Chapter 160: Tyrion's Concern
Seeing that Drogon had no intention of breathing fire again, Daenerys didn't urge him. Instead, she remained in the air, calmly observing the battlefield below.
Even without further flames, Drogon's mere presence overhead was enough. Wherever he circled, the soldiers beneath could not focus—every man was haunted by the fear that death might descend from the sky at any moment.
After more than thirty days at sea, followed by days of restless frustration on the Crackclaw Peninsula, the Dothraki finally found their release.
They cut down their enemies while shouting wildly, their voices rising in savage exhilaration. If one ignored the carnage and listened only to the sound, it might have seemed like some fierce competition on the open grasslands.
The slaughter—because it could hardly be called a battle—lasted less than an hour before it was completely over.
Aside from those who threw down their weapons and surrendered, every soldier from King's Landing's cavalry was killed.
Among the prisoners was Jaime Lannister.
Bound at the hands, he was brought before Daenerys.
Drogon had already noticed him from the sky, but only now did Daenerys fully realize—
this man was the Kingslayer.
The one who had murdered her father, Aerys II Targaryen.
A member of the Kingsguard… who had not only failed to protect his king, but slain him with his own hands.
For a fleeting moment, Daenerys wanted to execute him on the spot.
But she hesitated.
Because Jaime was Tyrion Lannister's brother.
And Tyrion was her Hand.
She could not ignore that.
The battlefield was cleaned, and Jaime was placed under Jorah Mormont's personal escort, sent back to Dragonstone. Daenerys herself remained behind with the Dothraki, ensuring their settlement at Harrenhal before returning.
Not long after, news of the annihilation of ten thousand cavalry reached King's Landing.
Only then did Cersei Lannister and Kevan Lannister realize—
Daenerys's true objective had been Harrenhal all along.
Not Riverrun.
They had lost ten thousand elite cavalry… for nothing.
And worse—
Jaime had been captured.
As the Kingslayer, his fate was all but certain.
Kevan was forced to reconsider everything. It became clear to him that Daenerys had no intention of attacking King's Landing immediately. She was preparing for a prolonged campaign.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have prioritized settling the Dothraki.
That gave them time to prepare—
but at the same time, it meant something far more dangerous.
King's Landing would slowly lose control over the surrounding regions… until it became an isolated city.
And Kevan knew exactly whose plan this was.
Tyrion's.
The battle near the Gods Eye spread quickly across the realm. Some lords had even witnessed it from afar.
They had seen Drogon's massive form in the sky.
Heard of his terrifying flames that reduced men to shattered bone.
Witnessed the Dothraki cutting through soldiers like grass.
Many nobles who had once been dissatisfied with Cersei's regency now found their loyalties wavering.
They began to consider—
whether it was time to side with Daenerys.
Even the House Lannister and House Frey forces besieging Riverrun grew uneasy after hearing the reports.
Even if the Dothraki hadn't come for them this time…
what about next time?
If they truly marched on Riverrun, how could they possibly stop them?
They had no answer.
Tyrion, for his part, knew that the mysterious figure had once sent word through Varys to save the Stark mother and son—and had also suggested relieving Riverrun.
But Daenerys had refused.
Robb Stark had crowned himself King in the North.
Daenerys did not want allies.
She wanted submission.
Until Robb abandoned his crown, she would not intervene.
After settling more than twenty thousand Dothraki at Harrenhal, Daenerys returned to Dragonstone.
There, she ordered that Jaime be brought out from the dungeon.
She would interrogate him publicly in the council chamber.
It was, in a way, also an answer—for Tyrion.
Standing at a distance, Tyrion watched as his brother was led in, hands bound, exhaustion etched across his face.
For a moment, he wanted to step forward.
But he stopped himself.
He knew too well the hatred Daenerys bore toward Robert Baratheon… and toward the Kingslayer.
Any show of closeness now might only worsen Jaime's fate.
So he remained where he was, frowning deeply.
Jaime, too, saw him.
He gave a small nod.
Through Varys, he had already learned that Tyrion had become Hand of the Queen.
And he was glad for him.
As for the accusation that Tyrion had murdered their father, Tywin Lannister—
Jaime didn't believe it.
Tyrion might have hated their father…
but he would never commit such an act.
As for the real killer—
Jaime had his suspicions.
But even he found it hard to believe the truth.
Daenerys glanced at the bound Jaime Lannister, then at the tightly frowning Tyrion Lannister, before speaking in a clear, commanding voice.
"Jaime Lannister, as a sworn member of the Kingsguard, you murdered the very king you vowed to protect. Do you admit your guilt?"
"I do," Jaime replied without hesitation, offering no defense.
That answer snapped the last restraint holding Tyrion back.
"Your Grace," he stepped forward, "Jaime once told me what truly happened that day."
"At the time, King Aerys II Targaryen had already ordered wildfire to be hidden all across King's Landing. He intended to ignite it once Robert Baratheon's army entered the city… to burn everything—himself, the invading army, the nobles, the smallfolk—everyone."
"If Jaime hadn't acted…" Tyrion paused, his voice tightening, "not only would the king have died—most of the city would have perished with him."
When he finished, he looked at Daenerys with unmistakable urgency.
He didn't need to say more.
He was asking for mercy.
If Jaime continued to accept guilt without explanation, Daenerys might very well order his execution.
As Tyrion's words settled in the chamber, Daenerys's expression darkened.
She had long heard the name "Mad King."
But that man… was still her father.
A father she had never known.
And somewhere deep inside, she had still held onto a fragile illusion.
Now, Tyrion had shattered it—openly, before everyone.
Anyone would have reacted the same.
"Jaime," she said at last, her voice colder, "do you have anything further to say?"
"The truth is as he described," Jaime answered calmly. "But that does not excuse breaking my oath."
Not only did he refuse to defend himself—
he reaffirmed his guilt.
Tyrion fell silent, his face tense, waiting for judgment.
Seated upon her chair, Daenerys's chest rose and fell unevenly.
She wanted to kill him.
To avenge her father.
But Tyrion's words were true.
And Tyrion himself—his loyalty, his counsel, everything he had done for her—
all of it weighed heavily on her decision.
Even Drogon remained silent this time.
This was not something he could interfere in.
It had to be her choice.
"…Take him back to the dungeons," Daenerys finally said through clenched teeth. "Keep him under strict guard."
The moment the words left her mouth, Tyrion exhaled deeply.
As long as Jaime lived—
that was enough.
Relief spread quietly through the chamber. Barristan Selmy, Jorah Mormont, and the others all eased, tension slipping from their shoulders.
Had Daenerys truly executed Jaime…
even they wouldn't know how to continue working alongside Tyrion.
And whether Tyrion would remain fully devoted to her afterward—
that would have been another question entirely.