Chapter Summaries

Aemon arranged supplies for Harrenhal, welcomed Giant Chestnut, and placed an ancient dragon egg in a magical incubator while planning to strengthen the dragons before winter. He avoided getting Laena pregnant and decided to visit Driftmark, while Syrax unexpectedly laid five dragon eggs in the Red Keep's Godswood.

• Aemon received Grey Worm's report that Harrenhal needed supplies and House Blackwood and House Bracken were feuding, then ordered supplies sent from Gulltown.
• Aemon reunited with Giant Chestnut in the Dragonpit and learned that the Giant had torn down Oldtown's gates to use them as a hammer.
• Aemon selected a dragon egg possibly descended from Meraxes and used a single-use incubator card to prepare it for hatching.
• Aemon considered saving essence to create another volcano and avoided intimacy with Laena because he feared her dying in childbirth; he decided to visit Driftmark for Rhaenys's Name Day.
• Rhaenyra entered Aemon's room, and Aemon pulled her close after Laena had left for Driftmark.
• Syrax dropped a mass of dragon dung in the Godswood, where two Dragonkeepers found five dragon eggs inside it.

Rhaenyra became pregnant, and Aemon discussed the coming Dornish envoys and his relationship with Corlys before traveling to Driftmark for Rhaenys’s Name Day. The chapter ended with Aemon arriving at High Tide Castle, where Rhaenys welcomed him.

• Rhaenyra told Aemon that a dream involving Laena might explain her pregnancy, and they joked that the baby would be a boy.
• Thaddeus warned Aemon that the approaching Dornish envoys could cause trouble in King's Landing, but Aemon sent him to consult Viserys instead.
• Aemon and Corlys agreed to travel to Driftmark for Rhaenys’s Name Day, and Corlys urged Aemon to have another child with Laena.
• Aemon privately asked Ser Steve to make preparations before the Dornish envoys arrived.
• Aemon rode Vermithor to Driftmark, where Baela and Rhea welcomed their father and Rhaenys embraced Aemon at High Tide Castle.

Aemon reunited with Rhaenys, Laenor, and his daughters on Driftmark before Corlys proposed a joint plan tied to the royal marriage alliance with Dorne. The chapter ended with Aemon accepting Corlys’s terms to conquer Volantis after defeating Dorne.

• Rhaenys welcomed Aemon to Driftmark and teased him about Laena’s gloomy mood.
• Aemon reunited with Baela and Rhea, then greeted Laenor, who told him the Sea Snake was returning for a family feast.
• Corlys warned Aemon that Dornish envoys would arrive on Rhaenys’s Name Day and that Stormlands nobles were considering assassinating them.
• Corlys said he supported Aemond’s betrothal to Alyssandra, arguing it could help the Iron Throne conquer Dorne with less bloodshed.
• Corlys proposed that he and Aemon conquer Volantis after defeating Dorne, with the city-state going to Aemon and its governorship going to Corlys.
• Aemon accepted Corlys’s arrangement, including a thirty percent port-tax reduction for the Velaryon Family in lands under Aemon’s rule.

Aemon hosted Rhaenys’s Name Day on Driftmark, welcomed Aemond and Helena, and advised Aemond on sustaining his domain and dragon. At the celebration, Bathimos Celtigar revealed that Corlys had recruited him as a Naval Advisor and proposed placing his son in the vacant Gold Cloaks deputy commander post.

• Aemon ordered more patrol ships through the Gullet after Corlys warned that Oberyn had secretly sought to trade for iron.
• Aemon read stories to Baela and Rhea, promised they could visit Dragonmont and River Valley Town after Rhaenys’s Name Day, and later reconciled with Laena.
• Aemon received guests on Driftmark as ships arrived for the celebration, and Aemond and Helena landed on Sheep Thief and Dreamfyre.
• Aemon advised Aemond to raise more livestock, pursue self-sufficiency, and treat the people under his rule with respect.
• Rhaenys welcomed Borros, who greeted Laenor as his future son-in-law and spoke angrily about his bedridden father, Boremund.
• Bathimos told Aemon that Corlys had invited him to serve as Naval Advisor and offered his eldest son for the vacant Gold Cloaks deputy commander post.

