House of the Dragon's latest episode, season 3 episode 7, has set the stage for a significant betrayal within the ranks of the Blacks. Ormund Hightower, leading the Greens' efforts to undermine Rhaenyra's rule, has employed a strategy centered on capturing the market town of Tumbleton. This move leverages the townspeople as hostages, effectively preventing Rhaenyra from deploying her dragons without risking civilian casualties.
Ormund's plan goes beyond merely holding territory. Recognizing the Greens' disadvantage in dragon numbers, he aims to sway Rhaenyra's dragonriders to his side. This strategy targets individuals like Ulf the White, who has been depicted as unrespected within Rhaenyra's council and holds ambitions for greater power and prestige. Ulf's recent public humiliation by Daemon Targaryen, who discovered him in forbidden parts of the city, appears to have been a catalyst. Ormund has promised Ulf the titles of Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark, providing a strong incentive for his defection.
The motivations of another dragonrider, Hugh the Hammer, remain less clear. While the book 'Fire & Blood' details both Ulf and Hugh betraying Rhaenyra at Tumbleton, the series has yet to fully establish Hugh's reasons. His personal circumstances, including his wife's feeling of abandonment, could play a role. Furthermore, the bond between their dragons, Silverwing and Vermithor, might influence his decision, as Silverwing is under Ulf's command. The potential for Hugh to be forced into betraying Rhaenyra if his dragon does not obey him presents a complex dilemma.
These machinations by Ormund Hightower aim to dismantle Rhaenyra's support structure, particularly by eroding the loyalty of her dragonriders. The impending Battle of Tumbleton is poised to be a crucial turning point, highlighting the intricate plotting and shifting allegiances central to the conflict in House of the Dragon.