I now stand dressed in my dragon riding leather along with a simple black cloak. no longer wearing my night wear I fasten the straps on my back making sure the bag is securely fastened once checked i pull my cloak hood over my head and departed from the red keep using the secret tunnels built by my ancestor Maegor targaryen.
I make my way down the tunnels till I exit out into a chamber underneath the keep. The scent of candles wafts heavily in air filling the chamber. There in the center sat the skull of balerion the black dread.
I stop mid step as I was making my way across the chamber and look at the large skull towering and imposing even in death.
Seeing the skull feels me with awe and exhilaration this dragon was what led king Ageon to the conquering of the seven kingdoms.
' As mighty as you were Bahamut will surpass you Balerion. '
Content with that I spun on my heels continuing down the narrow passages till I came to a old oak door. I press myself firmly against the door pushing with all my might to get it to budge open slowly but eventually I open it enough to fit through.
Overlooking the black water bay from the cliff side of the red keep I am meet by harsh winds and heavy down pour. I make my treacherous descent down the slope of stairs till I reach the city down below.
There is not a single soul in sight all shops and taverns closed due to the harsh weather windows and doors barred shut in hopes of enduring this storm.
However this weather provides me the perfect cover to make my way to the dragon pit. No gold cloaks patrolling the streets probably holed up in there garrison protecting themselves from this storm. The lack of city watch made it easier for me allowing me to take the straightest path to the dragon pit.
I made it to the bottom of Rhaenys hill the entrance of the pit where the dragons land and then are brought inside just below me. my path to Bahamut is right down there and the best way to get to him while avoiding the dragon keepers.
I turn to look back up at the red keep which is now abuzz with activity. in the distance the light of torches running up and down the castle walls could be seen. The light of the torches flooded into the city out from the red keeps gate.
A smile creeps onto my face as they are now realizing I am no longer there.
" Too late. " I murmured. " I shall be long gone. "
I descended toward the entrance, passing between the great stone pillars guarding the Dragonpit.
The tunnels within twisted like the belly of some enormous beast. I moved quickly through them until I passed Dreamfyre's cavern.
The she-dragon stirred.
Her pale blue scales shimmered faintly in the darkness as she lifted her great head from the stone floor, silver eyes narrowing upon me with curiosity. Smoke curled from her nostrils in slow plumes before, deciding I posed no threat, she settled once more against the rock.
I breathe a sigh of relief that she didn't cause a commotion otherwise the dragon keepers would swarm down here at a moment's notice. It's nice that dreamfyre has a gentler temperament compared other dragons such as my uncle's blood wrym caraxes.
I pressed onward through the cavernous passages until at last I reached him.
Bahamut.
He lay deep within his cavern, his black scales blending so perfectly with the shadows that only his piercing blue eyes revealed his presence.
"Bahamut," I called softly in High Valyrian. "Let us fly."
I speak in high Valyrian to Bahamut he lifts himself up off the ground moving out of the darkness his form coming to light as he gets closer. Unlike other dragons Bahamut's skull is narrower and more elongated, ending in A vicious snout with razor sharp fangs that lined up all the way to the very back of his maw. the fangs themselves look as if they can shred fully Armored knights as if they were parchment. Bahamut let's out a hiss his long forked serpentine tongue slithering out like a snake before quickly retracting back. Crowning his head were horns black as obsidian, sweeping backward like jagged blades.
Bahamut now towering above me brings his head down low close enough for me to touch, his great blue draconic eye watching me closely. I smile at as I wrap my arms around his neck giving him a hug as best I can given my small stature. Bahamut doesn't resist and leans into my touch making me chuckle.
" I've missed you dearly Bahamut. "
I run my hand down his neck my hands tracing over his obsidian scales with familiarity till I reach his metal collar a sadness welling up inside me. I've always hated how we lock up our dragons as Targaryen's they are our most precious allies bound by our blood yet we keep them locked down here as if they are something to be kept hidden.
I can feel Bahamut's dissatisfaction at his current situation bound by metal and chains unable to spread his wings and experience the freedom of the sky.
' I know I feel your pain, ' I gently press my head against his. ' Were going to get out of here. '
I pull the metal pin out that holds his collar together and watch as it falls to the floor making a loud clang. Bahamut shakes his body with excitement the moment the collar hits the floor. His tail swishing back and forth scraping loudly against the walls of this confined cell.
" Shhhh calm Bahamut calm "
I urge him to calm himself, yet my words have little to no effect on Bahamut. I can sense his eagerness to be out of here as Bahamut unfurl his wings his three talons on each wing scraping the roof. Bahamut's body now on full display. Despite only being eight years old Bahamut has shown considerable growth now closely matching syrax Rhaenyra's dragon in length only beating syrax in wingspan by a little. His body his much more lithe compared to syrax but not lacking in muscle whatsoever beneath those black and gray scales is pure muscle compacted like a tightly coiled spring ready to burst at a moment's notice. His scales are tightly packed against one another not leaving a single opening to take advantage of like a living set of Valyrian armor.
After stretching his wings he lands back on all four of his limbs. His talons digging into the very stone beneath him. Bahamut cranes his long neck looking me waiting for my order.
" down Bahamut. "
I command in high Valyrian to witch he obeys and rest his neck on the floor. I would much prefer to have a saddle placed upon Bahamut before I take flight, but I cannot do that alone since it is to heavy for me to lift and I cannot ask the dragon keepers for assistance. I will simply have to be extremely cautious when flying as the chance of me falling off is much greater without a harness to attach me to Bahamut.
I move closer to him and jump up as I grab one of the spikes along his back as I pull myself up and onto his back. Bahamut hissed in agitation at me using his spin like that but did nothing else.
I gently patted his side. " I'm sorry Bahamut it's just for now I promise. "
He let up a low growl and rose his neck lifting me up as well. I make sure my bag is secure one last time before I lean forward and pat Bahamut giving him my command.
" Forward Bahamut. "
I ordered without missing so much as a beat he lunched forward in an instant going down the tunnels at dizzying speeds making me grip his neck tighter as I squeeze my legs just to stay mounted.
Outside the mouth of the dragon pit ser ryam redwyne lord commander of the kings guard dismounted from his horse along with two dozen Targaryen soldiers.
"Seal every entrance!" he shouted over the storm. "By order of the King, the princess is not to leave this place. If she is within—seize her at once!"
He yells out his orders clearly to his soldiers through the heavy rain and thunder. Each one obeyed as they rushed to the mouth of the dragon pit.
Then as they were approaching, they slowed their step for inside they all collectively heard it the rhythmic thumping of something huge barreling its way towards them.
The first to realize was ryam redwyne who ordered his men to quickly get out of the way, but it was too late.
They heard a terrible roar that shook them to the core and saw bright blue eyes honed onto them getting closer and within a instant it was upon them the form now clear as lighting struck across the sky illuminating the form of the black scaled beast. Bahamut burst forth from the cave wings expanding maw open snapping at the nearest solider with predatory glint.
The soldiers screamed in terror as they scrambled to get out of the way of the terrifying beast that snapped at them with a ravenous ferocity. Some stood still frozen emptying their bowels on the spot.
Bahamut thundered down the slope, wings beating once—
Twice—
Then a third mighty beat carried him into the air.
Within moments he vanished into the storm, ascending upwards into the dark storm Bahamut seemingly merging with the storm itself disappearing from ser Ryam's sight within seconds.
Ser ryam stood still looking up at the sky with disappointment and a heavy heart. For he saw upon the back of that beast little Vhaehra holding on for dear life.
*sigh*
" The king will have me for this. "