Aemon arranged political support for House Celtigar, discussed Corlys’s borrowing from the Iron Bank, and met Corlys’s young bastard sons, Adam and Alyn. Laena asked him to keep Corlys’s secret and proposed that Baela be raised on Driftmark so Laena could inherit it.

• Aemon assured Bartimos that Viserys would approve Clement Celtigar as a Gold Cloaks deputy commander, and Bartimos promised to ally with Corlys and watch for treason.
• Corlys told Aemon that he had borrowed five million Gold Dragons from the Iron Bank to expand the navy and secure Braavos’s neutrality.
• Aemon met Adam and Alyn at Hull, encouraged Adam to become a true knight, and let Marta take the boys away without reproach.
• Laena told Aemon she already knew about Corlys’s bastards and asked him to keep the matter from Rhaenys.
• Laena suggested leaving Baela on Driftmark with Rhaenys after Laenor and Cassandra married, so Laena could inherit Driftmark.

Aemon refused to give either Baela or Rhea to the Velaryons, but suggested that Laena have a son they could adopt. In King's Landing, Elia Martell arrived with a Dornish delegation, the court prepared to receive them, and Aegon's betrothal ceremony began as Aemon and his family arrived with a fleet and dragons.

• Aemon refused to adopt Baela out to the Velaryons and suggested that Laena bear a son who could be adopted instead.
• Elia Martell and the Dornish envoys arrived at the Red Keep, where Viserys assigned Aegon and Tyland to receive them and announced a tourney.
• Alicent worried over Aemond's impending marriage, while Helena said the Greenblood River would turn red.
• Rhaenys and Laena flew toward King's Landing with Aemon, their dragons, and a Velaryon fleet for the prince's engagement.
• At the betrothal ceremony, Earl Donald Tarly thanked Viserys for arranging Aegon's betrothal to his daughter.

At Aegon’s betrothal ceremony, Aemon promised the children a trip to Dragonstone and confronted Elayne Martell and Geralt Dayne after revealing their secret affair. He left Geralt humiliated, declaring him unworthy of Dawn.

• Viserys honored Donald Tarly and welcomed House Tarly’s pledge to defend the border against Dorne.
• Aemon and Laena arrived at Aegon’s betrothal ceremony, where Aemon reassured Viserys and Alicent that he would deal with the Dornish.
• Aemon learned that Rhaenyra had taken Viseryon and that Stormcloud had lost its appetite, so he promised to take the children to Dragonstone after the ceremony.
• Elayne Martell approached Aemon, who identified her secret relationship with Geralt Dayne and hinted that his spies had uncovered it.
• Elayne flirted with Aemon and discussed her views on partners, while Aemon criticized her treatment of Geralt.
• Aemon smashed Elayne’s cup, walked to Geralt, and told him he was unworthy of Dawn.

Aemon arranged for Laenor to accompany the children to Dragonstone and considered how to bring Oldtown under royal influence while preserving House Hightower. As he prepared to travel to Dragonstone, he focused on the Stepstones as a possible site for a major magical undertaking and then refused Elayne’s request to join his ship.

• Aemon caught Laenor speaking privately with a young servant, warned him to be more careful with his romantic affairs, and ordered him to accompany Baela and the others to Dragonstone.
• Aemon told Alicent that Aegon’s position at Hightower would help the royal family gradually control Oldtown, then discussed sending the young dragons Stormcloud, Blackfyre, and Tyraxes to Dragonmont.
• Aemon examined his Magic Essence Panel and considered using the Flame Hammer on the Stepstones to create a place for dragons.
• At Mud Gate, Aemon agreed to take Samantha Tarly and Cassandra to Dragonstone, while Aegon and his siblings headed toward the Dragonpit.
• Elayne asked Aemon for passage to Dragonstone, and he tactfully refused.

