sand and rocks, burying the man in a heap. It was a long time before the air settled.
"Hiss!" Aemond gasped, emerging from the sand.
The Lonely Mountain was, after all, an active volcano, half-dead and half-alive. The underground magma was turbulent and could easily lose its temper. 'Merciful Prince, that was close.'
"Thank goodness I ran fast." Aemond shook the sand from his hair, smiling with relief. He was practically superhuman, able to outrun the fierce flames. He looked up at the sky. A crescent moon had risen, casting a bright light.
Aemond rose, preparing to return to Riverdale for dinner. "Now that things have come to this, let's eat first."
"Gah!"
A tiny, pitch-black dragon head emerged from his arms, its vertical pupils like a cat's eyes glaring in agreement.
"You think so?" Aemond lowered his head, teasing the newborn's short chin.
"Gah!" The dragon stretched its neck, resting its head on the back of the silver-haired human's hand, and bit down on his finger.
Aemond didn't dodge. The dragon didn't actually bite; its hot mouth held the finger, sucking it again and again as if it were breast milk.
"Look how hungry you are, late little one." Aemond smiled gently and placed the newborn on his shoulder.
The moonlight revealed the dragon's true appearance. Its scales were as black as night, its wings were scarlet, and there were slight protrusions on its neck and tail, with the beginnings of a dorsal fin. Its vertical red pupils were full of intelligence, just like the innocent curiosity of a human newborn.
Aemond tilted his head to gaze at the young dragon, his eyes filled with delight. The black and red color scheme was a familiar sight. Combined with the dragon's birth form and the superior bloodline of its mother, Dreamfyre, one could foresee what a majestic and heroic figure it would grow into.
Balerion II!
"Shhh!"
Hungry, little Balerion stood atop the silver-haired human's shoulder, wings spread wide, instinctively trying to unleash a burst of dragonfire.
Puff! Dragonfire failed; only a plume of thick smoke erupted. Little Balerion, his attempt to steal a chicken ended in failure, choking and coughing, nearly falling from his broad shoulders.
"Interesting, I'll give you a name." Aemon smiled, liking the little creature no matter how he looked at it.
For no other reason, this newborn dragon had hatched from the black dragon egg in his cradle. The same black dragon egg he had kept in his natural greenhouse. He had just recovered the two eggs stolen by the Sheep Thief and was carefully checking the remaining eggs in the greenhouse when the young dragon hatched, its wings flapping. Before Aemon could scoop the young dragon up for a closer look, the magma pool within the greenhouse erupted, nearly sealing a man and dragon in a shared grave.
Thinking of this, Aemon slapped his pockets.
"Squeak!"
The rat arrived before the sound, a golden-nosed rat poking its furry head out in protest. But upon seeing the unceremonious hand, the rat fought back tears and pulled a piece of smoked meat from its pouch.
"Gunk!"
Little Balerion's eyes gleamed as he bit into the meat, swallowing it in two or three gulps. When it came to feeding dragons, let alone dragons, His Royal Highness was like an old woman blowing her nose, pinching them with a fistful of his hands.
"You look like Balerion, so why not name you..." Aemon held the young dragon in his arms, examining it carefully. His expression serious, "How about 'Blackfyre'?"
"Shhhhhhh!"
The young dragon, Blackfyre's pupils fluttered, completely oblivious to the silver-haired human's words. He buried his head beneath the soft, silver-gold hair at the man's neck, curled up, and fell asleep.
It was unclear whether the dragon and the man had known each other since infancy or egg-laying, or whether the young dragon Blackfyre saw Aemon the first time it hatched. The little creature felt a warm welcome towards this strange yet familiar silver-haired human, as if seeing a father or a brother, without the usual fierce resistance of a young dragon.
"If you don't refuse, then it's settled." Aemon stroked the young dragon Blackfyre's smooth scales, his feeling of closeness no less than the other's.
He had thought the dragon eggs in his cradle would never hatch. Unexpectedly, a little Balerion hatched. Don't underestimate the title "Little Balerion." According to family history, every dragon is unique. Whether in appearance, habits, or other characteristics, there were differences, both large and small. The young dragon Blackfyre's black and red coloring, similar in size to his mother Dreamfyre, will make him a spitting image of Balerion when he grows up.
Needless to say, the status of Balerion, the "Black Dread," in the Targaryen family and throughout Westeros, is undeniable. The moment he hatches, it's a sign of good fortune! It also serves as a powerful deterrent to the Seven Kingdoms and any ambitious individuals. The mere mention of "Balerion's reincarnation" would scare them to death in this era of dragon dominance.
"No, no," Aemon muttered, unable to suppress his grumble. "I must get Rhaenyra to give me a child, so that the young dragon Blackfyre can inherit the throne as soon as possible." He already had Vermithor, the "Bronze Fury," and Silverwing and Greyshadow as his supporters. The young dragon Blackfyre was still young, making it a suitable place for his children.
