Chapter Summaries

The quarterfinals of the King's Landing swordsmanship competition ended with Lubert Crabb, Daemon Targaryen, Daemon Blackfyre, and Lorent Marbrand advancing. Daemon Blackfyre prepared for the semifinals, determined to win and make his strength known as the brand on his shoulder and neck grew faintly hot.

• Lubert Crabb defeated Lyonel Corbray by touching his chest with Whisper after countering Lyonel's low attack.
• Daemon Targaryen defeated Mace Florent with Dark Sister, and Mace left praising Daemon's speed.
• Daemon Blackfyre defeated Tyren Reyne with Blackfyre after deflecting Tyren's heavy sword attack.
• Lorent Marbrand disarmed Borros Baratheon and advanced after Borros conceded defeat.
• Lubert Crabb, Daemon Targaryen, Daemon Blackfyre, and Lorent Marbrand were named the semifinalists, and Daemon Blackfyre resolved to win the next day's match.

Daemon Targaryen and Daemon Blackfyre Targaryen advanced through their semifinals to face each other in the swordsmanship final. The chapter ended as the two cousins met on the platform and prepared to fight.

• Daemon Targaryen defeated Rupert with Dark Sister after countering his powerful finishing strike, then praised him and promised to teach him more techniques.
• Daemon defeated Ser Lorent Marbrand by ducking beneath his sweeping attack and touching Blackfyre to his chest.
• The final pairing was announced as Daemon Targaryen against Daemon Blackfyre Targaryen, drawing anticipation from the gathered nobles.
• At sunset, both Daemons stepped onto the platform with their Valyrian steel swords and exchanged friendly words before the final began.

Daemon defeated Daemon Targaryen in the swordsmanship final, then joined his friends and family for a night of celebration in King's Landing. The chapter ended with Daemon cherishing their bonds while knowing future dangers still awaited.

• Daemon defeated Daemon Targaryen in the final, and the two cousins bowed to King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne as the crowd cheered.
• Borros Baratheon and Brandon Stark celebrated by tossing both Daemons into the air, but Daemon slipped away and hid with Grey Ghost beside the Blackwater Rush.
• Daemon Targaryen and the others found Daemon, then escorted him to a tavern with his followers and guards.
• Rayford and Jarman urged the group not to overwork Daemon, while Larys Strong continued handling intelligence in the Red Keep with Mr. Longlegs beside him.
• At the tavern, Daemon and Daemon Targaryen toasted and promised to compete again, while Daemon enjoyed the celebration with his friends.

Borros Baratheon and Brandon Stark assembled a team of young nobles and northerners for the tourney’s team melee, and Rayford Rosby led them to victory in the final. Daemon Targaryen watched in disguise with Lysa Tully until his wife, Rhea Royce, confronted and mocked him.

• Borros Baratheon, Brandon Stark, and their companions recruited Rayford Rosby as commander and formed a twelve-person team for the melee.
• Rayford led the team through the early rounds and into the final against a band of hedge knights.
• Rayford’s team followed his tactics, and he seized the opposing flag to win the final.
• Daemon Targaryen watched the victory in disguise with Lysa Tully and boasted that his presence would have won the contest sooner.
• Rhea Royce found Daemon and Lysa, warned him about his recent misconduct, and mocked his timidity before leaving him embarrassed.

Daemon left the family gathering in his chambers to review intelligence about the Triarchy’s new scorpions, after his subordinates warned that Otto was heading to Jaehaerys’s study. He escaped the children’s requests for wooden dragons and the women’s attention, but left promising to return to his duties and family.

• Jarman Waters and Colin Celtigar told Daemon that Larys Rivers, Vaegon, and Ser Leonno were stuck on intelligence and naval matters, while Otto Hightower was heading toward Jaehaerys’s study.
• Daemon left the library and found his chambers crowded with family and friends, including children asking him to carve wooden dragons and Lia requesting an embroidered sheath for her sword.
• Alys Rivers warned Daemon that her prophecy interpretation advised him to handle intelligence that day, while Bethany Hightower showed him a maritime ledger documenting increased trade.
• Daemon promised Lia a sheath embroidered with House Osgrey’s arms, signed Bethany’s ledger, and told Alys he would read the prophecy later.
• Daemon told Mace Florent to make Larys wait while he played with the children, then finally left with Jarman Waters and Colin Celtigar for the intelligence office.

Daemon spoke with Baelon beneath the moon, agreed to defeat Big Daemon in the next day’s joust, and resolved to crown Gael Queen of Love and Beauty. The chapter left him embracing his place in the royal family and anticipating the tournament.

