The sea stretched endlessly beneath Jake's massive wings, a shimmering ribbon of blue that seemed to go on forever.
The salty wind tugged at his scales, carrying scents that were foreign and strange, stirring something deep inside him curiosity, excitement, and a growing hunger to explore. Behind him lay the Stepstones, wild and rugged, but ahead was Essos, a vast continent with countless stories waiting to be discovered.
With a powerful beat of his wings, Jake pushed himself higher into the sky. The sun warmed his black scales, making them gleam like polished obsidian. He let out a low, rumbling breath, smoke curling lazily from his nostrils. He was far from the dragons of Westeros now here, the world was different, wilder, and larger.
His first sight was the city of Pentos, shining like a jewel on the coast. The white towers and red-tiled roofs clustered together around a bustling harbor full of ships, their sails snapping sharply in the breeze.
From above, the city looked alive with movement the endless parade of people, carts, and animals weaving through its streets like a living river.
Jake circled high above, careful not to alarm the busy harbor below. The smells here were rich and layered a mix of salty sea air, smoky cooking fires, and the sharp tang of fish and spices. He could hear the distant calls of merchants haggling, the clang of blacksmiths hammering metal, and the chatter of sailors preparing their vessels.
People on the docks paused now and then to look up at the shadow gliding overhead, whispering in awe and fear at the sight of a dragon so close.
The city's walls were thick and weathered, built to withstand storms and invaders, but from his vantage point, Jake saw the pulse of life that flowed within the markets spilling over with bright silks and exotic goods, the narrow alleys twisting like veins through the city, and the great palace of the Magisters standing proudly atop a hill, watching over all.
Satisfied with his brief visit, Jake spread his wings once more and headed south. Soon, the sprawling maze of Braavos came into view a city unlike any he had seen before. Its gleaming white marble buildings rose from the water's edge, connected by a web of canals and bridges that caught the light like threads of silver.
Here, the air smelled fresher, carrying hints of river water and blooming flowers. The city was quieter than Pentos, but no less alive.
Jake skimmed low over the canals, watching the graceful boats glide through the water, the fishermen hauling nets heavy with fish, and the children playing along the banks. The statues that lined the bridges stared down with stone faces, silent guardians of a city built on secrets and shadows.
Above the harbor, the massive statue of the Titan stood tall, its stone sword raised high against the sky. Jake felt the weight of history and power as he flew past, sensing the pride and mystery woven into the city's very stones.
The people below glanced upward, some stopping to admire the dragon, others retreating in cautious fear. Here, dragons were a rare sight majestic but unsettling and Jake knew better than to draw too much attention. After lingering over Braavos for a time.
Jake turned his gaze toward the south, where the great city of Volantis spread along the river's edge. The walls were taller here, crowned with banners of black and red that whipped fiercely in the wind. Volantis was older, a city built on tradition and strength, and Jake could feel that in the very air around it.
The scent of incense mixed with the sharp river smells, creating an atmosphere both sacred and fierce. The streets buzzed with activity priests moved in flowing robes between towering marble pillars, soldiers marched steadily through the gates, and merchants shouted their wares in the bustling markets.
Jake swooped over the rooftops, his shadow flickering across the stone plazas and crowded alleys.
He lingered near the city's great Black Wall, a massive fortification that seemed to grow from the earth itself, ancient and imposing. Jake felt a strange energy here, as if the wall held secrets beyond mere stone and mortar. It was a city proud of its history, fierce in its independence, and unyielding in its will.
As the sun began to set, casting the sky in hues of pink and gold, Jake soared higher, leaving the city behind. The smells and sounds faded beneath him, replaced by the cool, pure air of the open sky. Below, the cities of Essos twinkled like distant stars, mysterious and alive.
Jake felt something swell inside him a growing fire, a restless hunger for more. The world was vast, full of wonders, and he was only just beginning to scratch its surface. With each beat of his wings, he pushed farther, freer than he had ever been.
There was no kingdom here for him, no throne to claim, only endless skies and endless possibilities.
And for Jake, that was enough.
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Hope you enjoying the story so far. At the moment he's just exploring the world.