𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐟 & 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 | 𝐃𝐚𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐧

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚇𝙸𝚇

Rhaenyra, me, and the council entered the planning room - like any other day - but to our surprise, Lord Corlys was already there in his seat. We smiled at him as we reached our seats.

It was refreshing to know he would stand by us. I knew it was for Rhaenys, but it was still appreciated.

"Your Grace." Lord Corlys said to Rhaenyra with a nod. "Princess." He said, acknowledging me.

I smiled back as we all sat down.

"Bring him forth!" Lord Corlys ordered the guards, as they brought Ser Steffon.

Jace, Rhaenyra, and I looked at each other and nodded. Our plan was about to start.

"Ser Steffon Darklyn, Your Grace." The guard announced as Ser Steffon approached us.

"Is aught amiss, Your Grace?" Ser Steffon asked. "My Princess. My Lords." He greeted.

"I find myself, Ser Steffon, in an impossible position." Rhaenyra started. She glanced at Corlys before continuing. "I have lost princess Rhaenys and her dragon. I hold an island seat with no land army. And I must not go to battle myself... as I am constantly told." She said glancing at me. "Lest I am slain or captured, and... with me, our hopes of victory."

"There is still Daemon and Caraxes, Baelon and Rahl... and the Riverman." Ser Steffon reminded.

"That remains to be seen." She said with a hint of sadness. "In any case, I must now proceed as if I stand alone. And I see now that to do that, I need more dragon riders, for Vermithor, for Silverwing and Goldwing, and for Seasmoke who I believe misses his bond."

"But there are no more in your family, Your Grace." Ser Steffon said not understanding the point. "Your younger sons are babes. Same with Daemon and Marianne's children."

"Mm." Rhaenyra agreed with a nod.

"Uh, there is Princess Rhaena." Ser Steffon said, making lord Corlys's head shot up at him.

"She has attempted it, alas." He told him. "But the dragons here would not take her as a rider."

"Then who could do it?" SerSteffon asked confused.

"You." Rhaenyra told him, making his confusion grow.

She got up and held a paper with his family tree.

"You are of noble birth." She stated. "And I had always heard, as you know, that the Darklyns and the Targaryens had some common blood. I looked into the history, and indeed it is true. Your grandmother's grandmother, Aeriana, was born a Targaryen Princess."

That statement made Lord Celtigar sigh, which made me glare at him.

I hated being surrounded by men.

"And I have been thinking, could it be possible?" Rhaenyra concluded.

"To even consider such a thing." Ser Steffon said in awe.

"I must protest, Your Grace." Lord Celtigar said as he got up. "The risk involved in such a venture..."

"I am but a man." Ser Steffon said, cutting him off as he made his way towards us. "The dragons are gods." He bowed. "Your Grace honours me beyond what I deserve."

Rhaenyra looked at me hesitant before stepping closer to him.

"You understand your peril, Ser Steffon?" She asked him. "I do not compel you to do this. It has never been attempted before. To claim a dragon, you must also be prepared to die."

"I well understand the risk and I accept it with gladness." Ser Steffon said with a nod. "I swore to ward my Queen with all my strength and to give my blood for hers. That is my oath, Your Grace" He said looking up at her, since he was kneeling in the ground, showing his loyalty.