Chapter Summaries

After awakening on the Rhoyne, Ian used his enhanced willpower and Melisandre’s magic to locate Dream Bridge, the entrance to the dream. When they could not find a way through, the turtle shell from Ian’s dream reward opened a passage in the bridge deck.

• Ian distributed his dream rewards into willpower and Greenseer, then examined the Shell of the Old Man of the River and learned that it held powerful Water Magic.
• Ian abandoned the plan to sacrifice Magister Malacho’s son and asked Melisandre to help locate a physical entrance into the dream.
• Ian and Melisandre sensed concentrated dream power upstream and led their boats to Dream Bridge.
• Ian’s men killed the Stone Men near the bridge with repeated crossbow volleys and landed after scouting the shore.
• Ian and Melisandre failed to find the entrance on the bridge, but Ian’s turtle shell stirred and revealed a passage when he held it over the deck.

Ian Corlo led his group into the collapsing dream of Chayona, where Melisandre used sacrifices to empower the Lord of Light and attack the Sorcerer Dragon Kings and the player hiding in Heart’s Palace. After Melisandre’s magic destroyed the palace and its defenders, Ian received rewards for the player’s death and the other kills.

• Ian led his group across the broken Dream Bridge to Chayona’s eastern bank, where he had Magister Malacho’s son sacrificed to the Lord of Light.
• Melisandre warned Ian that the dream was collapsing, and Ian ordered her to find and kill the Bloody Flower Merchant Guild leader in Heart’s Palace.
• Melisandre sacrificed Magister Malacho’s other son to create a shadow assassin that struck down a Sorcerer Dragon King, then sacrificed the Dragon King in flames.
• Ian collected the Dragon King’s remains as Melisandre unleashed a rain of fire that shattered Heart’s Palace and killed the water mages, dream creatures, and the hidden player.
• Ian checked his system messages and claimed rewards for becoming a king, killing a Sorcerer Dragon King and Loyna ghosts, and having a subordinate kill a player.

Ian and his companions escaped the collapsing dream at Chayona, then raced to outrun the magical storm gathering in reality. With the river current speeding up, they avoided sacrificing their captive Dragonlord immediately, and Melisandre revealed that his sacrifice could accelerate Ian’s dragons’ growth.

• Ian sensed the dream world collapsing and led Melisandre and the others out with a wounded Sorcerer Dragon King.
• Melisandre warned that a magical storm would erupt when the dream shattered, and the old captain said their boat could not escape Chayona in time.
• Ian learned that four high-ranking Sorcerer Dragon Kings had been buried at Chayona, then saw the river current suddenly speed up and carry their boat away faster.
• Melisandre insisted they would eventually need to sacrifice their captive Dragonlord, but Ian rejected using the sacrifice to kill rival players or strike the Golden Company.
• Melisandre offered to use the sacrifice to accelerate the growth of Ian’s dragons, and Ian welcomed the possibility.

After the Rhoyne route collapsed, Ian abandoned plans to take Qohor and Norvos and turned toward the Summer Isles and Westeros. In Volantis, he learned that Manius Visama had persuaded the Golden Company to defect, and Ian rewarded both Manius and the men who had delivered its leaders.

• Ian revised his plans after Chayona became inaccessible, choosing to prepare for the Summer Isles and a campaign in Westeros instead of attacking Qohor and Norvos.
• Ian and Melisandre sacrificed the Sorcerer Dragon King at Sehoru Town, and the gathered soldiers and townspeople knelt when the sky filled with radiant colors.
• Ian discovered that the Golden Company had changed its banners and learned that Manius Visama had persuaded its commander and Senior Sergeants to defect and bind Jon Connington and Aegon Targaryen VI.
• Ian granted Lansono Mal, Tristan Rivers, and Marko Mandak titles, promises, and coin after they swore allegiance to him.
• Ian made Manius the head of the Visama family, appointed him to the Emperor's Imperial Council, and decided to take him to Westeros with Corlo.

