The next morning, the mist still hung low.
Sunfyre launched straight up, kicking up a cloud of sand.
Dreamfyre ran two steps and lifted off, churning an even bigger storm of dust.
The two dragons flew toward King’s Landing, one behind the other.
Hugh and his wife boarded a ship flying the three-headed dragon banner.
The trip to Dragonstone had gone surprisingly well.
Aside from running into Cannibal on the way.
The three children and two dragons reached King’s Landing before the sun climbed high.
Dreamfyre returned to the Dragonpit.
Sunfyre coiled down on the hills.
Back at the Red Keep, Aegon hadn’t even sat down before Alicent burst in.
Seeing them all unharmed, she let out a breath, grabbed Aegon, and yanked his ear.
“You’ve really outdone yourself.
Taking your little brother to claim a dragon.
Not worried dragonfire would roast you both into suckling pigs on a platter?”
Alicent was furious and exhausted.
She missed the Aegon from before he turned five.
That Aegon had been so obedient.
Now he was as reckless as they came.
Taking a four-year-old Aemond to tame a dragon.
“Relax.
I never do anything I’m not sure of.
And we’re all safe, aren’t we?”
Alicent’s face darkened.
“Then explain the wounds on Dreamfyre’s belly.”
The night before, Viserys had received a raven from Dragonstone.
The letter not only mentioned Aemond’s attempt to claim a dragon.
It also described the gashes across Dreamfyre’s underside.
Not ordinary wounds.
Wounds left by a dragon as large as Dreamfyre herself.
“Dreamfyre scraped her belly on a rock.
Ask Helaena.” Aegon stared at her with wide, innocent eyes and shot Helaena a look.
Helaena pressed her lips together.
Then she decided to help Aegon lie.
“Mother, Dreamfyre hit a rock and scraped her belly.
Really.” Helaena kept her head down and spoke quietly.
Her lying was painfully obvious.
But it was enough for Aegon to keep denying everything.
Before he could say another word, Viserys slammed through the door.
“Damn it.
Where is Aegon?”
Aegon’s eyelid twitched.
He ducked behind Helaena immediately.
Long time no see.
You look stronger.
Handsomer.” Aegon forced a smile.
Viserys fixed a cold, thin smile on the boy hiding behind his sister.
“Long time no see?
You were gone two days.” His eyes widened slightly.
“Now.
Tell me about the wounds on Dreamfyre’s belly.”
“I already told you.
Ask Mother.” Aegon stretched his neck and shouted.
Alicent’s face went black.
“He says Dreamfyre scraped her belly on a rock.”
Viserys stared at Aegon with open menace.
“So you’re telling me Dreamfyre happened to find a rock shaped exactly like dragon claws.
And that rock happened to leave two parallel gashes across her belly.”
“Yes.
Ask Helaena.
Or if you don’t believe us, go ask Dreamfyre yourself.
If she can talk.”
Viserys’s face turned red, visibly red.
His body started to shake.
He felt like he was going to explode.
If he didn’t hang this little beast up and beat him today, he’d renounce the name Targaryen.
“Father, what’s wrong?
I know you’re thrilled to have a son as excellent as me.
Take a breath.
No need to get so excited.”
“Heh.” Viserys let out a cold laugh.
“Guards.
Seize the little prince.
Hang him up.”
Aegon looked at Helaena and gave a helpless smile.
“See?
He’s getting worked up again.”
Three days passed in a blink.
The sun was high, but Aegon was still flat on his stomach in bed.
His backside had been beaten raw.
“Why did you lie?
Do you think your father is an idiot?”
“He already knew.
Only Cannibal could leave wounds that vicious on Dreamfyre’s belly.”
“I thought if I stuck to my story, maybe I’d dodge the beating.” Aegon was still defiant.
“If you’d just confessed, he might have gone easier on you.
But no.
You had to keep running your mouth.”
“Tch.”
Aegon let out a dismissive scoff.
Alicent pressed harder in response.
Aegon sucked in a sharp breath.
“Are you trying to kill me?
Did Aemond decide he wants to be the eldest?
Did he buy you off?”
“Stop talking nonsense.
Your sister’s wedding is coming.
Heal up.”
“I know, I know.
When you leave, send Hugh to me.”
“Fine.
Rest.
And don’t do anything stupid.” Alicent kissed his forehead.
After she left, Hugh arrived at Aegon’s room quickly.
“You look impressive.
How’s the training going?”
Over the past few days, Aegon had ordered Alek to teach Hugh swordsmanship, lance work, and riding.
“Decent enough, I think.” Hugh wasn’t sure how to put it.
“That sounds promising.
I’m looking forward to seeing you when you’ve mastered it all.
A proper knight.”
Hugh was overjoyed at Aegon’s approval.
He was already hungry for the day he’d be knighted.
“Don’t worry, my prince.
I’ll become a proper knight.
I swear it.”
“Confidence is good.
Becoming a proper knight isn’t easy.”
“Combat skills are the simplest part.
There’s knowledge, etiquette.
All of it has to be learned.”
Aegon offered the reminder lightly.
“You can count on me, my prince.
I will never bring shame on you.”