Heir of the Dragon

Warrior of the Sky

Jesscareya, Dyana, and Elinda took to the side streets and back allies to the Dragon Gate. Starfyre and Vhagar nested together around there.

Elinda slipped the guard a gold coin the trio passed through the gate.

Starfyre was asleep in the field next to Vhagar when Jessica approached the dragons.

Starfyre raised her head and booped Jessica when she approached. "We're going to go stretch our wings, Sweet Girl, say around Driftmark?"

Starfyre snorted happily and booped Jessica with her snout.

Jessica smiled, pressing her forehead against Starfyre. "Shh. We can't wake Vhagar. But yes, I'm excited to, Sweet Girl."

Jessica looked back and nodded to the girls before she mounted Starfyre and headed into the air. Quickly she turned about in the direction of Driftmark.

It wasn't long before High Tide came into view. Her hopes of finding Seasmoke seemed to be dwindling. She'd have to head back to King's Landing before Aemond slaughtered half the court for her absence.

Just as she was about to admit defeat, Seasmoke came into view. Jessica flew up higher to meet the adolescent dragon.

Seasmoke suddenly dove down and met Starfyre mid air. They circled one another several times before Seasmoke dove toward the beaches.

Seasmoke landed to one side of the beach, and Jessica followed suit so that Starfyre faced Seasmoke not fifty yards away.

Jessica dismounted and walked toward the rider.

He was a young man, long black braids. Taller than Jess, but then most everyone was. Dark eyes and full lips.

Jessica beamed and folded her hands. "You stand before the Princess of the Seven Kingdoms...with a dragon of House Targaryen!"

The lad looked at her. "I had no design upon it!"

Jessica cocked her head to the side in confusion. "What do you want?!"

He smiled. "To learn the ways of dragonriders. And to serve the rightful queen!"

He bent the knee to her. "Princess!"

Jessica shook her head. "You kneel quickly...for a man so suddenly elevated."

The lad bowed his head. "The dragon came to me, not I to him."

Jessica stopped in her tracks.

He continued on. "I have sweated blood in service to House Velaryon. I man appear lowborn...but I know much and more of service!" And if the Gods call me to greater things, who am I to refuse them?"

Jessica closed her eyes and smiled. "Stand."

The lad did.

Jessica took a breath and looked to Seasmoke. She held out her hand and touch his snout. "Have you forgotten the lessons that Laenor had taught you? Have you forgotten to turn off your heart? This is not like you. I see you changing from how Valyria designed you. Have you forgotten your purpose, let me remind you."

Jessica stepped back next to the lad. "The dragons of old. They're masters of war. Their life has one purpose, to bond with the greatest warriors. They have a challenge, a test of skill. From one's own blood and of the royal ilk. Now a boy came for the thrill. A boy whose mind rivaled the dragon's will."

Jessica put her hands on her hips and looked at the lad. "Maybe one day he'll follow me, and we'll make a greater tomorrow. Then they'll see I know he'll change the world 'cause he's a warrior of the sky. Maybe one day I'll reach him and we can build his skills as I teach him. If there's a problem, he'll have the answers. He is a warrior of the sky."

Jessica looked to the lad. He had his hand out to her. She giggled and beamed taking his hand. "Well done, enlighten me, what's your name?"

He grinned. "You first, and maybe I'll do the same."

Jessica shook her head but shook his hand. "Nice try, but two can play this game."

He chuckled. "Nah don't be modest, I know your a Princess. So let's be honest, you are Jesscareya. Sister to Rhaenyra, the wife to Aemond and rider of Starfyre."

Jessica bowed her head. "If your looking for a mentor, I'll make sure your time's well spent."

He grinned. "Sounds like a plan Princess and man, bestest of friends."

Jessica giggled. "We'll see where it end."

The lad rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay."

Jessica looked between the two dragons. "Maybe one day they'll follow me and we'll make a greater tomorrow. Then they'll see I know we'll change the world 'cause we are the warriors of the sky. Maybe one day we'll reach them, and we can build the skills as we teach them. If there's a problem, we'll have the answers. We are the warriors of the sky."

Jessica looked back to the lad, taking a breath. "So what's your parentage?"

He sighed. "My mother was a shipwright. My father is...no one of consequence."

Jessica nodded. "Your ancestors, any of House Targaryen?"

His lips thinned. "We're not the sort of family to keep annals, Princess."

Jessica bit her own. "What is your name."

He looked down at her. "Addam...of Hull."

Jessica looked from Addam to Seasmoke. "You have done something...something quite impossible, Addam of Hull. My sister will want to hear of this, will want to see this. Can you get him to Dragonstone?"

Addam nodded. "I can try."

Jessica nodded and turned back to Starfyre. "Addam."

He turned back to Jessica. "Yes, Princess."

"Sōvēs." She smiled. "That's the command to fly."

"Aemond...please, say something." Alicent pleaded from where she sat at the council table.

Aemond said nothing as he sat opposite his mother. His hands were folded, elbow resting on the table his lips resting against them.

Alicent continued on. "None of us were expecting the riot...I had ahold of her."

Aemond looked over at his mother. "What would you have me say to you? What could you say that could possibly undo what you have caused?"

Alicent's gazed dropped as the council doors opened and Gwayne Hightower approached. "The Gold Cloaks have not seen her down the Street of Silk, the Stree of Flower or the Street of Iron."

"MM!" Aemond groaned, clearing the table in front of him. Aemond rose and began to pace back and forth, his hands on his head. "Have them widen their search! I want no stone unturned!"

Criston Cole sighed. "I'll head out in search, Your Grace. I'll take your uncle with me. We all know that Jesscareya is easily frightened. She'd be more apt to emerge with either Gwayne or myself."

Aemond crossed his arms. "I'll accompany you."

Criston gave a small smile and shook his head. "That would not be wise Your Grace. I'd fear she'd hide further for fear you'd be angry with her."

Aemond huffed, closing his eye and leaned his head back. "How could I ever be angry with her?! None of this," Aemond looked to Alicent, "was her fault."

Criston placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let me go out and search. With any luck, Jesscareya will be home before first light."