Daeranyx_Drakonar
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11. Which one to choose?
🕑 Added 2024-11-06 18:15:20 +0000 UTCLaenor POV
As everyone in the chamber turns their gaze towards me, filled with anticipation and a deep curiosity to understand how I accomplished what they deem impossible nowadays, I stand before them. Truthfully, I yearned to share all of my abilities, but I refrained, knowing it would only result in increased surveillance from my parents which I presently wish to avoid. Moreover, my mastery of Hydrokinesis is not yet advanced enough to disclose. Therefore, I will defer that topic to a future discussion. Today, I will only reveal how I managed to reverse the petrification of Dragon eggs, sharing just enough to quell their curiosity and alleviate any fears my parents have of me performing any nefarious activities unknowingly.
"Referring to them as Dragon dreams would be incorrect," I explained. "According to what I have read from the books in our library, Dragon dreams reveal the future, but my dreams don't show the future; they reveal the past." Upon hearing this, my father's eyes widened slightly, and confusion was etched on my mother's face. Laena gazed at me; her eyes filled with awe.
Father regained his composure and inquired before mother could speak, "I understand that dreamers cannot control what they see in their dreams. But now, I am curious to know what exactly did you see in your dreams?" The glint in his eyes told me he had already figured out which part of the past I was witnessing in my dreams.
"Well, Father, you are correct that I cannot control the visions in my dreams, but thanks to the Fourteen Flames, for the past two weeks, I've been shown how to reverse the petrification of dragon eggs and the subsequent steps to hatch them. As for your question, my dreams reveal Old Valyria before the Doom. The exact year eludes me as the dreams are brief, only revealing the immediate steps to follow." I attempted to articulate everything I could muster at the moment in my response. Judging by their expressions, they seem to have accepted my explanation—or in this case, my fabrication. However, Laena appears distracted during my explanation, seemingly deep in thought.
"Son, I can do nothing but thank the fourteen flames for the gift bestowed upon you. However, you must document every detail you witness in your dreams in a journal; it could be invaluable to our descendants, or to you should you forget due to time. I am also eager to learn how you reversed petrification and the roles played by the block of Dragon glass and Valyrian steel in the process," my father said. My mother looked at me, the tension previously etched on her face now replaced by a mix of relief, confusion, and apprehension.
I then began to describe the process by which the dragon eggs were restored from petrification, omitting the part where I dived into the water to transfer the sea's life force to the eggs. I explained that I carved the runes onto the stone exactly as they appeared in my dreams and, after anointing the stone with my blood, I waited, as my visions had instructed. Within two or three days, the results became evident, confirming that my dreams were indeed reality, not mere figments of my imagination. Subsequently, I shared additional information that did not disclose much about my abilities, and they listened with expressions of awe and eagerness. Although I have no desire to deceive them, I also must be cautious not to reveal my capabilities, as doing so could bring trouble not only to myself but also to the entire House Velaryon.
After listening to my explanation, everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts, so I gave them space to process everything I had said. Suddenly, my mother stood up and walked over to me, embracing me tightly. Initially shocked, I soon returned the embrace, and we remained like that for a few minutes. Meanwhile, my father and Laena waited for my mother to explain her actions. "I was so worried, thinking something terrible might happen, and I've noticed a change in you. I believe it's because you feel burdened with the weight of the future. Dreamers often emerge in our family when dire events loom ahead. Knowing the future, people feel obligated to prevent any misfortune, and I don't want that for you. I'm relieved you don't possess that ability," she explained, still holding me, and I couldn't help but smile at her concern because I already knows the future and also want to change that.
Father and Laena also smiled at mother's concern for me. Eventually, she let go of the embrace and wiped away the tears from her eyes. After planting a kiss on my forehead, she settled into the seat between Laena and me on the couch. I returned her smile, and then they all began to ask their questions about the process, to which I responded to each one.
"You've clarified all our doubts about the process the dragon eggs underwent. Now, regarding their hatching," Father said, "you mentioned that your dreams have shown you how to hatch them. Do you need anything to help them to hatch like the block of Dragon glass you asked earlier, or did you share this because you want us to witness the hatching of the eggs?" I look towards him, readying myself for my response, knowing this is why I had to inform them about the process beforehand, not after. Laena is also giving her full attention, as this concerns the hatching of the eggs. Mother looks equally curious about what I will say.
"As I've mentioned before, I was shown all the steps in advance, and the hatching of the eggs was no different. There were two methods presented to me: in the first, I could use another block or continue with the one I've been using to carve a new set of runes and let the eggs hatch naturally. This way, they might hatch tomorrow, in a week, or by the next moon," I paused briefly to allow them to absorb my words and took a deep breath, knowing that what I was about to say next might be perceived as malevolent in both this world and the one I came from. "The second method, commonly used by the Dragon Lords of Old Valyria, allows me to hatch the dragons whenever I wish. However, as you might expect from a practice of the Valyrian Dragon Lords, it requires a sacrifice—specifically, two human lives. They typically use slaves, but some of the forty opt for prisoners. We can choose either method; the outcome is certain—the eggs will hatch," I concluded, glancing at Laena, who seemed both horrified and elated at the revelation.
Father appeared disgusted upon hearing about the sacrifice, yet his eyes betrayed a contemptuous expression that suggested otherwise. I wasn't the only one who noticed; "Corlys, are you truly considering performing sacrifices? You do realize that such practices are why Valyria is in its current state. I cannot condone the second method; Laenor has already stated that the eggs could be hatched using the first method, which he can undertake without resorting to acts unsuitable for a boy his age." Mother's voice snapped Laena out of her horrified trance, prompting her to consider which method she would be comfortable with.
"I also do not wish for my children to be exposed to things inappropriate for their age, Rhaenys. Yet, it is impossible to shield them from the world forever, and Laenor has already witnessed what you deem unsuitable for his age. My contemplation is not on performing sacrifices, but rather on why Dragon lords would opt for the latter method when they could employ the former and spare some slaves for labor in their mines. Could you clarify why they are opting for a later event in your dreams, Laenor?" inquired my father, his gaze fixed upon me. Insightful is one thing my father certainly is.
"Yes, I could, but I cannot provide a definitive answer as I am not fully informed on the subject. However, from what I gather from my dreams, the latter method of hatching eggs involves blood magic. It supposedly confers unknown benefits, which I cannot confirm. What is known is that eggs hatched using this method were distinguishable from those hatched by the former method in Old Valyria. Therefore, there must be a significant difference; otherwise, they would not be able to discern between the two hatching methods while looking at the grown Dragon."I responded, and that was all Corlys Velaryon required to finalize his decision on the which method to employ.
"Well, now you know my choice of method, Rhaenys," Father said to Mother, a sweet smile on his face. Mother glared at him, but then her attention shifted to me; the unspoken question was clear. What is my decision? Despite being a mama's boy, I would not agree with her on this, because I have used all the top methods for the eggs until now, and I do not want to use method which I do not consider the best in hatching them due to morals. Thus, I looked toward my father, and my decision was made clear. Father's face lit up with happiness. Mother then turned her gaze to Laena, her last hope to dissuade us from proceeding with the second method to hatch the dragon eggs.
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