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Summary: Prologue

Cressen, the maester of Dragonstone, watches a red comet. He wonders if it


is an omen, like the raven that brought news that summer, which had lasted
ten years, has ended. Pylos, his assistant, brings in Shireen, the daughter of
King Stannis Baratheon, and her fool, Patches. On his way to the kings
chambers, Cressen meets Davos, a former smuggler whom Stannis
knighted. Davos says that the lords he went to see will not pledge loyalty to
Stannis and that many have sided with Renly, Stanniss younger brother,
who also claims to be king.

Cressen urges Stannis to form an alliance with Renly or Robb Stark, the
King in the North, against the Lannister faction at Kings Landing. Stannis
refuses. Queen Selyse arrives. She wants Stannis to attack Kings Landing
on his own and suggests they assassinate Renly. Cressen objects but is
dismissed to his chambers. Cressen realizes that Melisandre, a priestess
from Asshai, and her foreign religion are at the heart of Stanniss troubles
and resolves to poison her that night.

At the banquet, Stannis announces that Pylos will take over Cressens
duties. Cressen tries again to convince Stannis to form an alliance, but
Stannis refuses and Melisandre says her god, the Lord of Light, is all the
help Stannis needs. Melisandre and Selyse make Cressen put on Patchess
fools crown, although Stannis stops them when they try to make Cressen
sing. Cressen takes advantage of the distraction to slip poison into the wine
he offers to Melisandre. After drinking, Melisandre returns the cup to
Cressen so that he can drink. Cressen dies, while Melisandre, unharmed,
stands over him triumphantly.

Summary: Arya
Arya Stark marches north from Kings Landing with other recruits bound for
the Nights Watch at the Wall. Yoren, the chief recruiter, has convinced Arya
to pretend that she is an orphan boy named Arry and has promised to drop
her off at Winterfell, her familys home in the North. Lommy and Hot Pie, two
boys in the party, try to steal Needle, Aryas sword and a gift from her half-
brother, Jon Snow. But Arya knocks Hot Pie to the ground. Yoren pulls Arya
away and beats her, telling her that Hot Pie did not kill her father and that
she should not turn on her new brothers. At night, she remembers her
fathers execution at King Joffreys command and dreams of home.

Summary: Sansa

Sansa Stark attends the tournament being held in honor of King Joffreys
name day. Joffrey tells her that Viserys, the last son of King Aerys, has been
killed in the lands across the narrow sea, and he speculates on how he
should kill Sansas rebel brother Robb. Joffrey grows irritated as the
tournament knights put on a poor display. When a knight named Ser Dontos
shows up drunk, Joffrey calls for him to be killed. Sansa convinces Joffrey to
spare Ser Dontoss life by making him a fool instead. The tournament is
interrupted by the arrival of Joffreys uncle, Tyrion Lannister, and his gang of
wild mercenaries, fresh from battle. Tyrion speaks more gently to Sansa than
Joffrey does, but Sansa still feels that he is untrustworthy since he is a
Lannister.

Summary: Tyrion

Tyrion delivers a letter to his sister Cersei, Joffreys mother and the Queen
Regent. In the letter, Tywin Lannister, Tyrion and Cerseis father, instructs the
council to recognize Tyrion as the Hand of the King until Tywin himself can
arrive in Kings Landing. Cersei objects, as she wanted Tywin to bring his
armies to the city to protect the Lannister claim to the throne. Tyrion explains
that he has come to help her and to try to free Jaime, Cerseis twin and
lover, whom Robb Stark has captured in battle. Cersei notes that they have
Sansa Stark and that she has spread the rumor that they also have Arya, but
in truth they lost Arya and she's likely dead.

Tyrion tells Cersei that Joffreys reign has been a disaster and asks what
happened to Eddard Stark. Cersei tells him that the plan was to make
Eddard join the Nights Watch, but Joffrey disobeyed her and had Eddard
executed at the last moment. Tyrion tells Cersei that he will control Joffrey by
making the boy feel threatened. Cersei makes Tyrion promise to tell her of
all his plans.

Tyrion tours Kings Landing. The city is growing restless under Joffreys
cruel, inept rule, and the war with Robb Stark has resulted in a food
shortage. He learns that Cersei has tripled the size of the City Watch to try to
keep the peace, and that Littlefinger, the kings master of coin, has imposed
a tax on everyone entering Kings Landing. Tyrion arrives at an obscure inn
where his mercenaries are staying, and finds Lord Varys, the eunuch in
charge of intelligence for the king, already there. Varys has discovered that
Tyrion brought his prostitute lover, Shae, with him, against Tywins orders.
Tyrion tells Shae that he plans to do justice in Kings Landing.

Summary: Bran

At Winterfell, Bran Stark dreams of direwolves. He feels connected to them,


and in his dreams he can see through the eyes of a wolf and even taste
blood. As he stares at the comet and listens to the direwolves Summer and
Shaggydog howl, Bran wonders if they mourn for another dead Stark. He
howls out the window and the wolves howl back.

Bran has become the lord of Winterfell while his brother Robb and his
mother are away. As part of an allegiance that the Starks made with Walder
Frey, the Lord of the Crossing, Winterfell is now home to two Frey cousins,
Big Walder and Little Walder. Bran dislikes the Freys, one of whom was
attacked by Shaggydog, leading to the direwolves being moved into the
godswood. But in his dreams, Bran joins the wolves in the godswood, feeling
himself moving on four legs and searching for the rest of his pack.

Summary: Arya

Everyone Yoren and the recruits see on their way north is heading south,
fleeing the war-torn region ahead. At an inn, they hear tales of the battles
and of rampaging wolf packs. Arya cannot help interjecting, so Yoren makes
her wait outside, where she talks to the three prisoners that travel in chains
with them. Two try to scare her, while the third, Jaqen Hghar, is polite. She
runs into another boy, known as the Bull. As they walk off, gold cloaks (men
from the City Watch in Kings Landing) ride up. They have come on the
queens orders to retrieve a boy bound for the Wall. Arya assumes they are
after her, but it turns out they want the Bull, whose real name is Gendry.
Yoren and the other men and boys in the party drive them off but know they
must flee before the gold cloaks return.

Summary: Jon

At the headquarters of the Nights Watch, Jon Snow and his friend Samwell
Tarly prepare to go on their first ranging beyond the Wall. Jeor Mormont, the
Lord Commander of the Nights Watch who is known as the Old Bear, will
lead a party north in search of Benjen Stark. Benjen, who is Jon's uncle, was
the Watch's First Ranger and has been missing for months. Bound by his
oath to the Nights Watch to stay out of the politics of the Seven Kingdoms,
Jon wonders how his half-brother Robb fares in the struggle against the
Lannisters. Jon works as the steward for the Old Bear, and he learns that the
Old Bear has sent envoys to the factions vying for the throne, asking for
more men and supplies for the Nights Watch. The Old Bear tells Jon that
Aemon, the Watchs maester, could have been king once, and he probes
Jon for his thoughts about Robbs new role. Jon says that he feels troubled
but will keep his vow to the Watch.

