Chapter 129: Uncle Valar, I Was Wrong, Truly Wrong

Aegon instinctively pulled the children behind him and looked toward the speaker. Rhaegor struggled a bit before moving to Aegon's side, standing with him to shield Viserys and Samantha.

Tom stared curiously at the group of children. This month, it was his squad's turn to patrol the city, and with no work at the smithy, Tom had decided to close up shop. Armed with his hammer and dressed in armor, he mounted the fine steed he had saved up to buy and patrolled the town. The security in Summerfield was excellent; even the most unruly sellswords behaved themselves here. No one dared offend the city's rulers.

"Don't be scared, children. My name is Tom. I'm a captain of Summer Hall's city guard." Tom, thinking his bushy beard had frightened them, quickly sheathed his hammer and knelt down on one knee to appear more approachable. "Where are your parents?" He noted their striking resemblance to one another. Though their headscarves obscured their hair, a few silver strands peeked out, and Viserys, in particular, had most of his hair uncovered.

Still, silver hair wasn't unusual in Summerfield. These children were probably from a wealthy family or perhaps the offspring of a Silverblood cavalryman. Tom certainly didn't suspect they belonged to that particular family in Dragon's Nest. "Though our city is safe, it's dangerous for you to wander around alone. What if you encounter trouble? And without even a servant to accompany you!" He playfully pulled a face to scare them, but the eldest boy didn't flinch, nor did the boy beside him. Tom felt a bit disappointed and rose to his feet. "Hurry home, kids. Next time, bring an adult with you. This isn't your home alley, and if you get lost, your parents will be worried. Go on, back you go."

Rhaegor tugged at Aegon's sleeve, suggesting they take the guard's advice and hurry home before their horses strayed too far. But Aegon's next words made Rhaegor want to cry.

"We came out to give our parents a surprise, ser," Aegon said, adjusting his expression to one of innocent sincerity. "It's my father's naming day soon, and we wanted to visit the Summer Market to buy him a gift. We don't want our family to find out."

Rhaegor looked up to the heavens and sighed deeply. They were doomed. Completely doomed. The Summer Market? That sprawling place couldn't be covered in a single day. Their parents could return on dragonback at any moment, and Uncle Valar was waiting at the Dragonstone Tower for their lesson. It wouldn't take long for someone to discover their absence.

Seven save me. I've always been a good child.

"I see." Tom's eyes lit up with understanding. He looked approvingly at the children, then turned to one of his guards — a silver-haired soldier in the characteristic cloak. "Look at that. These kids already know how to think about their father. My daughter should take notes." He paused, seeming to have a sudden idea, and glanced at his subordinate's horse.

The silver-haired soldier caught on quickly, dismounting without hesitation. "Captain Tom, why don't you take the children to the Summer Market? I'll continue patrolling with the others." He patted himself down. "Damn, too bad my boy took all the sweets from my pockets this morning," he muttered.

"Seven hells," Tom grumbled. Mention of his colleague's boy only irritated him further. This particular subordinate was wealthy thanks to marrying a captain from the Stepstones, a petite and striking woman who had brought two young sons into the marriage. Both were silver-haired and purple-eyed, much to their father's pride. He believed those traits were sacred, and while Tom didn't mind the boys in general, he wasn't thrilled that they seemed to be courting his daughter already. She was still his little girl, after all.

"All right, all right, enough of that," the silver-haired guard teased, laughing as he waved Tom toward the children. "Go on now, and make sure they're safe."

Tom withdrew his glare and prepared to speak, but Aegon interrupted.

"I can ride. I'll take my little brother. Captain Tom, please look after my younger siblings." Aegon pulled Rhaegor onto the silver-haired guard's horse. To everyone's surprise, the horse remained calm and obedient.

Tom dismissed any suspicions he might've had. Instead, he became even more convinced that these children's father must be a knight or a heavily armored cavalryman. Only a family like that would have their sons learning to ride at such a young age.

