Chapter Summaries

Joffrey posed Varys and Littlefinger a riddle about power, offering to pardon and restore them if their answers pleased him. Varys gave an answer that favored the king, and Littlefinger was asked to respond as visitors entered the Throne Room.

• Littlefinger complained about Varys's singing and the empty Throne Room after Joffrey's departure.
• Joffrey appeared in his newly acquired Prosthetic Body and teased Varys and Littlefinger about their closeness.
• Joffrey offered to pardon and restore them if they answered his riddle to his satisfaction.
• Varys recognized the riddle and answered that the mercenary would kill the priest and wealthy man, then submit to the king.
• Joffrey asked Littlefinger for his answer as guards opened the doors and several figures approached.

Joffrey tested his court with a riddle, pardoned Littlefinger after he offered the closest answer, and ordered an attack on the Reach forces at Rising Stone Town. The chapter ended with Kevan, Jaime, and Littlefinger assigned to lead the surprise assault.

• Tyrion, Kevan, and Jaime gave their answers to Joffrey’s riddle, while Varys considered what the mercenary might represent.
• Littlefinger fell forward, then argued that the king would pardon the priest, merchant, and mercenary and put them to work for the realm.
• Littlefinger and Varys begged Joffrey for mercy, and Joffrey explained that the figures in the riddle were facets of one person and that none would die.
• Joffrey pardoned Littlefinger, saying his answer had come closest, and warned him that he would receive only one chance.
• Joffrey ordered Kevan and Jaime to take six thousand cavalry each and three hundred Artillery Chips to launch a surprise attack on Rising Stone Town, with Littlefinger accompanying them.

Euron Crow's Eye's Ironborn seized Fair Isle after outmaneuvering Lord Sebastian Farman and destroying the island's port. Lord Farman defied Euron by proclaiming that King Joffrey would punish him, and Euron ordered him gagged for the next game.

• Lord Sebastian Farman recalled how he had underestimated five Ironborn longships and refused to ask Lord Tywin for aid.
• Euron's longships evaded Farman's fleet, raided settlements, and escaped each attempt to trap them.
• The Ironborn attacked the port at night, wrecking ships and killing its defenders as flames lit the harbor.
• Lord Farman resolved that King Joffrey's power exceeded Euron's and warned that the king would bring him to judgment.
• Euron asked which king Lord Farman meant, then ordered the Ironborn to gag him.

Euron Greyjoy tormented Lord Farman and his family during the Ironborn victory feast on Fair Isle. After ordering his fleet to sail south, Euron declared they would take the Shield Islands, following the prophecy he had seen in a dream.

• The Ironborn celebrated their victory while Yohn Farwynd drank alone and Lord Farman sat bound and gagged.
• Euron had Lord Farman's wife, sister, and daughters brought into the hall, along with Gareth Clifton, Jenny Farman's husband.
• Euron forced Jenny to undress to spare Gareth's life, then allowed the Ironborn to prey on the women as Lord Farman watched.
• Late that night, Euron ordered the Ironborn to load supplies and sail south.
• Euron declared that the Ironborn would take the Shield Islands, guided by his prophecy about Storm's End.

Joffrey ordered his forces to move into Storm’s End and watched as the Royal Guard prepared to assault the fortress. The chapter ended with the warning siren sounding as the attack began.

• Joffrey expected the fleets to trap Crow’s Eye and the Sea Monster near the Shield Islands, while Renly was due to arrive the next day.
• Joffrey ordered the army to move into Storm’s End, and his commanders eagerly began preparing the operation.
• Storm’s End’s watchtowers spotted the army’s movement and sounded the alarm.
• The Royal Guard assembled under The Hound’s command as the other regiments took positions around the fortress and six warships watched the cliffs.
• Joffrey gave the order to begin, and the warning siren blared.

Cortnay Penrose watched the enemy attack Storm's End with explosive weapons that battered the gate and shattered its defenses. Iron Bull led the Holy Shield Warriors through the breach and ordered his squads to secure the gate and capture Cortnay alive.

