The fleet passed the harbors of Hull and Spicetown. House Velaryon's merchant ships crowded the docks at Hull, and wisps of cooking smoke drifted above Spicetown's market, but the flagship showed no sign of stopping-
Viserys had already ordered them to sail straight to High Tide on the other side of Driftmark. That was where Corlys had prepared a berth for the royal family.
Inside the cabin, Viserys reclined on a cushioned couch, resting with his eyes closed. Alicent sat beside him with Daeron in her arms, watching the island's outline draw closer through the porthole.
Helaena leaned over a small table, drawing patterns on parchment with a charcoal stick that no one else could understand-winding lines that resembled dragons, or perhaps waves.
"Skree-"
A piercing dragon cry cut through the cabin's wooden walls, sharp and urgent, nothing like Syrax's usual lazy calls.
Viserys's eyes snapped open. Alicent instinctively tightened her hold on Daeron. Helaena raised her head, gazed at the sky beyond the porthole with her pale violet eyes, and said in a small, soft voice, "My sister is angry."
Viserys pushed himself up from the couch. Alicent handed Daeron to the maid beside her and hurried after him. Cole was already waiting outside the cabin, his hand on his sword hilt and his expression grave. They passed through the narrow corridor, and the moment they stepped onto the deck, the sea breeze struck their faces with a spray of salty mist.
The deck was already crowded. Lyonel stood by the rail, looking up at the sky. Aegon's attendants crowded around the stern railing, and Alyn's hand had already settled on the sword at his waist. Even Robin Massey, who usually lounged lazily in the sun, stood straight now, his brown eyes wide.
At some point, mist had risen