High on the Dragonmont, in the Cannibal's cave, Rhaegar placed the Heart of the Fire Dragon Nest deep within the lair.
The Purple Dragon Nest heated up slowly, the red gems at its base shining dazzlingly as they continuously absorbed heat.
The extreme temperature made the air look illusory and ethereal.
Rhaegar could endure high heat and flames, but his time was limited; burning day and night was impossible. Humans are not silicon-based lifeforms, and magic power is ultimately finite.
Just like the day the dragons hatched, Rhaegar carried too much of the Dragonmont's fire and heat, making it almost unbearable for others.
However, with his fire resistance, he would be invincible in dragon battles and aerial combat; this was a great asset against enemies.
Rhaegar opened his palm, and clusters of colorful sparks lit up instantly—black, blue, and gold interweaving like a dazzling beacon. The little dragons immediately pounced toward him.
Magic was returning, and they would become stronger. Rhaegar possessed the Blood of Fire, and the Dragon Pact would further strengthen it.
According to records passed down by House Targaryen, a bond existed between man and dragon; being close to one's dragon made the rider stronger.
Rhaegar alone, connected to three dragons through the Chain of Blood and Fire, was destined for greatness.
These little dragons were always hungry and loved high temperatures and warm environments. When they found the center of the Fire Dragon Nest had lost its heat, they would roar angrily, as if starving.
The only thing inside the Dragonlord Ring that tempted them was the Fire Heart Nest. Once they found the fire extinguished, they refused to stay in the sealed space.
Living creatures symbolize instability. If the dragons grew larger, Rhaegar truly worried they might tear apart the magic ring and burn those precious books.
Although a dragon's body consists largely of neck, tail, and wings, making them lighter than they look, they were extremely gluttonous and even more aggressive.
Rhaegar rarely imprisoned them; most of the time, he let them roam in the Cannibal's cave. Only as a last resort would he restrict their movement.
"I need to find a proper lair for my dragons," Rhaegar thought.
The Dragonpit in King's Landing had collapsed a century ago and was no longer suitable for dragons to soar. Rhaegar needed to devise a better restoration plan, perhaps rebuilding it as a high tower.
Currently, no one understands dragon rearing better than I do.
Rhaegar looked at the envelope in his hand, thinking of the Red Salmon—Myles Mooton of Maidenpool in the Riverlands—and the Griffin, Jon Connington from the Stormlands.
And the Sword of the Morning, Arthur Dayne. These three were Rhaegar's closest friends, capable assistants, confidants, and partners.
They saw Rhaegar as a bright star illuminating the night sky, willing to die for him.
Friendship between men ultimately turns into steel, swords, blood, and fire.
They were all heroes and warriors. Hearing these names, a trace of sadness still welled up in Rhaegar's heart. My brothers never failed me, yet I hurt others. They will all die for me in the future.
However, Rhaegar didn't want to get too close to Jon Connington just yet; his... predilections were somewhat daunting. Furthermore, there was the second son of House Corbray, a pedophile, equally chilling. Jon Connington should be dispersed into the main army first.
Rhaegar looked at the list provided by King Jaehaerys. It contained many names of lords' children, but few from the Great Houses.
Rhaegar believed this was due to the times: the Lion's brood was closest to the Dragons but too young; the Rose's heir was too old; the heirs of the Falcon and the Fish were mere infants; the Wolves rarely came to King's Landing; and the Spear's twins were rarely separated. However, the most suitable squire should have been the Stag, Robert, but perhaps he and Rhaegar were naturally incompatible.
The three small dragons flapped their wings in the Cannibal's cave. Rhaegar had spread a thick carpet on the ground for them. The dragons loved this cave; it was spacious, comfortable, and the temperature was perfect.
The dragons flew into the air, then landed slowly. Upon landing, they let out angry roars.
They loved to circle and soar in the cave, spiraling upward round after round, as if riding a whirlwind. They competed with each other, fighting for the best spot in the nest or to be closest to Rhaegar.
Dragons grow almost ceaselessly. They soar in the sky until their fire of life slowly fades, spending their final days in drowsy confusion, no longer yearning for the heavens.
