As Bahamut engaged in courteous exchanges with the various lords gathered in the hall, he keenly sensed an undercurrent of discontent. The Lords, used to the intricacies of Westerosi politics, harbored a silent displeasure at the prospect of an outsider assuming the esteemed position of the Hand of the King. Their disapproval lingered beneath the surface, hidden behind polite words and forced smiles.
Undeterred, Bahamut continued his interactions with each Lord, addressing both significant and less prominent figures in the realm.ย
With the pleasantries concluded, Bahamut retreated to the room Aegon had arranged for him within the walls of Dragonstone. Despite his dragon's instinct to greedily embrace sleep, a sense of discomfort lingered as he lay on the bed. Restlessness gnawed at him, prompting him to abandon the confines of the room.
The night outside Dragonstone Castle offered a serene escape. Bahamut, deep in contemplation, strolled along the castle walls, gazing out toward the peaceful expanse of the Narrow Sea. Thoughts of Rhaenys and her dragon.
Four months had passed since Rhaenys, at Bahamut's request, set sail across the Narrow Sea to bring her aunt, Daenerys Targaryen, back to Westeros. Bahamut, who had come to see Aegon and Rhaenys as family, couldn't help but feel a growing sense of worry during her prolonged absence.
Meanwhile, Rhaenys, accompanied by her husband and her dragon, journeyed through Essos. Their ship sailed smoothly between Ax Isle and New Ghis, steadily progressing toward their destination. The voyage, initiated from Kings Landing, had been marked by six days of favorable weather, swiftly bringing them to Pentos.
From Pentos, Rhaenys took flight on her dragon, soaring above the Essosi landscape with her husband by her side. Their destination: Volantis. The journey took them twelve days, a testament to the swiftness and grace of their dragon companion.
In Volantis, they secured passage on a ship bound for Qarth, guided by the aid of merchants familiar with the seas of Essos. Unlike Daenerys, who faced constant threats due to her initial vulnerability, Rhaenys encountered no ill intentions along her journey. Her feats in Astapor had solidified her standing across Essos, serving as a shield against those with malicious designs. Still, they were only halfway through their journey, and if calculations held, Daenerys might reach Qarth before Rhaenys.
The next morning arrived, and the Lords of Westeros began their preparations for departure, eager to return to their respective lands. However, the absence of the Hand of the King, Bahamut, during their farewells did not go unnoticed. Though none openly expressed their discontent, a subtle dissatisfaction lingered among the Lords.
Meanwhile, Bahamut delved into his magical abilities, honing his skills with a finesse that spoke of mastery. Unlike in the past, changing the weather now required only a fraction of the magical effort. As the Lords bid their farewells, Bahamut immersed himself in the intricate dance of his capabilities, weaving the very fabric of the atmosphere with his magic.
Eventually, weary of these exercises, Bahamut ascended from his seat and strolled outside the castle. His steps led him to the precipice, where he leaped gracefully into the air. In mid-air, he transformed into the mighty dragon that was Bahamut, with scales reflecting the sunlight.
With a powerful flap of his wings and a resonant roar, Bahamut soared into the vast sky.
This time, his destination was Essos. With Tyrell and Baratheon mustering forces to deal with Lannister loyalists, Bahamut had a different mission in mind. His target: the enigmatic Shrouded Lord, a mysterious figure residing in the River Sorrow. The Shrouded Lord was infamous for granting the "grey kiss," a deadly affliction that left its victims lifeless.
As Bahamut soared over the expanse of the Narrow Sea, his thoughts lingered on the mysterious being he sought to confront. The Shrouded Lord's identity remained shrouded in secrecy, his motives unclear. Some believed him to be a cursed prince, while others whispered of darker origins. The River Sorrow, with its haunted waters and ominous reputation, concealed the secrets of the Shrouded Lord.
Throughout his travels, Bahamut had witnessed the agonies of those touched by greyscale. While he possessed a magical cure, he understood the painful toll it took on those seeking recovery. The legends foretold that by eliminating all existing stone men and confronting the Shrouded Lord, the spread of greyscale could be halted.
Yet, beneath this noble mission lingered a poignant truth. As a real dragon, Bahamut pondered the legacy he would leave behind. Would the tales of his triumph over the curse become part of the future legends?
In the quiet night over Pentos, Bahamut soared on silent wings, a colossal silhouette unseen by the city below. In just one day, he reached the city, a swift journey that escaped the notice of the unsuspecting inhabitants. Continuing his flight, Bahamut made his way to the Velvet Hills, tracing the meandering path of the Little Rhoyne.
With the wise counsel of his trusted advisor, the Old General, who now acted as the Hand of the King in Bahamut's stead, the dragon found no need to linger in Kings Landing. The forces assembled to deal with the Westerland nobilities were in motion, a plan set in motion before his departure.
The journey continued as Bahamut followed the river, drawing nearer to Dagger Lake, a body of water not far from the ancient city of Chroyane, now known as The Sorrows. The landscape unfolded beneath him, a canvas painted with moonlit rivers and the mysteries that awaited him in the heart of Essos.
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