HOTD: House Celtigar

I couldn't help but smile as I saw the island of House Selmy, Tarth. It was quite beautiful, almost like a summer island, appearing untouched by the raging storms in the stormlands, a paradise in hell.

Behind me stood Ser Daeron, having been with me these last 5 moons and 2 weeks, and we were to reach Crab Isle in 5 days.

The tour itself had been relatively quiet and boring, the first 2 moons I struggled somewhat with adjusting to being on a ship, but I quickly got it down.

Following those 2 moons, everything became relatively easier.

But I hadn't spent these 5 moons relaxing, and neither had my guards. I had ensured their continuous training at great expense, and all 21 of them had been training heavily, everyday.

And so had I, especially my aim, with the crossbow. For I knew the true danger to dragonriders, are other riders. So I'd want to be able to neutrualize them as quickly as possible.

But first, I had to get my own dragon. A feat which was not an easy one, and it included various levels of dangers, depending on their size, nature and personality.

Some dragons, like Dreamfyre found their riders easily, like how Helaena, one of the weaker queens to exist bonded with said dragon.

But some, like the Cannibal had never been tamed, and for good reason.

Few had tried, especially with its nature, which was to eat young dragons, but a few had tried. And nobody succeeded.

It was then that Ser Daeron approached me. 

"My Lord, are you sure it's wise to head to Tarth? The seas are getting rowdy." He said, and I nodded. I would visit the Tarths, they were the only truly major seafaring power within the Stormlands, so it wouldn't do to avoid their visit. 

"Relax Ser Daeron, I'll take a small rowboat to the coast, while the ship remains on the sea." I said, but it did not seem to please his nerves in the slightest. 

"You'll stay behind, Ser Daeron. I'll take 2 of our guards, choose amongst them the best swimmers, if all turns bad." I said, and though he wanted to complain. He nodded and began gathering the men.

It took a few minutes, as he already had 2 in my mind, and with that. We set off, Jory and Uyn was their names, and apparently they served as sailors before they joined our guard. 

And with that, we set off. Me, 2 guards and 3 sailors in a small dingy as we sailed for Evenfall Hall. 

However, in the midst of our journey, the experienced sailors quickly deduced a slight problem. 

"Milord, the waves are getting bigger. A storm is coming, we must hurry for land." He said, and I nodded. The guards of course heard, and began rowing extremely hard, knowing the death threat which could appear. 

And appear it did, my eyes closed as we pierced through a large wave, nearly overflowing the boat.

This was a minor storm to most boats, which is why we didn't see it as dangerous, but we were in a dingy, a major difference. 

"Milord, we are almost by the port. They´ve sent out ships to help us, we´ll be fine." One of the sailors said, relieved. But before any of us could react, one of the more aware ones shouted.

"BRACE!" 

Sadly, the relived sailors had gotten me off my guard and I wasn't prepared for the large wave coming in from the side, and I was thrown off my seat, before tumbling out of the bow.

"AHH-" Was all I could get out before my back hit the sea, followed by my head and body as I fell into the sea. 

My eyes instantly closed, but I knew I had to keep them open, so I struggled through the salt and sea as I opened my eyes, a brief moment of pain hitting me, before I began desperately swimming up. 

I had been thrown 10 meters under the sea, and I rushed up to the sea, luckily I had been swimming most of my life, so I could easily hold my breath for the required time. 

I swam up quickly, as I reached the surface, pushing my head up as I looked around. 

"Fuck" I said outloud as I looked around, the dingy had disappeared. Likely pushed far away by the sea. 

Which meant I had no rescuers anytime soon, but I didn´t have time to think, as another wave pushed me barely under and thew my forward, spiralling me towards the island.

However, I wouldn't be taken that easily, as I struggled against the waves. Struggling to keep myself further from the shore, for the seat of Evenfall Hall was placed strategically, as Celtigar Keep was.

The shore which would welcome me, was short stones and crushing waves, a situation whereas I wouldn't survive.

A few minutes felt like hours as I struggled against the waves, however I was running dry of energy, and even when I had an abundance of it, the waves were slowly bringing me to the shore.

50 meters turned to 30, and then turned to 20. 

20 turned to 10, and 10 turned to 5. 

And I sighed at that, as I looked upon the cliffs 5 meters before me, and I knew I had lost. 

To think me, and my ambition would meeting such an end, and for House Celtigar as well.

Perhaps my actions against my father, had doomed me to fail. 

But I wouldn´t give up that easily, I found a renewed source of strength. 

I would not give up, I had gotten another chance. And I would not let this one go to waste, my name WILL be written amongst the legends.

And with that, I began swimming with all my might. 5 meters turned to 7, and then to 10. And I felt survival was possible, and the seas had begun to relax.

And this feeling made me turn around, looking at the cliffs in triumph, as if I had defeated it, however. I suddenly felt something crash against my back, lifted me up and threw my forward.

I barely managed to look at what hit me, as I saw a wave. Larger than any before, and it was forcing me along itself, heading straight for the cliff. 

To think it truly would end like this. 

However, before I hit the cliff, I heard something. 

DRAGON ROAR

And as the wave lifted me up, making its way down towards a sharp rock, and It began smashing me down, I felt two things grab my arms, up towards my shoulders. As it lifted me up, passing over the single rock, before speeding straight up.

Over the cliffs and towards the forest, and I looked up, a blue silver like scales, and it was large.

70 meters long, with a wingspan of 150 meters.

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