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Post by Vhagar on Jan 10, 2014 20:35:55 GMT -5
A cave high in the mountains, this is the home of Dake, caretaker of the dragon eggs and the local expert on dragon lore. He is reputed to be the oldest man in Westeros. Twice failing to tame a dragon, one of whom was Amethyst, he is content to look after the dragon eggs and the hatchlings, and offer counsel to would-be dragonriders.
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Gwenara didn't see anyone at the moment but there was another cave she could see, a bit lower down. And she saw a light within.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2014 20:37:35 GMT -5
This looked promising. Gwenara climbed down slowly and carefully, and when she reached the lit up cave, she peered in cautiously to see if there was anyone there.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 10, 2014 20:42:26 GMT -5
She saw an old man, wizened and bone-thin, crouched over a small fire as he cooked a rabbit. He was alone but she saw a whip, a stick and a bedroll close by, a well as several other small items that no doubt belonged to the man and not some dragon.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 13:29:18 GMT -5
"Good morrow," Gwenara said courteously, though she was very surprised to see this curious figure here. "I did not think to find someone who lives in the Dragonmont." She suddenly realized that he might be equally curious about her.
"I am here because I'm trying to tame a dragon," she added. "Vhagar, in fact."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 14:32:54 GMT -5
The old man spluttered in confusion. "Vhagar? But yer a wee slip o' a girl. Vhagar's the biggest beast we 'ave. Where'd yer come from? I know yer ain't one o' them royal princesses. Only blood o' the dragon shoul be 'ere."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 15:15:45 GMT -5
"I am blood of the dragon," Gwenara replied, though it was clear that she seemed to lack conviction. "A bastard of..." She hesitated and blushed as she mentioned her bastardy. "Of the King and Lady Clemence of House Arryn. Who are you?"
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 15:27:35 GMT -5
"Name's Dake. I watch over the hatcheries. They say I've a drop of the dragon blood in me. Dragons like me well enough, anyway. Never do me any harm."
He looked her over from head to foot.
"King's bastard then? What makes you think you can claim Vhagar?"
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 15:41:03 GMT -5
"We'll met, Dake," Gwenara replied, finding him very curious indeed. She remembered hearing once that Dragonstone was "littered with seeds", but to meet one of the seeds was another thing. It made her feel slightly less alone, knowing that there were others who shared her bastard Targaryen birth. If she did. Gwenara used to doubt that she was a Targaryen until she got the dragon dreams, but sometimes even now, her belief in herself faltered.
"I have heard Vhagar is the most powerful of the dragons."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 15:57:36 GMT -5
"She is, 'xcepting only Balerion 'imself. King's own dragon. Too powerful for likes o' yer, probably. It's yer skin thoug." He shrugged. "Want some fish? 'Tis almost done."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 16:07:29 GMT -5
"I would be glad of some fish," Gwenara said gratefully. "That climb left me starving. Can I help you cook it?"
She frowned thoughtfully. "What of the dragon Dreamfyre? What's she like?"
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 16:33:36 GMT -5
"Yer me guest. Just sit yer down." He flipped the fish over to cook the other side. "Dreamfyre's fairly big, fast and strong. Not as fierce or strong as Vhagar though. She's more...accepting of human company."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 17:38:21 GMT -5
But Gwenara was uncomfortable being served by a man who clearly worked hard for his meager living and had little to share with jer. Unlike many noble bastards, Gwenara had never comfortably accepted her privilege. She wished the old man would allow her to pay him for his hospitality, for she had a purse stuffed so full with coin that it hardly jingled, but she knew he would be insulted if she pressed the matter.
"We'll, you are very kind," Gwenara said with a smile, sitting down. "Will you share my wine? I re-filled my wine skin when our ship docked in Dragonstone."
She stretched her legs out, grateful for chance to rest them. "So Dreamfyre is of an easier temperament? Hmmm." Gwenara thought on that for a bit. " I read as much as I could of dragons before setting sail for Dragonstone. It seems there is no one way to tame a dragon. Everyone did it a different way. The one thing all the dragon tamers had in common, from what I could see, was that they did not show fear."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 17:45:33 GMT -5
"I'd love some wine. Don't get much 'ere. Aye, Dreamfyre;s easier to tame, they say. Vhagar's only had one rider that we know of. Queen Visenya. But Dreamfyre's had two, both women. Fear aint no good with dragons, 'tis true. But, aye, I've seen them tamed with strength and patience and kindness."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 17:51:03 GMT -5
"Perhaps I will try Dreamfyre then," Gwenara said, as the fish was served. "I'm curious. How have you lived here so long without arousing the ire of the dragons? And have you ever tried to tame one yourself?"
