We Bleed Silver(GOT/ASOIAF Fanfic)

The Vaelarys family's dragon taming is not a one-time event. According to the rules set by Draezell, the friendly exchange between Rhaegon and the Golden King is merely a preparation for his official dragon taming. After establishing this exchange with the Golden King, Rhaegon still needs about half a month of regular communication with the Golden King before he can begin the taming process.

For the second-generation dragonriders of the Vaelarys family, except for Dan, this taming sequence is followed. Dan is the only exception because Sendros simply couldn't manage that half-month of communication and had to begin the taming right after his first attempt at communication, which almost cost him his life when Sendros nearly burned him to death after the exchange was established.

Looking at it this way, Rhaegon's dragon taming process seems to have gone very smoothly.

The Golden King liked Rhaegon very much. After half a month of feeding and communication, Rhaegon successfully rode the Golden King into the air.

Unfortunately, King Daeron's frontlines were not going well.

"Father," Rhaegor knocked on Draezell's door. He was surprised to find Rey also in the room, with the children still playing to one side, and the two brothers quietly basking in the sun by the window.

Draezell turned his head, slowly sitting up. As he aged, his physical strength had diminished. For him, lying down when possible and sitting rather than standing had become the norm.

"The news from the front?" Draezell looked at his son's expression and could roughly guess what kind of news Rhaegor was bringing.

Rhaegor had never been very supportive of Daeron's great expedition, but with Dan, Jacaerys, and the frontier soldiers participating, he had to keep a close eye on the progress of the campaign.

"Lykar Laclen has been on fire for seven full days and nights," Rhaegor's tone wasn't good. He knew that without a complete town for a base, Daeron's army would face serious challenges. "His Majesty was forced to camp near the lumber village close to Lykar Laclen. That village is on the edge of the Mangrove Forest."

Rey immediately furrowed his brows: "Are you sure?"

"Sure," Rhaegor sighed.

"What are Dan and Jacaerys doing?" Rey couldn't sit still. Lykar Laclen had a port that could be used for docking ships. Stationing troops there would have greatly shortened the supply line, but leaving the coast and venturing inland when Lykar Laclen was unavailable—was that extending the supply line unnecessarily?

"Dan and Jacaerys didn't oppose Daeron's military adventure," Rhaegor said.

"Looks like they explained why to you," Draezell said calmly, watching Rhaegor's slightly displeased face. Based on his knowledge of his eldest son, if Jacaerys and Dan had truly done something foolish, Rhaegor would be the first to bind them up and bring them back to Dragon's Nest, dragons and all—he wouldn't even consult Draezell first; he'd just set off with Daenyra, Orion, and Seryna on dragonback.

"After realizing Lykar Laclen could not be used immediately, His Majesty quickly changed strategies, sending Prince Rhaegar on Hornstorm to scout and leading the army slowly inland. During this time, several warlords formed an alliance. They hired several mercenary bands and established a reasonably strong coalition. 'Golden Son' Robert, the commander of the Golden Hammer Legion, along with Horus, the 'Invincible' warlord of the Myr Lake, and 'Carnival' Shariss, the governor of Hossaru, formed a three-man council for the alliance. Their advance troops, under Robert's leadership, have already moved toward Lykar Laclen."

Rhaegor couldn't help but sound a bit excited at this point. Draezell, however, showed no change in expression, as if he had already anticipated the outcome: "How many soldiers did they gather?"

"Ninety thousand," Rhaegor sighed as he spoke. "And this is just part of their alliance. Robert's advance force alone numbers forty thousand, including twenty war elephants and fifteen thousand Dothraki cavalry. Khal Khargo forced four Khalasar together to form this cavalry."

He couldn't help but marvel at the vastness and fertility of the eastern continent. Despite the expansion of the Dothraki Sea destroying fertile lands, there was still enough land to support a large population.

"Five thousand versus fifty-five thousand," Rhaegor said. "If the king can replicate his ancestor's fiery wrath, he might still handle the disputed lands properly. But if he only replicates the 'fiery wrath' part…"

"You don't trust the dragons, my son."

"No," Rhaegor shook his head. He wasn't surprised at all by the eventual victory—or rather, with six dragons on their side, if they couldn't win, they had no business living.

"Very well, very well," Draezell nodded in approval.

As Rhaegor learned, after seeing the ruins of Lykar Laclen and the tens of thousands of residents who perished in the fire, the people of the disputed lands were gripped by a fear they had never known before.

No one wanted to be the next Lykar Laclen.

Thus, the warlords, who had previously held differing intentions, quickly put aside their grudges and united. Within two weeks, a massive Anti-Iron Throne Alliance was born. The warlords of the western disputed lands led their armies to join Horus's 'Invincible' forces. They met in the town of Hossaru with the Golden Hammer Legion and began their westward march.

They formed twenty legions to resist the invasion of the Iron Throne.

"Roar~"

Hornstorm roared as it flew over the army that was busy cooking, wobbling and diving into the dragon group. After tumbling a few times, it finally landed. Rhaegar, panting, jumped off the dragon's back. He had been riding for a long time, and his legs seemed not to belong to him anymore. He had to rely on Aemon's help to get to the commanders' table.

King Daeron, dressed in full black leather armor, silently stared at the map.

"Prince Rhaegar, what's the enemy's situation?" asked Lord Benjicot.

"They've just finished setting up camp," Rhaegar said, taking Aemon's water flask and gulping down a large mouthful of light beer. He then grabbed some dried meat from his brother's plate and took a hearty bite. After swallowing the dried meat with the beer, he said slowly, "I saw elephants. About two-fifths of their army is cavalry, most of which are unarmored light cavalry." Rhaegar glanced at Dan, who was resting his eyes nearby, and Jacaerys, who was silently wiping his longsword.

"Dothraki. If I'm not mistaken, those light cavalry are exactly like the ones in the books."

"And their marching direction?" Daeron finally raised his head and asked.

"As you expected, Your Majesty, they are heading towards our position," Rhaegar said, chewing his bread before swallowing.

Daeron nodded and looked at the commanders around him. "Gentlemen, our chance has come."