Secrets hidden in the dragon port

When Daemon stepped out of the tent again, the morning light had pierced through the thin mist and grown even stronger, turning the barren landscape of Crab Claw Peninsula into a warm gold.

Gael, along with Mysaria and Johanna, and protected by Brienne Tarth's steel armor and Lia Osgrey's leather armor, was directing the refugees to build a temporary school for their people.

Her light purple dress fluttered in the wind, the silver threads adorning the hem shimmering with each movement, like a Roland unfurling in the morning breeze, her eyes filled with longing for the future.

However, when she saw Daemon emerge from the tent, she quickly smiled and waved to her nephew-in-law, saying, "Little Daemon, I just heard Lia say that the Allan scholar who visited our territory said that according to his research, salt-tolerant crops can be successfully grown on Crab Claw Peninsula. Perhaps our Dragon's Roost Port will never have to worry about food again."

"Yes, with these scholars sent by the Citadel to help, we'll all be able to save a lot of trouble."

Daemon walked over to her, his gaze sweeping over the solid foundation of the school not far away. The log frame was already taking shape, and several children were watching the craftsmen build the beams, their eyes full of curiosity.

"Are the children's textbooks ready?" Daemon asked softly.

"It's ready. Vaegon told us before he and Maester Bernard left King's Landing that they had a basic literacy textbook sent from the Citadel, and it should arrive soon. In his letter, he mentioned that there are also some simple arithmetic and historical stories."

Gael nodded, "Once the school is built, we can have Bachelor Samuel and Maester Marvin take turns teaching, so that the children of refugees and the children of the tribe can study together, which will also promote integration."

Seeing the warmth in her eyes, Daemon felt a surge of warmth in his heart as well. Although the scholars sent by the Citadel had their own purposes, they brought real knowledge and skills, contributing to the construction of Dragon's Roost Port.

After all, these are talents offered for free, so why refuse them? As for their hidden ambitions, he knew how to handle them appropriately.

After all, there are still two cunning idiots who are being kept under strict surveillance by Daemon's men, effectively placed under house arrest, because of the stupid things they did during the last Crab Claw Peninsula rainstorm, without their knowledge.

However, judging from the performance of the scholars dispatched by the Citadel this time, they should all be intelligent people.

However, when Daemon turned to look at the west side of the camp, Bethany Hightower was already standing next to Alys Rivers by the foundation of the medical post. The former's notebook was filled with dense writing, and her fingertips were still covered with a little dirt, obviously she had just surveyed the surrounding vegetation. However, her gaze kept drifting towards Daemon, with an almost burning curiosity, like a hunter staring intently at his prey.

"The way she looked at you was really uncomfortable." Gael had already noticed Bethany's gaze towards Daemon, and had long forgotten that when she was touring Oldtown with Daemon, she had praised Bethany for her gentleness, intelligence, and poise.

However, feeling a sense of crisis, Gael whispered in Daemon's ear, who had now become her legal husband, "Alys said she's obsessed with all things unknown and mysterious. Ever since she met you in Oldtown, she's become very interested in everything about Old Valyria, especially the Dragon Mark on you and the Glutton's transformation."

"What she wants isn't knowledge, but mystery," Daemon replied with a sigh. "The maesters of the Citadel are there for research; she's there to satisfy her obsession with the mysterious. But as long as it doesn't get in the way, we don't need to bother with her."

As they were talking, Alys Rivers led Bethany over. Alys Rivers held a Dragonblood Grass in her hand and gently handed it to Gael: "This is freshly picked Dragonblood Grass. After drying, it can be used in medicine and also as a dye. Miss Bethany suggests building a herb garden next to the medical station to cultivate local medicinal plants, which will facilitate diagnosis and treatment and allow us to study their properties."

Bethany looked at Daemon, the fervor in her eyes subsiding slightly, regaining her usual intellectual composure, but she couldn't hide the excitement in her eyes. "Your Highness, the herbal resources around Dragon's Roost Port and Crab Claw Peninsula are so abundant, many of them are not recorded in the Citadel's records."

If I can conduct systematic research by your side in the future, it will not only benefit the people within your territory, but may also unravel the mystery surrounding you that seems to originate from the Valyrian Freehold. Perhaps it will even lead to the discovery of the secrets within you—"

Her words went straight to the point, making no attempt to hide her desire for "secrets," as if Daemon's enigma were a natural connection to her own herbal research aimed at concealing her true purpose.

