Ned wakes from his injuries to find that Robert has returned from a hunting trip and demands Ned resume his duties as Hand. Robert threatens to give the position to Jaime if Ned refuses, so Ned reluctantly agrees. Robert rides out hunting again, leaving Ned to sit the Iron Throne in his absence. Villagers from the Riverlands petition the court, reporting that Ser Gregor Clegane has been raiding, burning, and massacring smallfolk. Ned recognizes this as a Lannister provocation designed to draw the Tullys into open conflict. He sends a force under Lord Beric Dondarrion to bring Gregor to justice and summons Tywin Lannister to answer for his bannerman's crimes. At the Eyrie, Tyrion demands a trial by combat rather than face Lysa's biased judgment. He recruits the sellsword Bronn to fight as his champion. Bronn defeats Lysa's champion Ser Vardis Egen using speed and cunning against armored strength. Lysa is forced to release Tyrion, who walks out of the Eyrie a free man with Bronn at his side. Across the Narrow Sea, Viserys arrives drunk at a Dothraki feast and draws his sword in the sacred city of Vaes Dothrak, where blades are forbidden. He threatens Daenerys and demands the crown Drogo promised him. Drogo agrees to give him a crown: he melts gold in a pot and pours it over Viserys's head, killing him. Daenerys watches her brother die without flinching and declares he was no dragon, because fire cannot kill a dragon. Jorah observes her transformation with a mixture of admiration and concern. At Castle Black, Jon Snow and Sam take their vows before a heart tree beyond the Wall. Jon's direwolf Ghost emerges from the forest carrying a severed human hand, alerting the Watch that the dead are stirring. Ned studies the genealogy book and confirms the pattern: every Baratheon lord for generations has produced black-haired children. He now holds the secret that could destroy the Lannisters but wrestles with how to use it without starting a war.