Chapter Summaries

Aemon cared for Slaax and discussed plans with Corlys to build the Free Trade City-State of Valhal while helping his children confront their dragons and ambitions. As he set out to choose a site, a letter from Myr reported that Volantis and Norvos had allied against Qohor, bringing the region to the brink of conflict.

• Aemon tended to Silverwing's hatchling Slaax, which had survived on Dragon Silk Root and was already growing quickly.
• Corlys warned Aemon about the dangers of building at Dorne's Arm, and Aemon planned to name the city-state Valhal.
• Aemon agreed that Stormcloud should stay at First Flame Peak until Little Aegon was older, while he encouraged Gaemon to pursue a dragon on his own.
• Aemon redeemed a Little Mole and a Blue Crystal Necklace from his Magic Essence Panel before joining Corlys to search for a city site.
• Grey Worm received a letter from Myr reporting that Volantis and Norvos were intercepting Qohor's merchant caravans and nearing open conflict.

Aemon found a coal mine beneath First Flame Peak and planned to use it to support the new city-state and prepare for a coming winter. Laena revealed she was pregnant and returned to River Valley Town, while Aemon’s party reached Qohor, where he spotted organized Dothraki raiders pursuing a merchant caravan and followed them into the forest.

• Little Mole dug up a coal mine beneath First Flame Peak, and Aemon arranged for impoverished residents from Myr to mine it while warning Grey Worm not to disturb the dragon there.
• Laena told Aemon she was pregnant and said she would return to River Valley Town; Aemon recognized that her pregnancy meant the prophecies about her fate could change.
• Aemon settled the travel party for Qohor, sending Laena and Daeron back while taking Rhaenyra, the twins, Gaemon, and Little Aegon; Aegon and Laenor stayed behind.
• Half a month later, Aemon and his family flew over Qohor Forest, where Jaehaerys struggled to keep Sunny Day flying alongside the larger dragons.
• Aemon spotted organized Dothraki raiders taking goods from a merchant caravan without killing anyone, then followed them deeper into Qohor Forest.

Aemon, Rhaenyra, and their children arrived at Daemon’s settlement near Qohor and found him living as a craftsman and protecting a Dothraki-run trade town. Daemon welcomed his family and gave his grandchildren gifts, including a magical Valyrian Steel bracer for Gaemon.

• Aemon arrived at a forest camp and found Li Sangzhuo directing Dothraki raiders; Little Aegon joyfully reunited with his maternal grandfather.
• Li Sangzhuo led Aemon and Rhaenyra to Daemon’s town near Qohor, where Dothraki ran a trade market under Daemon’s protection.
• Aemon found Daemon working in a stable and followed him to the family’s stone building, where Daemon greeted his children and grandchildren.
• Daemon gave Jaehaerys Fire Essence Ore, Baela a white-furred lemur, and Rhaenys a small Dothraki pony.
• Daemon gave Gaemon a magical Valyrian Steel bracer that increased the wearer’s arm strength, then gave Little Aegon a jeweled steel sword and Viserion a wooden one.
• Aemon recognized Daemon’s growing skill in carpentry and wondered at the family’s many crafts.

Daemon showed Aemon a dormant volcano at the center of a valuable volcanic range near Qohor, then explained why Qohor was difficult to attack. Aemon questioned Daemon about Caraxes, while Rhaenys and Jaehaerys cared for their blue chick until three dragons flew overhead and frightened it away.

• Daemon cleared brush to reveal a dormant volcano and explained that twenty-four nearby mountains formed a mineral-rich volcanic range.
• Daemon showed Aemon Fire Essence Ore and described how Qohor's alliances, rivers, and terrain made an invasion dangerous.
• Aemon asked whether Daemon had seen Caraxes, but Daemon grew gloomy and continued down the mountain without answering.
• Rhaenys and Jaehaerys tended to their rapidly growing blue chick and prepared its coop.
• Sunfyre, Dreamfyre, and Sheep Thief flew overhead, frightening the blue chick into fleeing, and Jaehaerys rushed after it.

Aemon sent Gold-Nosed Rat and Little Mole to investigate the Sleeping Volcano while the Targaryen family’s children gathered in Qohor and fought Aegon. The chapter ended with Aemon realizing Aemond had led the others there and that Gaemon had helped unite the children.

• Aemon sent Gold-Nosed Rat and Little Mole to assess the mineral deposits beneath the Sleeping Volcano, while he considered how to obtain Qohor’s smithing knowledge without helping Daemon seize the city.
• Jaehaerys, Aegon, Helena, Aemond, Gaemon, and the twins met in Qohor, where Aegon threatened Jaehaerys and grabbed the blue chick.
• Gaemon threw Aegon aside and reclaimed the chick, then Baela, Rhea, and Jaehaerys joined him in beating Aegon until Aemond alerted Rhaenyra.
• Aemon returned to find Aegon injured with three broken ribs and learned that the children had beaten him after he called Gaemon a bastard.
• Aemon questioned Aemond and learned he had led the others to Qohor; later, Aemon and Rhaenyra discussed the fight and the bond it had built among the children around Gaemon.

