Chapter Summaries

After Joffrey killed Robert Arryn, Gryn framed the death as an attempted assassination and secured the king’s approval, while Tywin left to manage the fallout. Cersei celebrated Gryn’s intervention, but Jaime objected to her defense of Joffrey and walked out of her hall.

• Gryn publicly declared that Robert Arryn had tried to assassinate Joffrey and asked Pycelle to record the account, while Joffrey backed his version of events.
• Tywin and Kevan left after deciding there were too many witnesses to conceal what had happened, and Joffrey refused Gryn’s request to send Robert Arryn’s body to the Vale.
• Gryn suggested that Cersei handle Tywin, and Joffrey agreed while promising Gryn a reward.
• Cersei prepared to invite Gryn to dinner and told Jaime that Joffrey’s rule made his version of events the truth.
• Addam told Jaime that Tywin expected him to fulfill his duties as Lord Commander after the tower incident.
• Jaime challenged Cersei’s indulgence of Joffrey, and Cersei defended her son before Jaime left the hall.

Jaime convened the Kingsguard to limit Joffrey’s actions and confront members he considered unfit, while reflecting on his own role in creating another tyrant. Afterward, Gryn joined Jaime on the way to Cersei’s dinner, and Jaime offered to show him the White Sword Tower and its White Book.

• Jaime recalled Joffrey’s cruelty and feared that he had helped create a second Mad King.
• Jaime ordered the Kingsguard to obey Cersei, Tywin, and him while protecting the underage king, including from harm caused by Joffrey himself.
• Jaime assigned Boros Blount to taste Joffrey’s food and wine, and Boros refused before leaving the meeting.
• Jaime questioned Osmund Kettleblack about his past as a mercenary and challenged Mandon Moore to a future match.
• Gryn met Jaime outside the White Sword Tower and persuaded him to attend Cersei’s dinner by mentioning the promised reward.
• Jaime offered to show Gryn the White Book entries for members of House Crabb who had served in the Kingsguard.

Gryn spoke with Ser Jaime about his ambitions and concerns over Joffrey before advising Cersei on House Tyrell’s arrival. Cersei granted Gryn the title of Duke of the Eyrie and made House Crabb the hereditary liege house of the Vale.

• Gryn told Ser Jaime that defending Joffrey’s reputation was his public motive for intervening, while securing the title of Duke of the Eyrie was his private one.
• Gryn reassured Jaime that Joffrey would not become another Mad King and said Tywin could help raise him into a good king.
• Cersei warned that Margaery and House Tyrell intended to win influence over Joffrey’s kingdom, and Gryn suggested sending Lord Mace away from King’s Landing.
• Cersei summoned Gryn to her study, where he urged her to grant him the Vale title before Tywin could use it to send him away.
• Jaime interrupted them with wine, and Cersei wrote a decree granting Gryn Crabb the title of Duke of the Eyrie, the Vale’s taxes, and hereditary lordship over its lords.

Gryn Crabb prepared for his knighting and received Tyrion Lannister, who asked him for financial help with Joffrey's wedding and King's Landing's food crisis. Gryn agreed to lend the royal treasury one hundred thousand Gold Dragons and offered to increase Tyrion's compensation.

• Gryn told Mutton, Brienne of Tarth, Anguy, and Ryon Hersy that he would knight them the next morning, and promised to ask Joffrey to revoke Mutton's bastard status.
• Tyrion visited Gryn and explained that Tywin had made him responsible for raising the seven hundred and seventy thousand Gold Dragons needed for Joffrey's wedding.
• Tyrion told Gryn that Cersei had agreed to decide her own marriage as a condition of the Vale negotiating with them.
• Tyrion asked Gryn for a one hundred thousand Gold Dragon loan for the royal treasury, and Gryn agreed to arrange it through Crabb Trading Company.
• Tyrion described King's Landing's continuing food crisis despite House Tyrell's deliveries, and Gryn offered to increase his compensation.

