It had been a busy few weeks for the dragons upon their landing at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush. Discovering that the area was filled with hills and forests that were all defensible with some rearranging, the dragons set up camp in the valley between the three highest hills at the Rush's mouth. They then constructed wooden ramparts, twelve feet high and with twenty-foot high redoubts spaced in hundred yard intervals, that connected all three hills while Rahitheon engineers filled the northern valley between the easternmost and northernmost hills next to the Blackwater Bay with makeshift berths for the troops to be resupplied by ship from Dragonstone, Driftmark, and Claw Isle. They also dug a moat in front of the wooden ramparts ten feet wide and fifteen feet deep filled with water and a trench in front of the moat that was six feet wide and six feet deep. The trench was filled with wooden stakes to prevent a mass charge by enemy infantry while Celtigar and Tarareon archers, armed with arrows tipped with broadheads to be used against infantry and with long and narrow pyramidal bodkins to be used against their more armored opponents. They had to test the bodkins against spare armor provided by Dragonstone and Claw Isle, achieving penetration but not enough to be mortally dangerous for a knight. The archers were instructed to aim for the shoulders, neck, and head as the armor was weakest in those areas.
Aegon, Jaenyx, Orys, and Visenya put their tents on the highest of the three hills while Crispian Celtigar and Daemon Velaryon took the northernmost hill next to the Bay while Ragaemor Tarareon and Aevor Rahitheon took the westernmost hill. Their dragons rested within the ramparts, on the sides of the highest hill. Rhaenys joined them a few days later on Meraxes, having sufficiently recovered from her wounds, but carrying a harder expression on her face than before she almost drowned.
Aegon saw that Rhaenys still smiled, was pleasant with everyone, and continued to play music with Jaenyx. She had become much closer with Visenya after she saved her life, warming Aegon's heart since his sisters were generally distant with each other due to their different personalities. However, it was her eyes that got Aegon worried. Her smiles and agreeable manners masked a distress that only came when one came within reach of death's embrace. Aegon tried to talk to her to see how she was holding up, which she responded that she was fine. He would have accepted it had he not heard the waver in her voice, how quickly she switched the topic, and when she… disrobed in front of him when he persisted. Feeling his hands on her curves, tightening his hands around her plump ass, feeling her laugh in his mouth while he thrusted into her… Rhae certainly knows how to get me quiet .
Nevertheless, Aegon resolved to discuss the matter with Rhaenys, as he feared that she wasn't as strong as Jaenyx when it came to moving forward from a close brush with death. I'm going to have to say no the next time she tries to… have me enter her .
With their landing secure and fortified, the dragons sent out foraging parties to increase the supplies coming by ship. A week after they landed at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush, Rhaenys and Visenya flew north on Meraxes and Vhagar towards Rosby and Stokeworth to secure their northern approach against any response by Black Harren, along with 600 troops. Rosby surrendered without a fight to Rhaenys, no doubt due to being the pleasant one out of the group. Aegon heard that Rhaenys struck up a conversation with the Lord of Rosby and convinced him to yield after mentioning what the dragons had done to the Ironborn fleet in the Blackwater Bay. The same occurred with Stokeworth, with Visenya also mentioning the Ironborn fleet's burning. The Rosby and Stokeworth lords arrived at their citadel and bent the knee to the dragons after the dragons reconfirmed their titles and lands, bringing their total strength up to 5,500 troops. More importantly, they had a stable agricultural base separate of Dragonstone and horses for their cavalry.
Meanwhile, Jaenyx flew on Cloudwynd across the Blackwater Bay with a detachment of Velaryon and Tarareon vessels carrying 1000 troops towards Massey's Hook. Aegon and Jaenyx expected a serious fight from Houses Massey and Bar Emmon, both of whom were sworn to House Durrandon, and had thus taken mostly Tarareon soldiers to help him secure the peninsula. However, they too surrendered without a fight, with both lords bending the knee at their citadel and bringing another 1500 troops into their army. Within a few weeks of landing on Westeros, the dragons had secured much of the land surrounding the Blackwater Bay and greatly improved their position against Black Harren and the Arrogant king with a total army of 7000 troops.
