OF BASTARDS & DRAGONS || Aenar Targaryen [1]

102 • SACKING KINGSLANDING

Vaemond Velaryon was an ally to the Greens, a treacherous snake of the sea, earlier on, he sent word to Otto Hightower, to flee the capital.

The people of King's Landing had grown accustomed to the sight of dragons or, at the very least, become used to the fact that they existed. Many of those who lived there couldn't claim to have actually seen one of the beasts, despite the fact that they lived in close proximity.

Yet the legends and stories surrounding the creatures were enough to keep them informed that, if a dragon was near, it was probably best to keep their distance.

It was a time of uncertainty for the smallfolk of the capital, and further across the Seven Kingdoms. It was simply felt more earnestly by those living with the Red Keep looming over them.

With each passing day, more tales emerged about the people who supposedly ruled over them, each one just as daunting as any account concerning dragons. The sense of unknowingness, the lack of accountability, and the dwindling number of answers meant that everyone was expected to continue living their lives with a dark cloud hanging over them.

Though they much preferred that gloomy shadow to the ones that appeared above them one fateful night.

For some, the absence of any developments was a sign of pleasant tidings, for it allowed them to focus on their personal trials, rather than worrying about what their King and lords would do to them.

Any sense of comfort garnered from that short-lived period deserted them as soon as the roars came from the distance, far before the beasts could be seen by the naked eye. Even then, the clouds kept the creatures hidden initially, adding to the sense of foreboding that punctured the residents' hearts.

It wasn't long, the Unsuilled sacked the city, marching in formation, however, before the dragons showed themselves, as if they wanted their arrival to be a grand and memorable one. Some of the people far below yelled out in terror, accepting the sad fate that the Targaryens had brought their war to the city.

Some of the people scurried into their homes, regardless of the fact that they knew no structure could protect them from any onslaught. Some of the people viewed the dragon's approach with a quiet acknowledgement of what was to come, hugging their loved ones close.

Many locals had witnessed the dancing form of Roach, Caraxes, Vermithor, Meleys, Silverwing, Sheepstealer, Drogon, Rheagar and Viserion in the sky, having always been an adventurous sort yet dangerous.

King Aenar had since grown into a fully fledged man with far grander aspirations, and the dragon now matched him in his imperiousness. He led the attack, though some would come to refer to it as a procession.

Aenar Targaryen had returned, and most of those fortunate enough to see his approach couldn't tell one way or another whether that brought good tidings for their souls.

A more recent clamouring of excitement had come when a great dragon had haphazardly slung itself just above the buildings. Old Silverwing had prompted a furious reaction, with the mighty beast Vhagar following close in pursuit. Laenor and Rheanyra had snuck in last night to get hold of Syrax and Seasmoke.

The fact that the intruder had returned - along with its surely mad rider - told the people of King's Landing that something had changed. All they knew was that they would be the last to find out exactly what that was.

Daemon Targaryen was well known in this part of the realm, despite being furious of Aenar marrying Alicent, his plans of putting his seed on the iron throne was still in fruition.

As he was for most regions in the Seven Kingdoms. His Redwrym Caraxes, carried just as foreboding a legacy and the residents' rush to seek cover and a hiding place came largely out of fear of what the prince would do next.