Chapter 24: Why’s My Dragon So Small?

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  I wasn’t worried about Kinvara and Cersei's meeting at all, and as expected, she came out unharmed. The Queen was simply double-cheg if Kinvara wasn’t helping Stannis. By the end of their talk, she determined ‘Nyra’ was uo Westeros's numb, useless politics.

  I was gd they didn’t find her suspicious and hang her, but then again, I doubted they could, even if they wao. The woman was not the Mountain, but her powers surely surpassed them all for her to be walking this earth for however long she was.

  A feassed sihat i, and I hadn’t received any other ce of entering the Red Keep. I was not skilled enough to infiltrate it, plus I had no reason to take such a risk. Instead, I decided to foy dragon for a bit rather than the politics.

  The mansion’s atmosphere was tight. All the windows were drawn shut, the doors locked and sealed. If this had been the dead of night, maybe someoh ears sharp enough would hear it—the siing ch of bohe wet, visceral tearing of flesh.

  It would have sounded monstrous.

  Which... wasn’t far from the truth.

  A dragon was feasting, its teeth ripping through the bloody carcass of a freshly sughtered sheep.

  Viserion’s serpentine neck curled and uncurled as she g her meal, her scales glistening faintly even in the dim room. Her cws dug into the meat as if she were guarding it. It was hard to read a dragon’s expression, but with her eyes narrowed, half-lidded, that could only be satisfa.

  I stood beside her, my haing on the curve of her neck. I felt her muscles shiftih my palm, the deep vibrations of her growl as she ate.

  I ehat. This was my dragon; the more she ate, the stronger she would be. The stronger I would be. I wasn’t the only og Viserio. I gnced over at the Sand Snakes. Unlike me, they were watg from a distaanding just outside the circle of shadow thrown by the dim nterns.

  Nymeria’s eyes were wide, a flicker of revereched into her features. Tyeood beside her, a hand pressed over her mouth, suppressing a fasated and unnerving smile. Obara was the furthest back, her stance muarded, but there was no denying the awe. This creature was a legend made flesh, and it was growing bigger and fiercer each time they bore wito her feeding. The wonder never quite dimmed.

  Kinvara was busy doing some priestess bullshit iy, so it was just us here.

  Viserion was getting rger. It was growing evident with each passing week. Soon, it would be impossible to keep this girl fined in this old, small mansion's shadows. We got it for free, after all, so it was barely livable. The room was too small. She was too big.

  And more than that, she o grow uhe open sky, uhe sun and the moon, in the wild, where she could hunt and soar without restraint. This was no pce for a dragon.

  “You’ve seen her eat a dozen times now,” I said to the girls, my voice breaking the sile startled them, and Nymeria bliearing her eyes away from the dragon. “I’d think by now you’d be used to it.”

  Nymeria gave a sheepish grin, shrugging a shoulder. “It’s still... something,” she replied, shrugging. “Listen, you won't uand since you own her.”

  “Oh, yeah,” I shrugged.

  Tyene nodded quickly, her eyes flig back to Viserion, who tinued her feast without a care. “She’s getting so big,” she whispered. “Soon, she won’t fit here. Any pns for when that happens?”

  “Yes. I was thinking the same, actually,” I said, my tohoughtful, my gaze moving to the dragon’s form. “But in truth, she's growing very slowly for my taste. I'm worried.”

  “Really?” The girls raised their eyebrows.

  It’d been a bit more than three months since she hatched, but she was only the size of a horse. I couldn’t be sure if her growth speed was greater than my sister’s dragons, but I didn’t feel she was that rger. What was the Dragon System doing? Well, it certainly did affect her. She was a bit different from the dragons of this world; she had four limbs and two wings, uhose of this world, which were basically wyverns. I presumed just that difference made her strohaher dragons of her age, but I still wanted her to grow bigger.

  I was hoping she’d shadow over King’s Landing in a year. But at this rate…

  I sighed. I knew from the beginning that if Viserion stayed cooped up in this mansion, her growth would be stunted. Was that the only reason for her slrowth? Dragons weren’t meant to be fed in cages.

  They were meant to hunt, to kill, to feel the thrill of the chase. I remembered Tyrion’s words when he was quoting the Maesters—how he thought Dany’s dragons in Meereen didn’t grow because they were kept fined. A dragon’s true nature could only be realized in freedom.

