Jaehaera, who was diligently reciting scriptures beside Helaena, looked at her mother with some curiosity, wondering why her mother was smiling. In the past two years, the little girl had gradually grown up, but her health was not good, and she had fallen seriously ill multiple times. If not for the monks of the Seven Dragon Cathedral, who were all somewhat skilled in medicine and had pulled Jaehaera back from the brink of death several times, the high fever a year ago might have taken the quiet little septa. However, perhaps due to multiple serious illnesses and near-death experiences, Jaehaera gradually became more cheerful, no longer as timid and shy as she had been as a child. But unfortunately, Helaena's health was deteriorating day by day, yet she still insisted on fulfilling her mission as a septa, reciting scriptures daily beneath the statue of the Mother, praying for those who had died in the war, and for her own children.
Helaena gently stroked her daughter's long silver hair and said with a smile, "Our greatest nightmare in this life has finally left us." The former Queen, now the "Princess Septa," sighed. "I hope you and your brother never come to know or remember these things for the rest of your lives."
Helaena's already slightly hunched back bent even more. She continued to turn her prayer beads, reciting the Seven-Pointed Star over and over again.
Maelor had been sent away.
A year ago, young Maelor Targaryen, under the care of several servants sent by the Varezes Family, traveled by ship to the Targaryen Family's fiefdom, God's Hidden Tower, a fortress-tower on the edge of Grey Gallows Island. The acting lord appointed by Dragonzel, a Dornishman named Hodd Codd, was waiting there for Maelor, who was nominally a lord but in reality a prisoner. The young former prince would spend the rest of his life there—provided he behaved himself.
Of course, Helaena and Jaehaera, who had effectively imprisoned themselves within the Seven Dragon Cathedral, also hoped that their submissive behavior would make Dragonzel truly spare Maelor, who had already lost everything.
Dragon Nest City, the training grounds beneath the Dragon Crystal Tower.
Dragonzel looked at the five somewhat bewildered young men and could not help but laugh.
"Don't be nervous. It's only a test of your skills. Suchi, stop worrying about your braid and bells. I didn't make Ago cut his, so I certainly won't make you cut yours."
Dragonzel stopped the trembling Suchi and motioned for him to calm down. The young Dothraki warrior took several deep breaths before finally steadying himself. He quickly walked to the edge of the training grounds and drew a new longsaber.
Suchi did not like the arakhs commonly used by the Dothraki because he found them too short. He preferred a slender yet more deeply curved longsaber. This type of blade was also deadlier when swung from horseback.
The longsaber was forged from bloodsteel.
This "bloodsteel" was the product of his father Cleorius's attempt to recreate Valyrian steel. Although the effort ultimately failed, it still produced a metal whose quality far surpassed ordinary steel. Strange yet magnificent patterns covered the blade. While weapons forged from it were still inferior to true Valyrian steel swords, they were vastly superior to ordinary weapons.
"Your Highness, but our weapons..." York Waters said hoarsely, spreading his hands to indicate that his weapon had been damaged and that he could not continue fighting.
Joffrey Cafferen and Reville Highton, whose weapons had likewise been damaged, hurriedly nodded in agreement.
"Ha! I thought it was something serious."
Dragonzel was in an excellent mood.
He had anticipated that after these young men fought Hofa, their weapons would essentially be ruined, so he had already prepared for it.
He opened the armory.
Sebastian Blaze nodded reluctantly at the entrance to the Dragon Crystal Tower and stepped aside. Two tall, powerfully built servants emerged, grunting under the weight of a massive bronze chest.
Dragonzel walked mysteriously over to it and lightly tapped the dragon relief carved into the lid.
"If you can hold out against me long enough, I will lend you the contents of this chest until the day you retire."
Without waiting for them to react, Dragonzel lifted the lid.
Inside lay the Valyrian steel greatsword Steelflame, once belonging to Amos Varezes, resting quietly at the bottom of the chest.
Alongside it were three other Valyrian steel longswords.
One possessed a slightly curved blade and resembled a longsaber more than a traditional longsword.
One was covered in dense and strange patterns, entirely black save for a sapphire set into its hilt that emitted a faint gleam.
The last was so simple that it possessed almost no ornamentation at all, yet the wave-like patterns along its blade made it appear exceptionally mysterious.
The four young men who did not already possess Valyrian steel weapons were stunned.
They had never expected Dragonzel to be willing to lend them four Valyrian steel swords.
Nor had they expected those weapons to truly be Valyrian steel.
Only Assor Baetimus remained calm.
The Baetimus Family had already decided to bind themselves closely to the Varezes Family through Leira's connection. They had no desire to end up like House Velaryon, whose bloodline had gradually lost its transcendent status through marriage and dilution.
"Stop staring. They're real."
Dragonzel chuckled.
"Choose quickly. These weapons will symbolize your status as my Bloodsworn Brothers. Once you take them, complete your trial, and swear your oath, these weapons will belong to you until the day you retire."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Seeing that the others were still somewhat hesitant, York Waters stepped forward first and picked up the Valyrian steel longsword with the wave patterns.
"Your Highness, does it have a name?"
Dragonzel shook his head.
"You may name them yourselves after you swear your oaths."
