Through the tall, narrow windows of the enormous throne room in the Red Keep, evening light streamed in, spilling across the floor, marking the long red stripes on the heads of the dragons that hung on the walls.

Two weeks had passed since the capture of the capital. Two weeks in which he still had not been able to rest properly. Multitude of matters to attend to, requests to answer... he hadn't even been able to form his private council.

Stepping into the room, Dany found a pile of silk cushions on the throne. That drew a sad smile on his lips. She knew instantly that it was a matter of being Barristan. The old gentleman was a good man, but too literal at times.

''It was just a joke,'' She thought, but he sat back on the cushions.

The hours dragged on endlessly as one by one the petitioners passed by. The last one was a man from a nearby village that had been razed to the ground by a group of bandits.

- I have… I had a brewery, your highness, in Sherrer, next to the stone bridge – said a plump, bald man wearing a brewer's apron – The best beer south of the Neck, everyone says so, with your permission, your highness. Now it no longer exists, it has disappeared, just like the rest. They came, drank their fill, and spilled the rest. Then they set fire to the roof and would have shed my blood too if they had caught me, Your Highness –
Dany felt cold steel against his fingers as he leaned forward. Between every two fingers of him was a blade, the tips of twisted swords sticking out like claws from the throne.
- Did they wear any insignia? – Ser Barristan asked - Did they wear cloaks or banners with some emblem? –
- No, my lord – replied the brewer – I only saw that they were on horseback and with chain mail. And well… -
- Yeah? – Daenerys inquired – say what you think, you have nothing to fear from me –
- I don't know if it will have any importance, Highness, but my brother-in-law says they were war horses. He worked many years in old Ser Willum's stables, so he knows how to tell them apart –
- Bandits with good mounts - observed Tyrion - Maybe they stole the horses before attacking -
- How many men were in the group? Dany wanted to know.
- At least fifty -

Dany heard murmurs under the windows at the other end of the room. Even in the galleries nervous whispers could be heard.

- Go ahead, good man – Dany stood up – You can return to your home without fear. You will be accompanied by a hundred of my immaculates with orders to restore the queen's justice –
- Thank you, Your Majesty - the brewer bowed once after another before leaving - thank you very much -

Daenerys sat back down on the hard iron seat that was Aegon the Conqueror's misshapen throne, less spiky now because of her cushions. Her gaze squinted at the man being dragged before her. A chill ran down her spine.

-Your Highness, you have before you Lord Jon Connington, lord of Griffin's Nest – announced the herald – he presents himself as accused of the crimes of treason and conspiracy against the crown –

''If he's afraid, he doesn't show it'' – thought Dany.

- Do you know why you are here? – She asked.
- Yeah -

''He doesn't mince words''

- You have nothing to say in your defense? –
- No -
- Thank goodness, what a relief - Tyrion commented dryly.
- Do you then accept the sentence that will be imposed on you? - she asked.

''If I were in his place I would, of course. The opposite would be prolonging the agony.

"No," Jon replied.

A murmur ran through the room. Dany wondered what the man was playing at.

- Treason is punishable by death, my lord – pointed out Ser Barristan – it is the queen's justice –
- Above the queen are the gods – answered Jon Connington – I demand a trial by combat –
Dany shot him a cold, angry look.
-That right assists you – she admitted – Let the gods judge him. It will be resolved tomorrow.
- Why wait for tomorrow? – Jon asked – I am ready and Ser Barristan Selmy is too –

"Ser Barristan…? No, I can't allow it''

- Your Highness, allow me to defend your cause – the old gentleman asked her – It is my duty as Lord Commander of your Royal Guard –
- Your place is by my side - Dany told him - Your life is too precious for me -
- It's understandable, Your Highness – answered Tyrion – But you should know that Jon Connington is a great warrior. He rivaled King Robert in the Usurper's war. You can't send an Unsullied and trust him to win –
- Your Highness, the man who fears battle does not achieve victories – added Ser Barristan – I will kill him for you –
- You can also imprison him – said Tyrion – Do not accept the trial by combat –
- That is not an option – Ser Barristan snorted – Trial by combat is an ancient tradition –
- Why risk a life for nothing? –
- For honor -
- Enough - Danny intervened.