Jaime learned that Eddard Stark had captured Tyrion and met him to negotiate a prisoner exchange that could save Riverrun. The chapter ended as the Northerners brought Tyrion forward to prove he was in their hands.

• Roger Grey told Jaime that House Grey of Castle Darry had long served House Lannister and Queen Myrcella.
• A messenger reported that Eddard Stark had captured Tyrion and requested a meeting to discuss exchanging prisoners.
• Eddard weighed the danger to Riverrun against the threat to King's Landing and agreed to negotiate after Roose Bolton urged him to use Tyrion as leverage.
• Jaime and Eddard met west of Lord Harroway's Town, where Roose demanded that Jaime lift the siege of Riverrun in return for Tyrion.
• Jaime questioned whether Tyrion was truly captured, and Eddard had the blond dwarf brought forward.

Jaime Lannister negotiated with Eddard Stark over Tyrion and the Riverlands while Roose Bolton warned that the Vale might be secretly aligned with the Lannisters. In King's Landing, Odis told Lord Lorran that the player alliance fighting Khal Drogo had defeated him, leaving Lorran to consider the threat of its arrival in Westeros.

• Tyrion apologized to Jaime for failing to protect Joffrey and Tommen, and Jaime said he trusted Eddard to keep Tyrion safe.
• Jaime demanded that Eddard secure the Riverlands' surrender in exchange for Tyrion, then departed without settling the terms.
• Roose Bolton warned Eddard that the Vale's army might be waiting to see who won before joining the war, and Eddard suspected Petyr Baelish.
• Odis told Lord Lorran that the player alliance that had abducted Daenerys had defeated Khal Drogo near Volantis.
• Lorran wondered whether the victorious force from Slaver's Bay could threaten Westeros, then questioned its ability to mount an expedition across the world.

Lord Lorran learned that Ian Dare had secured Volantis and the Iron Bank’s support, while Odis abandoned their cause and left him in despair. Meanwhile, Ian Corlo arrived in Sunspear undercover and settled in an inn to gather news before approaching Prince Doran Martell.

• Odis told Lord Lorran that Ian Dare had consolidated Slaver’s Bay and gained Volantis’s submission, leaving Lorran’s forces badly outmatched.
• Odis explained that the Iron Bank had suspended loans to rival claimants after banker Hominas Balivar lent Ian Dare several hundred thousand Glimmer Coins.
• Odis transferred his system resources to Lorran, announced that he was leaving to survive, and walked out of the Tower of the Hand.
• Lorran became enraged and fainted after Odis left.
• Ian Corlo reached Sunspear with a small group of gladiators and a Skinchanged eagle after Ian Dare had hidden his identity from Volantene nobles.
• Ian Corlo avoided the Triple Gates, found an inn in Sunspear’s ordinary town district, and began gathering news from Westeros.

Ian Corlo assessed the players and political factions in Westeros while weighing whether to ally with Dorne. He settled on a preliminary plan to use a succession struggle to bring House Yronwood to power, then delivered the Valyrian Emperor’s letter to Prince Doran.

• Ian analyzed the likely locations and influence of player factions across Westeros and concluded that Dorne had no apparent players.
• Ian weighed an alliance with House Martell against the limited military value of Dorne and the risk of alienating The Westerlands and The Reach.
• Ian considered Count Anders Yronwood as a potential replacement for House Martell, but recognized Anders’s close relationship with Prince Doran.
• Ian rejected Count Franklin Fowler as a candidate because naming him prince could provoke House Yronwood into a civil war.
• Ian devised a plan to exploit Prince Doran’s death and a succession conflict between Quentyn Martell and Arianne Martell to draw Anders into taking Dorne’s throne.
• Ian delivered the Valyrian Emperor’s personal letter to the guards of the Triple Gate and requested a meeting with Prince Doran.

