Chapter Summaries

Brinden, Melisandre, and their allies prepared to purge their opponents in King's Landing, while Aegon Sunfyre and the dragon hunters sailed toward the Gullet to exploit the coming turmoil. The chapter left the purge plan poised to unfold and revealed that Balmy intended the Hightower venture to create greater chaos.

• Melisandre explained how Brinden used green sight to observe the plotters and how she burned an assassin, while noting that Brinden and Prince Igor had prepared their response.
• Brinden said Prince Igor approved their plan, and Count Marwyse renewed his distrust of the bastard Dragonriders in King's Landing.
• Aegon Sunfyre, Austin Mullendore, and Balmy Unebar sailed toward the Gullet as Balmy told them that young Hightowers were joining their group.
• Balmy said the Hightowers had no chance of success and that their failed venture would give the royal family an opening to purge its enemies.
• Balmy explained that he supported the venture to provoke chaos and create an opportunity for even greater chaos.

Lingor prepared to lead a heavily guarded Prime Minister's Parade through King's Landing, while his allies warned that enemies might attack him. As the procession drew crowds into the streets, Ser Stokeworth and Mad-Eye Austin Mullendore entered the Dragonpit with armed men, leaving the attack's target unclear.

• Lingor dressed in armor and prime ministerial robes, then told Brynden he had agreed to serve as bait for the parade.
• Rhaegon Kaun joined Lingor, and a large force of cavalry, soldiers, knights, nobles, and Gold Cloaks assembled to escort him through King's Landing.
• King's Landing's residents gathered to watch the parade, recalling the charity and free food that had followed previous tours.
• Ser Stokeworth entered a hidden Dragonpit chamber with armed men and questioned Mad-Eye Austin Mullendore about his forces.
• Austin said he had brought fifty sets of armor and fifty swords, and threatened to kill Stokeworth if he failed.

Lingor’s procession came under attack on its way to the Dragonpit, but his guards quickly restored order and killed the rooftop assassins. As Daeron prepared to attend court and Aurion and Ceryna anticipated an assassination attempt, Aegon Sunfyre confronted Daemon Blackfyre in disguise.

• Austin and Sir Stokeworth hid their men in a concealed attic passage inside the Dragonpit and prepared to cause chaos below.
• Assassins attacked Lingor’s procession with explosives and crossbow bolts, but the Silver Blood Army protected the prince.
• Brynden sent the Raven's Teeth Guard to shoot the rooftop attackers, and the procession resumed toward the Dragonpit.
• Daeron dressed in royal finery and prepared to attend court while Cerys wished him well.
• Aurion and Ceryna discussed where their enemies might attempt an assassination as their dragons stood ready.
• Aegon Sunfyre met gray-robed monks in a King's Landing alley and addressed their leader as Daemon Blackfyre.

Lingor and the assembled nobles were ambushed during Count Darklyn’s banquet after poisoned bread and other clues exposed a conspiracy. Lingor, Brynden, Tully, and Rhaegon fought back and began retreating as green fire spread through the hall and burning incense balls fell from the dome.

• Lingor confronted the hosts about the morning’s attempted assassination, while Tully accused Darklyn, the Masseys, and Stokeworth of aiding the plot; Brynden produced a poisoned arrowhead as evidence.
• Lingor exposed poison in the bread, and a white raven died after eating it; the spilled purple salt sparked green as Count Massey lunged for the bird.
• Tully overturned the banquet table when a hidden crossbow was revealed, and attackers in the gallery opened fire; Rhaegon shielded Lingor while Tully and Alyn took concealed weapons.
• Lingor drew Silver Blood and fought off the attackers as Count Darklyn was killed, Count Massey caught fire, and the younger Massey twin died from the poison.
• Rhaegon urged the others to evacuate Lingor, and Brynden led the retreat toward the bronze doors as green flames spread and burning incense balls fell from the dome.

Wildfire and false dragonfire crystals set the Dragonpit ablaze as Daemon Blackfyre and his allies freed dragons amid the chaos. Eg drew Aurion and Serina away with Sheepstealer, but Hovendes and Sarafathes wounded the dragon before he escaped toward the Blackwater Rush.

• Rhaegor Valaerys and his companions encountered exploding wildfire in the Dragonpit, and Lord Tully heard chains snap before Jedolyn shrieked.
• Daemon Blackfyre began freeing Caraxes while Aegon Sunfyre failed to control Jedolyn, and Eg arrived on Sheepstealer to distract their opponents.
• Hovendes and Serina Valaerys arrived with Sarafathes as the Dragonpit shook, while Aurion pursued Eg and Sheepstealer.
• Eg sent Sheepstealer's fire toward the royal wheelhouse, setting nearby houses ablaze and endangering people caught in the disaster.
• Hovendes and Sarafathes attacked Sheepstealer, and Eg used the dragonwhip to force the wounded dragon free before fleeing toward the Blackwater Rush.

