Terrifying black-and-red dragonfire, thick as lava, instantly set ablaze the forests covering nearly half the mountainside where the Dornish were hiding.
Where the dragonfire dripped, even the rocks began to melt rapidly. Thick smoke, flames, and molten streams poured straight through the cave entrances the Dornish had carved into the mountain.
Dornish screams immediately rang through the caves. They could not fathom why something so horrifying was happening. Those who reacted quickly scrambled to flee deeper underground.
But the flames heated the air to scalding temperatures and spread swiftly into the depths of the caves as though they were alive.
Anyone overtaken by that heat wave burst into flames in an instant, most of their bodies vaporizing outright. What remained was immediately swallowed by the searing lava.
Near the entrances, the Dornish who knew they could no longer escape raised their shields, attempting one last stand. But the terrifying flames, smoke, and molten streams instantly set their wooden shields alight.
Even metal shields turned red-hot and melted in moments. The Dornish warriors holding them were swallowed by the flames as well, barely managing a single agonized scream before they died.
As the temperature inside the caves rose sharply, the air grew scorching and thin, making breathing increasingly difficult. Before long, the superheated air burned their airways.
Most of the Dornish coughed uncontrollably in the thick smoke, tears streaming from their eyes. Faced with this apocalyptic sight, they could do nothing but flee madly into the depths of the caves.
Earl Manwoody and his family were hiding in the deepest part of the cave. The chamber was as spacious as a castle's banquet hall, and its furnishings were comfortable and welcoming.
Hand-carved skylights and vents allowed them to bask in warm sunlight and breathe fresh air even inside the mountain.
But