Chapter 122 -Moat Cailin (II)
"Let's start letting the people know the power of steel and gunpowder." - King Aenar I Targaryen, First of His Name.
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Eddard looked at the long war march and couldn't help but display a stunned expression. He had heard from Aenar that his soldiers would be arriving from Essos, but at the sight of the red and gold wave occupying his vision, the Lord of Winterfell couldn't help but widen his eyes.
The number of men before him was not small; on the contrary, it was larger than his own army, which numbered around thirty-five to forty thousand soldiers.
"I hope Aenar brought supplies for such a large number of men," muttered Eddard. He raised his head and saw four dragons flying around the army. After taking one last look at the troops, he descended from the wall of Moat Cailin, ready to greet his nephew and all of House Targaryen.
At the gates, Eddard was accompanied by all his vassals as he watched the army of gold-masked soldiers approaching with steady steps.
As he looked closer, he realized that it was an extraordinary army. He could see and hear that the soldiers' steps were in perfect sync, as if they were a single entity. This showed admirable discipline, something that the soldiers of the North could never match.
Then Eddard spotted the members of House Targaryen. The Lord of Winterfell let out a sigh as he saw them approaching. If there was one thing he truly regretted, it was the fact that his actions had caused so much suffering to innocent people who had nothing to do with the Mad King's sins.
"Your Grace." Eddard greeted Aenar first and then his eyes fell on the older woman with the long silver hair and lilac eyes. He took on a regretful expression and spoke in a softer tone:
"Queen Dowager Rhaella."
Rhaella watched the mature man before her and couldn't help noticing how much Eddard Stark had changed since Harrenhal. The shy boy, unable to converse with a lady, had completely transformed into a man.