Ian Corlo met Prince Doran Martell in Sunspear and demanded Dorne submit to Emperor Ian Dare, while offering no concrete rewards. Doran stalled for time, unaware Ian planned to use his month in Dorne to assess its nobles and find an opportunity to eliminate him.

• Prince Doran worried over Ian Dare’s growing empire, his failed hopes of a Targaryen restoration, and the fate of his son Quentin’s marriage mission.
• Ian Corlo introduced himself to Doran with an extensive list of titles, then demanded Dorne swear fealty, send troops, and supply the emperor’s army.
• Doran asked what Dorne would receive, but Ian offered only vague assurances and claimed Daenerys would marry the emperor in King’s Landing.
• Doran said he needed the support of Dorne’s great nobles, and Ian granted him one month while announcing he would visit those lords himself.
• After Ian left, Doran told Areo Hotah to help him back to his quarters and decided to delay negotiations until Ian offered better terms.

Eddard Stark exchanged prisoners with Jaime Lannister and accepted a column of Riverlands refugees, worsening the Northern army’s supply crisis. At a military council, Roose Bolton warned that the advancing Vale army might be conspiring with House Lannister, but Eddard refused to act without proof, so Roose prepared to take matters into his own hands.

• Jaime Lannister exchanged prisoners with Eddard Stark and sent the starving Tully forces, along with thousands of refugees, toward the Northern camp.
• Eddard visited the dying Duke Hoster, who deliriously muttered “Tansy,” then spoke with Ser Brynden about the approaching battle.
• Roose Bolton told Eddard that the Vale army had left the Blood Gate under Count Lyonel Corbray rather than Count Royce.
• Roose argued that Jaime might have alerted the Vale army so it could join House Lannister against the Northerners, but Eddard refused to believe the Vale had betrayed them without conclusive evidence.
• Roose considered his plan to destroy the ferries at Salt Town, then took out a quill and paper after deciding Eddard would not approve it.

Tyrion told Jaime that he had never returned to Castle Black and did not know what had happened to Joffrey and Tommen, then warned him that magic was returning. The Northerners ambushed and defeated the Lannister camp, captured Jaime and Tyrion, and prepared to march west; the chapter then shifted to Dorne, where Oberyn Martell stood behind Doran Martell at the Water Gardens.

• Tyrion told Jaime he had fled south after the Battle of Long Lake, spent months at Greywater Watch, and knew nothing of Joffrey and Tommen's fate.
• Tyrion warned Jaime that he had witnessed magic at Greywater Watch, but their conversation was interrupted as the Lannister horses panicked and sentries reported an attack.
• Jaime rallied part of the Lannister camp, but the Northerners routed the army, killed Count Andros Brax and Count Quinten Bamford, wounded Ser Davon Lannister, and captured Jaime and Tyrion.
• Eddard Stark ordered the Northern nobles to count their casualties, break camp, and march west, while Roose Bolton burned his letter and reflected on Eddard's bold strategy.
• At the Water Gardens in Dorne, Oberyn Martell pushed Doran Martell's wheelchair as Doran looked over the gardens from a balcony.

Prince Doran and Oberyn discussed Duke Corlo’s efforts to win over Dornish nobles and concluded that Dorne should negotiate with the New Valyrian Empire while preparing its defenses. Arianne secretly visited Ian Corlo and asked for help protecting her claim to rule Dorne from her brother Quentin.

• Doran told Oberyn that Corlo was courting Dornish nobles, and they reasoned that the envoy was seeking support to bypass House Martell.
• Doran explained that Dorne’s geography left Ian Darey little choice but to negotiate with House Martell, and he decided to cooperate while asking Oberyn to summon his mercenary company.
• Areo Hotah told Doran that Arianne had spent the night at Corlo’s residence, and Doran reacted with anger.
• Ian asked Arianne what she wanted from him, and she revealed that she feared Quentin Martell would win the emperor’s support and threaten her inheritance as Dorne’s heir.

