NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17: A Show Of Might And Unity
The Day of the Song of the Dragon
"Blood and Fire." These are the words of House Targaryen—words known and feared across the realm. Many have heard of their meaning, but few have ever been the target of their wrath. On this day, the ninth day of the fifth moon, 115 years after Aegon's Conquest, the fury of one Targaryen boy would unite both the old and future generations of his family, leading them to Oldtown, the seat of House Hightower, in a show of force like no other.
Thirteen dragons took to the skies over King's Landing, their vast wings blocking out the sun in a terrifying symphony of roars and screeches. The smallfolk below were paralyzed with fear, many losing control of their bodies in sheer terror, flooding the streets with filth. The nobles, ever eager to glorify, would later call it "The Dragon Parade" or "The Winged Blockade." But the common folk, especially those in Flea Bottom, would forever remember it as "The Great Release" due to the mess left in its wake. Yet, history would record this momentous event as The Day of the Song of the Dragon.
Otto Hightower's Realization
Otto Hightower stood frozen, his face a mask of shock, fear, and regret. Is this how our ancestors felt when Aegon the Conqueror first arrived with his dragons? he wondered. For years, he had believed the Targaryens were weakening, their power crumbling. The Targaryens were divided, their dragons less fearsome when you think you have a dragon on your side as well. We were so close to regaining power, Otto thought. So much effort, so many children poisoned, talented men dead—all for nothing.
Otto had always believed that the death of Balerion the Black Dread marked the beginning of the Targaryen decline. He had thought dragons were useful but no longer necessary. They believed they could take Targaryen blood, ride their dragons, and rule in their place. *We thought we knew,* he whispered to himself, "but we did not."
His daughter, Queen Alicent, looked at him. For the first time, she saw not the shrewd and powerful man who had orchestrated her rise but now simply an old, broken man driven by his ambitions. The duty instilled in her since childhood suddenly seemed meaningless. Was it all worth it? she wondered, thinking of her lost friend who now stood as their enemy. The Greens, the Blacks—what had it all achieved?
Without a word, Alicent turned and walked toward the gates, where her children were hastily donning their dragon-riding leathers. The nobles looked on in confusion, and Otto tried to stop her, his hand reaching out, but he was paralyzed by the weight of his own failures. He watched, helpless, as the Targaryens opened their ranks to welcome his daughter into their fold, closing around her protectively before disappearing into the throng of dragons that had begun to land around the castle.
A Frenzy of Dragons
The dragons were restless, their excitement palpable. These were generations of dragons—brothers, sisters, grandchildren—all gathered in one place. Though dragons do not love each other as humans do, bonds can form if their riders share a bond. Dragons are creatures of instinct, and today, their instincts were heightened by the thrill of their riders.
War-dragons like Caraxes, Vhagar, and Dreamfyre were more composed, their war-hardened instincts keeping them calmer than the younger ones. But even they felt the excitement of the moment. Vhagar, the oldest and largest of the dragons, was wary of her younger kin, seeing them as potential rivals. Yet, with the emergence of a new Dragonlord, even the ancient dragon began to view the others as her kin—an extension of herself. Vhagar knew her days were numbered, but she was determined to see her rider's hatchling reach adulthood.
Aegon the Winged
Aegon the Winged stood tall, with a grin that displayed his sharp teeth on his face as he watched his grandmother, and father, Daemon, approaching. They were followed by a group of children and another familiar figure—Alicent Hightower, though her attire was similar to the others riding leathers, not the finery of a queen. Aegon's eyes sparkled with realization.
"Do you feel it? Can you smell the change?" he called out theatrically.
"All I can smell is the shit and piss of the smallfolk, thanks to your little display," Daemon responded with a smirk. Though not the kindest of men, he was proud of his son's boldness.
Aegon the Winged, ever the showman, spread his arms wide like wings, causing the dragons to mimic his movements. "Do you see it?" he shouted to the gathered nobles. "We are the dragons! The lords of Westeros forget their place; the Andals plot and scheme. Today, we remind them of what could befall them if they dare to step out of line." With a dramatic flourish, he bowed deeply, and the dragons followed suit, bowing their heads.
Dreamfyre broke ranks and moved towards Princess Helaena. Aegon the Winged approached her with a gallant bow, extending his hand. "Your mount awaits, dear cousin." Helaena accepted his hand with a smile, climbing onto the dragon's back with a dignified nod.
Turning to Queen Alicent, Aegon's grin widened. "Lady Alicent Targaryen," he announced, his voice laced with challenge and invitation. Some looked on in scorn, while her children watched with bated breath. Alicent hesitated for only a moment before taking his hand, climbing up behind Helaena on Dreamfyre, solidifying her place among the Targaryens.
The Flight of the Dragons
Aegon the Winged then turned to his younger cousins, Aemond and Lucerys. "You two are with me on Vhagar," he commanded. The ancient dragon lumbered forward, allowing the boys to climb onto her back before she took to the skies, her powerful wings carrying them high above. The other dragons followed, one by one, until only Syrax remained. The golden dragon let out a roar, a signal that set off a chain reaction of roars from the others, echoing across the city.
As the dragons soared above King's Landing, led by Caraxes and Meleys while Vhagar followed , a single thought ran through the minds of the nobles below: Why us? For the first time in decades, they faced a truly united Targaryen family—a force their ancestors had never had to reckon with.
Thus, The Day of the Song of the Dragon was forever etched into the annals of history—a day of unity, fear, and the resounding power of the Targaryen legacy.