Game of Dragonborn.

Chapter 73 - The Threat is Coming.

[Chapter Size: 2700 Words.]

Third Person POV.
Westeros.

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All of King's Landing was shocked by the announcement of Viserys Targaryen's execution, set to take place in a few days. They even completely forgot about the arrival of the new Hand of the King, as everyone was focused on the fact that the last "surviving Dragon" of the old bloodline, after more than 17 years of hiding in Essos since the rebellion, was now about to die, effectively ending the Targaryen male line.

The people talked of nothing else. Not only the common folk but also the nobles and even houses surrounding the Crownlands began to mobilize quickly to witness the execution. Prominent houses in the region, like the Velaryons, also came in person with their neighbors. They had once served House Targaryen and wanted to see Rhaegar's younger brother.

And so it happened. Everyone gathered in a massive crowd in front of the Great Sept of Baelor. The city's nobles were present alongside the commoners, while Robert Baratheon wore a gleeful smile. At his side, Ned Stark kept a furrowed expression, not so much because of Viserys' fate but because of what he had been uncovering in recent days.

Ned had never imagined the realm to be so deeply buried in debt. The crown owed not only to certain lords, like Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock, but also to foreign institutions such as the Iron Bank. The debt was colossal, which placed Robert firmly in the Lannisters' grasp. Tywin could solve all the kingdom's financial problems, but this would grant his house immense influence—something Ned could not accept, given his disdain for the Lannisters.

Moreover, Ned discovered that his old friend lived extravagantly, not much differently than what he had seen in Winterfell. Robert spent coin after coin on feasts, whores, wine, and constant tournaments. Meanwhile, the city began to suffer. The people were starving, lacked clean water or basic care, and lived in increasingly desperate conditions. Ned had even argued with Robert, but the king simply didn't care.

"Deal with it yourself, Ned. I'm going to drink and eat something," Robert would say, ending the conversation and leaving Ned grim. He was beginning to realize that his friend was not the king he had hoped for.

Now, his thoughts were interrupted by a cart arriving, with someone yelling as they were dragged out.

"Get me out of here! Release me! I am the heir to the Iron Throne! You have no right to do this!" Viserys shouted as he was taken to the steps. He was being held tightly by the guards, struggling and trying to break free, just as he had in the throne room.

"Bring the dragon. He's nothing but a chicken now," Robert mocked, laughing. "Just get it over with!"

The crowd didn't hesitate; no one truly cared for the Targaryens as Viserys believed they would while he was in Essos. The people began hurling insults at him. Some even threw objects, enraging him. When something hit his face, he glared at the crowd with fury.

"Who did that?! Who dares attack the true king?! I swear I'll kill you all!" he roared, growing more infuriated.

The more he shouted, the more the crowd grew enraged, pelting him with more objects. The guards had to shield themselves as well while dragging him to the end of the steps. They hauled him to the execution platform, where they forced him to kneel before everyone.

The High Septon approached at that moment, proclaiming loudly,
"O people of King's Landing! We are gathered here for the execution of the last male member of the cursed House Targaryen."
He began his speech, and Ned couldn't help but grimace. He knew another Targaryen was still alive, though he kept this information secret.