Ian manipulated Arianne Martell into considering Count Anders Yronwood’s death as a way to secure her inheritance, then finished consolidating Volantis and returned to Meereen. There, he found envoys from Dorne, Vaes Dothrak, and Qarth waiting, and Daenerys welcomed him with a kiss.

• Arianne told Ian about her father’s promise that Quentin would rule Dorne, and Ian concluded that Doran could not restore her inheritance because of his obligation to Anders Yronwood.
• Ian persuaded Arianne to consider removing Anders rather than harming her family, and she declared that she was confident she could kill him.
• Ian spent nearly two months organizing Volantis, negotiating with the Summer Sea cities and Iron Bank envoys, and rebuilding the Tiger Guard.
• Ian sent fleets carrying troops to Dorne and the Summer Isles, beginning preparations for campaigns in both regions.
• Ian rode Ion back to Meereen, where the city’s people worshipped him and Daenerys greeted him with a passionate kiss.

Ian learned that Ghost Grass was spreading through the Dothraki Sea, and the Dosh khaleen offered him at least one hundred thousand riders if he stopped it. As he investigated the threat and considered the Old Gods’ possible connection to the Long Night, he turned back to Dorne’s political plans and received Quentin Martell.

• The Dosh khaleen’s envoy told Ian that Ghost Grass threatened Dothraki lands and offered him the allegiance of at least one hundred thousand riders if he halted its spread.
• Ian sent letters to Adam and Lady Melisandre seeking physical and magical solutions, then noticed that Ghost Grass and other signs of the Long Night appeared in regions associated with the Children of the Forest.
• Ian suspected that the Old Gods might be connected to the God of Cold and decided to settle matters in Meereen before discussing countermeasures with Melisandre in Volantis.
• Ian summoned Quentin Martell, who had abandoned his plan to propose to Daenerys after learning that she was Ian’s lover.
• Ian considered keeping Ser Cletus Yronwood as an attendant and hostage, while Quentin’s audience ended awkwardly because he could not decide whether Dorne should submit to or ally with the Empire.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The author is struggling to revise the outline, which was significantly reduced from over two million to around 300,000 characters.
• Many branching plotlines and complex 'schemes' were cut, making the story feel dry.
• The current plot is nearing its end, with plans to finish it next month.
• The intended reveal of House Dayne's secrets, including their bloodline and relationship with the Lord of Light, is at risk due to early setup deletion.
• Secrets of the God of Cold and the Old Gods are also stuck due to removed plots beyond the Wall, Euron's manuscript, and Yi Ti scrolls.
• The final battle, originally planned for the Five Forts in Yi Ti, is now uncertain.

Character Developments

• The author's confidence in writing a satisfactory final volume wanes as they struggle with the revised outline.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of significant cuts to the outline: loss of complexity, foreshadowing, and setup for important revelations.
• The struggle of a writer facing a daunting task and losing confidence in their ability to deliver a satisfying conclusion.

Character Interactions

• The author interacts with their own work, grappling with the challenges posed by the revised outline and the impending deadline.

After Prince Quentin Martell departed, Ian summoned Pyat Pree and two Qartheen warlocks, who offered Qarth’s navy, wealth, and warlocks in exchange for a dragon. Ian learned they intended to use the dragon’s blood for blood magic and proposed that Qarth prove its value before he handed one over; the chapter ended with him asking the warlocks about Ghost Grass.

• Ian arranged for pirates to capture Quentin Martell and Ser Cletus Yronwood on their return voyage and planned to have them brought to him in Volantis.
• After sending the Dorne delegation away, Ian received Pyat Pree and two warlocks, who claimed the warlocks controlled Qarth and offered help against Braavos.
• Pyat Pree asked Ian to give Qarth one of his dragons in exchange for its navy, money, and warlock servants.
• Ian pressed Pyat Pree about the dragon’s intended use, and Pyat Pree admitted the warlocks wanted its blood to restore their power through blood magic.
• Ian proposed that Qarth provide its assistance before receiving a dragon, then challenged the warlocks to prove themselves with wisdom and asked whether they knew of Ghost Grass.

