His steps were steady and his shoulders straight as he strove to maintain the dignity of a commander of a Night's Watch castle, but fine beads of sweat still seeped from his forehead, betraying his nervousness.
The officers following him were pale as well. Some instinctively touched the weapons at their waists, as though those weapons could lend them courage, while others lowered their heads and exchanged uneasy glances.
Although none of them had seen Viserys in person before, Lord Commander Mormont had long since told them about cooperating with him. Letters and messages from Castle Black had repeatedly stressed the importance of this matter.
Dennis and the others resented the Lord Commander's order to let the Wildlings head south, and had complained about it countless times in private. Still, they were Black Brothers, and they had made some mental preparations, knowing that change Beyond the Wall was imminent.
But being prepared was one thing; seeing the Dragonlord's ten Dragons land before them was another. The shock struck deep into their souls, making them instantly realize that the gulf between legend and reality was far greater than they had imagined.
To Dennis, the three-headed Dragon's eyes gleamed like molten gold. Every breath carried scorching heat, as though she could set this frozen land ablaze at any moment.
The snow on the ice field melted slightly beneath the waves of heat radiating from the Dragon's body, sending up wisps of white mist. They mingled with the cold light reflected from her scales, creating an eerie scene.
King Ghidorah's enormous body lay coiled in the open ground before the Shadow Tower, her wings folded behind her back. A faint golden sheen edged every scale.
Her three heads turned slowly, her six golden, slit-pupiled eyes sweeping intently over everyone who approached. Her gaze