• Daemon finished reviewing intelligence with Jarman Waters and left the master of whisperers' room.
• Baelon told Daemon that Big Daemon had humiliated Rhea Royce and urged him to defeat his elder brother in the joust.
• Daemon accepted Baelon's request and promised to compete for victory without holding back.
• Baelon reminded Daemon that his tour had been intended to find him a bride and pointed out Gael's growing affection for him.
• Daemon resolved to crown Gael Queen of Love and Beauty after winning the joust.

Daemon Targaryen won the joust and crowned Gael Queen of Love and Beauty, promising to stay by her side. Jaehaerys praised the family’s service and peace, leaving Daemon and Gael celebrated as the dragons answered overhead.

• Daemon donned Glutton-scale armor and reassured Gael that he would not hide after winning the tourney.
• Daemon defeated Harlan Hunter and Lyonel Corbray, while Colin Celtigar also won his joust.
• Daemon Targaryen nearly unhorsed Daemon before Little Daemon outmaneuvered him and won the final.
• Daemon crowned Gael Queen of Love and Beauty and promised to remain by her side.
• Jaehaerys I addressed the crowd, praised his family’s efforts to protect Westeros, and called for peace as the dragons roared.

At the banquet celebrating Jaehaerys's fiftieth year of rule, the king warned the lords of threats from Dorne and the Ironborn and promised the Targaryen dragons would defend the realm. The feast continued in celebration, while Baelon and Lyonel Strong recognized that a new storm was brewing.

• Jaehaerys entered the banquet hall with Alysanne and Alicent, then toasted fifty years of peace and thanked the realm's houses for their loyalty.
• Jaehaerys warned that Dornish forces had raided the Stormlands and Reach, prompting Baratheon and Tyrell lords to demand retaliation.
• Jaehaerys condemned the Ironborn raids on Seagard and Lannisport, stirring anger among the Mallisters, Farmans, and Lannisters.
• Jaehaerys praised Little Daemon for helping repel the Ironborn with Glutton, Caraxes, and Dreamfyre and vowed that Targaryen dragons would defend their subjects.
• Daemon stood beside Gael as the lords cheered, while Baelon and Lyonel Strong quietly acknowledged that the threats could lead to war.

King Jaehaerys announced the Seven Kingdoms Joint Fleet to protect Westeros’s coasts and trade, and the lords signed its founding agreement. As the banquet ended, Daemon noticed Corlys Velaryon conferring with Baelon, hinting at further plans for the fleet.

• Jaehaerys announced the Seven Kingdoms Joint Fleet, and Lyonel Strong read out its provisions, including ships and sailors from each house, Baelon’s command, and reduced trade taxes.
• The royal dragons roared as the lords hesitated, then Bartimos Celtigar, Massey, Bar Emmon, and Corlys Velaryon signed the agreement.
• Mathos Tyrell, Tyland Lannister, Brandon Stark, Boremund Baratheon, Yorbert Royce, Lymond Mallister, and other lords signed for their houses.
• Baelon led the lords in swearing an oath to guard the shores together, and Jaehaerys toasted the Joint Fleet and peace in the Seven Kingdoms.
• As the lords discussed ships and fleet positions, Corlys Velaryon quietly spoke to Baelon, who nodded at plans Daemon suspected went beyond coastal defense.

Daemon agreed to marry Gael after Jaehaerys and Alysanne asked him how he felt about their youngest daughter. The families celebrated their engagement, and Daemon resolved to protect Gael and the future they would share.

• Daemon woke to find Gael, Mysaria, Johanna, and Jeyne asleep in his bed, while Grey Ghost rested on the balcony.
• Jaehaerys and Alysanne met Daemon in the corridor and asked what he thought of Gael.
• Daemon remembered Gael’s kindness and agreed to marry her when Jaehaerys asked.
• Jaehaerys announced that Daemon and Gael would wed the following year, with their family taking part in the ceremony.
• Alysanne joined Daemon and Gael’s hands, and they promised to protect and care for each other.
• Daemon resolved to protect Gael, prevent the Dance of the Dragons, and face the threat of the White Walkers.

Daemon and Gael said farewell as the fleets of House Velaryon, the North, and the Stormlands departed King's Landing. After securing their promises of ships for the Joint Fleet, Daemon and Gael headed back to the Red Keep, where he prepared to work on the fleet and intelligence about the Triarchy.

• Rhaenys, Corlys, Laena, and Laenor departed for Tidehead Island after Corlys promised ten warships for the Joint Fleet.
• Duke Edric Stark and the northern party sailed for White Harbor after promising five longships, while Brandon challenged Daemon to a future match.
• Boremund Baratheon and Borros left for the Stormlands after promising eight warships, with Borros set to lead them.
• Daemon comforted Gael as the departing fleets disappeared, and Jocelyn left them alone at the docks.
• Daemon and Gael returned toward the Red Keep with Grey Ghost and Glutton as Daemon prepared to handle the Joint Fleet and Larys's intelligence on the Triarchy.

