Chapter Summaries

Lord Mace and Gryn discussed the war, traded support for furs and grain, and watched Joffrey grow closer to Margaery. Cersei plotted to discredit Margaery through her maidservants, while Joffrey summoned Margaery alone and aimed a crossbow at her.

• Lord Mace and Gryn discussed Lannister preparations and arranged for Tyrell support supplying Gryn with furs and grain.
• Cersei questioned Joffrey about Margaery, but he defended her and rejected his mother's warnings.
• Cersei asked Osney Kettleblack to win the favor of Margaery's maidservants and uncover secrets she could use against Margaery.
• Joffrey ordered Margaery brought to the throne room and dismissed everyone else.
• Margaery entered the empty throne room, saw Joffrey aiming a crossbow at her, and greeted him with a curtsy.

Joffrey tested Margaery with a crossbow, and she won his trust by claiming Renly had avoided consummating their marriage. Two days later, Tywin and the lords discussed the Redwyne fleet, Dornish threats, and ending the war as a knock interrupted their meeting.

• Joffrey threatened Margaery with a loaded crossbow and questioned her about her time with Renly.
• Margaery claimed Renly had avoided her and attempted an unnatural act, persuading Joffrey that Renly was depraved.
• Joffrey taught Margaery to fire a crossbow at the Master of Laws’ chair, and she asked to join him hunting and fulfill her wifely duties.
• After leaving with Joffrey, Margaery sent Ello Tyrell to investigate his whereabouts and asked Mego Tyrell to arrange a private meeting with Olenna.
• Two days later, Gryn, Mathis, Mace, Kevan, and Tywin discussed defending Blackwater Bay after the Redwyne fleet arrived.
• Tywin insisted Doran would not send troops and said he would give Dorne no excuse for war, while the lords debated the trial and the cost of quelling Dornish anger; a knock interrupted them.

Lord Tywin responded to the North’s cavalry raid near Duskendale by ordering more cavalry, while Joffrey forced Lancel to reveal the damage caused by the raid. Margaery met with Gryn to discuss the Tyrell-Crabb trade, and Tyrion learned that his public trial would take place in seven days as the Lannisters faced military pressure.

• Lancel reported that Northmen cavalry had raided near Duskendale, and Lord Tywin ordered Ser Kevan to double the Free Riders’ pay.
• Joffrey stopped Lancel, threatened him, and made him explain that villages near Duskendale had been stripped clean by the raiders.
• Lord Mace suggested invading the Riverlands to limit the North’s cavalry, while Gryn and Count Mathis discussed the plan’s military demands.
• Margaery told Lord Mace she had begun preparing for the Tyrell-Crabb trade and asked Gryn to speak with her.
• Ser Kevan told Tyrion that his public trial was set for seven days later and that Robb Stark had retaken Harrenhal and sent cavalry to Duskendale.

Tyrion faced an impending trial for Oberyn’s death and struggled to find a champion, while Margaery tried to secure Duke Gryn’s support by offering a future betrothal between their children. The chapter ended with Gryn visiting Tyrion in the Dungeons.

• Kevan told Tyrion that he would be tried before Tywin, Mace, and Duke Gryn, and warned him that friendship would not overcome political interests.
• Tyrion asked for a trial by combat, but Kevan explained that Jaime would be sent to the Riverlands; Tyrion also learned that Bronn was marrying Loriss and suspected Cersei had arranged it to deprive him of a champion.
• Tyrion told Kevan that he would fight the Dornish champion himself and insisted that he had not killed the Red Viper; Kevan said he believed him.
• Margaery confided in Gryn about her fears surrounding her wedding and asked if she could become a good queen, then offered to betroth her and Joffrey’s child to Gryn’s child.
• After Margaery left, Anguy told Gryn that Osney Kettleblack had been following her, and Gryn ordered him left alone before arranging to visit Tyrion.
• Gryn entered Tyrion’s cell and remarked that he seemed to be living comfortably.