Summary: Catelyn

At Riverrun, Catelyn Stark worries about the effects of kingship on her son
Robb. Only fifteen, Robb has been proclaimed the King in the North by men
loyal to Winterfell, though he sometimes still seems just a boy. Robb sends
Ser Cleos Frey, a nephew of Tywin Lannister and a prisoner of war, to Kings
Landing with peace terms for Cersei. Although Robb offers severe terms,
Catelyn notices that some of the men in his party do not want to make peace
with the Lannisters under any conditions. The Lannister forces are terrorizing
civilians in the riverlands, and many lords from that region who fought for
Robb are returning home to defend their lands and subjects.

Catelyn questions Robb about the wisdom of offering such unacceptable


peace terms and accuses him of not trying to protect his sisters being held
hostage at King's Landing. She also questions Robbs decision to send
Theon Greyjoy, a longtime ward of the Starks, home to the Iron Islands in an
effort to convince his father, Balon Greyjoy, to align with the Starks. Robb
dismisses her concerns.

Catelyn goes to see her father, Hoster Tully, the aged and infirm Lord of
Riverrun. She encounters her fathers brother, Ser Brynden Tully, who
describes the riverlands devastation. Rumor has it that Beric Dondarrion,
who Eddard Stark sent to arrest Lannister henchman Gregor Clegane before
his death, has been waging a guerilla war against the Lannisters, despite
supposedly having been killed at an earlier battle. Brynden points out that
Tywin Lannister waits in safety at the impenetrable castle of Harrenhal and
hopes that his attacks on civilians will draw Robb and Edmure Tully,
Catelyns brother and the heir to Riverrun, into marching on Harrenhal.
Brynden also reveals that another Lannister army, this one led by Tywins
cousin Stafford, is gathering at Casterly Rock, the Lannister homeland.
Catelyn realizes that Robb will need the help of Renly Baratheon if he is to
defeat the Lannisters.

Summary: Tyrion

Tyrion has dinner with Janos Slynt, the outgoing commander of the gold
cloaks of the City Watch. Slynt suggests that Allar Deem replace him as
commander, but Tyrion proposes Ser Jacelyn Bywater and notes that Allar
was involved in the killing of a prostitute and her infant daughter. When
Tyrion tries to find out who sent Allar to kill the prostitute and her daughter,
Janos rebuffs him. Tyrion is also angry about Janoss role in the Eddard
Stark affair and reveals that he is sending Janos to become a member of the
Nights Watch. Janos tries to leave in anger, but Ser Jacelyn Bywater
apprehends him. Varys enters, and as he and Tyrion talk, Tyrion realizes that
Varys knew that Cersei sent Allar to kill the baby, who was an illegitimate
child of Roberts. They discuss Tyrions strategy for controlling Joffreys
excesses and reflect on the relationship between violence, public perception,
and power.

Summary: Arya

The party bound for the Wall finds food harder and harder to come by. They
encounter the ruins of a village that has been burned to the ground, and they
find a young girl and a woman whose arm has been cut off. They take both
with them, but the woman dies. That night, Arya sees a wolf in the woods
when she sneaks off to go to the bathroom. Back at camp, Yoren reflects
that it would have been safer to take a ship north to the Wall than to take the
overland route they are on.

Summary: Davos
On Dragonstone, Davos watches as the icons of the old gods are burnt on
Stanniss orders while Melisandre prays to the Lord of Light. Davos reflects
on his debt to Stannis, who elevated him from a smuggler to a knight.
Stannis pulls a sword from the burning pile, and Melisandre and Selyse
claim that it is the fulfillment of a prophecy about a sword of fire. Later,
Davos talks with Salladhor Saan, a smuggler from across the narrow sea,
who tells him that Kings Landing is insufficiently defended at present, but
that Renly is marching his armies north toward the city. Salladhor also tells
Davos the story of the true sword of fire, known as Lightbringer.

Davos meets with Stannis, who is sending all the lords in Westeros copies of
a letter declaring himself to be Roberts heir to the throne and Joffrey to be
the product of an incestuous affair between Cersei and Jaime. Davos notes
that Stannis lacks proof that Jaime is Joffreys father, but Stannis points out
that Edric Storm, another of Roberts bastard offspring, is at Storms End, a
castle controlled by men loyal to Renly. If people could see Edric, Stannis
says, they would see that Edric is Roberts son and Joffrey is not. Davos
questions Stannis about rejecting the old gods. Stannis replies that
Melisandre has powers that he needs in order to seize the throne.

Summary: Theon

Theon Greyjoy sails toward Pyke, the home he was forced to leave ten
years earlier when he was made a ward of the Starks as punishment for his
fathers rebellion against King Robert. Theon has been sleeping with the
captains daughter, but as they near Pyke, he tells her that he will be a king
someday and that they cannot be together anymore. Seeing that men loyal
to his father have brought their warships into the harbor, Theon wonders
about his fathers intentions. On shore, no one seems to recognize Theon
until his uncle Aeron, a priest, greets him. Aeron asks whether Theon has
changed his loyalty to the Starks and their gods, but Theon swears
allegiance to the Drowned God. When Theon calls himself the heir to Pyke
and the Iron Islands, Aeron points out that Asha, Theons sister, is alive and
may seem more loyal than Theon, whom he calls a Stark.

In the castle, Theon speaks roughly to the servants, whom he feels do not
show him proper respect. Theon meets with his father, Balon, who mocks his
clothes and accuses him of having gone soft in the company of the Starks.
Balon still bears much ill will toward the Starks, as Eddard Stark defeated
him during his rebellion ten years earlier in a battle that claimed the lives of
Theons older brothers. Theon delivers Robbs letter, which proposes that
Balon join Robb and in return be made king of the Iron Islands. Theon claims
that this was his plan and that he wants to lead the assault on Casterly
Rock, the Lannister castle. Balon burns the letter and announces that he has
a plan of his own, to take a crown through force by attacking an undefended
part of Westeros.

Summary: Daenerys

Across the narrow sea from Westeros, Daenerys Targaryen, the last
descendant of the king that Robert Baratheon deposed, leads the remnants
of her khalasar (nomadic tribe) through a wasteland. She carries the three
dragons that hatched in her husbands funeral pyre, a fire she entered and
emerged from unharmed. Many of her people have fled or died, and those
who remain are near collapse when they come across an abandoned city.
Even Ser Jorah Mormont, an exile from Westeros who serves as her advisor
and confidante, does not recognize the city, but they decide to camp there.
Daenerys sends out three scouts to see if any other civilizations can be
found nearby. Two of the scouts find nothing. Eventually the third scout
returns in the company of three people from the great city of Qarth, who
have come to see Daenerys and her dragons.

Summary: Jon
North of the Wall, Jon and the party from the Nights Watch pass several
abandoned wildling villages. The people seem to have vanished, though
there are no signs of attack. The Old Bear decides to continue pressing
northward, where they will meet up with another party of men from the
Nights Watch to see if they can figure out what has happened.

Summary: Arya

Yoren leads the party to a vast lake known as the Gods Eye, where they
hope to find boats to sail to Harrenhal. They reach an abandoned town, but it
has no boats. The group camps in the town's holdfast, basically a small fort,
for the night. They are awakened by the arrival of a Lannister raiding party
under the command of Ser Armory Lorch. Yoren refuses to let the party enter
the holdfast, so Lorchs men attack. Arya and the others fight back, killing
several, but the Lannister forces breach the walls and begin burning the
holdfast. Yoren tells Arya to take as many boys as she can through a trap
door in the barn, where they can hide. Arya brings the crying girl they found
earlier in the abandoned village, and Lommy, Hot Pie, and Gendry also
make it into the hiding place. Before diving through the trap door, Arya frees
Jaqen Hghar and the other two prisoners.

