Chapter 111: Dragon Strike, Vhagar
Caraxes saw Daemon and immediately knelt to the ground. Daemon grabbed the saddle rope, ready to climb onto the dragon. Lord Roderick Dustin, the Wolf of the Barrows, pursued him, clad in dark grey armor, with House Dustin's crossed black-handled rusty axe and black crown emblazoned on his chest.
The Tomb Wolf said, "Prince Daemon, I do not wish to indulge in pleasure in Tyrosh like those Ironborn, Sistermen, and southern knights. When you and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen ride dragons to raid the Rainbow Marshes, you will need the cooperation of cavalry on the ground. Let me lead a Winter Wolves cavalry unit to follow the dragons and attack the enemy's camp together!"
Daemon had always respected the Tomb Wolf's character and integrity. Through their time together, the Tomb Wolf had become Daemon's friend. Daemon smiled and said, "Lord Dustin, the Rainbow Marshes are still some distance from the Disputed Lands' coastline near Tyrosh. The enemy might take the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Tyrosh from the sea. Tyrosh needs you; you should stay in Tyrosh and protect the city with Lord Corlys Velaryon."
The Tomb Wolf said dejectedly, "I know that in the age of dragons, cavalry and warriors are like dust beneath a dragon's feet, not worth mentioning. However, even if you and Princess Rhaenys easily burn down the Triarchy's camp with dragons and scare off the enemy's army, relying solely on dragons, it will be difficult for you to capture prisoners. Without prisoners, you won't be able to ascertain the enemy's movements and valuable intelligence."
"Prince Daemon, you need Winter Wolves cavalry to help you capture prisoners. Many of the Winter Wolves cavalry are already white-haired old men. Everyone knows this is their last winter. These old men long to see the sacred land of Essos. Many Northerners have never been to Essos in their lives. How can you deprive them of the chance to see a new continent and gain battle glory?"
Daemon indeed needed the assistance of cavalry. Relying solely on Rhaenys and Daemon to capture, interrogate prisoners, and collect spoils after a raid would be fraught with difficulties. Ultimately, Daemon agreed to the Tomb Wolf's request. The Tomb Wolf and Ryan Stark would lead eight hundred Winter Wolves cavalry to participate in this cross-sea raid.
After the Winter Wolves volunteered for battle, some Free Riders, sellsword companies, as well as knights from the Vale, the Westerlands, the Riverlands, and the Kingsguard, also requested to join the fight. In the end, this raiding cavalry force exceeded two thousand men. They boarded the Ironborn Fleet's longships, followed Dragon Caraxes and Meleys the Red Queen, braving the wind and waves to cross the narrow strait, and landed successively on the coast of the Disputed Lands.
The Rainbow Marshes are named after the colorful pools and bogs within the marsh. Historically, Tyrosh, Lys, and Myr repeatedly vied for control of the region. The Triarchy's army camp was located on a hill near the Rainbow Marshes.
At night, Tyrosh's Grand Prince Draz, Trade Prince Manolas of Lys, and Governor Borathi of Myr gathered in a colorful tent woven with crimson and light blue. The candlelight flickered, and Draz said gloomily, "We should immediately retake Tyrosh. That damned Daemon—he occupies my castle, my halls, has taken my wine, gold, and land, and he sleeps with dragon eggs in my bed. Daemon is becoming increasingly popular in Tyrosh. If we cannot advance quickly, those damned traitors and slaves in Tyrosh will crown Daemon sooner or later."
A few days ago, Draz received intelligence that the Tyroshis had requested Daemon to become Tyrosh's Grand Prince, which infuriated him.
Borathi showed a slight smile. "Draz, Volantis, Pentos, and Braavos have already marched on Tyrosh. Our neighbors are well aware that if dragons are allowed to annex Tyrosh, then their cities are likely to be the next target of dragon conquest."
"When the Sealord's fleet, the Volantene fleet, and Pentos's sellsword companies begin attacking the Stepstones, Daemon will have a fire in his backyard and will have to divide his forces to rescue the Stepstones. At that time, Tyrosh's defenses will be weak, and we can take it in one fell swoop."