Daemon looked at her, his tone calm yet revealing a hint of helplessness, and said, "A herb garden can be built. As for the land needed? I can have Rayford allocate it. But please remember, Miss Bethany Hightower, you should focus on your research on herbs. Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask, and don't touch things you shouldn't touch."

Bethany's cheeks flushed slightly, a rare occurrence, as if her secret had been touched, yet she still stubbornly raised her head. "Your Highness, I am simply filled with curiosity about the unknown. You are the most mysterious being in Westeros. Your appearance, your bond with dragons, the Dragon Mark on your body—these are all like mysteries left behind by Old Valyria. Unraveling these mysteries might bring new understanding to the Citadel and to Westeros."

"Some mysteries are perhaps more meaningful when left unsolved." Daemon turned and walked towards the dock. "I have official business to attend to; you can make your own arrangements."

Bethany watched his retreating figure, her longing growing stronger, her fingers gripping the notebook tightly until her knuckles turned white.

Alys Rivers glanced at her, a knowing smile playing on her lips, then turned and followed Daemon.

"Your interest in him has gone beyond the academic realm," Alys Rivers in a low voice, audible only to the two of them. "If your uncle, Lord Otto, knew the truth, he probably wouldn't allow you to be so persistent."

Bethany turned her head, a hint of arrogance flashing in her eyes. "My uncle only cares about power; he doesn't understand the allure of the unknown. Daemon Blackfyre is like an undiscovered Old Valyria ruin, every detail holds surprises. I must figure out his secrets."

She paused, then added, "My cousin Alicent knows about my interest and hasn't objected; my brother Mund also finds it interesting, but just tells me not to cause trouble. As for my father, I naturally won't tell him; he'll just think I'm being silly."

Alys Rivers shook her head slightly and didn't say anything more, but looked in Daemon's direction, a complicated look flashing in her eyes.

She knew that Daemon's secret was far deeper than Bethany imagined; it was a mark that transcended time and space, not something that could be easily unraveled.

When Daemon arrived at the dock, Rupert Crabb was directing craftsmen to reinforce the wooden piles.

Upon seeing Daemon, he hurried over and handed him a list. "Your Highness, the House Velaryon's silver ship from Tidehead Island has delivered a shipment of timber and tools, along with a letter from Lord Corlys, saying that the trade route to the Stepstones has been stabilized, and they will send a merchant ship to Dragon's Roost Port next month to make contact."

Daemon took the letter, in which Corlys mentioned that House Velaryon merchants were very interested in Dragon's Roost Port's seafood and timber, and were willing to establish long-term trade. They also hoped to purchase herbs and ores from Dragon's Roost Port.

The letter concluded with a sarcastic remark. "The scholars of the Citadel have practically razed Dragon's Roost Port to the ground; it seems your charm is more alluring than the trade of the Narrow Sea."

Daemon smiled, put the letter away, and glanced at the bustling dock.

The visiting scholars were busy in every corner of the Citadel:

Maester Allan was instructing the refugees on farming, Samuel was building an observatory, and Maester Marvin was organizing medicinal herbs at the medical station. Their grey robes stood out in the crowd, but they gradually blended into the construction rhythm of Dragon's Roost Port.

Although their initial intention was to uncover his secrets, it is undeniable that their knowledge injected strong momentum into the development of Dragon's Roost Port.

There's no reason to refuse free talent and technology. As for their "research," Daemon himself knows his limits. He'll reveal what they should know, and they'll never find out what they shouldn't.

As the sun set, campfires lit up the camp at Dragon's Roost Port. Refugees sang around the fires, craftsmen cleaned their tools, and scholars gathered to discuss their research progress, occasionally glancing at Daemon's tent with curiosity and awe in their eyes.

Gael sat gently beside Daemon, holding a glass of warm ale in her hands, her light purple eyes filled with tenderness. "Today, Maester Allan said that in another six months, our territory will be able to harvest its first batch of grain, and then Dragon's Roost Port will no longer need to rely on King's Landing for supplies."

"Hmm," Daemon nodded, his gaze drifting to the west side of the camp, where Bethany was still discussing something with Alys Rivers. The firelight illuminated her face, making her appear particularly focused. "The maesters of the Citadel may have their own agendas, but they have indeed been very helpful. Once Dragon's Roost Port is more stable, we can deal with their affairs gradually."

