Aerion Belaerys slowly woke to the sound of screaming and the smell of burning flesh. The sound and smell were while not everyday occurrences; they were not uncommon in Valyria. One did have to keep the slaves down after all, and what better way to train dragons than by using the cur. However, the screams seemed worse than normal and the sound of feet rushing to his door put him on high alert. The sixteen-year-old noble leaped from his bed grabbing a knife preparing to strike the attacker as the door swung open. However, the knife never struck flesh as the hand of his sister grabbed his arm. "Aerion! Stop! Come with me we have little time", yelled my sister as she left the room.

Nodding quickly, I said, "What is happening? Is there another slave revolt?"

"I wish" she muttered before speaking louder, "The fourteen flames have erupted. Thousands are dying free and slave alike. Many have tried to escape brother, but I think it is a fool's goal. House Qeldion is already reduced to rubble and blood."

"Are we giv-" I tried to say before she glared at me.

"Listen before speaking brother. Father and mother left with the dragons before I could try and stop them."

I could only stare in shock, but I knew she was not lying. The bitter resentment and fire within her eyes told me she tried to hide the feeling of betrayal. I was about to speak before she stopped at the armory. "Hurry we need to get you in your armor," she said as she helped me fit my armor. "Uncle always warned me they could not be trusted… I always assumed he meant for others, not us."

"I-… where is your armor sister?" I didn't know what to say, talking about the present seemed easier.

Jaenara looked away, "I have… I have found a way to save you Aerion."

The confusion must have shown on my face as she turned before grabbing a bag off the ground as she left. I ran after her before we eventually got to the dragon landing on our family's tower. Fifteen guards' men lay bleeding in a circle around our engraved crest on the floor of the landing, however, one space was missing in the circle of the bodies. Jaenara led me to the middle before stopping. "I found a spell in my travels last year that I thought I would never have to use. I never thought I would have the ability to… 'When the rivers run red and drown the tallest man, the dragon can flow through the stream of time'… I can save you, brother."

The neck of my tunic felt uncomfortably itchy as a feeling of despair entered my stomach. "Sis- Jaenara why can you not come. The streets are coated with blood and thousands are dead surely, we can leave together? Right?" I pleaded.

Tears fell down Jaenara's face as she reached into the bag. She pulled out Kastaānogar and Fatechanger our family's Valyrian steel sword and shield. "Aerion… please. I did look. Only one of us can go… An older sister must always protect their little brother. Hold out your hand Aerion." I did as she rose Kastaānogar and cut her hand before cutting mine then grabbing my hand with her bloody one. "Let the blood of Belaerys run pure and indestructible, may the dragon never wander to the shade. The rider never stands in the flame. May they combine and protect each other in times of turmoil. For the dragon and rider are one. The blood of the elder protects the younger. Let the land hear the name of Aerion of Belaerys the Dragon Lord." Yelled my sister as she finished drawing a cross on my breastplate with her blood.

Euphoria filled my veins; I had done it. I had finally become a Dragon Lord. The situation may be rushed but I was now a Dragon Lord. The ruler of the cur and protector of the fourteen flames. I opened my mouth to speak before my sister rose her hand. "Aerion, I have watched you grow since birth. The world may fall behind us but I love you brother. You will continue the Belaerys line no matter the cost."

Tears ran down both our faces as she leaned in and kissed me on the lips. The kiss was full of happiness, lust, love, and sorrow. I kissed her as the once blue sky turned orange, the river dried to salt and the screams roared. Eventually, we broke and she handed me Kastaānogar and Fatechanger. Our coat of arms glistened on the shield, a cross with the wings of a dragon wrapped around it. Jaenara placed my helmet on my head before walking to the missing spot in the circle. "Remember brother, 'Once, Always'," the sound of my family's motto washed away all the turmoil in my body.

"' Once, Always' sister."

My sister kneeled and dropped her hand in the blood of the guards' men. She gave one final glance at my helmeted face before saying, "Rȳ se mōris iksis sȳndror. Iōragon kostōba se daor shijetra." The circle of blood started flowing to a small glowing black ball above my head. Finally, my sister lifted a knife to her throat saying "Tegor hen zōbrie sambrar," before slicing through her flesh. Her blood flowed to the ball above as the full circle of blood was complete. The last thing I saw before the black ball swallowed me was a soft smile on my sister's face staring into my eyes.