The Sowing, also known as the Red Sowing or the Sowing of the Seeds, is an upcoming event inHouse of the DragonSeason 2. In this event, the Blacks of Dragonstone call upon the baseborn Dragonseeds living in and around the island to claim a riderless dragon on their behalf. Prince Jacaerys Velaryon is in command of the Sowing according to the lore, and he wants more Dragonriders to fight for his mother’s faction in the war. He lures them in with promises of knighthood and riches.
Notable characters inGame of Throneslore who lay down their lives inthe Sowing of the Seedsinclude Queen Rhaenyra’s Queensguard, Ser Steffon Darklyn; and the Lord of Stonedance, Gormon Massey. Addam of Hull, Nettles, Hugh Hammer, and Ulf White are successful candidates.Four ofthe six riderless dragonstake part in the Sowing, while one beast remains hidden in the clouds and another is completely avoided.The question remains as to which dragons will be a part of the Sowing of the Seeds inHouse of the Dragon.
Seasmoke
Laenor Velaryon’s mount, Seasmoke, is rendered riderless on Driftmark after Laenor bails out to live far away with his lover, Qarl Correy. Seasmoke was born at the turn of the century, in or before 101 AC, and Laenor took him to warinHouse of the Dragonseason 1. As seen in the show, Seasmoke plays a crucial role inthe war for the Stepstones, particularly in the climactic battle known as the Siege of Bloodstone. Seasmoke remains unclaimed following the Blacks' elaborate ruse that involved Laenor faking his death to row away with Correy, leaving Rhaenyra eligible to remarry.
How Does Seasmoke Take Part In The Sowing Of The Seeds?
At the outset of the Sowing,Seasmoke rejects Ser Steffon Darklyn as a rider and kills him. Finally, the baseborn fifteen-year-old Dragonseed, Addam of Hull, claims the dragon in the Dance.Addam is widely believed to bea Velaryon bastard, and thus of Valyrian heritage. He uses Seasmoke to protect his younger brother Alyn from a wild dragon named Sheepstealer, and flies the beast valiantly into the Battle of the Gullet.
Addam and Alyn are of doubtful paternity. A few claim the brothers were sired by the late Laenor, while others say they are Corlys' sons. Whichever is the case, Addam shares blood with Laenor, which explains why Seasmoke accepts him as his rider.
Vermithor
King Jaehaerys Targaryen’s Bronze Fury, Vermithor, lairs riderless in one of the smoking caverns of the Dragonmont at Dragonstone. He makes thunderous roars inHouse of the Dragonseason 1, episode 10 “The Black Queen,” as Daemon Targaryen seeks him out by serenading him in High Valyrian. Vermithor’s introduction includes an important detail from the books: that he is more tolerant of humans and willing to let a new rider claim him.
How Does Vermithor Take Part In The Sowing Of The Seeds?
Vermithor is one of the largest dragons in the Seven Kingdoms and is touted to be next to Vhagar.He burns Lord Gormon Massey on the approach, but bends his neck tothe Dragonseed and a blacksmith’s bastardfrom Dragonstone named Hugh Hammer.Hugh takes Vermithor to the Gullet, where the duo proves to be the greatest asset to the Blacks. Unfortunately, Vermithor’s record is tainted by Hugh’s betrayal. Hugh defects from the Blacks at Tumbleton and uses Vermithor to sack the town in a dishonorable manner.
Silverwing
Vermithor’s companion, and previously Queen Alysanne’s mount,Silverwing is a docile she-dragon on Dragonstone. She remains riderless until the man-at-arms named Ulf the White masters her.Silverwing is also one of the four surviving dragonsof the Dance.
How Does Silverwing Take Part In The Sowing Of The Seeds?
Silverwing is friendlier than other riderless dragons and does not harm any potential Dragonriders who try to approach her. That being said, the Testimony of Mushroom (Mushroom being the court fool) claims that his attempt to tame Silverwing ends with the dragon setting his pantaloons on fire. Vermithor, Seasmoke, and Sheepstealer kill countless men-at-arms, household knights, squires, scullions, sailors, mummers, and two of Rhaenyra’s maids in the Red Sowing, butSilverwing is the only dragon who spares lives.
Sheepstealer
The second ofthe three wild dragons of Dragonstone, Sheepstealer, is the last of the four dragons that people approach during the Sowing of the Seeds. It’s next to impossible to win the said dragon’s affection, but eventually,a young girl named Nettles succeeds.
How Does Sheepstealer Take Part In The Sowing Of The Seeds?
As stated before, Sheepstealer is a wild dragon and therefore accustomed to not having a rider. Nettles claims him by exploiting his weakness for mutton.She brings him freshly slaughtered lamb every morning, and he accepts her as a rider.Because he is a wild dragon, Sheepstealer kills more prospective dragonriders than Vermithor and Seasmoke combined. Silver Denys, whoclaims to be King Maegor’s descendant, loses an arm to Sheepstealer. Addam’s brother, Alyn, is burned on the approach.
The Cannibal & The Grey Ghost: The Wild Dragons That Remain Unclaimed
The remaining wild dragons of Dragonstone, i.e., the Cannibal, and the Grey Ghost, go about their daily activities like before.The Cannibal eats Silver Denys and his sons, and no one else dares to approach him. The Grey Ghost, meanwhile, remains hidden from the populace of Dragonstone.
House of the DragonSeason 2 premieres June 16 at 9/8c on HBO and Max.