Such a legitimate young dragon couldn't be allowed to be taken advantage of by Aegon and his children.
"Go home, work overtime tonight," Aemon boasted, determined to face off against the dragoness tonight.
North of the Riverdale
"Ho ho ho~~"
Aemond's eyes were vacant as he gazed at the bright moon in the sky, squeezing every ounce of his strength to run. A wild dragon, the Sheep Thief, was flying this way. He wanted to catch it and tame it.
Bang!
Finally, his strength was exhausted; he tripped over a stone and fell flat on his face. Aemond fainted instantly, his nose nearly breaking on the soft grass.
Cuckoo, cuckoo...
The Riverdale night was beautiful; fish leapt in the stream, and birds chirped in the forest. Time passed, and the stubborn boy's fatigue returned.
Buzz—
Suddenly, the night sky became quiet, as if someone had pressed the pause button. A strange aura quietly permeated the sky and earth.
"Uh~~" Aemond seemed to sense something, regaining consciousness from his dizziness, and raised his head with dazed eyes.
The next second, a massive dragon, covered in muddy brown scales and utterly hideous, came into view.
"Ah!" Aemond froze.
The Sheep Thief crouched on the ground, a bloody sheep clutched in his dragon's mouth, his head tilted with curiosity as he surveyed the silver-haired boy who had fallen asleep. The night was long, the distance between them brief. Man and dragon locked eyes, as if engaged in a silent communication.
Suddenly, one of them moved first.
"Hah!" The Sheep Thief lunged forward, not caring about the sheep he had flung flying, and roared in a demonstrative gesture.
Aemond froze for a moment, then swiftly scrambled to his feet, gathering speed with each stride, and recklessly lunged at the unsightly wild dragon.
Ta-da-da-da...
The young man's figure was slightly frail, and his stature was not very tall. But under the bright moonlight, the figure stretched longer and longer as it ran, gradually transforming into a towering giant.
The Sheep Thief remained indifferent, watching the silver-haired boy run up to him before opening his mouth to gather dragon flame.
"No! No dragon flame!" Aemond stood before the ugly dragon, casting aside all cowardice, holding out one hand and shouting bravely.
"Ga?" The Sheep Thief growled, and the brown dragon flame deep in his throat actually subsided. Then, seeing the silver-haired boy trying to get closer, he increased the brightness of the brown dragon flame again.
"Calm down!" Aemond's first attempt failed, but he continued to try without hesitation.
This time, the Sheep Thief closed his mouth.
"Haha." Aemond, delighted, boldly approached the hideous dragon, stepping on the tangled horny skin on its neck to climb onto its back. There was no saddle, no safety chain. Only the horny skin that pricked his buttocks and the dense, piercing thorns.
Aemond climbed to the junction of the dragon's neck and back and straddled it, gripping the mud-covered thorns with both hands.
"Roar!" The Sheep Thief turned his dragon's head, his green, vertical pupils devoid of color, a scrutinizing gaze.
"Fly, Sheep Thief!" Aemond breathed in a loud cry.
Rumble—
The Sheep Thief turned his dragon's head, his massive body slowly moving. He took two run-ups across the gravel-strewn grass, then flapped his wings and soared into the air.
"Ahhh!" Aemond felt the weightlessness and clutched the thorns, screaming wildly.
"Roar!" The Sheep Thief, moving at a rapid pace, dove headfirst into the clouds, where the moonlight could not reach, emitting his signature hoarse cry as he soared. For a moment, the night sky was filled only with the coordinated cries of a man and a dragon.
Riverdale
Aemon had just returned under the cover of darkness when two guards ran over.
"Your Majesty, Prince Aemond has not returned yet."
"I know."
"One more thing."
"Tell me."
The guard reported hesitantly, "Prince Aemond returned, wounded Prince Jaehaerys, and then fled."
"Huh?" Aemon paused.
Startled, the guard quickly explained the entire incident.
Aemon's face stretched longer than a loaf of bread. "Is this kid crazy? He came back to kick my son, snatched the snacks my nephew and niece had saved their pocket money for, and then ran off again. Such abstractions. Could it be that with age, his bloodline has automatically awakened? Is it starting to trend in Daemon's direction?"
"What's Gunthor doing? He's at the city gates, and they can't catch him?" Aemon was confused, but furious.
"Ser Gunthor has sent more men," the guard whispered.
Aemon held his forehead and continued walking back, not wanting to mess things up. He would let his subordinates handle it. After members of the Runeguard and the Guards successively assumed important positions, Gunthor Royce, his original follower, chose to remain in the Vale. While governing his fiefdom, Blackrose Hall, he also served as commander of the City Watch in Riverdale. He trusted his own people.