Summary: Tyrion

Cersei furiously demands that Stanniss letters about Joffreys incestuous


parentage be burned, but Tyrion points out that everyone has heard the
story by now and that Stanniss apparent religious conversion can be used
against him. Littlefinger proposes that they spread a rumor that the real
father of Stanniss daughter is Patches, the fool. Tyrion and his squire,
Podrick Payne, meet with the citys blacksmiths. Tyrion asks them to build a
vast iron chain but doesn't tell them why. Tyrion goes to a brothel run by a
woman named Chataya. There, a prostitute named Alayaya leads him into a
closet, where he descends a ladder to a secret tunnel where Varys awaits.
They travel through the tunnel and emerge in a stable so that Tyrion can
take a horse to the house where he is hiding Shae. He asks whether Varys
told Stannis about Joffreys parentage. Varys denies it and hints that
Littlefinger may have spread the story.

Summary: Bran

At Winterfell, Bran hosts many northern lords and ladies loyal to the Starks.
Bran has Hodor, a huge mentally disabled stableboy, carry him down to the
courtyard to watch young men who are practicing fighting. The Frey boys
mock Hodor, angering Bran, but Maester Luwin intervenes. Luwin chastises
Bran for neglecting his duties with their adult guests.

Bran joins Luwin and Ser Rodrik Cassel, Winterfells master of arms, in the
great hall to hear requests from the lords and ladies. Lady Donella
Hornwood, whose husband and son died fighting the Lannisters, tells them
that Ramsay Bolton, the bastard son of Lord Roose Bolton, and his sinister
companion Reek are massing men at the Dreadfort near Hornwood lands.
Rodrik advises her to marry again, and Luwin points out what a dangerous
situation she is in. Bran proposes letting Ramsay Bolton become the heir,
but to no effect. Bran has Hodor take him to the godswood, where they find
Osha, a wildling servant of Winterfell, swimming. Osha asks Bran about his
wolf dreams, but he lies and says that he has not had any others.

The next day, several more lords visit and propose themselves as suitors to
Lady Hornwood. Rodrik, Luwin, and Bran discuss what should be done.
They do not see an easy solution, though Luwin wonders if Brans idea
about letting Ramsay Bolton become the heir might be best. Another visitor
brings word of Stanniss letter and the incestuous affair between Cersei and
Jaime Lannister. This news shocks Bran into remembering that he did not
fall from Winterfells walls, but was pushed by Jaime.

Summary: Tyrion
Tyrion asks Grand Maester Pycelle to send two copies of a letter to Doran
Martell, the Prince of Dorne. While Pycelle is out of the room, Tyrion steals a
potion. Pycelle tries to find out the contents of the letters, but Tyrion tells him
nothing. Tyrion meets with Bronn, his trusted sellsword. Bronn describes the
royal subjects waiting to ask favors of Tyrion, revealing a worsening situation
in the city as a result of food shortages. Tyrion encounters Cersei, who
complains about the inadequacy of the defensive preparations in Kings
Landing and tells him again to have Tywin bring his army to the city. Tyrion
refuses, reflecting on how Stannis and Renly could combine forces to take
the city.

In his chambers, Tyrion meets with Littlefinger. Tyrion wants Littlefinger to go


to Lysa Arryn, Catelyn Starks sister, and betroth Myrcella, Cerseis daughter,
to Lysas son in exchange for Lysas help against Stannis and Renly. In
return, Tyrion will make Littlefinger the Lord of Harrenhal. Littlefinger
accepts. Tyrion meets with Varys to explain that he means to offer a seat on
the royal council to Doran Martell for his allegiance and will back up his
promise by sending Tommen, Cerseis youngest son, to live with the
Martells. Tyrion tells Varys to keep this plan a secret from Cersei.

Summary: Sansa

Sansa has received an unsigned note telling her to go to the godswood at


night if she wants to go home. She fears it may be a trap but decides to go.
She finds Dontos, the knight whose life she convinced Joffrey to spare,
waiting for her. To pay her back for saving him, Dontos promises to be a true
knight and vows to send her home. Returning to her room, Sansa runs into
the Hound, Sandor Clegane, who is Joffreys chief bodyguard. The Hound
disbelieves her tale of going to the godswood to pray. On the way to her
room, they encounter Ser Boros Blount, a member of the Kingsguard, who
tells them that a small riot occurred outside the castle. The Hound tells
Sansa, whom he calls a little bird, that one day he will make her sing him a
song.

Summary: Arya

Arya, Gendry, Lommy (who is wounded), Hot Pie, and the orphan girl, now
known as Weasel, travel north. From a tree, Arya spies a fishing village that
seems to be inhabited. Lommy suggests that they yield to whoever is there,
but Gendry decides that he and Arya will scout first. As the two of them walk
through the forest, Gendry reveals that he knows that Arya is a girl, and she
tells him her real identity. They split up when they get to the village. Gendry
gets captured. Arya goes back to camp and convinces Hot Pie to help her
rescue Gendry. As they approach the village, however, Hot Pie yields to a
soldier and Gregor Clegane, the Hound's brother and a fearsome Lannister
raider, takes him and Arya prisoner. They make Arya and Hot Pie lead them
to their camp, where they kill Lommy. Weasel has escaped into the woods.

Summary: Tyrion

Tyrion goes to a cellar where royal pyromancers have stored jars of wildfire,
a flammable liquid that is near impossible to extinguish once lit. Tyrion
orders 10,000 jars produced. He then meets with Jacelyn and Cleos Frey,
who offers Robb Starks peace terms. Tyrion plans to reply with peace terms
of his own, granting Robb enough to keep the Starks from attacking while
the Lannister forces grow stronger. He finds Cersei in his chambers. Cersei
is furious about Tyrions plan to send Myrcella to Doran Martell. Tyrion tells
her that Myrcella would be safer there, and he reassures her that Tywins
decision to hold the bulk of his forces at Harrenhal is a good one, since
Robb cannot attack there and the more time passes the weaker Robbs
army becomes. He gives her Robbs peace terms, offering them as proof
that this strategy is working. Tyrion also reflects that he now knows which of
the three royal councilors is an informer for Cersei.
Summary: Bran

Bran hosts the lords of the north at a grand feast. Luwin and Rodrik tell him
that he has done a good job as the lord of Winterfell. Bran recalls how much
has changed since the last feast in the great hall, when King Robert came to
ask Eddard Stark to become the Hand of the King. Meera and Jojen Reed
a teenage girl and her younger brother from the swamplands of the Neck
arrive and swear their allegiance to Winterfell. Their father, Howland Reed,
once saved Eddard Starks life. That night, Bran dreams that he is his
direwolf Summer. Meera and Jojen approach him and Shaggydog in the
godswood. Meera is afraid, but Jojen is confident that he will not die. Jojen
also says that Shaggydog is wild and scared, but that Summer is more
powerful than he knows. When Jojen pets Summer, Brans dream changes
and he feels himself falling.

