A Song of Fire and Ice 2
George R.R. Martin
Maester Cressen looked over the three Baratheon brothers after their father died. he knew Stannis would need the most love and went to him when Robert gave him Dragonstone. Now he is an old man looking at the sky at a blood red comet, and about to be replaced by Maester Pylos, who was sent to help him around the difficult castle. Princess Shireen, Stannis’ daughter that suffers from a disease called dragonscale, comes to see the white rowen sent from the Citadel that indicates summer is over. Cressen sends her and her fool, Patchface, away when he finds out that Ser Davos has returned from seeking allies amongst the Storm's End banner men. The old maester makes his way to his king and finds Davos, the onion knight, along the way. He has tried to tell Stannis the truth; the people do not like him or wish to follow him into battle for the crown against the Lannisters or his brother Renly’s false claim. Maester Cressen meets with him to encourage him to choose allies. Stannis’ wife, Lady Selyse, convinces him that he is a king and should not beg for anyone’s help. The Red Lady/Priestess, Melisandre, has already seen his victory in the flames of her one god of light, R’hllor. That night Cressen shows up late to Stannis’ feast hosting the Lords of his banner men. the king dismisses him of his duties, insisting Maester Pylos will take over. Cressen offers up an olive branch and offers his wine (spiked with a poison called the strangler) to be shared with Melisandre. She drinks after giving him a chance to reconsider his actions, and is unharmed. He finishes the wine and is strangled to death by it.
Yoren chopped off all of Arya’s hair and is now taking her with him and other men destined to take the black. Two orphan boys, Lommy and Hot Pie, pick on her and try to take Needle. She uses her wooden sword to beat up Hot Pie after he refuses her offer to give it to him. Yoren takes her into the trees and paddles her three times, making her bleed. He warns her not to fight with the new brothers. She has to walk beside her donkey for three days. The Bull (Gentry, King Robert’s bastard Ned met apprenticing as an armorer) still talks to her and thinks the comet looks like a newly forged red sword. Arya thinks it looks like Ice must have when her father’s head was cut off by it.
Sansa does her best to dress for King Joffrey’s name-day tournament, hiding bruises from Joffrey’s commands to the King’s Guard to hit her. Since the king is too afraid to open the gates of the city, the tournament is held within and has poor attendance. One knight, Ser Dontos, is too drunk to get on his horse. Joffrey orders his death, but Sansa convinces him to make him a fool instead. The king grows bored and calls off the games. He allows his brother Tommen to ride against a straw dummy. Suddenly the gates open and Tyrion arrives, saying he has brought his wit for the King’s name-day. The Imp tells Sansa he won’t hurt her before he leaves to meet with the queen and small council.
Cersei is not happy when Tyrion enters the small council chambers. He is able to convince her that she needs him to reign in Joffrey and get Jaime back. She agrees to honor her father’s appointment of Tyrion to temporary Hand if he agrees to tell her everything. He lies to her and leaves to go to Shae at an inn he left her at with Chella and a few other Black Ears. Varys is already there and implies to Tyrion that he can’t hide anything from him. Tyrion hints back that he will kill the eunuch if he hurts Shae. The spider leaves and the Imp takes his whore to bed.
Bran welcomes the two Walders (Frey’s grandsons) to Winterfell. It isn’t long until Shaggy Dog bites one of them while playing with Rickon. Now the wolves are confined to the godswood and Bran misses Summer. He asks people about wolves and the comet in the sky, but everyone seems to have a different opinion. Maester Luwin brings Bran something to give him a dreamless sleep, but Bran still dreams that he is Summer, trapped in the walls of Winterfell with his brother Shaggy.
Arya continues to make her way north wit the men about to join the Night’s Watch as all the other travelers on the road head south for the protection of the city. They stop at an inn for food and baths. Arya overhears people talking about Robb leading an army. She gets send out after insisting that wolves (they were discussing a she-wolf leading a particularly vicious pack) don’t eat babies. One of the three men chained to the cart, Jaqen H’ghar, asks Arya for beer and a bath. The man reminds her of Syrio, but the other tow are scarier. The Bull comes to lead her away from them. Five gold cloaked men arrive to claim “the boy.” Arya thinks they are after her. When men start drawing their weapons to make sure no one is taken, Arya runs to the front with Needle. The officer wants Gendry, but Yoren scares them off. He sends Arya and Gendry ahead on horse.
Jon goes down to the vault to fetch Sam, who has been looking for maps to aide them on their trip beyond the Wall. Sam points out all the hidden treasures he wants to go through and learn from. Jon takes him to Commander Mormont, who is talking with the armorer, Donal Noye. The Commander gives him instructions to send Ser Arnell to Renly to ask for men for the Wall. Alliser has the wight hand (dismembered and still moving) to show as they make their request, but he is still out. When everyone is gone except Mormont and Jon, the Commander tells him about Aemon also having a brother that was a king. Jon admits that he is troubled by the situation, but will keep his vows.
