Chapter 5.2- The Seadragon's Roar

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“Have everything?” She asked, while making sure that I was tight against the saddle. Generally, I preferred to ride without chains, but Rhaenys had vetoed that in seconds citing the storms that plagued the region I was going to be visiting.

“Considering you oversaw the packing, I think I should be asking you that question” I said cheekily and I saw the temptation to clap me over my ears for the cheek, but she changed her mind and gave me a peck instead.

“The Baratheons will not much appreciate that sene of hour of yours, son” She said. I nodded, taking hr words to heart. I knew that I had a life that few people— even nobles could relate with. For one, I had a virtually limitless stipend, a castle full of servants, and men-at-arms forced to listen to my every whim, and the freedom to do what I want when I wanted to— at least before my recent grounding. I doubted I would have the same liberties at Storm’s End.

I turned to the side to find Corlys approaching. He was a fascinating man, this father of mine. Contradictory in many ways. Even in the way he approached the dragons. With Meleys, it was hesitant, like how one would approach a wild horse. He avoided eye contact, made sure to keep a respectful distance and never addressed the dragon. With Vhagar, his choice of approach was simply, ‘no’. He never got within five meters of the bronze bitch, keeping a healthy distance, and acting with the expected subservience. That all flipped on its head when it came to Igneel though. He could march in and out of his presence without Igneel ever batting an eye, or releasing a growl.

And that was what he did. He came straight at us without hesitating and Igneel did nothing but spare a glance in his direction before returning to his previous activity of staring into space.

“Ser Ben and the rest of your serving staff will be making the journey by sea and should be expected to join you within the fortnight. Until they arrive, I expect you to conduct yourself f with a suitable level of regard— both for your hosts and for yourself and this family.” He began. I nodded.

“And until they do, you can use this to purchase whatever it is you may find yourself in need of” he said, reaching to his side and unlatching the coin purse there. When he tossed it at me, it was just my luck that I had reached out with both hands to catch it. It was so fucking heavy that it had almost crashed through my stretched fingers and hit me on the face.

“Don’t spend it all in one place” Mother said, watching me strap the coin purse to th rest of my things secured against the saddle.

“There’s five thousand dragons in that purse. I’d love to see him try” Corlys scoffed. I smiled at his words, one to feel hand lightly smack my head.

“Don’t take that as a challenge. He will not be sending any more until the year is up if you squander this” She said.