• Cortnay Penrose saw three enemy forces approach Storm's End and kept the defenders ready for an assault.
• The enemy fired explosive weapons that shook the fortress and destroyed the gate and drawbridge.
• Iron Bull led four hundred Holy Shield Warriors in a charge toward the ruined gate.
• Iron Bull survived the defenders' arrows, stones, and hot oil, then ordered Aisi's squad to clear the murder holes and Huo Ke's squad to hold the gate.
• Iron Bull led First Squad into Storm's End to capture Cortnay alive as more soldiers poured through the breach.

Iron Bull Gendry led the Royal Guard through Storm's End, whose gates had fallen, and pressed toward the walls while defenders surrendered or were killed. He and First Squad blasted through a shield formation with Water Drops and emerged to find only a dozen enemies between them and the stairs.

• Gendry charged through Storm's End with the Royal Guard, while many guards dropped their weapons after seeing the Shield Warriors withstand attacks.
• Gendry resolved to capture Cortnay Penrose alive and bring him before the king to earn His Majesty's attention.
• Defenders blocked the corridor with interlocked shields and spears, so Gendry prepared to lead First Squad through their formation.
• A Shield Warrior reminded Gendry to use Water Drops, and the squad threw ten of them over the shields.
• The Water Drops exploded, filling the corridor with mist and wreckage as Gendry led the squad through it.
• Gendry emerged with only a dozen enemies ahead and ordered his men up the walls.

As Storm's End fell, Cortnay Penrose realized that false reports from Cape Wrath had misled him and might have drawn Renly into danger. Remembering his duty to protect Edric Storm, he rescued the boy and surrendered to Gendry, who took them to see Joffrey.

• Cortnay Penrose concluded that Joffrey's forces had already conquered Cape Wrath and that false messages had deceived Renly and other castles.
• Cortnay Penrose feared that Renly might be approaching Storm's End because of the letter he had sent and hoped he would escape the Royal Fleet.
• After his adjutant reminded him of Edric Storm, Cortnay Penrose gathered loyal men and went to protect the boy.
• Gendry pursued Cortnay Penrose and Edric Storm to a tower and ordered them to surrender and come before Joffrey.
• Cortnay Penrose agreed to go with Gendry, who took both him and Edric Storm to see the king.

After Joffrey I conquered Storm's End, his forces restored the damaged fortress and took control of its people. Joffrey questioned Edric Storm about his future, and Edric began to make a request.

• The guards, servants, and families in Storm's End accepted the new rule, while the Sorcerer restored the fortress and its surroundings.
• The five thousand Royal Guards moved into Storm's End after taking it without casualties, convincing the people that the city had permanently changed hands.
• Cortnay Penrose and Edric Storm entered the castle study to meet Joffrey, who had taken the seat beneath the Crowned Stag banner.
• Joffrey called Edric his brother and asked what he wanted for his future.
• Edric praised Joffrey's bond with Tommen and Myrcella, then raised his head and began to make a request.

Joffrey humiliated Edric Storm after he pleaded for Renly’s life, revealing that Varys had sent the gifts Edric thought came from Robert. Edric claimed his place as Robert’s son, and Joffrey turned to Cortnay Penrose to answer for his offense.

• Edric begged Joffrey to spare Renly, but Joffrey accused him of meddling in affairs of state and called him a bastard.
• Joffrey told Edric that Varys had sent the gifts in Robert’s name and that Robert had never replied to Edric’s letters.
• Devastated, Edric shouted that he was Robert Baratheon’s acknowledged son and deserved to live in the Red Keep as Joffrey’s brother.
• After Edric realized what he had said and knelt again, Joffrey asked Cortnay Penrose to make amends for Edric’s offense.
• Cortnay Penrose lowered his head.

Cortnay Penrose reflected on King Joffrey’s growing power and the threat Divine Grace posed to the old order as enemy cavalry gathered outside the city. He saw the Stormlands’ conquest and the advance toward Highgarden as signs that the kingdom’s future had already been decided, and waited to see whether his promise would hold.