Gryn visited Tyrion in his cell and offered a way for him to live by using Jaime and Tywin to weaken the Lannisters, while revealing a question about Jaime’s role in Tyrion’s marriage to Tysha. Later, Cersei dismissed reports of intimacy between Gryn and Margaery and wondered who Joffrey had invited to dinner.

• Gryn told Tyrion that he knew Tyrion was innocent but that the Lannisters were likely to abandon him, then offered to arrange a plan that could spare his life.
• Tyrion asked Gryn to care for Shae and find her a good husband, and Gryn agreed.
• Gryn suggested Jaime might have given Tyrion Tysha as a gift for reasons Tyrion had never considered, prompting Tyrion to ask to see Jaime.
• Ser Osney told Cersei that Gryn and Margaery had behaved intimately, but Cersei dismissed it as Margaery’s attempt to seduce Gryn.
• Ser Osfryd told Cersei that Joffrey had invited her to dine, and she asked who else he had invited.

Cersei arranged for Osney to get close to Margaery while secretly planning to use him as a scapegoat, and Gryn agreed to help the Night’s Watch recruit men after hearing their report of wights. Gryn then rode to Joffrey’s dinner, where he was greeted by Ser Garlan.

• Cersei rejected Osney’s suggestion that Gryn seduce Margaery and told Osney to charm the Tyrell women while preparing to confess to crimes when she chose.
• Alliser Thorne and Grenn told Gryn that two dead Night’s Watch rangers had risen as wights, and that their attempts to warn the king and Tywin had been dismissed.
• Gryn offered to fund the Night’s Watch’s recruitment of suitable men from among the refugees in King’s Landing, and Alliser and Grenn thanked him.
• Gryn received Joffrey’s dinner invitation and suspected that the gathering might be aimed at Tywin.
• Gryn rode to the Red Keep with Brienne, Mutton, Anguy, and his guards, where Ser Garlan greeted him.

Gryn and Jaime agreed on a secret plan to free Tyrion from the dungeons, while Tywin weighed his options for buying the Lannisters time. The chapter ended as Tywin and Cersei arrived for Joffrey’s dinner.

• Gryn and Garlan discussed the Reach campaign, the growing refugee crisis, and Jaime’s upcoming departure to fight in the Riverlands.
• Tywin told Kevan that Joffrey needed firmer lessons, then ordered him to contact Lady Westerling while they sought time to gather Lannister forces.
• Jaime told Gryn that he wanted to save Tyrion, and Gryn offered him a secret passage into the dungeons in exchange for an oath.
• Gryn and Jaime entered Maegor’s Hold, where the Tyrell maidservants fawned over Jaime, and later joined Garlan at Joffrey’s dinner.
• Tywin arrived at the dinner, followed by Cersei, whose entrance made a vein twitch at Tywin’s temple.

At a dinner with the Lannisters and Tyrells, Joffrey praised Margaery, challenged Cersei, and tried to use Tyrion’s sentence to force Tywin to let him rule in his own right. The chapter ended with Tywin questioning Joffrey’s plan to lead troops against Robb Stark as Joffrey demanded an answer about whether horses or soldiers on foot moved faster.

• Cersei warned Tywin that Margaery’s revealing dress reflected badly on Joffrey, but Tywin ordered her to stop voicing such thoughts.
• Joffrey welcomed Margaery and the guests, while Cersei and Margaery traded barbed remarks about Margaery’s dress and aid to the poor.
• Margaery offered the Reach’s harvest to help feed King’s Landing, and Joffrey praised her as a future queen.
• Joffrey suggested hanging Tyrion, but Tywin insisted he receive a fair trial; Joffrey then used his willingness to delay Tyrion’s punishment to press Tywin to recognize his rule in his own right.
• Joffrey announced that he would lead troops against Robb Stark, and Tywin challenged him about Stark’s location and whether horses or soldiers on foot moved faster.

