[center][img]https://www.superherohype.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/12/HouseOfTheDragon.jpg[/img][/center]

[right][h3][b]Dragonstone[/b][/h3]
On the path to the dragon cavern[/right]

[right][sub]Collab with [@Almalthia] & [@Apoalo][/sub][/right]
[hr][hr]

Chaos. The storm helped as things went in and out of the light. But it hindered the women as well. Pheynix was glad that she had sent Cassie with Cass and Pyxis out to the ship to go on to Duskendale. Her oiled leathers were drenched but thankfully waterproof or mostly. She was damp in places she’d rather not think about. However she could tell that Melys did not have that luxury. She did not look like a Princess but rather something that looked like it was dragged in from the sea. They went out the door and the Princess wiped her face as she watched the chaos.

Nix watched the Princess as the Princess watched the chaos.[color=#DA70D6] “We are done gawking Cousin. Let us do what you came out here to do.”[/color] Nix grabber Melys’ arm. A flash of lightning pierced the night as Nix looked around quickly and noticed the man in white the same time he saw her.[color=#DA70D6] “Qrugh! Kostagon se jelmāzma mirre syt īlva nykeā īlon issi ojūdan[sub]1[/sub].”[/color] Nix yelled in Valyrian as the thunder rolled around them. She spoke harshly in the Princess’ ear.[color=#DA70D6] “Ilon jāhor daor mazverdagon se lōgor. Skore ñuhoso naejot aōha zaldrīzes[sub]2[/sub]?”[/color] She remembered that even if it was accented that the Targaryen cousins knew Valyrian and it was possible that no one else would know the mother tongue.

Melys watched as Nix tore off her black oiled cloak and motioned for Melys to put it on. Putting it on in a hurry Melys realized that her hair likely would draw attention like a blaze of moonlight. Fyresong was in the cavern where they slumbered when on Dragonstone that cavern was at least a quarter hour walk from the castle.[color=#9400D3] “Bona iksos nykeā deks hen elēnar gone rȳ nykeā geron hen se sombāzmion[sub]3[/sub]!”[/color] Melys pulled Nix in the direction of the cavern where the dragons normally went.[color=#9400D3] “Bona iksos lo ziry iksos konīr! Ziry could sagon mirre skoriot[sub]4[/sub]!”[/color]

[color=#DA70D6]“Pār īlon jorepagon naejot se ānogar hen uēpa valyrio isse se muñnykeā ēngos bona ziry iksos konīr[sub]5[/sub].”[/color] Nix and Melys pushed hard, the Princess starting to flag as Nix was rushing her to run. The third time Melys stumbled Nix heard the unmistakable curse and shuffle of a large body slipping in the mud. The scrape and clack of armor that was not made for moving silently. Nix grabbed Melys and ducked behind a large rock. Nix motioned for Melys to be quiet as they crouched in the rain, the storm still fierce. She pushed Melys closer to the side of the boulder and deeper into the shadows.

[color=#DEB887]“They’re around here somewhere. We just saw them on the path.”[/color] The pathetic whine was high and nasal. He sounded utterly inconvenienced and a step away from turning around and going back.

Nix could kiss the whiner; perhaps his companion, or goddess blessed, hopefully a singular companion would listen to him.[color=#DA70D6][i] Kostilus, kostilus, kostilus ondoso ry uēpa valyrio ivestragī konīr sagon mērī lanta[sub]6[/sub]…[/i][/color] She prayed in the mother tongue practically pouring herself into the rock as she leaned around the rock in a flash. The sight that greeted her made her stomach twist and her mouth thinned under the veil she wore.[color=#DA70D6][i] Kostagon nyke gīmigon skore mēre hen ao nyke ȳzaldrīzes naejot syt bisa? Bȳre hen zirȳ se mēre bona timpa mittys[sub]7[/sub]?![/i][/color] She reasoned to the Old Gods.

Slowly leaning down, Nix felt around for a stone. And apparently at least one of the Old Gods found that an acceptable request for she found one of decent size. Pivoting silently Nix waited till they all had their backs to her as she tossed the rock so that it clattered to the left of the path. It distracted the men who all but two of the six went to investigate.

[color=#FFFFF0]“Stay there in case it is a trick. We have to find the Princess.”[/color]

The gruff comment was from the Kingsguard Griffith Goode. Nix remembered him. He and his brother had not hesitated in switching sides as if they had known what was going on. Come to find out that Visenya had hand picked the brothers. Nix nodded internally; it seemed like Visenya played the long game as well as the Rahl family.

