The Red Dragon
patreon
58. The start of the Hunt
🕑 Added 2024-12-12 13:44:42 +0000 UTCDaeranyx POV
Even though Rhaenys might have anticipated Daemon's actions, it doesn't make her any less furious. They are currently arguing beside me; Rhaenys insists on delaying their plans for a day to give me a comprehensive tour of Dragonstone and familiarize me with the castle. Daemon, however, is impatient, arguing that the Cannibal has not been seen leaving his cave for some time and would likely be hungry. He contends that if the Cannibal were to not hunt today, he might not be as tempted by the bait tomorrow as he would be right now.
Before they began to fight in front of me, I felt necessary to interject express my opinion. "Princess Rhaenys, I do not mind at all if you choose to accept Prince Daemon's proposal lure the hungry Cannibal out to kill him. Regarding the tour you mentioned, is perfectly acceptable; could wait for few hours without any issue." Upon hearing my words, both of them ceased their bickering and turned their attention to what I was about to say. Daemon smirked satisfaction, while Rhaenys appeared hesitant at first but eventually nodded after a few moments.
Although I understand from Rhaenys' perspective that she believed I would take it as slight if she and Daemon prioritized dragon hunting before giving me the tour of the castle. But I could not care less about the castle tour, as I have already observed the state of the volcano here, and my purpose for coming has been fulfilled. Their hunt for the Cannibal is far more entertaining to me than touring the castle, which I do at any time afterward. Moreover, Daemon is correct; if the Cannibal emerge today for a hunt, he would not be easily enticed tomorrow with whatever bait we might use.
"You have my gratitude for understanding what I'm trying to teach my cousin here. Now I hope you do not have any more complaints, dear cousin?" Daemon asked Rhaenys with a smirk on his face. Rhaenys sent an angry glare Daemon's way, but her body language was enough for us to get that she has nothing more to say. After that, Daemon looked toward me with a serious expression. "I know that we have discussed this before, but are we sure that the Cannibal will come out with only the dragon eggs out in the open? And Viserys told me that I could only take two dragon eggs at most for this venture of ours." Even Daemon, for all his excitement, seemed slightly unsure from his tone that the Cannibal would fall for something like this.
"Indeed, I share the same uncertainty regarding this matter as Viserys has previously mentioned Cannibal has evaded the three Dragon riders before. Cannibal's ability to do that may be attributed either to exceptional stealth skills or high level of intelligence than we typically attribute to Dragons. I believe it is the latter, considering that he has repeatedly outsmarted Dragon keepers to steal Dragon eggs and has even killed hatchlings. Furthermore, my father once noted that Cannibal is remarkably fast, to the extent that even Meleys and Caraxes were unable to catch when he fled upon spotting three Dragons approaching with riders on their back ready to put him down for good." Rhaenys expressed opinion on the strategy we would employ to the Cannibal
I understand that Cannibal possesses greater intelligence than the dragons we ride, which why I have begun to devise several strategies to lure him out and eliminate him. While I believe my plans are sufficient, their effectiveness will depend on the specific nature of Cannibal as a dragon. If he is indeed a true wild dragon who has escaped from Old Valyria, then there is a possibility that he may see through all our traps and choose to escape, realizing that he is at a disadvantage.
However, we will not discover that without attempting, so I began to outline the traps strategies I have devised to lure out the Cannibal before both Daemon and Rhaenys "I have also considered the same as you two and have developed strategies that I believe draw out the Dragon our of it's cave. So here is what we will do..." As I elaborated on my plan, Daemon could not conceal his excitement, and a smirk crept onto his lips. Rhaenys merely rolled her eyes at Daemon's expression
"Smart as always, Lord Drakonar. Now let the hunt begin." With that, Daemon started to walk out of the great hall, excitement and swagger evident in his steps. Rhaenys shook her head at Daemon's retreating back and followed after him, for they needed to retrieve the two dragon eggs from the hatchery of their house.
***_***
The wind whipped at the edges of around our cloaks as we three stood upon the rocky plateau of Dragonstone, the sea stretching out before them like a vast, restless beast. Daemon, ever the picture of restless energy, paced back and forth, his hand hovering near the pommel of Dark Sister. Rhaenys, her gaze fixed on the horizon, stood stoic and resolute, the wind whipping strands of her dark black hair across her face.
"It will work," Daemon declared, his voice cutting through the wind. "The beast craves dragonflesh. It has tasted it before, and it will not be able to resist the lure."I do not know if he is telling us or convincing himself, as we have been here an hour and Cannibal is nowhere to be.
Rhaenys, her voice sharp and laced with concern, countered, "We already know that Daemon it will come but what my concern is if it breaks through before we are prepared?"
I couldn't help but sigh, even then I kept my voice a calm counterpoint to the rising anxiety of my companions and reassured them. "He won't be able to, Princess Rhaenys. The magical barrier I have made is strong. It will hold, long enough for our purpose. One attempt, and then… it's showtime."
A heavy silence descended for some time after that, broken only by the crashing of the waves against the cliffs below and the mournful cries of the gull's circling overhead. Time seemed to stretch on, each minute an eternity as we waited, all three pair of eyes scanning the skies. Then, finally, a shadow fell over us, vast and menacing. The Cannibal, its scales gleaming like obsidian in the pale sunlight, circled above, its malevolent gaze fixed upon the dragon eggs nestled in the center of the plateau.
"There," Daemon whispered, a thrill of anticipation in his voice. "It has taken the bait."
With a roar that shook the very foundations of Dragonstone, the Cannibal landed, its wings stirring up a whirlwind of dust and debris. It approached the eggs cautiously, its nostrils flaring, its eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger.
