Escape From Danger

Rolling on the ground, Rhaegar's head was muddled, and he looked around blankly.

Turning his head to look behind him, he saw Illyric, clad in silver armor and white cloak, pinning him down and shielding him.

"Illyric, you were supposed to guard the cave entrance. How did you end up here?"

His brain couldn't quite catch up, and Rhaegar asked hazily.

"Protecting your safety is my most important duty!"

Illyric's voice was muffled. He quickly got up, held Rhaegar in his arms, and sprinted away.

Rhaegar didn't hear what he said clearly and couldn't help but look back.

He still wanted to see what Dreamfyre looked like.

He had almost tamed Dreamfyre.

He hadn't expected things to change so quickly; it turned hostile in an instant, and his efforts were in vain.

"Hiss..."

Illyric was fast. He ran out of the nest in a few steps and fled outward through the tunnel.

Rhaegar's gaze remained fixed on Dreamfyre, watching the pale blue beast vent its anger.

Suddenly, his eyes landed on the chain around Dreamfyre's neck.

Dreamfyre thrashed back and forth, its sharp dragon teeth gnawing at the chain, which was as thick as an adult's thigh, sending sparks flying.

"It's the chain! The chain interrupted Dreamfyre's bonding ritual, and that's what enraged it!"

A flash of inspiration struck Rhaegar. He cried out in surprise, angrily staring at the chain that had caused his dragon-taming failure.

Discovering the reason, Rhaegar exploded.

His mood was no better than Dreamfyre's current rampage; he wished he could kill the bastard who had commissioned that chain.

Before he could say anything else, Illyric rounded a corner, and Dreamfyre was completely out of sight.

Soon after, they rushed out of the nest and returned to the original cave entrance.

Menas immediately rushed over, anxiously asking, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

Illyric shoved him aside and snorted, "Shut your mouth. You'd better pray the Prince is unharmed."

Saying that, he placed Rhaegar on the ground and knelt to examine him.

Rhaegar was immersed in regret and let him do as he pleased.

"Damn it, I was so close to taming Dreamfyre!"

He was filled with remorse.

Illyric first turned Rhaegar's head to examine it, and after confirming there was no head injury, he checked his limbs.

"Arms and legs are fine, fingers and toes are all there..."

Muttering, Illyric looked at Rhaegar's back, his expression immediately turning grim.

The clothes on his back had been burned away, and his normally fair skin was covered in dense blisters.

"That's a severe burn!"

Menas exclaimed, as if the blisters were on him.

"Quiet, I'm not blind!"

Illyric glared hatefully at him, wishing he could run the illegitimate scholar who had incited the Prince to tame the dragon through with his sword.

After a brief separation, Menas had regained his composure.

He knew very well what consequences he would face if the Prince was injured.

The thought of the gallows beckoning made Menas's vision go black.

"Wait, I know herbalism and medicine. I can treat His Highness."

Despite his fear, Menas still had his wits about him and thought of a way to mitigate the damage.

Fearing Illyric wouldn't listen, he pulled a collar from his clothes, from which hung three different types of chain links: black iron, silver, and gold.

"Get lost, I don't trust you."

Illyric wouldn't listen to him. He picked up Rhaegar, ready to leave.

During the life-or-death crisis, Rhaegar hadn't felt much.

Now that he was out of danger, as Illyric moved him, Rhaegar gasped, nearly passing out from the pain.

"Sir, wait a moment, it hurts too much!"

His entire back and the back of his neck were severely burned. The searing pain constantly stimulated his nerves and was already beginning to worsen into numbness.

"Let me at least provide temporary treatment for His Highness. His current injuries can't withstand the jolting; he needs immediate medical attention."

Menas spread his hands, blocking Illyric's path.

Illyric knew the urgency of the situation and hesitated, looking at Rhaegar.

Rhaegar bared his teeth. "Treat it! I can't take much more!"

