Androw's eyes met Rhaena's, and she couldn't help but notice the stark transformation in the man she once knew. The once gentle and soft-spoken Androw now exuded an aura of mockery and defiance.
With a sly smirk on his face, Androw turned his gaze toward the castle's commander and spoke dripping with sarcasm, "I distinctly remember requesting to become the Commander of the castle's garrison. But you and your friend chose to humiliate me instead. I can't help but wonder why you appointed that incompetent buffoon as Commander. Have you lost your judgment, Rhaena?"
Androw continued walking toward Baal, his words carrying a bitter tone, but there was a hidden insincerity. He said, "It seems I'm no longer needed as your puppet of a husband. Your recent words revealed that in your eyes, I was just a way to avoid being labeled a witch due to widowhood. For you, there's only been one true love - Aegon, who's long gone."
As Androw began to ascend Baal's back, Rhaena held tightly to the saddle, her voice trembling as she said, "You're not the Androw Farman I once knew."
Androw paused briefly, looking back as he continued climbing. "The Androw you once knew is long gone."
The commotion in the area attracted a growing crowd, including guards, the maester, Rhaena's friends, and even Aerea. In the midst of this chaos, the knight with the broken nose, who Androw had previously knocked out, regained consciousness. His vision was blurred, preventing him from seeing clearly. Driven by anger, he grabbed a nearby sword and moved toward Androw, cursing loudly. His comrades tried to stop him, but the fear of approaching the dragon held them back. As the knight closed in on Androw, Baal reacted swiftly, biting off half of the knight's body, leaving only his legs on the ground.
Androw showed little emotion regarding the gruesome scene. He successfully reached the top of Baal and turned his gaze toward the crowd. From among the onlookers, Aerea appeared with tears in her eyes, running toward Androw. Seeing her approach, Rhaena quickly ordered the trembling knights, "Stop her!" They obeyed, managing to restrain Aerea by grabbing her arms. Aerea pleaded with Androw, "Androw, please don't leave me. Take me with you."
Androw looked at Aerea and then at the knights. His voice carried a hint of menace as he warned them, "Release her, or there will be nothing left but ashes." The knights, their faces filled with fear, loosened their grip on Aerea, allowing her to rush toward Baal and begin her climb.
Baal emitted a plume of smoke from his nostrils, clearly displeased with the young girl. Aerea had been nothing but a nuisance to him. Rhaena, now consumed by madness, attempted to confront Androw with her dragon, unwilling to accept her daughter's departure.
Baal and Dreamfyre faced each other, growling with hostility filling the air. Although Dreamfyre was overshadowed by Baal's immense presence, her loyalty to Rhaena was unwavering. Another fiery confrontation between the two dragons seemed imminent.
But Androw interrupted, issuing a warning to Rhaena, his words laced with menace, "Rhaena, be very careful with your choices, or you'll regret them." His hand gently rested on Aerea's shoulder, and a sly smile crossed his lips.
Rhaena's dragon paused in her aggressive stance, sensing a change in Rhaena's demeanor. In that moment, Rhaena felt a sense of dread, as if Androw was threatening Aerea's life, much like Maegor had once done.
Rhaena might have been a complex and sometimes neglectful mother, but that didn't mean she didn't love her daughter. With Androw and Aerea, Baal ascended into the sky, leaving behind a tense and uncertain scene below.