Chapter 125: Aegon’s Rebellion
Aegon was an arrogant character, and Sunfyre was also a proud dragon. Together they demonstrated the similarities between dragon and rider.
When mercilessly mocked by his brother, Aemond couldn't hide his anger. "No, you're wrong! What are you talking about?" he retorted, his pale face betraying his fear. Despite his terror, he held on to his pride and couldn't stand the humiliation.
Aegon rode Sunfyre closer, looking down at Aemond. "Idiot, that dragon doesn't even like you," he sneered. Taming a dragon wasn't easy; it had taken him years to bond with Sunfyre.
Aemond stood up, glaring at his brother. "You're lying! Tessarion is just not used to people yet. He'll accept me," he shouted. Despite the near injury, he still held hope.
Aegon tossed his long silver-gold hair back and replied proudly, "Save your breath. Taming a dragon doesn't happen overnight."
"No! I am also have dragon blood. I can definitely succeed!" Aemond insisted, summoning the courage to approach Tessarion again. He extended his hand, saying, "Tessarion, you will recognize me, right?"
"Roar..." Tessarion growled, his eyes filled with rage.
"Come on, I can be your master," Aemond said, stepping back anxiously. He had always dreamed of taming a dragon. His elder siblings, Rhaegar and Rhaenyra, had successfully tamed dragons at his age. How could he fail?
"Don't bother. This dragon isn't meant for you. Go back and hatch some eggs," Aegon mocked, stroking Sunfyre's scales.
"Aegon, Aemond is your brother. Watch your words!" Rhaegar intervened, unable to stand by any longer. Family bonds should not be mocked so cruelly.
Aegon, undeterred, retorted, "He's my brother. I can say whatever I want. It's none of your business!" He remembered his mother's teachings: an older brother should discipline his younger siblings. But he conveniently forgot the part about protecting them as well.
"Aegon, who do you think you're talking to?" Rhaegar's eyes narrowed as he approached, holding Helaena. Seeing Rhaegar angry, Aegon felt a chill down his spine.
Sunfyre growled lowly, sensing his master's unease. Aegon reached out to touch Sunfyre's spine, drawing courage from the dragon's warmth. Memories of Rhaegar's oppression, his father Viserys's disdain, and his mother's lessons fueled his rebellion.
"I'll say what I want. We're all born of the same father. Why should I be afraid?" Aegon declared, gripping the saddle tightly. "What can you do to me?"
Rhaegar's response was a cold smile. "Good, you impressed me today." He began walking toward Sunfyre, Helaena still in his arms.
"What are you doing? Don't come closer!" Aegon yelled, panic creeping into his voice.
"Aegon, do you think being a Dragon rider makes you superior?" Rhaegar asked, now standing directly in front of the golden dragon and his brother.
"Of Course! I tamed Sunfyre; I am the pride of the royal family!" Aegon shouted, his voice cracking as he involuntarily shifted back on the saddle.
"Roar..." Sunfyre, sensing his rider's distress, let out a warning roar. The dragon's massive muzzle opened, releasing a sulfurous stench that blew Rhaegar's hair back.
Rhaegar, unfazed, covered Helaena's ears and glared coldly at Sunfyre. "Quiet!" he commanded in High Valyrian. Despite the dragon's roar, Rhaegar's authority grew stronger.
Sunfyre's ferocity was roused as he lowered his head and exhaled hot breath towards Rhaegar. But Rhaegar showed no fear, his violet eyes locking with Sunfyre's.
In a flash, a green dragon pattern flickered in Rhaegar's pupils, caught by Sunfyre's sensitive gaze. A strong sense of danger caused the dragon's pupils to shrink, and he backed away slightly, closing his jaws.
Rhaegar, ignoring the golden dragon, pointed at Aegon and said coldly, "Get off, Aegon!"
"Brother, you're hot!" Helaena, nestled in his arms, squirmed and raised her head.
Rhaegar's skin had turned red, and his body temperature was rising rapidly, as if he were aflame. Helaena, feeling the intense heat, began to sweat.
Aegon, drenched in sweat himself, was shocked. Rhaegar wasn't afraid of the dragon; the dragon was afraid of Rhaegar.
Fighting the urge to roll off Sunfyre's back, Aegon's eyes darted to Tessarion, who was fidgeting nearby. His eyes lit up with an idea. "It's this dragon that scares Aemond. Why are you taking offense at me? Go find it."
"I told you to get off, Aegon!" Rhaegar's voice grew icier, focused solely on Aegon. Today, Rhaegar was determined to teach him a lesson about respect and hierarchy.
Aegon shivered at Rhaegar's yell and looked toward the disoriented Aemond. "Aemond, don't you want to tame the dragon? I'll help you subdue it!"
He then ordered Sunfyre, "Hold down that young dragon."
"Roar..." Sunfyre, having just restrained his temper, received his master's command. His eyes fixed on Tessarion, a hint of cruelty glinting within them. Misunderstanding the command, Sunfyre's instincts were to incapacitate it.
Sunfyre lunged toward Tessarion, golden flames bursting from his mouth. Tessarion, unable to defend himself, was engulfed in the fire, his body scorched.
"No! Tessarion, are you alright?" Aemond cried, rushing to his beloved dragon.
"Idiot! Unauthorized attacks are forbidden in the Dragonpit!" Rhaegar didn't expect Aegon to target Tessarion.
Sunfyre's attack triggered a chain reaction. The injured Tessarion roared in pain, and Dreamfyre, startled by the commotion, flapped her wings and roared in response, causing a cacophony of dragon cries.
"Find a place to hide," Rhaegar ordered, putting down Helaena and grabbing a strong bow from the Dragonkeepers. He aimed an arrow directly at Aegon. "Don't make me say it a third time, Aegon!"
"Don't! I'll come down, I'll come down," Aegon stammered, unlocking the chain around his waist and hurriedly dismounting Sunfyre. He realized he was in deep trouble.
"Roar..." Sunfyre, now free, twisted and turned, scanning the other dragons with irritation. The presence of Dreamfyre and Tessarion agitated him, driving his bloodlust.
As soon as Aegon was on the ground, Sunfyre lunged at Dreamfyre, initiating a new wave of chaos among the dragons.
(Word count: 981)