2.02 - Aelyx

Aelyx - 18​

I swooped down over the column, blanketing it in shadow. Over the last several days of marching, I had learned how low I could go without spooking the horses. Winging upward I soared out over the Flatlands. It was actually rather annoying to try and keep pace with a marching army while on dragonback. However, I had no choice but to ride atop Vhagar. I was not as though I could simply ride on horseback and hope Vhagar followed along. It was definitely possible to direct a riderless dragon, but that usually required another rider atop a different dragon leading the way, such as when my father had led Vhagar from Pentos to Driftmark while Laena sailed to the island with the twins. That left me with two options: fly directly to the next encampment at the end or beginning of the day or circle the army while it marched.

I had chosen the latter. Simply hanging around by myself was simply waiting for an assassination attempt. All it would take was one opportunist with a crossbow to catch me on the ground far away from the protection of the army and not only would I be very dead, but the entire campaign would collapse as well. Furthermore, being obviously inactive for a large portion of the day would not do anything to enhance my standing with the army. Soldiers loved to grumble and a commander blatantly flaunting the fact that they did not have to share in the hardships of the march would be extremely poor for morale. By, remaining in the sky for a significant time that the army was on the march I'd somewhat endeared myself to the men. According to Rupert many of them were now comforted by the sight of Vhagar high above, sure in the knowledge that ambush would be detected and long before it ever threatened them.

I scanned the horizon, looking for the telltale cloud of dust that would indicate a large body of men on the march. I doubted that I would see anything, over the past several days I had ranged far ahead of the army and had not encountered any enemies. I might be able to find them if I flew far enough, but I was just as likely to get hopelessly lost as I was to find an enemy army. For all the mobility advantages dragons gave, it was extremely difficult to navigate in unfamiliar territory. If I got the angle just slightly wrong a few hours of flight would send me hundreds of miles of course. When I had done my tour of Westeros, I'd been able to land periodically to ask where I was. While that option did exist here so long as we remained in Pentoshi territory, I risked losing track of my own army if I wandered too far.

However, given that we were currently hoping from town to town along the very well-maintained Valyrian roads I felt confident darting at least a few miles ahead. I traced the ribbon of black stones as it ran southwest. It took only a quarter an hour of leisurely flight to arrive at our destination for the evening. To my satisfaction, I noted that a small camp already existed outside the town walls. At several points on our march, we had been confronted by a town whose militia contingent had not yet been raised, despite their clear instruction. The first time it had happened there had been a heated debate about whether to press onward or wait for them to muster. It had eventually been decided to continue the march. Essar and I had come to the conclusion that a few hundred extra militiamen, was not worth repeated delays. Between the professionals in the Free Companies, my men, Vhagar, and the militia who had been ready we felt we could counter whatever the Triarchy threw at us. The tardy contingents were instructed to march along behind us with the hope being that they would eventually join the army if we had to slow or halt our march.

At my command, Vhagar tilted and began to circle the town. I could make out figures atop the wall wildly gesturing and pointing up at me. To my left men spilled out of their encampment, even from my height I could see the panic in their movements. It did not really matter that intellectually they knew that the only dragon in this conflict was on their side, there was some viscerally terrifying about a hundred-and-fifty-meter-long flying reptile that could swallow a full-grown man without chewing. And that was before you got into the attached flame thrower. I gave the crowds below a small wave and continued to circle. Over the next several minutes I watched as common sense reasserted itself as the men below began to calm.

Once I was satisfied that I would not be attacked in a suicidal panic, I began my descent. I settled Vhagar down a few hundred yards away from the encampment. Close enough to make an impression by far enough away to not further frighten the still wary men. I dismounted Vhagar, sliding down her wing, and approached the camp. As I walked several men began to move forward to meet me. Judging by the quality of their clothing they were high-ranking officers, but the actual commander of the militia. Probably prominent guild masters, rather than members of the magisterial class.

When we met, they bowed deeply. I in turn dipped my head in acknowledgment. These were not leaders of Pentos with whom I stood on somewhat equal footing.

"Prince Aelyx, it is a pleasure to welcome you to Sylkesh. I am Maestro Vargar Bosa of the Metalworkers Guild," one of the men introduced himself.

"It is a pleasure to be here," I responded. "I only regret that I will have little time to see your fair town."

"It is indeed unfortunate, but war waits for no man. Perhaps once we have driven back the Triarchy you could."

"Perhaps," I demurred. "Would you be so kind as to introduce me to your companions?"

"Of course, this is Maestro Tarkaro Drana of the Carpenter's Guild and Maestro Noreo Magaef of the Dyers,"

"It is good to meet you both. Now, Maestro Bosa, are you in command here?" I asked although I knew the answer would be a negative.

He shook his head, his face twisting into an expression of annoyance. "That would be Magister Fyllyl."

"I take it that he was not in the camp when I arrived?"

"No, he is never in the camp. Although he is almost certainly on his way. Even if he missed the dragon, someone will have informed him of your arrival."

I frowned at that. While rank frequently did have its privileges, sleeping comfortably within walls when your own soldiers had been instructed to vacate their homes for tents was unlikely to do anything but breed resentment. I sighed; I would need to tell Essar that this militia contingent was a potential problem. While the merchant princes in Pentos proper were fully at the top of the pyramid, the relationship between the local magisterial families and the guilds in the countryside was far more contentious.

"I hope he is here soon; the army will arrive in a few hours and there is much to discuss."

"Will, we be departing tomorrow?" asked Magaef.

I nodded. "Barring anything unforeseen, General Essar will not stay longer than a single night, and your men will of course take their place in the column."

"Then we should begin preparations to break camp," Bosa stated his tone probing.

I hummed in confirmation but was careful not to give any verbal commands. Army politics were already a headache and a half, there was no need to give some provincial magister a legitimate reason to claim that I was usurping his authority. Even as the thought crossed my mind, I saw a small party of men riding towards us.

"It appears as though your commander is making his appearance."

Three men, who had begun to relax slightly, jerked back to alert.

Essar was going to owe me for this.