Ice and Fire: Reign of the Dragon.

Chapter 434 I will guard this place for you.

The dome of the dragon's lair cast mottled shadows in the midday sun, and the air was filled with the smell of sulfur and coke. Garin stood at the junction of shadow and light, looking up at the purple-gold behemoth. Garethos was perched on a high platform made of earth and stones, and his heavy breath raised waves of heat.

"Are you sure you want to tame it?" Maekar's voice echoed in the empty dragon cave. The hot-tempered prince rarely maintained patience today, his calloused hands pressed on the hilt of the sword, "It's not too late to regret now."

Garin's black hair was stuck to his forehead by sweat. He shook his head vigorously: "Father can tame a dragon, so can I. I cannot betray you and your majesty, the late king's trust."

Maekar smiled bitterly, "Then don't embarrass us." He turned to the sheep thief. The peat-colored old dragon was lazily lying in the corner, but his vertical pupils were always fixed on Galesos, "Old man, keep an eye on that kid."

Garin took a deep breath and stepped into the sunlit area. Garethos immediately raised his head, and his purple-gold scales shone with metallic luster under the light. The boy slowly approached according to Maika's instructions, holding a whip in his left hand and a whole roasted lamb just brought from the kitchen in his right hand.

"Quiet. Quiet," Garin soothed softly, throwing the roasted lamb in front of the dragon. Garethos sniffed it, and suddenly blew out a breath mixed with sparks, and the roasted lamb instantly turned into charcoal.

Maekar cursed from behind, but Garin did not flinch. He continued forward, this time reaching out to touch the dragon's neck. Garethos let out a low roar, but did not attack, which was a good sign.

"Saddle up! Now!" Maekar yelled.

Garin climbed onto the dragon's back swiftly, but made a fatal mistake when fastening the saddle strap. His fingers trembled with nervousness, and the belt was only half fastened. Garethos suddenly flew up, and his huge wings raised a strong wind, shaking the entire dragon's lair.

"Hold on!" Meka's warning was drowned out by the dragon's roar.

Garethos soared into the air at an astonishing speed, and Garin's body was thrown into the air like a rag doll. When he was about to hit the dome, the boy instinctively curled up, but still hit the stone wall heavily, and then slid down the curved wall, smashing into the earth and rocks and creating a cloud of dust.

Maekar's reaction was amazingly fast. The moment Maekar jumped onto the dragon's back, the sheep thief flew into the air. The peat-colored old dragon showed agility that was not in line with his age and bit Gelesos' tail.

"Control it!" Meka's roar was filled with blood, "Burn this beast into ashes!"

An orange-red light lit up deep in the sheep thief's throat, and the dragon flame was about to burst out. At this critical moment, a faint voice came from the pile of earth and rocks:
"No Meka"

Garin struggled to hold up his upper body, blood gushing out from the corners of his mouth, nostrils and ear canals. His left arm was twisted at a strange angle, but his violet eyes were still bright: "It's my fault."

Maekar froze in place, the flame of the sheep thief extinguished in his throat. Galesos took the opportunity to break free, huddled in the corner of the dragon's lair and wailed.

When Meka picked up the black-haired bastard, he found that at least three of the boy's ribs were broken. Garin struggled and grabbed his collar: "Let me. Try again."

"Are you fucking crazy?" Meka's voice trembled. "You almost—"

"Dragons don't like cowards." Garin coughed up blood but showed a stubborn smile, "And don't take your anger out on it."

That night, King Regal I summoned Maekar to the small council chamber. The king's fingers tapped on the armrests of the throne, making a dull sound.

"How's Galen?"

"At least seven or eight bones in my body were broken, and a rib almost pierced my lung. I won't die." Meka took a big gulp of wine, "but I can't get out of bed for at least three months."

Reg was silent for a moment: "Where's Galesos?"

"It's locked in the deepest part of the dragon's lair." Maekar's eyes turned dangerous. "But I suggest not to kill it. The first thing the kid will ask when he wakes up is how the dragon is."

The king looked at Meka as if he was a fool. Meka scratched his head and was stunned for a moment before he reacted. He lowered his head embarrassedly.

Every Targaryen dragon is valuable. Garethos is especially valuable.

"Impulsiveness is the devil. You should change your temper, Maekar. Otherwise, I really don't feel comfortable with Aegon in your hands." He stood up and walked to the window, looking in the direction of the dragon's lair. "When he can walk again, let him try again."

Meka looked up sharply: "Are you serious?"

"Seriously, the Targaryens need dragon riders, more dragon riders." A strange light flashed in Reg's eyes. "Dragons don't like cowards. This is a good saying. Garin is right."

Deep in the dragon's lair, Galesos moved restlessly. Its scales were still stained with Galin's blood, and the dragon's eyes shone in the darkness, as if waiting for the return of the black-haired boy.

The waves of the Blackwater River glowed bloody in the sunset, and Othrys's mount, Reyers, stopped in front of the ferry. Jonniel and Luthrys followed closely on their dragons, while Sundrink and Moondance circled low in the sky, and the shadows of the dragons swept across the river, startling a flock of water birds.

"Just send it here." Oseris turned around and said in an unquestionable tone, "You should return to Dragon's Nest City."

Luthris begged, "Let us go with you into the city, Othris. We promise not to cause any trouble."

Jonniel also came up and pretended to be serious and added: "Yes, we can also help you keep an eye on King's Landing to see if those guys are doing anything behind the scenes."

Osiris narrowed his eyes and tapped his fingers lightly on the dragon saddle: "Igor asked me to send you to the Blackwater River, not the gate of King's Landing."

"Can--"

"No buts." Othrys interrupted Jonil, his voice cold, "This is not a tourney, nor a hunt. King's Landing is a sick city that has just recovered from the plague. It does not need two over-energetic dragon riders to cause more trouble."

Lusiris wanted to argue, but Jonniel pulled his sleeve and shook his head. They knew Osiris' temper too well. This unremarkable Vareses was usually calm and steady, but once he made a decision, even Igor might not be able to change his mind.

"Okay." Lusiris curled his lips and turned the faucet, "But if the girls in the bar in King's Landing ask about us, remember to say that we didn't go because we had something important to do."

Osiris sneered and watched the two reluctantly fly back in the direction they came from. The shadows of Sun-Drinking and Moon-Dancing dragons soon disappeared into the twilight.

The streets of King's Landing still smelled of herbs and ashes. As Othrys flew over the city walls, the gold-cloaked guards saluted, recognizing the green dragon of Vareses.

In the dragon's lair, Ringol was lying beside the fireplace. The old man's silver hair was thinner than the last time they met, and his face was haggard, but his purple eyes were still as sharp as a knife.

"Your Highness." Osiris knelt on one knee.

Lingol raised his hand slightly: "Get up, child." His voice was hoarse, but still carried unquestionable majesty, "Igor sent you to replace me?"

"Yes." Osiris straightened up, "Uncle."

Lingol nodded: "Igor will still satisfy this old father of mine."

"I'll guard this place for you."

The old man finally smiled tiredly: "You are much calmer than your father and when you were a child. Jacaerys didn't have this kind of patience back then."

"I brought news from outside King's Landing, uncle." Otherys lowered his voice, "There are many bandits in the crown territory and the Stormlands. Prince Aegon and Princess Daenerys are in danger because of them, but the nobles of the crown territory and the Stormlands do not have much energy to deal with them."

Lingol nodded: "You guys handle it."

(End of this chapter)