Baelor's Dragon-Taming Tale, End

Outside Sunspear, the Water Gardens.

Built by the late Prince Qoren as a summer retreat where he could enjoy the company of his children.

The gardens were a wonder of pavilions and carved beams, flowers and streams running side by side through the grounds, the air perpetually warm as spring.

Yet,

"Siga!"

A young black-and-red dragon tumbled downward, a deep gash torn across its chest, spilling hot scarlet blood.

Its wings beat frantically. Its sleek body twisted around, and it swept back into flight just above the garden grounds.

Sizzle...

The flowers and stream touched by the spilled dragon blood withered, turning into yellowing grass and dry gullies.

"Run! We're almost there!"

Baelor swayed in the wind, glancing anxiously behind him.

High above, in the clouds, a colossal shape followed close behind. As it shifted, folds of dark green skin came into view.

"Screee!"

Vhagar dove low, its abyssal maw pouring forth torrents of Dragonflame.

"Get out of the way!"

Baelor's heart pounded. He seized the scarlet dorsal ridge and yanked to one side.

Illygas was clever, and banked with him, darting out of the gorgeous garden enclosed by tropical trees.

Soon, the two dragons, one large and one small, were flying side by side.

Sunspear.

The Dornish smallfolk had gathered in little groups, and suddenly realized that two dragons were flying overhead.

Rumble—

The dragons swept past, sending a fierce wind that whipped up a skyful of sand.

The Dornish smallfolk flattened themselves against the ground, shielding their heads with their hands.

One dragon flew past. As someone raised their head, an even larger old dragon caught up with it.

Another cloud of sand swept over them, filling their hair and faces with grit.

"Dragons!!"

Suddenly, someone shouted, startling the entire city.

The Dornish smallfolk scattered, terrified by the