Prologue

Fleeing to the front of the city had been a bad idea. Riley had hoped escaping through the front gate would have been smart but she fell upon a horde of Sons of the harpy butchering everyone. And now, she was in deep trouble.

People around her were dying, the harpies making no difference between men and women, young and old. She was surrounded by at least 10 of them. There was just no way out. Riley felt her nerves rise, her body shaking in fear. She could only hope her friend Damotra made it out alive. She had lost her when they fled. 'You are one of the bitches that cosy up with the dragon bitch, right?' one chortled, behind his mask. Riley's mouth thinned, refusing to answer. 'Thinking you are tough? I'll have you squealing like a pig when you're bleeding out on the ground.' Riley swallowed, head turning around, eyes searching for a way out. 'I cannot escape. It's hopeless.' she murmured to herself. So this was it? Dying in her world and coming here, just to end up slaughtered by the harpies? Riley swallowed, knowing any help would come too late. Seems like her luck was up.

'We'll make you scream, you whore!' one cackled, running towards her with a knife. Riley closed her eyes, praying her death would be quick and painless. Just when she thought she would be ended, a roar interrupted them. The harpy who had been running towards her stopped momentary in his footsteps, turning around. A roar sounded again, an enormous shadow falling over them. A cloud of dust and sand flew up when the shadow landed, causing Riley to fall backwards. What the hell? 'Viserion?' she whispered in disbelief, the golden dragon screeching at the harpies around him and burning them without any mercy. Riley didn't understand for a second, gasping as the dragon was hit with a sword in his neck, angrily roaring at the man. Why was he waiting? Was he waiting for her? Riley crawled over to the dragon, whispering his name. He turned his head around, intelligent eyes looking at her. Riley lifted her hand in disbelief, eyes widening when Viserion pushed his snout against her hand.

Their moment was interrupted when another harpy attacked Viserion, the dragon turning around and throwing the man away with his tail. Riley swallowed again, but got up on shaky legs and stumbled around the dragon. Viserion was still standing his ground, burning any harpy that came too close to him.

Riley clumsily stopped next to him, grabbing his wing with one hand and one of the spikes on his back with another. With a groan she tried to hoist herself all the way up on his back, trying to find her footing. She slipped with her foot, accidentally kicking him. Viserion groaned and shuddered. Her footwear, which she jokingly called primitive sandals, broke. The last strap that had kept it tied around her foot broke, the shoe falling on the ground. The other she simply took off and threw away, figuring she might as well continue on bare feet. Riley tried again, this time barefoot. Viserion didn't stop moving, making it difficult for her to climb up. Riley grabbed one of the spikes further on his back, and put her foot on his leg. Viserion's skin felt warm under her feet, making it easier for her to climb on his back. This time she grabbed both spikes at the end of his neck and hoisted herself up for the second time, Viserion lowering his body so she had it easier. She fumbled around for a bit, hitting with her hand the fins on his neck, but eventually she found some sort of footing. Riley lay down on his back, her belly pressed against Viserion's back.

Her feet were secure on his sides, feeling his skin was still incredibly warm, like a hot summer morning. Viserion breathed one last ray of fire, burning the last harpy that had surrounded them. He shuddered, head shaking as he started running. Riley blew out a breath as she felt the dragon started to move under her. At the same time she heard calls and multiple horses in the distance, but she could not pinpoint where it came from. As Viserion gained speed, and Riley had a chance to look ahead of her, she gasped. A whole horde of Dothraki and Second Sons, led by Daario Naharis were galloping towards them. At the same time Viserion roared and spread his wings, finally jumping up from the ground and into the sky. Riley eeped and grabbed his spikes harder, trying her best to keep her balance. As Viserion gained height, Riley looked under her. Riley's look of fear was mirrored in Daario Naharis' look of disbelief, mouth falling open when he saw who exactly sat on Viserion's back.

Viserion screeched, as if calling out to someone, the burning city of Meereen getting smaller and smaller underneath them. Riley moved with Viserion, the wind gently blowing through her brown hair. She had done well to braid plaits in the sides of her hair, which came together at the back of her head in one big braid. It kept most of her hair out of her face. 'Riley!' she heard someone scream, causing her to look to her right. Rhaegal was gaining speed on the ground, spreading his wings. None else than Damotra was sitting on his back, looking terrified. Rhaegal finally jumped up, soon flying next to his brother. Damotra's look of fear but also excitement crossed Riley's causing the girls to smile at each other.

Rhaegal and Viserion roared out again, but this time their call was answered. Riley gasped again when she saw Drogon, but seven gods had he gotten big!, suspended in the air ahead of them. Riley recognized the signature hair of her friend and queen Daenerys. Viserion screeched again, this time flying next to his brother and stopping next to Drogon. Rhaegal stopped on the other side of his brother, wings beating in the air. 'Riley? Damotra?' Daenerys asked in disbelief, but Riley was relieved to hear she did not sound angry. 'Hello, Daenerys.'

Daenerys nodded at them, as if processing what had happened. She looked them each in the eye and finally a barely there smile broke through her face. 'I'm glad it's you two they've chosen.' Riley did not know what to say to that and for that reason just nodded. She felt there would be a conversation later, but this was hardly the place or time. 'Will you follow me? There's something we need to take care of.' Damotra looked at Daenerys, finally daring to sit up a bit straighter. 'And that is?' A vengeful smile cracked on Daenerys's lips. 'You'll see. Follow me.'