Robb, wearing his new crown, holds court in Riverrun’s great hall. He has Ser Cleos Fray (who fought for the Lannisters) take his terms for peace to the queen and expects him to return when his task is complete. After the court is adjourned, Catelyn tells him that Cersei will not accept the deal without her brother’s freedom. Catelyn’s brother, Edmure, points out their dwindling numbers. Catelyn blames him as he sent the river lord’s banner men home to protect their own lands. She realizes that Robb wants to send her away because she tells him hard truths he doesn’t want to hear. She goes to visit her father and finds her Uncle Brynden there. He tells her that the men Edmure sent home are suffering terrible fates by Tywin’s people. Ser Beric Dondarrion and his red priest seem to be doing well, but the rest are dying off. Tywin is trying to get Robb to attack Harrenhal while his brothers-in-law amasses another (less experienced) army at Casterly Rock. Ser Stafford is rumored to be dullard, but his son, Ser Daven, is more formidable. Catelyn decides that it would be better to draw out Tywin by aligning with King Renly.
Tyrion dines with Janos Slynt and tries to get the City Watch commander to tell him who is ordering the death of children. When he won’t say, Tyrion goes on to ask about Janos’ recommended options for replacing him (as he is expecting to go be lord of Harrenhal). Tyrion ignores his recommendations and has Ser Jacelyn Bywater enter the room. Tyrion orders the new commander to take Slynt and his men to a ship to sail to Eastwatch to take the black. Tyrion suggests the one that killed the whore’s baby be lost at sea. varys arrives to tell Tyrion about what has been going on around the city. The imp gives out orders for punishing traitors, one to be put on trial, a few to be sent to the Wall. Tyrion goes to see Bronn, who has recruited three men and killed others that did not meet his standards.
Yoren continues to lead Arya and the other north, trying to avoid the gold cloaks somewhere behind them. They take a woman who is missing her arm and a little girl from a destroyed village, but the woman dies that night. They head west to avoid a group that seems to have been stranded a long time. Arya goes to sneak off into the woods to urinate, but Hot Pie warns her that there are wolves. She waits and then sneaks past the sentries. A pack of wolves find her, but turn around and leave her alone. She makes it back to camp and admits she was scared to Yoren. He tells her he has only lost 3 men in 30 years of constantly making this journey before telling her to get some sleep.
Stannis has the statues of the seven gods burned and Melisandre has him pull a sword from the fire, supposedly called Light Bringer. Davos talks with Sallador Saan, a smuggler from Lys, who tells him what the hero Azor Ahai had to do to forge his burning sword (killed his wife). Sallador says that King’s Landing is ripe for the taking, but Davos wonders how long they could hold it. One of his seven sons, Devan (Stannis’ squire) brings him a horse to immediately go see his king. Stannis and Maester Pylos read him a letter with Stannis’ claim to the iron throne and Cersei’s abominations. Davos tries to convince Stannis to use words that would please the people more, but the king has no love for the seven gods that always seem to abandon him.
Theon sails on a merchant ship towards the Iron Islands. He takes advantage of the Captain’s lovesick daughter before stepping on shore at Lordsport where his father’s men’s ships are gathered. His uncle, Aeron, now a priest of the drowned god, takes him up to Pyke and the castle. Theon is taken to the Bloody Keep instead of the sea tower. He commands the servants around before going to see his father. Balon is not impressed with out his only surviving son has turned out. Theon tells him his plan to command the men of the Iron Islands to take Casterly Rock and claim it for his own. Balon has his sights set elsewhere.
Dany takes what is left of her khalasar and follows the red comet in the sky. a third of her people (including Doreah) die on their trek across the wasteland. They find an abandoned city they call Caes Tolorro that has water and fruit. She decides they will stay there to gather strength, though some believe ghosts live there. Ser Jorah tells her about his first wife dying in her third attempt to give him an heir. His second wife he won the fancy of during a tournament, but she was miserable on Bear Island. He went broke trying to keep her happy and eventually he took her and fled to Lys. She left him for a merchant prince when his money ran out. When he says she looked like Dany, she realizes Ser Jorah is in love with her. She cannot be with him, but vows to give him back his home and honor. She sends her blood riders out in separate directions. Jhogo comes back with visitors from Qarth - Pyat Pree the warlock, Xaro Xhoan Daxos the merchant prince, and Quaithe of the Shadow - who all want to see her dragons - Drogon (black), Rhaegal (green), and Viserion (gold).
Jon rides out north of the Wall with about 200 black brothers. They have found four empty villages and haven’t seen any signs of Wildlings. Dedwyck spots a lake ahead from the trees and Mormont decides they will camp there. the Lord Commander writes a letter to Aemon to tell him what they have found. Jon takes it back to Sam to have a raven return it to Castle Black. Same becomes less afraid the further along they get, but the rest of the men get more worried.
Arya and the other reach a river at the Eye that is too deep for them to cross. They follow the road until they come to an abandoned town. When the people left, they took everything, including the boats. Yoren decides to have them stay in the holdfast that has stone walls. Arya is woken in the middle of the night by a warning horn. Ser Amory, Tywin’s banner man, is there with a few hundred men. Yoren refuses to let them in, so they attack. Once Yoren realizes they are loosing, he tells Arya to get the kids out through a trap door in the barn. She drags the crying girl and follows Hot Pie, Lonny, and Gendry into the flaming barn. She sends them ahead and goes back to get an axe to give to the three caged men before dropping into the tunnel to crawl away.