Daemon and Gael saw the Westerlands, Reach, and Redwyne fleets depart King's Landing as their lords pledged ships and men to the coming joint fleet. After saying goodbye to Ser Big Horas, Daemon looked ahead to the fleet's arrival and his wedding to Gael next year.

• Earl Lymond Mallister departed first and told Daemon that Seagard's defenses were strengthened to hold the Narrow Sea entrance until the joint fleet arrived.
• The Westerlands and Reach lords prepared to sail, while Tyren Reyne, Lucas Tyrell, and Mace Florent offered support and information for the joint fleet.
• Daemon and Gael went to the Redwyne ships, where Ser Big Horas said goodbye to Alyn and Little Horas before sailing with five warships.
• Ser Lyan Redwyne urged Alyn and Little Horas to serve Daemon, and the Redwyne fleet cast off as the brothers waved goodbye to their uncle.
• Daemon told Gael their farewell was for a future reunion and their wedding, then promised to take Grey Ghost around the Narrow Sea after the joint fleet's training.
• Daemon led Gael and his followers back toward the Red Keep to prepare for the joint fleet's arrival.

Daemon saw off the Tully and Royce parties as they departed King’s Landing, promising Jennie he would visit her at the Eyrie and helping prepare the Joint Fleet. The chapter ended with Daemon returning to the Red Keep, where he learned Viserys and Aemma might be expecting another child and reaffirmed his resolve to protect the peace.

• Baelon urged Yorbert Royce to trust the Iron Throne to protect the Vale and ordered Daemon Targaryen to treat Rhea better during their visit to Runestone.
• Daemon arrived at the Iron Gate and made a pinky promise to visit Jennie at the Eyrie before she left with Yorbert and Rhea.
• At the Gate of the Gods, Daemon accepted Grover Tully’s river chart and learned that Riverlands houses would send archers to serve under Baelon in the Joint Fleet.
• Daemon flew back to the Iron Gate as the Tully party departed, then returned to the Red Keep with Gael.
• Baelon praised Daemon’s judgment, and Daemon Targaryen revealed that Viserys and Aemma might be expecting another child.

Daemon Blackfyre celebrated the new year with the Targaryen family while worrying over signs of the Long Night and the coming Stepstones campaign. The feast ended with him resolved to protect his loved ones as his third year in the past began.

• Jaehaerys welcomed his family to the new-year feast and urged them to set aside talk of war.
• Gael asked Daemon Blackfyre about the North, and he concealed his deeper fears about the White Walkers and the Long Night.
• Vaegon arrived with astronomical records and reported early northern lights, while Larys Strong signaled Daemon about a secret Triarchy letter and Lysene pirates near the Stepstones.
• Jaehaerys rewarded Lyan Redwyne and Ser Clymont with ruby-studded daggers for their tournament performance.
• Daemon Targaryen told Daemon Blackfyre that House Royce's knights were ready, and Daemon confirmed the joint fleet would assemble before their departure for the Stepstones.
• Gael offered to travel with Daemon to Castle Black after the campaign, and the family toasted the new year.

Daemon Blackfyre and the gathered houses completed the Joint Fleet’s first formal drills in Blackwater Bay, practicing coordinated ship and dragon tactics against the Triarchy. After the fleet addressed early disorder and reviewed its results, Baelon prepared everyone for the next day’s breakout drills and the expedition to the Stepstones.

• Baelon assigned the Joint Fleet’s three wings their drills and tasked Daemon with coordinating Glutton and Grey Ghost between the left wing and the center.
• Corlys and the Redwyne fleet led the left wing’s agile maneuvers and accurate arrow barrages while Baelon, Lyonel Corbray, and the dragons practiced shield formations and dragonfire support in the center.
• Daemon stopped Bracken and Blackwood ships from disrupting the right wing, and Daemon Targaryen helped direct the fire-resistant ships through their assault drill.
• Daemon, Rhaenys, Daemon Targaryen, Tyland, and Baelon coordinated a mock attack in which dragons marked and covered enemy ships while Lannister infantry and Riverlands archers cleared their decks.
• Corlys reported the drill results and proposed deflection shields; Daemon assigned roles for the next day’s breakout drill, and Baelon declared that the fleet would sail for the Stepstones after training.

Daemon and the Joint Fleet practiced a breakout drill on Blackwater Bay, captured Lysene spies, and learned that the Triarchy had assembled its great ships in the Stepstones. Baelon announced that the fleet would sail to war at the end of the month, while Daemon prepared for the threat of the approaching Long Night.