  I looked back at the Sand Snakes, and a moment ter, an idea found me. “I think I’ll be taking her out,” I said, my tone casual. “Been a while since she flew around.”

  The girls g each other, then back at me. Obara was the first to speak, her voice gruff. “Out? Out where?”

  “The Kingswood,” I said simply. She o hunt real prey—something more challenging than a dead sheep. Plus, I also o hunt.” I had to level up a Spearmanship to a higher grade.

  My skin was slightly tougher than normal, but I was not invincible. An arrow could still pierce me where Elria’s thrown knife hadn’t. I couldn't let myself be delusional about my powers. Not yet.

  Tyene opened her mouth, her expression one of immediate obje, but I held up a hand. “No,” I said firmly. “I know what you’re thinking. But none of you is ing.”

  Nymeria frowned, stepping forward, her eyes narrowing. “Why not?” she demanded. “I wanna see—”

  “If someone sees me, I hide,” I interrupted, my gaze steady. “If someone sees Viserion, I make her disappear.”

  “Yes, so what’s the issue?”

  “The more people involved, the harder it bees to cover our tracks,” I said, looking at each of them in turn. “Plus, no point in risking you all unnecessarily.”

  There was a beat of silehe Sand Snakes gng between each other. Obara’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t argue. Tyene sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly, her disappoi evident, but she nodded.

  Nymeria, however, still looked unvinced. “You’re sure?” she asked, her voice quiet, her eyes searg mine.

  I smiled faintly, my hand brushing against Viserion’s scales. “I’m sure. I hahis. Besides,” I added, my tourning lighter, “it’s not as if I’ll be alone.” I g the dragon, her jaws closing around the st of her meal, her golden eyes blinking zily at them. “I’ve got her, haven’t I?”

  I had a o protect me.

  Nymeria’s gaze softened, and she sighed, giving a small nod. “Fine. But you be careful,” she said, her tone carrying a hint of warning. “And e back fast. Don’t make us have to e looking for you.”

  I chuckled, pushing myself away from the wall, my haing against Viserion’s side. “I wouldn’t dream of it,” I said, giving them a nod before turning my attention back to the dragon. I ran a hand down her gold scales. “Alright, girl. Let’s get you out of here.”

  ****

  I met Kinvara iy a her know about my decision. She had no obje. But we were too busy to chat ih, as she reoccupied with talking with the poor. Queen Cersei wished her good luck at the end of their talk, saying that since she wasn’t friends with Stannis, she wanted Priestess ‘Nyra’ to speime helping the poor.

  It was more of a test to see her be busy doing work rather than spying around or something. So for now, she’d have to focus on this. By the time of Renly’s death, I expected her tain her freedom.

  Then, I dropped by Littlefinger's Brothel.

  The brothel was buzzing with daytime energy. It was noisy and lively, with girls lounging around, ughing, and sharing idle gossip.

  Heavy perfumes mingled with the smell of aged wood and alcohol. It was a different kind of atmosphere from the evenings, less desperate and more rexed. As I ehe ughter and chatter of the brothel whores softened, and eyes turo me, some curious, some amused.

  A young girl, the same blonde who’d questioned my wealth before, caught my eye, her lips curving into a teasing smile. She put her hands on her hips, her voice lilting with amusement as she spoke. “My, it’s Ros’ prince charming. Should I call her for you?”

  I ughed, a genuine chuckle esg my lips. “Yes, please, I have something to tell her,” I replied, watg as she scurried off to fetch her.

  It didn’t take long. Soon enough, Ros stepped out into the main room, her eyes finding me easily, her lips curving into a smug smile as she crossed her arms. Her auburn hair framed her face, her presenanding without even trying.

  “I thought you agreed not to visit me anytime soon?” she called out, her tone pyful, yet her eyes betrayed a glimmer of warmth. “So impatient, are we?”

  She was cute, I had to admit that. “Not impatient,” I said, moving closer until we were just a few steps apart. “I’m heading out of King’s Landing for some work, so I thought I’d drop by. Just in case you worried when I didn’t show up.”

  Her smile faded just slightly, her brows knitting as she uncrossed her arms. “Ah,” she blinked. “Going out? What for?”

