The deathly silence in the backstreet lasted a long time.
The air reeked of burning, mingled with something intangible yet even more sickening-the emptiness left when life had been utterly erased.
Torchlight flickered dimly through the lingering smoke and dust.
The black-armored soldiers still stood in silence, but their knuckles had gone white around their weapons.
Aegon's calm gaze swept over everyone before settling on Viserys, who sat slumped at the edge of the scorched crater, clutching a cold golden crown to his chest, his eyes empty and unfocused.
Queen Rhaella's old crown gleamed in the firelight with a sorrowful, mocking luster.
"Carl." Aegon's voice broke the suffocating silence.
The garrison commander immediately stepped forward and struck her right fist against her chest. "Your Highness."
"Take him away." Aegon tipped his chin almost imperceptibly toward Viserys. "Have someone watch him. Don't let him... do anything foolish."
"Yes!" Carl answered firmly, beckoning over two of her steadiest soldiers.
They approached carefully. Without any rough handling, they silently but firmly helped Viserys up from the ground.
Viserys offered no resistance. Even his unfocused eyes remained still. He merely clutched the cold crown to his chest as though it were the only thing he had left to hold on to, allowing the soldiers to support him as he walked unsteadily toward the other end of the alley.
His shadow stretched long in the firelight, hunched and small.
Aegon watched him disappear into the shadows around the corner, then turned.
Daenerys was still sitting on the cold, filthy flagstones nearby.
She made no attempt to rise, merely cradling her injured ankle as her body trembled faintly. Her long silver hair hung disheveled over her shoulders, stained with dust.
Her head was bowed, but Aegon could see her bloodless lips pressed tightly together.
Aegon walked