Aegor Rivers walked through the ancient forest, his dark cloak blending into the shadows The trees whispered as he passed, their gnarled branches reaching out like claws, but he moved through them with the ease of one who had made this place his home The Blackwood Vale was full of secrets, and Aegor had learned to listen to them.

Though his father had been the blood of the dragon, and his mother a woman of mystery and power, Aegor was neither He was something else Silent as the river he was named after, his life was one of quiet purpose Since the death of Aemond Targaryen, Aegor had carried the weight of his father’s violent end like a shadow upon his soul Here, in the heart of the forest, his mother had taught him the old ways—how to listen to the wind, how to see the unseen Alys Rivers had told him that his father’s blood was powerful, but it was in the blood of the rivers that his true strength lay.

Aegor knelt beside a small pool of water, cupping his hands to drink The water was cold, biting, as it slid down his throat For a moment, he closed his eyes, feeling the connection to the land and its quiet strength He had always felt more at peace in the wilderness than in the halls of lords and ladies, where lies and ambition poisoned the air.

Suddenly, he heard a sound—soft footsteps, barely more than a rustle in the leaves Aegor stood, his pale face turning toward the source A figure emerged from the trees—a girl, young and beautiful, with wild dark hair and eyes that sparkled like stars She was clothed in simple garments, her feet bare despite the cold Aegor knew her.

"You" he said, his voice low and rough from lack of use She had been a companion in his wanderings for some time now, appearing and disappearing like the wind, a mystery even to him She was no ordinary girl—there was something ancient in her, something that called to him like the river to the sea.