Chapter Summaries

Daemon returned to King's Landing with his companions and was welcomed by the royal family. He reconciled with Jocelyn by calling her Mother, then headed to the Red Keep for a feast as Grey Ghost secretly followed him into the city.

• Daemon fished a grouper from the Redwyne fleet while Grey Ghost followed the ships and accepted fish from the crew.
• The fleet reached King's Landing, where Jaehaerys, Alysanne, Baelon, and the royal court welcomed Daemon and the returning party.
• Daemon Targaryen told Daemon that he had become commander of the City Watch, then greeted Daemon and his companions.
• Daemon called Jocelyn Mother, and she embraced him in tears as the royal family looked on.
• Daemon soothed the crying Princess Rhaenyra, who stopped crying and giggled in his arms.
• Jaehaerys led the party toward the Red Keep for a welcoming feast, while Grey Ghost secretly followed Daemon into King's Landing.

Daemon Blackfyre was welcomed at a feast in the Red Keep, where his achievements and growing influence drew praise and wary speculation. Later, Gael and the others joined him in his room, where they accepted Grey Ghost and shared a warm moment together.

• Jocelyn Baratheon and Queen Alysanne served Daemon Blackfyre food at the banquet, while Gael, Viserys, and Rhaenyra joined in the lively meal.
• Baelon praised Daemon Blackfyre’s accomplishments across the Seven Kingdoms, and Otto Hightower, Lyonel Strong, Vaegon, and Jaehaerys added their approval.
• Daemon Targaryen teased Daemon Blackfyre about women and Grey Ghost, while lords and Otto Hightower privately worried that Daemon’s influence might threaten Prince Viserys.
• Larys Strong signaled an attendant to carry a message as the banquet ended.
• Gael, Mysaria, Johanna, Brienne, and Alys Rivers visited Daemon Blackfyre with wheat cakes and gifts, and Grey Ghost revealed a shed scale from Glutton hanging around his neck.
• Gael agreed that Grey Ghost could stay nearby, and Daemon Blackfyre watched his friends gather around the timid dragon.

Daemon and his followers spent a peaceful morning training and socializing in King's Landing before Lyonel Strong delivered the king’s plans for their posts and Robin Shaw summoned Daemon Targaryen to the Small Council. The chapter left Daemon watching Ser Harrold Westerling teach Mys Rivers a lesson in swordsmanship beside the docile Grey Ghost.

• Daemon sparred with Daemon Targaryen while their companions trained, studied, and watched around the grounds.
• Lyonel Strong told Daemon that the king wanted him and his followers to take government or military posts, and Daemon sent Jarman Waters and Harlan Hunter to assist Lyonel and guard him and Larys Strong.
• Ser Robin Shaw summoned Daemon Targaryen to the Small Council, and Daemon Targaryen left after promising Daemon another bout.
• Lubert Crabb and Lyonel Corbray admired the Kingsguard, and Ser Harrold Westerling offered to demonstrate swordsmanship by sparring with Mys Rivers.
• Harrold easily outmaneuvered Mys and advised him on his technique while Daemon watched from beside Gael, Rhaenyra, and Grey Ghost.

Jaehaerys appointed Daemon Blackfyre Targaryen Master of Whisperers and gave him sweeping powers to form the Dark Blade Guard, despite objections from his family and council. He later explained that Daemon and Daemon Targaryen were meant to serve as two royal swords, while warning that their power could threaten Viserys’s future reign.

• Jaehaerys announced Daemon Blackfyre Targaryen’s appointment as Master of Whisperers, prompting Baelon, Leonno Strong, Grand Maester Alar, Viserys, and Queen Alysanne to object.
• Daemon Targaryen drew Dark Sister on Otto Hightower, accusing him of trying to weaken Little Daemon, before Jaehaerys ordered him to sheathe it.
• Daemon Blackfyre Targaryen swore to serve the Iron Throne, and Jaehaerys appointed him to the Small Council with authority to form the Dark Blade Guard and execute first in emergencies.
• The council accepted Jaehaerys’s decision, while Otto regretted that his proposal had strengthened Daemon instead of weakening him.
• Jaehaerys told Baelon and Vaegon that Daemon Targaryen would be the sword in the sunlight and Daemon Blackfyre the sword in the darkness, meant to reclaim royal authority and check threats to the crown.
• Jaehaerys worried that Viserys might not be able to keep the two swords loyal or prevent them from turning against each other.

