Examining Her Size and Fate in House of the Dragon: Rhaenyra Targaryen's Dragon Syrax
The Iron Throne heir Rhaenyra Targaryen is very close to her dragon Syrax. Although Syrax is a great help for Team Black in the Dance of the Dragons, her weight and strengths raise serious issues given the strong Vhagar, ridden by Aemond Targaryen.
Syrax's Dimensions Relative to Vhagar: A House of the Dragon Reality
A much awaited fight in the "House of the Dragon" is Syrax vs Vhagar. Still, the show regularly emphasizes the two dragons' rather different sizes. As seen in her past conflicts with Meleys and Arrax, Vhagar— ridden by Aemond—is a behemoth with terrible power. Though quick, syrax is rather smaller and less battle-experienced. This difference begs issues regarding Rhaenyra's approach since Syrex's speed by itself might not be sufficient to offset Vhagar's raw force.
Desperate and without other choices, Rhaenyra's will to use Syrax against Vhagar could be driven by Syrax is an underdog in this struggle, though, because of her size and lack of battle experience.
Size Discrepancy of Syrax in "House of the Dragon"
Discussed is Syrax's size discrepancy in "House of the Dragon" as opposed to her book "Fire & Blood's description. Syrax is mentioned as "growing quickly" and destined to become as big as Caraxes in the first episode of Season 1; later seasons do not show this development. This discrepancy could be ascribed to artistic license taken by the showrunners, or maybe Syrax's development just hasn't yet fully realized.
Fate of Syrax in "House of the Dragon" and "A Song of Ice and Fire"
As George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire details, Syrax's fate in the Dance of the Dragons is sad. Four dragons are killed when a mob of King's Landing people—led by a prophet called Shepherd—breaks into the Dragonpit during the Storming of the Dragonpit. Released from the Red Keep by Joffrey Velaryon, Syrax dies in the tumult. It is confirmed that the dragon dies even if the exact reason of Syrax's death is yet unknown.
A pivotal point in the Dance of the Dragons and a possible highlight for "House of the Dragon" Season 3 is the scenario of the Storming of the Dragonpit. This is an occasion that marks the death of dragons, the fall from hope, and the actual cost of war.
Dragons and Rider Team Black
dragon
rider
Syrax
Rhaenyra Targaryen <
Caraxes
DAemon Targaryen
Meyers
Rhaenys Targaryen
Vermax
Jacaerys Velocity on
Arfax
Lucas Velaryon
Moondance
Baleda Targaryen
Seismoke
Hull's Addam of Hull
Silverwings
Ulf White
Versmithor
Hugh Hammers
Sheelsstealer
Nettels
Early morning
Rhaena Targaryen
Stormbird
Aegon Targaryens
Tyxes
Joffrey Velarieson
The Tragic Loss of Syrax: An Interval in the Dragon Dance
A turning point in the Dance of the Dragons, Syrax's passing represents a major loss for Team Black. It emphasizes both the terrible effects of the war and the frailty of life—even for strong dragons. Lost is Rhaenyra's dragon, a representation of her authority and legacy, which leaves her defenseless and hopeless. The death of Syrax reminds us of the great stakes in the war and the terrible price ambition pays.