At Joffrey’s feast, Gryn supported Joffrey’s proposal for a royal army, prompting Tywin to warn that stripping the lords of their armies would unite the realm against the king. Tywin summoned Ser Addam and the Red Cloaks, leaving Joffrey and Cersei facing the consequences of his fury.

• Joffrey argued with Tywin about ruling early, hiring mercenaries, and the kingdom’s debts, while Gryn warned that the Seven Kingdoms could not do without Tywin as Hand.
• Joffrey announced that he would create a royal army and take the lords’ armies away; Gryn publicly offered to support the plan.
• Tywin ended the feast, and Margaery left with Gryn while Jaime and Sandor Clegane also departed despite Joffrey’s objections.
• Tywin confronted Joffrey, explaining that the lords would rebel if he threatened their armies and that they accepted him as king because he was Robert’s blood.
• Tywin called Ser Addam, who entered with more than a dozen Lannister Red Cloaks.

Joffrey’s drunken outburst angered Tywin, while Gryn suspected Margaery had subtly provoked the king and learned Jaime had gone to visit Tyrion. In the dungeon, Jaime promised to save Tyrion if Tywin condemned him, then confessed that Tysha had truly been Tyrion’s wife and that Tywin had made him lie about her.

• Tywin ordered Joffrey to apologize to Mace and warned him that Robert’s bloodline included others; he then had Joffrey taken away with sleeping wine.
• Tywin told Cersei that forceful kings rarely met good ends and revealed that he had disliked Robert because Robert liked patting him on the back.
• Gryn escorted Margaery and Garlan, suspected Margaery had helped provoke Joffrey, and learned from Leyton that Jaime had gone to the dungeons.
• Jaime visited Tyrion in his cell and promised to free him himself if Tywin sentenced him to death.
• Jaime confessed that Tysha had not been a paid prostitute but a farmer’s daughter Tyrion had married, and that Tywin had ordered Jaime to lie about her.

Tyrion learned that Jaime had lied about Tysha and vowed revenge on his family before collapsing into grief over his lost wife. Meanwhile, Brynden Tully visited Walder Frey at the Twins to seek his support, and Walder cleared the hall to speak with him privately.

• Tyrion struck Jaime, condemned his lie about Tysha, and revealed that Cersei trusted Osney Kettleblack before Jaime left the cell.
• Tyrion remembered meeting Tysha, marrying her, and losing her after Jaime and their father tore them apart, then wept in the darkness.
• After Robb recaptured Harrenhal, Brynden Tully appointed Jason Mallister acting Lord of Riverrun and rode to the Twins with Roose Bolton.
• Black Walder invited Brynden alone into the castle, and Brynden accepted despite Bolton's warning that Walder Frey could take him hostage.
• Walder Frey mocked Brynden and argued with his family before sending them out so he and Brynden could speak privately.

Lord Brynden negotiated with Lord Walder Frey for House Frey's support of King Robb, accepting Walder's marriage demand and meeting Roslin Frey. In King's Landing, Tyrion bribed his jailers and asked to see Duke Gryn.

• Lord Walder complained to Lord Brynden about House Frey's insults and threatened to bar Robb's soldiers from crossing the Twins.
• Lord Brynden apologized on Robb's behalf and argued that Robb could defeat the Lannisters if Frey troops supported him.
• Lord Walder accepted salt and bread with Lord Brynden, then demanded that Robb marry a Frey lady at the Twins.
• Lord Brynden agreed and asked Walder to choose a beautiful queen; Walder introduced his daughter Roslin Frey.
• Tyrion called to the jailers, offered them a Gold Dragon, and asked them to summon Duke Gryn.

Gryn met with Tyrion in his cell, where Tyrion asked for help reaching Tywin and learned that Gryn wanted him to serve in a plan involving Joffrey. Gryn offered to search for Tyrion’s exiled wife Tysha, leaving Tyrion tearfully hopeful of reuniting with her; later, Mutton and Sandor Clegane fought in the Tower of the Hand.

