Chapter 24.3- The Seadragon's Roar

“You’ve been thinking about this for a while, Laenor.” Mother said, and it was difficult to tell whether she thought that was a good thing or not.

“Yes, Mother. It has been on my mind”

“And while you thought and did act towards bringing those thoughts into fruition, did you stop to consider that it would be people fighting your wars. On both sides, men will die.”

“All men came to the Stepstones with the understanding that they could die here” I defended.

“Did the men of the Free cities you intend to instigate into war?” She asked next.

“They would have chosen to embark on this war. Excepting those who are slaves, each of them would have chosen to come fight here for one reason or the other— gold, national pride, maybe even a desire to impress a beautiful girl back home. It wouldn’t matter. By coming here, they’re saying that they’re willing to die for their motivations and that is a choice I can get behind. As for the slaves, is death not better than enslavement? Given the choice, I’d pick the former a hundred times.”

“No, my son. You will pick to live because when there is life, there is hope” She said, and I inclined my head, even as I disagreed. What hope was there in a life under the control of another? Freedom or death.

“And then Laenor. What about your sister and I? Tell us how we have chosen death.”

“You haven’t. You are dragon riders. You’re going to be far above the battle, All you need to do is breathe ruin on their fleet every few minutes or so”

“Rhaenys and Meraxes”

“A fluke, a one in a million shot”

“And what happens if they happen to take a million shots, Laenor?” She asked.

“You won’t be there then. You’re right. The danger is too great. Besides, Daemon ride Caraxes and I ride Igneel. Between the both of us we would be more than enough to deal with whatever pittance of a fleet the Triarchy manages to create” I said, acknowledging their point.

“If you think you’re leaving my sight to do something as dangerous as fly into battle, then you have learned nothing in your short life, Laenor..” She said instead.

“You are so much like your father. He was the type to make his own plans, the opinion and considerations of others be damned, but while he was a great leader, he was far from a perfect one. Laenor, you will have to be perfect. And part of that begins with learning. We are your allies. Your family. When you have a thought, you don’t hide it from us, and we help you turn it into a plan your father would be proud of. Do we have a deal, Laenor?” She asked, pretending like it was a question.

“Yes mother” I said.

“Good. Now let’s get to work.”