Chapter Summaries

Beric Dondarrion’s Holy War Army ambushed and defeated the Stormlands force on Massey’s Hook, then offered the survivors safe surrender. Nabert Grandison and Bruce Buckler chose to lay down their swords as Beric prepared to move on to Stone Dance City.

• Beric Dondarrion encircled the rebel camp with two hundred Holy War Army soldiers and attacked at night using Water Drops.
• The Holy War Army destroyed the rebels’ defenses, killing or capturing half the force and driving the rest to flee.
• Beric Dondarrion and Roland Storm promised to spare and properly settle those who surrendered.
• Beric urged Nabert Grandison, Bruce Buckler, and the other survivors to choose surrender or death before the march to Stone Dance City.
• Nabert Grandison and Bruce Buckler exchanged a glance and threw their swords onto the beach.

Joffrey summoned four captured Stormlands knights near Rain House and pressured them to renew their allegiance to him before the fleet attacked. The knights and Beric Dondarrion swore loyalty to the king as the fleet prepared for action.

• Beric Dondarrion brought Hart Fell, Roland Storm, Bruce Buckler, and Nabert Grandison before Joffrey aboard the fleet near Rain House.
• Joffrey questioned Nabert Grandison about House Grandison joining Renly’s rebellion and ordered him to renew his oath directly to the king.
• Nabert swore allegiance to Joffrey, and Joffrey pressed Hart Fell, Bruce Buckler, and Roland Storm with threats and accusations tied to their houses.
• Hart Fell, Bruce Buckler, and Roland Storm each swore allegiance to Joffrey, while Beric Dondarrion reaffirmed his loyalty.
• Joffrey turned toward Rain House and ordered the fleet to prepare.

The Royal Fleet arrived at Rain House and demanded Casper Wylde surrender to King Joffrey I, threatening to destroy the castle if he refused. Casper chose to defend House Wylde and sent ravens to Storm's End and Felwood before Joffrey ordered the fleet to open fire.

• The Royal Fleet illuminated Shipbreaker Bay and alerted Rain House to its arrival.
• Casper Wylde learned that the fleet had come to punish House Wylde for supporting Renly and give the castle fifteen minutes to surrender.
• Casper rejected surrender, deciding that House Wylde should remain loyal to its liege despite the risk of destruction.
• Casper ordered ravens sent to Storm's End and Felwood to report the attack.
• After the deadline passed, Joffrey ordered the Royal Fleet to open fire.

Casper Wylde prepared Rain House for a siege, but the Royal Fleet surrounded the castle and unleashed a devastating bombardment. As the walls crumbled and defenders died, Casper tried to order a surrender and was caught beside another explosion.

• Casper Wylde inspected Rain House’s defenses and watched the Royal Fleet reposition its ships offshore.
• A scout reported that enemy forces had surrounded the castle, led by Sandor Clegane in the south, Brienne of Tarth in the east, and Casper’s cousin Garth Wylde in the west.
• The Royal Fleet fired iron cannonballs at Rain House, smashing its walls and killing defenders.
• Casper realized the fleet’s bombardment was devastating the castle and called for the white flag to be raised.
• A scorching blast erupted beside Casper as he searched for a way to surrender.

Joffrey tested the Divine Grace’s ship cannons in their assault on Rain House, then entered the devastated city and pardoned its survivors. He appointed Garth Wylde Governor of Rain House before the fleet prepared to sail.

• Joffrey monitored the ship cannons as their crews fired on Rain House and proved their accuracy against the city’s castle and walls.
• Joffrey ordered a ceasefire, and the Hound’s troops entered Rain House to clear rubble, gather prisoners, and secure supplies.
• Joffrey pardoned the surviving prisoners and ordered priests to heal the wounded and give them Dragon Glass.
• Joffrey asked Garth Wylde whether Lord Casper Wylde had survived, and Garth silently shook his head.
• Joffrey appointed Garth Wylde Governor of Rain House to pacify the people and manage the city as the fleet prepared to sail.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Rain House's great hall is intact but tense, with soldiers searching the city and cries of pain echoing.
• Bran Stark serves wine to Joffrey, reflecting on the changed nature of war with Ship Cannons.
• Joffrey meets with the surviving members of House Wylde, the defeated lords of Rain House.
• Joffrey appoints Garth** Wylde as steward to manage Rain House on behalf of the young Lord Rychard Wylde.
• Rychard Wylde swears fealty to Joffrey, sealing the contract between House Wylde and the throne.