Summary: Catelyn

Catelyn and a guard march south toward Renly. Although Catelyn wanted to
stay with her father in Riverrun, but Robb sent her as his emissary.
Unbeknownst to Catelyn, Robb wants Edmure to hold Riverrun while he
takes his forces to the field. Catelyn's party eventually reaches Renlys
enormous camp. A tournament is under way that Renly watches with his new
bride, Margaery, daughter of the powerful southern lord Mace Tyrell. Catelyn
sees an unknown knight defeat Ser Loras Tyrell, the famed Knight of
Flowers. This victorious knight is a woman, Brienne of Tarth. As a prize for
her victory, Brienne asks to become a member of Renlys Rainbow Guard.
Renly greets Catelyn and provides her with large and luxurious living
quarters for her stay. Catelyn reflects on how young Renly and his men
seem.

Renly and Catelyn walk out together. Renly tells Catelyn that Eddard could
have taken the throne but was too concerned about doing his duty to Robert
to seize power. Renly shows Catelyn his army, which vastly outnumbers
Robbs, and suggests that Robb should bow to him. A messenger tells them
that Stannis has laid siege to Renlys forces at Storms End.

Summary: Jon

Jon and the men of the Nights Watch arrive at Crasters Keep, a crumbling
homestead inhabited by a savage old man named Craster and his numerous
daughters, who are also his wives. One of the young women, who is
pregnant, asks Jon to take her with them, but he refuses. If her child is a
boy, Craster will give it to the cold gods, and Jon realizes she means the
undead Others. The Old Bear learns from Craster that Mance Rayder, a
wildling who has declared himself the King-beyond-the-Wall, has been
gathering people in the remote mountains to the north and means to invade
the Seven Kingdoms. The Old Bear says that since the armies of the Seven
Kingdoms are busy fighting one another, the Nights Watch will have to find
Mance and destroy him.

Summary: Theon

While looking over his new longship at the docks, Theon flirts with a
beautiful, witty woman. She says that she is Esgred, the shipwrights wife.
Esgred agrees to return with Theon to the castle. On the way, Theon notices
that the people of Pyke finally seem to be acknowledging him, bowing as
they pass. Theon brags that he will inherit the Iron Islands and that his sister,
Asha, poses no threat to him, since she is ugly and mannish. When they
reach the castle, the servants greet Esgred as Lady Asha. She tells Theon
that she wanted to learn what he was like before she revealed herself as his
sister. Theon is furious and humiliated. At a feast that night, Asha
embarrasses him further by demonstrating her skill with an axe, and she
warns Theon that men will not follow him because he has gone soft.
Balon calls Theon and Asha into a council with his advisers. Theon offers
ideas, but Balon dismisses him. Balon orders Theon to take a small group
and raid the coastal villages, while Asha and Victarion, Balons brother, lead
larger forces on a direct assault on the north, where they will take Robbs
kingdom.

Summary: Tyrion

Tyrion tells Cersei that Stannis and Renly are preparing to battle one another
at Storms End. Tyrion sneaks a potion into Cerseis cup of wine before they
toast their good fortune. At the royal court the next day, with Cersei sick in
her chambers, Tyrion tells Ser Cleos Frey to return to Robb with Eddards
bones and new, obviously unacceptable peace terms. Tyrion orders Vylarr,
the captain of the Lannister household guards that have been protecting
Cersei, to take his men and accompany Cleos. Ser Alliser Thorne of the
Nights Watch arrives and tells the court about the encounter with the
undead Others at the Wall. Everyone laughs at Allisers story and Tyrion
appears dismissive, but he does give Alliser permission to take prisoners
from the dungeons to staff the Wall.

Tyrion announces that Myrcella is to marry Doran Martells youngest son.


Littlefinger asks him what is to come of his mission to get Lysa Arryn to
marry @her son to Myrcella, and Tyrion reveals that it was a ruse, to
Littlefingers irritation. Varys points out that Cersei will not consent to sending
away her guard, but Tyrion says that it is part of a plan to sneak men into
Riverrun who will free Jaime. That night, Tyrion and Shagga, one of his wild
mercenaries, break into Pycelles chambers. Tyrion confronts Pycelle about
being an informer for Cersei. Pycelle acknowledges it and admits that he
poisoned Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King prior to Eddard Stark, because
Arryn knew about Joffreys parentage. Tyrion imprisons Pycelle.

Summary: Arya
Held captive by Gregor Clegane and his Lannister raiding party, Arya sees
other prisoners interrogated, tortured, and killed. Clegane is especially
interested in information about Beric Dondarrion and his guerilla army, but
no one knows anything. Arya learns the names of her captors and every
night, along with the names of her other enemies, repeats them to herself so
she doesn't forget them. Gregor takes them to Harrenhal, where they must
work for Twyin Lannister and his forces. Arya, now known as Weasel, goes
to work in the kitchens of the supposedly haunted castle.

Summary: Daenerys

Daenerys and her people arrive at the magnificent city of Qarth. Daenerys
stays in the luxurious house of Xaro Xhoan Daxos, a wealthy merchant.
Jorah goes to the docks and returns to Daenerys with a ship captain who
tells her that Robert Baratheon has died and that the Seven Kingdoms are in
chaos. Daenerys announces her plans to use her dragons to retake her
familys throne.

Summary: Bran

Jojen and Meera Reed stay on at Winterfell after the other lords and ladies
depart. Ramsay Bolton has forced Lady Hornwood to marry him. Lord
Manderly has seized Lady Hornwoods castle and claims to be protecting it,
so Rodrik has gone to sort matters out. The Reeds tell Bran that he should
not stay at Winterfell. Jojen claims to have greensight, the ability to see
future events in dreams. Bran appeared to him as a chained and winged
wolf whom Jojen and Meera must free. Jojen believes Bran has special
abilities, if only he would use them. He says that Bran and Summer are
intertwined, but Bran gets angry and Summer tries to attack Jojen before
Hodor shoos the wolf away. Luwin says that greensight used to exist, but he
doubts that it still does, as the magic that may have once been in the world
has disappeared. Meera tells Bran about another dream of Jojens, this one
involving the Freys. Bran does not understand the dream, but Meera says he
eventually will. Bran begins to think Luwin might be right.

Summary: Tyrion

Ser Lancel Lannister, a cousin of Tyrion and Cersei who serves as Cerseis
special assistant, comes to Tyrion and says that Cersei demands the release
of Pycelle. Tyrion rebuffs him, pointing out that Lancel is Cerseis lover and
that Lancels role in Roberts death could incriminate him. Lancel agrees to
spy on Cersei in exchange for Tyrions silence. Tyrion secretly goes to visit
Shae.

Summary: Arya

Arya cleans and run errands for Weese at Harrenhal. She hears a great deal
of gossip about the activities of lords and ladies and the progress of the war.
A group of Tywins sellswords known as the Brave Companions comes to the
castle. Arya learns that Robb has his forces nearby at Riverrun. Ser Amory
Lorch and his men arrive, with Jaqen Hghar and the other two prisoners
Arya freed in their company. Jaqen comes to Arya at night and says that he
will take any three lives Arya requests, as repayment for the three lives Arya
saved. Arya later overhears Chiswyck, one of Gregor Cleganes men,
bragging about a gang rape. She says his name to Jaqen, and three days
later Chiswyck dies in a fall from the castle walls. People say that the ghost
of Harrenhal has killed him, and Arya thinks that she is the ghost.