• Cortnay Penrose stood on the city walls and prayed that he would keep his promise to King Joffrey.
• Cortnay considered how Divine Grace could reshape people’s knowledge of history and empower commoners to challenge the noble houses.
• Cortnay read that Ser Garth Wylde had become Governor of Rain House while Rychard Wylde was its new lord, and feared a similar future for House Penrose.
• Cortnay reviewed records of Joffrey’s naval victories across the Stormlands and recognized the king’s strategy for conquering the region.
• Cortnay saw that Loras Tyrell had been appointed Governor of Highgarden and watched the cavalry outside the city halt in uncertainty.

Renly arrived at Storm's End with twenty thousand cavalry and discovered that Joffrey had already taken the castle through supernatural power. Ser Cortnay Penrose came out as Joffrey’s envoy to demand Renly’s surrender, leaving Renly to confront how impossible the war had become.

• Renly and his army found Joffrey’s banners flying over Storm’s End, with no visible signs of battle.
• Renly ordered his exhausted forces to camp and watched the castle, unable to understand how it had fallen.
• Joffrey’s announcement named Ser Cortnay Penrose as an envoy, shocking Renly and his lords.
• Cortnay offered Renly and the other lords pardons in exchange for surrender and explained that Joffrey had parted the castle walls so his army could enter.
• Renly realized Joffrey could bypass any siege, and Cortnay warned him that he should not have come.

Cortnay Penrose reported that King Joffrey had retaken Storm's End, Cape Wrath, and the Marches, appointing governors across the region and shifting the war against Renly. After Renly challenged Cortnay to choose between them, Cortnay pledged to stand with Renly and revealed that he had a plan.

• Cortnay Penrose announced that King Joffrey had retaken Storm's End, Cape Wrath, and the castles in the Marches, and explained the new system of royal governors.
• Cortnay named the governors appointed to several houses’ lands, including Ser Loras Tyrell at Highgarden, and the lords in Renly’s tent erupted into argument.
• Randyll Tarly weighed the enemy’s growing strength and wondered whether Horn Hill would also get a governor.
• Renly asked Cortnay whether he would continue supporting Joffrey if Renly refused, then offered to let Cortnay kill him rather than prolong the war.
• Cortnay faced a vision of Edric and heard King Joffrey’s voice, then knelt and pledged to accompany Renly to the end.
• Cortnay told Renly that he had a plan, and Renly laughed heartily.

Joffrey set a trap for Renly’s forces at Storm’s End, using magic and false messages to lure the allied army into a decisive battle. He then shifted his attention to Highgarden, where he arrived with the Royal Guard as its army emerged to meet him.

• Joffrey ordered Sandor to hide the use of magic, weaken the apparent defenses at Storm’s End, and send messages that Renly’s forces would intercept.
• Joffrey expected Renly’s order to bring thousands of troops from Felwood to Storm’s End, where he planned to destroy the allied army and strengthen royal control over the Reach and Stormlands.
• Joffrey told Sandor to guard his body while he focused his attention on Highgarden.
• Joffrey arrived near Highgarden with the Royal Guard and admired the castle and its surrounding gardens.
• Highgarden sounded its horns, and an army surged out of the castle.

Loras Tyrell confronted Highgarden’s army as King Joffrey approached, but Garlan Tyrell called it an honor guard and reaffirmed Highgarden’s loyalty. After Joffrey reprimanded Loras and continued toward Highgarden, Barristan the Bold comforted the shaken Regent.

• Loras assured Joffrey that Highgarden was not hostile and rode ahead to stop its army.
• Garlan Tyrell told Loras the troops were an honor guard and said Highgarden remained loyal to the King.
• Loras sensed an unspoken change in his family, exchanged the Tyrell words with Garlan, and rode back toward Joffrey.
• Joffrey accepted the explanation, blamed Loras for the disturbance, and ordered the Royal Guard to continue marching.
• Barristan the Bold helped Loras to his feet and urged him to move forward, and Loras said he hoped Barristan would enjoy Highgarden’s roses.