Tyrion discussed King's Landing’s food crisis and proposed taxing prostitution to fund royal expenses, then inspected the devastation at King's Gate. When Tywin demanded that he pay for both the city’s reconstruction and Joffrey’s extravagant wedding, Tyrion secured permission to tax the rich and left under pressure to produce results quickly.

• Tyrion asked Gryn for skilled swordsmen and explained that refugees from the Riverlands were worsening hunger and hardship in King's Landing.
• Tyrion proposed a prostitution industry tax and inspected the ruins and homeless camps at King's Gate, giving copper coins to begging children.
• Tywin questioned Tyrion about Joffrey’s wedding gift and the costs of rebuilding King's Landing, insisting that both projects proceed.
• Tyrion argued against the wedding’s extravagance and told Tywin he had borrowed money from Gryn for the royal treasury.
• Tyrion asked Tywin for authority to tax the rich, and Tywin approved while warning him not to provoke unrest and to deliver results soon.

Gryn Crabb monitored Dornish activity and the growing Sparrow movement in King's Landing, accepted a Valyrian steel dagger from the Iron Bank, and considered more aggressive plans for House Crabb. He ordered ten jars of Wildfire secretly sent to Dragonstone as the Redwyne fleet approached Blackwater Bay.

• Leyton told Gryn that grain was being stored outside King's Landing and that unfamiliar Dornishmen had approached Shataya about renting her brothel; Gryn ordered them watched from afar.
• Gryn and Leyton observed a septon denouncing corruption and learned that the devout poor organizing as the Sparrows were gathering dead septons and septas on their march to King's Landing.
• Nahor Dimittis congratulated Gryn on becoming Duke of the Eyrie and presented him with a Valyrian steel dagger on behalf of the Iron Bank's Keyholders.
• Gryn reconsidered his plans for House Crabb while reviewing maps, then ordered Leyton to test a hooded blue uniform and new armor for the Crabb soldiers.
• Leyton reported that the Alchemists' Guild had produced 103 jars of Wildfire the previous month, and Gryn ordered ten jars secretly sent to Dragonstone as the Redwyne fleet neared Blackwater Bay.

Tywin summoned Cersei, Jaime, and Tyrion to discuss Joffrey’s conduct, the family’s plans, and the war. The meeting ended with Tywin denying that Lannister had caused the bloodshed at Riverrun.

• Kevan escorted Cersei into the study, where Tywin rebuked her over Joffrey’s boast that a king feared nothing.
• Tywin gathered Jaime and Tyrion at Maegor’s Hold, and Tyrion questioned where Joffrey’s betrothed would live after their wedding.
• Tywin ordered Tyrion to represent Lannister in three days at the Blackwater Rush docks to welcome prince Oberyn.
• Cersei predicted that the Riverlands would soon surrender, but Tywin insisted that the young Direwolf and the Blackfish would keep resisting.
• When Cersei began to ask whether Tywin was responsible for the events at Riverrun, he said that Lannister was not.

Tyrion discussed how to manage Oberyn Martell’s anger over the deaths of Elia Martell and her children, while Tywin ordered his children to respect Gryn Crabb’s independence. Cersei agreed outwardly, but after Tywin left she angrily accused Jaime of cowardice.

• Tyrion warned that Oberyn’s hostility might have grown and questioned whether blaming the Mountain would satisfy him.
• Tywin explained why House Lannister had supported Robert and ordered Tyrion to give Oberyn the same account of the Mountain’s crimes.
• Tywin told Cersei she could choose her own husband and ordered the siblings not to involve Gryn Crabb in Lannister family affairs.
• Cersei reluctantly agreed to Tywin’s demand, while Tyrion and Jaime said they would not trouble Gryn.
• After Tywin left, Cersei smashed her wine cup and accused Jaime of lacking the courage to oppose their father.

Queen Regent Cersei visited Gryn Crabb with Jaime and learned that Gryn was preparing for a possible war over Dragonstone while keeping his plans from Tywin. Three mornings later, Tyrion waited at the docks for the Dornish envoys and quizzed Pod on their banners.

