Chapter 42: The Balerion Estate and the Unveiling of Fate
The sprawling Magister's Estate in Dilora, once a symbol of Myr's decadent rule, had been swiftly transformed by Maegor. Its opulent halls, once designed for soft living, now hummed with the stern efficiency of a growing military court. Maegor had renamed it the Balerion Estate, a declaration to all who entered that this was now a place of dragons and dominion, not pleasure. He found himself often looking out from the high windows, Balerion, now truly massive, often perched on a distant hill, a terrifying, living shadow over his newly conquered county.
After the whirlwind of conquest and the meticulous appointment of administrators, Maegor allowed himself a rare moment of respite. Settled in his lavish, yet starkly militarized, solar, he decided it was time to play the rewards from his conquest of Ergos County. He had the 5 Rare Game of Chance Cards and the anticipation of the Hero Class summon.
He brought forth the System interface, its glowing lights a familiar comfort in the quiet of his chamber. He touched the first Rare card.
[ Game of Chance Result: Common Item Acquired! ]
Reward: Dragon Growth Serum (Common)
Description: A single dose of a highly potent serum that accelerates a dragon's growth and strengthens its scales. Effective only on unhatched eggs or very young hatchlings.
Maegor's eyes fixed on the description. Dragon Growth Serum. A Common item, but its potential was immense, especially with Viserys's still-unhatched egg. This could be the catalyst.
He tapped the second Rare card.
[ Game of Chance Result: Common Unit Acquired! ]
Reward: Recruits (Mage - System Summoned) - Common
Unit Type: 1 Specialty Mage Skill Level: Apprentice Specialty: Elemental Control (Fire focus) Loyalty: Oathbound to Host
A mage. A singular mage. A Common reward, but a magic-user was always valuable, especially one with a fire focus. Another asset for his burgeoning kingdom. Maegor felt a subtle connection to the newly materialized figure, now somewhere within his growing domain, awaiting his command.
The third Rare card.
[ Game of Chance Result: Uncommon Creature Acquired! ]
Reward: Mythical Companion (Uncommon)
Description: A large, highly intelligent Gryphon, capable of aerial reconnaissance and minor combat. Bonded to Host.
A Gryphon! Maegor felt a thrill. Another loyal companion, a formidable aerial asset to complement Balerion. The Sky was becoming his domain, ruled by creatures of myth. He felt a similar bond form with this new creature as he had with Ghost, a silent acknowledgment of its loyalty.
The fourth Rare card.
[ Game of Chance Result: Common Item Acquired! ]
Reward: Shield (Common)
Description: A standard, wooden shield. Reliable for basic defense.
A common shield. Nothing special, but always useful for his growing guard.
The fifth and final Rare card.
[ Game of Chance Result: Common Item Acquired! ]
Reward: Dragon Egg (Common)
Description: A small, unremarkable dragon egg, similar to the one given to Viserys. Faint magical resonance.
Another common dragon egg. Maegor filed it away mentally, alongside the other petrified egg from the northern ruins. He had already assigned eggs to his cousins, but the proliferation of dragons was never a bad thing.
Now came the moment he truly anticipated: the Hero Class summon. The System indicated it would be a Rare Hero Class, a commander. He touched the gleaming icon.
[ Hero Class Summoned! ]
Rank: Rare Hero Class Name:Ser Gareth BlackwoodLand of Birth: Riverlands, Westeros (though long exiled in Essos) Skills:
Master Swordsman (Exceptional): Unrivaled skill with any blade, specializing in duels and leading from the front.Tactical Acumen (Advanced): Highly skilled in small-unit tactics, ambush, and defensive positioning.Martial Instructor (Expert): Exceptional ability to train and instill discipline in infantry and cavalry. Talents:Unwavering Loyalty: Once pledged, his loyalty is absolute and incorruptible.Inspiring Presence: Naturally inspires courage and discipline in common soldiers.Network (Minor - Essosi Mercenary Companies): Holds informal contacts among veteran sellswords and disillusioned knights across Essos. What he brings to Maegor: A battle-hardened, incorruptible commander for field operations or training, whose extensive experience in Essos makes him highly adaptable. His reputation among sellswords could aid recruitment.