[color=#DEB887]“Yes Ser.”[/color] Both the men replied simultaneously as the other four wandered off in the direction that Nix had tossed the stone.

The window of the storm working in the women’s favor was getting smaller. The lightning and thunder lessened but at least the rain was steady. Nix wiped the rain out of her eyes and drew her sword slowly and silently. She had to make this fast and silent. She desperately wished she’d brought her brother Castor with her.

Looking up at Nix from where she had been practically put; as if she were seven and had no idea how to be quiet and still; Melys’ glare should have conjured dragon fire. She watched the darker shadow that was Nix next to her shift and picked up the rock only to fling it away. As she watched four guards, one in white; a Kingsguard, and three others went to investigate the noise the rock made. Suddenly as lightning flashed in the distance illuminating the landscape briefly as well as the sword that Nix now held. Melys’ eyes widened at the blade.[color=#9400D3][i] Surely not?![/i][/color]

Apparently luck had run out and the guards on the path walked around the boulder the ladies had been hiding behind. Also as luck would have it the whiner was a screamer; who let forth a high pitched squealing that would have made a sow proud. Immediately Nix leapt into action knowing there was no way the other four had not heard pig boy. She grimaced as the current two drew swords.[color=#DA70D6][i] More blood on my hands. Perfect. Just how I wanted my tour of Westeros to go. Funeral then fighting and killing… oh and dragon flying.[/i][/color] The sarcasm of the running inner monologue made a smarmy grin pull at her veiled mouth.

Whirling Nix beat back one of the two guards with a flourish then moved to reposition the other like a chess piece on a board away from Melys. The exchange allowed Nix to reposition the guards but it was far from quiet. Swords clashed and rang loudly not to mention the squealing whiner did not stop announcing their presence.[color=#DEB887] “The Princess is here! Got a girl here who's got a sword an’ thinks she knows how to use it.”[/color]

Nix gritted her teeth as she heard a response from the direction of the other four. She really wished that Cass were with her right now. They would make quick work of the guards; the only problem would have been the Kingsguard. Now she was looking at six men at once against just her. Her odds were not in her favor.[color=#DA70D6] “Sir dakogon naejot aōha zaldrīzes[sub]8[/sub]!!”[/color]

From behind the guards chasing Nix and Melys a voice would ring out, sturdy and sure of itself. [color=#9370D8]“Are you women or cowards to chase after two girls barely of age? If this is what chivalry and knighthood in Westeros has become then perhaps I don’t dream of becoming such any longer.”[/color] The guards whirled and the one in the far back would suddenly have Valyrian steel kissing his neck. In a practiced deftness, Castor Rahl would twist the blade to slice down, pressing harder as he did to easily cut the throat of the man who would splutter and gargle as he fell to his knees and then the ground, twitching as his lifeblood blood ran freely. Castor took a step up, letting the dying man form a sort of barrier, and pointed the now bloody blade towards the rest.[color=#9370D8] “I suggest you leave my sister alone and return to the Castle.”[/color] Castor wasn’t wearing his heavier armor, instead, he was dressed in [url=https://imgur.com/m2Rjgvc]simple[/url] gear. A leather coat of plates over a cloth gambeson and chainmail. He had been lucky Pyxis was willing to help him fasten the shin guards and forearm bracers. 

The other guards began making their way up, menacing the Rahl with their spears. Knowing they had the reach advantage, Castor sheathed his blade and as the spear was shoved forward, smashed it against the rock, grabbed hold, and then with a roar ripped it up and out of the Guards hands. He then would charge down, and using his shoulder would smash into the lead guard with the full weight of his body which caused the guard to lose his balance and fall back into his friends. Castor, unfortunately also lost his grip as he had no control of the momentum of his attack and he fell down the small dip and landed hard on the ground below. Wincing, he didn’t have time to feel the pain and was instantly on his feet again, moving to kill a few of the guards as they tried to extricate themselves from the pile. With only two guards left, the Kingsguard Knight ripped his sword from his scabbard and ordered the guards to get the girls and that he would deal with the newcomer.

Grinning behind her veil at the sound of her brother Castor's voice, the light to her dark, her twin soul. Pheynix had always thought that they should have been twins like Hespaerys and Lunaerys; that the siblings were not seemed such a waste. But such is the way of the old gods. The fervor that rose in her rushed through her veins and she swore that she heard the cry of a night bird of prey. The sound echoed through her over the storm that was easing up. 

