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#483 - Chapter 217 The Roaring Dragon

Outside the city of Rosby, as far as the eye could see, was a scene of utter devastation. The charred remains left by the raging fire resembled grotesque wounds on the earth, a shocking sight. This once fertile and prosperous farmland, after more than a year of brutal warfare, had become barren and desolate.

Now, the flames of war had reignited, thick smoke filled the sky, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of burning. Scattered everywhere were incomplete corpses, some burned beyond recognition, a horrifying spectacle.

The soldiers who had been fleeing in panic moments before had regrouped. They looked tense and fearful, the terror still evident in their eyes.

The black flag with the golden skull, once a symbol of authority, lay trampled and defiled in the chaos.

Several disheveled soldiers struggled to drag a corpulent figure from under the carcass of a fallen elephant. This was none other than the infamous Harry Strickland, commander of the Golden Company! He was also a member of the Blackfyre pretenders and had been granted the title of Lord of Summerhall by Aegon VI.

At this moment, the once-imposing Lord was gasping for breath, his face etched with terror. His appearance was disheveled, and his once-splendid garments were scorched and blackened by the flames. Recalling the harrowing experience, he was still shaken: had it not been for the gods' favor, he would have either perished in the dragonfire or been crushed by the elephant.

Just moments before, Harry Strickland had been sitting high atop his white war elephant, arrogantly brandishing his riding crop and shouting orders for his soldiers to launch a fierce attack on Rosby.

He had not given the city's defenders a second thought, as the city had changed hands several times during the intense fighting, and its defenses were in ruins.

However, to everyone's surprise, just as the assault was beginning, two enormous dragons descended from the sky. Without hesitation, they launched a ferocious attack on the attacking forces.

The two dragons spewed forth torrents of dragonfire, like two massive waves of flame sweeping across the ranks from both sides, decimating everything in their path. The sudden and fierce assault caught many soldiers off guard, resulting in heavy casualties.

The siege engines at the rear of the formation were the first to suffer. The dragon-slaying bolts, meant to counter aerial threats, had not even been fully deployed!

At that moment, a jet-black dragon flew past Harry, and its searing dragonfire engulfed the white elephant. The poor beast was instantly incinerated and collapsed. Had Harry not been incredibly lucky, he would have been crushed to death by the massive elephant.

"Lord Strickland, what do we do now?" A terrified second-in-command rushed to Harry, urgently seeking guidance.

Harry Strickland struggled to his feet amidst the carnage, his heart filled with rage and frustration. He lashed out, kicking a mangled corpse in a futile attempt to vent his anger. He roared, "What do we do? We continue the attack! We've come this far, we must take Rosby. Issue the order: no quarter for the city's defenders!" He turned, glaring at the city walls, silently cursing the dragons. He had expected to take Rosby with ease, but the dragon attack had ruined everything.

This protracted and brutal war, lasting a full year, had led to the widespread deployment of dragon-slaying bolts throughout the allied forces.

Daenerys' three dragons, still growing and maturing, had suffered some injuries in the initial encounters. However, dragons were apex predators, and their adaptability and battle intelligence were remarkable. They quickly developed their own unique tactics.

When facing large enemy formations, the dragons would launch surprise attacks, and once successful, they would retreat swiftly, disappearing without a trace.

Although the dragons' frequent attacks had inflicted significant losses on the allied forces, over time and with repeated encounters, the soldiers' fear of these creatures had gradually diminished. They no longer spoke of dragons with the same terror, and their fear had lessened.

"Get the dragon-slaying bolts ready! Summon all archers! If those two dragons return, concentrate fire! Shoot them down!" Harry Strickland ordered.

The soldiers moved with the efficiency of a well-trained hive, following orders to establish a defense. Together, they positioned the heavy dragon-slaying bolts, their sharp points aimed at the sky, ready to strike any returning dragon.

Knowing the destructive power of dragonfire, which could engulf them in an instant, the giant crossbows were placed in a dispersed pattern to minimize potential losses.

As the Golden Company warriors prepared, they frowned. As seasoned veterans, they sensed danger.

One soldier knelt, pressing his ear to the ground. He felt a strong vibration and a deafening rumble from deep below. Terrified, he yelled, "Attack! Cavalry approaching!"

Harry Strickland's heart skipped a beat. He looked to the horizon and saw dust clouds billowing across the barren fields like a tidal wave.

Through the dust, he saw a large group of fierce cavalry charging towards them. The thunder of their hooves shook the earth.

"Prepare for battle!" Harry screamed. "Hold the line! Form a shield wall! Pikemen, get ready! Archers, prepare! Turn the siege weapons!"

Infantry shield walls were valued on Essos. Even mercenaries were disciplined. The soldiers quickly formed a defensive line, shields interlocked, creating a barrier. Pikemen held their spears, eyes fixed on the enemy.

The enemy became visible, their arakhs glinting, their cries deafening. Fear gripped the soldiers. They knew these enemies. Some cried, "Dothraki screamers!"

The Dothraki charge put Harry Strickland, a former quartermaster with no battle experience, in a bind. He was commander because he controlled the finances and knew how to win people over. Also, the Stricklands had followed the Blackfyres and Bittersteel into rebellion, serving the Golden Company for four generations. He lacked the experience to handle such a large-scale battle.

Overwhelmed, he struggled to cope. Luckily, his experienced lieutenants took command, organizing the men to meet the Dothraki charge.

But as the cavalry approached, something unexpected happened. A massive figure emerged from the dust! Golden scales shimmered in the sunlight.

The dragon was larger than the others. It flew over the Dothraki. Its mouth opened, revealing flames. Harry Strickland sensed danger and dove to the ground, hiding under the elephant carcass.

"Boom!" Dragonfire erupted, blasting the Golden Company's shield wall apart! The dragon's head weaved, flames destroying the line. People in the center vaporized with their weapons and armor. Others were thrown into the air. Fire turned everything to ash.

As the survivors struggled to rise, another horror unfolded. Three more blasts of dragonfire swept over them. They looked around to see three more dragons behind them.

The warriors despaired. The dragon-slaying bolts turned into torches, and the arrows bounced off the scales!

The dragons broke the Golden Company's line in one swoop.

Before they could regroup, a storm of arrows rained down, felling many Golden Company soldiers. The Dothraki had dominated Essos for centuries, and they had their tactics. They performed mounted archery before engaging.

Dothraki warriors were skilled riders who could shoot from horseback. Their horn bows were powerful, with a range similar to Westerosi longbows. They often disrupted pike formations with mounted archery.

The soldiers desperately maintained their shield wall against the arrows. The archers returned fire with some success. But the cavalry charged quickly, closing the distance in moments.

Like a flood, the warhorses crashed into the Golden Company's shield wall, causing a deafening roar. The impact dazed both sides.

The first rank of Dothraki warriors broke through the line, but the soldiers held their ground, using shields and spears to stop the charge. The impact of the warhorses was too much for some, who were sent flying.

The Dothraki warriors were agile, leaping from their horses before they fell. They swung their weapons, killing the soldiers. The battle was fierce and bloody, with clashing swords and flying body parts.