Summary: Catelyn

Catelyn meets with Renly and Stannis at Storms End, hoping to prevent
them from fighting one another, but neither appears willing to compromise.
Stannis tells Catelyn about Joffreys incestuous parentage. Catelyn suspects
he might be correct. Renly and Stannis argue, and preparations begin for
battle the next day. Catelyn goes to a nearby sept to pray.
Summary: Sansa

The Hound takes Sansa to Joffrey and his men. Lancel tells her that Robb
used an army of wargs (people able to enter the minds of animals and
control them) to destroy and eat Stafford Lannisters army near Casterly
Rock. Joffrey orders his men to beat Sansa as punishment. Dontos beats
her with a soft melon, but Joffreys knights pull him away and attack her. The
Hound tells them to stop, but Joffrey insists they continue, and they strip
Sansa. Tyrion arrives with his sellswords and furiously demands that they
release Sansa. He threatens to have Joffreys men killed.

Sansa is taken to the Hands tower. There, Tyrion tells her about Robbs
crushing victory, which resulted in the death of Stafford Lannister, and says
that the stories about Robbs supernatural powers are just rumors spread by
men embarrassed of how easily they were defeated. He does say, however,
that Robbs ability to sneak his army past the Lannister outposts is
mysterious. Tyrion offers her his men as her guard, but she tells him that
they scare her and that she wants to go back to her own room. Tyrion
escorts her.

Summary: Catelyn

Catelyn prays in a sept near Renlys camp. She realizes that Eddard must
have known about Joffreys incestuous parentage and that Bran must have
discovered something about it as well. Catelyn brings her realization to
Renly and asks him to stop the battle and call a great council with Robb and
Stannis so they can uncover the truth. Renly refuses. As he prepares for
battle in his tent, a shadow suddenly flits through and kills him. Renlys
advisors burst in, and thinking Brienne the murderer, attack her. As she
fights them off, Catelyn tells them that Stannis killed Renly using dark magic,
and Catelyn and Brienne flee.
Summary: Jon

The men camp at an ancient hill fort called the Fist of the First Men. Ghost
refuses to enter the ringed fortifications. Jon follows Ghost into the forest,
where the direwolf digs up a bag of knives and spear points made of
dragonglass. They are wrapped in the cloak of a ranger of the Nights Watch.

Summary: Bran

Luwin tells Bran and the Freys about Robbs victory over Stafford Lannister.
The Freys uncle died of wounds sustained in the battle, but the boys do not
seem upset. Bran realizes that Jojens dream has come true. Bran asks
Jojen to tell him more about his dreams, and Jojen tells him that he dreamed
that the sea came and drowned Winterfell. Bran tells Jojen about his own
dreams, and Jojen tells Bran that he is a warg. Rodrik returns to Winterfell
with the captured Reek, Ramsay Boltons comrade. After marrying Lady
Hornwood, Ramsay starved her to death. Rodriks men killed Ramsay, and
Rodrik wants to kill Reek but needs him alive as a witness to Ramsays
crimes. Rodrik fears that there will be a civil war in the north. Jojen tells Bran
that he dreamed of the man called Reek skinning the faces off Bran and
Rickon, and of Bran and Rickon in the Winterfell crypts.

Summary: Tyrion

Varys tells the royal council about Renlys death and that there are so many
rumors about what happened that the truth cannot be determined. Varys
informs them that most of Renlys forces have joined with Stannis, although
the powerful Tyrell faction did not. Tyrion proposes that they betroth Joffrey
to Margaery Tyrell, Renlys widow, and thus secure the allegiance of the
Tyrells. Littlefinger will go to the Tyrells to make the arrangements. Cersei
acts sweetly to Tyrion and thanks him for all he has done, which makes him
suspicious.
Summary: Theon

Theon and his men raid and destroy a coastal village. One of the men they
defeated tells Theon that Robb will kill him for his treachery. Theon sees
some of his men fighting over plunder, so he kills one as a demonstration of
his authority. Theon tells one of his best captains, Dagmer Cleftjaw, that he
is changing their plans and wants Dagmer involved in a potentially
devastating sneak attack on the inland castles. Dagmer is to lay siege to
Torrhens Square, which Theon says will draw Rodrik and his men out of
Winterfell in defense. Theon implies that he will take Winterfell.

Summary: Arya

Tywin Lannister prepares to march his forces out of Harrenhal, though he


will leave behind Amory Lorch and his men. Arya overhears numerous
rumors about Robb and his supposed supernatural abilities. Weese slaps
Arya, so she gives his name to Jaqen, though she regrets it when she sees
Tywin and his men leaving, as she realizes they are the people she should
have had Jaqen kill. She tries to find Jaqen to change her request, but she
discovers that Weese has already been killed, his throat torn out by his own
dog.

Summary: Catelyn

Catelyn and Brienne arrive at an encampment of Robb's and Edmures


forces near Riverrun. She learns of Robbs victory over Stafford Lannister
and that Tywin is bringing his armies toward them. The men in the camp
reveal that Robb got his men around the Lannister outposts by following a
trail that Grey Wind, his direwolf, found. Brienne wants to return to Storms
End and kill Stannis, but Catelyn convinces her to stay. Brienne pledges her
loyalty to Catelyn, provided that Catelyn not hold her back if she has the
opportunity to kill Stannis. At Riverrun, Edmure tells Catelyn about Tyrions
plot to use the false envoys traveling with Cleos Frey to free Jaime
Lannister. They broke Jaime out, but Edmures men recaptured him and he
is now in the dungeon.

Catelyn tries to get Edmure to avoid fighting Tywin near Riverrun, but he tells
her that he has a plan for their defense, one that involves Roose Bolton and
his men. Bolton is to retake Harrenhal now that Tywin has left it, which will
pin Tywins army between Riverrun and Harrenhal. Catelyn is skeptical but
Edmure insists the plan will work. Catelyn learns that Tyrion has returned
Eddards bones to her, and she orders them to be sent on to Winterfell to be
buried in the crypts.

Summary: Daenerys

Daenerys tries to bribe the Pureborn, the high civic council of Qarth, to help
her invade Westeros, but they refuse. She asks Xaros to supply her with
ships, but he tells her to give up her foolish dream and pleads with her to
marry him. A sorceress tells Daenerys that she and her dragons are bringing
magic back into the world and that Daenerys should go to Asshai to find
what she seeks. Jorah urges her to leave the city and tells her that if she
hopes to take back the Iron Throne, she needs to find a way to win over
some of the lords of Westeros.

Summary: Tyrion

Tyrion sees off Myrcella, who is to be taken to Braavos for her safety before
being brought to the Martells in Dorne. As they return to the castle, a crowd
taunts Tyrion, Cersei, Joffrey, Sansa, and other members of the royal court.
Joffrey sends the Hound to pacify the crowd, but the taunts quickly turn to
violence, and chaos erupts. Under attack, the party fights its way back to the
castle but not all make it. Tyrion berates Joffrey for inciting the violence and
orders the Kingsguard to go back out in the city to find Sansa. As fire breaks
out and spreads through the city, the Hound rides in carrying Sansa. That
night they learn that the the mobs killed the High Septon and gang raped
Lady Tandas daughter. Jacelyn Bywater warns Tyrion that the people have
started resenting and hating the Lannisters, Tyrion most of all. Bronn
mentions to Tyrion how much better things would be if Tommen were king
rather than Joffrey, but Tyrion angrily refuses to think about that possibility.