Elayne visited Dragonstone while Aemon took his children to see the young dragons and Tessarion. After Tessarion showed its dangerous temperament, Lady Laena invited Aemon and the children to lunch and a sunset trip to Driftmark.

• Elayne explored Stone Drum Tower while Aegon watched her under Aemon's orders.
• Aemon and the children visited the dragon nest, where they saw Arrax and learned that the wild dragon Fire Eater had disappeared from Dragonstone.
• The Dragonkeepers released Blackfyre, Stormcloud, and Tyraxes, and Aemon gained restless Fire Magic Power from touching Tyraxes without increasing his bloodline purity.
• Aemon brought the children to see Tessarion, which warned Daeron away before eating and settling down to sleep.
• A Dragonkeeper told Aemon that Lady Laena had invited him and the children to lunch and a boat trip to Driftmark.

Aemon took his family to Driftmark while Dornish nobles on Dragonstone plotted to steal dragons and eggs. At High Tide Castle, Laenor was left gravely wounded after his lover Cole Quarry attacked him, and the maester could not say whether he would survive.

• Aemon brought the children to Driftmark, while Dornish visitors secretly split into groups to seek a dragon and dragon eggs; Archmaester Gladius spotted their plot and went to alert the guards.
• Aemon arrived at Hull with his family, noticed Corlys conceal Adam from the others, and later joined Rhaenys's welcoming feast at Nine Voyages Hall.
• A Velaryon guard told Aemon that Laenor had been attacked, and Aemon rushed to High Tide Castle to find him unconscious and bleeding.
• Baela and Rhea told Aemon that Cole Quarry had stabbed Laenor; Aegon and Aemond intervened, and the patrol killed Cole Quarry.
• The maester said Laenor had avoided vital organs but had lost too much blood, leaving his survival uncertain.

After Laenor survived an attack, a suicide note exposed Corlys's bastard sons and brought his secret before Rhaenys. Rhaenys agreed the boys should be legitimized but left Driftmark on Meleys after learning that Laena and others had hidden the truth from her.

• Aemon arranged blood-restoring food and medicine for the unconscious Laenor while Corlys ordered Driftmark searched for Cole Quarry's accomplices.
• Ilik told Aemon that a note found in Cole Quarry's brothel revealed Corlys had bastard sons, and that Rhaenys had heard the report.
• Rhaenys confronted Marta and her sons, then dismissed them and demanded an explanation from Corlys.
• Rhaenys said Adam and Alyn were innocent and agreed they should take Corlys's surname, while asking him to answer for his actions.
• Laena and Aemon entered, and Rhaenys realized they had all known about the secret; she left the hall and flew from Driftmark on Meleys.
• Corlys, humiliated and furious, overturned a precious trophy in Nine Voyages Hall.

After Laenor's attack and the revelation of Corlys's bastard, Aemon investigated the family crisis and left Driftmark for Dragonstone after receiving urgent news. On Dragonstone, Ulrick tried to tame the wild dragon Urrax, was burned to death, and Aemon's ship arrived as the Dornish plot was contained.

• Corlys ordered Vaemond to investigate who had exposed Marta and her child, then suspected Aemon before reconsidering.
• Aemon comforted Laena, learned from Ser Arryk that something had happened at Dragonmont, and ordered Aegon and the others aboard his ship.
• Aemon discussed Dorne's hardship and resistance with Elayne while fishing aboard the royal ship.
• Dorn suggested stealing dragon eggs, then abandoned Ulrick and fled toward the docks while Ulrick led three youths to search for a dragon.
• Ulrick tried to command Urrax in faulty High Valyrian, and the young dragon burned him to death before Dragonkeepers captured the fleeing youths.
• Archmaester Gladius learned that the Dornish women had caused no trouble and that Aemon's ship had docked.

Aemon returned to Dragonstone and punished Dornish nobles who had tried to steal dragons and dragon eggs, while confining Elayne and Miss Elia. He visited Elayne that evening to question her about Sunspear, and she offered information in exchange for her release.

