The surging flames sometimes swirled, sometimes twisted, chasing each other as they climbed higher and higher into the night sky.
Ding~~ Ding~ Ding ding ding~ Ding~ Ding ding ding~~~~
With one hand gripping the hilt of the longsword at his waist, Gryn Crabb stood before him, the giant flames billowing a strong wind that made his blue cloak embroidered with Marsh Marigold flap loudly.
The firelight reflected in Gryn's eyes... He should be alright, right? Although he knew Daenerys wasn't afraid of fire, he couldn't help but worry about her being directly facing the raging flames.
How many dragons would there be? Gryn's eyes trembled slightly; he seemed to be able to witness his own finishing move.
Who is Little Gryphon? Gryn didn't think Little Gryphon was the real Young Aegon; he was more inclined to believe that this "imposter" was a descendant of the House Blackfyre or the Aerion Brightflame.
This is Game of Thrones, yet Little Gryphon, in his foolishness, took the initiative to approach him. Gryn, being a shrewd player of power, naturally wouldn't waste such a good opportunity; he'd strike first and worry about the consequences later.
As for Little Gryphon's true origins... that's not important. Lord Gryn has set up a new table, and everyone is welcome to join in.
Flames soared high, flapping enormous, fiery red wings, and glowing embers drifted into the boundless night, like hundreds of newly born fireflies.
Varys... Jon Clinton (formerly the Mad King Hand of the King, also known as Griff, Little Gryphon's foster father)... The Golden Company... Gryn rubbed his thumb against his index finger with his other hand.
The fireworks wriggled before Daenerys, like female dancers... twirling... dancing... they seemed to be displaying the vitality within the flames, appearing exceptionally beautiful.
The flames engulfed Daenerys's loved ones, and she smelled the aroma of burning flesh, which was exactly the same as the familiar smell of roasting meat.
Fire melts away the skin, leaving only withered bones.
The intense heat of the flames caused sweat to flow over every part of her body, replacing the tears that should have flowed, which instead streamed down her cheeks.
These were not tears; she had sworn never to shed another tear for Viserys.
Daenerys's clothes began to smoke, and with a tug, she let the object in her hand fall to the ground, bursting into red flames.
A surge of heat rose from the fire, rushing towards Daenerys, but she remained unmoved; she was True Dragon Heir, with raging flames burning within her.
The flames were so beautiful; Daenerys saw crimson fire lions, golden serpents, and unicorns made of pale blue flames, each more beautiful than the last.
Daenerys opened her arms to meet them, her skin glowing red in the intense heat of the flames.
Gryn's eyes flickered slightly as he turned to look behind him. He saw Mutton Waters's warhammer smashing down on the head of an orange-haired giant.
The warhammer in Mutton's hands was incredibly powerful, instantly shattering the man's head. Thick, bright red blood splattered everywhere, landing on the ground.
The burly man collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Seeing the lord's gaze fall upon him, Mutton said sheepishly, "My lord, he's been staring at you..."
Gryn raised an eyebrow slightly.
Seemingly realizing his explanation wasn't very good, Mutton scratched his head and added, "He harbors murderous intent towards you."
Mutton possessed a beast-like intuition, second only to his own. Gryn nodded slightly, turned around, and walked over.
As Gryn was sizing him up, Osana's voice rang out. "Lord Gryn, his name is... Rory, he's Jon's friend."
Gryn looked at her. " Osana, is the blockade complete?"
A loud cracking sound suddenly rang out, and Gryn even felt the ground shake.
Crash! A sharp, thunderous sound erupted, thick smoke billowed up, and the ground shook once more.
Crash! The fire roared and shook the heavens, as if the sky were collapsing and the earth were splitting open.
The flames died down, and the ground cooled slightly.
With a crunching sound, Gryn took a step, his feet making a crisp sound as he stepped on the charcoal.
Gryn found Daenerys Targaryen amidst the ashes, surrounded by charred charcoal and glowing embers.
Daenerys was completely naked, her body covered in soot, and the beautiful silver hair she remembered was burned away.
Daenerys was unharmed. She held the milky-white and golden dragon and the bronze and emerald dragon in her arms, while the black and red dragon hung over her shoulders, its long, winding neck wrapped around her chin.