• Cersei insisted that Jaime escort her to Gryn's mansion that night, despite Jaime's warning about the danger and Tywin's suspicions.
• Gryn mistook Cersei and Jaime for ordinary visitors at first, then welcomed them and explained that he was gathering intelligence to prepare for a possible attack on Dragonstone.
• Jaime told Gryn that Tywin had disclosed his arrangement with Gryn, and Cersei rejected the idea that her affairs could be separated into royal and Lannister family matters.
• Three mornings later, Tyrion, Ser Addam, Ser Bronn, and Pod waited at the Blackwater Rush docks for the Dornish envoys.
• Tyrion had Bronn describe the arriving banners and tested Pod's knowledge of Dornish houses, beginning with House Martell and House Dalt.

Tyrion welcomed Prince Oberyn and a large Dornish delegation to King's Landing, while Oberyn's pointed remarks hinted at hostility toward the Lannisters. Outside the Red Keep, Gryn and Lord Mace discussed Dragonstone before Lord Tywin joined them to greet the arriving nobles, leaving the kingdom's great lords publicly united.

• Tyrion recognized banners from nine Dornish houses and sent Ser Addam Marbrand to warn Lord Tywin that their leaders and heirs had come to King's Landing.
• Prince Oberyn disembarked with nobles from across Dorne, and Tyrion greeted him on behalf of King Joffrey and Lord Tywin.
• Oberyn introduced his companions, including his mistress Ellaria Sand, then mocked Joffrey for sending Tyrion to welcome the Dornish party.
• Gryn told Lord Mace that he was gathering intelligence on Dragonstone but had no plans to attack it, and Mace suggested letting the Lannisters take the island.
• Lord Tywin arrived at the Red Keep gates, where he joined Gryn and Lord Mace at the front of the gathering to welcome the future queen.

Gryn Crabb warned Tywin and Mace that Northern cavalry was raiding near Harrenhal, but Tywin said he had sent Lannister forces after them and expected Joffrey and Margaery’s wedding to proceed smoothly. Joffrey and Margaery’s wedding procession entered King’s Landing to loud acclaim, and their carriage approached the Red Keep.

• Gryn Crabb reported that Northern cavalry had appeared on the Kingsroad east of Harrenhal and proposed forming a large allied army to destroy it.
• Mace agreed to Gryn’s proposal, but Tywin said he had ordered Ser Amory to pursue the raiders and asked Gryn to provide Vale cavalry if needed.
• Gryn said the allied-army proposal could be set aside, while Mace remarked that Robb Stark could not be allowed to keep causing trouble in the Riverlands.
• Joffrey helped Margaery into the royal carriage, and the wedding procession entered the city as the crowd cheered for them, especially Margaery.
• When Joffrey grew displeased at the crowd’s focus on Margaery, she praised and kissed him, prompting the crowd to cheer for both the king and queen.
• Joffrey and Margaery’s carriage proceeded toward the Red Keep beneath the stag-and-lion and rose banners.

King Joffrey welcomed Margaery to King's Landing and hurried her away to his tournament, while Gryn Crabb and Lady Olenna discussed the war and the Lannisters' power. On Pyke, Balon Greyjoy fell from a rope bridge into the sea, and the chapter ended as Gryn arrived at Joffrey's tournament and learned Tommen would face a straw dummy.

• Joffrey introduced Margaery as his betrothed, cut short the nobles' greetings, and took her to his tournament despite Ser Kevan's objections.
• Tywin intervened, and Ser Kevan stayed to receive the remaining nobles while Joffrey and Margaery rode into the Red Keep.
• Lady Olenna questioned Gryn about the war and Tywin, then asked Mace to help soothe those neglected by Joffrey's abrupt departure.
• Balon Greyjoy lost his footing on a storm-lashed rope bridge and fell into the sea.
• Gryn arrived at Joffrey's tournament, where Tommen announced he would compete and Joffrey revealed that Tommen's opponent was a straw dummy.