The Triarchy's envoys sent out large amounts of gold, silver, gems, gold coins, and beauties, and by offering to cede the Stepstones and parts of the Disputed Lands, they secured the intervention of Braavos, Pentos, and Volantis.
Trade Prince Manolas of Lys sipped his wine and smiled. "Once Tyrosh is recaptured, Daemon's beloved wife, Princess Gael Targaryen, and his witch mistresses will all become our pets. Oh, and that whore Princess Saera Targaryen. I'll take them all to my brothel to please my patrons. And Daemon's sons—I'll sell them to brothels."
Borathi chuckled wickedly. "You can't be too greedy. You have to leave a few for Draz and me. I like Gael. She is Queen Alysanne Targaryen's youngest daughter. I noticed her years ago at King Jaehaerys I Targaryen's fiftieth anniversary of his coronation. She is a lovely little thing, and a high-born dragonrider princess, suitable to be my mistress. Princess Saera can be yours; Gael is mine."
Manolas frowned. "When Saera was in the Lys brothel before, I was her regular customer. Although she still has her charms, how can she compare to Gael? Gael is a dragonrider, and I have always dreamed of a dragonrider becoming my mistress."
Borathi pondered for a moment. "How about this? After we win the war and capture Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, you can take Princess Rhaenys as your pet. If you're happy, you can even take Rhaenys and the Sea Snake's children together. I hear Laenor Velaryon's tastes are very much to your Lysene liking."
Tyrosh's Grand Prince Draz looked forlorn. He gulped down a large mouthful of brandy. "Daemon has occupied Tyrosh, and you two fellows are actually arguing about who is suitable to be a mistress?"
Manolas said carelessly, "Draz, don't worry. With money and beauties, and promises of land cession, we have gained powerful allies like Volantis, Braavos, and Pentos. Dothraki cavalry are also pouring out of the Great Grass Sea and marching towards the Disputed Lands. With the navies of Braavos and Volantis, the Dothraki cavalry, and dozens of sellsword companies, the Triarchy is invincible. Prince Viserys Targaryen, heir to the Iron Throne, and King Jaehaerys I, who is on his deathbed, will soon sue for peace with the Anti-Dragon Alliance."
Borathi echoed, "Once we achieve victory, we will surely seize Daemon's dragon eggs. Perhaps, if we capture members of House Targaryen, we can force them to help us tame Vhagar, who roams the Disputed Lands. Once we ride Vhagar, then even the Iron Throne will have to kneel in submission."
Just as Borathi and Manolas were smugly boasting, a horn blast pierced the air above the camp.
"Dragons! The dragons are here!"
—
Immediately, curses, shouts, and screams erupted, with people and horses in disarray. Daemon, riding on Caraxes's back, spewed orange-yellow Dragonflame, striking the Triarchy's tents on the ground. The Dragonflame quickly spread, igniting tents, stables, and warehouses one after another, the flames tearing through the sky.
Ever since "Crabfeeder" Craghas died, the Triarchy had completely lacked a competent commander. Command was handed over to the Governors of the Supreme Council. Most of these people had never been on a battlefield and only spouted nonsense during meetings. These Governors, Grand Princes, and Trade Princes could only scurry away when faced with a surprise attack by Dragonriders and Dragons.
Most of the Triarchy's soldiers were Sellsword Company, with only a few being hastily assembled units of Triarchy freemen. Initially, when Caraxes appeared in the west, the soldiers immediately retaliated with crossbows and ballistas.
However, the soldiers ignored the enemy to the east. Princess Rhaenys, riding Meleys the Red Queen, ghosted behind the enemy, spewing turquoise dragonfire that instantly engulfed the archer and crossbow formations. Soldiers, screaming and engulfed in flames, had their eyeballs burst in the inferno, their flesh under their armor charred and oozing. The air was filled with flames, thick smoke, and the smell of roasted flesh.