Daenerys looked up at the blue figure, seemingly thinking it was an illusion, " Gryn!"
The three little dragons opened their bright red eyes wide and looked at Gryn in unison, following Daenerys's gaze.
Daenerys suddenly stood up and repeated, " Gryn?"
Hiss~~~!
The Little Black Dragon angrily exhaled wisps of white smoke from its mouth and nose, and the other two joined in its roar.
Gryn raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the three small dragons. For a moment... he was the strongest creature!
Gryn ripped off his cloak and draped it over Daenerys, who stared intently at him, her violet eyes growing ever brighter.
Gryn gently lifted Daenerys up around the waist; her hands gripped his clothes tightly, she buried her face in his shoulder, and whispered, " Gryn."
Hiss~~~!
The three little dragons spread their translucent wings, flapped the air, and cried out in unison.
Davos Seaworth surveyed the Dragonstone harbor, now bustling with activity. Every dock was teeming with sailors unloading supplies, and every tavern was packed with soldiers gambling, drinking, or searching for prostitutes... but they were wasting their time, for Stannis forbade prostitution on the island.
Davos dismissed his son and walked into the tavern alone. At the far end of the noisy hall, his friend Salado Saan waved to him.
Davos crossed the table and chairs, pulled up a chair, and sat down opposite Salado. He looked at Salado and nodded slightly.
Salado clicked his tongue and said, "My friend, the flames will spread everywhere, and too much light will hurt your eyes."
Davos shrugged slightly. "She said the Red Comet was a prophecy from the Asshai Assassins."
Salado pursed his lips and said, "I think the Red Comet is a sign that I should go back to my old ways."
Davos merely curled the corners of his lips slightly, without saying a word.
Salado hiccuped and said, "I never expected the leader of Casterly Rock to send his Dwarf son to King's Landing's Landing. Is he trying to scare away their enemies with that ugly face, or does he want the Imp to dance on the walls and make us laugh ourselves to death?"
Davos raised his glass, took a sip of his ale, and said, "Salado, how are King's Landing's defenses?"
Salado leaned back in his chair and said, "The walls are high and thick, and they're busy building catapults and giant crossbows, but what's the use? Those Gold Cloaks are all obedient birds, but besides them, the Lannister have no one else who can defend the city."
He paused, leaned forward, and continued, "I think if we can strike quickly, like... an eagle swooping down on a rabbit, the great capital will be ours. If the winds are favorable, our Lord Stannis can sit on the Iron Throne by tomorrow evening, and then we can dress that Dwarf up as a clown, poke his butt with a gun, and make him dance for us!"
He chuckled and added, "Perhaps your kind Lord Stannis will even grant me a wonderful night with the beautiful Queen Regent Cersei! Just thinking about it makes me very eager to fight, my friend!"
Davos put down his glass and replied, "Pirate, didn't you complain about how impatient the Westeros were? Lord Stannis is fair; every bit of effort you put in will be well rewarded."
Salado said mournfully, "My dear old friend, your poor friend wants gleaming gold, not a written promise!"
Davos solemnly assured him, "Salador, once we seize the treasury of King's Landing, you will receive the gold. Stannis Baratheon is the most trustworthy man in the Seven Kingdoms; he will keep his promise."
Salado waved his hand impatiently. "Fine, fine, my friend."
Davos smiled slightly. "Thank you, my friend."
Salado sighed helplessly, then moved slightly closer to Davos, his smile fading. " Davos," he said, "Even if, as you say, we take King's Landing, how long do you think we can hold it? Tywin Lannister commands a large army, and Renly Baratheon..."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "I've heard that Stannis's brother Renly is preparing to bring his young and beautiful Queen, his Flower Lords and Shiny Knights, and a hundred thousand soldiers, along the Roseroad toward this great city we just spoke of."
Davos asked in surprise, "Are you sure? He's going to take his bride with him to war?"
Salado laughed, shrugged, and said, "Unfortunately, that king didn't bother to explain the reason to me..."
His expression turned lewd, and he said, "Perhaps... he couldn't bear to part with the bride's warmth even for one night? Or perhaps... he thought he already had victory in his grasp."
Davos hesitated for a moment, then said, "I will report this matter to Lord Stannis."
