Chapter Summaries

After returning to Runestone, Aemon continued training and building ties with the Royces while tracking the Magic Essence produced by his possessions and companions. He visited Ser Steve to collect a newly forged shortsword, rebuking the blacksmith for kneeling and insisting that Targaryen rule had no slaves.

• Aemon recalled the pale wild dragon that had stolen his fish at sea and sent the Gold-Nosed Rat to store three dragon eggs in its pouch.
• Aemon checked his Magic Essence Panel and noted that his dragon eggs and White Hart had helped raise his total to 149 essence.
• Johanna reminded Aemon that his mother wanted him to walk every day so the Royces could grow accustomed to him.
• Aemon rode the White Hart through Runestone and reflected on the responsibility of ruling the castle.
• Ser Steve showed Aemon his finished shortsword, and the old blacksmith knelt to present it in Valyrian.
• Aemon ordered the blacksmith to stand and declared in High Valyrian that there were no slaves under Targaryen rule.

Aemon settled into life at Runestone, inspecting his new bronze sword and reviewing Rhaenyra’s letter about her sanitation reforms in King’s Landing. He ended the chapter longing for a fief of his own, where he could pursue his ambitions independently.

• Aemon reassured a frightened blacksmith and inspected the bronze sword the craftsman had made for him.
• Aemon rode around Runestone, noticing that many Royce branch knights and their followers remained indifferent toward him.
• Maester Hugh gave Aemon a letter from Rhaenyra, who described recruiting orphans to clear streets and using fines and Gold Cloaks to enforce waste collection rules.
• Aemon praised Rhaenyra’s pilot sanitation program and reflected that he needed a fief of his own to pursue his plans.

Aemon rejected the idea of earning House Royce’s acceptance by abandoning his Valyrian identity and instead proposed creating a personal banner combining Targaryen and Royce sigils. He arranged to have the banner made and asked the Old Maester to find capable helpers at the Citadel.

• Aemon asked the Old Maester how to earn recognition from House Royce, and they discussed King Jaehaerys’s strategy of integrating with Westerosi traditions.
• Aemon refused to change himself to fit in and proposed combining the Royce and three-headed dragon sigils into a personal banner.
• The Old Maester approved the idea but warned that Aemon would need to accomplish something to make the combined banner respected.
• Aemon sent William to Prince’s Camp with the sigils so craftsmen could make the banner.
• Aemon asked the Old Maester to find two reliable people at the Citadel, and the maester offered to contact his talented nephew there.
• Aemon went to speak with his mother about bringing the maester’s nephew to Runestone.

Aemon confronted Jeyne Royce for challenging his claim to inherit Runestone and threatening his mother’s authority. After a newly made two-part banner symbolized the union of House Royce and House Targaryen, Aemon demanded that Jeyne kneel before him.

• Jeyne Royce challenged Lady Rhea’s decision to make Aemon heir to Runestone, but she refused to yield.
• Aemon questioned Jeyne’s right to oppose him and drew his Bronze Short Sword when Jeyne called him a Targaryen cuckoo.
• William arrived with Aemon’s banner, displaying House Royce’s runes beside a Three-Headed Red Dragon.
• Lady Rhea asked Jeyne what else he had to say, and Aemon said he would forgive him for the sake of the banner.
• Aemon demanded to know why Jeyne had not knelt upon seeing a prince.

Aemon forced Gero Royce to swear fealty, gaining a sworn knight and the loyalty of five hundred archers. After two months of training at Runestone, Aemon watched his father Daemon arrive on Caraxes.

• Aemon threatened Gero with his sword until Gero apologized, and Lady Rhea ordered him to swear fealty to Aemon.
• Gero pledged loyalty to Aemon, who accepted his oath and promised to protect and honor him.
• After leaving the hall, Gero told Aemon that his five hundred archers would acknowledge him if he flew the Two-Part Banner.
• Two months later, Aemon trained with Ser Steve and struggled to wield a sword with both hands.
• Caraxes flew to Runestone and landed in the courtyard, revealing Daemon Targaryen as its rider.

