From Storms to Thrones (Part 1)

We rode back under the cover of night, the stars and moon so bright that they painted the world in silver. Syrax was clearly visible ahead, her yellow scales catching the moonlight like polished armor, shimmering with each powerful beat of her wings. But the Cannibal, seemed to meld seamlessly into the darkness. I felt like I was riding a black shadow, an invisible force cutting through the night, as if he were the embodiment of the void itself.

The chill of the night air nipped at my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the sunset we had just witnessed. I shivered, pulling my cloak tighter around me, the cold sinking deep into my bones. My thoughts drifted to Dragonstone, imagining the flickering torches that would soon be visible, their warm glow a beacon in the distance. I could almost feel the heat of the fireplaces, the way it would seep into my skin, thawing the cold that had settled in.

Just as I began to lose myself in that comforting thought, the sky opened up without warning. A sudden downpour, heavy and relentless, drenched us both in an instant. The rain was cold, sharp, and unforgiving, drumming against my skin and soaking through my clothes. It was as if the heavens themselves had decided to test us, to see if we could endure yet another trial.

I hunched lower against the Cannibal's neck, feeling the water run down my face, my hair plastered to my scalp. The rain was so intense that it was difficult to see anything beyond the immediate. The torches of Dragonstone, once a comforting thought, were now lost in the haze of the storm, making our approach feel more treacherous. The Cannibal, surged forward with the same unyielding strength, his massive wings cutting through the rain with ease.

Ahead, I could just make out the shape of Syrax, her form still shimmering in the darkness despite the rain. Rhaenyra sat tall in her saddle, undeterred by the storm. Her presence was a steadying force, grounding me even as the world around us seemed to crumble beneath the weight of the rain.

We finally reached Dragonstone, the looming silhouette of the Dragonpit coming into view as the storm continued to rage around us. The pit, usually a dark and foreboding place, was now illuminated by flashes of lightning that revealed its massive stone archways. The torches sputtered in the rain, their flames struggling to stay alive against the relentless downpour.

Rhaenyra guided Syrax with a grace that seemed almost effortless, descending with ease despite the slick, wet stone beneath her feet. She murmured something in High Valyrian, her voice steady and commanding. The sound was carried away by the wind, but I could see Syrax responding immediately, lowering her head and obediently entering the Dragonpit. The great yellow dragon moved into the darkness of the pit with a reverence that spoke to the deep bond she shared with her rider.

Rhaenyra turned her attention to me, striding through the rain with an unshakable presence. She came to stand beside the Cannibal, who shifted his massive head to acknowledge her. The intensity of his gaze was unnerving, but Rhaenyra seemed unfazed. She spoke to him in that same ancient tongue, her words lost to the storm. I could only watch as she reached out and touched a hand to his snout, the gesture intimate and fearless.

After a moment, she moved to the Cannibal's side, looking up at me with a patient expression. I unbuckled my harness, the cold metal slippery beneath my fingers, and began my descent. The water made everything treacherous, each foothold uncertain. I was nearly to the bottom when my foot slipped, the slick surface betraying me. The world seemed to slow as I felt myself falling, the ground rushing up to meet me.

But before I could hit the ground, strong arms wrapped around me, breaking my fall. The impact was jarring, and we tumbled backward, the world spinning as I landed directly on top of Rhaenyra.

She let out a soft "oomph" as the breath was knocked out of her.

For a moment, everything was still—the only sound the relentless patter of rain against the stone. I was acutely aware of Rhaenyra beneath me, her body warm against mine despite the cold rain. Her face was just inches from mine, her expression one of surprise mixed with amusement.