Summary: Davos

Davos attends a parley between Stannis and Ser Cortnay Penrose, who still
holds out inside Storms End. Stannis demands that Cortnay surrender and
turn over Edric Storm, Roberts bastard. Cortnay accuses Stanniss council
of being turncoats, refuses Stanniss demands, and proposes the standoff be
settled by single combat instead. Stannis dismisses Cortnays offer and the
parley ends. Davos tells Stannis that many of the men who now follow him
are not trustworthy, as they were Renlys men only days before, a point
Stannis appears to concede. Stannis tells Davos that he was having a
nightmare when Renly was killed, and that he mourns his brothers death.
Davos advises Stannis to leave Storms End and attack Kings Landing, but
Stannis refuses, saying it would make him look weak.

Stannis tells Davos that Melisandre has foreseen that Cortnay's death, but
Davos disputes her ability to see the future, saying the events she foresaw
only occurred because Stannis acted on her predictions. Stannis orders
Davos to sneak Melisandre into Storms End that night. Davos does as he is
told, but as he ferries Melisandre to the castle he accuses her of treachery
and the murder of Cressen and Renly. She tells Davos that she is good
because she serves the Lord of Light. Davos sails them into a cave under
the castle. Melisandre takes off her red cloak, and Davos sees that she is
pregnant. Melisandre squats and gives birth to a shadow, a figure that
Davos, horrified, recognizes. The shadow quickly disappears into the castle.
Summary: Jon

Qhorin Halfhand, a revered commander of the Nights Watch who serves in


the garrison at the Shadow Tower, arrives at the Fist with his forces. Qhorin
tells the Old Bear that he has learned that Mance Rayder has a vast army
gathering in the Frostfangs. Qhorin says that Mance seeks some sort of
sorcery or secret in the mountains, a magic power that will allow the
wildlings to pass through or under the Wall and invade the Seven Kingdoms.
Qhorrin chooses Jon to accompany him on a scouting mission into the
mountains.

Summary: Tyrion

Cersei sends Tommen, her youngest son, out of the city for protection, but
Tyrion sends Jacelyn and his men to intercept the party and hold Tommen at
Rosby castle. Tyrion goes to the brothel, which has a secret entrance he
uses to visit Shae, but he does not take his usual precautions to make sure
he is not seen. At Shaes, Varys comes to Tyrion and tells him that Cortnay
Penrose is dead and Stannis has taken Storms End, which means Stannis
can now march on Kings Landing. To protect Shae, Tyrion and Varys decide
to bring her into the castle to serve as handmaiden to Lady Tanda's
daughter. Varys tells Tyrion that he suspects Cortnay was killed by magic,
though Tyrion is skeptical.

Summary: Catelyn

As Edmure goes out to fight the Lannister armies, Catelyn reflects that
songs about the glorious conquests of knights lead people to romanticize
war. Catelyn learns about the death of Cortnay and realizes that Stannis
intends to put Edric Storm forward as proof that Joffrey is not Roberts son.
Catelyn and Brienne watch as some of the Lannister men attack the river
fortifications and are driven back. As more attacks are beat back, Catelyn
begins to think she was mistaken about the wisdom of Edmures plans and
that Edmure, like Robb, is not the little boy she once knew.

Cleos Frey tells Catelyn that he saw Sansa at court but not Arya. Catelyn
wonders if Tyrion might be more trustworthy than she thought, but she
recalls Littlefingers claim that Tyrions dagger was used in the attempted
murder of Bran, and she angrily dismisses the idea. A letter from Edmure
reveals that they have repulsed all of the Lannister forces and that the
Lannisters are now heading away from Riverrun. Catelyn consults a map
and sees that Tywin marches in the direction of Kings Landing. She reflects
that they have won many battles but she cannot shake her fear.

Summary: Bran

In his sleep, Bran inhabits Summer, who can hear and smell intruders at
Winterfell but is penned up along with Shaggydog and cannot defend the
castle. Bran awakes and realizes that Jojen is right, that he is a warg. Most
of the men from Winterfell have gone to defend Torrhens Square from
Dagmer Cleftjaw. A man breaks down Brans door. Theon walks in and tells
Bran that he has taken Winterfell. Jojens dream has come truethe men
from the sea have overwhelmed Winterfell. To protect his people, Bran yields
Winterfell to Theon, who announces that his father claims the north by right
of conquest. Reek swears fealty to Theon in exchange for his freedom. Osha
also offers her allegiance if Theon will make her a fighter again. Theon
grants both requests.

Summary: Arya

The Brave Companions bring a group of Roose Boltons men from the north
to Harrenhal as captives. Arya tells Gendry that they need to kill the guards,
free the northmen, and escape, but Gendry refuses. Arya hones her agility
and her sword skills using a wooden sword she made from a broom. Jaqen
comes to her, revealing that he knows her true identity. She asks for his help
in her plan, but he reminds her that he only owes her one more death. She
tells him the final name: Jaqen Hghar. He falters, and offers to help her free
the captives if she will unsay his name. Jaqen tells Arya to prepare hot broth
in the kitchen. The other prisoners Arya freed alongside Jaqen come and
have her help them carrying the cauldrons of steaming broth to the cells.
They attack the guards, throwing the hot broth in their faces and cutting
them down. Jaqen wipes his bloody sword on Aryas shirt.

With the northmen free, Arya releases Jaqen from his debt. Jaqen tells her
that his time is done. He passes his hand over his face and his appearance
changes entirely. He tells Arya that if she wants to learn how he did that, she
needs to come with him across the narrow sea. Arya says she has to go to
Winterfell. Jaqen gives her a strange coin and tells her that if she needs to
find him again, she should give the coin to any man from Braavos and say
the words valar morghulis. Jaqen disappears. Roose Bolton arrives at
Harrenhal to take command of it and his men. Roose makes Arya, who says
her name is Nan, his personal page.

Summary: Daenerys

Daenerys goes to the warlock Pyat Pree at the House of the Undying Ones,
the mysterious ruined building where warlocks live. Pree tells her to enter
alone and to always take the door to the right. Inside, Daenerys passes
through a bizarre series of rooms that contain a mix of sights from her past
and macabre spectacles. Daenerys winds up in a room full of warlocks, who
surround her and show her terrible visions. Her dragon Drogon drives them
back with breath of fire, and she bursts out of the house. Outside, Pyat Pree
attacks Daenerys with a knife, but Jorah and Daenerys's men subdue the
warlock.

Summary: Tyrion
Tyrion sends his clansmen to harass Stanniss army. Preparations continue
in Kings Landing for the imminent battle. Tyrion has the buildings
surrounding the city walls burned down so that Stanniss men cannot use
them to climb the walls. Tyrion thinks that he should be happy about Theons
conquest of Winterfell since it will make Robb march north, but he dislikes
the idea of Winterfell controlled by someone other than the Starks. The
pyromancers inform him that the magic needed to make wildfire has grown
strong, which has allowed them to make more than they anticipated. Jacelyn
returns to Kings Landing and tells Tyrion that the plan to capture and protect
Tommen has succeeded.

