Unlike the fierce little black dragon and the brave little green dragon, the naturally wary Grey Ghost still refused to land. Even though hunger had left him with barely any strength, even though his two brothers were already eating with grease dripping from their mouths, Grey Ghost kept a vigilant eye on his surroundings.
No wonder Grey Ghost had survived in the original timeline even after both his brothers had died. That vigilance was certainly admirable, but it also doomed him to a wretched life!
What Danyla truly could not understand was how Grey Ghost, who had evaded Cannibal's hunts, had ended up caught and eaten by the half-crippled Sunfyre. It was as baffling as the mobs in King's Landing and Lys being able to slaughter dragons.
Had some god intervened?! The Faceless Men?!
Or perhaps Grey Ghost had been too cautious, leaving him underfed and undersized, and the half-crippled Sunfyre had cornered him in his lair? Even if he couldn't win, couldn't he escape?
Now that I'm here, Grey Ghost, your good days have finally arrived!
While Grey Ghost hesitated, the little black dragon and the little green dragon quickly polished off the three plump sheep.
Especially when they fought over the third roast sheep, neither young dragon spared a thought for brotherly affection!
Having landed first, the little black dragon finished his sheep ahead of the other. He sank his teeth into the third plump sheep, but he had only taken a few bites before the little green dragon snatched it away!
After finishing his own roast sheep, the little green dragon unexpectedly seized the third sheep by a leg. In the instant the little black dragon froze in surprise, he yanked the entire sheep over to himself, then wolfed down almost half of it.
Having his food stolen instantly ignited the little black dragon's fury, and he first let out several vicious roars at the little green dragon.
But the little green dragon had eyes-and a mouth-only for the plump sheep before him, giving the little black dragon no response whatsoever.
Enraged, the little black dragon immediately leaped up and swiped at the little green dragon, slashing a deep gash across his chest. Scalding dragon blood spilled out at once, scorching the nearby grass.
Stung by the pain, the little green dragon roared back at the little black dragon, refusing to back down. Cunningly, however, he grabbed the remaining sheep with his hind feet and flew straight off. The little black dragon promptly followed.
They fought fiercely in midair over the remaining roast sheep. In the end, the little black dragon used his slightly larger size to snatch the rest of the meat away. He tossed the roast sheep high into the air in triumph, then caught it in his mouth and swallowed it.
That was quite a show!
While the young dragons were all high in the air, Danyla hurriedly had the servants drag over six more marinated sheep and pile them onto the roasting rack. They quickly added firewood beneath it.
Soon, the aroma of the plump sheep spread through the air again.
The little black dragon and the little green dragon, who had enjoyed the rare treat of eating their fill halfway, hurried back down when they saw this. To grow closer to them, Danyla stood a short distance from the roasting rack this time.
Everyone present broke into a nervous sweat for Danyla. Even Aemma gripped Viserys's arm and asked anxiously,
"Isn't Danyla taking too much of a risk?!"
Viserys kept his eyes fixed on the young dragons as he reassured Aemma,
"Don't worry. Great Dragons won't hurt pure-blooded Targaryens!"
But the frequent bobbing of his Adam's apple betrayed that Viserys was nowhere near as calm as he appeared.
Seeing that the sheep were not yet cooked, the little black dragon and the little green dragon could not bear to wait and breathed dragonfire straight onto them.
The little black dragon's fire was the same eerie green as Cannibal's, and it even came out in a faintly jet-like stream.
The little green dragon's fire was pale green mixed with gold, quite close to the color of his scales. A golden sheen shimmered within the green.
Although their dragonfire was not as hot as an adult Great Dragon's, it far surpassed the heat of burning wood, cooking all six sheep in an instant. The little black dragon impatiently dragged one over and began eating beside the rack.
The little green dragon took one in his mouth and grabbed another with his hind feet, then flew somewhere far from the little black dragon to eat.
Only then did the little black dragon, who had been watching the little green dragon out of the corner of his eye, stop paying attention to him and concentrate on his meal.
This time, the wary Grey Ghost finally succumbed to his hunger. He cautiously flew over the roasting rack, seized a goat, and flew off into the distance until he vanished from everyone's sight.
The little black dragon devoured his own sheep as fast as he could, then claimed the roasting rack outright. He sheltered the two remaining roast sheep beneath his body to keep the little green dragon or Grey Ghost from stealing them again.
Half an hour later, the little black dragon and the little green dragon finally finished eating. Of the nine plump sheep, only three had skeletons left behind. They had even crushed and eaten the skulls of the earlier sheep, a sign of just how scarce their usual food must have been.
The little black dragon and the little green dragon seemed to know that Danyla had provided these sheep. Once they were full, they actually edged slowly toward her. The little black dragon sniffed her deeply, then rubbed his head against her, behaving with remarkable affection.
Danyla boldly rested her hand on his head, feeling his scorching body heat. Her reflection slowly appeared in his slit pupils. Just as she was about to stroke him again, however, the little black dragon spread his wings and left.
After the little black dragon departed, the little green dragon also approached Danyla and sniffed her. He studied her carefully, then spread his wings and flew away as well.
Watching them leave, Danyla remained lost in a daze for a long time. Viserys and Rhaenyra looked much the same. As Dragon Warriors, they knew very well that both young dragons had come close to accepting Danyla as their rider.
Yet each Targaryen could be accepted by only one Great Dragon. They had always considered that an inviolable rule. Why did Danyla seem so different from all the Targaryens before her?
Not only had she already claimed Dreamfyre, but Myracis, the dragon hatched alongside Danyla, was even closer to her. They strongly suspected that Myracis would also accept Danyla as her rider once she grew up.
Now these wild dragons were all so affectionate toward Danyla, too. It was truly strange!
Only when Cameron came over and whispered into Danyla's ear,
"Your Highness, the roast sheep for Dreamfyre are ready as well!"
did Danyla come back to her senses and immediately reply,
"Oh! All right, carry the roast sheep and follow me!"
The "Flaying Knights" lifted the six plump sheep and quietly followed Danyla toward the great rock where Dreamfyre lay.
Once they arrived, Danyla went up to Dreamfyre and gently stroked her lips, allowing her to relax completely.
The Flaying Knights carefully placed the roasted goats on the great rock, then backed away.
For the lesson Danyla had taught them was to never turn their backs on a Great Dragon!
Dreamfyre had still been a little annoyed that the young dragons had interrupted her meal. But at the sight of the six plump sheep roasted golden brown, she instantly forgot all her displeasure. Happily taking one per mouthful, she swallowed all six sheep.
Ever since Danyla had bonded with Dreamfyre, she had never seen a Great Dragon eat meat and spit out the bones.
It made sense. With an adult Great Dragon's enormous jaws and powerful bite, why would she spit out the bones of a sheep barely big enough to fill the gaps between her teeth? Great Dragons were said to swallow rocks to replenish the iron in their bodies, so why would they care about a few sheep bones?
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