Chapter 106 The Howling Winter Wolf
Dragon Nest City
The sun was gradually setting, and lights were slowly coming on throughout Summerhall. Even the construction site had lamps lit to support night work, as House Varezes paid double wages to craftsmen willing to work after dark.
Shadow Nightmare roared as he returned from the eastern skies, gliding down toward the Dragonpit. After sliding a short distance at the entrance, he slowly crawled into his nest. The three young dragons belonging to the children were also housed here, and they were growing at an astonishing rate. As Aegon had noted, their growth far outpaced what Stormcloud had achieved at the same age—and even Stormcloud himself had grown considerably since arriving at Dragon Nest City.
Stormcloud playfully nudged Shadow Nightmare's snout, earning a sharp glare from the lean black dragon. He quickly withdrew and obediently retreated into his own cavern—one that had, in fact, been carved out jointly by Shadow Nightmare and Vermax using dragonfire.
Shadow Nightmare cast his gaze over the smaller nests below. Hofa had arranged for experienced Silver Guards to care for the hatchlings. The young dragons were fed cooked meat until their flames strengthened enough to transition to raw meat and eventually live prey. After confirming that all three hatchlings were sleeping soundly, Shadow Nightmare let out a low, satisfied rumble, signaling the guards to bring fresh sheep and indicating that his rider could dismount.
Ray, nearly dozing from exhaustion, was startled awake when Shadow Nightmare nudged him lightly with his tail. He slowly climbed down from the saddle.
Stretching his limbs, Ray allowed the Silver Guards to remove his armor. "How was it? A good flight?" he asked, stripping off his smoke- and sweat-soaked shirt. Bare-chested, he took a brush from one of the guards and began scrubbing soot from Shadow Nightmare's scales.
This was tiring work—far beyond what one person could manage alone. In truth, when the three brothers or the princes did this, they only cleaned specific areas, removing stubborn grime the dragons couldn't reach themselves. Most cleaning was handled by the dragons, who would bathe in rivers or the sea.
Still, this ritual strengthened the bond between rider and dragon, which was why the brothers valued it so highly.
Shadow Nightmare let out a soft, contented rumble and lay down in his nest, closing his eyes.
"I didn't expect patrol duty to be this exhausting, Second Brother," Ray said as he worked. "But it's definitely interesting. I've had my fill of flying these past few days."
After finishing, Ray rinsed himself with a bucket of water, changed into clean clothes, and noticed Stormcloud watching him pitifully, his horn scratching yet another mark into the stone wall. Truthfully, Stormcloud's horn was incredibly hard—only the two elder dragons and Shadow Nightmare could withstand a direct strike from it.
"Alright, alright. Aegon will come see you before bed," Ray teased. "It's not like he ignores you—he comes here seven times a day. Why act like he never visits whenever I'm around?"
Stormcloud snorted proudly, turned, and retreated into his lair, where half a sheep remained from dinner—enough to occupy him until Aegon arrived.
Ray shook his head, smiling, and stepped out barefoot with his dirty clothes. Shadow Nightmare was about to eat, and dragonfire would only dirty them again.
Rhaenyra had been waiting by the lift platform for quite some time.
The silver-haired maiden was slender and not particularly tall, yet her bearing carried unmistakable strength. Her Valyrian beauty was striking, her long silver hair braided into a thick plait down her back.
"Why are you here, Rhaenyra?" Ray asked, though he already knew.
"Where are the children?"
"Aegon is with them," she replied, looking up at him. "Lingor loves his stories. Aegon has run out of them lately, so he goes to Laurel Leaf Tower every day to find new ones."
"And you?" Ray asked.
"I visited Arrax's old Dragonpit," she said softly. "Did Lucerys play with dragons like that when he was young?"
Ray nodded.
"I still can't believe Lucerys is gone," she whispered.
"He died as a warrior," Ray said gently. "He is our pride. My brother will avenge him."
"I want to avenge him myself," Rhaenyra said firmly. "Ray… I once loved him deeply."
"That's natural," Ray replied. "But you are my betrothed now. I will protect you."
Rhaenyra suddenly grinned, pressing him against the wall. "I don't need protection. I'll be your sword arm. My dragon egg is about to hatch. We'll fly together."
"What are you two doing?"
Diana Tarly's voice cut in.
They sprang apart instantly.
Diana smirked. "No need to hide it. You'll be married soon anyway." She flicked both their foreheads and pushed open the children's door.
Inside, Aegon was enthusiastically recounting history.
"'Your walls cannot withstand dragons,' Aegon the Conqueror said. 'Dragons fly.'"
Viserys provided sound effects, crashing a toy dragon into a block castle.
The children listened with delight.
"Stormcloud misses you," Ray told Aegon.
"What's for dinner?" Samantha asked.
"Honeyed milk oatmeal, egg bread, and carrot cakes," Ray replied.
Cheers erupted.
Later, Hofa entered with urgent news.
"The fleets of the Three Daughters have appeared in the Summer Sea."
Ray's expression hardened.
"I must ride out," he said. "I'm the only one here who can take a dragon into battle."
"Go," Diana said firmly.
"I'll fight too!" Aegon declared, brandishing a wooden sword.
Ray smiled faintly. "Not yet."
Riverlands
Banji Blackwood roared as he beheaded a knight.
The Westermen were relentless. Their armored cavalry shattered the first defensive line. Lord Vance had fallen. The Riverlords were retreating.
"Fall back!" Lord Frey shouted.
Then—
War horns.
From the north.
Thunder of hooves.
The banners of House Stark and the Queen appeared.
"Old men—kill!" roared Lord Rodrik Dustin.
The Winter Wolves charged.
And the tide of battle turned.
End of Chapter 106
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