After Lykar Laclen was engulfed in flames, news of the Dragonlords landing in the Disputed Lands spread across the region with unimaginable speed.
Just as Benjicot and the others had predicted, the warlords—already in contact due to the Iron Throne's utter lack of secrecy—had begun attempting to form a coalition. They reached out to the mercenary companies of the Myr Plateau, the Myr-Lorynar Mountains, and even the city-state of Myr itself, hoping to assemble a force large enough to oppose King Daeron.
Some warlords even sent envoys to Volantis.
This intelligence came to Dan only after he returned to Dragon's Nest and spoke with his elder brother.
In the narrow hall where Rhaegor usually handled his duties, Dan paced back and forth in front of him, visibly anxious.
"The king's tactics favor a swift campaign," Rhaegor said calmly as he held a quill. "Calm yourself, Dan. This isn't like you."
The eldest of the brothers closed the book laid open before him and tapped the desk lightly with his quill. "Among us siblings, you're usually the most composed. Why are you acting like little Jace today?"
"It's because the king's plan didn't yield the expected results," came a voice from the doorway.
It was Seryna, second daughter of Draezell, who strode in with her husband, Orion. Dressed in martial fashion and exuding heroic presence, Seryna declared, "Brother, if Father allows it, I'll go support His Grace with Orion at my side."
She looked at Dan, her eyes gleaming with eagerness. "Eight dragons. There's no problem eight dragons can't solve."
"Are you serious?" Rhaegor tapped his head with mild exasperation. "Did Father's intentions not come across clearly? Uncle Rey won't allow Orion to join a war whose gains come only at the very end."
"Of course I'm not serious." Seryna burst into laughter. "Big brother, you're still as humorless as when we were children."
Though she was now a mother, the famously beautiful "Light of the Borderlands" no longer carried the same youthful liveliness she once did.
Rhaegor chuckled helplessly. "Alright, alright. I figured as much."
"Now, back to business," Seryna said, growing serious. "Dan, be honest—after hearing what Rhaegor just told us, what do you really think of His Grace's expedition?"
"He was ill-prepared. But he will succeed," Dan said without hesitation. "He will crush every warlord, mercenary, usurper, and mayor who dares oppose him, and claim this land as his own."
Seryna and Rhaegor exchanged glances. Behind them, Orion took a while to process the implication of Dan's words before finally understanding.
"I see," Rhaegor said with a long sigh.
He understood perfectly what his brother meant. Daeron would defeat all his enemies with dragons and elite troops. But what was won on the battlefield wasn't everything. Draezell's method of consolidating the Borderlands, northern Dorne, and southern Riverlands had involved more than dragons—there were silver-blooded estate armies, stationed maesters, settlers, and local nobles.
Daeron...
Time would teach him what the battlefield could not.
"Dan, take this intelligence to the king." Rhaegor handed a bound report to his brother. "Even if it's no longer of great value while the enemy is forming their alliance, having it is still better than not."
What he didn't say was this:
In the face of dragons, field battles were worthless. No matter how many men, it was suicide.
So he had no worries about Daeron's achievements on the battlefield.
"Understood." Dan nodded and turned to leave. Seryna, meanwhile, perched herself on Rhaegor's desk with a curious look. "What exactly is Father thinking?"
"Father doesn't care about this campaign," Rhaegor replied helplessly. "He only cares about the North and the children."
What could be done? Indulge them. After all, every girl in the family was cherished.
"Oh, right, Seryna. If you have time, visit near Harrenhal and check on Samantha for me."
At the mention of Samantha, Rhaegor's face dimmed slightly. Though Aegon II's children were generally obedient, each had their own minds. Daeron and Rhaegar were grown and off to war. Rhaenya had married Prince Aegon, but he did not love her—only respected her. Rhaenya had grown sullen and withdrawn, and to cheer her, Diana and Elenna often visited her in Oldtown. Only young Baelor remained at his mother's side full-time.
"Of course I'll visit my sister," Seryna sighed softly, clearly moved. "But what's in Harrenhal?"
"This happened a long time ago," Rhaegor said with a touch of irritation as he set down his quill. "Someone owed Father a debt. They promised to repay it over fifteen years—but now even the second set of fifteen is nearly over, and we still haven't seen what we're owed. Tell me, Seryna, is that fair?"
"Someone owes Father a debt and hasn't paid?" Seryna broke into a delighted laugh. "Great! I'll go collect—wait, how am I supposed to collect?"
"When you show up near Harrenhal riding Zarafax, they'll know. And if no one comes to find you..." Rhaegor chuckled. "Then just go straight to the Isle of Faces."
Seryna instantly understood what the 'payment' was meant to be, though she couldn't help but pout slightly. After witnessing Draezell's magic, no other form of sorcery in the world held much appeal anymore.
Meanwhile—
At the top of the Silverblood Tower, in Draezell's chambers—
The children were crawling around everywhere in the vast room.
Little Igon was gnawing on his fingers, casting a resentful glare at his sister Daenerys, who wore a mischievous grin.
"Dany, if you keep bullying me, I'm telling Grandma and Grandpa!" Igon whined, pointing indignantly at the wooden sword she'd snatched from him. Daenerys spun the toy blade a few times, then crouched down with a playful smile, pulling a book and a dragon-shaped figurine from her tunic.
"Alright, alright. I'll trade you these two for it, okay?"
Igon's face froze. Just past his fifth name day, he still couldn't quite control his expressions—and Dany quickly caught the unimpressed look in her little brother's eyes.
"That book's Sebastian's, and that statue's Daemon's," he said in his babyish voice. "If you want to trade, at least offer something that's actually yours."
Daenerys shrugged carelessly. "Then what do you want?"
"Uncle Rhaegon is about to bond with his dragon. Take me to watch. Please, big sis." Igon's eyes gleamed with mischief as he stretched out his pudgy hands to cling to her.
Daenerys froze. She instantly realized what her brother was trying to pull.
None of the children were allowed to observe dragon bonding up close. The Vaelarys bloodline had a particularly wild way with dragons, and for safety, no child could come near without a dragonrider guardian present. But with Dan and Jacaerys both away, only a few dragonriders were left who could supervise...
"Oh, I see now! You just want me to get punished!" she growled, scooping Igon up in frustration. She wanted to give him a little squeeze, but couldn't bring herself to do it—so she just glared at him as he made a silly face.
"Don't you want to see it too, though?" Igon stuck out his tongue.
"Of course I do," Daenerys said through clenched teeth.
"See? That's the spirit, dummy sis!" Igon said gleefully. "Father won't really punish you since we're just messing around. Worth it!"
Daenerys squinted at her brother. "You know how to write now, don't you?"
"Yeah—no! No, I don't!" Igon cried in sudden panic. "I'm only five! What are you planning?! No, sis, don't—!"
With a cackling laugh, Daenerys marched out of the room carrying her wailing brother.
"Grandpa, save me!"
Draezell was lounging in the sunlight, eyes half-closed. He glanced sideways at his Granddaughter walking by with her shrieking brother in tow—and suddenly, he smiled.