Tyrion and Cersei depend on the help of Littlefinger to come up with a lie about Stannis to combat the truth about his rightful claim to the throne. Tyrion excuses himself,saying he is having a surprise chain made for Joffrey. He meets with all the men in King’s Landing who owns shops that work metal. He shows them short, large chain links and tells them all to start making these to make a large chain. He tells them if they don’t, they will b e pt in chains themselves. Tyrion is taken to Chataya’s brothel and picks out her daughter. The 16 year-old leads him to a room and tells him what he needs is in the wardrobe. He gets in and finds a tunnel that leads to the stables where he finds Varys. The Spider puts a cloak on him and puts him on an old horse to make him look like a child. Tyrion asks if varys is the one who got word of the truth to Stannis, but he admits nothing before sending the Imp off to see Shae.
In preparation for the Harvest Feast, Bran has to sit in on the requests of the lords of the north. Each asks for something. The topic of Lady Hawthorn (widow with no heir) and her lands. Several lords ask to we her or put their own representatives there to take the lands. Luwin keeps track of all the requests to send to Robb. One of Bran’s friends, Clay Cerwyn (14) rides in with his lancers. He tells Bran of Stannis’ claim to the throne and of Joffrey being a bastard of incest. That night Bran has a nightmare about the three eyed raven and the golden man pushing him out of the tower.
Tyrion meets with Grand Maester Pycell to send out a letter to the Prince of Dorne. He says it is a secret and can see the maester’s curiosity is peaked. The Imp then goes to Littlefinger to have him make a deal with Lysa Arryn. If she will swear loyalty to the crown, he will give her the man that murdered her husband, call off his men that plague their lands, and send Princess Myrcella as a sign of good faith. Varys comes to visit Tyrion later and already knows both promises. Tyrion offered the Prince of Dorne his sister’s murderer (after the war) , a seat on the small council, and Prince Tommen. The dwarf’s trap is set.
Sansa receives a mysterious note telling her to go to the godswood that night if she wants to go home. When there is a commotion, there are less guards for her to sneak past so she decides to go. She makes it there and meets ser Dantos (the knight turned fool that she saved). He offers to take her home and pledges his life to her. She accepts his offer and agrees to only meet him in the godswood to communicate. On her way back to her tower, Sansa runs into the Hound. She tells him that she was praying for the king’s safety. He doesn’t believe her, but leads her past the other guards back to the tower.
Arya and the other kids return to the abandoned village to see if anyone survived. Tarber and Cutjack survive, but take off on their own. They make their way avoiding the road until they come to a village that has smoke coming from the chimney. By this time, Lonny has lost a leg from an arrow and has to be carried in a litter. He and HotPie think they should yield. Arya (going by Arry) and gendry go to check it out, and on the way, Gendry admits that he knows Arya is a girl. They go separate ways to sneak into the village to try to steal food. Gendry is caught. Arya knows she needs to help and goes back for Hot Pie. He gives them away and they find themselves captives of the Mountain, who is on the hunt for Beric Donndarion. Arya takes them to Lonny and Weasel. The little girl is gone and the men kill Lonny.
Tyrion talks with the pyromancer/alchemist that creates the wildfire that will burn through anything. There are 10 thousand clay jars filled. Tyrion asks to have the City Watch practice throwing empty jars so they can be careful and avoid burning down the city. Bronn meets Tyrion to tell him he has two summons. The dwarf goes to his cousin first to get Robb Starks terms of peace. Tyrion goes to the tower of the hand and finds Cersei waiting for him. She is furious that he is sending Myrcella to the Dornish. He tries to reassure her frustration with how the war is progressing and shows her Robb’s terms for peace.
Bran rides into the feast on his horse, Dancer. The children of Howland Reed, Jojen and Meera, come into the hall to dine with them. THey ask about the wolves and if they can see them. Bran says they can if he goes with them. That night Bran dreams of Jojen and Meera sneaking into the wood to see the wolves.
Catelyn arrives at King Renly’s camp. There is a horseback melee going on and she watches Brienne or Tarth take down Ser Loras to win. Renly offers her whatever she wants and she asks to be a member of his rainbow guard. He grants her wish and sends Catelyn to rest before the night’s feast. After eating and watching the young men acting excited about their first chance at war, Renly takes Catelyn for a walk. He tells her that he will allow Robb to keep the north if he pledges loyalty to him. Renly asks about Ser Barristan, who said he went to join the true king. No one has heard from him since. A night rides in to tell Renly that Stannis is attacking Storm’s End.
After riding through the rain for days and only finding empty villages, Mormont announces they will stay at Craster’s. He sends Jon back along the column to warn the men away from the women there. Jon is allowed into the hall with Mormont, who asks Craster about the missing men of the Night’s Watch were headed. Craster doesn’t have an answer, but offers to tell the where abouts of Mance Rayder, the King Beyond the Wall (Craster refuses to pledge loyalty to him). Back outside, Jon hears a girl scream. He finds her frightened by Ghost, who stole her rabbits. The girl runs and Jon takes a rabbit to Sam. He sends Sam to Craster and Jon sleeps in a crude tent. The girl, Gilly, comes to him early in the morning in Sam’s cloak asking for help to the Wall so that Craster (her father/husband) won’t sacrifice her son to the gods when he is born to keep the white shadows away. Jon says that he can’t and sends her away. He finds Sam and scolds him for sending her. Jon informs Mormont, who already knows about it. They have a much bigger battle to fight against Mance Rayder’s army in the Frostfangs.
