As they approached the entrance to the dragon pit, Rhaenyra's heart raced with anticipation. The massive iron doors loomed before them, guarded by Dragonkeepers who were already familiar with William, having visited the dragon pit with Rhaenyra multiple times.
The guards acknowledged their presence with respectful nods, recognizing the Princess and her advisor. As the Dragonkeepers opened the massive iron door, the doors creaked open, revealing the awe-inspiring sight of the dragon pit. The cavern was dimly lit, with a soft glow emanating from the underground streams of lava, giving the place an ethereal and mysterious ambiance.
Within the pit, ancient stone columns reached towards the high ceiling, adorned with intricate carvings and symbols of forgotten lore. The air was thick with the earthy scent of the cavern and the unmistakable presence of dragons.
As Rhaenyra and William stepped inside, their eyes were drawn to the majestic silhouettes of dragons resting on massive stone perches. Each dragon possessed a unique size and color, showcasing the diversity of their species. The dragons exuded an aura of power and wisdom, their gleaming eyes watching the newcomers with an air of ancient knowledge.
In the heart of the pit, a large circular area served as a training ground for the dragons, with remnants of burned wood and targets scattered around, evidence of the dragons' practice and skill. Despite their confinement within the pit, the dragons moved with grace and ease, at home in their sanctuary.
Amidst the shadows, Rhaenyra spotted a familiar figure – the elegant form of her dragon, Syrax. The dragon's yellow scales shimmered in the dim light, and as Rhaenyra called out, Syrax recognized her instantly, approaching with a powerful beat of her wings and landing gracefully before her rider.
"Syrax!" Rhaenyra called out, her voice filled with love and excitement.
With a gentle touch, Rhaenyra ran her hand along Syrax's snout, feeling the warmth of the dragon's breath against her skin. "I missed you so much," she whispered in high Valyrian. "I'm sorry I had to leave you for so long."
Syrax responded with a soft rumble, nuzzling affectionately against Rhaenyra's side, conveying understanding and forgiveness.
William stood back, observing the heartfelt reunion between Rhaenyra and Syrax. Rhaenyra turned to him and encouraged him to approach the dragon. "William, come touch her," she said with a warm smile.
William complied and cautiously extended a hand towards Syrax, offering a tentative touch to the dragon's snout. To his surprise, Syrax leaned into his touch, recognizing him from their previous encounters.
"She recognizes you," Rhaenyra said with admiration. "Dragons have a keen sense of smell, and she must've recognized you from the multiple times she had seen you."
"Well, I'm honored," William replied, chuckling at the unexpected connection.
With the bond between rider, dragon, and advisor reaffirmed, Rhaenyra proposed a thrilling idea. "Well then, how about we go on a ride?" she suggested with a toothy grin.
The prospect of flying on a dragon filled William with both excitement and trepidation, as he had never flown on a dragon before. After accepting Rhaenyra's invitation, she called upon a group dragon tamers to assist them in taking Syrax outside the dragon pit.
Approaching Syrax with a soothing demeanor and speaking in High Valyrian, the dragon tamers started to lead Syrax outside.
Rhaenyra and William watched anticipation as the dragon tamers guided Syrax out of the dragon pit and towards an open area, giving her enough space to spread her wings and take to the sky.
Taking a deep breath, William tried to steady his nerves. His heart pounded in his chest; he had faced many battles before, but riding a dragon was an entirely different experience.
Once Syrax was in position, Rhaenyra mounted the dragon with ease. Now it was William's turn. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, he approached Syrax and carefully mounted her, finding himself perched on her back.
Feeling the immense power beneath him, the sensation was almost surreal. Syrax exuded a sense of strength and majesty.
"Are you ready, William?" Rhaenyra called to him, her eyes sparkling with exhilaration.
"As ready as I'll ever be," William replied, trying to mask his nervousness with a smile.