Chapter Summaries

Aemon hosted the River Valley Town tourney, recruited three champions into the Rune Iron Guard, and assigned them military commands. The festivities ended with urgent news that Daemon had been gravely wounded in the Stepstones, while Rhaenys had gone to find Meleys.

• Rhaenys attended the River Valley Town tourney, where Rhaenyra arrived with Aemon and Viserys on their dragons.
• Aemon presented Rune Armor and invited the tourney’s top finishers to swear into his Rune Iron Guard; Viserys assigned Ser Steve to protect Rhaenyra.
• Lady Rhea confronted Viserys about Daemon and demanded that he let her divorce him, but he refused.
• Kohn Corbray won the tourney, and he, Robb Rivers, and Adrian Redfort swore fealty to Aemon and joined the Rune Iron Guard.
• Aemon appointed Adrian to command River Valley Town’s garrison, Kohn to command the Vale Knights, and Robb to form a Second Sons company.
• Laena told Aemon that Daemon had been gravely wounded in the Stepstones and had fallen unconscious, and that Rhaenys had gone to find Meleys.

Otto tried to turn Alicent against Rhaenyra and spread rumors that Aemon and Daemon had rebelled, while Aemon prepared to secure control of the Vale. The chapter ended with Aemon confronting Jenny in The Eyrie and insisting that he would rule the Vale.

• Otto asked Mellos to summon Viserys and urged Alicent to consider Aegon as heir instead of Rhaenyra.
• After Rhaenys and Laena left for the Stepstones and Viserys sent the children back to King's Landing, Aemon decided to move quickly to claim the Vale.
• At the Small Council, Rhaenyra offered to go to the Stepstones, but Viserys refused; she later met Mysaria, who told her Otto's rumor accused Aemon and Daemon of rebellion.
• Jenny returned to The Eyrie and resolved to resist Aemon's expansion into the Vale.
• Aemon secretly entered Jenny's bathhouse, spoke of Argella Durrandon's fate, and declared that he would rule the Vale.

Aemon secured Jenny’s agreement to marry him and unite their banners, but Vale nobles rebelled against his rule. As their forces advanced toward Arryn Valley, the Bronze Godwood produced five mysterious wheat seeds, and Aemon prepared to confront the rebels.

• Aemon raised his Three-Part Banner over The Eyrie, and Jenny agreed that they would marry while House Arryn kept its lands and castles and the Vale’s banners were united.
• Viserys learned that the Vale nobles were planning a rebellion, and he considered sending Rhaenyra to Dragonstone to establish a royal fleet.
• At the Bronze Godwood, Aemon received five wheat seeds from the Bronze Bird and gave them to Johanna to plant.
• Maester Munkun reported that the rebels had entered Arryn Valley and split their forces toward the Blood Gate and River Valley Town.
• Aemon said he would burn the rebels who came to River Valley Town and plant wheat in the ashes.

Aemon used Vermithor to destroy the Vale rebel army and force the remaining lords to submit at the Blood Gate. At The Eyrie, Jenny named him the Vale’s ruler, and the lords acclaimed him King of the Vale.

• Aemon ignored Viserys’s call to avoid war and gave House Belmore and House Lynderly an ultimatum to withdraw their army or face dragonfire.
• Earl Belmore fled with horses and provisions, while Aemon and Vermithor burned the remaining rebel force and Vale cavalry pursued the survivors.
• At the Blood Gate, Aemon forced Earl Orion, Earl Hunter, and the other rebel lords to kneel and submit.
• Aemon flew to The Eyrie, where Jenny dismissed the lords’ complaints and reminded them that she had been treated as an orphaned widow.
• Jenny declared Aemon the Vale’s new ruler and regent, and Aemon took the Weirwood throne as the lords acclaimed him King of the Vale.