Theon goes to see the new ships his father had made for him and meets the shipwright’s pregnant wife, Esgred. He is immediately enthralled with her and she eventually accepts his offer to return to Pyke with him. The entire ride he brags of being a prince and grabs at her. When they reach their destination, Esgred is revealed to be his sister Asha. Theon is humiliated and she continues to torture him through dinner where she takes the seat of honor at their father’s right hand. Balon takes his men to talk about his plans. He is sending Theon to take fishing villages and Asha to take Deepwood Motte from the glovers (Stark’s banner man). His brother, Victorian is going to sail to the neck to prevent Robb from returning north.
Tyrion goes to tell Cersei that Stannis has set sail to battle against his brother Renly. She is relaxed enough that she doesn’t notice him put poison in her wine. The next morning, the Imp sits on the iron throne to hear requests. He tells Cleos Fray the King’s conditions for peace with Robb and sends a few of the queen’s Lannister guards with him. Alliser Thorne tells him about the dead returning to life to attack, but his evidence has rotted away. Tyrion offers to send him spades and men. Varys is given the duty of telling the queen that her guards are part of a ploy to sneak men into Riverrun who can free Jaime. That night, Tyrion takes Timett and Shagga to confront Grand Maester Pycelle about his betrayals. Tyrion learns that they date back far enough to include convincing Aerys to open the city gates for Tywin to take the city, but does not admit to killing Jon Arryn. The Imp has him taken away.
As Ser Gregor marches everyone to Harrenhal, he kills one person each day. He has the Tickler question them about Ser Beric Donndarion until they die screaming. Each night, Arya recites the names of the people she hates, most are Lannister guards marching with them. When they reach the castle of Harrenhal with the grotesque towers, Arya (going by the name Weasel) is scrubbed down and sent to Weese after speaking to a goodwife who didn’t like her suggestion of working with the horses instead of in the kitchen. Weese warns them not to be defiant and they will be treated well.
The blue lipped Undying Pyat, Xaro (1 of the 13) and Quaithe (shadow binder in a lacquered mask) lead Dany and her company to Qarth. Pyat and Xaro make promises as they take her to a wing of the latter’s palace. Quaithe warns her not to trust any of them. Dany sends a blood rider, Rakharo, to look around the rest of the city and Jorah to the docks for word from Westeros. When Jorah returns, he brings Quhuru Mo, a trader. He tells her of Robert’s death and how Westeros is a divided kingdom fighting amongst themselves for power. She tanks him and promises him a gift when she sits on the iron throne. Jorah reminds her of her mortality and she reminds him of the usurper.
Bran is out in the godswood with Jojen and Meera. Meera catches Summer in a net to show off her skills. Jojen tells Bran about his dream and how some of them are the greensight (prophecies). they both started seeing the three eyed raven after a near death experience. Jojen asks Bran about his dreams where he is a wolf. Bran doesn’t want to talk about it. He gets angry when the subject is pushed and Summer starts to attack. Jojen explains that Bran and Summer are connected. Bran goes to Maester Luwin to discuss the greensight, but the Maester convinces him that magic doesn’t exist. Meera comes to tell Bran a vision Jojen had where Maester Luwin served him bloody meat and the Fray boys old meat. The other boys enjoyed their meal while Bran did not. She says when Bran understands the vision, they will talk again.
Lancel calls on Tyrion in the middle of the night to demand that he free Maester Pycelle at the queen’s command. Tyrion threatens to tell Joffrey that Lancel killed his father to sleep with his mother if he doesn’t inform him of all Cersei’s plans. Lancel agrees and the Imp gives him the maester’s freedom to keep Cersei from complaining. Afterwards, Tyrion has Bronn take him to the brothel so he can sneak off to see Shae.
Arya works for Weese scrubbing floors and restoring rooms in the Wailing Tower of Harrenhal. She learns things by listening to rumors and finds out that Robb is at Riverrun. The “Bloody Mummers” (a group of ruthless sell-swords with a goat had sigil) come visit, but don’t stay long as they are continuing the hunt for Beric Donndarion. One day Jaqen H’ghar arrives and that night he wakes Arya to tell her that she saved three lives, so he will kill three people to appease the red god. She avoids him for a few days trying to decide what to do. She overhears Chiswych (already on her list) telling a story about the Mountain making an inn keeper’s daughter into a whore for their whole party. That night while pouring wine, she gives Jaqen his name. Three days later he falls of a walkway and dies.
Catelyn meets Stannis and the Red Priestess outside Storm’s End in hopes that she can get the brothers to agree to fight the Lannisters instead of each other. Renly arrives with Brienne and quickly starts throwing insults back and forth with Stannis while they argue who should be king. This is also the first Catelyn hears of the queen’s incest. They part planning on battle in the morning. Catelyn asks to return to Riverrun, but Renly tells her she must stay and watch what happens to traitors. She is permitted to go to a sept in a nearby village to pray.