  “Just some work,” I said casually, dismissing the worry in her eyes.

  Ros frowned, her lips pressing together for a moment, her eyes searg mine. “Is it a sellsword mission?” she asked quietly, a hint of breaking through her usual mask. “Will you… will you be alright?”

  I couldn’t help the amused scoff that left me. “I’ll be fine, girl,” I said, giving her a reassuring smile. “You’ve no idea how strong I am.”

  “Robert Baratheon was strong,” came a voice from behind that made the room go still. The ughter faded, and every girl nearby straightened, eyes shifting towards the source.

  Lord Petyr Baelish stepped into view, his expression one of practiced ease, a smile pying at his lips—a smile that never quite reached his eyes. “A, he died to a boar,” he tinued, his tone light, casual. “So, it never hurts to be careful, my friend.”

  “Lord Baelish,” Ros said quickly, bowing her head. Her tone was respectful, though I could see the tension in her shoulders. I simply returned his gaze with a small smile, my head tilting slightly in aowledgment.

  Baelish’s eyes flicked over me, his smile widening just a touch. “I am happy. A member of the Sed Sons,” he said, his voice almost admiring. “How fortuhat you took a liking to one of my girls.” He g Ros. “I do hope you treat her well. I haven’t seen her so eted since she joined us. She’s also quite productive tely. A remarkable ge.”

  I kept my smile, nodding. “I’m gd to hear that,” I said, my voice pleasant. “I hadn’t expected to e across such a fine girl, either. Your establishmeainly lives up to its reputation, my lord.”

  He ughed. It was a soft, smooth sound that somehow felt sharp, like the edge of a bde. “Indeed,” he said, his eyes still on me. “Please give my regards to the Red Priestess, Mister… Vis,” he said. “And do be careful, wherever you’re headed. I’d hate for Ros to be saddened by any unfortunate news of your demise.”

  With that, he gave a slight bow, then turned, his footsteps fading as he moved away, leaving the room quieter than before. I scoffed under my breath.

  I watched his back, my smile fading into something more thoughtful. Ros stood beside me, her expression guarded. Her eyes followed Baelish until he disappeared from view.

  “Your superior’s something,” I muttered very low so that only she could hear, turning back to her. “Instead of sounding genuinely worried, it was almost as if he’d prefer me dead. What a man.”

  Ros opened her mouth aated as her lips pressed into a tight smile. Then she nodded, whispering, “Yeah… I didn’t like how he worded it either. Why did he have to mention Robert Baratheon like that? Ugh…” She scowled, shaking her head. I held back a smile. Good, she trusted me enough to reveal her true opinion about the man. “But yes, do be careful. When I expect to see you again?”

  “A week, I’d say,” I replied, my tone light, teasing. “If I’m te, then assume I’m dead for real.”

  She scowled again, gring at me, her eyes narrowing. “Don’t joke about that,” she snapped, but her voice had no real anger—just worry. Pirl was in love.

  I was starting to feel a little bad now for pying with her feelings. But promise, if she agreed to work for me after I’d reveal my true allegiance, she’d be happier than the happiest whore in the world. She’d bee a big shot in this world.

  I ughed, reag out to brush her hair back from her face. “Sorry,” I said softly. “I’m really tougher than I look. I’ll prove it to you one day. On the night of our dinner date?” I added, winking at her.

  She giggled, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. “I’ll be waiting,” she said, her voice softening, her eyes meeting mine.

  There was a flicker of something in her gaze—something that made her hesitate before she leaned forward, pressing her lips to mine in a brief, tender kiss.

  The girls around us gasped dramatically as I retur, my haing on her waist for a moment before I pulled back, giving her o smile before I turned away, making my way out of the brothel.

  It'd been weeks since she stopped seeing ers, so I didn't hate kissing her. Ah, pirl, I thought, feeling the sweetness of her lips. If only she khat she was being used.

  But hey, she couldn't hate me for it. I was saving her from the iable death she’d face to Joffrey. Just… she’d have to bey information broker. I hoped she’d not make a foolish choice wheime came.

  Ros followed me to the door, watg as I mounted my horse. Her eyes never left me as I rode away. The city stretched out before me, and soon, I found myself in Kingswood.

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