At Joffrey’s tourney, Gryn Crabb questioned the Dornish report that Viserys was dead and warned Joffrey that Dorne might have ulterior motives. Joffrey’s anger eased when Gryn and Margaery pledged their houses’ support, while the tournament’s humiliating bouts left Ser Dontos facing the king’s wrath.

• Joffrey told Gryn that the Dornish reported Viserys had been burned to death and that Viserys’s sister had disappeared.
• Gryn questioned why the Dornish had learned of Viserys’s death and warned that Martell might have an ulterior motive; Joffrey vowed not to spare traitors.
• Gryn offered House Crabb’s forces as Joffrey’s vanguard, and Margaery pledged House Tyrell’s forces, easing Joffrey’s anger.
• Ser Meryn Trant unhorsed Ser Hobber, and Ser Balon Swen defeated Morros Slynt, who was dragged across the ground after his foot caught in a stirrup.
• Ser Dontos arrived drunk and half-dressed, yielded, and asked for wine; Joffrey threatened to have him drown in a barrel, but Margaery persuaded him that the day was not suitable for bloodshed.
• Gryn suggested that Ser Dontos had potential as a fool and asked Margaery what she thought.

Joffrey ended the tournament after sparing Dontos and Tommen fell from his pony while jousting a quintain. Gryn learned that Tyrion had offered to marry into House Martell as a joke, which Oberyn accepted, and Jaime feared Cersei might react dangerously; Gryn suggested finding Tyrion somewhere else to go.

• Joffrey spared Ser Dontos by making him his fool, then ended the tournament and let Tommen take a turn at the quintain.
• Tommen struck the quintain, was knocked into the mud by its mace, and was carried away after attendants helped him up.
• Myrcella confided to Gryn that she felt uneasy about Tyrion meeting Prince Oberyn, but Jaime interrupted and took her to see Cersei.
• Jaime told Gryn that Oberyn had accepted Tyrion’s joking offer to marry into House Martell and intended to make a formal proposal to the small council.
• Jaime worried that Cersei might act impulsively against Tyrion, and Gryn suggested finding Tyrion a new place to go.

Gryn tried to protect Tyrion from Cersei’s schemes while learning that Prince Oberyn had invited him to meet at Chataya’s establishment. The chapter ended with Gryn arriving at Hook Alley to find Ser Bronn waiting with the invitation.

• Gryn told Jaime he feared Cersei would find an excuse to imprison Tyrion and discussed finding a safer arrangement for him.
• Cersei praised Gryn’s charm, then accused Tyrion of endangering Myrcella and revealed her plan to make Tywin disappointed in him by arranging help with his duties.
• Jaime refused to let Cersei harm Tyrion and walked away, while Gryn reassured Cersei that Jaime remained loyal to her.
• Gryn urged Leyton to investigate the Dornish and prepare for possible intelligence about the Targaryens, while keeping watch over Tyrion.
• Bronn told Gryn that Tyrion and Prince Oberyn were at Chataya’s establishment and that Oberyn had invited him.

Gryn Crabb questioned Bronn about Tyrion and Oberyn’s guards, then had Brienne incapacitate Bronn and ordered him locked up. At Chataya’s, Oberyn gave Tyrion the poisoned sword Viper and recalled how Cersei had shown the newborn Tyrion to him and Elia, before Tyrion hinted that he owed Cersei a debt of gratitude.

• Gryn questioned Bronn about Tyrion’s guards and learned that four Red Cloaks had accompanied him, including a suspected eavesdropper.
• Bronn reported that Oberyn had brought four guards, and Gryn offered him a chance to earn Gold Dragons before Brienne knocked him unconscious.
• Tyrion examined the sword Viper, learned from Oberyn that it was poisoned, and accepted it as a gift.
• Oberyn told Tyrion that they had met when Tyrion was a newborn and described how Cersei had let him and Elia inspect the child.
• Oberyn recalled that Elia had pitied Tyrion and wanted to raise him, while Tyrion joked about his birth and suggested he might someday thank Cersei.