Sansa quickly gets ready to be brought to Joffrey when the Hound comes to get her. The king has her beaten for her brother’s victory against his great-uncle Stafford. Ser Boros rips her clothes, but Tyrion comes along and stops the display. She is taken to the Tower of the Hand and put in Arya’s old room to rest and heal. Tyrion comes along to tell her of Robb’s victory over his uncle. He also tells her that he does not intend to have her marry Joffrey. She says the Hand’s tower is where her people died and she doesn’t want to stay there. Tyrion offers to take her to her own room.
Catelyn returns after her prayers are said and asks Renly to reconsider. She wants them to have a large council and have Bran testify that Joffrey is a bastard of incest. Renly continues to prepare himself for battle with Brienne’s help. Catelyn sees a shadow and thinks it is Renly’s until it slits the young king’s throat. Knights rush in and think Brienne killed him. Catelyn is able to convince Ser Robar of the truth and he helps them escape. Catelyn walks Brienne to her own guard and they all ride off.
Mormont leads the black brothers to the top of the Fist of the First Men and they set up camp. He plans to use the hill as protection when the Wildlings attack. Ghost doesn’t seem to like the location and keeps running off. When the direwolf returns that night, he indicates that Jon should follow. Ghost leads him to something that has been recently buried. Jon digs until he finds weapons (dagger blades and spearheads) made of dragon glass and wrapped in a Night’s Watch cloak. There is also a horn filled with arrowheads.
Maester Luwin sends for Bran, Rickon, and the Frey boys to tell them news from Robb. When he informs the Freys that their uncle died, they start talking about the order of succession. Bran realizes this was Jojen’s dream. He tells the Reed siblings about his dreams. Jojen tells him that he is a warg. There are two other prophecies they tell Bran. The sea is coming to Winterfell. Ser Rodrik confirms that the shore is being plundered. The second involves Roose Bolton’s bastard’s (married and killed Lady Hawthorn) pet Reek killing Bran and Rickon. Bran tries to dow what he can to prevent them, but Jojen warns that they can’t be changed.
Varys’ little birds bring him news of Renly’s death. Tyrion knows that Stannis is behind it and proposes they offer a marriage between Joffrey and Margaery (Renly’s widow) to absorb that of Renly’s army that hasn’t joined Stannis. Since neither Cersei or Tyrion can leave the city, Littlefinger offers to go make the arrangements with a large host accompanying him for an unnamed reward later. As they all start to depart the meeting, Cersei is kind and kisses Tyrion’s brow. He is suspicious of her.
Theon’s men squabble over loot after they take another victory. Two of his men take an old friend, Benfred Tallheart to the sea to drown him. Theon refuses to do it himself as his uncle suggests. Seeing his men drink after he told them not to, Theon aims his bow at one man’s ale, but kills him instead. He uses the mistake as a lesson to keep his men from getting drunk. Theon goes to Dagmer Cleftjaw’s (raised him) ship to propose an idea. He wants to send his uncle Aemon on to continue plundering the coast. Dagmer will go to Torrhen’s Square and make a ruckus that will draw Ser Rodrik out of Winterfell so Theon can take it and earn glory.
Arya is made into a messenger and is able to read notes sent back and forth throughout Harrenhal. She goes to the armory to get a sword for Ser Lyonel. Gendry finds her and tells her that he and Hot Pie heard her yell “Winterfell” back in the battle. Gendry covered for her, but warns her to be careful. Weese continues to hit her for misbehaving or not being fast enough. She finds Jaqen H’gar and names him. As Tywin readies his men to march, she realizes that she should have named him or the Mountain. However, Weese dies and she is down to one name.
Catelyn meets up with some of Robb’s men and they start making their way to Riverrun. Brienne asks permission to leave so she can go attempt to kill Stannis. Catelyn convinces her to stay and serve the living. Lady Stark takes her oath. There are Lannister men hung on the walls of Riverrun. Her brother explains they tried to free Jaime. Once alone, he tells her the rest of his plans to have Bolton and whoever they left at the Twins take Harrenhal to trap Tywin between them. Catelyn doesn’t think it is a good idea, but doesn’t have the knowledge to tell Edmure (her brother) what to do. She visits her father, who thinks she is Lysa, and he asks for forgiveness. He wasn’t allowing her to marry her stripling boy. Catelyn is then taken to Ned’s bones that were brought by the sisters. She stays with him the night before they are to be sent to Winterfell.
Dany rides with Xaro after the Pureborn refuse her request for ships. She is frustrated that she spent everything to appease them. Xaro pleads with her to marry him and stay in Qarth, but she refuses him. The procession stops and Jhogo pulls Danny onto his horse so she can see a man climb a ladder made of fire. Quaithe appears to tell her the man’s power grew because of the khaleesi. She tells Dany that the truth is in Asshai. When they return to Xaro’s mance, Dany asks Jorah for advice. He tells her that marriage in Qarth involves request for one thing from each and cannot be denied (so she would be trading one of her dragons for a boat). She tells him about Asshai and he advises against that as well. He suggests she somehow make friends with some Westeros lords before planning to attack or she runs the risk of uniting the seven kingdoms.