The unearthly keening seemed to pull from the very depths of her as she moved around the rocks to face the remaining guards. The keening started as a high pitched haunting wail that then dipped down to an eerie almost two tone cry of some ancient unknown beast. It spilled past her lips in words that frightened even the most stout hearted.[color=#DA70D6] “Morghon māzigon adhirikydho[sub]9[/sub]!!”[/color]

Lightning illuminated Pheynix as she danced swiftly and gracefully to engage the guards. Both of whom looked horrified for long enough to give her an advantage. Blade flashing in the sporadic lightning and singing a death knell as it split the air as easily as the throat of the first guard.[color=#DA70D6] “Melyssanthi maghagon aōha zaldrīzes[sub]10[/sub]!!”[/color]

Melyssanthi had heard the preternatural cry that split the night come from Pheynix  and heard it echo back. Flashes of Pheynix covered in blood from a wound on her side, cradled by an odd looking bird with feathers of fire. She watched as the odd bird was joined by a wolf and a falcon. Blinking, she watched Pheynix dispatch the guard with such obviously deadly grace that she moved like water flows. This was a water dancer. She was jolted out of staring by Pheynix turning that odd voice on her.

Nodding but not knowing if Fyresong could hear her, Melyssanthi called out to him. Anything to make Pheynix stop using that spine tingling voice. 

But Melyssanthi would make a crucial mistake. A mistake she would not have made if she had not been so rattled about everything going on. 

Melyssanthi called out to Fyresong by imitating his cries when he was younger. Melyssanthi sounded like a baby dragon. A very loud, very distressed baby dragon. There was an answering melodic trumpet as well as a harsh bellowing that was deeper and more menacing. 

Eyes wide, Melyssanthi realized her mistake too late. She was successful in catching Fyresong’s attention but she had caught Cannibal’s attention as well.[color=#9400D3] “Sōvegon naejot issa va adere jelmior! Naejot issa! Naejot issa sir![sub]11[/sub]”[/color] Screaming, she begged and prayed that Fyresong would get there first. 

As Melyssanthi called her dragon the guard and Pheynix circled each other trading blows gaining no ground. This guard was older than the first and wiser by far. The note of begging distracted Pheynix enough that the guard got her. She grunted as the sword gave her a glancing blow to the side. Glancing only because she was able to redirect the blade at the last second. For that she moved into his guard and drove her sword into his arm pit.

Shoving the guard away from her Pheynix grimaced as the movement pulled the wound. Wing beats and a menacingly deep and crackling roar echoed as dragon fire lit up the night in bright rose gold. The deep black dragon known as Cannibal for his choice of prey was illuminated and he moved like swift oil in the night reflecting a terrible poetry of a dark rainbow. A dark rainbow that was headed straight for them.[color=#DA70D6] “Oh shit.”[/color]

While his sister faced off with the surviving guards, Castor was slowly circling a fully armed Kingsguard Knight. Castor was giving deep breaths, to remain calm and prevent any emotions from taking over and giving the Knight an opening. He held his sword in a high ready stance, not quite the highest guard but enough to be the more defensive fighter. The Kingsguard was in plate and Castor was going to have to go for the kill with his knife or get a good stab through one of the unprotected areas. The man before him was larger as well and Castor would not be able to overpower him, this was going to be a battle of finesse and swordplay. 

With a final circle of the fighting area the dance of blades began. Shadowfang was light in his hands and Castor felt the vibrations of the two swords clashing in his gloved fingers as castle forged professional steel met with the legendary Valyrian steel. The sound rang all around and mixed with the roar of a dragon. Both fighters, their blades met together, looked up and then at each other. The timetable of their fight moved quickly. Castor seemingly recovered first and struck a quick glancing blow to the Kingsguards helmet which started a hack and slash back and forth between the fighters that, despite their weapons, Castor made look like a true dance. His movements were crisp and true and he appeared to almost be floating. He was so quick. But three things happened in rapid succession. The first, was Castor losing his balance after parrying a savage blow fueled with fear and adrenaline from the Kinsguard. Castor was thrown back and his foot hit an uneven rock and twisted it badly causing him to fall and yell out in pain. The second thing that happened was that as Castor was flailing and falling his sword, as sharp as it was managed to slice and cut his opponent in the upper thigh, the Valyrian steel blade slicing through the unprotected clothing and the skin below like paper. And the third thing, was the great pools of blood from the slaughter had reached the edge of the rocks and began dripping down.

Screaming frantically at Fyresong to keep clear of Cannibal, the words practically unintelligible, Melyssanthi watched as Pheynix dropped to the ground and rolled away as dragon fire pierced the blackness of the night. The guard that was staggering on his feet went up in flames and was promptly eaten by Cannibal. The guards’ screams were swiftly silenced by a deeply disturbing crunch followed by a satisfied gurgle and terrifying growl that bordered on a chuckle as the black known as Cannibal landed. He turned his eye in the direction of where the clanging of swords and a sharp cry of pain came from.