Character Developments

• Bran Stark: Bran realizes the brutal reality of war with Ship Cannons, questioning his earlier dreams of chivalry. He feels pity for the surviving members of House Wylde.
• Joffrey: Joffrey demonstrates strategic thinking by appointing a steward to manage Rain House, securing the city's loyalty without causing further unrest. He shows patience and caution in his first steps towards consolidating power.

Significant Themes

• Change in Warfare: The introduction of Ship Cannons has altered the nature of war, making castles vulnerable and knights' deaths undignified.
• Power Dynamics: Joffrey's appointment of a steward signals his intention to control the nobility through royal influence, rather than allowing them to choose their own rulers.

Character Interactions

• Bran and Joffrey: Bran serves Joffrey, reflecting on the changes in war and his own aspirations.
• Joffrey and House Wylde: Joffrey meets with the surviving members of House Wylde, appointing a steward and securing their loyalty through a strategic alliance.
• Aelena Valping and Rychard Wylde: The mother and son accept their new roles, swearing fealty to Joffrey to secure their family's survival and maintain their status.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Joffrey's fleet has rescued 375 people and taken in a total of 1,439 from Rain House, all implanted with Divine Grace. They've also acquired warhorses, livestock, weapons, armor, and food supplies.
• Joffrey deploys the next stage of the campaign, revealing a magical map of Westeros.
• He orders the Third Fleet, along with a thousand men from the Royal Guard 10th Regiment, to proceed to The Arbor, aiming to form a Joint Fleet with the Redwyne Fleet.

Character Developments

• Joffrey: Shows strategic thinking and determination in expanding his naval power, setting his sights on The Arbor and the Redwyne Fleet.
• Monford Velaryon: Eager to secure the alliance with The Arbor, confident in his fleet's strength.
• Lord Rychard Wylde: Shows curiosity and a desire to understand the larger world, seeking reassurance from his mother.
• Lady Aelena Valping: Maintains composure and supports her son.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and alliances: Joffrey's focus on The Arbor and the Redwyne Fleet highlights his strategic approach to consolidating power and deterring potential threats.
• The impact of Divine Grace: The implantation of Divine Grace in rescued captives underscores the Sorcerers' influence and the changing nature of warfare.

Character Interactions

• Garth** tries to ease tension between Lady Aelena and Lord Rychard, showing a closeness with the young lord.
• Lady Aelena and Lord Rychard share a moment of mutual support, highlighting their bond.
• Joffrey and Monford Velaryon discuss the mission to The Arbor, demonstrating trust and shared confidence in their plans.

Joffrey released the Redwyne twins and appointed Lord Redwyne Guardian of the Summer Sea, using the Royal Fleet’s power and promised honors to draw House Redwyne away from House Tyrell. He then ordered Ser Barristan to lead forces into the Stormlands to seize a third of the region.

• Joffrey told the Redwyne twins they could return home and promised they could keep commanding their ships if the Royal Fleet made The Arbor its permanent home port.
• Joffrey appointed Lord Redwyne Guardian of the Summer Sea and urged the twins to persuade Lord Paxter to accept the position and join the Royal Fleet.
• Joffrey traced a route through Greenstone, the Weeping Town, Stonehelm, Blackhaven, and Harvest Hall on the map of the Stormlands.
• Joffrey placed Lord Sunglass’s Fourth Fleet and the seventh, eighth, and ninth Royal Guard regiments under Ser Barristan’s command.

Joffrey planned to use the conquest of the Stormlands to break the old order and introduce a centralized imperial system, backed by the prosperity and loyalty he had built in King's Landing. With his fleet and forces ready, he looked down at the assembled crowd as the campaign to seize and transform the Stormlands began.

• Joffrey planned to conquer the Stormlands within a month, impose a new administration within two months, and implant Divine Grace Cores across the region before the year ended.
• Joffrey relied on King's Landing's growing prosperity, schools, jobs, healing, and public support to secure the capital's loyalty to the royal house.
• The Royal Fleet built hundreds of warships and maintained regular contact with King's Landing, allowing magic, Rune Energy, and equipment to keep flowing.
• Joffrey prepared a fleet of three hundred warships, one thousand Rune-inscribed Ship Cannons, nearly twenty thousand sailors, and ten thousand Royal Guard for the Stormlands campaign.
• Joffrey looked down at the crowd below as his forces prepared to march into the Stormlands.

