King's Landing, Hill of Rhaenys. The heavy bronze gates of the Dragonpit were open.
All the domes of the Dragonpit had been removed, leaving it open to the towering sky and drifting clouds, somewhat like an amphitheater.
Three giant dragons circled above the Dragonpit, flying high like three balls of fire.
The roar of the dragons was exhilarating. Rhaegar felt immense pride, thinking, My dragons are currently the only force on two continents capable of integrated air-ground combat.
From the center of the Dragonpit came the shouts and training sounds of soldiers.
Infantry charged forward wielding weapons. Cavalry, skilled in horsemanship, wielded lances, greatswords, and morningstars like raging fire. Longbowmen drew their bows, their arrows flying fast and true.
Rhaegar had also specially prepared some new training programs for the soldiers: parallel bars, long jump sandpits, stone throwing, and ball game courts to enliven the atmosphere.
However, the soldiers' favorite was still one-on-one blunted weapon duels; this was the most popular form of combat.
Rhaegar stood on the viewing platform, overlooking the soldiers below. My old Royal Guard, Rhaegar thought, this is my first army.
With the expansion of the Eagle Guard, the troop count had increased to 1,200. Excluding the 100 stationed on Dragonstone, there were now 1,100 men in the Dragonpit.
Today, the camp also welcomed several uninvited guests: Lord Tywin and his brothers Tygett and Gerion, along with his son Jaime. Lord Tywin was also one of the financiers currently in contact with Rhaegar.
Rhaegar had recently sought to import a batch of new double-curved Goldenheart longbows from the Black tribes of the Summer Isles. These great bows had a range of up to four hundred yards, second only to Rhaegar's Dragonbone longbows. Afterward, he also imported double-curved horn and sinew bows from Essos, as well as the yew and weirwood bows common in Westeros.
However, you get what you pay for; Goldenheart great bows were indeed expensive, their price regrettable.
Rhaegar planned to import fifty of them at once as secret weapons to wipe out the Lysene pirates. What is fire superiority? Long range is fire superiority. My Goldenheart great bows are more terrifying than Bloodraven's Raven's Teeth.
"Though young, it is clear this is an elite force," Lord Tywin said with excitement.
Unified command, well-nourished, well-equipped, high morale—this unit was definitely elite. And judging by the reaction of the King's Landing populace, this army was disciplined, did not oppress the people, and did not engage in vices like prostitution or gambling. This was indeed a formidable army.
Rhaegar was also very proud. The army is the cornerstone of rule. The Three Great Camps of the Dragonpit: the Eagle Guard, the Dragon Guard, and the Spear Guard. His old Royal Guard would be his wall of steel, whether suppressing riots in King's Landing or fighting against the Free Cities.
Rhaegar had built the framework of the three camps from scratch, recruiting talent, striving to create a swift, efficient, shrewd, and brave army. I will become Emperor and suppress all enemies of the world, internal and external.
Jaime Lannister's golden hair fluttered, his emerald eyes shining. Though still a boy, he was handsome. Rhaegar glanced at him, thinking, Jaime, even if you are handsome, sorry, I am handsomer.
Jaime Lannister watched the soldiers drilling with rapt attention. He loved this feeling, loved the shining armor and soaring morale.
"Lord Tywin, my men are currently divided into three companies: the Eagle Guard commanded by Ser Brynden Tully, the Silver Dragon Guard commanded by the swordsman Sessa, and the Spear Guard commanded by the proud Bronze Yohn Royce." Rhaegar pointed out the banners of each unit to Tywin.
The Eagle Guard banner featured three red dragons symmetrically arranged with a sky-blue falcon. The Spear Guard banner depicted three red dragons clutching a broken spear, commemorating Rhaegar leading soldiers to break their spears and heavily damage the wildlings in the Battle of the Mountain Road. The Dragon Guard banner showed three silver dragons, representing Rhaegar, symmetrically arranged with three red dragons.
To prevent regional cliques and indiscriminate killing, Rhaegar specially ordered Ser Brynden to disperse soldiers from various regions and randomly assign them to the three units. The soldiers were to be united, shouting with one voice—iron-blooded warriors.
Rhaegar watched the drilling soldiers; they were well-fed and well-trained. Rhaegar thought, Maintaining an army really requires a lot of military expenditure; men and horses all need to eat. Plus, I have to raise three dragons.
Lord Tywin also observed the layout and daily life of the Dragonpit camp: clean and hygienic, everything in order. There was no sense of luxury here; everything maintained a simple style.
