Chapter 106: Wrath of the Dragons
Above the Narrow Sea, dragons soared through the sky, and the fleet roared below.
There were both naval and airborne forces.
Rhaegar and his three dragons traversed the sky, while the lengthy fleet led by Ser Corlys Velaryon of Driftmark unfurled its sails against the wind in the waters below. Speaking of naval warfare and navigation, the people of House Velaryon of Driftmark still possessed great talent; a lean horse is still better than a mule.
Although Ser Corlys was known to flatter power, he was also a rare naval talent within the royal faction.
He led a motley fleet. The rented, pot-bellied Tyroshi merchant ships sailed at the front, followed by several older royal warships flying the banner of House Targaryen of King's Landing, and hidden Velaryon warships from Driftmark. The personnel were equally mixed: seasoned sailors hired from Tyrosh, sailors and crew recruited from the Crownlands, a number of soldiers levied by the Crownlands lords, Rhaegar's twelve hundred men, landless adventurers, and younger sons of noble houses who had volunteered.
Although the fleet appeared scattered and varied in size, morale was high because of the dragons—the fleet's ultimate weapon. With the return of dragons, the prince's legend would continue.
Rhaegar saw many banners flying:
The three-headed red dragon of House Targaryen on a black field.
His personal sigil: the three-headed red dragon quartered with silver.
The silver seahorse of House Velaryon on sea-green.
The runed bronze banner of House Royce of Runestone.
The red trout of House Tully of Riverrun.
In terms of a strike force, Rhaegar's detachment was formidable.
Rhaegar left the defense of King's Landing to his father, King Jaehaerys II Targaryen, while he himself led Ser Corlys Velaryon, Ser Barristan Selmy, Brynden Tully, Lord Yohn Royce of Runestone, a son of House Corbray of Heart's Home, and others to assemble the army. Also present was Lord Jason Mallister of Seagard from the Riverlands. Each was a capable warrior. Only Ser Barristan was considered among the very greatest swords in Westeros.
Rhaegar had personally requested permission from King Jaehaerys II to deploy the dragons. He argued that without them, the Stepstones conflict would drag on for years, much like the War of the Ninepenny Kings, which had drained the treasury and cost countless gold dragons. Dragons would shorten the war and reduce expense.
"You are the future of the realm, heir to the Iron Throne. You must safeguard yourself," King Jaehaerys II had warned before reluctantly agreeing.
The war showed signs of becoming one of attrition. Lords urged the deployment of the prince and the dragons. Rhaegar was now considered the realm's foremost warrior, and the three growing dragons inspired awe.
If he could not avoid war, he would lead it.
Above the Narrow Sea, strong winds whipped across the Silver Dragon's scales and through Rhaegar's silver-gold hair. The sun reflected from his armor, and he shone like living flame.
Rhaegar ignited a sphere of blue fire in his palm. Within the flame, shifting images appeared—his Fire Sight revealing glimpses of the surrounding sea.
He sought the location of the Lysene exile leader on Bloodstone. If possible, a decapitation strike would end matters swiftly.
Yet the Lyseni were experienced in hiding from dragons. They retreated into caves, built wooden and earthen redoubts, and concealed themselves beneath watchtowers. Bloodstone was fortified.
Rhaegar understood that blood magic strengthened vision spells. He had no blood connection to the Lysene commander, making the search more difficult. Blood and fire were always intertwined in Valyrian sorcery.
In the flames, Rhaegar saw movement to the west—a fleet bearing Myrish sellswords ten miles distant.
Rhaegar guided the Silver Dragon downward and landed briefly on a warship.
"Commander," he informed Ser Corlys Velaryon, "enemy vessels to port. Turn the fleet. Prepare for engagement."
Ser Corlys gave the order immediately.
The Tyroshi merchant vessels had been reinforced, fitted with scorpions and catapults. Rhaegar's elite longbowmen were positioned aboard them for suppressive fire.
The Myrish sellswords spotted the approaching fleet. Panic spread.
"Dragons!" they shouted.
"They said the dragons were young!"
Scorpions and crossbows were hastily raised skyward. The Myrish remembered that dragons had once been brought down by bolts and engines of war.
The three dragons began their dive.
Silver. Purple. Black.
Fire erupted from the sky.
Rhaegar's longbowmen loosed volleys under Brynden Tully's direction. Arrows rained down in deadly arcs.
Myrish ships splintered under dragonflame. Sailcloth ignited. Tar boiled. Men leapt into the sea to escape burning decks.
Spears and bolts rose toward the dragons, but panic weakened aim. Against three dragons, morale shattered.
The Silver Dragon roared, silver flames melting arrows mid-flight.
A Myrish captain, pierced by bolts, clung to wreckage and fired one last shot at the Silver Dragon's eye.
"Careful!" Rhaegar shouted.
The dragon twisted in midair. The bolt grazed scales but did not penetrate. A faint bronze shimmer rippled across its hide as it righted itself.
Fury filled its molten eyes.
Silver flame poured forth, engulfing the Myrish captain and reducing him to ash.
The other two dragons joined the assault. Purple and black fire scorched the sea's surface.
The smell of burning wood and flesh filled the air.
The dragons' wrath had been awakened.
The Tyroshi vessels and royal warships completed the encirclement. Longbowmen continued relentless volleys.
The Myrish fleet was annihilated. Ships burned upon the Narrow Sea like funeral pyres.
The wrath of the dragons had returned to the Stepstones.
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