What she least needed was to endure consso many disputes, she already had too many problems and was getting furious. ''If I listen to Tyrion and imprison him, there will be those who consider me a despot'' ''But if I send Ser Barristan and he loses as well as losing a friend, it would increase the uncertainty about my reign''.

- Does the queen have a champion? – Jon challenged her.
-Yes, she has - Jaime Lannister appeared from behind a column - I will fight for the queen -

The roar was deafening. It took a hundred gold cloaks pounding the ground with their spear shafts for the throne room to fall silent again. By then Daenerys had already regained her composure. She liked to see the hint of doubt in Jon Connington's eyes.

- So be it -

Jaime Lannister was known as the best sword in the Seven Kingdoms. And unlike Ser Barristan, he was expendable. He hadn't commanded her troops and had never given her advice. ''And until a few days ago I would have sentenced him to death''
Justice did not wait. Dany ordered to clear the center of the room so they could fight. Jon Connington was given a sword. The redhead allowed himself a few minutes to sharpen it and tie it around his waist. He dressed in steel, as was the tradition among the knights of the west, and walked up to face Jaime Lannister.
Jaime, on the other hand, was not wearing armor. He wore the same leather jacket in which he presented himself to her, greaves and gloves. At his waist, the scabbard of his sword and a dagger.

-Why doesn't he wear armor? Dany said, suddenly very nervous.
- He doesn't need it - Ser Barristan replied.

Twenty meters separated them. Jaime moved forward at a brisk pace, Jon at a more ominous pace. When they were only thirty feet away, Jon stopped. Jaime kept advancing, relentless. Suddenly, Jaime's longsword shot out in a sting that Connington somehow managed to stop. The violence of the impact shocked Dany as much as Connington, who staggered back. The knight tried to counter with a thrust, but the Lannister deflected it with contemptuous ease. The sword came to life in Jaime's hands. It seemed to be everywhere, a steely blur that never stopped moving, falling from one flank and the other, blows high and low, thrusts up and down carrying Connington across the room and preventing him from regaining his balance.

Connington's armor let out hideous metallic screeches every time Jaime's sword struck it.

Jaime then thrust into the unprotected face of his rival. Jon tried to deflect it, but that had been nothing more than a feint. He lost his balance, stumbled, and took a false step. The Lannister did not waste it. His sword moved like lightning and he found the unprotected space of the heavy armor, the joint under his arm. The point pierced chain mail and hardened leather and he managed to kiss the flesh. Connington grunted, but did not lose his composure. Blood oozed from his armpit and still more must have dripped into his armor. When he tried to take a step, his knee buckled. Dany thought he was going to fall.
Jaime was now behind him. Jon tried to turn, but too slowly, too late. This time the sword pierced his back until it emerged from his belly, ending the life of Jon Connington, Lord of Griffin's Roost.

No one said anything as the Lannister retrieved the sword from him, blood staining himself up to his elbow. He himself had been in charge of carrying out the death sentence. Only the rhythmic sound emanating from the Immaculates clashing spears and shields was heard.

"Well done," Tyrion said to Jaime as he approached them.

The maidens seemed more ready to applaud when Prince Oberyn agreed to fight Gregor Clegane.

- That's because death tends to be unpleasant for people – answered the dwarf – And you kill horribly, brother –
Even Ser Barristan had a nod of praise to the Lannister- It was a good feint - he admitted.
- I thank you for having fought for me - Dany said - You can ask me for the reward you consider -
- A bath and clean clothes are enough for me –
- Bath and clean clothes you will have -

Every time he looked to her, she had the impression that it was a challenge. There was something in his hard green eyes that suggested the ferocity of a splendid feline. He bowed his head in respect and went off in search of his reward.

''He is the most dangerous man in the Seven Kingdoms'' – she said to herself as she watched him walk away – ''don't forget it''.