• Gryn ordered mercenaries to secretly protect High Septon Zari during his planned journey to the Riverlands and told Leyton to keep watching the Sparrows.
• Tyrion asked Gryn for access to Tywin and a crossbow, but Gryn explained that Kevan and the Red Cloaks made the plan impossible and urged Tyrion to act rationally.
• Gryn named Joffrey, prompting Tyrion to infer that Gryn wanted the Iron Throne, and Tyrion asked him to spare the innocent.
• Gryn showed Tyrion portraits of Tysha and promised to search for her in secret, including with help from the Iron Bank; Tyrion knelt and begged him to find her.
• Mutton and Sandor Clegane fought in the Tower of the Hand, leaving Sandor with a broken leg and Mutton confined to Crabb Mansion.

Daenerys received a silver-haired Queensguard chosen by House Crabb and found comfort in Gryn’s assurances about their future together. In King’s Landing, Jaime confronted his jealousy and guilt while Tywin negotiated with Mace over Storm’s End and the rebuilding of the Royal Fleet.

• Surana prepared Daenerys for the day and reassured her that Gryn shared her hopes for their future.
• Ser Lena brought six silver-haired warriors to serve as Daenerys’s Queensguard, and Daenerys welcomed them and entrusted them with her safety.
• Jaime visited the Red Keep bathhouse, imagined Cersei with Osney, and vomited before resolving to free Tyrion if Tywin truly planned to execute him.
• Tywin told Mace that Storm’s End would be easy to capture and proposed Ser Garlan Tyrell as its acting castellan.
• Tywin offered House Tyrell control of Storm’s End on the condition that it support rebuilding the Royal Fleet.

Tywin negotiated a division of territory and power with Mace Tyrell and Gryn, then sent them away as he prepared for a campaign against Robb Stark. Jaime visited Gryn with a realization about a riddle, while Robb received a letter from Lord Tully near Harrenhal.

• Tywin persuaded Mace to accept a marriage arrangement that would give House Tyrell influence over the Stormlands, while Mace agreed to the deal.
• Tywin tasked Gryn with taking Dragonstone and promised him authority over Claw Isle, which Gryn claimed should return to Crackclaw Point.
• Tywin reopened Count Adrian Celtigar’s treason case, allowing Gryn’s House Crab to take control of Claw Isle.
• Mace and Gryn suspected Tywin had a plan to defeat Robb, so Gryn prepared letters for the Eyrie and Whispers while Mace sought Olenna’s counsel.
• Jaime visited Gryn, said he thought he had solved the riddle, and left after Gryn warned him about dealing with the Kettleblack brothers.
• Near Harrenhal, Reynald Westerling brought Robb a letter from Lord Tully.

Robb Stark prepared to march to Seaguard and then the Twins, accepting that he would marry a Frey girl despite his grief for Jeyne. In King's Landing, Joffrey secretly sought Duke Gryn while Tyrion's trial for Oberyn's murder began before Tywin, Mace, and Gryn.

• Robb ordered his army to break camp for Seaguard, thanked Ser Reynald for his family's loyalty, and said he would marry a Frey girl after resupplying.
• Robb told Dacey Mormont to shave his beard, and she agreed to remain at his side.
• Joffrey learned that Margaery was being praised as a future queen, then ordered Ser Mandon Moore to secretly arrange a meeting with Duke Gryn.
• Ser Mandon told Joffrey that Tyrion had repeatedly tried to see him, but Joffrey dismissed the possibility of forgiving his uncle.
• Tyrion prepared for his trial, entered the throne room, and saw Tywin, Mace, and Gryn seated as judges.
• Tywin opened the trial by asking Tyrion whether he had murdered Prince Oberyn.

At Tyrion Lannister’s trial for Prince Oberyn’s murder, he rejected the charge, then mocked the prosecution by confessing to lesser sins and arguing that he was no assassin. Witnesses presented evidence that supported the accusation, and the chapter ended with Tyrion interrupting another witness to announce that he confessed.

