Building an Empire in Game of Thrones (REWORKED VERSION)-Chapter 73: Start of The Game of Thrones

Jaehaerys Targaryen, the younger brother of Viserys, yet was always within the shadow of his older brother, grew up hating Viserys. He often fought with Viserys and expressed his constant dislike of his mother Rhaella to her face. Maximus tried to show him some time ago that this was not the case, but he wasn't hearing it.

As a result, he had fled the Imperial Union and had been missing since then. He managed to flee all the way to Qarth, where he stood out because of his hair color. This caused him to get captured by one of the servants of the Pureborn, who are the noble rulers of Qarth.

The servant brought Jaehaerys to his master's residence and presented him as a gift to gain some favor. The servant's master, Xhono Rhaqaris had taken a liking to Jaehaerys whom he saw much potential in because of his lineage and the locked abilities that he had.

Xhono was a scheming man with a silver tongue and an uncanny ability to manipulate others. He took on Jaehaerys as a protege, seeing the boy's untapped potential and fiery spirit as tools he could command, and got to work immediately.

He filled the young Targaryen's head with promises of power, whispering seeds of doubt about his family and fueling the resentment Jaehaerys harbored towards his older brother. And through it all, Xhono positioned himself as a steadfast ally, the only person who truly understood and appreciated Jaehaerys's worth.

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Through it all, Jaehaerys was completely captured. His anger and emotions was used against him. Born in 280AC, he was currently 18 years old, having fled the Imperial Union at 16. Before he left, he had received an education at the Imperial Academies, having gained a swath of knowledge.

Now he was going to use that knowledge, plus the knowledge he would obtain, to get what he wanted.

———

In Westeros, a few things were happening that would begin to change the Balance of power on the Continent. Jon Arryn had been killed inside of his own office. His body was found with his throat slit sitting in his own chair within the Tower of the Hand.

His death was a mystery, and King Robert ordered an immediate investigation. Using the network of spies belonging to the Master of Whispers, Varys, an accusation was quickly put forward that Jon had discovered a secret he should not have known and was killed for it. The hidden channels of the royal court buzzed with rumors, some implicating the Lannister's while others cast suspicion on House Baelish.

In response to this, King Robert traveled to Winterfell personally to meet with his best friend Eddard Stark. At first Ned was reluctant to accept the position as he felt there was something ominous about Jon's death and was hesitant to leave Winterfell.

His worries were amplified by a raven's letter from Lysa Arryn, Jon's widow. The letter stated:

"My late Husband was murdered by the Lannister's. Do not trust them. That witch Cersei was either behind his death or the one that killed him because of something he found that she was hiding."

The letter had been written in distressed, quick handwriting, letting him know that Lysa herself was also terrified. The visit from Robert pressuring him to go to King's Landing and the mysterious letter from Lysa left his mind conjested with thoughts, most of which were nightmare scenarios.

He contemplated his options, worried about the safety of his family, the future of his House, and tried to decide what course of action would serve everyone best.

As he was lost in thought in his office, a shadow emerged from one of the dark corners of his room. "Lord Stark," the voice announced.

Normally a person would get defensive, seeing a person emerging from the darkness and not using the door, but this wasn't the first time that Ned had a private talk with one of the Shadowhand agents.

"If you decided to go to King's landing, you would uncover, something that will change the entire continent and shift the balance of power between the Houses. I can't say much, but you will uncover Jon Arryn's killer and help shape the continent for the better. The Shadowhand have decided to back you should you accept King Robert's appointment and will ensure that each member of your House, remains protected." explained the agent, handing him a piece of paper that had some wise words on it.

Ned took the letter from the Shadowhand agent, his brow wrinkled as he read the words written:

"Truth is the foundation upon which justice stands. Deception may weave the tapestry of power, but it is always undone by the one thread of honesty. The cost of truth is high, but the cost of silence is greater."

