Chapter Text
The road to Ashford had been the quietest ride since leaving Flea Bottom. No nagging, no japes, no stories he's heard a million times. Just him and the horses.
By the time he made it to the inn, he'd have talked to a tree if it would say a word back. Maybe that's why he hadn't noticed the way the boy talked or carried himself. His stomach had been too empty and his mind too numb from silence. Everything had felt too overwhelming.
Then of course, the tournament came and he almost hadn't made it into the lists. If it weren't for Crown Prince Baelor's (Sevens bless his soul) honorable memory of Ser Arlan of Pennytree, he would have been just another schmuck in the crowd. Didn't even get to be in the tournament, though. Instead, he somehow ended up face to face with a prince over the matter of 'kidnapping' another prince. In a matter of days, he nearly knew half the princes in the kingdom.
The trial of combat had been quick. Prince Daeron barely made an effort. He'd had the pleasure of meeting Prince Maekar once more, who had offered him a position as a knight in his service so that Egg could squire for him. His dreams had come true in a matter of seconds. He was a real knight now! Not some sorry excuse based on some unspoken agreement with Ser Arlan of Pennytree.
So that's how he's ended up here.
At the gates of the Red Keep. The walls rose high and red about the city like a watchful giant. He's never been so close. In Flea Bottom, the alleys were so narrow and the horizon too far to see anything but shadows overhead.
He clicks his heels into Sweetfoots sides, riding forward into his new home.
“Did you hear?” Someone mutters as they pass a cluster of gold cloaks. “Burned to a crisp. Barely anything left of him.”
“Should’ve known better than to get too close.”
Duncan slows, frowning. He leans over to Egg, “What’s that about?”
Egg calls out to the cluster of gold cloaks, before he can stop Egg, "What are you talking about, Sers?" He shifts in his saddle, nervous. Back in Flea Bottom, you didn’t talk to a gold cloak like that unless you wanted a beating.
The gold cloaks straighten, forming a line, holding their weapons straight. "Prince Aegon! At your service." One of the men says, "We were discussing the incident at the Dragonpit earlier today. One of the dragonkeepers got too close, unfortunately."
Duncan blinks, "Dragonpit?" He'd thought that to be a ruin. Hadn't been dragons in decades as far as he knew.
One of the gold cloaks gives him an up down, then scoffs, "You're not from here, are you?"
He was from King's Landing, just not from somewhere close enough to the Red Keep to know about the business of dragons. Folk might think less of him, and of the good princes, for taking him in. Couldn’t have that. "I am, just haven't been around in a while."
"There's been a dragon in the pit for years now. The only one left, they say." The man replies.
Duncan glanced toward the hill where the Dragonpit stood, its great dome visible even from here.
“A dragon,” he repeats.
“Aye,” the gold cloak says. “And a hungry one, by the sounds of it.”
That night, in the modest quarters the generous Prince Maekar had assigned him, Duncan sits cross-legged on his bed, across from Egg.
“A dragon,” he says again, still not quite believing its truth. Could it really be true that dragons were still alive? In this day and age?
Egg does not look up from where he is unlacing his boots. “Yes.”
“You didn’t think to mention that?” He asks.
Egg shrugs as he pops off one boot from his foot, “didn’t think it mattered.”
Duncan huffs. “Didn’t matter? It’s a dragon, Egg.” Imagine being able to see a dragon. If his friends from Flea Bottom were still around, they wouldn't believe it either. They'd been so close to a dragon and never knew it.
“Yes,” Egg says, his tone sharpening. “And it’s dangerous. Which is why no one goes near it.”
“The city watch said someone died.” How horrible a death to be burnt to a crisp. What about their family? What would they bury?
Egg goes still for a moment. Then he sighs, “it happens more often than not.”
Duncan leans forward, studying Egg's face. “You’ve seen it, haven’t you?”
Egg hesitates. Then, reluctantly admits, “yes.” His voice is low. Too quiet.
“Well?” Duncan presses. “What’s it like?”