Daemon arrived at Runestone and met his eight-year-old son, Aemon, before trading insults with Lady Rhea. He took Aemon outside and introduced him to Caraxes, leaving the boy with his hand against the dragon’s scarlet-scaled head.

• Daemon flew Caraxes into Runestone, where Aemon calmly greeted his father in High Valyrian.
• Daemon asked Aemon to show him hospitality, and Aemon led him into the hall to meet Lady Rhea.
• Lady Rhea mocked Daemon, who said Aemon would stay with her and then left the hall with his son.
• Daemon and Aemon walked through a field toward Caraxes, and Aemon admired the dragon’s size.
• Daemon took Aemon’s hand and pressed it against Caraxes’s head.

Aemon gained more of his dragon bloodline and received two Valyrian Steel Daggers from Daemon before Caraxes carried Daemon away. That night, Aemon dreamed that Dragonmont erupted in a flood of golden Bronze Water rushing toward him.

• Aemon absorbed Burning Fire Magic from Caraxes’s scales, purifying his bloodline and bringing his Magic Essence count to 462.
• Daemon explained that Caraxes’s former rider had also been named Aemon, then prepared to leave Runestone.
• Daemon gave Aemon two Valyrian Steel Daggers, which Aemon named Dragon Tooth and Dragon Claw.
• Daemon flew away on Caraxes after telling Aemon that they would meet again soon.
• Aemon dreamed that Dragonmont erupted, sending a torrent of golden Bronze Water toward him.

Aemon received letters about King Viserys’s invitation and Corlys’s tense plans for a Driftmark gathering, then Rhaenyra arrived at Runestone and flew him to King’s Landing. He joined the debate over the royal family’s trip after enduring a rough two-day flight on Syrax, while his dragon-taming plans remained ahead.

• Aemon trained with Ser Steve, then revealed through his thoughts that he had been suffering increasingly vivid nightmares of Dragonmont erupting with Bronze Water.
• The Old Maester delivered letters from Viserys and Rhaenyra, and Aemon learned that Corlys had brought a large Velaryon fleet to King’s Landing and invited the royal family to Rhaenys’s Name Day on Driftmark.
• Rhaenyra arrived at Runestone on Syrax, invited Aemon to come with her, and took him to King’s Landing after he packed his belongings.
• After two days of flying and sleeping outdoors, Aemon and Rhaenyra entered the Red Keep council chamber, where Viserys and the Small Council were debating Corlys’s invitation.
• Aemon complained that the flight had left his waist hurting and said Rhaenyra had ruined his dream of riding a dragon.

Aemon worried about reconciling Viserys and Daemon, then dreamed of being swept away by molten Bronze Water. Rhaenyra woke him and took him and Cole out of the Red Keep to find Daemon on Silk Street, where she rushed toward a brothel.

• Aemon considered Viserys's request for help with Daemon and doubted the brothers would reconcile easily.
• Aemon dreamed that a flood of Bronze Water swallowed him inside a mountain cave.
• Rhaenyra woke Aemon and told him she wanted to find Daemon so Viserys could reconcile with him.
• Aemon and Rhaenyra changed into traveling clothes, and Cole helped them leave the Red Keep in a carriage.
• Aemon, Rhaenyra, and Cole arrived on Silk Street, where Rhaenyra spotted a brothel and hurried toward it.

Aemon and Rhaenyra found Daemon at a brothel and asked him to represent the royal family at Driftmark, but he refused and left in anger. Aemon then guided the frightened Rhaenyra out through the crowded brothel.

• Rhaenyra insisted on entering the brothel with Aemon despite Cole's protests, and the two covered each other's eyes as they went inside.
• Aemon and Rhaenyra found Daemon in a private room, where Aemon paid the exhausted woman to leave.
• Rhaenyra asked Daemon to go to Driftmark as the royal family's representative, but Daemon refused and criticized Viserys before leaving.
• Daemon warned Aemon never to enter a brothel again, then shoved Rhaenyra aside when she tried to stop him.
• Aemon left Rhaenyra alone in the room, then returned to lead her through the crowded brothel as she hurried after him.