He stared at the words for a long moment, feeling the weight of them. He had always been a man of honor, a man who placed truth and justice above all else. And if Jon Arryn had been murdered for uncovering something that threatened the balance of power in the realm, then it was his duty to see that justice was done.

Ned sighed, knowing there was only one choice he could make. He could not ignore the call to duty, no matter how ominous the circumstances surrounding Jon's death were. He stood up and turned to the Shadowhand agent.

"I will accept Robert's appointment. So, tell them that if they mean to keep my family safe, they'd best be ready."

The agent nodded and disappeared as quickly as he had come, leaving Ned alone with his thoughts. The next morning, he informed Robert of his decision. His wife, Catelyn, was not pleased, but she understood that her husband's sense of duty would not allow him to refuse. Preparations were made, and soon, Ned Stark, along with his daughters Sansa and Arya, rode south to King's Landing alongside King Robert and his retinue.

Upon arriving in the capital, Ned was immediately thrown into the tangled web of politics that defined the royal court. He quickly discovered that the court was filled with secrets, whispered alliances, and backstabbing schemes. Littlefinger, the ever-smiling master of coin, extended a hand of friendship, while Varys, the Master of Whispers, observed him with an unreadable expression.

Despite his distaste for courtly intrigue, Ned wasted no time in investigating Jon Arryn's death. He retraced Jon's final days, speaking with his former contacts and gathering any information he could. Maester Pycelle claimed Jon had slit his own throat at the heavy burden that being Hand of the King brought, but the old man's nervous demeanor made Ned suspicious. He also learned that Jon had been visiting an armorer's shop in the city before his death.

Following this lead, Ned discovered the shop belonged to Tobho Mott, a master armorer known for his fine craftsmanship. There, he met a young apprentice, Gendry, a boy with strong Baratheon features. It was then that Ned realized what Jon Arryn had discovered, Robert Baratheon's bastards bore the strong, black-haired traits of their father, while his supposed children with Queen Cersei all had golden locks.

The truth hit Ned like a hammer. Jon Arryn had learned that Robert's children were not his own. The heirs to the throne were not Baratheon's, they were Lannister's, born of incest between Cersei and her brother Jaime.

Understanding the gravity of his discovery, Ned sought counsel from Littlefinger, who urged him to move carefully. "You have the truth, Lord Stark, but truth is not always enough. Power must be on your side before you act."

Ned, however, was not one for deception or playing the game of thrones. He confronted Cersei directly, warning her to leave King's Landing before he revealed the truth to Robert. But Cersei did not flee. Instead, she moved swiftly.

Before Ned could reach Robert, the king was mortally wounded in a hunting accident, an accident that was far too convenient. On his deathbed, Robert named Ned as Regent and Protector of the Realm, but the decree was quickly dismissed by Cersei and her allies. When Ned attempted to take control and declare Stannis Baratheon as the rightful heir, he found himself betrayed.

Littlefinger, whom he had trusted to support him, turned on him. The City Watch, whom he believed would enforce Robert's decree, instead turned their swords against him. Ned Stark was arrested on charges of treason and taken to the dungeons of the Red Keep.

As he sat in his dark cell, he thought back to the words on the note given to him by the Shadowhand agent. The cost of truth is high, but the cost of silence is greater. He had chosen truth, and now he would pay the price for it.

Yet, even in chains, he knew this was not the end of his story, nor the end of the storm that was coming for the realm.

As he was tied up, in the dungeons of the Red Keep, a Shadowhand agent had emerged once again from the darkness, holding a torch.

Ned looked up as he tiredly asked, "Are...they...safe?"

The Shadowhand agent nodded his head. "Yes, they are safe Lord Stark. Both Sansa and Arya have been taken to one of our hideouts located within the city. The Queen has locked down the port, so we can't escort them back to Winterfell." the agent explained.

"Thank you. I guess in the end, I must pay the price." The agent didn't say anything and just disappeared back into the darkness.