Joffrey assigned governors and military forces to secure a line of territory across the Stormlands and into the Reach, then ordered the remaining forces to advance on Storm’s End. The chapter ended with the fleets and regiments preparing to depart at dawn.

• Joffrey appointed Balon Swann Governor of Stonehelm and ordered him to pacify House Swann’s lands while avoiding bloodshed.
• Joffrey named Beric Dondarrion Governor for Life of Blackhaven and divided the domain’s tax revenue between the family and its governor and administration.
• Joffrey appointed Barristan Selmy Governor for Life of Harvest Hall and outlined the army’s routes through Greenstone, Weeping Town, Stonehelm, Blackhaven, and Harvest Hall.
• Joffrey ordered Davos Seaworth’s Fifth Fleet and Jon Snow’s Sixth Regiment to secure a coastal route from Rain House to Crow’s Nest.
• Joffrey ordered the fleets and regiments to depart at dawn, while he led the remaining forces toward Storm’s End.

Cortnay Penrose received Rain House’s alarming report that Joffrey had led a massive, strangely powerful fleet in a surprise attack. Though he resolved to defend Storm’s End, another letter from Rain House arrived, and he opened it at the chapter’s end.

• The maester delivered Rain House’s urgent report that a fleet of roughly three hundred ships had attacked and threatened to destroy the castle, with Joffrey aboard.
• Cortnay Penrose considered whether the plea for reinforcements was a trap, but concluded Lord Casper Wylde would not fabricate such military intelligence.
• Cortnay recalled choosing Renly’s cause and sending the letter that declared Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella illegitimate.
• Cortnay resolved that Storm’s End could withstand the fleet, then received a second letter from Rain House and broke its seal.

Ser Cortnay Penrose prepared Storm's End for an attack after learning that the King's Landing Fleet had split up and one force was heading toward the castle. At dawn, ships appeared on the gray sea and Storm's End sounded the alarm.

• Ser Cortnay Penrose ordered Storm's End's soldiers to ready the walls, gates, stores, and sea cave for a siege.
• A letter from Rain House reported that its defenders had repelled four attacks and that the fleet had divided, with one force sailing toward Storm's End.
• Ser Cortnay Penrose maintained the castle's defenses through the night while his soldiers took turns resting and keeping watch.
• At dawn, sentries spotted ships approaching and rang the bells and sounded the horns to wake the defenders.

Cortnay Penrose watched a fleet attack Storm's End with ineffective arrows and stones before its forces landed north of the castle. As the defenders prepared for what seemed like a doomed assault on the gates, a white-armored figure rode out from the enemy camp.

• Cortnay Penrose identified the fleet as a force of 121 ships and concluded it had split up to raid the coast.
• The fleet's ships fired arrows and stones at Storm's End, but their attacks could not reach or damage the castle.
• After the warships withdrew from the cliffs, they sailed north and sent small boats packed with soldiers to shore.
• Cortnay Penrose and the defenders watched several thousand enemy soldiers land and considered the castle's defenses against a land assault.
• A white-armored figure rode out from the landed enemy force's camp.

Cortnay Penrose rejected Joffrey’s demand to surrender Storm’s End and learned that the enemy fleet had raided Amberly before sailing north. Suspecting the besieging army’s strange powers had failed, he sent ravens north to report the news.

• Cortnay Penrose refused Meryn Trant’s offer of pardon and warned him that Storm’s End would resist the siege.
• Cortnay Penrose returned through Storm’s End’s heavily defended gate passage and ordered the drawbridge raised.
• Cortnay Penrose read a letter reporting that the fleet had attacked Amberly and plundered or burned coastal settlements.
• Cortnay Penrose concluded that the enemy’s White Light and thunderous sounds had failed, leaving its army without its usual means of communication.
• Cortnay Penrose watched the fleet sail north and released message ravens, several of which escaped the besiegers’ arrows.

Jon Snow ordered the maester at Crow's Nest to send three forged letters requesting aid, while the maester recalled the castle’s swift capture by the Royal Guard and its eerie Divine Grace Light Screen. The ravens flew north carrying plausible but fatal news for Crow’s Nest’s allies.