Caraxes and Meleys the Red Queen are the two fastest dragons of House Targaryen. Daemon and Rhaenys, riding their dragons, were like dancers above the flames, flying back and forth in the sky. The overwhelming rain of arrows could not harm the dragons or their Dragonriders.
A mighty dragon's roar echoed in the distance, seemingly shaking the camp, mountains, and marshes. This roar not only terrified the Triarchy soldiers and Governors but also startled Rhaenys and Daemon on their dragons in the air.
This was not the roar of Caraxes or Meleys the Red Queen. So, who was this dragon? Could it be Gael secretly following on Dreamfyre? Or was it young Laenor, who had secretly ridden Seasmoke into battle?
Neither. Daemon and Rhaenys quickly recognized the colossal beast before them. The dragon was comparable to a moving castle; it was Dragon Vhagar, who had been missing for many days.
Since Prince Baelon's death, Vhagar, having lost her rider, became a wild dragon. Vhagar had been roaming the Stepstones and the Disputed Lands, often seen hunting sheep and wild boars, but no one knew where this colossal creature nested.
The Governors of the Triarchy, and Daemon, had all sent people to search for Vhagar, but there was no trace. Unexpectedly, on the night Daemon and Rhaenys, riding their dragons, ambushed the Triarchy camp, Vhagar appeared.
Vhagar opened her massive maw, like a moving volcano in the sky, spewing scorching dragonfire. One of the enemy's alchemist workshops ignited, and the Wildfire inside exploded, the emerald Wildfire incinerating everything, soaring tens of meters into the sky, like an emerald torch in the night sky.
As the oldest dragon of House Targaryen, Vhagar was covered in thick scales; crossbow bolts could not harm her in the slightest.
Daemon had always had a plan: to use his Shapeshifter skill to control Vhagar and bring this massive, fierce, and unrivaled dragon back to Westeros. Unfortunately, Daemon had never found Vhagar.
Now the opportunity had finally arrived, but due to the absence of weirwood, in this land watched over by unfamiliar gods, Daemon's magic had also vanished. Now, Daemon could only control his mount using the traditional skills of a Dragonrider, not mind control.
Despite the slim hope, Daemon decided to try. Daemon on Caraxes immediately tightened the reins. He activated his Shapeshifter skill, attempting to manipulate Vhagar, and as expected, it had no effect.
Daemon had no choice but to fly Caraxes next to Vhagar. Daemon, using high valyrian, shouted at Vhagar: "Vhagar!"
In his childhood, Daemon often played with Viserys around Vhagar. At that time, Vhagar was his father Prince Baelon's mount, and Vhagar was very friendly towards Daemon. Dragons have memories and can distinguish people by scent and sight, but whether Vhagar would still recognize Daemon after crossing the sea was unknown.
Vhagar looked at Daemon and Caraxes with her lava-like eyes, then the scorching dragonfire in her chest began to churn, and she aimed her mouth at Daemon and Caraxes.
Daemon quickly dodged. Fortunately, Caraxes was very fast and avoided the dragonfire attack.
At this point, Daemon and Princess Rhaenys, who was nearby, clearly realized that Vhagar had become a wild dragon. Vhagar viewed other dragons as a threat. Daemon and Rhaenys immediately rode their respective dragons and kept a safe distance from Vhagar.
Soon, the slaughter and screams on the ground attracted Vhagar again. Vhagar began to spray dragonfire towards the ground, while Caraxes and Meleys the Red Queen sprayed dragonfire on the other side of the camp.
The Triarchy camp was completely transformed into a slaughterhouse by the dragons. Mercenaries, war slaves, rich merchants, and slaves were all engulfed by dragonfire, turning everything into scorched earth.
Under the dragons' roars and the scorching dragonfire, the mercenaries quickly lost their will to fight. They scattered, and Governor Borathi of Myr, Trade Prince Manolas of Lys, and Tyrosh Grand Prince Draz all fled.
The exhausted group had just rounded a hill, saw that the dragons hadn't pursued them, and were about to drink some water and rest when suddenly, horse hooves echoed in the darkness.