Daemon managed intelligence work in the Red Keep before joining the royal family at Blackwater Bay to welcome Rhaenys and her children. The reunion ended with Daemon carrying Rhaenyra toward the Red Keep alongside Gael and Laena.

• Daemon assigned Jarman, Larys, Colin, and Alyn to check reports and avoid clashes between the Gold Cloaks and the Dark Blade Guard.
• Daemon joined Jaehaerys, Alysanne, Baelon, Viserys, and the others at Blackwater Bay to await Rhaenys, Laena, and Laenor.
• Meleys brought Rhaenys and her children to the docks, where Rhaenys reunited with Jocelyn Baratheon.
• Laenor ran to Daemon, who instead picked up Laena and passed Laenor to Daemon Targaryen.
• Rhaenyra cried until Daemon took her from Viserys, then calmed and smiled in his arms.
• Jaehaerys led the group back to the Red Keep as Daemon carried Rhaenyra and Gael walked beside him with Laena.

At a family dinner in the Red Keep, Daemon’s relatives worried that his new post as Minister of Intelligence was exhausting and dangerous, while he reassured them and continued serving the royal family. Afterward, Jaehaerys urged Daemon to delegate and rest, but privately wondered whether appointing him had been the right decision; Daemon resolved to shoulder his responsibility.

• Daemon’s relatives fussed over him and Rhaenyra at dinner, while Gael complained that his work had kept him from spending time with her.
• Daemon asked why Corlys was absent, and Rhaenys said he was in Essos negotiating a deal and would return for the anniversary tournament.
• Rhaenys and Alysanne objected to Daemon being made Minister of Intelligence, prompting Alysanne, Daemon Targaryen, Viserys, Vaegon, and others to leave the banquet hall.
• Daemon reassured Rhaenys that he accepted the post to protect the family, then promised Gael he would spend more time with her after his busy spell.
• Daemon delivered an intelligence report to Jaehaerys, who told him to delegate his workload and rest while others helped with unimportant documents.
• After Jaehaerys wondered whether his decision had been wrong, Daemon left resolved to fulfill his responsibility and protect House Targaryen.

Daemon handled intelligence work while Larys revealed that Otto’s agent Will had been reporting on him to both Otto and King Jaehaerys. Bethany challenged Otto’s efforts against Daemon, while Vaegon confronted Jaehaerys over the king’s suspicion and use of Daemon; the chapter left Daemon caught in the king’s calculations as both a protector of the Iron Throne and a potential threat.

• Daemon ordered Colin Celtigar to have Earl Bartimos’s men quietly watch Corlys Velaryon’s ships after their visit to Braavos.
• Gael, Mysaria, and Johanna brought Daemon cake and a cloth for Blackfyre, and he promised to take them to the gardens and show them Grey Ghost breathing fire.
• Larys told Daemon that Will had sent reports about his movements to Otto and that the king’s attendant received Will’s letters, but Daemon said he already knew and did not care to learn more.
• Bethany told Otto that she approached Daemon out of curiosity, warned him not to push Daemon too far, and declared that she would prove her value to Daemon.
• Vaegon accused Jaehaerys of secretly allowing Otto to target Daemon, while Jaehaerys explained that he was testing Daemon and protecting the Iron Throne; Vaegon left, calling his father colder than himself.

Daemon welcomed the Rosby, Mooton, and Buckwell parties to King's Landing as the city prepared for the tourney. The arrivals reunited families and exposed Jarman Waters’s painful history with the Buckwell Household, while Daemon watched over his followers and the sleeping Rhaenyra.

• Viserys and Daemon welcomed Earl Rosby and his family, and Rayford Rosby received his father's praise for his service with the Dark Blade Guard.
• Jona Mooton arrived with Lady Freyana, and he enthusiastically reunited with his half-brother Mys Rivers.
• Jarman Waters saw the Buckwell Household party approaching and asked Daemon to let him return to the Red Keep to handle intelligence with Larys.
• Mys told Viserys and Daemon that the Buckwell Household had bullied Jarman and denied him enough food when he was young.
• As the welcoming parties settled in and night fell, Daemon carried the sleeping Rhaenyra back toward the Red Keep with Aemma and Viserys following.