Aemon consolidated his rule over the Vale, laid out plans for trade and a navy, and announced that he intended to marry Jansiff. In Moon Gate Keep, he refused Otto’s demand to surrender and said he would obey the Iron Throne’s commands, not a subordinate’s summons.

• Aemon planned to expand the Second Sons, Johanna’s intelligence network, maritime trade, and the Vale fleet using ships and assets taken from House Shett and House Graffson.
• Aemon asked Jansiff to marry him, and she eagerly agreed to join his family.
• At a Small Council meeting, Viserys learned that Aemon had proclaimed himself King of the Vale and that Lady Jeyne had publicly declared their betrothal; Viserys sent Otto to confront him, with Rhaenyra accompanying the mission.
• Alicent warned Otto against reckless actions as he prepared to travel to the Vale with Cole, Kingsguard, and fifty soldiers.
• At Moon Gate Keep, Otto ordered Aemon to disband his forces, renounce the betrothal, and answer for his actions in King’s Landing.
• Aemon refused to surrender, argued that he remained loyal to the Iron Throne, and told Otto he would obey its commands rather than a subordinate’s summons.

Aemon captured Otto after Vermithor frightened the royal guards, killed Vili when he intervened, and began sending letters to manage the consequences. That night, a crimson dragon attacked Tyrosh as the city stood poised to triumph over Corlys in the Stepstones.

• Aemon drew Lady Forlorn and confronted Otto, while Vermithor emerged and forced the Royal Guard to lower their swords.
• Aemon ordered Otto seized, and Luo Bo slapped him before Vili attacked; Aemon killed Vili and had Otto gagged and taken away.
• Aemon returned to Moon Gate Keep and wrote letters to his uncle, Rhaenyra, and Alicent to explain his actions and secure their support.
• Aemon ordered Otto held in the dungeon with scarce food and water, then told Jenny that Rhaenyra and Alicent would help prevent serious consequences.
• A crimson dragon flew over Tyrosh at night and rained dragonfire on the harbor.

Viserys faced mounting crises as Aemon occupied the Vale and the Sea Snake captured Tyrosh with help from Lord Boremund and three dragons. The Small Council chose to avoid declaring war for now, while Viserys ordered letters to Boremund and Aemon.

• At Prince Aemond’s Name Day banquet, Hobert Hightower urged Viserys to use force against Aemon, but Viserys rebuked him for having no way to withstand dragons.
• Tyland announced that the Sea Snake had captured Tyrosh with Lord Boremund’s help, while Ser Laenor abandoned the Stepstones after the Velaryon fleet suffered heavy losses.
• Tyland explained that the Sea Snake had concealed Ser Vaemond’s grave injury and that Princess Rhaenys and Lady Laena had helped take Tyrosh with Meleys and Vhagar.
• Viserys learned that Daemon had vanished and ordered Rhaenyra to expand her royal fleet and recruit more soldiers, but refused to summon the bannermen.
• Viserys ordered a letter to Duke Boremund demanding an explanation and another letter urging Aemon to return to King's Landing.

Laenor agreed to betrothal with Cassandra Baratheon, while the Sea Snake’s capture of Tyrosh intensified fears of war. Aemon received news of the alliance and returned to King's Landing aboard Vermithor and Silverwing, determined to clear his name.

• Laenor met Duke Boremund at Storm's End and agreed to marry Cassandra Baratheon when she came of age, promising to give her a child.
• News of the Velaryon-Baratheon marriage alliance and the Sea Snake's occupation of Tyrosh spread across the Seven Kingdoms as Rhaenyra worked to build a Royal Fleet.
• Aemon returned to River Valley Town, where Johanna gave him Laena's letter about Tyrosh, Laenor's betrothal, and warnings to avoid the Stepstones and King's Landing.
• Johanna told Aemon that Black Rose had begun gathering intelligence, and Aemon received a letter from his uncle urging him to return to King's Landing.
• Aemon flew Vermithor and Silverwing into King's Landing and announced that the city would clear his name.

