A Fire at Storm's End

A day and a night passed.

King's Landing.

"Siga—"

At dawn, a colossal creature as black as charcoal flew across Blackwater Bay, soaring over the kingdom's capital.

Where its black wings passed, the scent of ash spread unchecked.

It seemed ready to unleash destruction at any moment, and yet it also seemed to suppress an endless fury.

The Red Keep.

Servants hurried about, while guards held their breath in fear.

Thud, thud, thud...

Footsteps approached from afar, each one sounding as though it were striking an iron plate.

Illyric, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, stood guard outside the king's bedchamber. At the sight of the person approaching, he cried out in alarm, "Your Grace!"

"Your Grace!..."

The maesters, princes, and ministers crowded around the entrance all lowered their heads and bowed with stiff formality.

Creak—

Rhaegar pushed open the tightly shut door, his expression dark.

"Father~~"

Two boys stood just inside. Their eyes brimmed with tears as they choked out the word.

They were Baelor and Mecha, who had rushed back as soon as they heard the news.

Rhaegar looked at Baelor's face, so much like his own, and couldn't help thinking of Aemon, whose appearance bore seven parts resemblance to his. His throat bobbed once. "Go outside."

The bedchamber held more than just two boys on the verge of adulthood, and there was no need to discuss important matters in front of them.

"Father, Grandfather is ill."

Mecha glanced furtively toward the bedroom and spoke in a quiet voice.

"Mm." Rhaegar nodded gently and waved a hand.

The two boys exchanged a look, then opened the door and went outside.

Rhaegar lifted the beaded curtain to the bedroom, and one familiar face after another came into view.

His father lay in the sickbed, with Rhaenys, Corlys, Helaena, and the