Recaps

Cole fought the Arbor sailors on the Greenstone as Asha’s Ironborn attacked the fleet, while Halag pursued his own plan to seize supplies and valuable cargo. Halag’s men took an Arbor supply ship and headed toward a heavily defended galleass as the fleet’s sailors were killed or thrown overboard.

• Cole used precise swordsmanship to fight the Arbor sailors as Ironborn boarded the Greenstone.
• Halag ordered his ships to spread out, avoid some warships, and encircle cargo vessels for plunder.
• Halag rammed a supply ship, boarded it, and killed a young soldier who would not immediately agree to follow him.
• Halag’s men seized the supply ship’s weapons, food, and drink, and pushed its disarmed sailors into the sea.
• Halag ordered his ships to follow Asha’s men toward a large galleass defended by soldiers and archers with flaming arrows.

The Ironborn boarded the Arbor Fleet, and Oliver Redwyne ordered a young sailor to escape with his sword and warn Lord Paxter before preparing to defend the Greenstone. Asha Greyjoy found a weakness in Oliver’s shield formation and set the Arbor soldiers ablaze.

• The Iron Oar and the Sea Dog led Ironborn ships in an assault on the rear of the Arbor Fleet, and Ironborn fighters boarded amid heavy losses.
• Oliver Redwyne sent a young sailor west with his sword and orders to warn Lord Paxter that Asha Greyjoy led the Ironborn and that more than forty Iron Fleet ships remained.
• Oliver organized the Arbor soldiers aboard the Greenstone into a shield formation as Ironborn fighters pressed onto the deck.
• Asha Greyjoy spotted gaps in the shield wall and hurled lamp oil into the formation, while Cole fired a lit arrow into it and ignited the soldiers.

Asha’s attack broke the Arbor soldiers’ shield wall aboard the Greenstone, and the Ironborn forced their way through the ship. Wounded Ser Oliver Redwyne chose to stay behind while his guards defended him, and the chapter ended as the Ironborn stormed into the cabin and killed the guard captain.

• Asha hurled an axe at a fleeing Arbor soldier, then joined the fight as the Ironborn surged through the burning shield wall.
• The surviving Arbor soldiers retreated into the Greenstone’s cabins with Oliver, while Asha sent Ironborn after them through the narrow passageways.
• Oliver’s guards offered to help him escape by boat, but he ordered them to flee to the Shield Islands for help and said he would stay aboard.
• The guard captain and Oliver’s personal guards refused to abandon him, drew their swords, and prepared to hold the cabin entrance.
• Ironborn broke down the cabin door, and the guard captain killed their one-eyed leader before the others struck him down.

Oliver Redwyne’s guards held off three waves of Ironborn inside the cramped cabin, but every defender died, leaving Oliver alone amid the bodies. Asha and Cole entered with the next group and found the wounded knight still standing.

• The Ironborn charged into the narrow passage in successive waves, while Oliver’s guards fought them hand to hand.
• The fighting ended with all the guards and Ironborn dead, and Oliver the only survivor still alive in the cabin.
• Asha and Cole entered after the next group hesitated at the bloodied doorway, and the Ironborn followed them inside.
• Asha recognized the wounded figure against the wall as Ser Oliver Redwyne and addressed him.

Asha stopped one of Halag’s men from killing the wounded Ser Oliver and realized her ranks had been infiltrated by her ambitious kinsman. She confronted Oliver over the destruction and plunder of the Iron Islands, while he warned that resistance against the Targaryens would end in defeat.

• One of Halag’s planted Ironborn tried to kill Oliver, but Oliver dodged and Cole protected him; Asha claimed Oliver as her prisoner and sent the Ironborn to search the lower hold.
• Asha recognized the attacker’s eagerness to claim credit as evidence that Halag had agents among her followers and resolved to investigate them before striking back.
• Asha told Oliver that her fleet would carry word to the Iron Throne that House Greyjoy’s Iron Fleet survived, while Oliver argued that her ships could not withstand the Targaryens and their dragons.
• Oliver urged Asha to surrender or leave Westeros, promising that her surviving people would be spared, but Asha refused because her home and family had been destroyed.
• Asha accused Oliver’s forces of stealing House Greyjoy’s treasure from the Iron Islands, and Oliver fell silent after acknowledging that she was telling the truth.