The royal family watches Myrcella’s departure to Bravos (where she will then go to Dorne). As they ride back to the Red Keep, someone throws excrement at Joffrey. The king demands the person’s head and the crowd starts to revolt. Tyrion gets Joffrey to safety and eventually the Hound brings along Sansa. The Imp is frustrated at Joffrey’s poor decisions. That night Bywater tells him that the entire city (and some guards) hate the Lannisters and will turn on them if given the chance. They hate Tyrion most of all because he is new and brought the savages to the city. Bronn suggests they would have an easier time if Tommen was king, but Tyrion can’t bring himself to have his nephew killed.
Ser Davos listens to the exchange between Stannis and Ser Cortnay, who holds Storm’s End and refuses to give it up. When Stannis refuses his offer of single combat, they ride away. The king asks Ser Davos to ride with him. He asks the Onion Knight his opinion on the situation. Ser Davos tells him that Ser Cortnay is sticking to his principals while the pardoned men behind them keep switching kings. He suggests they leave and storm King’s Landing. Stannis cannot allow that because his followers are only loyal because they fear him; a loss would make him look weak. Melisandre says that she has seen Ser Cortnay’s death. Stannis asks Ser Davos to take her beneath Storm’s End as he delivered the onions that saved Stannis’ men years ago. That night, he sails Melisandre into a cave below Storm’s End. She give birth to a shadow of a man he knows.
Jon distributes the black glass pieces to his friends. In the middle of one night, the men from East Tower finally arrive, lead by Qhorin Halfhand. Jon takes him to the Lord Commander and is able to listen in as he serves them. They were attacked by Wildlings and were able to kill most. They questioned one that told them Mance Rayder is looking for something he needs in the mountains. Mormont wants to know what that is. Qhorin offers to lead on of three teams of five up the mountains to find out. Mormont agrees and tells him to pick his men. Qhorin picks Jon.
Ser Lancel informs Tyrion that Cersei plans to send Tommen away to Lord Gyles in Rosby and have him pose as a page. Tyrion agrees that it is best for the young prince to be out of the city and sends reinforcements to guard him. The dwarf starts making his way to the whore house, but feels someone watching him. He takes off and goes as quickly as he can to Shae. Varys comes to visit him in the night to tell him Ser Cortnay is dead and Stannis has Storm’s End. Knowing that Stannis will come after King’s Landing next, Tyrion tells Shae that he will arrange for her to work within the castle to keep her safe. On the way back to the Red Keep, Varys tells Tyrion about how his manhood was cut as a sacrifice for some magic. The Spider confesses his hatred for people that use magic and plans to see Stannis dead if he is using it. Tyrion thinks it is humorous that the city hates him, but he is the only one that can protect them.
Inside Riverrun, Catelyn receives word of what has been going on around them. Tywin’s men are looking for a weak spot to cross the river and eventually try to smash their way through. She receives a letter from Edmund saying his team succeeded. Ser Cleos Fray has Tyrion’s counter offer for peace, but admits that he only saw Sansa while in King’s Landing. Catelyn knows Robb will not give up the King Slayer for his sisters.
As he sleeps, Bran sees through Summer’s eyes. He hears an odd sound and tries to go up a pine tree to get out of the godswood. Bran wakes up when Summer falls. He goes to the window to call for help, but Theon is the one that comes, He tells Bran that he is taking over Winterfell. Maester Luwin helps him get ready to meet in the great hall and tells him to think of the small folk. Bran yields Winterfell to Theon, but Mikken refuses and is killed. The captives, Reek and Osha, ask to join Theon and the requests are granted. Hodor takes Bran away to his room.
Arya is talking with Hot Pie in the kitchens when she hears someone coming into Harrenhal. She sneaks out to see over 100 northmen being led into captivity by the Bloody Mummers. Arya goes to Gendry to ask for help freeing them, offering him to stay in Winterfell with her. He declines and she makes her way to her broken broom handle she uses to practice water dancing in the trees. Jaqen finds her and asks for her last name. She asks him to help her and when he refuses, she names him. She promises to unname him if he helps her. He has her wait in the kitchen for him. He brings Rorge and Biter and together, they carry large pots of broth. They use it to kill the guards and free the northmen, who take over Harrenhal. Jaqen changes his face (as well as his name). Arya asks him to teach her, but he has other obligations. He gives her a coin to find him when she is ready. Roose Bolton takes over Harrenhal and makes Arya his cup bearer.
Pyat Pree arrives to take Dany into the HOuse of the Undying. he warns her to always go through the door to the right no matter what. She follows his instructions, going through the maze with only Drogon. Some other doors are open and show the past, but Dany keeps to what Pyat Pree told her. When she finally reaches the Undying, she is told that everything (fires she’ll light, mounts she’ll ride, and treason) will come in threes. She sees visions of the past and possible futures. Drogon snaps her out of it to find them sucking on her. She gets out and back to her blood riders and Jorah.