However, a few days ago, the dragons received a distressing report from their scouts near Duskendale.
"My gods! The Duskendale and Maidenpool lords have declared for Black Harren and are marching 3000 troops along the shores of the Crackclaw Point to the Whispers, with 6000 ironborn and riverland troops joining them. They're going to attack Claw Isle," Aegon read the report.
Crispian Celtigar was naturally fearful. "Lord Aegon, I only have one hundred swords left at Claw Isle. We must protect them!"
"We will," Aegon reassured. "I can fly out on Balerion and block their approach with dragonfire."
"Egg," Orys pointed to the map. "Using dragonfire on the Point's forests is too risky, as we could easily start an inferno that could smoke out the families there and turning them against us. We're already fighting two powerful adversaries, so we cannot afford to add more against us."
"In addition," Lord Jon of Rosby spoke, having been offered a place in their war council by Aegon for bending the knee peacefully. "We have less troops than they do. We cannot split our forces without endangering our position in the Blackwater Bay. To do so would be to invite a larger response from either Black Harren or King Argilac."
"They're in marching formation, along the shores of the Point," Visenya traced her finger on the map. "They have restricted mobility and the forests will negate the numerical advantages that they have. If we were to land in front of their army, we could block them and use the narrowness of the terrain against them."
" If we do land in front of them, it'll have to be within a day's march to Claw Isle ," Ragaemor Tarareon joined in while one of his servants translated to the common tongue. " Our ships cannot move fast enough to meet the threat without cutting it very close. Even then, we would have insufficient time to set up proper positions ."
Aegon looked closely at the map again, trying to figure out a solution to their first major predicament. Duskendale and Maidenpool had to be secured to safeguard their western approach against the ironborn. Despite still being incomplete after over thirty years, Black Harren's fortress was located on the God's Eye and within striking distance of their citadel. If Duskendale and Maidenpool remained outside of their control, their enemies could roll them up, surround their position like a neck in a noose, and drive back into the sea. They couldn't use the dragons so close to their citadel without burning their own troops also.
Then, Aegon remembered something that Quenton Qoherys taught him: if surrounded, attack . He was confused by his words from that day, as he and three other sparring partners from their household guards circled him in the training yard. Aegon questioned on how he could attack with himself when he faced more than one opponent. Quenton explained to him that attacking when outnumbered is something that his opponents will not expect, as the natural response to defend yourself and wait for their combined onslaught. But if you attack, you control their responses and you have surprise and momentum on your side, if temporarily. The trick was to subdue or at least improve your odds in the few fleeting moments when you do go up against many opponents.
Aegon scanned the map of the Blackwater Bay, looking for something that would allow him and the troops to preempt their enemies. His eyes then focused on a town between Maidenpool and Duskendale next to the Bay, almost where the Crackclaw Point connected with the mainland. "Lord Rosby," he pointed to the feature. "Remind me of this town's name?"
"My lord, that is Rook's Rest, seat of House Staunton." Oh, I remember them . "Why do you ask?"
"Don't you see where this town is located?" Aegon pressed his finger down.
Jaenyx caught on. " Rook's Rest is at a crossroads between Maidenpool, Duskendale, and the Crackclaw Point. Whoever controls that town will control all of the northern parts of the Blackwater Bay ."
"Exactly, Jae," Aegon nodded. "The enemy army is already far in the Crackclaw Point. If we were to land over there and set up positions behind them, they'll have to turn back. They won't expect us to do this."
"But they have 9,000 men, Lord Aegon," Lord Alyn of Stokeworth pointed out. "How can we fight against them with less than 7000 men?"
"Even if we do secure the town, Egg," Orys stared at the map. "Rook's Rest is surrounded by hills, with the highest north of the town. We could secure them, but they would be smarter than to attack soldiers on high ground. They'll just skirt past us and avoid a fight."
"We make them come to us."
"How?" Orys questioned.
Aegon was planning strategy for the first time, but he was no longer in the library or in the training yard. This was a real war and unlike the past, people would die if he made one misstep. Orys was right in that the enemy would know better than to attack a force located on the high ground and they couldn't risk using the dragons yet. No one in the council underestimated their power, but they needed to use it at the right moment for maximum damage. If they used it too often, eventually their enemies would adapt and learn how to counteract the dragons.