Morr Egnon La killed Qohor’s Hooded Priest, seized control of the city, and proposed an alliance with House Targaryen. Aemon approved of meeting Morr and later disguised himself as a Dothraki to enter Qohor, where he began exploring the city with several children.

• Morr killed the Hooded Priest after hearing his advice to avoid confronting Daemon and wait for the Targaryens to leave.
• Morr reorganized Qohor’s Unsullied and slave soldiers, purged merchants and craftsmen, and sent Daemon a letter proposing friendly relations and an alliance.
• Aemon praised Morr’s strategic judgment, and he and Rhaenyra discussed whether Qohor might become a vassal city-state instead of being conquered.
• Several days later, Aemon disguised himself as a Dothraki and entered Qohor despite Harrold Graffe’s warning to wait for the envoy.
• Aemon walked through Qohor with several children dressed as Dothraki and pointed out a dragon statue.

Aemon brought Aemond and the others to a Qohor smithy to have Aemond’s Valyrian Steel sword, Red Rain, reforged, while he investigated the smiths and their dragonstone carvings. In King’s Landing, Viserys learned that a delegation claiming to be from Qohor had arrived, as Aemon prepared to use rare objects to persuade Qohor’s craftsmen to join him.

• Baela spotted dragonstone carvings at a Qohor smithy, and Aemon recognized the material while observing the smith’s unusual techniques.
• Aemon asked the smith, Armo Bentz, whether he could reforge Valyrian Steel, and Aemond presented Red Rain for repair.
• Viserys and Alicent discussed the missing children and Aemon’s Giants before Ser Harrold reported that a Qohor delegation had arrived in King’s Landing.
• Aemon hired Almor to reforge Red Rain with several veteran smiths, who worked secretly while apprentice Ruben attended to the visitors.
• Aemon learned from Ruben that Almor had bought the old dragonstone carvings and then prepared Fire Essence Ore and a Bronze Bell to tempt Qohor’s craftsmen.

Aemon discovered that a rare ore beneath the Sleeping Volcano could strengthen dragons, then realized Caraxes was guarding the small deposit. While Aemon planned to return to Westeros, Daemon and Baelor reached a temporary peace, and Baelor began to tell him about King Oryon.

• Tax officer Baelor recognized Aemon as a possible associate of Daemon, but Aemon left Qohor without meeting him.
• Three days later, Baelor brought gifts to Daemon and sought peace while Aemon took the children fishing.
• Gold-Nosed Rat brought Aemon black-and-red ore, which he tested on Sunny Day and concluded could strengthen a dragon's scales or flesh.
• Gold-Nosed Rat indicated that only a small deposit lay beneath the Sleeping Volcano, and Aemon suspected Caraxes guarded it.
• Aemon decided to keep the ore secret and return to Westeros, while Daemon and Baelor agreed to a temporary peace.
• Baelor asked Daemon whether he had heard of King Oryon, who had recruited troops in Qohor after The Doom.

Aemon returned from Qohor, where the stubborn smiths refused to join him, and reported that war there was not currently an option. After escaping the Small Council for Dragonstone, he remained unaware that Baelor suspected he might be descended from the ancient Valyrian King Oryon.

• Aemon gave the Qohori smiths a piece of Fire Essence Ore, left them a Bronze Bell, and departed without recruiting them.
• Daeron tearfully welcomed Aemon back to King's Landing, and Aemon promised to take him to Dragonstone soon.
• Aemon told Viserys that Daemon had angered Norvos and Volantis, while Viserys explained that Qohor had sent a peace delegation and a shipload of cotton cloth.
• Aemon proposed charging nobles admission to see Giants working in the Reach, and Viserys approved the plan as a way to encourage farming and occupy the nobles.
• Viserys asked after Daemon, and Aemon left him a wooden dragon carving that Daemon had made.
• Aemon took his family to Dragonstone to avoid the Small Council, while Baelor wondered whether Aemon was connected to King Oryon through his family.

Aemon learned from Lang Wu why Qohor's smiths were wary of his recruitment offer and decided to approach them with greater respect. He also explored a peaceful way to bring Qohor under the Iron Throne, leaving Governor Morr's precarious position as a possible opening.

