Morning light filtered through the stained glass of the Tyrosh Palace, casting mottled light and shadow across Liu Qian's composed face.
A smile touched his lips.
The night before, he had used Ruby's shapeshifting ability to assume the forms of "Stannis" and "Eddard," revealing one secret each to Stannis and Eddard.
As the delegation from the Seven Kingdoms departed, he could almost see the game of power about to unfold within the Red Keep.
His voice was calm. "Mezzo, use every channel you have to keep a close watch on King's Landing. I want to know every move Jon Arryn, Stannis, and Eddard Stark make as soon as it happens, along with the reactions of House Lannister and House Tyrell. We cannot miss this show."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Mezzo bowed and accepted his orders.
Liu Qian turned toward the sprawling map of the Disputed Lands.
He was deeply concerned about the shortage of pig iron Qyburn had reported.
On the third day after the delegation left Tyrosh, Liu Qian took Chai Yi to the Disputed Lands.
As usual, he first visited Crown Town to inspect the progress on Conqueror's Holdfast.
Heat shimmered beneath the blazing sun as craftsmen spread mortar over rough stone walls.
The outline of the new castle had already begun to take shape.
Afterward, he went to the wooded river valley behind Conqueror's Holdfast to check on the hatchlings' growth.
A Dragon-Rider needed to spend each day with their dragon to cultivate a bond beyond words.
Although Liu Qian firmly believed that the great dragons he had hatched possessed the same innate, absolute loyalty to him as the Flame Knights, emotional bonds still needed the tempering of time.
As he entered the clearing deep in the forest, swept bare by enormous wings, deep dragon growls