Tyrion has Bronn take down the make-shift structures people have made against the city wall by the river. he goes to the sept to watch two men receive White Cloaks and become part of the King’s guard (one is a spy for him). He reads a letter from Balon Greyjoy claiming his own throne before meeting with more people. Hallyne the alchemist comes to give him a very high count on the jars of wildfire. He suggests that their spells are working better because magic and dragons are returning to the world. Ser Jacelyn returns to tell the Imp that Prince Tommen is safe. Lastly, Varys visits to give a list of wealthy men in King’s Landing that plan to back Stannis.
Theon wakes up in the middle of the night and realizes that it is too quiet. He sends men to check on the wolves and young princes, both found to be gone. In the morning, the search starts. Maester Luwin goes with them and convinces him to be merciful; the children are worth more to him alive. They loose the tracks in the river and are unable to find where they continue Reek hands Theon a bag of clothes and Bran’s brooch, suggesting they are at a nearby mill. Theon understands and sends all but a few of his own men back to Winterfell.
Jon climbs the Frostfangs with Qhorin Halfhand and a few other black brothers. THey spot Wildlings far off and Stonesnake and Jon volunteer to go kill them. The way is treacherous, but they make it. There are three Wildlings and two of them are killed quickly. Jon goes to kill the third, but stops when he sees it is a girl. Ygitte tells him about a song where an old king beyond the wall, Bael, steals the daughter of one of the many Brandon Starks. he fathers a bastard that eventually kills him. When Qhorin and the rest arrive, they leave Jon to kill her, but he lets her go.
Sansa meets with Ser Dantos in the godswood. She is disappointed that he is drunk and not able to get her out yet. She ends up in a Tower and the Hound joins her. When she tries to thank him for saving her the day Myrcella left, he tells her about how much he likes killing. The next morning, Sansa gets her first period and tries to burn the evidence. She is taken before the queen, who talks to her about hearing children and how love is poison.
They continue on with Ygitte following. Qhorin left Jon to take care of Ygitte to learn about him. Jon dreams of being a wolf with his siblings scattered. A weirwood appears with Bran’s face and tells him to see. Jon Sees the Wildling’s army village through Ghost’s eyes. Jon wakes up when the direwolf is attacked. They take the dream seriously and continue on. they find Ghost hurt and an eagle watching them. Qhorin give the order to go back. Dallbridge stays to kill as many as he can with his arrows. They hear the blow of the hunting horn.
Varys gives Tyrion a letter with news that Bran and Rickon Stark were killed by Theon Greyjoy. He takes the letter to Cersei and explains they must treat Sansa well so Catelyn Stark doesn’t think they did it and kill Jaime. Cersei brings in the whore whose room Tyrion used to sneak out and visit Shae. She threatens to kill her if Joffrey or Tommen dies. The imp lets Cersei believe she has the woman he loves and promises whatever fate falls on her will also fall on Tommen. When he gets back to his room, Shae is waiting for him. varys led her there blindfolded, but Tyrion cannot find the secret door.
Catelyn received word of Bran and Rickon’s deaths. She only tells Brienne and has her meet her at midnight. Brienne guards while Catelyn goes to talk to Jaime in his cell. he admits to pushing Bran out the window, but not sending someone to kill him later. he tells her how the mad king, Aerys, roasted Lord Rickon (Ned’s father) while BRandon was strangled to death by some foreign device trying to save his father. She calls for Brienne and asks for her sword.
After killing the miller’s boys and claiming they are the bodies of the young Starks, Theon has terrible dreams. His sister, Asha brings him only ten men, pointing out that Winterfell is too far inland to be of use to the Greyjoys. She asks him to go back to Deepwood Motte with her. He refuses. Reek offers to find men for Theon and takes off to do so.
Joffrey summons Sansa to see him off to battle. He has her kiss his sword and says she will do the same when he returns. She goes to the sept to pray and then joins the other highborn ladies and children in Maegor’s Holdfast to wait out the battle. She is surprised Ser Ilyn is there. Cersei explains he is to protect them from Tyrion’s sell-swords.
Ser Davos sails the Black Bertha into Black Water Bay wit the rest of Stannis’ fleet. Jeffrey’s ships come out to meet them and the battle begins. Davos notices the chains in the water and that the best royal ships are not present. An odd, unmanned ship floats into the bay. the captain of the slow, useless Swordfish rams into it. The ship explodes and spits wildfire everywhere. The Black Bertha explodes and Davos is flung into the water. He surfaces to see the chains raised to keep the ships in the bay.
Tyrion watches the ships catch fire, but unfortunately, many of Stannis’ men still make it to shore. Tyrion starts giving commands and sends Joffrey to the catapults to fire the traitors dubbed the Antler Men. When men start to ram the King’s gate, Tyrion makes his way there to give orders. The Hound has lost most of his men and refuses to go back out to the fight. Tyrion decides to lead them, shaming them into following.
As the queen gets updates about the battle, she drinks more wine. She starts explaining that Sansa will have to use tears and sex as weapons rather than swords. After most of the ladies have retired, Cersei tells her that Ser Ilyn is there to kill them if Stannis takes the city.
