Fire and Blood

Chapter 146: Calm Before the Storm

King's Landing...

Baela had taken to the skies on her dragon, Moondancer. With her swaddled infant daughter, Laena, who was barely a month old and blissfully unaware of the world around her, securely strapped to her bosom, Baela soared through the fluffy, white clouds, maintained a watchful gaze over the sprawling expanse of the capital city of King's Landing below, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon for any potential signs of enemy movement or threats. Though she was advised against such a daring venture, Baela, ever the tomboy and fearless young woman she was, boldly decided to take Laena along with her on her first flight aboard a dragon. Moondancer emitted a low, rumbling growl followed by a soft screech as she beat her wings, adhering to a carefully planned patrol route circling the bustling city below. Meanwhile, Laena, feeling the rush of the wind and the thrill of the flight, began to stir in her mother's embrace, her tiny face scrunching up in discomfort, a tiny frown forming on her face as she adjusted to the new sensations surrounding her.

"Easy now," Baela hushed. Despite the murmurs circulating through the realm that the Dance of the Dragons had reached a conclusive end-marked by the capture and imprisonment of the Caltrops' most influential leaders and the surrender of the remaining rebel factions seemed to signal a turning point. Yet, Baela couldn't shake the gnawing sense of a lingering unease.

The civil war had left a trail of devastation across the realm, its impact felt in every corner of the land. Families had been torn apart, once-strong friendships lay in ruins, and the skies above had become a battleground where dragons battled against each other, leaving scars on the land and its people. This relentless turmoil had plunged countless individuals into abject poverty, their lives irrevocably altered by the violence that had erupted. As a result, a profound fear and resentment towards House Targaryen had taken root among the populace. The common folk, witnessing the devastation wrought by the dragons, had begun to blame them for the suffering that now permeated their lives.

As the clouds slowly parted, Baela's gaze was drawn to a small cluster of people gathering in the center of Cobbler's Square. At first, the crowd was thin, with only a few people scattered about. Still, as time passed, more and more people began appearing from the surrounding streets, steadily increasing in size. Their numbers swelling as curiosity and intrigue drew them closer together.

What are they doing?

The longer Baela observed the growing throng, the more she could perceive an undercurrent of discontent among them, even from her vantage point. Although she was tempted to bring Moondancer in for a closer view, she held back, knowing that her dragon's presence could inadvertently expose her location. Moreover, she was preoccupied, had a child, and Laena was becoming increasingly fidgety. Perhaps her daughter was also somehow picking up on the tension: something was wrong.

Better report this to the council. "Sīmās, Hūrlilios! (Rise, Moondancer!)" Baela shouted, twisting the reins.

"*Reeeeeeh!*" Moondancer screeched, swiftly turning away from the direction of Cobbler's Square and flying toward the Red Keep. While young and slender, she was conversely swift and nimble in the air, allowing her to make a beeline to Aegon's High Hill.

With a firm grip on the reins of her saddle, Baela felt the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets, and the distant sounds of commotion echoed in her ears. She turned her head slightly to glance over her shoulder as she caught sight of Cobbler's Square. She needed to inform the council of the events transpiring.

No...

...Baela needed to warn Jaehaerys.

Red Keep - Tower of the Hand...