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Syrax’s calls echoed out through the night sky, her riders distress ensuring that her trills were filled with worry as they soared through the clouds.
Below them, the Crownlands rushed passed. Rhaenyra kept a keen eye on them, trusting Syrax to scan the skies while she looked to the ground for any sight of her wayward little sister and her rather protective dragon.
Why Helaena had decided to slip her guards and abscond in the middle of the night was beyond Rhaenyra, but she and Laenor had been sent to find her nonetheless. So now she flew, heading towards the Vale in hopes that Syrax’s vaulted speed and the years of experience Rhaenyra had on her sister would be enough to overcome their head start.
Finally, as they reached Duskendale, Syrax gave a triumphant cry and a glimpse of blue by the cliffs caught Rhaenyras gaze. There, clinging to the side of the cliffs, was Dreamfyre.
As they drew closer, Rhaenyras shout of surprise was lost to the wind and she resisted the urge to bang her head against the saddles pommel. She had no time for such an indulgence.
For Rhaenyras, foolish, reckless, idiotic little sister was currently climbing out of her saddle and pulling herself along her dragons body in a seeming attempt to reach the cliff side. Below her, rough waves crashed against the sharp rocks that rose high above the sea.
Rhaenyra didn’t even need to direct Syrax, for her Golden Lady was already banking towards the cliffs, wings flaring as she sought to hover above them. Her claws flexed in anticipation and Rhaenyra was suddenly very glad that they had practised this before.
“ Gida, Syrax . ” She called, eyes still trained upon her sister as the girl finally noticed them.
Helaena waved.
Rhaenyra swallowed her scream of frustration. Why was it that none of her siblings had any self preservation?
Syrax crooned at her rider, calming Rhaenyra as she moved closer. Wings beating steadily, the she-dragon closed her giant claws gently around the wayward princess.
With a triumphant cry, Syrax ascended, heading for the fields above the cliffs so that she could deposit her precious cargo.
Behind them, Rhaenyra could hear Dreamfyre detach herself from the cliff and soon the sound of her wings beating filled the air. Chancing a glance behind her, she could see how the old she-dragons gaze was fixed upon her young rider.
“ Gida, Syrax.” She called again, “ Mazilībagon ilagon .”
Steady, Syrax. Set her down.
Syrax set Helaena down with a thud before landing some distance away. Though she tried to land Syrax nearer, Rhaenyra was thankful for the distance when Dreamfyre landed not moments after them. The blue dragon was quick to nuzzle at her rider, with Helaena quick to offer her mount soft assurances.
Eyeing the smoke tendrils that had emanated from Dreamfyres nose, Rhaenyra was suddenly extremely glad that she and Syrax were known for sharing lairs in the Dragonpit.
She doubted they would have been allowed to grab Helaena as they had if not for the bond between the two dragons.
Finally, Helaena detached herself from Dreamfyres clutches and moved to meet Rhaenyra in the middle of their two dragons. Drawing close to her, Helaena smiled brightly at her sister, seemingly unaware of the distress she had caused since her flight from Kings Landing.
“Hello Sister! What brings you out to here?” The girl asked, tilting her head slightly as she took in Rhaenyras slightly disheveled state.
“I…what?” Rhaenyra asked, flabbergasted at her sister unbothered demeanour.
“Are you also here to collect some of the beetles that live on these cliffs? They are pretty rare and very fascinating to look at…” Rhaenyra could do nothing but stare as the girl rambled on.
She was far too tired for this.
“Helaena.” She interrupted, reaching up to rub the bridge of her nose.
She could feel a headache coming on.
“Yes, Sister?” Helaena blinked innocently at her.
“Just…” Rhaenyra sighed, unable to conjure even the bare bones of a scolding. “Just get on Syrax.”
Alicent would certainly have a furious scolding ready for the girl when they returned. That would be more than enough.
“Oh! I haven’t ridden any dragon other then Dreamfyre before!” Her younger sister fell into step with her, one small hand reaching up to grab onto Rhaenyra sleeve. “I imagine it must be quite different, riding a smaller dragon.”
Shaking her head, Rhaenyra finally gave into the urge to bestow a fond smiler upon her only sister. Despite all the stress she had caused her, the younger girl was really quite sweet.
Rhaenyra did not know where her siblings penchant for getting themselves into trouble came from, seeing as their mother was Alicent and their father so placid.
Indeed, Rhaenyra was slightly grateful, even if the thought made her feel a little guilty, that it was only the three eldest of them in Kings Landing.
At least this way she didn’t have to deal with any of Daeron's antics