The Celtigars and other lords of the Crab Claw Peninsula arrived in King’s Landing, where Berna Blount publicly pledged allegiance to Daemon and reported on the region’s recovery. Daemon defended Berna’s loyalty as a commitment to protecting the people, leaving the gathering at peace and reflecting on a future founded on protection rather than war.

• Bartimos Celtigar greeted Daemon with extravagant praise, while Colin led him away to dine and the old earl continued boasting about Daemon’s supposed plans to conquer Essos.
• Earl Crabb reunited with Rupert and Clymont, and Rupert described his service in the Dark Blade Guard.
• Berna Blount knelt before Daemon, reported that he and Earl Crabb had restored farmland, pardoned Wildlings, and established the Crab Claw Guard, then introduced Lothor Brune as another potential supporter.
• Otto Hightower objected to Berna addressing Daemon as his lord, but Daemon explained Berna’s promise to protect the peninsula and gained the support of the assembled lords and Viserys.
• Berna bowed to Princess Rhaenyra, and Daemon watched the lords mingle before considering how protection could bring peace to the Seven Kingdoms.

Daemon received reports of the Triarchy’s preparations and Corlys’s plans in Braavos, while Bartimos secretly visited him to cultivate the appearance of an alliance. Otto’s accusations against Daemon angered Jaehaerys, who warned him not to overreach and left the family’s political balance unresolved.

• At Blackwater Bay, Larys explained to Lyonel why he had not known Berna Blount had pledged allegiance to Daemon, while Otto worried over the prince’s growing ties.
• Daemon left for the Red Keep after giving the Gold Cloaks their orders and sending his brother into King's Landing with trusted attendants.
• In the master of whisperers' study, Larys reported Triarchy scorpions in the Stepstones and Braavosi ships trading with Corlys; Bartimos then requested a private audience with Daemon.
• Bartimos told Daemon that the Triarchy was gathering fleets to retake Bloodstone Island and that Corlys was backing a Sealord candidate and seeking a betrothal for Laena.
• Otto accused Daemon of improper dealings with Berna and Bartimos, but Jaehaerys defended his grandson, warned Otto against overreaching, and ordered him to leave.
• After Otto departed, Jaehaerys reflected on his efforts to preserve House Targaryen and prevent a repeat of the tragedy of Aegon (the Uncrowned) and Maegor.

As lords from the Vale, Riverlands, and Three Sisters arrived in King’s Landing, Daemon welcomed them and strengthened ties with their houses. The arrivals ended in crisis when Daemon Targaryen went to greet Lady Lysa while his wife Rhea waited with House Royce, prompting Daemon to rush to the Iron Gate.

• Daemon greeted Edwin Arryn and other Vale lords, while Lyonel Corbray and Harlan joined the Dark Blade Guard’s circle of service.
• Lyonel Strong, Larys, and other members of House Strong reunited in King’s Landing, and Earl Bywin advised his grandsons to balance firmness with flexibility.
• Marquess Sunderland offered Daemon the Three Sisters’ shipping manifest and intelligence support, and Daemon reassured him of his protection.
• Daemon mediated a brief quarrel between Torrhen Blackwood and Henrick Bracken, then welcomed Earl Barring ton and his grandson Joseth.
• Rayford told Daemon that Daemon Targaryen had taken the Gold Cloaks to greet Lady Lysa while Lady Rhea and House Royce waited at the Iron Gate.
• Worried that the snub would damage relations with House Royce and the Vale, Daemon ordered horses and rode for the Iron Gate.

Daemon welcomed Yorbert Royce, Rhea Royce, and young Jeyne Arryn to King's Landing after their party was left waiting outside the city. Their reunion was interrupted when Daemon Targaryen arrived with Lysa Tully, prompting a tense exchange with Rhea and leaving the gathering divided as they headed toward the Red Keep.

• Viserys and Otto failed to appease Yorbert and Rhea after the Vale party found no welcoming guards at the city gate.
• Aemma greeted Jeyne, and Daemon arrived, earning Yorbert's warmth when Jeyne eagerly ran into his arms.
• The Royce family relaxed as Daemon spoke with them on the way to the Red Keep, while Otto watched resentfully.
• Daemon Targaryen met them in a square with Lysa Tully, and the sight of her with him angered the Royce party and alarmed Duke Grover Tully.
• Rhea and Daemon Targaryen exchanged barbed remarks before their parties separated and continued along different roads.