Aemon returned to King's Landing and negotiated with Viserys over the Vale, Otto, and his place in the royal court. Viserys recognized Aemon as Prince of the Vale and arranged his betrothal to Rhaenyra, while Aemon remained in King's Landing with his own plans.

• Aemon reunited with Rhaenyra, who questioned him about Jenny and refused to give him one of Syrax's eggs.
• Viserys confronted Aemon about Otto, and Aemon promised Otto would not suffer while explaining why he had taken him prisoner.
• At the Small Council, Viserys named Aemon and his descendants Warden of the East and Prince of the Vale, granting the Vale broad autonomy under the Iron Throne.
• The Small Council discussed the Sea Snake's growing power and marriage alliance with House Baratheon.
• Viserys announced that Aemon and Rhaenyra would formalize their betrothal in two days, and Aemon agreed to remain in King's Landing and assist him.

Rhaenyra asked Aemon to help her secure a place on the Small Council for Mysaria, and he agreed to consider it. Meanwhile, Viserys asked Lyonel how to give Aemon a council position or otherwise keep his growing power in check, but Lyonel warned against making him Regent.

• Rhaenyra visited Syrax at the Dragonpit with Aemon and gave him an earnest account of her hopes for the dragon's eggs.
• Aemon gave Rhaenyra a magical golden wheat sprout to plant on Dragonstone, and she secretly decided to call it Yellow Jade Wheat.
• Rhaenyra asked Aemon to help Mysaria become Master of Whisperers so she could attend Small Council meetings, and Aemon promised to raise the matter without guaranteeing success.
• Viserys asked Lyonel what Small Council position he could give Aemon, but Lyonel explained that the council was full and its important seats were unsuitable.
• Viserys proposed making Aemon Regent, but Lyonel objected that the office was meant for a young king or a succession, not a king in his prime.

Larys pursued the vacant Master of Whisperers position while trying to regain Alicent’s trust, and Aemon weighed whether he should accept a seat on the Small Council. After the council rejected his proposal, Aemon reflected on Hand Lyonel’s loyalty and the dangers of court politics as an unseen visitor approached.

• Larys learned that Aemon and Rhaenyra had discussed the Master of Whisperers position and decided to maneuver for the role himself.
• Viserys discussed Aemon’s engagement ceremony and a possible Small Council appointment while Aemon and Rhaenyra attended the meeting.
• Larys told Alicent that Otto was suffering in the Vale, but Alicent doubted his claims and dismissed him.
• The Small Council rejected Aemon and Rhaenyra’s proposal to reinstate the Master of Whisperers, and Viserys scolded them over the candidate.
• Aemon considered Lyonel’s loyalty and the court’s rival factions, then heard footsteps approaching behind him.

Aemon maneuvered Larys into seeking the master of intelligence position and planned to set him against Mysaria, while the royal engagement was postponed and Aemon took Alicent’s children to see the dragons. News that the Sea Snake had become Tyroshi Archon brought the Stepstones crisis before Viserys, as envoys from Braavos, Pentos, and the Three Daughters Kingdom arrived.

• Aemon agreed to recommend Larys as master of intelligence in exchange for silencing opposition to his plans.
• Aemon told Rhaenyra about Larys and suggested using White Worm Xiao Mei against him, while the engagement ceremony was delayed until Dragonstone so Lady Rhea could attend.
• Aemon took Aegon, Aemond, and Helena to the Dragonpit, where Aegon and Aemond received dragon eggs and Aemond asked for a future flight on Vermithor.
• A Kingsguard summoned Aemon to hear urgent news that the Sea Snake had occupied Tyrosh and declared himself its Archon.
• Viserys condemned the Sea Snake, Lyonel warned of a possible attack, and Aemon offered to send Vale troops if King's Landing would not act.
• Envoys from Braavos and Pentos arrived, followed by eleven governors from the Three Daughters Kingdom seeking an audience with Viserys.