Tyrion tried to manage Prince Oberyn’s demand for justice while gauging the threat he posed, but Oberyn drugged or otherwise lulled him into sleep and pressed him for information about Gryn Crabb. Gryn secretly entered the brothel room and confronted Oberyn, ending by tossing him Lady Forlorn.

• Oberyn recounted how Cersei had hurt the infant Tyrion, and Tyrion concealed his anger while questioning Oberyn about his motives.
• Tyrion promised that Tywin would investigate Elia’s murder, but Oberyn rejected the Lannister inquiry and threatened the family while discussing the strength of its allies.
• As Tyrion grew drowsy, Oberyn asked him to tell what he knew about Gryn Crabb.
• Gryn met Leyton and Geoffrey outside Shataya’s Brothel, learned that Tyrion and Oberyn’s guards were watching the room, and entered through a concealed passage with Shataya’s help.
• Gryn emerged from behind a screen and spoke with Oberyn, who had put his sword aside; Gryn then tossed Lady Forlorn to him.

Gryn and Prince Oberyn discussed their shared Targaryen interests, Daenerys’s whereabouts, and an alliance sealed by a proposed marriage between Gryn and Arianne Martell. Gryn then killed Oberyn and placed the bloody dagger in Tyrion’s hand.

• Prince Oberyn questioned Gryn about the deaths of Elia and her children, and Gryn described House Crabb’s loyalty to the Targaryens and its losses in the rebellion.
• Oberyn revealed his secret pact with Viserys and accused Gryn of helping the Targaryens and concealing Daenerys.
• Oberyn tricked Gryn into revealing his connection to Daenerys, then proposed that she stay in Sunspear and that Gryn marry Arianne Martell.
• Gryn appeared to consider Oberyn’s proposal, then stabbed him with the golden snake-hilted dagger.
• Gryn pulled the dagger from Oberyn’s chest and placed it in Tyrion’s hand.

Gryn promised to protect Shataya and her children, then offered Bronn lordship in exchange for his service. Tyrion was found beside the dead Oberyn and imprisoned, while Jaime struggled to convince Tywin of his innocence; on Dragonstone, Stannis rejected Melisandre’s prophecy but heard her urge him to demonstrate his strength.

• Gryn promised Shataya protection, left Leyton to handle matters, and later offered Bronn the title of Knight of the Blackwater, which Bronn accepted.
• Tyrion awoke with the poisoned Viper dagger in hand and Oberyn dead nearby, so guards arrested him amid the Dornishmen’s fury.
• Tywin told Jaime that witnesses had seen Tyrion holding a bloody weapon and promised him a fair trial, then declared that he had no son.
• Davos confirmed that Balon Greyjoy had died in a fall, and Stannis planned to send an envoy offering the Ironborn a pardon.
• Melisandre predicted that two crowns would soon rise in the Iron Islands and urged Stannis to show the realm the power of the true king.

Stannis considered sacrificing Edric Storm to awaken a dragon, but Davos challenged Melisandre’s claims and urged him to spare the boy. Stannis remained tempted by the prospect of a dragon as Northern forces won a major victory in the Riverlands, while Joffrey practiced with a crossbow in King’s Landing.

• Queen Selyse, Ser Axell, and Melisandre urged Stannis to sacrifice Edric Storm, but Stannis acknowledged that the boy was blameless and his blood.
• Davos questioned Melisandre’s evidence and warned Stannis that killing Edric would make him a kinslayer, while Melisandre claimed royal blood could awaken a dragon.
• Stannis dismissed the others, rejected Davos’s plea to meet Edric, and wondered whether sacrificing one bastard was worth the realm’s future if his enemies died.
• Northern cavalry ambushed Ser Amory Lorch’s forces, then ambushed Lannister reinforcements as the Brave Companions captured Harrenhal and Ser Amory died.
• Lord Mace criticized Tywin’s handling of the Riverlands while Joffrey hit his crossbow target and Gryn joked that Tywin should seek Mace’s advice.