"One more thing."
Viserys added, "Send men to every castle in the Westerlands at once. Tell the family members left behind that House Lannister's reign is over. If they are willing to surrender and swear allegiance to me, I can guarantee their families' safety. If they resist, they will share Harrenhal's fate."
"As you command."
Viserys turned to the officers in the room again.
"You are all very lucky today. You should know that I have always made a point of leaving no loose ends."
He continued, "Still, if you are willing to swear allegiance and personally write to the family members left behind, I can give your families a chance. But remember, you get only one. If anyone dares to plot behind my back, I will not mind unleashing dragonfire again."
Addam Marbrand was the first to kneel. "Your Majesty is merciful," he said respectfully. "I am willing to swear allegiance. I will write to my family at once."
Tybalt Crakehall hesitated, then knelt as well. "Your Majesty, I am willing too."
Seeing this, the others also chose to kneel and pledge their allegiance, forming a dense sea of bowed figures.
Viserys swept his gaze over the kneeling prisoners, then looked at those still standing. Judging by the sigils on their armor, almost all of them belonged to House Lannister.
Some trembled, while others gritted their teeth and remained silent. Still others stole glances up at him before quickly lowering their heads again.
Had Viserys not just told them they would have no chance to surrender, and had he not previously executed every member of House Lannister who remained in King's Landing without mercy, they would have knelt long ago.
"There is one more matter," Duke Clinton said, lowering his voice. "We also found a maester in the castle's