After comforting Rhaenyra, Aemon decided to travel secretly to Dragonstone and tame a dragon. With help from the Cargyll brothers, he reached the island by sunset.

• Rhaenyra embraced Aemon and cried over her family’s betrayal, and he comforted her.
• Aemon told Rhaenyra he would find and ride a dragon, and she arranged a ship for him.
• Aemon explained that secretly taming a dragon could let him protect the royal family’s standing without provoking his father or the Velaryons.
• The Cargyll brothers rowed Aemon toward Dragonstone in a small boat.
• At sunset, Aemon woke and saw Dragonstone ahead.

Aemon reached Dragonstone at night and set out for Dragonmont to claim a giant dragon, but Ser Alfred tried to stop him. Aemon escaped the pursuing guards and Dragonkeepers and arrived at the mountain, where he searched for the cave holding two riderless dragons.

• Aemon landed on Dragonstone with Ser Alick and another White Knight and headed for Dragonmont to tame a dragon.
• Ser Alfred and the Dragonkeepers confronted Aemon, who identified himself as Daemon's son and insisted he wanted a giant dragon.
• Alfred decided to prevent Aemon from reaching Dragonmont and blocked his way after Aemon refused to stay at the Stone Drum Tower.
• Aemon ordered the White Knights to hold off the patrol and ran toward Dragonmont while Ser Alick fought Alfred.
• Aemon reached the foot of Dragonmont and climbed toward the smoking caves where he believed two riderless giant dragons were sleeping.

Aemon entered the Smoking Caves to tame a dragon and awakened Vermithor, the Bronze Fury. Vermithor attacked the Dragonkeepers and guards who followed, leaving several of them dead or badly burned.

• Aemon sent the Gold-Nosed Rat away and entered the vine-covered cave alone despite an elderly Dragonkeeper's warning.
• Aemon followed the cavern passage to a stone platform and sang a Valyrian Dragon Song to awaken the dragon.
• Vermithor rose from beneath the platform, and Aemon recognized the bronze dragon from his dreams.
• Aemon warned Ilik to get down as Vermithor turned on the intruders, but several guards remained standing.
• Vermithor's bronze dragonfire melted the cave entrance, killing several guards and severely burning a young Dragonkeeper.

Aemon tried to tame Vermithor by leaping onto his back and enduring a dangerous flight without a saddle. The chapter ended with Vermithor unleashing dragonfire as Aemon faced his fear and refused to give in.

• Aemon jumped onto Vermithor's back, and Vermithor spared him after recognizing a blood connection to his former master.
• Vermithor flew out of Dragonmont with Aemon clinging to his smooth scales, and Aemon used his Dragon Claw and Dragon Tooth daggers to secure himself.
• Aemon endured Vermithor's steep climbs, dives, and turns while repeatedly commanding him to fly.
• Vermithor breathed a torrent of Bronze Dragonflame, and Aemon confronted his fear and urged the dragon to continue.

Aemon survived Vermithor’s dragonfire by using three magic cards, then formed a bond with the Bronze Fury and claimed him as his dragon. Riding into the night, Aemon declared that they would write a new history for House Targaryen.

• As Vermithor engulfed him in dragonfire, Aemon activated cards that strengthened his body and gave him the Sapphire Amulet’s magical shields.
• After the amulet’s shield shattered, Aemon endured the flames and called Vermithor to fly, proving he had survived.
• Aemon saw that touching Vermithor had raised his bloodline purity to 33 percent and earned him essence and a supreme red card.
• Aemon asked Vermithor to accept him as his new master, and the dragon responded to his command by flying steadily into the sky.
• Aemon thought of his great-grandfather, then declared that he and Vermithor would write House Targaryen’s new history.

Rhaenys worried that Vermithor had fallen into the wrong hands, while Corlys remained confident in Driftmark’s strength. After Aemon returned from taming Vermithor, the dragon killed Alfred and accepted Aemon as its rider, then demanded food.

