Trip to the Dragonpit

The Knight Inquisitor had been staring out over the city, though as she approached he turned to face her, a small smile touching the corner of his mouth. He was simply dressed in black, and over his ruined eye he wore a patch of the same color, with a tiny red dragon embroidered in the center. Vigiliance hung at his hip, and though his left arm was no longer in a sling, the white of bandages could still be seen at the end of his sleeve.

"Good morning, Lady Visenya," he said in a softer voice than she would have expected. "Can I help you with something today?"

"It would not bother me at all, Lady Visenya," he replied courteously, remembering the rules about Aenar's children and their dragons. "I ought to see to Cyrax anyway; I do not often leave him in the dragon pit and he is unaccustomed to being confined. His wounds are not fully healed, however, so I have not let him roam free such as he would prefer."

He led the way down into the courtyard gestured for a pair of Goldcloaks to follow them, before pausing at the gates of the Red Keep, and offering her his right arm.

Walking alongside him on his right side, it occurred to Visenya that she was in his blind spot. "The Faith and the Citadel had all sorts of queer weapons they used against us. There was a massive harpoon on a chain at the top of the Hightower, which they used to spear dragons in the sky and pull then down into range of their ballistae. They also had a substance, Prince Aegon told me it was made of whale oil though how I do not know, but it exploded like…" he struggled to find the right words. "I have never seen its like before, truly. Cyrax took two of their exploding bolts to the back, and a piece of shrapnel pierced my helm's visor."

"He has recovered well enough to fly, we flew here, though slowly and in stages. I cannot imagine he was pleased to find confinement at the end of the journey," he added with a frown.

"It is always there, in the background. Even when it seems as though things are at peace, somewhere, somebody is at war, even within the realm. Landed knights and petty lords war against each other over mills and market-towns, and their liege lords war against each other for the fealty of the lesser lords," Maekar replied, and it almost sounded like he was sad about that fact. He didn't react when she drew closer to him, and when they reached the bottom of Aegon's Hill he led her toward the Iron Gate and up onto the city walls.

"I have no desire to pass through Flea Bottom today, and this ought to be faster, with a better view besides," he said, when they reached the top of the wall. He couldn't actually see the view as they walked north along the wall. To their left, Flea Bottom stretched out like an ugly sore on the city, while on the right, outside the walls, the sea crashed against cliffs and the Rosby Road ran northward into light woods.

"I imagine you are not often able to see your dragon, Lady Visenya?" he asked carefully.

"That is unfortunate," Maekar replied. "Dragons were not made to be so confined; I have never liked the Dragonpit. Even I feel confined when I am inside it."

He paused for a moment, and Visenya got the impression he was choosing his words carefully. "Your brother and sister both acted with valor and courage during the battle at Oldtown, despite losing their dragons. Perhaps his grace the King will give you greater access to yours, now that the war is ended," he added.

"It does not seem to be so," Maekar murmured quietly. He did not envy Aenar's children, suffering for their father's treachery, though he still did not particularly trust them himself. He could, however, imagine himself in Visenya's place, so confined, and he did not think he would find the situation tolerable at all. They reached the Dragon Gate an descended to ground level. When they entered the Dragonpit itself, several of the men on duty outside scowled at the King's bastard but said nothing.

"I do not think they like me much," he said with a small chuckle. "Cyrax is not particularly pleasant to those who are not me. Perhaps your Silverwing would deign to meet a stranger? Unless you would rather spend your time with her alone, that is," he added politely.

Maekar chuckled slightly, at the image of treating a dragon as one might treat a dog. "Well I am afraid I brought no rabbits with me," he replied lightly, taking a guess at what one might give a dragon as a treat. "Perhaps another day, I shall come better prepared," he added, with a small smile.

"Indeed she is, my lady," Maekar replied, stepping forward in a few smooth steps, standing with his back straight and without fear. He had always been a great admirer of House Targaryen's dragons, their ferocious strength mixed with a subtle grace was indeed beautiful in a way and though Maekar would never find himself articulating such a thought, it was still there. He met the dragon's gaze for several long moments, before he looked to Visenya and smiled. "You must be very brave, to have traveled to Dragonstone to tame her. How old were you?" he asked.

"Very brave indeed," he replied. "I was but sixteen when I bonded Meraxes, and I was quite terrified."

The only expression that Maekar could picture on her father's face was the greusome visage he'd worn after crashing to the ground aback Vermithor, three years prior. He smiled nonetheless, however, and replied with a chuckle. "I imagine he was quite surprised, and proud as well. Who could not be so, after seeing a nine year old girl disappear and then return on dragonback."

"Am I not always?" Maekar asked, with mock effrontery, before losing his composure and chuckling. "I was taught to be kind to women, despite what actions their father may have taken. Though my own father often commands me to take actions that are… unkind, it is not something that I relish," he replied seriously.