Chapter Summaries

Yulon told Kolen that the Mad King’s atrocities and wildfire preparations were driving Westeros toward rebellion. He warned that the North, the Westerlands, and Dorne were all nearing a break with the Iron Throne.

• After the council lords left, Kolen asked Yulon what he saw, and Yulon described a prophecy from the Drowned God about the Mad King, the Lannisters, a hidden viper, and a fleet facing winter.
• Yulon recounted the Mad King’s burning of Duskendale rebels and Blackfyre survivors, and how Ser Barristan Selmy had saved a three-year-old child from execution.
• Yulon told Kolen that Aerys had ordered Rossart to hide wildfire beneath King’s Landing and had imprisoned Queen Rhaella on an adultery accusation, worsening Dorne’s resentment.
• Yulon warned that Aerys’s paranoia, purges, and rejection of noble participation had filled the realm with tensions ready to ignite.
• Yulon identified the North’s anger over Aerys’s crimes and smashed dragonbone crown, Tywin Lannister’s accumulated hatred, and Dorne’s outrage over Queen Rhaella’s imprisonment as threats to the Iron Throne.

Euron argued that the Ironborn should obey Kolen’s raiding restrictions until civil war devastated Westeros, then exploit the chaos to seize wealth and supplies. Kolen silenced him, ordered the others to keep the discussion secret, and began arranging lessons for Euron, while Lysa brought him a record of the islands’ grain inventories.

• Euron praised Kolen’s raiding exclusion zone and predicted that the coming conflict in Westeros would create opportunities for Ironborn raids.
• Kolen demanded to know who had taught Euron these ideas, and Euron said he had studied raven messages and asked Lysa and Maester Craigon about southern customs and history.
• Euron began to suggest that nobles might reject an undeserving ruler, but Kolen ordered him to stop and threatened Lysa and Craigon with consequences if the council’s words escaped.
• Kolen told Euron to visit his study every Wednesday to learn how to read letters sealed with wax.
• Lysa met Euron in the corridor with a parchment recording grain inventories from Pyke and the other islands, and Euron signaled that their plan was progressing.

Euron won Kolen's approval to use the captive Pentoshi merchant Mario as a source of intelligence, binding him with poison and Ironborn surveillance. He forced Mario to accept the plan in Pyke's dungeon, leaving him to return to Pentos as Euron's first informant.

• Euron proposed using Mario to gather intelligence on Free Cities merchant routes, cargoes, and defenses, and Kolen approved the plan.
• Kolen assigned Daggmo to serve as Euron's guard and oversee the tasks, while warning Lysa and Maester Craigon to keep the scheme secret.
• Euron, Lysa, and Daggmo visited Mario in the dungeon and offered to restore his freedom in exchange for cooperation.
• Lysa forced Mario to swallow Siren's Kiss, which required a monthly antidote, while Euron threatened his family and businesses with Ironborn retaliation if he betrayed them.
• Mario surrendered and agreed to serve Euron, who tasked him with sending news from Pentos.

Euron Greyjoy demonstrated a process for purifying coarse salt in Pyke’s cellar, turning it into a valuable product he named Platinum Sand. With Lysa and Daggmo impressed, he saw its future mass production as a means to strengthen House Greyjoy’s rule.

• Euron left the sleeper agent Mario in Daggmo’s hands and began pursuing salt purification as a promising project.
• In a hidden cellar, Euron directed Lysa through dissolving and filtering coarse salt, then treating the brine with charcoal.
• Euron and Lysa boiled the filtered brine, separated the white crystals from the bitter mother liquor, and dried the refined salt.
• Lysa sealed the finished salt in waxed jars, and Euron named it Platinum Sand.
• Euron considered the purified salt a source of power for House Greyjoy and planned to produce it on a larger scale.

Yulon showed King Kolen how the Platinum Sand Project could turn the Iron Islands’ rough salt into highly valuable refined salt and a tool for controlling the other islands. Kolen embraced the plan to make House Greyjoy the sole source of Platinum Sand and use its supply to reward loyalty and punish defiance.

• King Kolen tasted the rough salt and Yulon’s snow-white Platinum Sand, finding the refined salt exceptionally pure.
• Yulon explained that he and Lysa knew the secret process for washing, dissolving, and crystallizing the salt, and that Platinum Sand could sell for at least ten times the price of rough salt.
• Yulon proposed keeping the process secret at Pyke by dividing the work into isolated stages overseen by loyal Ironborn guards.
• Yulon planned to supply Platinum Sand selectively to the other island lords, using their quotas to secure loyalty and cut off rivals.
• Kolen agreed that salt could give House Greyjoy control over the Iron Islands and began considering how to exploit the plan.