Even Prince Rhaegar's tent was only slightly larger than the soldiers', with simple furnishings and decorations inside, devoid of gold, silver, or jewels.
Lord Tywin discovered that even the meals here emphasized equality based on merit: officers were allocated food based on performance and merit, not mistreating soldiers, and everyone ate and lived together. Tywin couldn't help but sigh: "Before long, these soldiers will all become Prince Rhaegar's running dogs, willing to go through fire and water for him, absolutely loyal."
"The Prince is indeed highly skilled in martial arts. I can lend you the gold dragons you requested this time, but I have another request," Lord Tywin said, pointing to his son. "My son also possesses the talent of a knight. I hope he can stay here for training."
Lord Tywin saw that his son liked it here, and he also hoped his son could become a great knight, rather than a cold politician like himself.
Lord Tywin was very satisfied with the atmosphere of the Dragonpit camp. Moreover, the camp had excellent knights like Barristan and Brynden Tully, which made him feel assured about leaving Jaime there. More importantly, it allowed him to get close to the Prince. Westerosi nobles often sent their children to other nobles as pages or squires, with the best sent to the court at the Red Keep.
Tywin himself had been the King's cupbearer, and his wife a lady-in-waiting to the Princess. He naturally hoped his son could inherit his career; youth didn't matter to him. Of course, Rhaegar also knew of his various schemes.
Rhaegar refused categorically. "My Lord, your son is too young. I will soon lead some soldiers to the Riverlands. The journey is long, and taking a child is inappropriate. However, after we return from Harrenhal, your son can come to my camp to adapt."
Long-distance travel was really inconvenient for children, and Rhaegar didn't want to be burdened. If something happened to the heir of the Westerlands, it would be hard to explain. But a flat refusal would cause Tywin to lose face.
A tacit agreement was reached: Tywin provided the funds, allowing Rhaegar to buy ultra-long-range bows from the Summer Isles, and in return, Jaime Lannister would be placed in the camp later.
After sending off Lord Tywin and his retinue, Rhaegar felt very relaxed. Next was the journey to the Riverlands, to Harrenhal. Besides conscripting troops, there was a more important task.
"Ser, we are going to Harrenhal soon. As we get closer to home, are you feeling more timid?" Rhaegar smilingly asked Ser Brynden beside him. Rhaegar had decided to inspect Harrenhal and recruit soldiers, and as his companion, Ser Brynden knew this.
"A bit of both!" Ser Brynden said with a laugh. His red hair was as bright as burning blood, and his blue eyes shone with fearless light and the innocence unique to warriors.
Brynden Tully only then remembered that night when he refused his brother's request to marry Lady Redwyne, and Lord Hoster's flushed, angry face.
Ser Brynden and Lord Hoster had never gotten along, for countless reasons. Although Lord Hoster was tall and burly, the world generally believed this Duke, like most Tully dukes, had mediocre martial arts and was lackluster. His brother Ser Brynden was completely different; in the War of the Ninepenny Kings, he fought bravely and was resourceful, hailed as one of the greatest knights. It must be admitted, this comparison was an objective fact.
The biggest reason lay in Ser Brynden refusing his brother's arrangement to marry into House Redwyne. Marriage alliances were one of the most important tasks for every lord's children. Lord Hoster believed Brynden's refusal damaged his dignity as the eldest son, brother, and Duke, so their conflict grew increasingly fierce.
"Ser, you should take a wife and live a good life," Rhaegar said. Ser Brynden's heroic deeds were known far and wide; lords great and small would be happy to marry into his line. In fact, doing so would allow Ser Brynden to win more support for House Tully.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I love the battlefield more than I love women," Ser Brynden smiled and politely refused.
Seeing Brynden's stance, Rhaegar didn't pursue it further.
"Prince Rhaegar should worry about himself; those girls look at you like hungry wolves. Conquering the Silver Dragon Prince gives them a sense of achievement, just like men conquering the battlefield." Ser Brynden's words made everyone laugh.
Silver Dragon Prince—this was the latest nickname the people of King's Landing had given their beloved Silver Prince.
They were all deeply attracted by Rhaegar's romantic charm. Many women were still immersed in romantic fantasies, even offering themselves to the Prince, dreaming of becoming the future Queen. Queen Rhaella also warned her son never to associate with that blue-green-haired daughter of the Tyroshi Archon; they were terrible foreigners.
Rhaegar couldn't help but reveal a wry smile. The monarchs of House Targaryen seemed to have a strong attraction for women, and he, the handsome and dashing Silver Dragon Prince, exuded a charm that made blood run hot.