Rhaegar interrupted with frustration evident in his tone:
"Father grounded over re gossip. Isn't that excessive?"
"Gossip can be harmful. His Grace simply wanted to protect you from any potential trouble," Erryk explained.
Rhaegar scoffed bitterly, "He was worried soone might fill my head with dangerous notions."
Listening intently, Erryk paused to consider Rhaegar's words.
"The Sleeping Dragon!"
The moniker implied weakness and vulnerability, suggesting the infant's frailty. But "infant dragon" also carries the connotation of youth and potential.
"If a dragon were to awaken from slumber, what would be its first act?"
Rhaegar pondered aloud, his expression thoughtful.
Upon awakening from a deep slumber, a dragon's primary task is to nourish itself and mature into its full dragonhood.
"And what na would befit such a transformation?"
"Awakened Dragon" or "Roaring Dragon"?
This was a deliberate effort to sow discord by spreading the reputation of the King's first son.
"A sleeping dragon may be vulnerable, but it's preferable to one that never wakes at all." Rhaegar consoled himself.
eting Erryk's gaze squarely as he issued his command: "Ensure he receives every penny of his wages, and henceforth, any rumors concerning are to be reported to directly."
"Consider it done," Erryk replied with a grimace, acknowledging the directive.
"Let's go. Take to purchase so toys for toddlers, and then we'll head to the Dragon's Pit," Rhaegar declared, his mood darkening further as he stepped into the carriage.
...
The wagon ca to a halt on Silk Street, where Erryk swiftly darted off to procure an array of toys, stuffing them into the carriage before they continued on to the Dragon's Pit.
Perched atop a mountain, the Dragon's Pit stood apart from the bustling city center, its surroundings notably more tranquil.
Upon arrival, no welcoming party awaited them at the gate; only two armored guards stood sentry.
Spotting the royal carriage, one of the guards approached, curiosity evident in his tone: "Which lord graces us with his presence?"
"Rhaegar Targaryen, firstborn son of Viserys I!" Erryk announced proudly as he erged from the carriage.
Although they couldn't see the prince himself, the guards saluted, recognizing the authority conveyed by the white robes of the Kingsguard, and promptly opened the gate to admit them.
The Dragon's Pit sprawled across a vast expanse, boasting nurous entrances and exits scattered throughout its periter.
Aside from the grand front gate, there were caves nestled within the mountain and openings carved into the cliffsides—pathways through which the dragons could freely roam.
Outside the gate, the royal carriage remained under vigilant guard, while Rhaegar opted to traverse the grounds on foot, stepping into the expansive courtyard reminiscent of a grand schoolyard.
At the far end lood a towering, magnificent dod structure, the focal point of the pit.
Scattered throughout the courtyard were the dragon trainers and keepers, bustling about their duties. The majority hailed from Valyrian lineage, their loyalty to the Targaryens spanning generations.
Fluent in the ancient Valyrian tongues, they possessed the unique ability to calm the dragons' restlessness and were tasked with ensuring the creatures' well-being, providing them with sustenance and care.
"Greetings, Your Highness!" They all saluted respectfully as Rhaegar entered the Dragon's Pit.
"Rise. I'm here to take a look around," Rhaegar stated bluntly, cutting straight to the chase.
"I'll be your guide today, Your Highness, as Bass is absent," offered a young apprentice, his features marked by black hair, dark eyes, and a sowhat pallid complexion.
"And what's your na?" Rhaegar inquired politely, extending the courtesy of acknowledgnt.
"I am Maynard Waters, Your Highness," the apprentice replied, his voice soft and smile shy.
"Waters?" Rhaegar's brows furrowed slightly, recalling that it was a surna often associated with bastards in certain regions of Westeros. In the Crownlands, Waters was the designated surna for such individuals, much like Snow was in the North.
Rhaegar glanced down at Maynard and couldn't help but notice his plain attire, adorned with a few patches here and there. It was evident that Maynard wasn't living in the lap of luxury.
The plight of bastards was a harsh reality; they often faced discrimination and disdain, even if they were educated or talented. Maynard's deanor betrayed a hint of insecurity, a feeling all too familiar to those born on the wrong side of the sheets.
Sensing Maynard's discomfort under his scrutiny, Rhaegar felt compelled to offer so words of encouragent, albeit abruptly. "Lift your head up. You've been blessed with a face that's not unpleasant. Don't shy away from it."
Maynard complied, lifting his head with a humble smile, though the shadow of his origins lingered in his eyes.
"The world may remind you of your birth, but that doesn't define your worth. Each person has their own talents, and being a bastard doesn't diminish that," Rhaegar continued, offering a brief but heartfelt reassurance.
Acknowledging the weight of societal judgnts based on lineage, Rhaegar couldn't help but silently thank his own mother for the honor she had bestowed upon him.
"Thank you, Mother," he murmured in a silent prayer before nodding to Maynard and proceeding on his way.
Being sad and crying under the covers at night was no longer an option. Now he had to be a leader for himself, and he couldn't mix his personal feelings with his work ti.
"Tell , how many dragons reside within the Dragon's Pit?" Rhaegar inquired as they made their way.
"There are three in total: Dreamfyre, Caraxes, and Syrax," Maynard replied promptly, his deanor swiftly adjusting to one of professionalism.
"Show around then. I've never been close to a dragon before."
"I am afraid I can't, Your Highness."
Curiosity piqued, Rhaegar pressed further, "Why can't you show around? Do the dragons harbor animosity towards people?"
"No, Your Highness. The reason is that Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon were here just before you, intending to take the dragons for a ride," Maynard disclosed truthfully.
Rhaegar's eyes sparked with anticipation at the ntion of his sister's presence. Eager to join her and perhaps coax her into allowing him a dragon ride, he instructed, "Take to her then. I must et with the dragons."
"Very well. The princess has only just arrived. Let's hasten our steps; there's still ti to catch up," Maynard agreed, calculating the ti in his mind as they hurried along.
Breathless, Rhaegar hurriedly ascended the platform, barely catching his breath. Just in ti, he witnessed a pair of dragonkeepers soothing Syrax and removing the shackles from her feet.
anwhile, the scarlet Caraxes stood ready on the other side.
In the midst of the two dragons stood Daemon and Rhaenyra, clad in their dragon suits, engaged in conversation.
"Sister!!!" Rhaegar's excited shout echoed as he dashed towards Rhaenyra, heedless of Erryk's counsel.
Startled by his sudden appearance, Rhaenyra turned to him with confusion evident in her expression. "Rhaegar, what brings you to the Dragon's Pit?"
Drawing closer, he seized his sister's hand with pride. "Didn't I ntion last night? The dragon in my dream warned that the Dragon's Pit isn't safe, so I ca to investigate."
"I thought you were attending the tournant, but upon entering, I heard you were here as well."
"So, are you seeking out or the dragons?" Rhaenyra teased, amusent lacing her words.
"Of course, I'm seeking you out. The dragons are just a bonus," Rhaegar replied, unable to contain his excitent at being in such close proximity to the magnificent creatures.
Admiring Syrax's graceful form, he remarked, "This must be Syrax, isn't it? She's as splendid as you."
In contrast, Caraxes's imposing head caught his attention, prompting him to add, "And Caraxes here is truly remarkable."
Rhaegar's preference for Syrax's elegant physique was evident in his brief complint.
"Syrax is nad after the Goddess of Harvest. Naturally, she's beautiful," Rhaenyra replied, seeing through her brother's intentions with a knowing smile.
With arms folded across her chest, she inquired knowingly, "So, dear brother, now that you've seen everything, what else brings you here?"
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