Yulon presented pure “Platinum Sand” as a manifestation of the Drowned God’s will, and Victarion declared it a divine blessing for the Iron Islands. Kolen refused to reveal how it was made and established Pyke’s power to allocate supplies according to each island’s loyalty, leaving the other lords under Greyjoy control of the salt trade.

• Victarion tasted Yulon’s “Platinum Sand” and proclaimed it a blessing from the Drowned God.
• News of the holy salt spread, and Dunstan Drumm, Gimond Pottery, and Baelon Blacktyde demanded that Kolen share its secret.
• Kolen invoked the oracle to declare Yulon the Drowned God’s chosen vessel and refused to share the method.
• Kolen announced that Pyke would grant “Platinum Sand” quotas according to each island’s devotion, loyalty, and contributions.
• Dunstan, Gimond, and Baelon fell silent as Kolen made access to the salt a measure of loyalty to House Greyjoy and the Sea Stone Seat.

Euron Greyjoy trained to overcome his physical weakness, explored dangerous locations on Pyke Island, and used his accumulated Exploration Points for four lucky draws. He gained new skills, a Vivre Card, and a rare foal named Faruru, then turned his attention to expanding the salt trade.

• Euron trained with Balf, recognized that brute force did not suit him, and asked Daggmo to have Mario find a Braavosi Water Dancer Swordsman.
• Euron explored Flint Cliff and the Blind Lord's Ghost Tower, earning Exploration Points and uncovering hidden locations.
• Euron spent his Exploration Points on four draws and received Basic Navigation, Fish-Man Karate v1, a Vivre Card sub-card, and the juvenile mount Faruru.
• Euron welcomed Faruru and planned how to promote Platinum Sand, expand salt trade, revitalize the port, and bring disobedient lords under control.

Euron Greyjoy’s salt strategy transformed Pyke into a wealthy commercial power and strengthened House Greyjoy’s control over the Iron Islands. King Kolen entrusted the six-year-old Euron with authority over salt and raids, while the lords began proposing him as heir.

• Kolen Greyjoy gave Euron the seals granting him authority over the Iron Islands’ salt trade and raid permissions.
• Euron tied sales of Platinum Sand to Ironborn salt, made Platinum Sand a costly luxury, and used the Ice and Fire Trading Company to enforce a monopoly.
• Euron allocated raid permits according to each island’s loyalty and contributions, directing raids toward profitable targets and requiring a share of their spoils for Pyke.
• The Ice and Fire Trading Company expanded its legitimate trade and its hidden networks for fencing spoils, supplying fleets, and gathering intelligence, bringing Pyke more wealth than its previous decade of income.
• As Pyke’s harbor and treasuries filled with gold, lords proposed naming Euron Kolen’s heir.

At a family banquet, Kolen tested Yulon’s ambitions by raising the possibility of naming him heir, but Yulon claimed a destiny beyond the Iron Islands and deferred the throne to Baron. After the brothers’ playful fight, Kolen revealed that rumors of their rivalry might be a plot, and Yulon proposed pretending to feud to expose the plotters.

• Kolen told the family that lords had proposed naming Yulon his heir and asked Yulon what he thought.
• Yulon cited eldest-son tradition, then declared that wherever the sea could be sensed was his territory and quoted the Grey King’s oath.
• Yulon said Baron could keep the Iron Islands, teasing him as fit to watch the house, and Baron chased him around the banquet hall in anger.
• Kolen collected his bet from Balf, and the family realized that rumors of conflict between the brothers might have been deliberately spread.
• Yulon advised Kolen and Baron to feign discord so that those seeking to exploit the succession dispute would reveal themselves.
• Baron agreed to act, then ruffled Yulon’s hair and pinched his cheeks as the brothers resumed teasing each other.

Euron urged Kolen Greyjoy to stockpile food for the coming three-year winter and began arranging Balon Greyjoy’s marriage to Aranys Harlaw. He introduced Aranys to Balon through gifts and stories, leaving the brothers sparring in the training yard.