• Rhaenys watched Vermithor flying over the sea and warned Corlys that dragons must not pass into other hands.
• Corlys dismissed Rhaenys’s concern and reaffirmed his ambition for their family to challenge royal authority.
• Alick confronted Alfred and the Stone Drum Tower guards, while Alfred realized two White Knights had escorted Aemon to Dragonstone.
• Alfred ran to greet Aemon as Vermithor returned, but the dragon crushed him under its claw.
• Aemon embraced Vermithor’s snout and sensed their new bond as the dragon accepted him as its equal.
• Vermithor sneezed Aemon backward, then lifted its head and exposed its belly to demand food.

Viserys and his family arrived at Driftmark for Rhaenys Targaryen's Name Day, where the Velaryons openly slighted them and Laenor's dragon provoked Rhaenyra's. Corlys watched the royal party enter High Tide Castle and wondered how long Viserys would endure the insults.

• Viserys arrived at Hull by ship, seasick, while Syrax escorted the royal party overhead.
• Laenor's Seasmoke swooped at Syrax, frightening her, and Laenor offered Rhaenyra a perfunctory apology.
• Viserys chose to endure the apparent provocation rather than confront the Velaryons, and his family rode to High Tide Castle.
• Vaemond received the king in Corlys's place, explaining that Corlys was waiting in the Nine Voyages Hall.
• Corlys watched the royal family enter and questioned how long Viserys could keep enduring the Velaryons' treatment.

Aemon rode Vermithor to Driftmark and attacked Laenor’s Seasmoke, leaving the young dragon badly wounded. As Aemon turned away, Meleys rose to confront him.

• Aemon flew Vermithor toward Driftmark on Balerion’s old saddle, where he encountered Laenor riding Seasmoke.
• Laenor brought Seasmoke closer to display the dragons to the harbor crowd, but Aemon ordered Vermithor to attack.
• Vermithor charged through Seasmoke’s dragonfire, bit its right wing, and savagely mauled it while Aemon rode on.
• Aemon ordered Vermithor to release Seasmoke, and the wounded dragon crashed to the ground as the crowd looked on in horror.
• Meleys appeared over Driftmark, and Aemon tightened his grip as he recognized the red dragon.

Aemon Targaryen defeated Laenor and Seasmoke with Vermithor, then arrived at High Tide Castle expecting Lord Corlys to greet him. Corlys finally welcomed him after Aemon’s Kingsguard challenged the Velaryons’ reception.

• Meleys appeared above the fighting dragons, and Aemon calmed Vermithor before it landed beside the badly wounded Seasmoke.
• Laenor mourned Seasmoke as Aemon said the dragon would recover, while Joffrey Morlorn accused Aemon of harming Laenor and drew the soldiers against him.
• Aemon identified himself and his titles, and Vermithor roared at Joffrey and the soldiers before carrying Aemon away unharmed.
• Aemon arrived at High Tide Castle, where the Cargyll brothers demanded to know why Lord Corlys had not come to welcome him.
• Corlys came out to meet Aemon and lowered his head in greeting as Vermithor watched him.

Aemon arrived at High Tide after taming Vermithor and defeating Laenor, then joined the Name Day celebration as the Velaryons and Targaryens gathered. The festivities began, Daemon arrived, and the former Son of the Braavosi Sea King entered as the grand guest.

• Aemon walked into Green Leaf Forecourt as Vermithor took flight, stunning Corlys with the sight of the boy and his dragon.
• Aemon told Corlys that Driftmark also had dragons, then entered the castle with Vermithor circling overhead.
• At Nine Voyages Hall, Aemon declined Rhaenyra’s invitation to sit beside her and chose a seat farther down the table.
• Rhaenys sat beside Aemon, greeted him for his Name Day, and looked him over despite his earlier defeat of Laenor.
• Daemon arrived, praised Aemon, and sat across from him before the former Son of the Braavosi Sea King entered the hall.