Rhaegar's dragons were always hungry. All three were strengthened by the Heart of Fire, making their size and growth rate abnormally rapid. Dragons would eventually rise again to shock the world.
The Silver Emperor was the hungriest, largest, and most combative. He was tall, strong, fierce, and arrogant. He watched Rhaegar with eyes like molten gold, man and dragon tightly bound by the pact. His silver scales shone with brilliant light, magnificent and blinding. Golden horns and golden wing membranes contrasted with his silver body; he was born to conquer.
Rhaegar could feel the Silver Emperor's joy or anger. Being full and flying freely made him happy; having the other dragons submit to him made him equally pleased.
Belaerys had beautiful purple scales and purple eyes. Rhaegar thought its scales looked like amethyst; Belaerys appeared very unreal. Its horns, wing bones, and spinal crest were deep gold, like shining metal. Belaerys was beautiful and noble but also very short-tempered. It wanted to challenge the Silver Emperor but lost every time.
Balerion seemed like the reincarnation of the Black Dread. He was equally irritable and aggressive, but unfortunately, the dragons he met were all powerful, and his companions were just as violent. Balerion felt incredibly angry about losing the alpha position. His jet-black scales and purgatory-like red eyes made him look majestic. Balerion would bite his companions but could never gain the upper hand.
Rhaegar felt their roaring and wrestling might hurt them, but in reality, they looked more like they were stretching their muscles.
These were the three most powerful dragons in the world today. If raised well, their achievements would surely surpass the three dragons that forged the dynasty.
A dragon's life was simple: eat meat, fly, play, and fight each other. When tired, they flew back to the nest, drowsy and ready to sleep.
Rhaegar walked slowly out of the cave. Barristan, Sessa, and the others were waiting at the entrance.
"Your Grace, the wind is fair, and the men are ready. We can return to King's Landing now." Ser Laris and the others were waiting at the entrance.
The sycophant Laris possessed Velaryon blood and was skilled in sailing.
Rhaegar nodded, ready to leave the Dragonmont.
Rhaegar had swept the Dragonmont and Dragonstone multiple times with the dragons. He truly hadn't found a single egg, and even dragonbone was hard to find.
There were three missions on Dragonstone: hatch dragons, find eggs, and recruit men.
The first and third missions were successfully completed.
Although Dragonstone was barren and poor, it was the birthplace of the Targaryen dynasty. The islanders were extremely loyal to House Targaryen. Rhaegar recruited a hundred guards from Dragonstone and Driftmark, incorporating them into the Eagle Guard.
Currently, Dragonstone lacked egg and bone resources. But it would continue to serve as a hatching base later.
The fleet left Dragonstone and began sailing toward King's Landing.
Rhaegar's gaze fell on the bustling city. The greatest characteristic of King's Landing was still its disorderly expansion, making the urban planning appear chaotic.
But under the protection of the monarchy, King's Landing thrived. Mansions, pavilions, granaries, brick warehouses, timber inns, market stalls, taverns, graveyards, and brothels stood row upon row. Ships sailed in endlessly; commerce was booming.
But the most striking structures in King's Landing were three buildings: the Red Keep, the Great Sept of Baelor, and the Dragonpit, symbolizing monarchy, military power, and faith respectively. Rhaegar heard Braavos had twenty such grand buildings and wanted to see them with his own eyes.
Rhaegar even saw the ruins of the Dragonpit on the hill, its dome collapsed, desolate and dilapidated.
Rhaegar knew the Dragonpit had long been reduced to ruins, abandoned for ages. It was full of charred rubble, the remains of the massive dome, and bronze doors sealed for a century.
Rhaegar couldn't give up on the Dragonpit's land. "I must reopen the Dragonpit. The interior can hold twenty knights standing abreast; it must not be wasted."
Rhaegar wouldn't use the Dragonpit to raise dragons, but to station his army inside.
The Dragonpit was a suitable natural barracks, convenient for mobilizing an army, and a strategic reserve against internal and external enemies.
The residents of Flea Bottom in King's Landing were fickle, cunning, and sometimes ignorant and violent. They had to be suppressed when necessary.
Rhaegar knew well the shocking combat power of King's Landing's mob. It was they who stormed the Dragonpit and killed several dragons, even if most were hatchlings.