• Euron advised Kolen Greyjoy that the Iron Islands should stockpile at least three years of food before the Long Summer ended.
• Euron reviewed information about Aranys Harlaw and decided that her Harlaw and Blacktyde connections made her a suitable bride for Balon.
• Euron brought Balon a cask of Dornish Red Viper liquor and said Aranys had sent it for him.
• Euron showed Balon Aranys’s dagger and described how she had killed a Myrish sailor who tried to steal her necklace.
• Balon angrily challenged Euron to a sparring match, and Euron dodged his attacks around the training yard.

Euron Greyjoy negotiated Balon Greyjoy’s marriage to Aranys Harlaw as an alliance between House Greyjoy and House Harlaw. The wedding took place at the Temple of the Drowned God, and Euron watched the newlyweds begin their life together while worrying about their future children.

• Euron traveled to Ten Towers and asked Earl Rodrik Harlaw for Aranys Harlaw’s hand on behalf of Balon Greyjoy.
• Rodrik said he would consult Aranys and her mother before answering, then allowed Euron to explore Harlaw Island.
• Balon and Aranys exchanged blood in a bowl of seawater during an Ironborn wedding ceremony and were declared wed.
• The Ironborn nobles and captains struck the temple floor with their weapons to approve the marriage.
• Euron watched the ceremony and silently blessed Balon and Aranys, while worrying that their future children might suffer tragedy.

Euron spent 100 points to obtain Brook's Soul Reaver Sword, renamed it Cold Spirit, and prepared to tour the Iron Islands before winter. Over the next two months, he used his influence and island visits to gather points and assess the lords, leaving his planned voyage across the Narrow Sea ahead.

• Euron exchanged 100 points for Brook's Soul Reaver Sword and renamed it Cold Spirit.
• Euron asked Lysa how long remained before winter, and she said the Citadel predicted it would arrive in three months.
• Euron announced that he would visit the other Iron Islands over the next two months to inspect their preparations and consider whether they needed help.
• Euron traveled island to island aboard the Hao Yin, using his control of Platinum Sand, sea routes, and religious backing to command the lords' attention.
• Euron assessed the islands' loyalty and resources while seeking more points to strengthen himself for his future voyage across the Narrow Sea.

Yulon explored the Iron Islands, used his accumulated points for a ten-pull draw, and gained several skills and items before consuming the Lineage Factor. It awakened the Grey King bloodline and two powerful eyes, leaving Yulon with extraordinary ocean abilities that he still needed years of practice to master.

• Yulon surveyed the Iron Islands and earned 1,030 points for exploring their islands and reefs.
• Yulon used his points for ten draws and gained abilities including Kami-e, Archaeologist, Fishman Breathing, Dance Powder, Seastone, and the Lineage Factor.
• Yulon trained with Raphael Ortega, improved his evasion and swordsmanship, learned High Valyrian from Lysa, and explored the sea with Fishman Breathing.
• Yulon swallowed the Lineage Factor atop Pike Island and endured a painful transformation while seeing a vision of the Grey King.
• Yulon awakened the Grey King bloodline, gaining enhanced ocean perception, deep-sea strength, and an aura that inspired awe and obedience in sea creatures and Ironborn.
• Yulon discovered that his Abyssal Eye could expose illusions and destroy impurities or flames, while his Azure Eye could control water and summon storms, but using the powers left him dizzy.

The chapter described how Westeros prepared for and endured brutal winters, from hunger and isolation to the Night's Watch's hardship. It focused on how Yulon and King Kolen used trade, stored provisions, and strict rationing to help the Iron Islands survive the coming winter.

• Westeros's people stockpiled food and fuel in summer and autumn, slaughtered livestock, and faced hunger, cold, disease, and death during winter.
• The Night's Watch endured freezing conditions at the Wall, while some black brothers fled south despite knowing they would die.
• The Ice and Fire Trading Company, following Yulon's plans and King Kolen's support, sent Ironborn longships to trade for grain, timber, furs, and medicine.
• King Kolen ordered island lords to ration food fairly and keep fishermen and craftsmen alive and occupied through winter.
• Yulon's Platinum Sand had brought the Iron Islands gold and silver reserves that could buy provisions and help their people survive.

Euron Greyjoy considered traveling to Essos as a refuge from Westeros's deadly winters, a source of supplies, and a chance to explore its lingering magic and expand his power. After Kolen warned that winter storms made the Narrow Sea crossing dangerous, Euron remained determined to inspect and strengthen the Ice and Fire Trading Company's foothold there.

