What is the impact of seeing a colossal black bird with red eyes perched on the wall? You don't know? Gerald Hightower can tell you. It was a truly desperate feeling, the feeling of helplessness, horror, and fear mixed in a chorus of negative emotions.
The old Kingsguard Knight couldn't even move in front of the colossal creature; the swordsmanship he was so proud of seemed like child's play. It was a force that the human race could never fight head-on.
Gerald was not the only one; whether noble or commoner, when they looked at the gigantic bird perched on the wall of Harrenhal, they were completely terrified. If this were the Age of Jaehaerys I or Viserys I, people would be used to seeing such a large creature, or rather, they would find it a bit small compared to old Vhagar, the dragon that Queen Visenya I Targaryen rode.
Rhaegar swallowed hard in front of such a large creature, but an unknown fire was awakening in his chest. At that moment, he had never wanted a dragon so much; the fascination of controlling such a large creature was a temptation that he, a Targaryen king, could almost not control.
"This is my companion-in-arms, Mitra, a black phoenix." Cadmus proudly introduced the bird with a smug expression, especially looking at the Lords of the Riverlands who wanted to take his castle.
"She can't breathe fire like a dragon, but she can control fire magic to create a fire just as strong." Cadmus said with a laugh; the king's expression was simply funny in his eyes.
Seeing Cadmus's smug and proud expression, Rhaegar had never felt such a strong urge to punch someone. Of course, he knew it was his envy speaking louder. If he had a being as great as Mitra, he would wake up smiling every morning.
In front of such a large monster, who was Tywin Lannister? He could simply go to Casterly Rock and destroy the entire House Lannister army just as King Aegon I did in the battle known as the Field of Fire.
"Can it destroy a city like a dragon?" Looking at the noble and elegant-looking bird perched on the wall, Rhaegar looked at Cadmus and asked. If so, then he would have to re-evaluate Cadmus.
"Yes, it is perfectly capable of destroying a city." Cadmus said in a casual tone, as if it wasn't really incredible. However, in his eyes, Mitra had more of an auxiliary role than a weapon of war. The reason for this was simple: he himself had more power than Mitra.
So, he was genuinely being casual, as he himself could destroy a city even more efficiently than the Black Phoenix.
Looking at the king's expression, Cadmus could imagine that he wanted a phoenix egg or to ask if it was possible to hatch a dragon with the remaining dragon eggs.
"If your grace wants to ask if I can make dragons be born again in Westeros, the answer is yes and no." Cadmus spoke in a calm tone; he had already cast a spell around them that prevented others from hearing their conversation.
Rhaegar was happy and confused by Cadmus's words; yes and no, what was that supposed to mean?
"To put it very simply, it takes a special person to bring dragons back to life." Cadmus said in a calm tone. Although it didn't seem like it, Daenerys had used Blood Magic when she hatched the dragons.
A woman who had never touched magic performed a sacrifice like Old Valyria did and brought back the dragons using magic, life, and blood.
Rhaegar frowned hearing Cadmus's words; he looked at the mage and asked in a calm tone. "And who would that person be?"
"Princess Daenerys." Cadmus had no reason to hide and spoke without hiding anything. "The princess has an absurd amount of dormant magic inside her. By performing a blood ritual, she can get the dragons to be born."
Rhaegar's face relaxed when he heard it was Daenerys; he feared it wouldn't be a Targaryen, that would be terrible.
"We will talk about this after resolving things in Duskendale; the Court will return to King's Landing to deal with the Greyjoy Rebellion." Rhaegar said in a calm tone; he needed time to get the dragon eggs hidden on Dragonstone. At the same time, he had to return to King's Landing and summon his banners to destroy the Iron Islands once and for all.
Cadmus nodded and spoke. "I cannot manage an entire city alone; I need soldiers to maintain order or to rescue civilians."
"I will send ten thousand men." Rhaegar did not refuse and spoke in a calm tone. "If possible, avoid burning the entire city."
Burning Duskendale was the last option, but faced with the safety of the entire kingdom, Rhaegar became determined. "But do not hesitate if you see things getting out of control. I prefer to lose one city than all the Crownlands."
Cadmus was not surprised by Rhaegar's words; losing one city was a much smaller price than losing all the Crownlands. A fool would know which was better, and even if it was cruel to the people, the lesser evil would be better than a greater evil.
"I cannot guarantee that the city will remain intact, but I will not destroy it." Cadmus was confident in gathering all the monsters in one place in the city and destroying them all in one attack; although that part of the city would be destroyed, it was better than the destruction of the entire city.