Egg’s gaze flicks up, meeting his. This time the dark round eyes are wary and tired. Unusual for such an energetic and trusting boy like Egg.
“It’s vicious,” Egg said. “That’s what it’s like. It's not something you should go looking for, Ser.”
“Why not?” He immediately asks. If others have seen it, why can't he?
“Because you’ll get yourself killed,” Egg snaps. Then, softer, “Just… leave it alone, Ser Duncan. It's not worth seeing.”
Duncan leans back against the wall, scratching at the back of his neck.
He should leave it alone.
He knew that.
But—
“A dragon,” he mutters again.
He goes anyway.
Once Egg leaves his quarters to go to his own princely rooms in King's Landing, he sneaks out. The Dragonpit looms in the darkness, its massive stone bulk swallowing the moonlight. The gates stand closed, but not locked, at least not well enough.
Duncan slips inside.
It is quiet.
Too quiet.
The kind of quiet that made even his heavy steps feel loud.
He pauses just past the threshold, letting his eyes adjust. The interior stretches vast and shadowy, the air thick and still.
No guards.
No dragon.
He frowns.
“Well,” he mutters to himself, “that’s disappointing.”
“Who dares come here?” The voice cuts through the silence like a blade.
Duncan turns sharply.
A figure stands in the shadows, half-hidden, watching him, leaning against one of the walls.
Duncan straightens instinctively. “I’m a knight.”
A pause. Then, dryly, the response drawls, “Seems knighthood has fallen on sad days.”
Duncan bristles at that, but lets it pass. He didn’t come here to bicker. “I came to see the dragon,” he says instead. “Have you seen it?”
The figure shifted slightly, though Duncan still can not make out their face. Not enough light. Too dark down here.
“Why would you waste your life trying to do that?”
Duncan shrugs. “I mean—wouldn’t anyone want to see a dragon? I heard it’s the only one.” He glances around the empty pit. “Seems lonely,” he adds.
The figure stills. “Why would it be lonely?” the stranger asked. “It’s a dragon.”
Duncan frowns at that. “Doesn’t matter, does it? Everyone gets lonely. Hard not to, when there’s no one else around.”
Silence stretches between them.
“The dragon isn’t here right now,” the stranger says. “Come during the day if you wish to see it.”
Duncan tilts his head. “Everyone’s been telling me not to come at all. Said it’s too dangerous.” He shifts his weight. Could be it wasn’t so bad. Folk scared easy. “What do you think? Is the dragon dangerous?”
“…It can be.”
That wasn’t a no. Duncan nods. It's a tremendous, magical creature after all. The king of all beasts. “Alright. I’ll be careful not to make it angry.” He hesitates, then adds, “What do you think would calm it?”
Another pause. “…It’s sensitive to movement and sound.”
“Okay,” Duncan nods. “Slow and quiet. Got it.”
“Don’t stand in front of its head,” the stranger adds. “It won’t be able to see you.”
He scratches his head. “Really?... Alright. Anything else?”
“…Treat it with respect,” the stranger says as the word trails off. “A dragon is an intelligent beast.”
Duncan’s mouth stretches into a smile. “That makes sense.” He wonders how intelligent it might be. What if it could understand him?
He shifts closer, just a step.
“You seem to know a lot about it,” he said. “May I ask who you are?”
A beat passes. Maybe the man didn't hear. He opens his mouth to ask again.
“A dragonkeeper.” The figure replies.
Duncan nods. Makes sense for one to be around at every hour of the day. It's a dragon they are caring for after all. The last one of its kind.
“Well then,” he says, brightening, “will I see you when I come back?”
“There are other dragonkeepers during the day,” the stranger replies. “I am only here at night.”
“Alright. I’ll come at night, then.” This man was easy to talk to. It would be nice to have a friend or two around here. More than just Egg who's half his age and a quarter of his size.
Silence stretches again.
“I’d like to hear more about the dragon from you,” Duncan adds. “If that’s alright.”
The shadows shifts. “Suit yourself.”
Duncan grins.
“I'll see you soon then."