• Euron studied the map of Essos and imagined its milder climate, resources, and magical mysteries as an alternative to Westeros's harsh winters.
• Euron saw Essos as a potential sanctuary if Westeros fell to the White Walkers and as a place to gather knowledge, supplies, and power.
• Kolen warned Euron that autumn and winter storms made crossing the Narrow Sea perilous and could halt all trade.
• Euron resolved to travel east and personally take control of the Ice and Fire Trading Company's network, which already had agents in several Free Cities.

Euron told Kolen and Sansa that he planned to travel to Essos after winter began to inspect the Greyjoys’ trade holdings and protect their supply routes. Kolen agreed only on the condition that Euron complete a detailed review of every ship, guard, mercenary, and supply point before leaving Pyke.

• Euron said the Long Night would last three years and argued that he would not spend it waiting behind Pyke’s walls.
• Euron explained that he would inspect the Greyjoys’ holdings in Essos with three ships, three hundred Ironborn, and a hundred mercenaries hired by Maleo Romis.
• Sansa protested that Euron was too young to travel and feared he would be kidnapped, fall ill, or die in Essos.
• Euron promised he would wait until the first snowflake fell on Pyke before leaving.
• Kolen recognized that Euron had already decided to go and ordered him to prepare complete records of his ships, guards, mercenaries, and supply points before he would allow him to leave.

Before setting sail, Euron reviewed his attributes and held a private gift-giving ceremony at Pyke for his family. He gave Baron a warship to command after a joke gift, leaving him excitedly naming it.

• Euron examined his system attributes and decided to save his four free points while he was still growing.
• Euron presented the King of the Iron Islands with a detailed model of the Iron Islands and gave his mother a jeweled crown from Qarth.
• Euron gave his younger brothers a model longship and a small wooden sword with a coral bracelet, then presented Baron with a Valyrian steel dagger.
• Euron teased Baron with a crude wooden boat before revealing that he was giving him the warship in Dragonbone Bay.
• Baron learned the ship was his and declared that he would name it Oceanic Behemoth.

Yulon sailed from Pike Island toward Braavos, studying Essos and reviewing his intelligence network during the journey. On the tenth day, his awakened Grey King bloodline connected him to the legendary Golden Kraken, which sheltered his ships from a violent storm and won the Ironborn’s devotion.

• Yulon departed Pike Island aboard the Hao Yin with Balv and two escort ships, bound for Braavos.
• Lysa and Raphael taught Yulon about Essos’s politics, customs, and fighting styles as he prepared for the voyage.
• Yulon reviewed the names, leverage, and loyalties of his intelligence agents across the Narrow Sea.
• During a gale on the tenth day, Yulon sensed the Golden Kraken beneath the sea and asked it for help.
• The Golden Kraken calmed the waters around Yulon’s ships, then surfaced and let him touch its tentacle before sinking away.
• The Ironborn witnessed the encounter and pledged their lives to Yulon, increasing his Charisma by one point to 15.

Yulon arrived in Braavos and unexpectedly encountered Oberyn Martell, who was leading the Red Viper Mercenary Group. After Oberyn insisted he served as a mercenary rather than as a prince, Yulon accepted his company for the journey while remaining wary of him.

• Maleo Romis welcomed Yulon and his party as the Hao Yin reached Braavos.
• Balv recognized Oberyn Martell leading the Red Viper Mercenary Group at the docks.
• Maleo introduced Oberyn to Yulon and framed their meeting as a chance for partnership.
• Oberyn told Yulon that he worked for pay as a mercenary and judged clients by their contracts, not their titles.
• Yulon accepted Oberyn's company for the rest of the journey and resolved to guard his secrets.

In Braavos, Euron Greyjoy hired Oberyn Martell to lead the Red Viper Mercenary Group on a two-and-a-half-year expedition across Essos, with strict deadlines and ample funding. Euron also remained intent on approaching the Hall of Black and White and learning about the Faceless Men.

• Yulon treated Oberyn Martell as the captain of the Red Viper Mercenary Group after Oberyn agreed to serve as a mercenary.
• Euron Greyjoy ordered Oberyn to prepare a complete expedition plan within a month, recruit any needed specialists, and return to the Iron Islands by the first spring breeze after winter.
• Euron warned Oberyn that he trusted self-interest more than loyalty and urged him to stay wary of everyone.
• Oberyn accepted the dangerous expedition after Euron challenged the courage of the Red Vipers and mentioned the Golden Company and the Second Sons as alternatives.
• Euron planned to handle trading-company business and enjoy himself in Braavos while keeping the Hall of Black and White and its Faceless Men in mind.