• Tyrion denied murdering Oberyn, then admitted to numerous personal failings and insisted he could not have killed the Red Viper alone.
• Harmen Uller and other Dornish nobles shouted for Tyrion’s blood until the guards restored order and Gryn warned them against disrupting the trial.
• Ellaria Sand testified that she found Tyrion holding a dagger beside Oberyn’s body and recounted an argument between them; guards and a Gold Cloak captain said no one else had entered the room.
• Ser Balon Swen praised Tyrion’s fighting ability, while the Kettleblack brothers claimed Tyrion had plotted against Cersei and Joffrey.
• Pycelle testified that Oberyn had died from a single dagger thrust while drunk, and numerous witnesses offered accounts intended to suggest Tyrion had motive and violent intent.
• Tyrion interrupted a witness and announced that he confessed, prompting Tywin to silence the hall.

Tyrion’s trial resumed as Cersei’s witnesses mocked him, and he confessed to killing Oberyn while publicly accusing Tywin of arranging Tysha’s rape. Tywin declared Tyrion guilty and had him dragged away, leaving Jaime’s promised chance for Tyrion to take the black in jeopardy.

• At Tyrion’s trial, High Septon Ollidor condemned him, and Tywin suspended the proceedings for an hour.
• Jaime confronted Tywin, who promised that if Tyrion were found guilty and asked for mercy, he could take the black; Jaime agreed to give up his white cloak and lead soldiers to Golden Tooth.
• Before the trial resumed, Jaime urged Tyrion to confess obediently and ask to take the black, while a Gold Cloak secretly whispered to Tyrion.
• Cersei’s witnesses mocked Tyrion’s height and sexual behavior, and Tyrion erupted, condemning the court and its nobles for their treatment of him.
• Tyrion confessed to killing Oberyn, then accused Tywin of having his guards rape Tysha, his lawful wife.
• Tywin called Tysha a whore, declared Tyrion guilty of Oberyn’s murder, and ordered the Gold Cloaks to drag him away as Tyrion threatened vengeance.

After Tyrion was condemned to death, he told Kevan that Tysha was alive and warned him about Cersei and Jaime’s incest and Joffrey’s dangerous behavior. When Joffrey visited, Tyrion claimed he could help him control Tywin by revealing that Joffrey was not Robert I’s son, and narrowly avoided Joffrey’s sword as he tried to explain.

• Tywin declared Tyrion guilty of murder, and High Septon Ollidor persuaded him to deny Tyrion the right to take the Black or demand trial by combat.
• Tyrion ate and prepared for his execution before Kevan visited and told him he would be beheaded at dawn two days later.
• Tyrion learned from Kevan that Tysha had been sent across the Narrow Sea, and he warned Kevan that Cersei and Jaime were committing incest.
• Tyrion urged Kevan to watch Joffrey and asked him to care for Tommen and Myrcella before Kevan left the cell.
• Joffrey visited Tyrion, who told him he was not Robert I’s son and narrowly dodged attacks from Lion’s Tooth while trying to explain.

Tyrion persuaded Joffrey that Tywin might use the secret of his parentage to take the Iron Throne, then Jaime rescued Tyrion from the dungeon. Tyrion escaped through a hidden tunnel and heard someone laughing beside him in the darkness.

• Tyrion told Joffrey that the histories of House Baratheon showed its children had black hair, and warned Tywin could use Joffrey's golden hair to challenge his claim.
• Tyrion convinced Joffrey that Tywin intended to control or depose him, and Joffrey left Tyrion imprisoned rather than execute him immediately.
• Jaime arrived after midnight with Gold Dragons and freed Tyrion after drugging the jailers.
• Jaime led Tyrion through the lower dungeons to a hidden tunnel, apologized, and warned him that Cersei and Martell might send assassins.
• Tyrion climbed down the tunnel with the money pouch and heard an unexpected laugh beside him.