Blood Upon The Snow ||| Cregan Stark

forty-one

Jacaera spent many days marching with the riverlords. Some of the soldiers were unsure if her plan would work, they thought it was stupid. He wouldn't try and face a dragon, right?

As they marched, Jacaera periodically performed recon for the army. Flying Cannibal high above the clouds at night, searching for signs of light and another marching army.

For a while, she feared maybe she had been wrong. And not that it would have been detrimental; they could simply begin a siege of the city. But Jacaera would feel stupid if she was wrong.

But then she found it. The evidence of the army marching for the riverlords. Campfires and all.

They were most definitely outnumbered. But Jacaera knew Borros would underestimate them.

She returned to the riverlords and relayed the information. They began to plan their attack immediately.

Flat terrain was best for the dragon. Lady Alysanne Blackwood would lead her archers on the only hill and pick on the soldiers from afar while the rest would face them head-on.

Jacaera would lead the attack on the flank. Her dragon would focus his attacks there, to allow the riverlords to encircle the Baratheons and attack on all sides.

They would know how Aegon conquered the Seven Kingdoms. Borros Baratheon would learn why House Targaryen had the motto it did.

Fire and blood.

***

There was a strange calm before a battle.

It had taken many more days for the armies to get close enough to meet. But the riverlords were ready. They knew Borros would charge at them.

Alysanne had her archers at the ready and Jacaera was in the sky above the clouds. Her presence would be a surprise; Lord Borros' archers wouldn't be given a heads up on where to aim.

She would descend when she heard the battle begin. Those noises were unmistakable; war cries, the clash of swords against shields, death.

Jacaera had seen her fair share of it during the war. Those men opposed Rhaenyra knowing what would happen. They were responsible for their own deaths.

While she waited in the clouds, Jacaera spoke soothing words to Cannibal. He was living proof of the unbreakable bond between dragon and rider. He'd taken her to Winterfell without command, allowed Cregan to gather her because he recognized him. He was hers.

"Hopefully just one more battle. And then you'll have a snack. I promise. One that might make you drunk."

***

"Where is your dragon Queen? Fled when the men showed up, hmm?"

"Forward!"

***

Eventually, Jacaera did hear the beginnings of battle. Faint and distant, she had to strain her ears while she hovered above the clouds. But it was there. Which meant the battle had started and it was her cue.

"That's us," Jacaera said to Cannibal, reaching for his reigns and securing them in her hands. One quick breath to ground herself and Jacaera was ordering him down.