• Daemon adjusted the drill plan using Corlys's shoal map and Larys Strong's warning about the Triarchy's iron-plated great ships.
• Baelon signaled the breakout, and the Joint Fleet and dragons coordinated an attack that trapped the mock enemy ships.
• Daemon and Corlys intercepted a Lysene spy vessel and captured spies carrying a diagram of the fleet's formation.
• Corlys reported that the Triarchy's great ships were assembled in Echo Bay, and Daemon proposed installing dragonglass plates on the ships.
• Baelon announced that the Joint Fleet would sail for the Stepstones at the end of the month, while Daemon and Gael discussed the worsening northern omens.

King Jaehaerys declared war on the Triarchy and appointed commanders for the allied fleet’s campaign to reclaim the Stepstones. The Seven Kingdoms’ ships and dragons set sail, while the ending recalled the fleet’s assembly half a month earlier.

• Jaehaerys addressed the gathered fleet, recalling the Triarchy’s attacks and declaring war to reclaim the Stepstones.
• Jaehaerys appointed Baelon supreme commander, Daemon Blackfyre and Daemon Targaryen commanders of the left and right fleets, and Corlys deputy commander.
• Baelon, both Daemons, and Corlys accepted their commands, with their dragons answering overhead.
• The allied fleet and eight dragons departed Blackwater Bay toward the Stepstones as Jaehaerys and Alysanne watched.
• Jaehaerys expressed confidence that his descendants and the Seven Kingdoms’ warriors would win and protect Westeros.
• The narration turned back to the fleet’s assembly half a month earlier.

Daemon watched the fleets of the Seven Kingdoms assemble in Blackwater Bay, seeing the oaths and alliances he had gathered become a vast joint fleet. As dusk fell, he understood that the fleet could defend the realm’s peace and serve as a weapon against the Long Night and the Triarchy.

• The northern fleet, including ships from House Manderly, House Locke, House Flint, and House Mormont, converged on Blackwater Bay.
• The Vale’s ships arrived under House Royce’s leadership, joined by vessels from the Three Sisters and other coastal houses.
• The Crownlands’ fleet assembled, with Dragonstone’s Royal Fleet, House Velaryon, House Celtigar, House Bar Emmon, and House Massey among its ships.
• The Stormlands’ fleet joined under House Baratheon, alongside ships from House Tarth, House Estermont, House Connington, and House Swann.
• The Riverlands’ fleet arrived with provisions and a weirwood longbow company, followed by the weakened Westerlands’ fleet and its vassals.
• The Reach’s ships completed the assembly, and Daemon watched the thousand sails form a united fleet beneath the dragons circling overhead.

The Joint Fleet set sail for the Stepstones under Prince Baelon, with Daemon Blackfyre and Daemon Targaryen joining the campaign. Their families and allies farewelled them, and the chapter ended as the fleet sighted the Triarchy’s warships.

• Daemon Blackfyre checked the Dragonglass plates on the Blackfyre while Rayford helped verify their defenses against poisoned crossbow bolts.
• Daemon Targaryen visited Daemon Blackfyre, shared news of a promised celebration after victory, and accepted Gael’s honey cakes.
• King Jaehaerys charged Baelon with protecting the fleet and the two Daemons, while Queen Alysanne asked Gael to oversee matters in King's Landing.
• Rhaenys promised to defend Dragonstone as Corlys, Laena, and Laenor said their farewells, and Gael gave Daemon Blackfyre a charm before he departed.
• Baelon ordered the Joint Fleet to sail for the Stepstones, and Daemon Blackfyre promised Gael he would return to wed her according to Old Valyrian traditions.
• The fleet sighted the Triarchy’s warships on the distant sea as Daemon Blackfyre resolved to win and return safely.

Daemon and the Joint Fleet discovered and dismantled the Triarchy’s ambush defenses at Echo Bay in the Stepstones. As the fleet prepared to face three approaching ironclads, the chapter left the battle about to begin.

• Daemon Targaryen flew into the fog with Daemon and Grey Ghost, where they captured a Lysene scout ship and learned the Triarchy’s fleet was waiting at Echo Bay.
• Daemon gave Corlys the scout’s deployment map and assigned the dragons and fleet to destroy the cliff ballistae, clear the iron spikes, and prepare an assault.
• Daemon and Grey Ghost set fire to the Triarchy’s ballista positions while Daemon Targaryen and Caraxes attacked the sellswords defending them.
• Glutton destroyed additional ballistae aimed at Velaryon sailors as they cleared the iron spikes from the shallows.
• Corlys spotted three Triarchy ironclads approaching, and Baelon repositioned the fleet as the dragons and soldiers prepared to fight.