Suchi selected the longsaber-style Valyrian steel blade.
Joffrey Cafferen naturally chose the black longsword covered in strange patterns and set with a sapphire.
Even Reville excitedly picked up Steelflame.
However, the young men immediately realized something was wrong.
They had taken the weapons.
So what about—
"They're still too young."
Sebastian could not help shaking his head.
Even Aslan shook his head.
Only Hofa continued staring expressionlessly at Dragonzel, who was smiling as he stepped into the arena.
The Silver Blood Sword slowly rose.
Only York Waters reacted immediately.
Rolling across the ground, he snatched up the shield Aslan tossed toward him and blocked Dragonzel's casual strike.
However, the Silver Blood Sword merely brushed lightly against the shield before instantly redirecting itself toward the bastard mercenary behind it.
York Waters attempted to intercept the attack with his newly acquired Valyrian steel longsword, but Dragonzel effortlessly parried the blade and pressed his own sword against York's throat.
"Good reaction. What a pity."
Dragonzel casually tapped him with the hilt.
Hofa, who had somehow entered the arena without anyone noticing, dragged the stunned bastard mercenary aside and sighed.
"His Highness is always like this. Just ignore him. He's normally too busy and needs a way to relax."
The next unfortunate victim was Assor.
The silver-haired youth was quick-witted.
After York Waters was defeated in a single move, Assor immediately rolled toward Reville's side, intending to fight Dragonzel together with him.
The result was that before Reville could even raise his greatsword, Dragonzel struck him on the shoulder with his sword hilt.
Then the blade dropped down and rested against Assor's throat.
The silver-haired youth was defeated before he could even raise Crabtide.
Suchi and Joffrey Cafferen managed to fare slightly better.
Using Joffrey's shield, they exchanged blows with Dragonzel for a short while before Dragonzel shattered the shield with a single strike and defeated both of them.
"Your Highness..."
Reville Highton raised Steelflame with obvious frustration.
The feeling of being defeated by the very man he was supposed to protect was not pleasant.
The black-haired young noble felt unworthy of wielding such a magnificent weapon.
"Hahahahaha!"
Dragonzel patted the shoulders of the young men he had defeated with only a handful of strikes and burst into laughter.
"You don't need to be discouraged. You all know, even if I never mention it, that I was born a blood mage. Blood magic runs through my veins and grants me abilities beyond ordinary men."
He shrugged.
"So being defeated by me is nothing to feel ashamed about. I am still a mortal. I have countless responsibilities and a family that needs protecting. Understand? That is your duty."
He pointed toward the weapons.
"Now put away the blades I have bestowed upon you and extend your hands."
Dragonzel turned toward Hofa.
"Hofa, have you taught them the oath?"
Hofa nodded.
Only then did Dragonzel look at the five new recruits, who obediently stretched out their hands.
"Very good."
Dragonzel nodded with satisfaction.
The Silver Blood Sword returned to its scabbard.
In its place appeared a Valyrian steel dragonbone dagger.
"Bear with it. It'll be quick, and it won't hurt much."
Dragonzel skillfully spun the dagger and lightly cut each of their palms.
Perhaps because the Valyrian steel blade was sharp enough, none of the five young men felt any pain.
They merely stared at the crimson lines appearing across their palms.
Having spent so much time in Dragon Nest City, they were no longer resistant to the idea that Dragonzel wielded magic.
In fact, when people claimed you were a terrifying sorcerer, you needed not only to truly be a terrifying sorcerer—you also needed an invincible dragon.
Then you would no longer be an "evil sorcerer" or a "servant of demons" in the mouths of bards and septons.
Instead, you would become:
"A true dragon blessed by the Seven."
"Dragonzel, the Chosen One."
"Dragonzel, favored by both the Old Gods and the New."
Dragonzel also cut his own palm.
A drop of blood mixed with faint strands of silver fell onto the wounds in the palms of the five young men.
"Now recite your oath."
Dragonzel watched as his blood slowly merged with theirs and flowed back into the wounds.
Suchi spoke first.
Then all five recited together:
"I swear by my name and by my bloodline that I shall be bound to the Silver Blood of House Varezes. With my blood I shall defend the Silver Blood of House Varezes. I shall defend it unto death, until every drop of my blood is spent. This oath is sworn and shall endure until the day the Lord of Silver Blood releases me from this covenant."
The blood mixed with silver threads completely merged into the bodies of the five new Bloodsworn Brothers.
Their wounds healed.
Valarr, Hofa, Aslan, Sebastian, and the late-arriving Tigaro all smiled as they looked upon their five new brothers.
"Welcome, my brothers."
Dragonzel opened his arms with a smile.
"From this day onward, you are my hands and my arms. Protect my family and uphold your oath."
"We obey your will."
The five new Bloodsworn Brothers spoke in unison as they struck their chests.
Dragonzel looked at them with satisfaction.
At that moment, Tigaro approached with a frown.
"Your Highness, there is something I think you should know."
"Speak."
Dragonzel lowered his arms and looked toward him.
The silver-haired Shadowfinger lowered his voice.
"News has arrived from King's Landing."
He paused briefly.
"Prince Maelor Targaryen's dragon egg appears to have hatched."
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