Watching in horror time seemed too slow for Melyssanthi and though it was only seconds it felt like an eternity as the dragon let out a roar so loud she had to cover her ears. Then a gout of flame again shot forth this time she heard the pop and sizzle of metal, the smell of roasting meat making her gag. This time Cannibal was playing with his food since it was wearing armor.

[color=#DA70D6]“CASTOR!”[/color] All Pheynix saw, heard, smelt was the possibility that the beast was playing with her brother. Her world narrowed to the beast and the self satisfied gurgle almost like when a cat plays with a mouse as the dragon shook its head gently while bones popped, crunched and ground together. Climbing to her feet unsteadily Pheynix grasped the hilt of her sword in both hands groaning softly as it pulled at the wound in her side. She forced herself to breathe through the pain and to raise the sword higher as she felt Melyssanthi jerk her arm causing her to stumble then catch herself. 

Rose gold flames split the night and traced alongside Cannibal as Fyresong caught the attention of the other dragon. Cannibal roared, half of the Kingsguard hanging out of his maw, the melted plate catching the light. Pheynix covered her eyes as Cannibal whipped the rain, that had trailed off to a misting, into stinging hard pins as he went after Fyresong. 

[color=#9400D3]“Don't worry Fyresong is swifter than even the Black Dread and since he is smaller he's more agile. He will lose Cannibal and come back for us. Thankfully we will have harnesses by then, but we must be quick.”[/color] Melyssanthi and Pheynix both went over to where Cannibal had been playing with his food only to see Castor on the ground.

It was always hard for a swordsman to admit defeat. It was easy for them to make excuses but Castor just stared up at the Kingsguard and even if things would've gone differently had he not twisted his ankle the result was that Castor's own wound wasn't instantly fatal in a battlefield scenario. A Knight on his back and unable to move was a dead Knight. But then, flames engulfed the Kingsguard and Castor's eyes widened even as he scrunched himself into a tight ball, as tight as possible in his outfit, and covered his face with his arms. He could hear his boiled leather… Boiling, and popping from the proximity and even from behind his arms, Castor felt his skin warming. 

Any other would've undoubtedly been torched just from the proximity of the torrent of flames blowing over them but Castor's Valyrian lineage proved itself once again as his skin only warmed and turned slightly red. Which meant as his sister and the Targaryen came to check on him, Castor was unfurling and slowly getting to his feet, wincing as he put weight on his twisted and already swollen foot.

Reaching out to clasp her brother’s hand Pheynix had dropped her sword with a clatter. As she twinned their fingers together with one hand as she embraced him fully she leaned her forehead on his shoulder.[color=#DA70D6] “Lēkia. Issa prūmia bē morghūltan[sub]12[/sub].”[/color] It was quite clear that the sword was secondary and the love the siblings shared ran deep. Tears leaked from Pheynix and she started to cry in earnest at the stress of the situation. 

[color=#9400D3]“I understand the gravity of the situation but we have to go. We're only halfway to the cavern. We still need to be harassed and to get all three of us into them. We have to go. Now.”[/color] Melyssanthi felt for the siblings but seeing them be able to embrace only made the fact that Aegon was gone worse for her. She had no comfort and it made the rage that lingered like a festering wound throb in time with her heartbeat.

She was not angry at them. No. Melyssanthi knew she was angry at those who had killed her brother and had taken advantage of her father’s love and death. Maegor. Visenya. Alys. Tyanna. The rage within her grew twisting around those names. Planning to strike with fire and blood.

So as Melyssanthi turned to start on the path to the cavern the rain finally cleared and the moon shone on a drenched woman where a half grown girl had stood. The childlike innocence had been burnt out by her rage and the events that brought her thus far. She let the siblings have their moment. She was not needlessly cruel and she knew they needed it. Both Pheynix and Castor had killed to keep her safe. No small requirement. 

Pheynix sniffled as she gathered herself together.[color=#DA70D6] “Are you hurt?”[/color] She asked Castor her voice warbling, breaking softly as she did so. She needed to know that he was alright. She did not mention her wound, in fact hid the fact that she could feel the trickle of blood. If she was not already soaked and wearing black her whole shirt would be red and wet with it, at least her left side would be.

