Gavin sat in the grand hall of the City Lord's Mansion, his expression clouded with unease. The messenger hurried in, dropped to one knee, and offered a respectful salute before producing a rolled bamboo tube from his tunic.
One of the Blood Dragon Guards stepped forward, took the tube, unfurled it deftly, and handed the letter inside to Gavin.
His eyes scanned the contents quickly, and in an instant, his face darkened further. A storm brewed in his chest, his heart sinking like a stone.
"Robert's assassins have tried to kill Daenerys again!" Gavin slammed the letter onto the table. His fists clenched, knuckles whitening with fury, and his eyes burned with a fire that threatened to consume the room.
After a long moment, he exhaled through gritted teeth and waved the messenger away.
"You've done well. Go rest."
The man bowed deeply. "It was my honor, my lord," he said before withdrawing.
Gavin immediately turned to the nearest guard. "Bring Hassan. Now."
"At once, my lord."
A few tense minutes later, the door swung open. Hassan entered with quick strides, only to pause at the sight of the Blood Dragon Guards fastening armor onto Gavin. His brow furrowed in concern.
"My lord, what's happened? Are you leaving?"
Gavin nodded grimly. "Word just arrived. The Iron Throne has attempted to assassinate Daenerys again. I must return to the Stepstones immediately." He looked Hassan in the eye. "You'll take command here while I'm away. Maintain order. Let no chaos rise in my absence."
Hassan stiffened, immediately respectful. "Of course, my lord. I'll ensure everything remains under control."
He hesitated briefly, then added, "There is one thing I've yet to report. News came in from Myr this morning—their forces are expanding. In addition to the Golden Company, they're recruiting other mercenary bands. They're clearly preparing for something bigger."
Gavin's brow furrowed. "So they've abandoned the sea routes for now. Makes sense. Their fleets can't match ours—so they'll strike on land instead."
"Should we begin reinforcing the border? Move troops to the front?" Hassan asked.
Gavin shook his head. "Not yet. Watch their movements. Double the patrols and prepare fallback points. If need be, abandon minor towns. We'll draw them in if they strike. In the meantime..." He paused, fastening the final strap of his armor. "Begin reorganizing the prisoners. Make them useful."
"Understood. I'll oversee it personally." Hassan gave a final bow and departed swiftly.
Gavin took a deep breath, trying to steady the pain still lingering in his abdomen. The wound had mostly closed, but remnants of the venom still simmered beneath his skin. He ignored it. There was no time.
Outside, a sharp cry split the sky.
"Szzzzzzzzah!"
The air trembled as Syndor, his mighty dragon, descended from the clouds, its wings slicing through the wind like blades. Gavin strode toward the courtyard, his black cloak billowing behind him as Syndor's talons crashed into the earth with a thunderous thud.
The beast's scales shimmered with crimson-gold hues in the sunlight, its glowing eyes locking onto Gavin with a primal bond.
"We ride."
Syndor lowered his massive head, and Gavin climbed onto its back with practiced ease. The dragon leapt into the sky with a single beat of its wings, and within moments, the lush island of Lys was a blur beneath them.
Forests spread like emerald waves, silver streams glinting in the sun, white beaches curving like ivory crescents around the land. But Gavin saw none of it—his eyes were fixed on the horizon.
They flew for hours, cutting across sea and sky, until at last the dark silhouette of Gray Gallows Island emerged from the mist.
Gavin leaned low over Syndor's back. "Faster," he whispered. The dragon roared in response and surged forward, its wings carving through the clouds.
Meanwhile, within the hall of Gray Gallows, Daenerys sat upon her seat of authority. Brienne stood guard behind her, armored and watchful. Around them, the tension was thick—lords and commanders gathered in tight clusters, murmuring with concern.
Qyburn spoke, his voice low and grim: "The Iron Throne won't stop. If they've failed once, they'll try again. We must assume assassins are already on their way—or worse."
Boris nodded. "We need to protect the fleet—and the Queen. My lady, I advise that you relocate to Dragonflame Bay. Its narrow approach makes it easier to defend."
Daenerys stood, her voice steady and defiant: "No. I will not hide. Let them come. If the usurper wants me dead, he can send his next assassin straight to my blade."
Viserion, lying beside the throne, let out a deep, thunderous growl, echoing his queen's fury.
Harvey Strong stepped forward. "My queen, our defenses are strong. The coastlines are cliffs, and there's only one accessible beachhead. Even if the entire royal fleet arrives, they'll find it nearly impossible to take any island in the chain. If they choose to siege us, Lord Gavin will return before they can make progress."
As if summoned by his words, a mighty roar split the skies.
Everyone froze. Then Daenerys's eyes lit with sudden joy.
"That's Syndor. Gavin's here."
Relief rippled through the room. Boris muttered, "Thank the gods. Now we can breathe again."
Syndor descended in a sweep of air and fire, landing in the courtyard of the City Lord's Mansion like a comet crashing to earth. Gavin dismounted with practiced grace, his boots striking the stone with a determined rhythm.
Despite the fatigue in his features, his eyes burned with resolve.
A guard ran to meet him.
"My lord, shall we see to the dragon?"
Gavin nodded. "Syndor hasn't eaten all day. Fetch him a herd of sheep—quickly."
As the guard scurried away, the great dragon let out a low, rumbling purr, content at last.
Gavin turned toward the steps just as Daenerys emerged, descending with brisk steps.
"You flew all this way without waiting to finish healing."
He gave her a half-smile. "You were in danger. That wound can wait."
"And what if you'd reopened it and collapsed mid-flight?"
"Then I'd have died flying to you. That's fine by me."
Daenerys reached him, her hand rising to rest against his chest. For a heartbeat, there was only silence between them.
"You came," she said softly.
"Always."
Behind them, dragons stirred, guards stood taller, and war brewed in distant lands. But for now, they stood together—two flames against the storm.