Game of Thrones: Dance of the Dragons

"With hard work, I believe you can grow into a towering tree and protect your family."

"Now, please tell me, what is the purpose of stopping me?"

Baylor stepped forward and kindly helped Duncan up.

"Your Highness, I have long heard that you are a kind and tolerant crown prince. The vagrants and orphans in the Riverlands are able to have a better life thanks to your achievements."

"Moreover, I have also heard from bards that you have been searching for outstanding knights and commanders among the people, hoping that these people can help you continue to conquer the free trade city-states."

"I believe I am the best candidate!"

Duncan was very nervous; his voice was trembling.

Ever since he heard that Prince Baylor would be coming to Riverrun, Duncan had been preparing his letter of surrender.

Just as his mother said, he hasn't received the nourishment of sunlight and spring water yet. If he wants to grow into a real towering tree, he needs real help.

Baylor didn't reply, but instead stepped forward and squeezed Duncan's arm; it was very strong.

Moreover, his hands also had very hard calluses, which was likely due to years of manual labor or frequent handling of sword hilts.

Despite being an ordinary citizen, he was adept at seizing opportunities and understood the pros and cons of things.

Baylor really likes ambitious and driven people like him.

"You have high emotional intelligence and are very ambitious. Whether you can seize the opportunity depends on yourself."

Duncan was clearly taken aback. Before he could say anything more, Baylor borrowed paper and pen from a nearby store, wrote a letter of introduction in his own name, and handed it to Duncan along with some loose change.

"Here you go. Give this letter to the official in charge of registration, and remember to get yourself some better gear."

Duncan couldn't believe that Prince Baylor's magnanimity and kindness far exceeded his expectations.

For Duncan at that time, simply having the right to compete was the greatest honor; he didn't dare to dream of acquiring equipment.

But Baelor was so merciful, just as the bards had always sung, that he would become the third wise ruler since Aegon the Conqueror and Jaehaerys the Elder.

Duncan didn't realize what was happening until Baylor left.

He immediately turned around and shouted, "Prince Bellor!"

Baylor stopped and turned to look at Duncan.

Duncan's breath hitched with nervousness, but just as the prince looked over, he spoke with utmost seriousness, as if swearing a knightly oath.

"I will definitely become an excellent knight, and then join your ranks, becoming your sharpest weapon!"

"I swear on my life that I will repay your kindness today until the very end!"

"Good luck."

Baylor left with a final remark, then departed with his younger siblings to continue enjoying their quiet time on the streets of Riverrun.

After walking a distance, Daren spoke curiously in Valyrian, "Brother, I still don't quite understand."

"Helping an ordinary person may bring you fame, but it will also bring you more trouble."

"Some common people are insatiable. Once you show any weakness, they will indiscriminately tear open this crack and trample you under their feet."

Darren's concerns were not unfounded. It had been recorded in the war logs that some bakers in certain towns had deliberately raised the price of their bread to avoid losses.

Then the next day, he was pinned to the oven by an extremely angry mob.

Helena sighed softly and tapped Darren on the head. "Darren, have you been corrupted by Aegon and Aemond?"

"Why can't you only look at one side of things?"

"According to your logic, if we conquer free-trading city-states and anger the rich and slave owners, would that be a mistake?"

"Sis, you know that's not what I meant."

"I just don't believe these ordinary people and homeless people will be genuinely grateful!"

Daren's thinking was somewhat similar to Aymond's; in their minds, apart from the Targaryen family, there was almost no one and nothing that could be trusted.

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about that anymore. Let's go check out the martial arts tournament first."

The martial arts tournament was much more lively than the town.

To celebrate his grandson Oscar's "name day," the Duke of Riverlands, Old Tully, granted commoners special permission to set up stalls here, charging only a very low stall fee.

Bread, flowers, grains, and freshly slaughtered venison are available, as well as wine, desserts, and curry from free-trading city-states.

Darren is a child who usually receives his education at home from Alison. The farthest he has ever gone is the Riverlands.

Upon seeing these novel foods, people couldn't resist crowding around and buying them in bulk.

They passed through some bustling markets, where the people had long heard that Prince Baelor would personally travel to the Riverlands to participate in the tournament.

So, upon seeing the Targaryen family's unique silver-gold hair and purple eyes, the people all bowed and admired them without prior arrangement.

Some commoners even offered delicious food, hoping to catch the prince's eye.

However, at the corner of a market just ahead, the tall Duncan was stopped by a fortune-telling witch dressed in a tattered purple robe tattooed with sunflowers and violets.

She was clearly stunned when she saw Duncan. "Too early, too early."

Duncan was somewhat speechless. "Didn't you say you wanted a fortune teller? Then tell me what kind of person I'll become in the future?"

The witch, holding a potion jar, spoke slowly and deliberately: "You will achieve great things and become richer than the Lannisters."

Duncan may be young, but he's not stupid. "Thank you for the compliment, although it's not realistic."

The witch didn't stop. "I saw it with my own eyes: in the near future, at a martial arts tournament where heroes gather."

"You will stand up for justice and face an unjust trial."

"At that time, true knights will step forward, they will stand by your side, and they will save you from this calamity."

Duncan sometimes gets annoyed by these fortune tellers.

They're surprisingly accurate; if you lose some small personal items, asking them might actually offer some hope.

Who knows? They always exaggerate when they speak, making things sound like a dream.

Thank you, ma'am.

"But what I really want to do is become a knight, to protect the weak and uphold justice, not to become a rich man like the Lannisters."

Duncan sighed softly, then handed a copper coin to the witch and was about to turn around and leave to register.

Suddenly, the witch raised her hand and pointed at Duncan, or rather, at Baylor behind him.

"I also saw a huge black dragon, its body as big as a castle. It was it that descended from the sky to protect you."

"And now, that dragon is right behind you."