Castor let out a choked sob as he saw his sister and let her fuss over him a bit. He held her tightly and nodded as the Targaryen spoke. He knew they had to go but he had to take a moment. He smiled as Pheynix placed her head on his shoulder and shrugged his shoulders at her question.[color=#9370D8] “I'll be fine, unless that Dragon comes back. We do have to move.”[/color] He tilted her chin up to him and smiled down at her.[color=#9370D8] “Stay strong. Move fast. Fight together.”[/color] It was a mantra that had been taught to all the Rahl children by their father and was why no Rahl family member went anywhere alone. There were always two.

He then would begin moving as fast as his ankle would let him, his face determined and uncaring about the pain. His only objective was to keep moving and get to the cavern. To get Pheynix safe.

They moved swiftly despite their injuries since the uninjured Princess was leading the way and Pheynix was not going to offer up that they needed to slow due to her injury. She assisted her brother by taking his weight off his injured ankle. It pulled at her wound but she hid the pain behind humor.[color=#DA70D6] “Cass you're getting fat. I swear you've gained weight since Volantis. The captain might have to refigure the course back home.”[/color]

Castor was used to fighting through pain. None of his many instructors ever allowed injuries to stop their practice. Cass had simply been expected to get over it and fight through it. Survival didn't care about your pain, and survival was everything. He rarely used his sister, only occasionally giving some of his weight if they passed a particularly rocky area as he didn't want to fall and waste time. But all in all Cass felt they made good time at the cavern and he just rolled his eyes to Nix.[color=#9370D8] “Pyx said the same thing as he was helping me get ready to save you. You two must become more original.”[/color]

[color=#DA70D6]“Just reinforces my statement. Pyx is smarter than most of us. So I will take the compliment.”[/color] Pheynix brushed over the saving part. He could not have known that it would go this way.

They had made it to the cavern. Melyssanthi ran in and gathered up three harnesses and passed two of them to the siblings.[color=#9400D3] “It's pretty basic. Step in and pull up then pull up and over like a pack. The extra goes around the dragon and loops over itself. It secures but if you need to get off quick the ropes release easily. You can sleep in the harness and not fall off.”[/color] She took off Pheynix's cloak and stepped into her harness showing them how to tie them up.

Wing beats heralded Fyresong’s presence as he landed and burbled to Melyssanthi.[color=#9400D3] “Yes you're a good boy and made sure that nasty dragon left us alone. Now we're going to go see Rhaena. But first this is Pheynix and Castor. We like them. No funny business tonight we have to leave.”[/color] A series of clicks and burbles along with a warbling sort of growl accompanied Melyssanthi's speech as if he were responding and possibly back talking to her.[color=#9400D3] “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear you. We can all hear you. Anyways, be nice and lean down here so they can get on.”[/color]

Grabbing the long ends of Pheynix's harness she looped them over and around Fyresong.[color=#9400D3] “You're going in the middle, Nix. And Castor you're just behind her. I will be a little farther up.”[/color] She said as she quickly fastened the harnesses onto the dragon. She'd done it multiple times before so it was nothing new.[color=#9400D3] “Climb on up.”[/color]

Pheynix watched in awe as Fyresong landed and smiled at the conversation Melyssanthi had with him. He had looked over her and her brother with a critical sapphire eye. Accepting them he allowed Melyssanthi to harness them to him. Pheynix climbed on and knew that Cassie was going to be jealous.[color=#DA70D6] “Cassie will kill us if we do not tell her everything. Down to what he smells like.”[/color] Melyssanthi showed her how to tighten and loosen the ties on the harness. As she turned to Castor and did the same Pheynix's vision narrowed. 

Fighting to stay conscious and look like she wasn't going to pass out took everything Pheynix had. She'd lost more blood than she thought. She felt Castor climb on then Melyssanthi. As Fyresong lifted into the air Pheynix got dizzy but managed to fight back the blackness that threatened to engulf her.


[hider=Translations]
[list]
[*]1 - Shit! May the storm work for us or we are lost.
[*]2 - We will not make the boat. Which way to your dragon?
[*]3 - That is a foot of tide gone at a walk from the castle
[*]4 - That is if he is there! He could be any where!
[*]5 - Then we pray to the blood of Old Valyria in the mother tongue that he is there.
[*]6 - Please, please, please by all Old Valyria let there be only two
[*]7 - Can I know which one of you I speak to for this? Six of them and one that white fool?!
[*]8 - Now run to your dragon
[*]9 - Death comes quickly
[*]10 - Melyssanthi bring your dragon
[*]11 - Fly to me on quick winds!! Fly to me! Fly to me now!
[*]12 - Brother. My heart almost died
[/list]
[/hider]