• Aemon watched Vermithor, Silverwing, and the hatchling Syrax circle Dragonmont while Ethan Lannister departed with Qohor's delegation.
• Aemon planted a Mushroom Tree seed at Dragonmont and asked Jaehaerys to water it.
• Lang Wu explained that Qohor's smiths descended from Valyrian slaves and carried bitterness toward the Dragon Kings who had enslaved their ancestors.
• Aemon accepted that he would need to treat the smiths with sincere respect if he wanted to recruit them.
• Aemon asked Lang Wu how Qohor might become dependent on the Iron Throne without a war, but Lang Wu could not offer a solution.
• Aemon hoped Governor Morr, threatened by Daemon and opposition in Qohor, might eventually submit to King Viserys.

Morr Aenys La learned that Baelor had encountered someone who looked exactly like King Oryon, then weighed Qohor’s dangers and its uncertain family legacy. On Dragonstone, Aemon watched Tessarion defeat Grey Shadow before learning that Morr had accepted the King’s invitation to visit King’s Landing.

• Baelor told Morr that a man resembling Prince Aemon looked identical to the portrait of King Oryon, prompting Morr to consider traveling to Westeros.
• Morr privately recalled his family’s account that King Oryon had been murdered in a mutiny and his dragon killed, though he suspected the story concealed important details.
• Morr worried that Baelor could not rule Qohor after his death and decided he still needed to deal with the Iron Throne.
• Tessarion fought Grey Shadow on Dragonstone’s East Coast, blasted it with dragonfire, and forced it to flee into the clouds.
• Archmaester Gladius brought Aemon a letter saying that Morr had accepted the King’s invitation to visit King’s Landing.

Aemon returned to King's Landing and joined the Small Council in deciding to use Morr's arrival to draw Qohor closer to the Iron Throne. He set out to intercept Morr in Pentos while Corlys prepared to attack Volantis's fleet, and Prince Reggio welcomed Aemon and Laenor on their arrival.

• Aemon learned that Morr was traveling to the Iron Throne after handing Qohor and its three thousand Unsullied to his nephew Baelor, while Norvos and Volantis mobilized to deter interference.
• Viserys rejected Bartimos's proposal to seize Morr, but Corlys and Aemon persuaded him to use Morr's visit and Qohor's internal troubles to pursue influence over Qohor.
• Aemon left Laena, who was pregnant, and departed with Laenor and Otto to intercept Morr on his route from Qohor to Pentos.
• Corlys planned to lead the Velaryon Fleet with Aegon and Aemond to attack Volantis's naval force near Dorne's Arm.
• Aemon landed in Pentos with Laenor, where Prince Reggio greeted him as Your Majesty and Otto objected to the form of address.

Aemon secured Pentos’s outward friendship and continued toward Qohor to meet its governor, Morr Aenys La. At the ruins of Gorthadot, he encountered Daemon’s agents and learned that Li Sangzhuo had brought Torrelo Hayne, positioning House Hayne to seek favor with the Iron Throne.

• Prince Reggio and the Pentoshi ministers toasted the Dragon King, and Aemon warned Reggio that the Iron Throne would receive Morr Aenys La while assuring him Pentos remained close to House Targaryen.
• Aemon and Laenor flew across the Velvet Hills toward Gorthadot to meet Morr before his journey to King's Landing could be disrupted.
• Li Sangzhuo told Aemon that Daemon had sent him to monitor the meeting and convey an apology to Viserys.
• Harrold pledged himself to Aemon, who welcomed the Dothraki warrior’s loyalty.
• Li Sangzhuo introduced Torrelo Hayne and explained that House Hayne could seek the Iron Throne’s protection and influence, while Aemon considered the proposal.

Aemon arranged for Torrelo to serve House Targaryen and considered Gorthadot’s potential as a future trade hub. On the road to Qohor, Morr encountered Aemon and his dragons, then excitedly claimed kinship with the prince.

• Aemon accepted Torrelo’s pledge and promised to find him a residence in King’s Landing, while Li Sangzhuo departed for Qohor.
• Aemon read about Gorthadot’s ruined past and considered building a new city nearby once the Targaryens had grown stronger.
• Morr traveled with Ser Eason through the hills west of Norvos and eagerly anticipated meeting King Viserys.
• Seasmoke appeared over the convoy, and Morr jumped from his carriage to watch the dragon fly and breathe fire.
• Aemon arrived on Vermithor with Laenor, whose attempt to intimidate Morr went awry when Morr excitedly ran toward the prince.
• Vermithor landed beside Morr, who shouted that he was Aemon’s cousin and begged the prince not to attack.

Corlys used Sunfyre and Sheep Thief to destroy the Volantene fleet, while Aemon returned to King's Landing with Morr. Viserys met Morr privately, where Morr claimed to be his cousin and the head of the Orion Family.