Lord Roderick Dustin, the Wolf of the Barrows, Rhaenys Stark, and Ser Ronald Florent led the Westeros army and Knights, their hooves thundering through the night. The Westeros army was like tigers entering a flock of sheep, cutting down enemies they encountered as easily as chopping melons and slicing vegetables. Blood flowed like rivers, and corpses lay strewn across the field.
Fortunately, Kraznys Lannister, the commander of the Sellsword Company, rallied the remaining troops and ambushed them in the forest. Forests are not suitable for cavalry operations, and dragons could swoop down and breathe fire at any moment. The Tomb Wolf was also unsure how many enemies were hidden in the forest, so he could only temporarily retreat.
Kraznys Lannister protected Borathi, Manosolas, Draz, and others, quickly withdrawing from the forest before the dragons arrived.
They came to a fork in the road. Kraznys Lannister, with his golden hair and handsome features, said, "Governors, our camp has been destroyed by dragons. In the darkness, the number of enemy dragons is unknown. We should escape back to the cities and use them to organize defenses. Continuing to camp in the wilderness will only lead to another dragon ambush sooner or later."
Tyrosh Grand Prince Draz, covered in dust and grime, sneered, "Borathi, Manosolas, which Targaryen princess do the two Governors wish to take as a mistress?"
Manosolas and Borathi hung their heads in shame.
Kraznys Lannister said, "My lords, this is not the time for arguments. The enemy's cavalry and dragons could pursue us at any moment. We must make a decision quickly."
Tyrosh Grand Prince Draz pondered for a moment and said, "We should escape back to Lys. Anyway, the Dothraki cavalry and Volantis army will gather in Myr."
Governor Borathi of Myr, his hair singed, said with lingering fear, "We should go to Lys. Gather the fleet in Lys, and seize the opportunity to attack the Stepstones and Tyrosh, forcing Daemon's dragons to return. Otherwise, once the Westeros army establishes a foothold in the Disputed Lands, with the dragons, the Triarchy will be unable to resist."
In fact, Governor Borathi of Myr's plan was self-serving. If the Triarchy Governors and scattered armies fled to Myr, the dragons would likely follow. He did not want Myr to become the next target of a dragon attack.
The Disputed Lands are vast but lack strong cities. After the fall of Tyrosh and the Triarchy's defeat in the Rainbow Marshes, the only choices left for these Governors were Myr and Lys. Ultimately, the other Governors could only agree to Governor Borathi of Myr's plan, and the army advanced towards the Lys coast.
The next day, the dawn light illuminated the Rainbow Marshes, and Vhagar vanished into the night.
Daemon, riding Caraxes, soared above the Rainbow Marshes. Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Daemon slowly descended.
Ser Ronald Florent looked at Daemon in the rainbow and exclaimed, "This is the Seven-Colored Rainbow Light! Prince Daemon is simply the embodiment of the Warrior!"
A group of Knights shouted, "Seven-Colored Rainbow Light! Seven-Colored Rainbow Light! God Save Daemon!"
The Tomb Wolf frowned and said, "How can this be related to the Seven Gods? Why doesn't the Warrior act personally?"
Rhaenys heard this and laughed, "None of that matters. As long as it boosts morale, there's nothing wrong with the Knights seeing Daemon as a god."
Daemon came before Rhaenys and the Tomb Wolf. The Tomb Wolf said, "Prince Daemon, we should continue to pursue the enemy. Scouts tell me the enemy fled towards Lys."
Daemon proudly said, "No need to pursue. The soldiers are tired and should rest. Immediately write to Lord Corlys Velaryon, ordering the Sistermen Fleet, the Ironborn Fleet, and the Valyrian Fleet to march on Lys."
The camp was filled with scorched earth, corpses, and ashes. Dragons devoured bodies. The Southern Knights of Westeros, along with the Northern Winter Wolves, opened their captured amber mead, Myrish firewine, pear brandy, and more, beginning a feast.
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