Daemon welcomed the Stormlands and northern fleets to King's Landing, reuniting with old allies and their families as the lords gathered for the tourney. He left the docks with the procession for the Red Keep, feeling strengthened by the bonds between the regions.

• Daemon and his companions greeted Boremund Baratheon and the Stormlands lords as their fleet arrived, and Borros challenged Daemon to a tourney match.
• Daemon welcomed Criston Cole and several other Stormlands guests, then reunited with Rhaenys, Laena, and Laenor at the docks.
• Lord Ellard Stark arrived with Lord Manderly, William Dustin, and Brandon Stark, who embraced Daemon and renewed their plans to hunt together.
• Lord Ellard assured Daemon that Winterfell would support the Iron Throne, though many northern lords had stayed behind.
• Daemon watched the gathered families and lords mingle, then agreed to take Jeyne and Rhaenyra for a dragon flight before joining the procession back to the Red Keep.

Daemon welcomed the arriving Westerlands and Reach lords in King's Landing, while Otto watched the lords gather around Viserys and overlooked a secret delivery to Daemon. Back at the Red Keep, Daemon found himself surrounded by family and friends, whose company softened the strain of politics and intelligence work.

• Taimond Lannister and Mathos Tyrell arrived together with their lords, and Garlan Tyrell offered Daemon an apology and a gift of Golden Rose wine.
• Otto guided most of the arriving lords toward Viserys, while Earl Marbrand's second son secretly gave Daemon a parchment about the Westerlands' iron mines.
• Daemon took Rhaenyra back to the Red Keep, where Daemon Targaryen, Borros Baratheon, and Brandon Stark argued over who was closest to him.
• Boremund Baratheon, Yorbert Royce, William Dustin, Duke Ellard, Jocelyn, and Rhaenys arrived and left the young men to spar while they went for ale.
• Gael, Jocelyn, Laena, Laenor, Jeyne Arryn, and the others persuaded Daemon to look at the children's dragon drawing, visit the gardens, and drink pigeon soup.

Daemon and the gathered lords welcomed Corlys Velaryon back to King's Landing on the eve of the fiftieth-anniversary tourney, while Corlys warned that the Triarchy and Dorne were threatening the Narrow Sea. As dragons roared overhead, Daemon sensed the tourney might precede a greater crisis and agreed to discuss the danger with Corlys after the event.

• Daemon watched the lords gather for the tourney while keeping Rhaenyra from reaching the sand, and Alyn announced that Corlys Velaryon's fleet had arrived.
• Corlys reunited with Rhaenys, Laena, and Laenor, then told Daemon that the Triarchy was stockpiling weapons and coordinating with Dornish patrols to seize the Narrow Sea's shipping lanes.
• Borros Baratheon and Brandon Stark argued over competing in the tourney, while Daemon Targaryen challenged the young nobles to a sword contest and the Marbrand boy proposed fighting with a silver spoon.
• Jocelyn gave Daemon a cloak made from garments once worn by his grandfather and father, and Daemon agreed to take Jennie Arryn riding on Glutton during the tourney.
• King Jaehaerys addressed the lords about threats to the realm, and Glutton, Grey Ghost, Dreamfyre, and the other dragons roared overhead as Daemon's shoulder brand grew hot.
• Corlys asked Daemon to discuss the Narrow Sea after the tourney, and Daemon returned to the Red Keep with Rhaenyra, Gael, Jocelyn, and Jennie, anticipating danger beyond the celebrations.

King's Landing celebrated Jaehaerys I’s fifty-year reign as eight dragons gathered above the tourney grounds and the royal family praised peace and unity. Jaehaerys opened the joust between Lyan Redwyne and Clymont Crabb, whose first charge was about to begin.

• Jaehaerys I and Queen Alysanne arrived at the tourney grounds with their family and the gathered lords.
• Jaehaerys, Alysanne, Baelon, Daemon, Rhaenys, and Gael rode their dragons, bringing eight dragons together above King's Landing.
• The dragons circled and landed around the grounds as Jaehaerys and Alysanne addressed the crowd and celebrated peace, family, and Rhaenyra’s future.
• Jaehaerys announced the joust and offered the champion a Valyrian steel dagger.
• Lyan Redwyne and Clymont Crabb mounted their horses and prepared to joust as Daemon expected their contest to end in a draw.