Maegor felt a profound satisfaction. Ser Gareth Blackwood. A veteran Riverlander, a master swordsman, a tactical mind. This was a significant gain. He was exactly the kind of battle-hardened, pragmatic commander he needed, a balance to Barristan's more formal approach.
As Maegor absorbed the details of his new Hero, a sudden, sharp notification from the System flared in his vision.
[ System Notification: Dragonseed Household Detected! ]
Information: A Dragonseed household, descended from the legitimate line of Prince Duncan the Small (through his commoner wife), has been located in the County of Drasaho, within the Duchy of Qehes (south of Ergos).
Household Details:
Location: Drasaho County (inland, no coastline), a prosperous minor town in its own right.Head of Household:Ser Aegon Duskryn. The eldest son of Prince Duncan and his commoner wife, now in his late 50s. A man who carries himself with quiet dignity, known locally as a shrewd and respected landholder and manager of a successful local trade consortium. He keeps his true lineage a closely guarded secret, even from many within his own family, believing it to be a curse.Wife: Lady Elara Duskryn, a kind and practical woman, unaware of her husband's full lineage.Children:Alys Duskryn: Eldest child, early 30s. Sharp-witted and pragmatic, manages the family's financial affairs. Married to a local merchant, with two young children. She is subtly aware of her father's secret, having pieced together clues over the years.Rhaegar Duskryn: Second child, late 20s. A restless soul, skilled with a blade, but often found wandering the Free Cities as a sellsword. He possesses a volatile temper and a fierce sense of honor. He strongly suspects his true lineage due to his "dragon dreams" and his father's elusive answers.Maella Duskryn: Youngest child, late teens. Quiet, artistic, with a curious affinity for ancient languages and symbols. Unaware of her Targaryen blood.Doing for a Living: The Duskryn family maintains a comfortable, respected, but deliberately understated life through their successful trade consortium and landholdings. They avoid drawing undue attention, living as wealthy commoners rather than aspiring nobility.Other Information: They possess a small, private library containing ancient Essosi texts and a few Valyrian artifacts disguised as common decorative pieces, heirlooms passed down through generations. Ser Aegon sometimes experiences "dragon dreams" which he dismisses as mere nightmares.
Maegor's eyes glittered. The direct lineage of Prince Duncan the Small, confirmed by the System, and located so close! Ser Aegon Duskryn, a shrewd landholder, Rhaegar Duskryn, a restless sellsword with dragon dreams, Maella, with an affinity for ancient languages… these were valuable pieces. He already had Kaeto, another of Duncan's line. This was a family to be secured, integrated, cultivated.
Just as Maegor began to plot his next move regarding the Duskryns, a sudden commotion erupted outside his solar door. Voices, hurried footsteps. Then, Ser Kaeto burst in, his face etched with a mix of surprise and excitement.
"My King!" Kaeto exclaimed, "Forgive the intrusion, but this could not wait! There are people at Myrosh Castle, demanding audience! They introduce themselves… as the House Brightflame!"
Maegor froze. Brightflame. The wild, ambitious, and often maddened branch of his House, thought lost to time. And they had come to him. This was an unexpected, yet utterly vital, development. He had sent a raven, but had not truly expected them to appear so swiftly.
"They are here," Maegor murmured, a chilling smile spreading across his face. His decision was made instantly. Dilora could wait. The Dothraki could be managed by Commander Maenyx and Khal Drogo for a short time. This was more important. This was family. This was blood.
"Gather my horse!" Maegor commanded, rising from his chair, Blackfyre a dark, reassuring weight at his hip. Ghost, sensing his master's urgency, rose silently beside him. "Ser Kaeto, ride with me. We return to Myrosh Castle immediately! The Brightflames have arrived."