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 18:08:09 GMT -5
The old man grinned. He was missing a few teeth, she saw at once, and a couple were rotting.
"The dragons like me well enough. Like I said, I'm most like dragonseed meself. I tried twice. First 'twas with a red dragon, a youngster, when I were just a lad. Saw him hatch, helped him feed and spent time together. But he died. Flew too low and drowned hisself."
His lined face was riddled with sadness and she thought she saw a tear.
"Later on I tried with Amethyst when she were a wee nipper of a wyrm. She burned me arm. Hurt like merry hell and I lay abed for days. Queen got Amethyst in the end but you most like know that anyhow. I swore off tryin' to ride a dragon after that. 'Tis enough to tend their hatchlings."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 18:14:21 GMT -5
"I'm very sorry," Gwenara said, passing him the wineskin. How bitter that just feel, she thought, though she couldn't help but feel he should never have given up.
"This fish is very good," she added, in an effort to cheer him up. "Do you often see the royal family? I know of the most famous dragons that they ride, but nothing if the family itself." Somehow, the thought of meeting them - if she ever managed to tame a dragon - made Gwenara nervous. "How does the queen treat bastards? I heard one of the true born princesses died too. We received a raven at the Eyrie. Are they - are they a nice family?"
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 18:23:41 GMT -5
If he was surprised to hear that someone had died, he didn't show it. "Don't see the royal family very often. The Crown Prince has his seat here, o' course, but he's warring in the south. Don't know how t'queen treats bastards. Ain't me place to ask, is it?"
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 19:33:43 GMT -5
"I suppose not," agreed Gwenara, who knew all about "knowing one's place." She finished her fish in silence as she listened to his stories, and when her meal was ended, she looked at it almost wistfully. It may have been her last meal.
"Goodman Dake," she said, wiping her mouth and fingers daintily. "I am much obliged for the hospitality you have shown this bastard, and if I survive the next few hours I will remember it. And if not, then I must inform you that you have made my last moments very enjoyable." She paused, and then said, " but now I must ask you to direct me to Vhagar's lair. I hav chosen to try and tame this beast, though it may mean my death."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 19:50:14 GMT -5
He looked at her like she was mad. "Like I said, 'tis your skin. I'll show ye the way, aye, and burn yer corpse if I must. Ready to go?" He stood.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 20:02:30 GMT -5
Despite herself, Gwenara laughed. "Many thanks, goodman. Now come, take me to meet Vhagar. I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2014 22:54:51 GMT -5
A few days after his taming, the ivory dragon was sighted as he approached Dragonmont. Vira was riding him, her flight eased by the aid of stirrups, the smooth leather belt, and the reins and whip to guide Aegerys. Her command of the dragon was still shaky though - it took a few tries before she managed to make him land close to where she wanted on the mountainside. She remembered Edmund Waters had told her where Dake lived, and she slid down from Aegerys' back eagerly. In her left had was a small bag stuffed with peaches, which she had plucked from a farm. It was to be her gift to the old man.
She walked towards Dake's cave.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 26, 2014 6:58:24 GMT -5
The old man was inside the cave, slowly strumming a stringed instrument. His eyes were closed and he seemed lost to the music.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2014 10:57:21 GMT -5
Vira sat down on the floor of his cave, set the bag of peaches aside next to her, and waited in respectful silence for the old man to finish.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 26, 2014 11:17:53 GMT -5
It seemed a long time before he had finished. And then he looked at her in surprise. "Another dragonseed, are you? Had a lad here last night, and a girl not so long before. Don't tell me you're chasing Vhagar?"
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2014 11:29:05 GMT -5
"No, I have a dragon," Vira said, not without a little touch of pride in her voice. "I tamed the Ghost."
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all alone and also really bored 
Hopefully going to kickstart the festival too