"Let's go, we'll set off together." Tom mounted his warhorse. Viserys lifted Samantha into his arms and reached out for Tom to pull him up onto the horse. With the children in tow, Tom guided them through the Hunter's Avenue in front of the Bronze Gate, entering the Desert Avenue lined with stone houses. As the stone buildings grew taller around them, Tom couldn't help but marvel at the changes. The influx of Northerners years ago and recent development had caused Summerfield's population to swell. Stone houses now filled Desert Avenue, Hunter's Avenue, and the entire district of Flower Lane. If not for Draezell's strict prohibition against slum construction, the area would have been overrun with flea-ridden shantytowns by now.

Meanwhile, back at Dragon's Nest.

Valar, his face pale with terror, rushed into the dragonpit alongside a stern-faced Aslan Londor. Hoffa was already pacing back and forth in agitation.

"Brother, the children are missing!" Valar's voice cracked as he spotted his elder brother standing motionless before Vermithor's lair. He knew from childhood that a still Draezell was the most dangerous Draezell; no one could predict whether he would draw his sword or order Vermithor to incinerate someone with dragonfire.

"I know," Draezell said flatly.

"We've turned Dragon's Nest upside down. Only Daenyra is still in her room, asleep," Valar said, his voice trembling. "I even searched through Rey's books, nearly scattering them everywhere."

"Your Grace, it's my fault for letting the children slip away," Hoffa interjected. "I'll head to Summerfield immediately and bring them back." Hoffa was well aware that Draezell was unlikely to mount Vermithor for the search; the dragon was far too massive to find a proper landing spot in modern Summerfield.

"Valar, take Silverwing," Draezell finally said after a brief pause. "They're in Summerfield. I can sense them heading toward the Summer Market."

"Understood." Without questioning further, Valar sprinted to Silverwing's lair. Moments later, the silver dragon let out a roar and took flight, soaring out of the dragonpit.

"Your Grace..." Hoffa looked at Draezell with a hint of confusion. Draezell sighed deeply. Upon learning of the children's disappearance, he had been anxious, but Diana quickly found a note they had left behind.

They wanted to surprise him for his naming day.

But Draezell had long forgotten the significance of that day. To him, celebrating his naming day held no meaning. What mattered more was commemorating Valar's naming day, which coincided with his own. In the past, only Valar and Rey had remembered — Valar because they shared the date, and Rey out of genuine respect and love for his elder brother.

These children... Draezell rubbed his temples, feeling a mix of relief, worry, and faint anger. While Valar's temper could be volatile, his soft-heartedness made him a good choice for the task. If the children cried, he'd likely relent without much resistance. Besides, Aegon and Rhaegor still needed to continue their dragon-taming lessons today; they couldn't afford delays.

Meanwhile, Tom guided the children past a bustling tavern. The place was so packed that customers spilled onto the streets, their boisterous conversations blending into a chaotic hum.

Both Rhaegor and Viserys pricked up their ears as they passed a table, catching snippets of a conversation that piqued their curiosity.

Two silver-haired young men, dressed in luxurious silk, were drinking heavily. One voice reached the boys.

"R'hllor save me, you'll never ride a dragon no matter how much you drink."

The other man retorted, "You won't either, not in this life. Damn it, those slaves have blocked all paths up to the castle. Without a writ from House Vaelarys, there's no way up. When has anyone in Volantis ever treated me like this? Even Claelorius didn't dare leave me waiting outside his manse. Damn Vaelarys, damn Draezell! Stuck in this savage place willingly!"

Rhaegor strained to hear more, but Aegon quickly covered his ears. "Children shouldn't listen to this."

Up ahead, Tom did the same to Viserys. "Drinking and gambling are grown-up matters. Kids, pay no mind."

Suddenly, a dragon's roar shattered the street's lively chatter. Patrons fled in panic, seeking cover inside the tavern or under tables, casting cautious glances outside. Two warhorses collapsed in fear, but Tom reacted swiftly, steadying the children.

Samantha burst into tears.

Descending before them was a massive silver dragon, its rider Valar radiating an aura of fury that made his murderous intent palpable.

Aegon grabbed Rhaegor and threw himself to the ground without hesitation.

"Uncle Valar, I was wrong! I was truly wrong!"

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