After crossing the Hall of Plenty, Aemon stopped at Summerhall. Inside the white marble vestibule, Aegon, eyes red, held Sunfyre's snout and hurled curses.
"Damn wild dragon, you've wounded my Sunfyre!"
The golden scales on the dragon's head were singed black, and a large, bloody bite wound etched itself on its neck.
"Hiss!"
Sunfyre huddled on the ground, his snout burrowing into his rider's arms, a low, aggrieved moan emanating from the depths of his throat. He looked like a bully returning home to complain.
"Where's your dragon's dignity?" Aemon's eyelids twitched.
"Aemon, look what you've done!" Aegon leaped out, pointing at him indignantly.
"What's my business?" Aemon frowned.
Wiping his nose, Aegon yelled, "It's all because of you that you let the wild dragon in here, that Sunfyre got bit."
Aemon: "...I think you deserved a beating."
Aemon rolled his eyes, ignoring Aegon and Sunfyre as he walked back. "We shouldn't play with fools."
Aegon froze in his tracks, somewhat bewildered. He had just seen a hint of pity and sympathy in his cousin's eyes. What did he mean?
"Rhaenyra, come and see!" Aemon entered Summerhall and immediately found Rhaenyra, carrying the young dragon, Blackfyre, out.
"A young dragon?" Rhaenyra's eyes widened, and she jumped in surprise. No wonder they say two people can sleep in the same bed. The moment Rhaenyra saw the young dragon, her first thought was that the family's dragon count had finally reached twenty.
Laena and the children were also there, gathering around to examine the young dragon. Jaehaerys was among them, clutching his bottom and trying to complain to his father. As he approached, Aemon reached out and shoved him aside. Trying to get closer, the brave Baena grabbed her hair and dragged her to the back of the group. His good-for-nothing brother was just a loser.
"Hurrah!" the young dragon Blackfyre was awakened, panicking as he looked at the sudden appearance of a group of silver-haired imps. Wings spread out, he masqueraded as a menace.
"Not bad, you're quite brave," Laena smiled, feeding the young dragon a piece of roasted mutton.
The young dragon Blackfyre swallowed it in one gulp and continued to breathe on the children in defiance.
Boom—
Suddenly, a gust of wind howled outside the hall; the candlelight on the windowsill flickered slightly. Then, Aegon's scream.
"Is it my uncle?" Jaehaerys jumped out.
Aemon's nostrils twitched slightly, smelling the unfamiliar dragon odor, mixed with the smell of goat. A thought flashed through his mind, and something immediately occurred to him. He handed the young dragon to the dragon handler who had arrived upon hearing the news and quickly rushed out of Summerhall.
"Hiss!"
At this moment, the Sheep Thief landed in the front yard, looking around as if he were surveying his territory.
Aemond leaped from the dragon's back with a thud, his legs bowed from a long stretch, his gait unwavering. His long silver-gold hair was disheveled, his face flushed. Pride was practically written on his forehead.
"You tamed this ugly creature!" Aegon bellowed, approaching the victorious Aemond.
"Obviously," Aemond said, his shoulders swaying as he walked, his head tilted back. "But it's not called the ugly creature; it's called the Sheep Thief, the most powerful wild dragon in Westeros."
After the fall of the "Wild Dragon King," Cannibal, the Sheep Thief was indeed the strongest.
"A single ugly creature gives you the courage?" Aegon asked angrily.
"You want to try?" Aemond tilted his head and glanced at Sunfyre, a hint of provocation. "But Sunfyre, it looks like you're still hurt."
He had seen with his own eyes how the Sheep Thief had bested Sunfyre. Dragon and rider were equals. So, poor Aegon, the offense and defense had changed.
"You bastard, you really know it!" Aegon was furious and swung his fist.
At this time, Aemon happened to walk out and stopped him loudly: "Stop, Aegon!"
Aegon didn't listen and punched harder. "Dare you look down on me?"
Aemond's eyes were fierce. He dodged Aegon's fist sideways, grabbed his arm, and threw him over his shoulder beautifully.
With a bang, Aegon was dizzy and almost died.
"Aegon, this is your level." Aemond's eyes were full of pride, and he mocked mercilessly: "Coward." These were the words Aegon had used to bully him in the past. But now the situation had changed; how could Aegon bear it?
"Ah! I will kill you!" Aegon's eyes were red, and he got up from the ground and was about to attack again. Before Aemond could get ready, armored guards rushed out from both sides and forced the two brothers apart.
---------------
You can read +100 advance chapters on my Patreon
Patreon(.)com/izan24
•TIER 1 you'll get +15 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
•TIER 2 you'll get +40 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
•TIER 3 you'll get +60 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
•TIER 4 you'll get +100 ADVANCE CHAPTERS