Aemon killed a Tyroshi envoy who threatened Viserys and forced the Free Trade City-States’ delegation to submit. Viserys considered the political consequences and Aemon’s role at court, then learned that Ser Harwin Strong had been jailed for publicly slandering the Princess.

• Viserys questioned the envoys about their demands, and they challenged his authority over Tyrosh and threatened war.
• Aemon killed the Tyroshi governor, warned the envoys against provoking House Targaryen, and ordered the Three Daughters Kingdom’s governors seized and mutilated.
• Viserys and Lyonel discussed the envoys’ likely response, the Sea Snake’s retaliation, and Aemon’s possible appointment as Regent.
• Ser Harrold reported that Ser Harwin Strong had slandered the Princess in a brothel and that Ser Steve had thrown him into the Red Keep dungeons.

Aemon and Rhaenyra held an Ancient Valyrian engagement ceremony on Dragonstone, where a dragon egg hatched into Arrax. By dusk, Aemon had been named Prince of the Vale and Regent, and he began weighing when to intervene in the growing conflict among the Three Daughters Kingdom.

• Aemon and Rhaenyra exchanged bloodied vows and shared wine in an engagement ceremony witnessed by Viserys and the court.
• Vermithor and Syrax carried Aemon and Rhaenyra through a celebratory dragon dance while they carried five eggs from Syrax’s first clutch.
• Aemon showed Rhaenyra a wheat field empowered by Yellow Jade Wheat and gave her the crop as a betrothal gift.
• One of Syrax’s eggs hatched beside Aemon and Rhaenyra, and Aemon named the blue-gray hatchling Arrax.
• Viserys named Aemon Prince of the Vale, Warden of the East, Defender of the Vale, Regent, and Warden of the Realm.
• Aemon heard reports of turmoil in Lys, Myr’s preparations to attack Tyrosh, and raids near Tarth, and decided to consider sending troops in three months.

Corlys and Rhaenys discussed Tyrosh, their family’s security, and inviting the royal family to Laenor’s engagement feast. In King’s Landing, Aemon learned the Dornish had entered the war and that Tarth might switch sides, while Daemon burned a Dornish fleet in the Broken Arm to weaken the former Tyroshi Archon and advance his own plans.

• Corlys insisted that Rhaenys deserved the Iron Throne, but she urged him to stop pursuing her old claim and focus on their family’s safety.
• Rhaenys persuaded Corlys to invite the King and Regent to Laenor’s engagement feast, and Corlys agreed to gauge the royal family’s attitude.
• Rhaenyra showed Aemon Earl Cameron Tarth’s letter reporting that the Dornish had joined the war and that the former Tyroshi Archon was preparing a counterattack.
• Aemon and Rhaenyra decided to speak with Alicent about the Disputed Lands, while Aemon questioned why the Sea Snake had made no move since his Name Day.
• Daemon and Caraxes destroyed ten Dornish warships in the Broken Arm, then Daemon set out to weaken the former Tyroshi Archon before pursuing the Stepstones and Lys.

Aemon accepted the Sea Snake’s invitation to Ser Laenor’s engagement feast and traveled to Tarth, where Earl Cameron pledged him loyalty and revealed the dangerous rivalries among the Three Daughters. Aemon promised to help protect Tarth from Tyroshi raiders and planned to exploit the coming conflict, possibly by seizing the Stepstones.

• Aemon agreed to attend the engagement feast despite Viserys warning him not to join the war, and Viserys authorized him to mobilize Stormlands nobles and half the royal fleet if needed.
• Aemon arrived on Vermithor at Tarth, where Earl Cameron mistook him for the Aemon Targaryen he had admired and greeted him as Your Majesty.
• At Dusk Hall, Earl Cameron told Aemon that the Sea Snake and Boremund backed Rhaenys, Daemon had ties to the Rogare Family, and the Three Daughters were nearing war.
• Aemon agreed to help Earl Cameron deal with Tyroshi raiders after the feast and invited him to travel with him.
• Aemon planned to use the engagement feast and the unrest among the Three Daughters to make trouble for their ships and possibly seize the Stepstones.