" What if you don't take the hills of Rook's Rest? " Jaenyx kept looking at the map.
"What do you mean, Jae?" Aegon was baffled.
" It's true that you can only take a few thousand troops, and their best chance of survival is to get them on high ground. However, as Orys pointed out, they would know better than to attack you. So don't take the hills yet and instead remain at Rook's Rest. " Aegon waited for more, as did the rest of the council. " I assume that this area is crawling with their spies. If word got to them that you holding position with, say 3,000 troops, and held them there long enough, the enemy will turn around and come to you while expecting an easy victory. Those kinds of expectations leads to overconfidence and leads to serious mistakes. Only after you see their mistakes do you take the hill and fight ."
Aegon absorbed it before nodding. "That could work, Jae. But we would need to move fast and we would strike hard."
" Once you have them crowded and in the right position, unleash Balerion. They never seen a dragon act against an army, so let's use that to our advantage. "
The council looked upon the map before they gave their consent to the plan, while Ragaemor Tarareon and Visenya looked upon Jaenyx with pride.
"What would you do, Jae, while we're out in the field?" Aegon asked. With him marching out with the troops, he was unsure of his good-brother's actions in the meantime.
" The enemy's focus will be on the north of the Blackwater Bay. However, while you and Orys would lead half of our troops against the enemy, the other half will stay here at the Rush's mouth. As for me, I'm taking Arata Haru and Ragaemor's son Rhaedar into the riverlands. "
"What? Why would you go there?"
" We only know about the six thousand troops accompanying the Duskendale and Maidenpool lords, but that is only a portion of the ironborn's strength. We need more information regarding the ironborn's strength as well as the situation in the riverlands. "
"Why would we need to know?" Orys asked.
Jaenyx gave him an incredulous look before continuing. " It's no secret that Black Harren is not loved in the Riverlands and the troops he is currently sending against us would no doubt take away from the troops that are keeping the riverlands under control. I am going there to assess the ironborn's true strength as well as anything else that could be used against Black Harren. It is better to find something that could break the enemy without fighting them in open battle. "
Aegon shook his head, while Visenya just listened. How is she calm about this? "I can't allow you to put yourself at risk, Jae. There's no way of knowing just awaits you and your friends there."
" I'm not asking for your permission, Egg. And I'm not going alone. I'll be fine ."
Aegon was taken aback by his disregarding of his wishes, but then remembered that Jaenyx was not under his father and therefore not under him. Even their father promised him a position equal to Aegon's, meaning that he could not control his actions. "Then all I can ask that you be safe, Jae. Otherwise, Vis might be bash my head in if you're hurt." That got him chuckles from the council except Visenya, who displayed her confidence in his husband.
"I'm coming too," Rhaenys stepped forward.
Aegon's eyes widened. "No, Rhae! I'm not going to put my wife in danger!"
"Jae and his friends will protect me. Besides, they might need a softer touch to their mission and no one will expect a woman to infiltrate their lands."
"Still, no," Aegon repeated. "I am risking one of my family in this. I won't have my wife--"
"I need to do this, Egg," Rhaenys answered, with Aegon detecting a trace of finality in her words. "Besides, Jae might have more motivation to come back safe to Vis if he is also protecting me," she jested. To his credit, Jaenyx did not express open disapproval to Rhaenys wanting to come, also sensing that Rhaenys had already made her decision.
Not wanting the rest of the council to see more disagreement between them, Aegon nodded his consent but resolved to talk to her afterwards. Dismissing the council, he followed Rhaenys back to the tent and found her that she was already packed and dressed for the journey ahead.
"There's no stopping you, is there?" Aegon asked, but it was more of a statement.
"I have to do something productive--"
"You can stay here and hold the fort. You were wounded and in no condition for--"
Rhaenys tightened her fists. "Don't you dare tell me what to do or where I can't go! I am sick of it!"
Aegon stepped back, surprised that at her outburst. He never seen her like this and she definitely didn't have a temper, or so he thought.
"What's wrong, Rhae?" Aegon asked calmly, walking towards her with his hand held out. "What's going on?"