• Corlys led the Velaryon fleet into battle and used Sunfyre and Sheep Thief to burn the Volantene fleet before finishing it with fire arrows.
• The Small Council argued over whether to seize Qohor through Morr, while Viserys left without resolving the dispute.
• Aemon returned to King's Landing with Morr after gathering Torrelo and Harrold along the way.
• The Small Council debated Morr's status, and Aemon advised Viserys to meet him privately without believing whatever he said.
• Morr told Viserys that he was his cousin, Moll Orion, and said the Orion and Targaryen families had been close allies in Ancient Valyria.

Viserys confronted Morr over his claim of Orion descent, then learned Morr wanted to submit Qohor to the Iron Throne if Aemon governed it. Viserys rejected the condition and placed Morr under house arrest, while Aemon and Rhaenyra discussed how to use him to take Qohor later.

• Viserys became enraged when Morr claimed descent from the dragonlord King Oryon, and Ser Harrold stopped him from killing Morr because Morr had come under guest right.
• Morr offered Qohor to Viserys on the condition that Aemon personally govern it, but Viserys refused.
• Ser Harrold asked why Morr wanted Aemon specifically, and Morr said Aemon resembled King Oryon and was a powerful Dragonrider worthy of Qohor's allegiance.
• Viserys had Morr escorted back to the embassy under house arrest and forbade anyone from meeting with him.
• Aemon and Rhaenyra discussed Viserys's anger, and Aemon said they needed to keep Morr alive because his identity could help them take Qohor.

Aemon took his family to Dragonstone while Viserys and Corlys arranged to exchange Morr for Qohor’s acting lord, Baelor Aenyong Ra. At the King’s Landing tourney, Viserys presented three Giants as royal subjects and formed the Giant Legion.

• Jaehaerys showed Aemon and Rhaenyra Little Blue’s first egg and decided to hatch the remaining eggs into chicks.
• Aemon brought his children to Dragonstone, where Rhaenyra said Morr wanted to visit and Aemon warned that he would be turned away.
• Corlys persuaded Viserys to exchange Morr for his nephew, Baelor Aenyong Ra, and Viserys ordered Qohor to send him to King’s Landing.
• Aemond secretly followed Corlys to Viserys’s bedchamber and considered using Aegon to kill Morr.
• Viserys welcomed Giant Chestnut, Mag the Strong, and Little Mag at the tourney, accepted their allegiance, and established the Giant Legion in White Garden City.

Aemond and Aegon arranged to have Morr ambushed, but the old man defeated their hired attackers, turning their prank into a diplomatic problem. Viserys covered up the incident, sent his sons away, and ordered the captured accomplices imprisoned while awaiting Baelor’s arrival to take Morr away.

• Aemond persuaded Aegon to help teach Morr a lesson, and they hired Garwin and Geralt Dayne to ambush him.
• Morr caught Garwin and Geralt’s attack and knocked them both unconscious with a wooden serving tray.
• Ser Harrold restrained Morr and contained the incident, while Viserys learned that his sons had arranged the failed ambush.
• Viserys furiously scolded Aegon and Aemond, sent them back to their lands, and arranged for Morr to be escorted out of the city.
• Aemon told Viserys that a raven had been sent to summon Baelor, and Viserys ordered Garwin and Geralt thrown into the Red Keep Dungeon.

Aemon settled Torrelo Hayne’s family and Harrold in homes in King’s Landing, then learned that Morr’s son Sorrin had attacked Daemon’s town and suffered a devastating defeat. Viserys called for the Iron Throne to support Daemon and defeat Qohor.

• Aemon arranged a residence for Torrelo Hayne’s family, and Jaehaerys shyly showed Myrmadora Hayne around their new home.
• Aemon bought Harrold a house and assigned him to serve as Jaehaerys’s guard.
• Yilianda told Aemon that Qohor had launched a counterattack, and Tyland explained that Sorrin Aenon La had seized control and marched on Daemon’s town.
• Daemon ambushed Sorrin’s army with eight thousand Dothraki, killing twenty-three thousand slave soldiers, while the Unsullied suffered heavy losses protecting Sorrin’s escape.
• Viserys ordered the Iron Throne to support Daemon and defeat Qohor.

Viserys assigned the Iron Throne’s war duties, naming Aemon field commander and Corlys commander-in-chief. Aemon planned a route through Myr into the Golden Fields, then said farewell to pregnant Laena before preparing to leave for the campaign.

• Viserys appointed Aemon field commander and Corlys commander-in-chief, assigning Tyland, Bartimos, Thaddeus, Otto, Rhaenyra, and Johanna their wartime duties.
• Two days later, Aemon proposed gathering riders from the Vale, Crownlands, and Riverlands, then marching through Myr and the Velvet Hills into the Golden Fields.
• Corlys agreed to hold Myr, manage supplies, and contain pressure from Volantis while Aemon led the campaign east.
• Aemon told Laena he might be away until after their child was born, and she urged him to be careful and return soon.