Lyan Redwyne and Clymont Crabb broke thirty lances in a joust before neither prevailed, and King Jaehaerys declared them joint champions. Daemon watched the celebration with his family and friends, aware that threats still loomed but resolved to protect the bonds around him.

• Lyan Redwyne and Clymont Crabb exchanged jousting passes, drawing cheers and arguments from Borros Baratheon and Brandon Stark.
• Lyan and Clymont continued their contest, breaking twenty lances while the watching dragons showed their interest.
• Lyan and Clymont broke their final lances at the same time and dismounted without either being unhorsed.
• King Jaehaerys declared Lyan and Clymont joint champions, and the two knights clasped hands as the crowd and dragons celebrated.
• Daemon declined to join the remaining bouts and watched Rhaenyra, Gael, Jocelyn, and the others celebrate, reflecting on the dangers ahead and his resolve to protect them.

Jarman won the archery contest in King's Landing, while Little Horas earned House Redwyne's archer's badge. The celebration ended with Daemon warning Jarman that suspected Triarchy ships had been sighted near the Narrow Sea.

• Jarman, Harlan, and Little Horas advanced through the first two rounds of the archery contest, while Borros Baratheon broke his bow and withdrew.
• Little Horas hit a boat-mounted target, Harlan struck its bull's-eye, and Jarman won the final round with a shot that pierced the target and the board behind it.
• Ser Big Horas awarded Little Horas House Redwyne's archer's badge, and King Jaehaerys presented Jarman with a sapphire-studded dagger.
• Daemon noticed Corlys's flagship and learned that scouts had spotted unidentified fast ships suspected to belong to the Triarchy.
• Daemon warned Jarman that trouble might be ahead and told him to keep the Dark Blade Guard ready.

The swordsmanship contest began in King's Landing, and Daemon joined the first round despite trying to avoid competing. After the winners and tomorrow’s matchups were announced, Daemon sensed that the coming duels would test the Seven Kingdoms’ uneasy peace.

• The crowds gathered as Ser Lorent announced the contest rules, and Daemon Targaryen entered Daemon in addition to himself.
• Lyonel Corbray, Lubert Crabb, Alyn Redwyne, Mace Florent, Ser Lorent, Tommen Peake, Earl Reynes's only son, Daemon Targaryen, Borros Baratheon, Brandon Stark, and Daemon won their first-round bouts.
• Gael gave Daemon a honey cake after his victory, and Rhaenyra hugged and kissed him.
• The posted pairings set Lyonel Corbray against his cousin over Lady Forlorn, Lubert Crabb against Colin Celtigar, and Daemon against William Royce, among other matches.
• Lyonel Corbray and his cousin agreed to settle their contest over Lady Forlorn, while Lubert Crabb and Colin Celtigar promised to fight the next day.
• As the lords and knights prepared for tomorrow, Daemon watched the Red Keep and resolved to protect those around him and the hard-won peace.

The second day of the swordsmanship tournament saw the competitors battle for places in the final eight, while Tommen Peake pledged his sword to Daemon. The finalists were announced as Daemon anticipated that the next day’s contests could become a struggle between the powers of the Seven Kingdoms.

• Rupert Crabb defeated Colin Celtigar, and Lyonel Corbray beat Gareth Corbray, who entrusted him with Lady Forlorn.
• Mace Florent defeated Alyn Redwyne, while Tyren Reyne beat Tommen Peake; Tommen then pledged his sword to Daemon, who returned it and told him to protect Westeros’s future.
• Daemon Targaryen defeated William Royce, then Daemon defeated Roland Connington after a fierce duel.
• Borros Baratheon advanced when Lorent Grandison yielded, and Ser Lorent Marbrand defeated Brandon Stark after nearly a hundred exchanges.
• The tournament announced Lubert Crabb, Lyonel Corbray, Mace Florent, Tyren Reyne, Daemon Targaryen, Daemon Blackfyre, Borros Baratheon, and Lorent Marbrand as the final eight; Daemon watched over his family and prepared for the next day’s contests.