• Jon Snow ordered the maester to release three ravens carrying letters sealed with the Connington griffin seal.
• The maester remembered how the Royal Guard had shattered Crow's Nest's defenses and captured the castle in less than half a quarter-hour.
• Jon Snow had been appointed acting governor, and the Royal Guard had ordered the castle’s residents to obey them and accept the Divine Grace Light Screen.
• The maester fed the three Message Ravens corn and sent them north with the letters to Felwood, Storm's End, and Greenvalley.

Renly Baratheon learned that Joffrey’s Royal Fleet had appeared in overwhelming numbers but avoided attacking well-defended castles, while Joffrey besieged Storm’s End with five thousand men. Convinced he had found a chance to end the war, Renly decided to strike at Joffrey outside the castle.

• Renly received reports that Joffrey had created hundreds of warships and led the Royal Fleet from King's Landing Port.
• Renly rejected calls to defend the coastal castles and continued planning to cross the upper Blackwater River and attack King's Landing by land.
• Letters from Rain House and other castles reported that the fleet had withdrawn from their defenses and was raiding coastal settlements.
• Ser Cortnay Penrose reported that Joffrey had landed with five thousand men to besiege Storm's End while most of the fleet sailed north.
• After receiving another report that the fleet was plundering villages, Renly decided to attack Joffrey outside Storm's End.

Joffrey explained how he had manipulated Renly into abandoning his westward advance and preparing a surprise attack at Felwood, where Joffrey planned to destroy his forces. He left the war’s outcome assured in his mind and turned his thoughts to his next potential enemies.

• Joffrey described how his fleet, its apparent weaknesses, and his own presence as bait had pushed Renly toward an attack on the isolated King's Landing forces near Storm's End.
• Renly ordered the Stormlands forces to gather at Felwood and directed the Highgarden forces to split, with thirty thousand men guarding Felwood's rear and thirty thousand hurrying to join them.
• Renly's troops secretly assembled and prepared for a surprise attack while maintaining the appearance of marching west.
• Joffrey said that Melisandre's magic let him see Renly's movements and that the war would soon end.
• Joffrey had sex with Melisandre and considered whether to target the Iron Islands, Oldtown, or Dorne next.

Balon Greyjoy gathered the Iron Islands’ lords and captains at a feast as he prepared to restore the Old Way and make himself king. He rejected the rival kings’ offers and summoned Victarion, Euron, and Asha to hear his plan.

• Ironborn lords and captains feasted in Pyke’s Great Keep while performers played the dangerous Finger Dance.
• Balon Greyjoy assessed the gathered leaders and reflected on his plan to restore the Old Way through raiding and conquest.
• Balon recalled his failed rebellion nine years earlier and judged the rival kings fighting for the Iron Throne.
• Balon rejected both kings’ offers, declaring that the Ironborn would follow their own king and seize what they wanted.
• Balon rose from the Seastone Chair and ordered Victarion, Euron, and Asha to meet him in his solar after the feast.

Asha Greyjoy watched King Balon weigh the Iron Throne’s offer against Renly Baratheon’s, then learned her father had chosen neither side’s terms. Balon declared himself king and ordered the Ironborn to raid The Reach.

• Asha entered King Balon’s study and realized he was waiting to decide what to do with Osha, an envoy from the Iron Throne.
• Victarion questioned why Balon would choose the Lannisters, and Balon said he trusted Lord Tywin more than Renly Baratheon.
• Victarion pointed out the wealth and targets available in The Reach, and Balon revealed he had summoned Osha to deliver his answer.
• Balon told Osha to inform Lord Tywin and the little king that the Ironborn would take what they wanted by force.
• Balon donned the Driftwood Crown, declared himself King of the Iron Islands, and ordered the Ironborn to raid The Reach while also claiming the title Guardian of the Sunset Sea.

King Balon ordered the Ironborn to prolong the war, lure their enemies into naval battles, and weaken both sides. After the others left, a face-changing slave revealed that Balon was already dead and disposed of his body in the stormy sea.

• King Balon told Asha, Euron, and Victarion to attack the Reach, draw out the Shield Islands and Redwyne fleets, and preserve Ironborn strength by weakening their enemies.
• King Balon declared that Asha was both his daughter and his son, leaving her to wonder whether the loyalist Theon still counted as his son.
• King Balon dismissed his guards and left the solar alone after the Ironborn departed for the feast.
• A face-changing slave revealed that Balon had been dead in a hidden compartment and had been impersonating him.
• The slave carried Balon's body onto the swaying bridge, dropped it into the sea, changed faces, and went to the feast.