Rhaenys let out several shaky breaths while her fists also shook, but her fury dissipated with each exhale. "I've been in bed for days, and I carry the scars that remind me of when I almost drowned that night," she murmured slowly. "Being in bed makes me think… too much."
Aegon raised an eyebrow. "What about when we're coupling?"
Rhaenys groaned. "We're doing something, Egg. That's what I need."
"But you'll be busy here holding the fort--"
"That's not enough, Egg."
"So, your reaction to almost dying is to get yourself into more danger?"
"Please don't fight me on this."
"Then help me understand, Rhae!" Aegon cried out. "Why do you want to go with Jae on what is essentially a stairway into hells?"
Rhaenys took a moment. "Because if I don't do this… if I am stuck here instead of doing something worthwhile, I will be stuck with thinking about how the Bay nearly choked the life out of me. And I don't know what will happen if I let those thoughts continue to occupy my mind."
Aegon couldn't decide what was worse: his wife willingly putting herself in danger or the fact that her near-death experience would do the same thing.
"All right," Aegon acquiesced. "But please come back safe. That's all I ask, Rhae." He gulped. "I don't know what I'll do without you."
Then, Rhaenys smiled. There it is . She walked up to him, placed her hand on his cheek, and tiptoed to give him a kiss.
The kiss became deeper as Rhaenys put her arms around Aegon's neck while he wrapped his arms around her waist. Their tongues wrestled with each other for control as they both moaned in their mouths.
Aegon felt Rhaenys' arms reach up inside his tunic as she pulled it up over his head. She kissed his neck, down his torso, and further down to between his legs. His breath hitched as she undid his breeches, pulled them down, and took his length into her mouth. Looking down, he saw her purple eyes staring back at her while waves of pleasure spread through his insides. How does she know how to shut me up?
"Release into me, Egg," she managed between her licks. "Shatter in my mouth." She sucked hard and took him deep.
"Fuucckk…" Aegon slowly uttered as he felt his cock erupt while Rhaenys' tongue swept some more between his legs. "Where did you learn to do that?"
"Muña taught me some things that she said kept kepa quiet whenever they fought," Rhaenys scratched between his legs with her slender fingers. "She said that 'men become so simple when a woman sucks on his cock.'"
Aegon broke into a guffaw, which was tempered at how stiff he became with her fingers still on his length. "I guess I better talk to Father more often after all of this." He cocked his head at Rhaenys. "Do you know anything else?"
Rhaenys gave him a lusty grin. "Depends, Egg. Although I would choose wisely since it might be weeks before we see each other again."
Aegon momentarily got out of his blissful stupor. "We will see each other again, right?"
"Count on it," Rhaenys slowly got up and stood a few inches from Aegon's face.
Aegon again took her in his arms, feeling his hands around her supple curves and squeezing her breasts through her dress. Spurred on by her moaning, he reached for the laces on her back and slowly undid them while keeping his eyes on hers. Slowly, he pulled down the fabric and felt his heart skipping a beat upon gazing at her form. Although not as muscled and toned as Visenya, Rhaenys was thin and graceful with breasts that fit her slim frame. She was all woman and smelled of soap and perfume. Aegon nuzzled her neck while running his hands over her bare body.
Aegon pushed Rhaenys onto the mattress in their tent, kneading her breasts while guiding his cock into her entrance. She blinked rapidly as he slid deeper inside her, looping her arms around his neck as he slammed faster into her. Rhaenys made it feel like the first time for Aegon and her moans and rolled eyes spurred him to go harder.
"Please, Egg. Fuck me harder. Take your sister," she whispered. Them being siblings didn't bother Aegon, as sibling unions were common in Valyria and their father planned for him to marry Visenya. Fortunately, Jaenyx showed up and became the loving husband that Visenya deserved, something that Aegon couldn't give her. With Rhaenys, he could be the Florian to Rhaenys' Jonquil, even though he found that tale quite annoying after hearing it too much.
Aegon felt Rhaenys' legs wrapped around his waist, her way of telling him to go much faster and harder than he was. Their moans and grunts became louder and no doubt that the nearby tents, where Visenya, Jaenyx, and Orys were, could hear their lovemaking. Aegon was not worried about them, as they were family and all that mattered was pleasing his sister-wife.
