The moon hung low over Volantis, casting silver light across the marble floors of the Red Keep. Within the grand hall, a game of power was unfolding, far deadlier than any clash of swords.
Kaerys sat opposite Lord Vaelin, the shrewd merchant whose silver tongue had swayed many, now seated at her side as an uneasy ally.
"You understand what's at stake," Kaerys said softly, her fingers tracing the rim of a crystal goblet filled with deep red wine.
Vaelin's eyes flickered with calculation. "Dragon eggs, ancient secrets, and the fate of Valyria. I'm well aware. But the price you demand is steep."
Kaerys smiled — a slow, predatory curl of lips. "Steep is the price of survival. We'll need your fleets to cut off the heir's reinforcements."
Vaelin nodded, but his gaze lingered on the Flameheart Amulet gleaming at her throat. "And what of the dragonfire you command? Rumors spread fast."
She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Rumors can be powerful weapons, Lord Vaelin. But the truth… the truth is even more dangerous."
System Insight — Rising Flames
Her Arcain system thrummed within her, revealing new paths.
Level: 35 — Dragonlord of Shadows
Experience: +2700 (Secured key naval alliances, deepened political control)
New Skill Unlocked:Dragonfire Surge (Enhanced) — Unleashes a devastating wave of dragonfire, now with a wider radius and greater intensity.
Weapon Mastery: +12 Valyrian Longsword (Legendary Tier)
Inventory Update:
Dragon Egg Relic (Ancient artifact increasing dragon bond)
Shadow Cloak (Enhances stealth and magical resistance)
The Secret Pact
The night air was thick with tension as Kaerys and Vaelin sealed their pact with a blood oath, each dipping a finger into a ceremonial blade and letting the crimson drip onto an ancient scroll.
"Our fates are now intertwined," Kaerys declared. "Volantis will burn bright once more — with dragons at our command."
Vaelin nodded solemnly, though a flicker of doubt flashed in his eyes. "May the old gods have mercy on us all."
A Message from the East
Just as the pact was sealed, a messenger arrived, breathless and cloaked in shadow.
"The Eastern scouts have returned," he said urgently. "They've found a hidden enclave — a nest of dragon eggs, untouched by time or war."
Kaerys's heart quickened. "Prepare my dragon. We ride at dawn."
The game of shadows had taken a dangerous turn. The stakes were higher, the enemy closer, and the fires of destiny ready to ignite.
End of Chapter 60