Summary: Theon

Theon discovers that Bran, Rickon, Jojen, Meera, Hodor, Osha, and the
direwolves escaped Winterfell in the night. Theon tries to get the people of
Winterfell to tell him where they went, but no one will. Theon takes Reek,
Luwin, the Freys, several other men, and the castle hounds to search for the
escapees. The trail, first of footprints and then of scent, leads into the
wolfswood. Luwin asks Theon to be merciful when he finds them. Theon
agrees, but then wonders if that makes him look weak.

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Summary: Jon

Jon and Stonesnake, a ranger of the Nights Watch, ascend a mountain


toward a small wildling camp. They sneak up on three wildlings and kill two
of them. The third, a woman named Ygritte, yields, and Jon spares her over
Stonesnakes objections. Ygritte tells them that thousands of wildlings have
gathered in the Frostfangs, but she will not say why. Ygritte tells them the
story of a former King-Beyond-The-Wall, Bael the Bard. She says the current
Starks are descended from Bael. Jon is unsure what to make of the story. In
the morning, Qhorin and the rest of the men arrive, and Qhorin tells Jon that
he must kill Ygritte. Qhorin leads the rest of the men away as Jon prepares
to slay her, but at the last minute he lets her go.

Summary: Sansa

Dontos tells Sansa that plans are underway for her escape. After, Sansa
runs into the Hound, who berates her for her romantic notions about knights.
The next morning, Sansa discovers that she has gotten her period. Terrified
that Joffrey can now bed her, she tries destroying her sheets, but the
servants discover what happened. Sansa meets with Cersei, who tells her
that she has entered into womanhood, which is messy and full of pain, and
that love is a poison.

Summary: Jon

Qhorin tells Jon that Mance Rayder was once a great ranger of the Nights
Watch, and that the wildlings should not be underestimated. Qhorin knows
that Jon spared Ygritte. In a dream that night, Jon is a direwolf and sees the
mass of people Mance has gathered. An eagle attacks him in the dream,
and he wakes and tells what he saw. The men suspect that Jon is a warg.
The party moves on and notices an eagle that seems to be watching them.
They discover Ghost nearby, recovering from an eagle attack. Qhorin says
they have been spotted and orders them to retreat. Squire Dalbridge, one of
the men, stays behind to defend a pass. They hear a wildling horn in the
distance.

Summary: Tyrion

Tyrion receives news from the north that Theon killed Bran and Rickon
Stark. Tyrion tells Cersei that Joffrey needs to be seen during the coming
battle with Stannis, though she wants to keep him safe inside the castle.
Cersei tells Tyrion that she has Shae and that she suspects he wants to kill
Joffrey and Tommen, which he denies. Cersei brings her captive in.
Unbeknownst to her, the captive is not Shae, but a prostitute from the
brothel. Tyrion plays along and warns Cersei that he will get revenge on her.
Tyrion returns to his room, where Shae is waiting.

Summary: Catelyn

Catelyn tells Brienne that Theon killed Bran and Rickon and mounted their
heads on the Winterfell walls. Rodrik is marching on Winterfell to reclaim it.
Catelyn says that Robb will avenge his brothers, but that Sansa and Arya
are unprotected. Catelyn confronts Jaime Lannister. Jaime tells her that he
will answer her questions truthfully if she does the same for him. Jaime
admits that he is Joffreys father and that he pushed Bran from the window,
but he denies having anything to do with the attempted assassination of
Bran with Tyrions dagger. Catelyn realizes he is telling the truth and that
Littlefinger must have deceived her. Catelyn gives Jaime the updates on the
war that he asks for, and Jaime tells her the brutal way that Aerys Targaryen,
the king he killed, murdered Eddards father and brother. Jaime taunts
Catelyn about Jon Snow, Eddards bastard, and Catelyn calls for Briennes
sword.

Summary: Theon

Theon has nightmares about killing Bran and Rickon. The people of
Winterfell hate him, and several of his men die in mysterious circumstances.
Asha arrives with twenty men, far fewer than Theon needs to hold the castle
against Rodrik. Asha mocks Theon for killing children. Theon says the boys
defied him, but inside he is tormented. Asha leaves with half her force. Reek
offers to go raise as many men as he can to defend the castle, and Theon
accepts, though he distrusts Reek. That night, he dreams of the dead and of
Robb and Grey Wind coming for him. When he wakes, he realizes that he
does not belong at Winterfell. Theon looks at the heads on the wall. He
reflects that once they were tarred, no one could tell that they were not
actually Bran and Rickon, but the millers sons.

Summary: Sansa

Joffrey makes Sansa kiss his new sword before he goes out to watch the
battle. The noblewomen of the city gather in the sept at the castle. Sansa
sees Ser Ilyn Payne, the executioner, standing with her fathers sword.
Cersei tells her that Ilyn is there to protect them from treason and that
Cerseis own guards may turn on them. Sansa says that true knights would
never harm women, and Cersei tells her to wait for some to show up.

Summary: Davos

Davos sails his ship into the bay at Kings Landing and up the river, where
they will launch their attack. He is skeptical of the strategy that Stanniss
captains have decided to employ. Davos sees the winch towers for a giant
underwater chain at the mouth of the river leading into the city. He realizes
that the Lannisters mean to let Stanniss ships enter the river, then close it
off behind them, but he isn't sure what their strategy is and cannot
understand why the Lannisters best ships are not present. The battle
ensues. It is chaos as ships ram each other, arrows fly, and catapults fire
stones down from the castle. The Lannisters launch wildfire onto the ships,
which take fire. It looks to Davos like Stanniss men are winning until one of
Stanniss ships rams an unmanned Lannister ship full of jars of wildfire. The
resulting explosion and fire sweep across the ships, and Davos notices with
horror that the chain has been raised, trapping the boats. The entire river is
ablaze.

Summary: Tyrion

Tyrion watches from the castle as the wildfire burns through the Lannister
and enemy ships. Some of Stanniss men make it across the river to Kings
Landing and fighting begins on land. Joffrey goes to the catapults, where
they have rigged up traitors to fling at Stanniss men. Tyrion tells Ser
Osmund Kettleblack, a member of the Kingsguard, to keep Joffrey safe.
Tyrion rushes to the Kings Gate, which Stanniss men are trying to breach
with a battering ram. He orders the Hound to take some men and attack
them. The Hound refuses, afraid of the fire. Tyrion resolves to lead the sortie
himself and convinces the other men to join him.

Summary: Sansa

The women wait in the Queens Ballroom as the battle rages outside. Cersei
tells Sansa that they will all be raped and possibly tortured and killed if
Stanniss men reach them before Stannis himself can arrive to impose order.
Low-born people from the city ask for sanctuary, but Cersei has her men
drive them off. Cersei orders Joffrey brought back into the castle, in spite of
Tyrions orders. Cersei tells Sansa that the real reason Ilyn is there is to kill
them before Stannis can get his hands on them.