During the Dragonpit battle, Aegon escaped on Jedolins while Daemon Blackfyre fled with two dragon eggs, and Bensen weighed whether he would be purged for his royal blood. Mad-Eye Austin Mullendore unleashed wildfire across King's Landing and died in the burning sept as the blaze spread beyond control.

• Aegon climbed onto Jedolins after the dragon let him pass and flew away, though it carried him out of pity rather than loyalty.
• Daemon Blackfyre escaped on Caraxes with Dacerys and Balmy, taking two dragon eggs and avoiding Hovendes and Salafathes.
• Bensen feared the court would punish him as another royal bastard and considered fighting for his survival.
• Mad-Eye Austin Mullendore poured wildfire through King's Landing, setting streets and a sept ablaze while denouncing the usurpation of King Aegon Targaryen the Second.
• Hovendes circled Rhaenys's Hill as Aurion Valaerys tried to make firebreaks, but the wildfire spread beyond control and Mad-Eye died in the flames.

Aelyon and Serena brought the wildfire at Rhaenys Hill under control, while Igor learned that the attack had destroyed part of the Dragonpit and stolen two dragon eggs. Igor and Sebastian decided to head for King's Landing as Dacerys and Balmy escaped by merchant ship toward Valantis.

• Aelyon and Serena used Hovendes and Sarafathys to contain the wildfire and protect civilians at Rhaenys Hill.
• Igor received word that attackers had burned Rhaenys Hill, damaged the Dragonpit, and stolen two dragon eggs.
• Igor admitted he had underestimated the attackers, and Sebastian said they had overestimated their prudence.
• Igor and Sebastian set out for Dragonpit Tower to go to King's Landing.
• Dacerys and Balmy boarded a merchant ship with a dragon egg and headed back toward Valantis.

Rey Valaerys rebuked Igor and Sebastian for failing to anticipate the Dragonpit rebellion, while Daeron II sought the Valaerys family's support for war. On a merchant ship, Balmy killed Daecerys and took the dragon egg, revealing his loyalty to the Silver Dragon.

• Rey confronted Igor and Sebastian over Aeg's access to Sheepstealer and the guards' delayed response, criticizing them for failing to account for their enemies' unpredictable nature.
• Rey ordered Igor to report to the Black Palace and tell the king that the Borderlands, the Reach, and Dorne were raising armies.
• Igor admitted that he and the others had overlooked the traitors' recklessness, while Lingor acknowledged his own failures and Daeron II asked the Valaerys family to fight alongside the Targaryens.
• Lingor ordered Igor to gather the Valaerys Dragonriders and send two dragons down each route, leaving Starsong and Stormcloud in King's Landing.
• Balmy killed Daecerys aboard the merchant ship, took the dragon egg, and ordered the captain to sail to Tyrosh.

Rodrik Dustin learned that three dragons had destroyed the Vale’s watchtowers and were heading for the Riverlands. At Harrenhal, Vaemond Tully and his allies confronted eastern Riverlands nobles over a planned betrayal, and Aegon Sunfyre, Daemon Blackfyre, and Egg Rivers arrived to force a choice before reinforcements came.

• Rodrik Dustin found the Stone Crow Tower destroyed by dragonfire and sent warnings to the Eyrie and King's Landing.
• At Harrenhal, Vaemond Tully accused the Roote and Paege families of plotting an ambush and producing mercenaries, crossbowmen, and drugged wine.
• Ser Mark Piper presented a mercenary list and bloodstained coins as evidence while western Riverlands nobles and their allies took control of the hall.
• Aegon Sunfyre, Daemon Blackfyre, and Egg Rivers arrived with their dragons and confronted the gathered nobles.
• Egg Rivers warned that dragons would come hunting them by nightfall and urged the nobles to choose between death and joining their cause.

Aeg’s attack on the fleeing Riverlands nobles turned their escape into a call to arms, while Ilion and Maegon led dragons from Oldtown and forces gathered across the south. The chapter ended with the southern armies and dragons marching toward war.

• Aeg pursued the released nobles with the Sheepstealer, and Melly Frey and Ser Vaemond Tully died buying time for the survivors to reach Riverrun.
• The surviving nobles brought news of the attack to Riverrun, prompting the Tully, Frey, Blackwood, and Bracken forces to mobilize against Aeg.
• Ilion Targaryen reacted angrily to Daemon Blackfyre’s betrayal, then flew northeast from Oldtown with Valys and Maegon on their dragons.
• Aemon Targaryen’s fever worsened, leaving him unable to ride Seasmoke into battle as Naelys and the maesters watched over him.
• Lucerys Martell gathered forty-five thousand warriors at Nightsong, while Alan Calamityflame assembled twenty-five thousand men at Duskendale.
• Pearse Cafferen led sixteen thousand men south alongside Asulekao’s Dothraki, Raegon Valaerys, Princess Ilyana, and the thirty thousand Silver Blood Army.

