Chapter 6 – A Prince Who Moves in Shadows
Rumors were powerful things in castles.
They moved faster than ravens, slipping through kitchens, guard posts, and corridors like wind through cracks in stone.
Within a few weeks, nearly everyone in Dragonstone had heard about the Ghost Prince.
Some said a spirit haunted the rooftops.
Others believed a dragonlord from ancient Valyria had returned.
A few guards swore they had seen glowing eyes staring down from the towers.
None of them suspected the truth.
That the ghost was simply a young boy with silver hair and far too many memories.
Aeryn Targaryen listened to the rumors with quiet amusement.
But one person did not treat them as a joke.
The Rogue Prince.
Daemon Targaryen.
The First Test
Aeryn knew something had changed the moment he stepped into the training yard that morning.
Soldiers filled the courtyard, sparring with swords and spears under the supervision of castle knights.
The sound of clashing steel echoed across the stone walls.
Aeryn stood quietly near the edge of the yard, watching.
Observation first.
Always observation.
He studied the fighters carefully.
Footwork.
Timing.
Balance.
These knights fought with strength and armor.
Very different from the stealth and speed Edward Kenway had relied on.
Still, there was much to learn.
"You watch like a hawk."
The voice came from behind him.
Aeryn turned.
Standing there with a slight smirk was Daemon.
His silver hair caught the sunlight, and the famous sword Dark Sister rested at his side.
"You're studying them," Daemon continued.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Aeryn shrugged slightly.
"Learning."
Daemon chuckled.
"You're honest, at least."
Then he nodded toward the training fighters.
"Tell me something."
"What?"
"Who wins?"
Aeryn watched the sparring pair for a moment.
One knight was larger.
Stronger.
But slower.
The other moved more carefully.
Better balance.
Better timing.
"The smaller one," Aeryn said.
Daemon raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"He controls the distance."
Daemon smiled slowly.
"You're correct."
A moment later the smaller knight knocked his opponent to the ground.
Daemon laughed.
"Well done."
Then he looked back at Aeryn.
"Let's see how well you understand fighting."
An Unfair Match
Daemon waved toward the training fighters.
"Ser Willem!"
One of the knights stepped forward.
A large man in armor with a thick beard.
"Yes, my prince?"
Daemon gestured toward Aeryn.
"Fight him."
The knight blinked.
"…him?"
Rhaenyra, who had been watching from the steps nearby, immediately stood up.
"Uncle, he's seven!"
Daemon waved dismissively.
"I didn't say kill him."
He looked back at Aeryn.
"Well?"
Aeryn felt every eye in the yard turn toward him.
Knights.
Guards.
Servants.
They all stared.
This was dangerous.
If he showed too much skill, people would ask questions.
But refusing a challenge from Daemon would also look strange.
He stepped forward slowly.
Ser Willem knelt slightly so they were closer in height.
"This is a bad idea, my prince."
Daemon leaned against a wall, clearly entertained.
"Relax."
He tossed a wooden training dagger toward Aeryn.
"Let's see what the ghost can do."
Aeryn caught it easily.
The knight grabbed a wooden sword.
The difference in size was ridiculous.
The man towered over him.
The courtyard grew quiet.
"Ready?" Daemon asked.
Aeryn nodded.
Ser Willem sighed.
"Very well."
Assassin Instincts
The knight attacked first.
A slow, careful swing of the training sword.
He clearly didn't want to hurt the prince.
Aeryn sidestepped easily.
Another swing.
Again Aeryn moved out of the way.
His movements were light.
Almost effortless.
The watching soldiers began murmuring.
"Fast little prince…"
"Did you see that step?"
Ser Willem frowned slightly now.
He attacked again, faster this time.
Aeryn ducked under the strike and stepped behind him.
Edward Kenway's instincts guided him.
Stay close.
Stay unpredictable.
Never meet strength head-on.
The knight turned, surprised.
Aeryn tapped the wooden dagger against his side.
A clear strike.
The courtyard erupted with laughter.
Ser Willem blinked.
"…did he just hit me?"
Daemon grinned widely.
"Continue."
Now the knight took it seriously.
He attacked properly this time.
Faster.
Stronger.
But Aeryn moved like a shadow.
Step.
Dodge.
Turn.
Each movement flowed naturally.
Within seconds he slipped past the knight's guard again and pressed the dagger to his chest.
The fight was over.
Silence filled the yard.
Then the murmuring began.
"How did he do that?"
"He's just a child…"
Daemon started laughing.
"Marvelous!"
He pushed himself off the wall and walked closer.
Ser Willem scratched his beard awkwardly.
"Well… that happened."
Daemon crouched slightly in front of Aeryn.
"You didn't hesitate."
"No."
"You didn't panic."
"No."
"And you avoided every strike."
Aeryn shrugged.
"Seemed easier than getting hit."
Daemon laughed again.
"You're going to be trouble."
The Prince in the Shadows
Later that evening, Aeryn returned to the castle rooftops.
The wind carried the sound of the sea across the island.
Far below, lights flickered in Dragonstone's windows.
Somewhere in the castle, servants were probably still talking about the fight.
The prince who defeated a knight.
The Ghost Prince.
Aeryn stood on the edge of a tower looking out toward the distant mountain of the island.
The Dragonmont.
Even from here he could hear faint roars echoing from the volcanic slopes.
Dragons.
Powerful creatures that ruled the skies of Westeros.
One day he would ride one.
But for now…
He was still just a boy learning how to survive.
Footsteps sounded behind him.
Rhaenyra stepped onto the roof again.
"You embarrassed that knight."
"I didn't mean to."
She laughed.
"You absolutely did."
She leaned beside him on the wall.
"You're getting famous."
"For the wrong reasons."
"The Ghost Prince."
Aeryn sighed.
"That name again."
Rhaenyra grinned.
"You should accept it."
He looked toward the dark sky.
Maybe she was right.
If people believed he was a ghost…
They might never realize what he truly was.
An assassin reborn in the bloodline of dragons.
And somewhere in the castle…
Daemon Targaryen watched the rooftops with growing interest.
The Rogue Prince had found a new mystery.
A boy who moved like a shadow.
A prince who fought like a killer.
And Daemon suspected something important.
This child would not grow into an ordinary man.