Ian negotiated with Pyat Pree over Qarth's fleet, payment, and a dragon, while investigating Ghost Grass and deciding to await Melisandre's advice. He then reorganized Slaver's Bay's administration, began rebuilding Old Ghis, and ordered an expedition to Mantarys to assess its iron ore and dangers.

• Pyat Pree explained that Ghost Grass originated in blood sacrifice rituals and offered Ian an introduction to Warlock Jihaiyin in Qarth.
• Ian demanded two-thirds of Qarth's main fleet and one million Glimmer Coins, promising to deliver a dragon only after Qarth fulfilled its obligations; Pyat Pree agreed to take the terms to the Warlocks.
• After Pyat Pree left a letter of introduction, Ian postponed deciding whether to honor the bargain until he heard from Melisandre, then limited Meereen's noble and commoner ranking system to the city.
• Ian sent mountain clans and Lhazareen slaves to rebuild Old Ghis, arranged grain supplies from Astapor, and ordered settlers to improve the saline land and test salt-tolerant crops.
• Ian reviewed Euron Greyjoy's nautical journal, summoned Euron's former first mate, and ordered him to lead an expedition to Mantarys ahead of a possible campaign for its iron ore.

Manius Visama persuaded Count Paxter Redwyne to ally with Emperor Ian by offering Desmera Redwyne a marriage alliance and promising the Redwyne family extensive lands and vassals. A week after Manius and Desmera wed, the Redwyne Fleet sailed east.

• Manius Visama met Count Paxter Redwyne and explained that Emperor Ian intended to conquer Westeros.
• Count Paxter considered the threat of Imperial invasion and the danger of opposing Ian without support.
• Manius reminded Count Paxter that the Lannisters had rejected his proposed marriage match for Desmera.
• Manius proposed marrying Desmera and promised Oldtown, surrounding lands, and their nobles as vassals to the Redwyne family.
• Manius and Desmera married a week later, and the Redwyne Fleet sailed east.

Arianne waited in a comfortable cell, uncertain who had betrayed her failed attempt to assassinate Anders Yronwood, while Doran Martell gathered Dornish nobles to discuss the approaching Valyrian fleet and the threat of war. The meeting erupted into chaos when Doran suddenly collapsed after a coughing fit.

• Arianne suspected Gerold Dayne had betrayed her after his ambush on Anders Yronwood failed and he disappeared.
• Doran announced that a joint fleet from Volantis and Slaver's Bay was sailing toward Dorne, and that negotiations with Duke Corlo had failed.
• Oberyn warned that Arianne's attack had alienated House Yronwood and its borderland allies.
• Tribell Jordayne urged Doran to execute Arianne, while Oberyn defended her and challenged Tribell's authority.
• Doran began coughing violently, fell from his wheelchair, and the nobles accused one another of assassination.

Ian Dare traveled to Qarth, learned how to stop Ghost Grass, and exploited the Warlocks’ fear to take the royal treasury and free members of the royal family. After sacrificing two Qarth princes, he learned that Prince Doran had died by poisoning and set out for Vaes Dothrak, expecting both cavalry and treasure.

• Ian Dare traded a piece of Sorcerer Dragon King Ash to Warlock Jihain for a way to stop Ghost Grass from spreading.
• Ian refused to enter the Hall of Immortals and told the Warlocks to come meet him, frightening them into offering compensation.
• Ian emptied Qarth’s royal treasury, took several members of the royal family out of house arrest, and sent the treasures toward Volantis.
• Ian sacrificed a Prince of Qarth in R'hllor’s name and spoke Prince Doran’s name; the next day, Doran Martell was found poisoned to death.
• Ian sacrificed another Prince of Qarth and spoke the names of Lorran, Lyanna, and Marvin as an experiment in cursing players.
• Ian flew north toward Vaes Dothrak, hoping to recruit a hundred thousand horsemen and find the treasures in Godsway.