Summary: Tyrion

Tyrion and his men attack Stanniss force. They charge while everything
burns around them, and Tyrion feels the battle fever that Jaime described to
him. As they fight, the Lannister forces begin to cheer for Tyrion. The boats
in the river are so closely packed that Stanniss men are able march across
them to the shore. Tyrion and his men move in, but Tyrion gets thrown from
his horse. Tyrion loses track of what's happening and it seems that Stanniss
men are fighting two battles. Ser Mandon Moore, a member of the
Kingsguard, moves as though he's going to help Tyrion but then slices him
across the face. Tyrion realizes Mandon means to kill him. Then he sees
Mandon disappear into the river and hears the voice of Podrick Payne, his
squire, comforting him.
Summary: Sansa

Lancel tells Cersei that when the men saw Joffrey returning to the castle,
they lost heart. No one can figure out what is happening, as it looks like
Stanniss forces are fighting the Lannisters and each other. Cersei orders
Joffrey brought inside despite Lancels objections. She storms out. Sansa
comforts the wounded Lancel and some of the other women. Sansa returns
to her chambers and finds the Hound waiting for her. He tells her his life
there is over and says he could take her with him and protect her. The
Hound puts his knife to Sansas throat and demands that she sing. She
sings and gently strokes his face, finding it covered with tears. The Hound
leaves, discarding his Kingsguard cloak. Dontos arrives and tells her that the
city has been saved, that Tywin Lannister and Mace Tyrell and a huge army
arrived to crush Stannis from the rear. Dontos claims that Renly's ghost led
the army.

Summary: Daenerys

Daenerys realizes she must leave Qarth. She tells Jorah about the things
she saw in the House of the Undying Ones. They go to the docks to hire a
ship, but none of the captains will take them. Jorah notices a fat man and an
old man following them and worries they are assassins. A man approaches
Daenerys and offers her a jewel box as a present, but it contains a
poisonous manticore. The old man knocks it away with his staff, saving
Daeneryss life. He tells her that he is Arstan and that the fat man is Belwas
and that they work for Magister Illyrio, the wealthy merchant who once
protected Daenerys and her brother. Arstan tells Daenerys that Westeros
needs her. They hire three ships, which Daenerys names after her dragons.

Summary: Arya
Arya serves Roose Bolton in Harrenhal, but Rooses men are even worse
than the Lannister men. Arya overhears that Bran and Rickon are dead, and
she wonders if she still has a home. Roose tells Arya that he will turn the
castle over to Vargo Hoat of the Brave Companions and that she will stay on
with Vargo. Arya goes to the godswood to pray, where she hears a lone wolf
howl and her fathers voice. It tells her that she has the wolf blood in her and
is Arya of Winterfell, a daughter of the North.

Arya convinces Gendry and Hot Pie to escape. She steals a map from
Roose, intimidates a stableboy into preparing three horses, and has Gendry
bring swords from the smithy. When they see a guard, Arya tells Gendry and
Hot Pie to wait while she deals with him. She approaches the guard and tells
him that she is to give him a silver piece on Rooses orders for his service.
Arya drops the coin Jaqen gave her. When the guard bends down to pick it
up, she cuts his throat. Arya picks up the coin and flees with the boys.

Summary: Sansa

The lords and ladies of Kings Landing gather in the throne room. Tywin is
named Savior of the City and made the Hand of the King, to govern until
Joffrey is old enough. Several of Renlys knights pledge allegiance to Joffrey.
Ser Garlan Tyrell asks Joffrey if he will marry Margaery. Joffrey pretends to
be committed to Sansa, but Cersei and the High Septon say that his vow to
marry her no longer holds, so he agrees to marry Margaery, uniting the
Lannisters with the powerful Tyrell family. Sansa tries not to look happy, as
Cersei instructed. She is to stay at court as a ward of the Lannisters.

Littlefinger, who arranged the alliance with the Tyrells, becomes Lord
Paramount of the Trident with his seat at Harrenhal. Many of Stanniss men
pledge allegiance to Joffrey, but some yell about Joffreys incestuous
parentage. Joffrey angrily demands they be killed and cuts himself on the
Iron Throne. He cries out for Cersei to take care of him. That night, Dontos
warns Sansa that the Lannisters will never let her go and that Joffrey may try
to rape her. He says the plan is set to sneak her out of the city on the night
of Joffreys upcoming wedding. Dontos gives Sansa stones from Asshai and
tells her they are magical. They will be her vengeance and her way home.

Summary: Theon

Luwin tells Theon that he must yield Winterfell to Rodrik, whose forces
greatly outnumber his. Theon has only seventeen men, and several of them
no longer trust him. Rodrik calls for a parley. He notes that Theon cannot
defend the castle against so many men, and that Robb will soon arrive.
Theon says that his uncles forces at Moat Cailin will block Robb. Just in
case, he has Rodriks daughter and will kill her and the other civilians in
Winterfell unless Rodrik puts down his sword.

Theon returns to the castle, where he realizes that Rodrik will attack and
defeat him. Luwin tells him there is a way outhe can join the Nights
Watch. Just as Theon warms to the idea, he and Luwin are called out to see
that Reek has returned with his men and routed Rodriks forces. Rodrik and
the other leaders are killed. Theon admits the victors into the castle. The
man known as Reek reveals himself to be Ramsay Bolton. Ramsay knocks
Theon to the ground and his men sack and burn Winterfell.

Summary: Tyrion

Tyrion lies in a bed in the castle, recovering from his wounds. He dreams of
all the men who died as a result of his battle, of a great victory feast, and his
first love. He wakes and gets the maester attending him to remove his
bandages. Tyrion suspects that Cersei ordered Mandon to kill him during the
battle. He learns from the maester that Tywin and the Tyrells saved the city.
He asks for Podrick, his page. Tyrion tells Podrick to find a more trustworthy
maester to attend him and to locate Bronn. Podrick tells him that he drowned
Mandon. Tyrion tells Podrick to say nothing to anyone.
Summary: Jon

Qhorin sends some men to ride to the Old Bear while he, Jon, and
Stonesnake go another way to draw off the wildlings. Qhorin sends
Stonesnake across the mountains alone, to tell the Old Bear what Jon saw
in his dream and that the old powers are waking up. He orders Jon to
pretend to join the wildlings, but actually to spy on them. Jon does not want
to, but he agrees. Later, wildlings surround them and Jon yields. Ygritte is
with them, and she speaks on Jons behalf. To prove that that it is not a trick,
they order Jon to kill Qhorin. Jon and Qhorin battle. Ghost attacks Qhorin,
and Qhorin seems to deliberately let his guard down, which enables Jon to
kill him. Jon realizes that Qhorin must have sacrificed himself. The wildlings
accept Jon, and Ygritte tells him that Mance has marched on the Wall.

Summary: Bran

Bran, through Summer's eyes, sees Winterfell burning. Meera calls Bran
back to his human body. They are in a place of total darkness. Bran asks
how long he was in Summer, and Jojen tells him it was three days and
cautions him about staying in the wolf for so long. Bran now has the power
to enter Summer whenever he wants. Bran says they must go see Winterfell,
and Osha lights a match. They are in the Stark family crypts beneath the
castle. Something blocks the door leading out, but Hodor forces it open.
Winterfell is just as Bran saw, burned and empty. Summer and Shaggydog
trot up to them. They search the castle and realize that Theon was overrun.
Summer leads them to the godswood, where they find Luwin, severely
wounded.

Luwin tells them about the hostilities all over the north and says that Osha
must separate Bran and Rickon for their safety. Luwin asks Osha to put him
out of his misery, which she does after sending the boys away from the
godswood. They find some supplies in the kitchens, and Osha takes Rickon
and Shaggydog one way, while Bran, Hodor, Jojen, Meera, and Summer go
another. Bran asks whether they will go to the Reeds home, but Jojen says
that their way is north. As they leave, Bran looks back at Winterfell and
realizes that, like him, it is damaged but not destroyed.

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