Chapter 11 – The Ghost in the Castle
Dragonstone slept.
Torches burned low in the corridors, guards walked their usual routes, and servants whispered in the kitchens. Nothing seemed different.
But something had changed.
Because now, there was a dragon on the island that answered to a boy.
And that made people nervous.
Very nervous.
Aeryn moved silently along one of the upper corridors, his footsteps completely soundless against the cold stone floor. The castle at night had become his training ground.
Not for sword fighting.
Not for dragon riding.
For something else.
Stealth.
Observation.
Control.
Edward Kenway had once stalked governors, templars, and soldiers through cities and jungles.
Dragonstone was easier.
Much easier.
The New Objective
The system appeared again in his vision.
[OBJECTIVE]
Reach the Hand's chamber unseen
Observe conversation
Do not get detected
Reward:
+120 XP
+60 Reales
Stealth Skill Upgrade
Aeryn smirked slightly.
"So basically… spying."
He had done worse in his previous life.
Much worse.
Moving Like a Ghost
He climbed instead of walking.
Using wall torches, window ledges, stone edges, beams in the ceiling.
Anywhere a normal person wouldn't look.
A guard passed beneath him.
Didn't look up.
People rarely did.
That was something Edward had learned long ago.
People see what they expect to see.
And no one expected a prince to be crawling across the ceiling like a ghost.
He dropped silently behind a pillar and slipped through another corridor.
Ahead, light spilled from beneath a door.
Voices inside.
Important voices.
He climbed again, moving into a narrow stone vent above the hallway, then slowly lowered himself until he could hear clearly.
Inside the room were two men and one woman.
One of the men wore the chain of the Hand of the King.
The woman wore green.
That alone told him everything.
She represented
Alicent Hightower.
Dangerous Conversations
"…the boy has a dragon," the Hand said quietly.
"Yes," the woman replied. "And that is exactly the problem."
Aeryn stayed completely still above them.
Listening.
Learning.
"The king will want to see him," the Hand continued.
"And others will want him dead," the woman replied calmly.
Silence filled the room.
Then she continued.
"A dragon changes succession."
The Hand nodded slowly.
"Especially a large one."
Aeryn's eyes narrowed slightly.
Politics already…
The woman continued speaking.
"If he supports Rhaenyra in the future, the balance shifts."
"And if he supports Aegon?" the Hand asked.
"Then the war ends before it begins."
War.
So it was coming exactly as he remembered.
The
Dance of the Dragons was getting closer.
A New Mission Appears
The system flickered again.
[NEW QUEST]
Learn the political factions of Westeros
Identify allies and enemies
Reward:
Strategy Skill Unlock
+200 XP
Aeryn almost smiled.
This was no longer just survival.
This was a game of thrones.
And he intended to win.
The Hidden Blade Returns
Later that night, in his private room, Aeryn opened a small wooden box.
Inside lay something wrapped in cloth.
Carefully, he unwrapped it.
The hidden blade.
Not exactly like Edward Kenway's original one.
But close.
Metal was harder to get here.
Tools were primitive.
But he had managed.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Patiently.
He slid the mechanism onto his wrist and flexed slightly.
Click.
The blade extended smoothly.
Aeryn smiled faintly.
"Still works."
The system appeared again.
[WEAPON EQUIPPED]
Hidden Blade
Damage: Medium
Stealth Bonus: High
Blade Handling Lv.3 → Lv.4
The Rogue Prince Knows
"You're going to stab someone eventually with that."
Aeryn didn't even turn around.
He just sighed.
"You really need to stop appearing behind me."
Leaning casually against the door was
Daemon Targaryen.
His eyes were fixed on the hidden blade.
"What is it?" Daemon asked.
"A tool."
Daemon stepped closer.
"That's not a tool."
Aeryn extended the blade slightly.
"It's a weapon."
Daemon smiled slowly.
"I like it."
Of course he did.
Daemon liked anything dangerous.
"Who are you planning to kill?" Daemon asked casually.
Aeryn shrugged.
"No one yet."
Daemon studied him for a long moment.
"You're not like the others."
"I know."
"You think ahead."
"Yes."
"You watch people."
"Yes."
Daemon smirked slightly.
"Good."
He turned toward the door, then stopped.
"When the war comes…"
He looked back over his shoulder.
"…I want you on my side."
Then he left.
The Ghost Prince
Aeryn stood alone in the room again.
Hidden blade still extended.
Dragon outside.
War approaching.
Politics moving.
Enemies forming.
The system appeared one more time.
[TITLE UNLOCKED]
The Ghost Prince
Effects:
Stealth +10%
Intimidation +5%
Reputation Rising
Aeryn slowly retracted the blade.
Then he walked to the window and looked out at Dragonstone.
Nyxarion lifted its head in the distance.
Golden eyes glowing in the dark.
Watching him.
Waiting.
Aeryn crossed his arms.
"War is coming…"
He smiled slightly.
"…and this time, I'm ready."