"That. The. Best. You. Can. Do?" Rhaenys posed playfully in between her moans.
Taking her challenge, Aegon switched their positions, with him laying on the mattress and her on top of him. Her back against his chest, he looped his arms around both of her shoulders, reinserted his cock in her, and slammed her from behind. Their hips slapping filled the tent as they neared the climax, with Aegon having to put more effort in thrusting in her while lying on his back. Feeling his core and back strain from all the thrusts, he finally went over the brink as his seed burst in Rhaenys and he saw stars twinkling in his vision. He collapsed deeper into the mattress with his arms and legs outstretched over the bed's edges, both panting and recovering from their climax.
"I am yours forever, Egg," Aegon felt Rhaenys' hand reach over her shoulder and cup his cheek as she still laid on top of him, her sweat flowing down onto his body.
"And I am yours, Rhae," Aegon caressed her belly while he buried his face in her hair and took in her glorious scent. He was about to tell her that they would talk about her… mental condition, but decided not to. Why else would she have an outburst before shutting him up with her body? Instead, he took in these moments and had his mind remember each second of it. Being here, with Rhaenys, from their first night as man and wife… nothing could replace this.
A few hours later, Aegon and Rhaenys helped dress each other before she headed out of the fort with Jaenyx, Arata Haru, and one of Ragaemor Tarareon's nephews, Laevor. It was decided that Visenya would be in command of the fort in both Aegon's and Jaenyx's absences, as both Dragonstone's bannermen and Jaenyx's vassals would answer to her. Ragaemor would accompany Aegon and Orys to Rook's Rest to secure the town and wait for the combined Duskendale-Maidenpool-ironborn onslaught, while Jaenyx and Rhaenys would lead their group deep into the Riverlands to scout out and infiltrate the region.
Before they left, Aegon gave Rhaenys a deep kiss and told her to be safe. He looked over and saw Visenya be much more open with her affections to Jaenyx, giving him a rather forceful kiss and squeezing his cock while he could see her whisper in his mouth. He could make out Jaenyx's response, " Don't worry, Vis. I'm not going to let anyone even touch Rhae. " She nodded, fully trusting in her husband, while she gave Rhaenys a smile that said, don't do anything rash .
Rhaenys going with Jaenyx on his mission was rash in itself, but like Aegon, Visenya knew that there was no convincing her to do otherwise. However, she took it much better than he did, fully understanding that her sister needed to do this for her own peace of mind and was confident that she'll be safe with Jaenyx and his friends. Aegon tried to catch a final glimpse as they went further from the fort, their heads covered with hoods and dressed in cloaks that concealed their weapons.
Praying to the gods of Valyria to protect them, Aegon hugged Visenya before climbing onto Balerion. He stayed as close as he could to Orys as they moved their contingent onto the Velaryons' boats and sailed towards Rook's Rest.
The troops moved as quietly as they could in the dead of night, forbidden to light torches and ordered to muffle their boots with rags. Spears and pikes were not to touch the ground, sword belts were removed, and everyone was to move in a uniform fashion, not one step too quick or slow. No one spoke a word as they all moved carefully into position. Nothing was left to chance as the dark of night would only offer one opportunity to mask their movements from the vigilant eyes of the enemy.
It took a day for them to sail from their fort at the mouth of the Blackwater Rush towards Rook's Rest. To his credit. Lord Staunton saw the futility in resisting after Balerion's shadow covered the town and bent the knee to the dragons while surrendering command of his two hundred and fifty swords.
To the north of the town was a hill that commanded the approach to the Crackclaw Point. However, Aegon resisted the urge to fortify that hill immediately, as that would prevent the enemy from attacking them. Remembering Jaenyx's advice, he and Orys bided their time, having their men sharpen their weapons and having their archers keep their bows in good condition while preparing many contingencies should their main plan not achieve its objective.
Aegon had three thousand men with him, not including the two hundred and fifty swords from House Staunton: one thousand and five hundred men of Houses Rosby and Stokeworth, one thousand men of Houses Celtigar and Bar Emmon, and five hundred Tarareon cavalry after their new vassals provided them with horses. All of them were naturally nervous save for the Tarareons, the same ones who had fought against the Rhoynar of old. They quartered in Rook's Rest and waited for the enemy to come to them.