Tyrion and Ser Mandon Moore are able to fight off Stannis’ men at the King’s Gate. They ride to the Mud Gate and kill more men as they come out of the water. Ser Balon Swan joins them. A couple of destroyed ships have come together to make a bridge to the shore. Tyrion rides with the two knights to kill them, but is thrown from his horse. He climbs the ships and kills men with whatever weapons he can find. when the ships start to break apart, Tyrion starts to fall. Ser Mandon reaches for him with his free hand. The knight slashes at Tyrion’s face with his sword and the Imp goes into the water. When he floats to shore, Ser Mandon stands above him, but a boy saves the dwarf.
Ser Lancel comes to tell Cersei that they are loosing because the men lost hope when she commanded Joffrey to safety. She continues to demand he is brought to her and the Holdfast is closed up. The queen leaves them and Sansa tires to lift the people’s spirits. Dantos tells her to lock herself in her room, but when she gets there, the Hound is waiting for her. He says he is leaving and offers to take her with him. She is too scared to go and he leaves. In the morning, Dantos comes to tell her they won because Tywin and Highgarden joined the fight. He says that Lord Renly led the march.
Dany rides her silver down the docks looking for a captain that will take her and her people. Jorah notices two men following them and points them out using a brass tray as a mirror. A man comes up to her to give her a box and a manticore comes out when she opens it. The old man that was following her knocks it from her hand. Her bloodriders start to attack while Jorah fights his large, brown friend. Dany stops the fighting. Arstan Whitebeard and Belwas introduce themselves and explain they were sent by Magister Illyrio who wants to help her take back the seven kingdoms. They have three ships she wants renamed after famous dragons.
Arya serves as Roose Bolton’s cupbearer and has some opportunity to learn things. She hears about Bran and Rickon’s death and the demise of Winterfell. The Freys are worried about being caught in Harrenhal when Tywin returns to take it back. Roose plans to be gone by then and leave Harrenhal to Hoat and his Bloody Mummers. Arya tells Gendry this and that they will cut off a foot of each servant to keep them from running away. Arya tells him to get swords and Hot Pie to join her. She uses the Bolton sigil on her tunic to get three horses. Gendry and Hot Pie watch them while Arya approaches the guard at the smallest gate. She offers him the coin Jaqen gave her tell him him it is silver. She drops it to distract the guard and uses the dagger she stole from Lord Bolton to slit his throat. She howls like a wolf to signal her friends.
Lord Mace Tyrell from Highgarden comes with his two sons, Garlan and Loras, to ask favors for helping win the battle. Mace joins the council and Loras joins the King’s Guard. Garlan asks Joffrey to marry his sister, Margery. The small council agrees and Sansa is happy to be free (though the queen warned her not to show it). Others are dragged in for treason. Most are forgiven and swear loyalty, but a few still cheer for Stannis. Joffrey cuts his hands on the iron throne in his frustration and Tywin finishes out the session. Sansa goes to the godswood where Dantos tells her Cersei will never let her go. He promises to take her away on the night of Joffrey’s wedding.
Theon is left with only 17 men when Ser Rodrik comes back to Winterfell with 2 thousand. He rides out to meet the castellan and shows him his daughter, Beth, in a noose. He promises to kill two people each day they are outside the walls and then rides back inside. Theon knows that he will be beaten and Maester Luwin almost convinces him to yield and take the black. Lord Bolton’s men arrive and kill all the north-men out side of Winterfell. Theon opens the gate to find Reek leading them. He explains that he is Ramsey Snow, Lord Bolton’s bastard. He sent for his father’s men to take Winterfell. He takes Winterfell from Theon and has his men burn it.
Tyrion wakes from his dreams a few times, but is given milk of the poppy through his mask. When he finally wakes, he chokes Maester Ballabar until he agrees to take off the mask. Tyrion looks at his cut up face and asks to be taken to his own room. When the maester tells him Tywin has taken over as hand, he asks for Podrick. The boy comes and says that he didn’t mean to kill Ser Mandon. Tyrion tells him not to tell anyone what happened. He then sends Podrick to fetch Bronn, who is now a knight.
Qhorin and Jon go on alone after loosing Snakestone’s horse and sending him on foot over the mountains to the Lord Commander. Qhorin leads him under a waterfall and into a tunnel. He explains that if they are caught, Jon is to join the Wildlings and figure out what Mance is looking for. When they reach the tunnel’s exit, the eagle is waiting for them. Qhorin decides that is where they will make their stand. Jon keeps ghost by him and yields to Rattleshirt, the Lord of Bones. Qhorin attacks Jon and is killed. Ygritte speaks for him and the others accept him, though Rattleshirt isn’t happy about it. Jon asks if they will be returning and Ygritte tells him they will march on the Wall.
Bran spends three days looking through Summer’s eyes before they wake him back into the crypt below Winterfell. He tells them it is all burned down and Osha goes to check it out. SHe brings the rest of them so Hodor can open the stuck door. They see Theon’s and Stark men dead all over and a few of Boltons. THey find Maester Luwin dying in the godswood. He tells Osha to split up the princes and asks her to kill him quickly. They find food to split and then Osha heads east with Rickon and Shaggy. Jojen tells Bran their path is to the north.