"I thank you on behalf of all the people of Duskendale." Rhaegar said with a genuine tone of gratitude and respect. Being a vassal does not mean being a slave; the king, although powerful, would never be anything without the lords around him. Only a foolish king thinks everyone should bow to him simply because he is a king.
"What will the king do with Theon Greyjoy?" Cadmus didn't care about the thanks; he also had selfish reasons for facing an entire city full of zombies and ghouls.
Not only would his reputation spread throughout Westeros, but he could also take the chance to create a potion against the Undead. This would be of great help in the war coming from Beyond the Wall.
Rhaegar's face turned cold at the mention of Theon Greyjoy; he looked at Cadmus with his lilac eyes and spoke in a deep tone. "Since Balon doesn't care about his own son, he will receive the head of his third son to bury next to his other two dead sons."
Cadmus nodded his head; Theon was essentially a hostage to prevent Balon from rebelling again. However, seeing that this didn't work, the reason for Theon to stay alive until now was nonexistent.
"Be careful with the House Greyjoy fleet; they will attack the Reach at the most unexpected moment." Cadmus warned the king with a solemn expression. When it came to piracy, the Greyjoys were arguably the first in Westeros.
"My Lord of Ships, Lord Monford Velaryon, is an experienced captain; he will guard the waters competently, as he has done in these almost two decades of war." Rhaegar certainly knew how skilled the Greyjoys were, but the royal fleet and the House Velaryon fleet were not something that could be faced with just a hundred warships.
"We will see each other again in King's Landing, Cadmus." Rhaegar spoke in a calm tone; he couldn't waste any more time and had to return to King's Landing as soon as possible to control the war from the Red Keep.
"I will bring good news when I return." Cadmus said with a laugh, a laugh that lightened the heavy atmosphere hanging in the air.
With a laugh, Rhaegar placed his hand on Cadmus's shoulder and felt that Cadmus would not be a bad Good Brother.
Cadmus separated from Rhaegar, and when he arrived in the courtyard wearing clothes suitable for riding, Mitra was already waiting for him. Her enormous body covered in feathers as black as night seemed to absorb the light around her. Her frightening red eyes stared at Cadmus with a surprisingly human and gentle look.
The phoenix lowered her head and brought her face close to Cadmus, gently stroking his face with delicate and soft movements, afraid of hurting her master because of her current size.
"Who is the most beautiful girl?" Cadmus stroked Mitra's neck feathers and said with a tone full of playfulness and gentleness. Which seemed a little funny, a colossal monster being petted like a domestic cat.
Suddenly, Mitra's enormous red eyes moved to the side and stared at the figure who had just arrived with a piercing and sharp gaze.
Cadmus turned around and was surprised to find Daenerys looking at Mitra with admiration and envy. His lips curved into an amused smile, and he greeted the princess. "What an honor for me to receive the visit of such a beautiful princess."
"You are so gallant, my dear lord; how many ladies have you charmed with your charisma?" Daenerys was not a shy girl and replied with an amused tone, but the happy smile on her lips showed that she liked the compliment.
"You are the first; I am very selective with the women I compliment." Cadmus said with a laugh.
"What is his or her name?" Trying to hide the growing happiness on her face, Daenerys changed the subject and felt she couldn't hide her happiness upon hearing the compliments from the man she was interested in.
Looking at the elegant, noble, and graceful gigantic bird, Daenerys swore she had never seen such a beautiful creature. The black feathers shone with a red glow that resembled flames burning paper.
"Mitra is a female of the species, practically made of fire and magic." Cadmus said with a smile as he stroked the feathers on the beautiful bird's neck.
Seeing Daenerys's envious look, Cadmus took Daenerys's hand and made her touch Mitra's feathers.
"So warm and soft." Daenerys murmured as she felt Mitra's warm and soft feathers; she imagined that dragons had a similar warmth.
However, feeling Cadmus's heavy hand on hers, she felt her heart beat faster, and a smile appeared on her lips.
"Have a good trip, Lord Peverell; I await your arrival in King's Landing." Withdrawing her hand with a certain reluctance, Daenerys looked at Cadmus and said in a soft tone before leaving with slightly hurried steps.
"Does that count as a declaration?" Cadmus murmured to himself with a slightly amused tone.
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Read my other books:
Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos (500,000 words written).
Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.
Game Of Thrones: The King's Court Wizard