Westeros has returned to fire and blood with the new HBO show House of Dragons (HOTD). The series serves as a prequel to the hugely successful HBO show – Game of thrones (GOT). Both shows are based on the works of George RR Martin’s novels, with HOTD and GOT being based on ‘fire and blood‘ and ‘A song of ice and fire‘ respectively.
The first episode of HOTD was called ‘The Heirs of the Dragon‘. It featured the brewing conflict and politics for the Iron Throne, between House Targaryen during the reign of Viserys Targaryen.
The episode received positive praise and reviews from critics and audiences. It was a visual spectacle, a visual treat that went back in time as memories came flooding back. After a long journey of 3 years, the iconic Iron Throne is up for grabs. While there were many callbacks, easter eggs, and references to Martin’s universe in the books and the original show, here we’ll focus on the swords and dragons that featured in the episode. So let’s go.
1. SWORDS
“Valyrian steel is a wonder of the world. Sharper than wit, truer than men, rarer than virtue. But even its edge cannot cut so deep as a son’s failure nor his value match that of redemption”—Jorah Mormont.
Black fire
Blackfyre is the valerian steel blade that originally belonged to Aegon I Targaryen. He wore it when conquering the Seven Kingdoms and since then it has been passed down from ruler to ruler. According to the books, King Aegon IV the Unworthy passed on Blackfyre to his illegitimate son – Demonic Watersinstead of his own son – Daeron. Daemon then founded Darkfire House then got called Demon I Blackfyre. While Daeron Targaryen succeeded Aegon IV. Later, when Aegon IV was about to die, he legitimized all of his children. A few years later, in the Blackfire Rebellion, Daemon rose up against Daeron in a civil war. The sword was lost at the end of the war.
In the first episode of HOTD, Blackfyre is in possession of Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine), the fifth King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men.
black sister
The Valyrian steel sword wielded by Visenya Targaryen – the sister-wife of Aegon the Conqueror, was called the Dark Sister. Since it was used for a female warrior, it is relatively thin and light. It is one of two Valyrian steel swords belonging to House Targaryen, the other being Blackfyre. Dark Sister was wielded by Visenya Targaryenprince Demon Targaryenand later Prince Aemon the dragon knight.
During the reign of Viserys I Targaryen (as seen in HOTD), the sword passed to Daemon Targaryen, the younger brother of King Viserys I Targaryen. This sword was also lost during Blackfyre Rebellion.
There was also a mention of this sword in the second season of Game of Thrones. Arya Starkdisguised as a cupbearer Tywin Lannister, tells him about Visenya Targaryen’s role in the Harrenhal fire. She mentioned Visenya wielding Dark Sister.
2. DRAGONS
“Fire consumes, leaving only ashes at its extremity. Thus, the fate of the Targaryens and their dragons” – Grand Master Pycelle.
Balerion (The Black Terror)
It was the dragon ridden by Aegon the Conqueror during the war of conquest of seven kingdoms. It is mentioned in the books that “he was so tall that his shadow could engulf an entire city when he flew away.” Aegon used it to burn Harrenhal and thus extinguished Hoare House. Also during the war of conquest, he burned an entire army and led to the destruction of house gardener at the time. The dragon was accompanied by Aegon’s sister dragons – Vhagar and Meraxes. Balerion used his fiery breath to melt the swords of his rider’s vanquished foes and forge them into the Iron Throne. He is said to be the last surviving creature of Valyria.
In Episode 1 of HOTD, when Viserys calls Rhaenyra to tell her about her as his successor, Balerion’s skull can be seen preserved on a pedestal and surrounded by candles. The dragon has also been mentioned several times during several episodes of GOT.
Syrax
Syrax is the name of the yellow-scaled dragon ridden by Rhaenyra Targaryen. Rhaenyra names Syrax after a Valyrian goddess and first rode him when she herself was seven years old. This implies that she is and has been the dragon’s sole rider. In the book titled “Fire and Blood”, it is mentioned that House Targaryen had 20 living dragons at the start of the Targaryen Civil War. Syrax is one of them.
In the first episode of HOTD, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) must command her dragon Syrax to burn the funeral pyres of her mother and newborn brother.
Carax (the blood wyrm)
Prince Daemon Targaryen rides Caraxes. Because of its red scales and baby legs, it is also sometimes called blood wyrm. It is characterized by its long neck. The first dragon rider was Aemon Targaryen, the prince of Dragonstone and the eldest son of King Jaehaerys I. Caraxes aided him during the Fourth Dornish War. After Aemon’s death, the dragon remained without a rider until Demon Targaryenthe younger son of Aemon’s brother, Baelon, claimed it.
He was seen in the last scene of the first episode of House Of The Dragon, as the lords of Westeros swear loyalty to Rhaenyra, Demon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and his lover Mysaire (Sonoya Mizuno) from the top of his dragon.
If reports are to be believed, at least one other Valyrian sword can be found in House Targaryen that has yet to make an appearance. The show also promised tons and heaps of dragons, so many more are yet to be featured in future episodes.
