House of The Dragon-A God Amongst Men-Chapter 213: Inaction II

(Drakken's POV)

I walked up to Riktor, "Have you kept up with your training?" I asked him, "I have been rather busy."

He was crouching down and placing some meat on a basket, "Yes." He said, "I have been improving."

"I'd be the judge of that." I said with a slight smirk, "What are you doing?"

"Feeding Brutus." He said

I tilted my head, "Is that so?"

He then whistled loudly, as if calling for something. Then, in a matter of second, something stampeded hard towards us, a massive cloud of dust trailing behind. The black wyvern then slid to a stop as it let out a roar, its head rising up as it looked at me. It then began to sniff the air as Riktor grabbed a piece of meat from the basket.

It was significantly larger, almost as large as a horse, and quite wide. Its wingspan was rather long, but the one thing that interested me was its wings; they were thick and had three claws instead of a single one. The webbing was rather thin and furled completely. It was as if its wings were rather useless for flying, rather for running on the ground.

I don't understand why Riktor even asked me to do this. It is as if he was not interested in flying, as if he was not interested in mimicking the Targaryens and their dragons. He wanted to be grounded.

Perhaps he wants to dominate the land? Yes, that is probably it.

"He's hungry." Riktor said with a smile

The beast looked at me and then bowed its head, letting out a rumble.

"Go on." I told Riktor

"Here, Brutus." Riktor said as he tossed a piece of meat into its mouth

The beast snapped its jaws, catching the meat and immediately swallowing it. It opened its maw and let out a rumble, looking at Riktor with a strange yet amused look. It then looked at the basket and then back at Riktor, almost as if it was waiting for another treat.

"When can I learn to ride it?" Riktor asked me

I crossed my arms, "It is large enough to support you." I said, "Hm..."

"Yes." Riktor said, "It is."

I walked up to the beast and it looked at me, bowing its head slightly.

"How about now?" I said, "Go on, climb it."

"Don't I need a saddle or something?" Riktor asked

"Not really." I patted the beasts back, "Come."

Riktor tossed another meat into its mouth, "Alright."

He placed the basket down and ran around the beast's wings, making his way towards me as I immediately grabbed him and lifted him up. I then placed him atop the beast as it straightened up, looking back at us. I think it was wondering what we were doing.

"Wow...." Riktor said as he held on to some scales, "It's.....a bit uncomfortable."

I smiled, "This one cannot fly, Riktor. You specifically asked him to be this way." I said, "Are you sure that you didn't want one that flew? To be in the skies is a wonderful thing."

He shook his head, "It's fine."

"If you wished to be down low, you could simply ride a horse." I told him

"Can horses destroy armies?" Riktor smirked, "No."

I chuckled, "You truly are my son." I said as I patted his head, "Alright. The beast will listen to your commands, just go ahead and give them."

I stepped back and watched as Riktor was staring at his beast's wings.

"Brutus." He said, "Slam your wing."

The wyvern raised its left wing and in a swift motion, it slammed its claws down, causing a slight shockwave. It then snorted as hit shook its neck, looking right at the basket of meat as it opened its maw.

"Hm." I said, "Interesting."

"Go left." Riktor said

The wyvern then began to move to the side, crawling slowly as it let out a rumble. I watched as Riktor was sitting atop it, giving it more commands to stop, go forward, and go backwards.

I simply crossed my arms and patiently watched as he was growing accustomed to riding the beast, "He's learning fast." I said, "I should not concern myself with something like this."

"Oh!" I heard Daranne's voice, "Look, Sylas, your brother is riding a dragon."

I turned to see Daranne walking up to me as Sylas ran up to me, "Father!" He said, "I have been getting better at the spear!"

"Good." I said as he reached me and hugged my leg, "That is good, Sylas."

I patted his head and in a swift motion, I lifted him up and placed him atop my shoulder. Daranne reached me and gently wrapped her arms around my waist as she gave me a warm smile.

"My Lord, it is a good sight..." She said softly, "To watch you care for your sons."

"Father, can I have a dragon?" Sylas asked

"Sure." I said before looking at Daranne, "As for you, you like seeing this?"

She nodded, "Yes."

"Hm." I said

"Lord Riktor has grown considerably. I expect Lord Sylas to do the same." She said softly, "I hope I have not failed you....I only wish to give you a strong son."

"You've done well." I said with a smile, "You only gave me what I wanted you to give me. Whatever failures you think you have made, there is no need to fret over them."

"How long will this conflict last?" She asked me, "I have grown tired of thinking things will not end well."

"I have done what I wanted to do." I said truthfully, "The Riverlands are mine. Well, there is one thing left to do....House Drakkengard will be the Paramount. Everything will be under my control, and only the Duskguard will be the military force."

"So....peace will resume?" She asked

I nodded, "You can say that." I said, "But.....the other Regions have yet to act."

"Just...." She said, "Do not ruin what we have. Please."

"I will not." I said, "I-"

I was cut off by the sound of the wyvern roaring loudly and I looked over at the beast running around the courtyard as Riktor laughed maniacally. It appears that he was having some fun, that boy of mine.

"I want a dragon....." Sylas said

"Hm." I said, "We'll talk later about this, son. It is your birthright."

"Really?" He asked

I nodded, "But a dragon?" I said, "There is no such thing as a True Dragon here.....these creatures...they are wyverns. The other beasts we have, they are Draconic Beasts. Dragons? This world has not seen them."

"Oh." He said as he looked at me

"One day, you will learn." I said, "But today, you need to get some rest. I look forward to seeing your progress, my son."

"Come, Sylas." Daranne pulled away and offered her hands, "Let us go and get something to eat, my love."

I lowered him down, "Go on with your mother." I said, "I will stop this one and send him inside as well."

"Okay." Sylas said

Before Daranne could walk away, I grabbed her by the arm and had her look at me.

"My Lord?" She asked, her beautiful emerald eyes staring right at me, "Is something the matter?"

"Hm..." I said, "Nothing is wrong. I just want you to know one thing, Daranne...."

"I appreciate you."