• Aemon arrived at Dragonstone to find Dornish guards' heads on spears and Dorn Vance's corpse hanging from the gatehouse, then rejected Miss Elia's offer to explain.
• Archmaester Gladius brought out the captured Dornish youths and girls, and Elayne learned they had plotted to steal dragons and dragon eggs.
• Aemon executed Ya—, identified by Miss Elia as the daughter of Lord Barun Toland, and ordered the other captives taken away for execution.
• Aemon confined Miss Elia in the sept and left Anan Darlin to tend to Elayne, while Archmaester Gladius sent a raven to King's Landing.
• Aemon visited Elayne in her attic room, and she offered to help him in exchange for her release, claiming she knew many things.

After Dornish envoys were caught trying to steal dragons on Dragonstone, Viserys detained Olifer and Geralt, while reports of Dornish forces gathering at Prince’s Pass threatened the Reach. Aemon revealed that he had engineered the crisis to pressure Qoren Martell, then released Geralt with Elayne’s letter urging the marriage alliance to proceed.

• Olifer pressed Viserys to hold Aemond and Alyssandra’s betrothal ceremony soon, and Viserys agreed to hold it in King’s Landing after Aemond’s twelfth Name Day.
• Ser Steve reported that Dornish envoys had tried to steal dragons and eggs on Dragonstone, so the Kingsguard arrested Olifer and Geralt.
• A raven reported suspected Dornish forces at Prince’s Pass, and Viserys ordered Donald back to guard the Reach and summoned Aegon to return with him.
• Aemon returned to King’s Landing, questioned Olifer, and gave Geralt Elayne’s letter before arranging Geralt’s release to carry it to Qoren Martell.
• Aemon revealed that he had detained Olifer and provoked the Fowler Family into gathering troops to pressure Qoren into preserving the marriage alliance.

Viserys and Aemon discussed Dorne’s dragon theft, the imprisoned hostages, and the strain on their marriage alliance. In Sunspear, Qoren faced divided nobles and learned Lord Vance intended to attack the Stepstones, while he decided not to secretly support him.

• Viserys questioned Aemon about Dorne, Ser Laenor, and the kingdom’s worsening political situation, while Aemon assured him Qoren would not rashly break the betrothal.
• Viserys ordered Aegon brought back from a brothel in Flea Bottom and considered strengthening patrols of the Gullet, but Aemon avoided being tied down.
• Qoren held council in Sunspear as House Ironwood sought Olifer’s ransom and Lord Vance demanded an explanation for his son’s death and opposed the marriage alliance.
• Geralt relayed Lord Dayne’s advice to continue the alliance and ransom Olifer and Elia, and Qoren agreed to send gold and silver for the hostages.
• Lord Vance left Sunspear and declared he would attack the Stepstones, prompting Qoren to consider the possible benefits before deciding against secretly supporting House Vance.

Rhaenys agreed to help Aemon establish a Dragonrider Legion, while he visited the Dragon Nest and discovered a strange shriveled vine. The chapter left Aemon pleased by House Vance’s attack on the Stepstones, which he saw as an opportunity to advance his plans.

• At the Small Council, Grand Maester Orwyle reported that Jon Vance had hired Ironborn and Volantis mercenaries to attack Stepstones patrols, and Viserys ordered Lord Corlys to drive them off.
• At Runestone, Aemon spoke with Rhaenys about forming a Dragonrider Legion, and she agreed to serve as its honorary commander and write to Viserys and Laenor.
• Lady Rhea sent Aemon off with a six-tier food box of roasted lamb, and he left Runestone for River Valley Town.
• At the Dragon Nest, Aemon found a shriveled vine on the Bronze Godwood’s second branch and had the Gold-Nosed Rat hold it.
• Aemon learned that the Sun Disk was still gathering power and welcomed the news of House Vance’s attack on the Stepstones.

After Lord Vance seized the Stepstones and declared himself king, Viserys vowed to reclaim the islands without going to war with Dorne. Aemon arrived with a plan to confront the occupiers, who prepared to hide in caves, while he studied the islands and readied a mysterious hammer.