Aemon arrived in Tyrosh for Laenor and Cassandra’s engagement banquet, where dragons and foreign dignitaries drew attention. After the ceremony began, Governor Gero Erd of Myr approached Aemon.

• Boremund and Borros arrived in Tyrosh aboard a Baratheon ship, escorted by Meleys, and Corlys welcomed them to Driftwood City.
• Earl Cameron arrived with soldiers carrying Aemon’s banner, while Vermithor brought Aemon to the castle.
• Aemon greeted Laenor and Corlys, insisted on being called Regent Prince, and then joined the banquet.
• Laenor introduced his young fiancée Cassandra to Aemon, who gave her a red berry fruit.
• Laenor and Cassandra completed the engagement formalities, and Governor Gero Erd of Myr sat beside Aemon and introduced himself.

Aemon humiliated and injured Myrish governor Gero at Corlys's engagement banquet, then reunited with Laena and promised to marry her on his Name Day next year. Laena warned him not to move against Daemon and offered to help him seize Myr or Lys once the war in Tyrosh began.

• Aemon mocked Gero's status, broke his wrist, and pinned his hand to a table after Gero drew a dagger.
• Corlys confronted the disturbance, and Earl Cameron removed the injured Gero while Aemon apologized to Corlys.
• Aemon welcomed Laena, promised to marry her on his Name Day next year, and heard her claim Driftmark or Tyrosh as her dowry.
• Laena warned Aemon that Daemon might come and urged him not to act rashly or kill his father, arguing that Daemon could serve as a source of strength for the family.
• Laena offered to help Aemon take Myr or Lys after Tyrosh's war began and explained that the Three Daughters were more divided than they appeared.

After the betrothal banquet, Corlys tried to draw Aemon into a campaign against the Three Daughters, but Rhaenys halted the discussion and urged him to wait. Rhaenys’s memories of her father stirred as she looked at Aemon, and Laena left with him for the guest room.

• At the banquet, Aemon teased Corlys and said he would help Earl Cameron drive back the Tyroshi Mercenaries rather than pursue further plans in Tarth.
• Borros asked why Aemon did not attack Myr and Tyrosh, prompting Lady Elena to lead him away and Duke Boremund to follow.
• Corlys suggested that Aemon take Myr while Daemon held Lys, but Rhaenys stopped the discussion and advised them to wait before attacking another city-state.
• Rhaenys mistook Aemon’s resemblance to Prince Aemon of Dragonstone for a moment, then supported his eventual ambitions while urging him to rest and delay conquest.
• Corlys revealed he had prepared a guest room, and Laena left with Aemon while Corlys watched them go.

Aemon used Vermithor and Tarth’s fleet to seize Myrish ships and demand ransoms, then expanded his raids against merchants sailing near the Stepstones. He sought to strengthen his claim to the islands, but the former Tyroshi Archon was already dead, and mercenaries were leaving Bloodstone Island to retake Tyrosh.

• Aemon gave Laena the Sapphire Amulet before she left for the coming battle over Tyrosh.
• Aemon and the Tarth fleet ambushed Myrish governors and merchants at sea, using Vermithor to disable their ships and force their surrender.
• Earl Cameron bound the captives, seized their valuables, and demanded ransoms; resistant mercenaries were killed by dragonfire.
• Aemon redeemed some Myrish captives, kept the gold, and ordered goods sent to Rhaenyra or sold in King's Landing while continuing to raid ships near the Stepstones.
• On Bloodstone Island, the former Tyroshi Archon's head hung from Dragon Blood Fort as mercenaries sailed away, calling to retake Tyrosh and drive out Velaryon's Sea Snake.