Blackwood, Frey, and Tully forces destroyed House Bracken in retaliation for betrayal, while rebellions and unrest spread across the Westerlands, Reach, and Vale. As the Riverlands army prepared for dragons to enter the conflict, Torwyn Greyjoy chose to keep the Iron Islands out of the war.

• Quentyn Blackwood's forces burned Firemill and its fields, and Frey soldiers joined the Blackwoods after Meli's death.
• Harford Frey and Quentyn Blackwood defeated the Brackens at Cow Village, then besieged Stone Hedge with Duke Tully's army.
• The allies captured Stone Hedge, killed the Bracken defenders, and sent eight-year-old Leon Bracken's severed hand to Harrenhal.
• Daemon Lannister learned that Reyne and Tarbeck rebels had struck the Westerlands and vowed to answer their betrayal.
• Leo Tyrell ordered the Redwyne fleet north after rebels burned grain stores in the Reach, while Petyr Arryn backed a revolt in Gulltown.
• Torwyn Greyjoy refused to join the war, warning that the Ironborn would be overwhelmed by the dragons.

Ilion Targaryen and his allies fought Daemon Targaryen’s rebel forces in the skies, but Aegon’s Sheepstealer killed Valis and Pearlshade. Ilion carried his son’s body away as the surviving rebels escaped.

• Ilion, Maegon, and Valis confronted Daemon, Aegon, and their dragons and demanded that they surrender.
• The dragons clashed, with Ilion’s Vermax fighting Daemon’s Caraxes and Valis’s Pearlshade battling Aegon’s Jadeolins and Sheepstealer.
• Sheepstealer ambushed Pearlshade, killed the dragon, and sent Valis falling to his death.
• Ilion drove Caraxes back in grief, but Daemon sounded the retreat and the rebel dragons fled.
• Ilion mourned over Valis’s body, then strapped his son to himself and left with Maegon.

After Illyon reported his son’s death, Lingor and Daeron II organized their dragons and armies to crush Daemon’s rebellion. The plan was thrown into turmoil when Jello revealed that three adult dragons had vanished from the Dragonpit, prompting the royal forces to begin a dragon hunt.

• Illyon told Lingor that his son had died and demanded to burn Igg, while the leaders discussed Daemon’s dragons and the rebel forces.
• Lingor assigned dragons and armies across the realm, ordered the rebels driven toward a grassland, and left Benson under suspicion despite his offer to join Daemon.
• Jello reported that Igris, Jelorion, and Igaras had escaped the Dragonpit, with Igaras having burned through the cavern to get outside.
• Brynden foresaw Igaras in the Stormlands and warned that Daemon must not learn the dragons were missing, while Igor sought help from his mother and aunt to intercept it.
• The meeting ended, and dragons took flight from King’s Landing to begin the hunt.

Rhaegar and Baelon stole Seasmoke from Oldtown, disrupting the royal family’s plans as war began across Westeros and the east. In the Conquest Lands, the Second Sons attacked key strongholds while Duke Bor and Count Reyes secretly backed their advance.

• Rhaegar and Baelon fled Oldtown on Seasmoke after Prince Aemon died, and Daeron and Lingor sent ravens to their allies.
• Balmi delivered two dragon eggs to Daniella, who ordered a purge of suspected dragon seekers in Tyrosh; she and Valenna also searched for Igaras and awaited Serena.
• The Second Sons and Dothraki forces captured Rika Raklon Harbor in a bloody surprise assault.
• The Second Sons attacked Leaf Lake Castle, and Eustace Osgrey ordered Adam to evacuate the women and children through a secret passage.
• Duke Bor and Count Reyes discussed their support for the Second Sons, and Bor told Garwin Peake to keep their involvement hidden.

After returning to King's Landing, Dan learned that Daemon Blackfyre had rebelled and planned to join the effort to stop him. Dan and Baelor split up, with Baelor heading north to track Daemon and Dan flying to the Riverlands to join Igor.

• Galwyn Peake captured Eustace at Leaflake and ordered him held for Lord Daemon.
• Jacaerys told Dan that Daemon had rebelled, taken three dragons, and burned the Dragonpit, while three other dragons had escaped.
• Dan and Baelor discussed how to confront the rebellion, and Baelor decided to track Daemon north on Tinderfire.
• Dan chose to fly to the Riverlands on Senzolos and join Igor.
• Baelor and Dan departed in different directions, each setting out to fight the rebels.