The Glutton lay sprawled on the open ground not far away, its dark dragon scales gleaming with a dark gold hue under the campfire. Grey Ghost curled up beside it, a piece of honey cake dangling from its mouth, munching away with great relish.

Dreamfyre hovered high in the sky, its pale blue dragon wings sweeping across the night like a flowing ribbon of light.

Alys Rivers walked up to Daemon and handed him a small bottle. "This is a sedative made with Dragonblood Grass and star-leaf grass. You've been working hard on official business lately; a cup before bed will help you sleep soundly."

She paused, then added, "Miss Bethany is very interested in the Old Valyria script. I showed her some basic patterns, and she seemed to think they resembled some of the patterns on your Dragon Mark."

"Let her see it." Daemon took the bottle, his fingertips touching the cold glass. "Old Valyria script is widely used; similarities don't necessarily mean connections. If she wants to study it, let her. Anyway, she'll probably find no answers, just like I did when I was young."

Alys Rivers looked at him, a hint of approval in her eyes. "You're more composed than I expected. That obsession of hers is terrifying; if you're not careful and get entangled with her, it'll be hard to escape."

"I know what I'm doing." Daemon took a sip of the tranquilizer, the faint herbal scent spreading on his tongue. "What she wants is a secret, and if I don't give it to her, her obsession won't change anything. But you, equally mysterious, don't seem to mind her following you?"

"She has a remarkable talent for understanding herbs, runes, and certain things," Alys Rivers replied casually. "Talking to her reminds me of some forgotten knowledge. And it's quite interesting to watch her chase after things that aren't hers."

Daemon smiled and said nothing more. The night sky was dotted with stars, and the sound of the waves in the Narrow Sea mingled with the crackling of the campfire, making Dragon's Roost Port peaceful yet full of life tonight.

Bethany sat on a rock not far away, holding a notebook in her hands. By the light of the campfire, she repeatedly traced the script that Alys Rivers had shown her, and compared it with the appearance of Daemon's Dragon Mark in her memory, trying to find a connection.

Her gaze was focused and fervent, as if she were solving an eternal riddle, completely oblivious to the stares of Daemon and Alys Rivers.

Unbeknownst to her, the secret she was pursuing was far beyond her comprehension.

Daemon's mystery is not the ancient Old Valyria ruins she believes in, but a time imprint spanning a century into the future, a rebirth of blood and fire, a destiny destined to rewrite history.

Daemon watched her figure, feeling little emotion. The Citadel's maesters and Bethany's curiosity and greed were merely minor episodes in the construction of Dragon's Roost Port.

What he truly cared about was Gael's smile, the rise of Dragon's Roost Port, the impending peace and tranquility, and the Dance of the Dragons and the White Walkers crisis he would face in the future.

The campfire gradually grew stronger, illuminating everyone's faces. The scholars' discussions, the refugees' songs, and the dragon's low murmurs intertwined, creating the most beautiful nocturne in Dragon's Roost Port.

Daemon knew that the Citadel's spying wouldn't end easily, Bethany's obsession wouldn't subside easily, but none of this could stop Dragon's Roost Port's growth.

He will make good use of every bit of power, even if that power carries impure motives, to transform the desolate Crab Claw Peninsula, as seen by the world, into an indestructible fortress, a home to protect his loved ones.

As night deepened, the cries of the dragons in the harbor echoed once more. The Glutton's roar grew longer and longer, followed closely by Dreamfyre's clear and melodious cry. Grey Ghost's small voice occasionally broke the silence, mingling with the sounds of the waves and the campfire.

Daemon gently grasped Gael's hand beside him, feeling the warmth of her palm, his heart filled with determination.

No matter how many mysteries lie ahead, no matter how many people try to uncover his secrets, as long as he has Glutton by his side, Gail and her Gael, loyal followers, and trusted brothers—

He can safeguard this peace that belongs to him, this land where he is rising, and in the past century, he will forge his own legendary path as Daemon Blackfyre.

And the scholars who "visit" the Citadel, Bethany Hightower, who is obsessed with the mystique surrounding her to the point of near-paranoia, will all become witnesses to this journey—

Witness how a Black Dragon, who came from a hundred years in the future, rises in what is considered a barbaric land and gradually rewrites the trajectory of its predetermined destiny.