• Earl Cameron ordered the Stepstones garrisons to consolidate, but Lord Vance's fleet destroyed the Velaryon patrol and captured Bloodstone Island after overwhelming its defenders.
• Corlys demanded military action against Lord Vance, while Viserys promised to retake the Stepstones but refused to begin a war with Dorne; Rhaenyra reported that Aemon had sent Gulltown's navy as reinforcements.
• Aemon arrived at the council chamber and announced that Aemond and Helena would accompany him to the Stepstones, then told Rhaenyra to remain in King's Landing.
• Lord Vance ordered his forces to hide in the Stepstones' caves, sent Ironborn to raid the Stormlands, and dispatched men to recruit mercenaries in Volantis.
• Aemon studied a detailed map of the Stepstones beside Vermithor and revealed a flame-carved black hammer, planning to use it against the islands' hidden forces.

Aemon and his allies rescued the Stepstones hostages with a swift dragon-backed assault, while Corlys took revenge on the defenders at Grey Gallows. In King's Landing, Viserys considered Aemon's proposal to form a Dragonrider Legion, tempted by the promise that Aemon would train the royal children.

• Aemon told Corlys to focus on rescuing the hostages, claiming his dream had revealed that a dead volcano beneath the Stepstones had awakened.
• Aemond attacked the Ironborn besieging Greenstone Keep with Sheep Thief, killing their Greyjoy commander and driving them into retreat.
• Myr sailors rescued the hostages on Bloodstone Island while Vermithor, Silverwing, and Grey Shadow destroyed Dorne defenses; Corlys and Helena captured Grey Gallows and withdrew after Corlys ordered brutal reprisals.
• Viserys presented Aemon's Dragonrider Legion proposal to the Small Council, naming Rhaenys honorary commander and Aemon deputy commander, with Laenor, Aegon, Aemond, and Helena as initial members.
• Otto objected that Aemon already held too much power, while Viserys said Aemon had promised to train the royal children as true Dragonriders; Rhaenyra quietly considered her father's likely decision.

Qoren sent a coalition fleet toward the Stepstones, while Aemon prepared a mysterious plan on Bloodstone Island. As the Iron Islands ships approached, Aemon launched a Flame Hammer charged with 10,000 points of Magic Essence, and it struck the island.

• Qoren ordered Dorne to recruit more mercenaries and join forces with the Iron Islands, Volantis, and Tyroshi Mercenaries to seize the Stepstones.
• Aemon studied the Stepstones on a sand table as news arrived that Qoren's fleet was approaching, then marked a location on Bloodstone Island.
• Aemon had the Myr and Velaryon fleets lift their encirclement of Bloodstone Island, while Vermithor circled the island above Lord Vance and the Dornish defenders.
• Qoren saw Silverwing and Grey Shadow playing in the clouds and ordered his own ship to wait while the Iron Islands and mercenary ships went ahead.
• As the Iron Islands fleet neared Bloodstone Island, Aemon flew Vermithor upward and sent a Flame Hammer charged with 10,000 points of Magic Essence hurtling toward the ground.
• Lord Vance recognized the flaming object as a hammer just before it struck the island with a tremendous blast.

Aemon’s use of the Flame Hammer shattered Bloodstone Island and raised a volcanic landmass, restoring much of Dorne’s Arm and unleashing a tsunami across the Stepstones. Three days later, he explored the new territory, named its volcanic peak First Flame Peak, and planted the withered vine there.

• Bloodstone Island broke apart as magma and colossal waves destroyed the Ironborn fleet, including Jekaron Greyjoy’s ship.
• Aemon and the dragons fled the rising volcanic mountain while the Stepstones’ islands collided and fused into new land.
• Qoren escaped the upheaval near Broken Arm, but a giant red-shelled crab struck him unconscious.
• Viserys noticed the ground trembling in King’s Landing and realized an earthquake had begun.
• Three days later, Aemon and his companions landed on the restored Dorne’s Arm and found a narrow strait separating it from Broken Arm.
• Aemon named the volcanic mountain First Flame Peak and planted the withered vine at its foot.