Ch. 221The Scales
Summary
Key Plot Points and Events
- Refugee uprising in the Riverlands led by the Brotherhood Without Banners, targeting nobles and their lands.
- Count Harroway's town is under siege by refugees, with House Tully cavalry coming to their rescue.
- Maidenwell Town is occupied by the Brotherhood, with nobles being sacrificed to the Lord of Light.
- Robb Stark, disguised as a Red Priest, joins the Brotherhood to persuade them to ally against Robb Stark's forces.
- In Tywin, refugees are being resettled, and Wick, a spy, tries to infiltrate the resettlement process but is exposed as having Grey Scale Disease.
- Grand Maester Pairut reveals to Tywin that he has engineered a Grey Plague outbreak among the refugees.
Character Developments
- Baei, the leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners, becomes more devout in his faith and determined to purify the Riverlands of sinful nobles.
- Robb Stark, disguised as a Red Priest, uses his knowledge of the Lord of Light to persuade the Brotherhood to ally against his own forces.
- Wick, a spy, is exposed to have Grey Scale Disease, leading to his isolation and despair.
- Grand Maester Pairut reveals his cunning and manipulative side, having secretly kept samples of the Grey Plague to use against Tywin's enemies.
Significant Themes
- The power dynamics between the nobility and the common people, with the latter rebelling against the former.
- The influence of religion and faith on people's actions and decisions, as seen through the Brotherhood Without Banners' devotion to the Lord of Light.
- The consequences of manipulation and deceit, as demonstrated by Grand Maester Pairut's actions.
Character Interactions
- Baei and Machiro work together to lead the Brotherhood in their uprising, with Baei seeking Machiro's advice on their next move.
- Robb Stark interacts with Baei, using his knowledge of the Lord of Light to persuade the Brotherhood to ally against his own forces.
- Wick interacts with other refugees, trying to gain intelligence but ultimately being exposed and isolated.
- Tywin and Grand Maester Pairut discuss the Grey Plague, with Pairut revealing his role in engineering the outbreak.