Ned's investigations in King's Landing reach a climax as a dark secret is revealed: he confronts Cersei, saying he knows Jaime fathered her children and will inform King Robert. Mortally wounded by a boar, Robert dictates his will to Ned, naming him regent until Joffrey comes of age; instead of "Joffrey", Ned writes "my rightful heir" and sends word to Stannis, Robert's brother and the legal heir to the throne. After Robert's death, Ned confronts Cersei and Joffrey in the throne room, where Littlefinger and the City Watch betray him and attack his men.
At the Wall, Benjen Stark disappears during a foray north of the Wall, while Jon and Sam are assigned as stewards, Jon as Lord Commander Mormont's personal servant, which Sam believes means Mormont intends to groom Jon for command. In Essos, an assassin hired by Robert is exposed by Ser Jorah before he can poison Daenerys, and Drogo vows to conquer the Seven Kingdoms for his unborn son, marching towards Westeros.