Daemon Blackfyre’s rebels attacked Lannisport with dragon support, but the Sheepstealer and Jadeolyns ambushed the royal dragons and set the port ablaze. Daemon’s allies also bonded with two hidden dragons, while Jacaerys Valaerys subdued Igaras and brought it home.

• Daemon Blackfyre ordered Rhaegar and Baelon to tell Aegon and Aegon that the plan had moved ahead after reports located Jelorion and Igrys.
• Daemon Lannister’s forces fought the Reyne army outside Lannisport until Maegon on Galesos and Garin on the White Queen turned the battle in their favor.
• The Sheepstealer and Jadeolyns ambushed the royal dragons, wounding the White Queen and setting Lannisport’s docks ablaze before escaping through the smoke.
• Tristan Sade and Doran Sade offered their own flesh to Jelorion and Igrys, and both dragons lowered their guards around them.
• Jacaerys Valaerys used Kongyi to drag Igaras away from its whale meal, subdued it, and took it home.

Daemon Blackfyre’s followers crowned him Daemon I and prepared to make the Crownlands the base of a new dynasty. Meanwhile, the allied North-Riverlands army found Harrenhal abandoned, and the southern rebel lords panicked as they faced the dragons and questioned Quentyn’s leadership.

• Daemon Blackfyre rallied his five fellow Dragonriders, and Aegon Sunfyre presented his father’s crown for Daemon’s coronation as Daemon I.
• Igor Hawen raised Daemon’s new black-dragon banner as Daemon vowed to seize the Crownlands and build a new dynasty.
• Rickon Stark led the North-Riverlands army toward Harrenhal, where the rebels had fled south after burning grain and fodder behind the gates.
• Catelyn Blackwood told Quentyn that the eastern Riverlands rebels had escaped toward the southern grasslands.
• Lord Mooton and other rebel lords blamed Quentyn for their predicament as Lord Ambrose Butterwell warned that Caraxes might burn them.

Raegon and Erenna forced Duke Baratheon to join the royal host, while Maegon and Garin crushed the Westerlands rebellion with fire at Tarbeck Hall and Castamere. The Reynes were drowned and boiled in their underground fortress, and the rebels fell silent.

• Erenna offered Duke Baratheon nine castles in exchange for Quentin Boll's envoy and Stormlands troops, while Raegon and the Golden King threatened Storm's End from above.
• Duke Baratheon surrendered the envoy, who was burned by the Golden King's Dragonfire, and agreed to march with the royal host.
• Maegon and Gelerosos destroyed Tarbeck Hall and burned the Earl of Tarbeck after he cried out to surrender.
• Garin and the White Queen drove the Reynes from their underground fortress with Dragonfire as Daemon Lannister's army surrounded Castamere.
• Daemon flooded the underground fortress, then had Gelerosos and the White Queen boil its waters with Dragonfire until the Reynes' screams stopped.
• The song "The Feast of Castamere" spread through the Seven Kingdoms as the Westerlands rebels fell silent.

Daemon Blackfyre used guerrilla attacks to wear down Igor’s forces and avoid a decisive battle on the open plains. After Daemon’s dragons retreated, Dan Valaerys found their trail and prepared to pursue them.

• Daemon Blackfyre planned to strike the scattered Tyrell forces and make Igor’s Dragonriders run themselves ragged.
• Daemon and Daemion launched repeated dragon attacks on Aelyon’s army, while Dan Valaerys and Igg fought a fierce aerial battle between Sentrolos and Sheepstealer.
• Bloodraven Brynden warned Dan that Caraxes and Jadeorlyns were attacking the Tyrell infantry, and Daemion flew to support Longthorn Leo.
• Daemon ordered a retreat as Dan’s reinforcements approached, and the rebel dragons escaped after setting the Tyrell army into chaos.
• Dan found a scorched golden rose banner and learned that Daemon was buying time; he declared that they had found Daemon’s trail and signaled the others to pursue.

Brinden Rivers and the allied dragonriders fought Daemon Blackfyre’s forces, and Senzoros killed Seasmoke, leaving Rhaegar gravely wounded. Daemon ordered a retreat as the battle turned against him.

• Brinden Rivers used Blood Eye’s speed to evade Igg and the Sheepstealer while wearing down the larger dragon.
• Dan Valaerys rode Senzoros through Seasmoke’s fire and killed the dragon with its sticky green fire, knocking Rhaegar from his saddle.
• Senzoros began to attack Rhaegar on the ground, but Dan stopped it and sent it to help Shayel.
• Daemon Blackfyre ordered his forces to retreat after seeing Seasmoke fall, while the other dragonriders fled the battlefield.
• Raven-Tooth Guard soldiers carried the barely conscious Rhaegar away, and he glimpsed a scorched Seasmoke scale before passing out.