Chapter 75 — The Sea Snake and the Dragon
Ser Harrold Westerling, white-cloaked and stern beneath silvered plate, led a column of Velaryon guardsmen up the steep rise of Rhaenys' Hill. Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, Lord Corlys Velaryon, and their children—Laena at nine and Laenor at seven—followed behind on fine-bred Driftmark destriers, all bound for the great Dragonpit crowning the summit.
"The Iron Throne has forced the Triarchy to kneel," Corlys said, pleased with himself. "A victory for the realm—and proof enough that pirates and pretenders break before dragons and the Valyrian fleet."
Laena tilted her head. "But Father… the envoys from Myr, Lys, and Tyrosh came to celebrate King Jaehaerys's fiftieth year on the throne. They weren't enemies then."
"They call themselves the Three Daughters," Corlys replied dismissively, "but a serpent is a serpent no matter how it paints its scales. Remember this, Laena—your grandsire, Prince Aemon Targaryen, was slain by Lyseni pirates. Do not forget who murdered blood of our blood."
Rhaenys reined in sharply, weary of this refrain. "Corlys, you needn't carve hatred into the children. And Aemon believed I carried a son at the time, not a daughter. Baelon is the heir now. Let old wounds rest."
But ambition was a fire that never cooled in the Sea Snake.
"You might relinquish your claim," he said, voice tightening, "but I do not. House Velaryon will not be outmaneuvered again. I undertook nine voyages to build Driftmark into a jewel of the Narrow Sea. I will not stand idle while others hoard what should be ours."
A troupe of dwarf performers entered the street, drawing Laena and Laenor's delighted attention. Rhaenys sighed.
"No more of this, Corlys."
But his eyes were hard—hard as the sea in winter.
---
The Port of King's Landing
Across the city, Daemon Targaryen and Prince Baelon reached the reeking, bustling port. Velaryon sailors shouted orders over the din of gulls and waves. The air smelled of salt, tar, fish guts, and sweat.
Rumors said Faceless Men, hired by the Triarchy, stalked the docks. Daemon scanned the crowd—bent crones, bearded smiths, swaggering sailors, sell-swords, and whores. Any face might be borrowed.
Ser Harrold Westerling, sworn protector of Prince Baelon, remained tense. A loyal knight he was—fearless, steadfast—but the Faceless Men of Braavos were something else entirely.
The port tax collector hurried over and reported that Corlys, Rhaenys, Laena, and Laenor had gone to the Dragonpit. Daemon's expression darkened immediately.
"Corlys still hungers for dragons," he muttered.
"We go—now," said Prince Baelon.
Ser Harrold requested more guards, but Baelon only smiled.
"Dragons need no escort."
A shadow swept over the port—vast, mountain-like. Street vendors scattered; sailors fell to their knees.
Vhagar descended like a falling star, slow and terrible, wings casting the city in darkness. Caraxes screamed beside her, long-necked and blood-red.
Moments later, Daemon climbed onto Caraxes, Baelon onto Vhagar, and the two dragons rose in tandem, racing toward Rhaenys' Hill.
---
The Dragonpit — A Dangerous Game
Atop Rhaenys' Hill, Corlys Velaryon watched Silverwing bask in the sunlight. The ancient dragon, silver-scaled and regal, exhaled heat like a living forge. Captain Delaen of the Dragonkeepers stood nearby, unhappy but outnumbered.
Corlys's eyes gleamed with dangerous intent.
"Ser Criston Cole—bring the mutton. Laena, feed it to her."
Delaen protested, "My lord, Prince Daemon forbade anyone from approaching the dragons."
Corlys's smile was thin. "Daemon fears fools getting burned. My daughter is no fool. She has flown since infancy with her mother on Meleys."
Laena dipped her hand into the bucket, offering steaming, dragon-seared meat to Silverwing. The old queen rumbled her approval.
"She's beautiful," Laena whispered, stroking the hot scales.
Corlys leaned closer. "If she welcomes you… climb onto her back. A dragon chooses its rider."
Rhaenys nearly hissed. "Corlys, are you mad? She's nine!"
"Dragons belong to those who dare," Corlys murmured. "And my children have Targaryen blood. That is more than can be said of half the pretenders Daemon whispers about."
Captain Delaen raised his voice sharply.
"You violate the Dragon Laws. King Jaehaerys decreed that no non-Targaryen may lay claim to a dragon or egg. This borders on treason, my lord."
Corlys sneered. "You are a keeper, not a king. Remember your station."
Silverwing suddenly roared, wings flaring.
Two shadows fell. Vhagar landed like a storm, Caraxes snarling beside her.
Daemon and Baelon strode forward.
"Lord Corlys," Daemon said coldly, "what are you doing?"
Corlys did not flinch. "Fulfilling a dying queen's last wish. Queen Alysanne told me to ensure Silverwing was cherished."
Daemon barked a humorless laugh. "My grandmother left many last words, none of which passed through your lips."
Baelon stepped forward. "Whatever promises were made, the law stands. Keep your children from the dragons."
Corlys's temper flared. "And yet your sister Saenella walks the Dragonpit freely. A brothel girl made princess—will she claim a dragon next?"
Baelon stiffened. "Insult Saenella again, and you answer to me."
Daemon's hand drifted toward Dark Sister.
"You test treason, Corlys."
But Daemon did not strike. Not yet. The future he dreamed of required Velaryon wealth intact.
Rhaenys, exhausted, stepped between them.
"Enough. This feud shames all of us. If assassins lurk in King's Landing, we should not be at one another's throats."
Baelon nodded reluctantly. "Corlys, go to the port. Help root out the killers."
Corlys's tone chilled. "Why should I toil for men who would deny my children their birthright?"
Daemon replied softly, dangerously,
"Refuse… and I will take the port from you entirely."
Corlys turned, face dark with fury, and marched away with Laena and Laenor. Rhaenys followed, heavy-hearted.
---
A Whisper in the Dark
Corlys returned to his flagship, the Sea Snake, anchored at the docks. Waiting in the dim cabin was When Raven Fell, a pale, hollow-cheeked Qartheen warlock Corlys had once encountered during his great voyages.
His lips were stained blue from shade-of-the-evening. His smile was a cracked thing, sharp and unsettling.
"You are troubled, Lord Corlys."
Corlys recounted the confrontation at the Dragonpit—how the dragons were denied to his blood, how Daemon and Baelon sought to strip his family of its future.
When Raven Fell listened, then whispered,
"When the dragons die, the throne may be claimed by those bold enough to grasp what remains. King Jaehaerys fades. If Baelon and Daemon were to perish now—who would stand between Princess Rhaenys and her rightful crown?"
Corlys recoiled. "Speak plainly or not at all."
The warlock's blue lips curled.
"Accidents happen in a city crawling with Faceless Men."
---
End of Chapter 75 — "The Sea Snake and the Dragon"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 30+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics