Chapter 54

The blue sea lay calm under a clear sky, the sun warm and gentle. Only the soft lapping of waves—no higher than an arm's length—against the hull and the smooth pull of wooden oars broke the stillness.

The tow ropes hung slack, the sails drooped limply from the mast. With little wind and no need for long-distance sailing, the sails were left loose.

Drogo stood on the foredeck, watching the three young dragons chase each other playfully across the sky. He tried to let the joy of this rare voyage at sea wash away the frustration of having too few ships.