Rook's Rest

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Jessica kept Starfyre at a distance, knowing if Aegon spotted her, she'd be forced to turn around.

Jessica swooped near the water, hoping to keep hidden. Rook's Rest was small, and quite vulnerable on all 4 sides. Aegon's army could easily march in on foot, and a fleet could meet them on the water.

Jessica made a circle. Arrows were being flung from the castle's outer wall.

"Dragon! Dragon!"

Gwayne was in the vanguard with Criston Cole, and his patience was at an end. "To the Seven Hells with you, Cole! You may as well have sounded horns to announce our coming!"

Cole leaned his head out. "Order the Darklyn levies to break off and move ahead. We must keep the dragon's attention divided. Make the signal."

Gwayne looked baffled. "What signal?"

Criston rode back. "All is going to plan."

Jessica flew back up to be behind Sunfyre once again. She bit her lip, wondering which or any of Rhaenyra’s dragons would be sent. Vermithor and Silverwing were riderless. Seasmoke seemed to be residing more and more on Driftmark as of late, at least if Larys Strong was to be believed. Jace would want to fly into battle on Vermax, but Rhaenyra would hold him back. Jessica knew she would not risk another son.

It left three options.

If it was Rhaenyra, she wouldn't fight Jessica at all. Daemon would go for blood before maneuvering her back to Dragonstone. She would have to fight him if it came down to it. Rhaenys could at least be the most level headed, well, given the circumstances.

Aemond was hiding in the wood with Vhagar, waiting for the signal to be called. He heard the dragon and looked up. Aemond didn't know which dragon he expected, but it sure as hell wasn't Sunfyre.

He growled and slipped into High Valyrian. "Idiot."

He leaned down and patted Vhagar. "Wait, Vhagar. Not yet."

Aemond's head shot up at the call of another dragon. He didn't think that Rhaenyra would risk two dragons on such a small Holdfast. And while Aemond knew Helaena loved to fly, she'd never take Dreamfyre into active battle.

So imagine the utter horror on his face when Aemond looked up and saw it was Starfyre flying behind Sunfyre.

Aemond shook his head. "No. No no no no no."

Jessica craned her neck as the pair approached Rook's Rest. A dragon was already laying waste to the armies.

Jessica took a breath. It was Meleys. It was the best outcome she could have hoped for.

Aegon broke away as he pressed a harder ride and yelled. "Foward Sunfyre. Faster!"

Jessica let out a huff. The dragon masters had to be cursing the dragonlords of old when they taught Sunfyre basic commands in the common tongue.

Gwayne looked up at the sight of the dragon. "Whose dragon is that?"

Criston Cole looked up. "His Grace, the king's."

Gwayne was quickly angered. "This was your secret plot, Cole? For the king himself to lay ambush and mayhaps die in the attempt?!"

Cole placed his helm upon his head. "No!"

Gwayne watched the sky again. "Then whose is the white dragon?"

Cole's face went pale. "You didn't say white dragon."

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