Illyric nodded, his gaze fixed unpleasantly on Menas, warning, "If I find out you're playing any tricks, you'll be in deep trouble."

Menas snorted lightly. "I cherish my life more than you think."

He then instructed Illyric to carry Rhaegar and leave the tunnel steadily.

"My dwelling is near the Dragonpit, where there are herbs and equipment."

Emerging from the tunnel, Menas led the way up the stairs and into a narrow wooden hut on the edge of the Dragonpit.

"You live here?"

Illyric surveyed the dilapidated furniture and musty smell within the hut, surprised that a Maester could fall to such a state.

Menas hurried to the bedside and lay down, pulling a square wooden chest from under the bed.

Upon opening it, a variety of bottles and jars were revealed, containing medicinal powders, pills...

"Lay the Prince on the bed. I'll start with simple surface cleaning."

Menas spoke with urgency, not even having the mood to bicker with Illyric.

"This will hurt a bit, please bear with it."

Illyric warned Rhaegar before seeing him roll off his back and onto the bed.

"Hiss! Isn't that warning a little late?"

Rhaegar's face contorted in pain, and he grumbled indignantly.

"Don't speak, conserve your strength, Your Highness."

Menas found two ceramic jars and gently sprinkled a layer of powder onto Rhaegar's back.

"Ow, ow, ow..."

Rhaegar gritted his teeth, his limbs spasming uncontrollably.

He turned his head to look at Illyric, groaning, "Why didn't I pass out? Normally, such an injury would make one faint, wouldn't it?"

Illyric was speechless. "One faints when enduring unbearable agony. The fact that you didn't means it's not painful enough yet."

"But it already feels like enough."

Rhaegar argued hoarsely.

It wasn't that he was talkative.

If he didn't find someone to chat with to distract himself, he might truly faint from the pain.

"Seven hells! Such extensive burns, and from Dragonflame too, how did Your Highness survive?"

Menas couldn't help but exclaim as he applied medicine and bandaged the wound.

Based on his knowledge, the Dragonflame from an adult dragon was enough to melt steel.

Direct contact with Dragonflame would reduce a human body to ashes in an instant.

It was hard to imagine Rhaegar remaining conscious after being grazed by Dragonflame.

Hearing Menas's astonishment, Rhaegar instead asked, "Weren't you waiting for me by the nest? Why was Sir Illyric the one to save me?"

Menas's expression faltered, and he said with shame, "I was momentarily foolish and led you into Dreamfyre's nest."

"The moment you entered, I regretted it."

"I specifically ran out to seek help from this White Knight, fearing you might be in danger."

"I never expected Dreamfyre to go mad so quickly, and for you to still suffer such a severe injury."

Rhaegar ignored him and looked at Illyric.

Illyric did not deny it, then knelt on one knee with a thud, proclaiming loudly:

"The King's charge to me is to keep you safe. Letting you venture alone was already a grave dereliction of my duty."

"I... I am ashamed of the white cloak I bear."

With that, Illyric lowered his head and pulled off the white cloak, which was mostly burnt.

Looking at the badly scorched white cloak, Rhaegar's concern turned to Illyric's back, and he asked, "Are you injured, Sir?"

Illyric was slightly taken aback. "No, Prince."

Rhaegar breathed a sigh of relief, saying bitterly, "It's best that you're not. It's my fault for being so stubborn. If I had caused you injury, I would truly have no place to hide my shame."

"It is my duty."

Illyric replied calmly.

"No, your task then was to wait at the designated spot."

Rhaegar buried his face in his arms, looking dejected. "Sir, thank you for coming to my rescue despite everything. I am truly sorry!"

The previous chapter's plot was a setup for the future; do not dwell on the outcome of failing despite possessing the bloodline.

Strictly speaking, the protagonist succeeded.

He had already established a connection with Dreamfyre, only to be interrupted by chains.

Before Aemond tamed Vhagar, he also attempted to contact Dreamfyre but was scared away by a burst of Dragonflame.

Every Targaryen has a growth experience.