Salado downed the rest of his drink in one gulp, wiped his mouth with his hand, and said, "My dear Sir, when do you think our leader will finally give the order to set sail?"
Davos frowned. "I think it should be soon, my friend."
"Still waiting for the guidance from the Red Priestess?"
Davos paused for a moment, then nodded slightly.
Salado shrugged and stood up from his chair. "I see. Looks like it won't be long before we're both feasting in the Red Keep and listening to the Dwarf sing his cheerful tunes."
He walked over and patted Davos on the shoulder, then said, "When you meet with His Majesty Stannis, could you please remind him for me that by the next new moon, he'll owe me another 22,000 Gold Dragon... Hmm, if he lets me sleep with Queen Regent Cersei for one night, I might waive some of the interest."
After saying that, Salado swaggered out of the tavern.
Davos frowned and sat for a while longer. He glanced at the sky outside, downed the ale in his glass in one gulp, pushed the glass away, and got up to leave.
Outside the Dragonstone Sept, flames soared into the sky, and the Maiden and the Mother, the Warrior and the Smith, the Crone pearl eyes, the Father with a gilded beard, and the Stranger sculpted to resemble animals were all engulfed in the fire.
Hundreds of people gathered here to witness the burning of the Seven. At this moment, even the soldiers maintaining order felt deeply uneasy about such a disrespectful act against the Gods most people had worshipped their entire lives.
Melisandre walked slowly around the raging flames, dressed in a crimson robe, her eyes as red as the large jewel around her neck, as if they were burning.
As she walked, she chanted. "We offer these false the Gods to you, these seven-faced, one-dimensional the Gods, your enemies. Take them away, and grant us your light, for the Long Night and dark, and danger lurks everywhere."
She cried out, " R'hllor, Lord of Light! Mortals are shrouded in darkness, descend upon them!"
Stannis stood watching expressionlessly, while his wife Selyse Florent, devoutly repeated the prayers alongside Melisandre.
Seeing the Gods being burned, Davos, who was watching from behind, frowned deeply... Those who opposed the Lord of Light were either killed or imprisoned; no one would stop it anymore.
He sighed inwardly. For Davos, a smuggler by trade, the Gods held no particular significance, but he opposed harming his own people over questions of true or false gods.
Black smoke rose, swirling and twisting. Suddenly the wind shifted, and onlookers blinked, tears welled up, and they rubbed their eyes.
Melisandre proclaimed, "According to the prophecy of the Asshai Asshals, after the Long Summer, the stars will weep blood, and a cold darkness will shroud the world. In this terrifying moment, a the Warrior will draw Burning Sword from the flames. That sword is the Lightbringer, the Red Sword of Heroes. The one who wields this sword will be the reincarnation of Azor Ahai, and he will drive away the darkness that shrouds the world."
She raised her voice. "Azor Ahai, beloved of R'hllor! The Warrior of Light! Son of Fire! Come! Your sword awaits you! Draw your sword!"
As Melisandre finished speaking, Stannis strode forward as if heading to battle. In the fire, he gripped the hilt of his sword with his gloved Right Hand, pulled hard, and drew his sword.
Stannis raised his sword high, the blade wreathed in flames as green as jade.
A soft gasp rippled through the crowd.
Lady Selyse cried out, " Burning Sword!"
A moment of silence followed, then the crowd roared, " The Burning Sword!"
" The Burning Sword!"
" The Burning Sword!"
" The Burning Sword!"
Melisandre raised her hands above her head and chanted loudly. "Behold! The sign of the promise has been fulfilled! Behold, the Lightbringer! Azor Ahai has returned to the world! Rejoice! For the Warrior of light! Rejoice! For the Son of Fire!"
She cried out, " The Long Night is dark and treacherous! Lord of Light, grant us your light!"
Suddenly, Davos saw Stannis plunge the flaming sword in his hand into the ground, then immediately remove his burning gloves and let them fall to the ground.
The Lightbringer, planted in the ground, still glowed red, but the flames coiling around its blade were rapidly fading.
The longsword began to turn charred black, and it looked more and more like a piece of scrap metal... Davos thought to himself, "Is this the Red Sword of Heroes the priestess spoke of?"