Northern Conqueror

Chapter 52: The Coming Storm

Chapter 52: The Coming Storm

Though many died from wounds in the battle those among Jon's guard all found their wounds easily treated and wrapped. The pain was a reminder they were alive as much as the sun rising through the sky.

After returning to camp and spending a day mending themselves, the army began it's march south. It would be slower than it had going north, but they moved as fast as they could while the king and his queens flew overhead on the back of their dragons. Despite wanting to ride with the men, Jon rode Rhaegal so another could take the horse he would surely be given.

It felt like they woke to another world when they found azure skies that morning, but flying toward the mound of ice that was the Wall they found weeping clouds darkening the skies. Thankfully the lightning seemed to be far from them and the dragons could sense any strays that came near them, dodging the bolts before they started.

Even through the heavy rain he could see the mound of ice on the horizon, the gap the Night King's army had made to pass through it still in tact. With a glance back and below he could see the army heading toward it slowly. With a glance to the bay he saw the boats as the horn blasted.

Jon's eyes widened, his hands tightening around the grip of the saddle when all three dragons roared and started flying erratically, threatening to throw each rider off if not for the straps holding them in place. Rhaegal dived almost straight down before twisting and shooting up, spewing flames that they passed through for a moment, which might have burned Jon if they weren't moving so fast they barely touched him.

Below Arya and the others gripped the reins of their horses and gasped as they watched Rhaegal and Viserion screech in pain before they'd even slammed into each other. Both fell for a moment before Drogon shot past them and all three sped toward the ground south of the wall. Hearing the horn, Arya looked to the bay and saw a bolt of lightning back light a ship.

She and the rest of the army picked up their pace, speeding toward the gap in the broken Wall.

Drogon hit the ground first, throwing his head back and screeching as another horn blast sounded while Rhaegal landed and Viserion stumbled, cracking a tree that fell against another. The dragons cried in pain as Jon removed the straps and called to the others, "Get off!"

Daenerys and Sansa dismounted their dragons and they all backed away, coming together to watch the dragons writhe and cry in pained frustration as the horn blew again and again, louder and louder. It was almost enough to block out the sound of the horses approaching from the east.

Having forgone his armor in exchange for thicker clothing to keep warm during the flight, Jon had only Nighttaker and a dagger to defend them, though each woman quickly drew their own valyrian steel sword as the riders neared.

The first to come into view was a man with pale lips wearing a cuirass with a sigil not unlike the Greyjoy's kraken only with a large eye over the head and another larger eye across the abdomen. He quickly dismounted, staring at the dragons as he put the horn to his lips and blew with a grin.

Daenerys glared at him until she saw the man leading the gilded riders behind him, her eyes widening as she gasped. "Daario?"

The commander looked them over as he and his men dismounted, giving Jon a once over before snorting dismissively. "I've come for you, my queen."

"For me?" Daenerys shook her head. Seeing Euron walk toward Drogon she stepped forward, aiming her sword at him. "Touch him and I'll slit your throat!"

Euron turned to her and grinned. "Kill the king, take the queens. I'll claim my own prize."

At that Euron blew his horn again, only this time the sound seemed harsher, more directed as Drogon threw his head down, but then the glyphs across horn glowed crimson and Drogon stepped back, growling as he turned to his brothers.