Over the next four days, Aegon flew up on Balerion high in the sky on watch for the enemy's movements. He remembered Jaenyx telling him that while dragons were good for scouting, nothing could beat information gained from the ground. " Seeing on dragonback is like looking at a map with none of the details you need " were his words. Aegon hoped that whatever information they would gain from the riverlands would help them in their struggle.
Then, Aegon spotted a column that ran for miles. Quickly counting in his head, he estimated at least 8,000 troops marching in the direction of Rook's Rest. They're coming . Quickly flying back to the troops and landing outside of the town, Aegon slid down off of Balerion's back and ran to Orys.
"Brother," Aegon said with a pant. "They're here. Get the troops ready."
"Let's get ready for the fight!" Orys gleefully shouted as he pulled out the axe Jaenyx gifted him and began barking orders to the soldiers.
In full armor and in battle formation, Aegon and Orys stood with the troops as they saw their enemies marching past the north hill to face them. They both saw the banners of Hoare, Darklyn, Mooton, and the Riverland houses that joined them flying in the breeze, the two armies staring each other down in what would be their first battle. It was a moment that many knights and warriors longed for, the plunge before their moment of glory. But for Aegon, he felt nervous as he was no longer in the training yard with Qoherys. People would die very soon and Aegon did not know what to do after killing his first man in anger.
"We need to hold steady, Egg," Orys put his hand on Aegon's shoulders. "I'm scared too." Aegon nodded his thanks to his brother, praying to the gods of Valyria for their success.
The staredown lasted to the afternoon, when Aegon saw the enemy move down from the hill. There it is! "It is as Jaenyx said. They're getting overconfident."
"If we outnumbered an army three-to-one, we would also."
Aegon didn't answer. "Let them come closer and be completely off the hill. We'll attack in the morning."
Orys nodded. "Yes, brother." Despite being ten years older, Orys knew that Aegon was the leader of the two of them and did not question his orders.
The enemy had a good position upon the hill and outnumbering their army three-to-one meant that Aegon and Orys couldn't attack them yet. They were also waiting to use Balerion at the right moment in order to inflict maximum damage, as they were not so arrogant to think that their dragons could simply charge into the fray and fight all their battles for them. There was a reason that Aegon and Visenya were taught how to fight without dragons and this was their chance to put their knowledge to the test.
Near dusk, Aegon and Orys observed the enemy's new positions. "You see that, Orys? Look at how they're positioned on the slopes that lead up to the hill."
"Their left flank has cavalry on their far left and infantry next to them. But their cavalry is too far ahead of the infantry. Must be because the slopes are too steep for their horses."
"And that where we'll strike. Their center and right flank are restricted by the slopes leading up to the hill along with the trees dotting them. We focus our attack on their right flank and the rest will follow. As a final act, I'll have Balerion finish off what's left."
Orys nodded, smiling at the plan. "We'll be waiting for morning?"
"Aye. Let's do this."
They used the night to reposition themselves, placing the Celtigar infantry on their right flank opposite of their enemy's left, all of them equipped with long pikes to stave off the cavalry. In the early hours of the morning, Aegon took the initiative and kicked off the attack with a volley of fire arrows raining down upon the enemy's left flank.
"Nock!" Aegon ordered. "LOOSE!" He saw dozens of fire arrows fly through the dawn and fall onto the unsuspecting troops.
"Cavalry, charge!" Aegon shouted as the Tarareon cavalry galloped forward and slammed into the disorderly left flank. Many infantry were cut down, as the Tarareon horse archers shot arrows at them while on the run and their lances punched through their mail shirts. The Tarareon horse archers also shot at the enemy cavalry, killing many before they could mount their horses and thus throwing the enemy's left flank into chaos.
Aegon saw a force carrying Hoare banners moving towards their disorderly left flank, no doubt to reinforce them. "Signal their withdrawal," Aegon ordered one of his bannermen. The Tarareons withdrew back to their lines while the next phase of Aegon's plan was in motion. "Have Crispian march his lads forward. It's time."