Joffrey arrived at Highgarden and faced Olenna’s sharp questions about the war and Renly, while learning more about the Tyrells through Leo’s reports. Margaery offered him a garland of golden roses, and Joffrey presented her with a queen’s crown.

• Garlan Tyrell welcomed Joffrey on the road, while Leo secretly reported Highgarden intelligence to him through the Divine Grace Light Screen.
• Joffrey reviewed what he knew about Margaery, Willas, Olenna, and other members of House Tyrell before approaching Highgarden.
• Joffrey halted his procession at Highgarden’s gates and greeted Olenna Redwyne.
• Olenna questioned Joffrey about the war and Renly, and Joffrey said Renly would soon face him near Storm’s End with fifty thousand men.
• Olenna promised that Mace would stay out of the decisive battle, despite Alerie speaking up for her husband.
• Margaery offered Joffrey a garland of golden roses, and Joffrey gave her a Golden Crown adorned with a lion, a stag, and a golden rose.

Joffrey secured Margaery’s betrothal by having her sign an order annulling her agreement with Renly, then prepared to enter Highgarden with his forces. He left Willas wondering what he meant when he said the Hedge Maze would not be complicated for long.

• Thoros presented a Marriage Annulment Order signed by the High Septon, and Margaery signed it to annul her betrothal to Renly.
• Joffrey and Margaery joined hands as the Royal Guard and Highgarden soldiers hailed them as king and queen.
• The nobles prepared to welcome Joffrey into Highgarden, fearful of his army and the weapons that had reportedly brought down Storm's End.
• Willas offered Joffrey a litter, but Joffrey mounted a white horse with Margaery and said they would ride together.
• Willas warned Joffrey that the Hedge Maze was complicated, and Joffrey replied that it would not be complicated for long.

Joffrey used the Six-Pointed Stars’ magic to transform Highgarden’s walls and gates into a broad passage for the Royal Guard, then presented Margaery with a fireworks display. He rode into Highgarden with Margaery to tour the gardens, leaving Olenna to watch them go.

• Joffrey told Margaery to watch as the Six-Pointed Stars began channeling energy and Jacelyn Bywater ordered the Royal Guard to march.
• The Royal Guard advanced in formation while the Sorcerers made Highgarden’s walls and gate move aside, opening a passage into the city.
• Joffrey promised Margaery that the Sorcerers would restore the gardens and stairs after their tour, then pointed out the fireworks.
• Joffrey asked Olenna Redwyne whether she was satisfied with his surprise, and she praised the spectacle.
• Joffrey asked Margaery to say goodbye to Olenna, then rode with her into Highgarden.

Joffrey and Margaery play at being a human king and a Flower Fairy as they ride through Highgarden’s maze. While Margaery guides him toward a fountain, Joffrey considers Highgarden and Harrenhal as possible future capitals and hints that serious business will follow in the evening.

• Joffrey picked a Golden Rose and presented it to Margaery, who made it into a flower crown.
• Margaery directed Joffrey toward a fountain in the maze, and he followed her guidance on horseback.
• Joffrey praised Highgarden and weighed its advantages against the Eyrie and other castles as a possible capital.
• Joffrey narrowed his capital choices to Highgarden and Harrenhal but made no decision.
• Joffrey asked Margaery to guide him through Highgarden until evening, then said they would attend to serious business.

Joffrey spent time alone with Margaery in the Highgarden maze, then gave her access to the Divine Grace Network. He rode with her toward the hilltop, where they planned to sign a pact and become family.

• Joffrey and Margaery flirted and kissed beside the fountain and throughout the maze.
• Joffrey and Margaery rode past the guards through the second city wall as the guards watched them leave.
• Joffrey told Margaery that most people had gone to receive Divine Grace, then offered her a stronger version in exchange for a kiss.
• Joffrey kissed Margaery's nape, allowing her to experience the Divine Grace Network and warning her to use its power carefully.
• Joffrey and Margaery headed toward the hilltop to sign their pact, which Joffrey called the Highgarden Treaty.