Thankfully, only three Tarareon cavalrymen were killed before they reach the safety of their lines. Pikes down, the Celtigar formation moved across the flatter slopes of the enemy's left flank and struck them before the Hoare force could reorganize them. Many of the enemy infantry felt the sharp heads of the Celtigars' pikes pierce their gambesons and into their flesh.
Soon, Aegon saw the enemy's reserve cavalry wheel to their left, no doubt to support their beleaguered comrades. "Have the Tarareons regrouped?"
"Yes, brother," Orys replied.
"So soon... they truly are masters on the horse. Have them counterattack against their cavalry."
Aegon saw the Tarareons charge back into the fray, slamming into the Hoare cavalry while their mounted archers did more damage to them. "Orys, take the Stokeworth men. Time to finish off their left."
Orys didn't respond, but merely mounted his horse and charged. "Attack, men! Crush the iron hides!" With a battle cry, Orys led the Stokeworths to reinforce the Celtigars and the Tarareons. Aegon knew that the momentum gained by the Celtigar pikemen and the Tarareon cavalry needed to be maintained if the enemy's left flank was to be completely rolled. Only after they achieved that could they have a chance of not only restricting their enemy's movements, but to destroy them.
Aegon smiled as he saw the enemy's left flank completely collapse under the combined pressure of Orys' Stokeworth men, the Celtigars, and the Tarareons. With the approach to the north hill secure and their enemy stuck between them and the shore next to the Blackwater Bay, he decided it was time.
Climbing onto Balerion, Aegon shouted "Sōvēs!" Gaining altitude in the skies of dawn, Balerion took his time to climb as he was the largest of the dragons before he nosed down towards the enemy's center and right flank.
Closer… closer…. Then, to ensure maximum damage, Aegon gave the order. "DRACARYS!!!!" Balerion let loose his black flames, the streams of pitch dragonfire coming upon the enemy and powerful enough to ground them to dust while a few others were simply set on fire. Balerion released his breath until the shore before climbing back up and turning around for Aegon to see.
Aegon was completely unprepared for what he saw. Before, he could see thousands remaining in the enemy's center and right flank, still ready to fight back against his troops. However, what was left was deep, black trench with smoke coming out of the ground, with the soldiers seeming turned to thin air. It was as if dust collected on the floors of Dragonstone and a servant simply swept it away with a broom. Holy hells, Balerion is more powerful than I thought .
Although he knew that another stream of dragonfire was unnecessary, Aegon flew over the enemy one more time, letting Balerion's shadow bathe them in darkness while a monstrous, ear-shattering roar broke through the chaos of the battle. Urging Aegon to land near some Celtigar pikemen, he slid off to see the remaining enemy troops surrendering and laying down their weapons.
Aegon walked up to Orys. "What's the count?"
Orys gave him a huge smile. "Only twenty dead and sixty wounded. Meanwhile, I can only count about one thousand survivors. It's a complete victory, Egg."
Aegon laughed, astonished at how well their first battle went. "Maybe I should use Balerion more often."
"Maybe," Orys japed back. "We should see to the survivors."
Aegon nodded before to the remains of the shattered enemy army. "Where are your commanders?!" he shouted.
"My lord," one soldier stepped up, soot covering his entire body. "Lord Darklyn and Lord Mooton perished when you burned them. Our overall leader, Prince Riler Hoare, is also dead."
"Where is the proof?" Aegon asked.
"Gone, when you burned them. As you can see, my lord, we have no leaders now."
"Thank you soldier," Aegon nodded. "To the rest of you, you've seen what a dragon could do. Many of your comrades have perished, their remains turned to dust! However, know that your overlords sealed their fates when they attacked my home and harming my family. As for you all," Aegon pointed. "I'm giving you a chance to live and return to your homes. Bend the knee and it shall be so."
Many slowly got on their knees, while Balerion's roar got the rest to follow suit.
Aegon looked over Orys, caked blood and dirt on his armor and blood dripping off his axe. While he rode Balerion, he hadn't drawn his sword but was not naive to think that he wouldn't need to do so in the future. If anyone was to really him respect as a warrior and leader, he had to get blood on his body and sword. Hopefully, it'll be soon. That way, I won't worry about it anymore .