Asha defeated Oliver Redwyne aboard the Greenstone as the Ironborn won the battle but suffered losses and let several Arbor ships escape. She ordered her fleet to collect spoils and supplies and leave before nightfall, while a Greyjoy horn among the captured treasure drew her attention.

• Asha fought Oliver in the cabin, disarmed him, and killed him with her axe.
• Asha gave Oliver's sword to Cole and left the cabin as the Arbor soldiers aboard the Greenstone died or surrendered.
• The Arbor Fleet scattered, and three ships escaped toward the Shield Islands while the Ironborn lacked ships and men to pursue them.
• Halag arrived on the Greenstone and boasted about the victory, but Asha ignored him and noticed a Greyjoy horn among the captured treasure.
• The Ironborn gathered spoils, supplies, wounded, and prisoners as they cleared the battlefield.
• Asha ordered her men to count casualties and spoils, recover floating supplies, abandon pursuit, and leave before nightfall.

Asha Greyjoy’s fleet defeated part of House Redwyne’s fleet in the Sunset Sea, and the news reached Highgarden. Lady Olenna and Willas planned to restrict Asha’s access to supplies while Garlan led Tyrell soldiers north, as Margaery weighed her family’s interests alongside Viserys.

• Asha learned that her fleet had lost seventeen longships and about four hundred Ironborn but had captured supplies and Redwyne ships, then vowed revenge on Viserys Targaryen.
• Two days after the battle, the Shield Islands fleet arrived too late to find Asha’s ships.
• Willas brought news of Asha’s attack to Lady Olenna and Margaery in Highgarden, reporting heavy Redwyne losses and that Asha remained alive.
• Lady Olenna said the Reach should blockade western harbors to cut off Asha’s supplies rather than search the vast Sunset Sea.
• Willas said Garlan would lead Tyrell soldiers north and watch possible landing points along the Reach coast.
• Margaery accepted her family’s plans and considered how to balance House Tyrell’s interests with Viserys.

Margaery and Olenna planned to use Asha’s attack on the Arbor Fleet to strengthen House Tyrell’s authority in the Reach and draw Viserys to Highgarden. Margaery arranged to send the king an offer of supplies for his northern army, along with a request for him to seek justice for his vassals.

• Olenna noticed Margaery was distracted by thoughts of Viserys and teased her about wanting to go to King’s Landing.
• Olenna told Margaery to send Viserys a secret letter describing Asha’s attack on the Arbor Fleet and the Reach’s hope that he would come with his dragon.
• Margaery summoned Highgarden’s maester to prepare the letter.
• Margaery decided to offer grain, fodder, and equipment for Viserys’s northern army if he visited Highgarden, pleasing Olenna.

Olenna and Margaery planned to use Asha Greyjoy’s seizure of the treasure to draw Viserys to Highgarden and expose nobles secretly aiding the Ironborn. Margaery sent a carefully worded letter to King’s Landing, while Pyle prepared to identify the conspirators before Viserys arrived.

• Olenna considered House Tyrell’s internal divisions and resolved to remove the ambitious nobles exploiting them.
• Olenna agreed that Margaery should write to Viserys, emphasizing the Ironborn threat and inviting him to Highgarden.
• Margaery sent a letter claiming Asha Greyjoy had seized the treasure and hinting that Reach nobles were helping the Ironborn.
• Olenna told Margaery to help Willas make arrangements for House Redwyne and ordered Pyle to investigate Oldtown and uncover the Ironborn’s covert contacts.
• Margaery said Pyle would deliver the list of conspirators within three days, before Viserys arrived at Highgarden.

Olenna used Asha Greyjoy’s raids as a pretext for House Tyrell to purge disloyal houses and strengthen its position in the Reach. After receiving Margaery’s urgent letter, Viserys decided to travel to the Reach with Daenerys and pursue the Ironborn, leaving preparations for their departure in motion.

• Olenna planned to use the campaign against the Ironborn to weaken houses resisting Highgarden and secure House Tyrell’s influence.
• Daenerys brought Viserys Margaery’s letter reporting that Asha Greyjoy’s fleet had attacked an Arbor treasure fleet and raided the Reach’s coast.
• Viserys told Daenerys and Rhaenys that Oliver Redwyne had been killed and only three of the Arbor’s twenty-eight warships had reached the Shield Islands.
• Viserys agreed to help Margaery and planned to take Daenerys, her three dragons, and King Ghidorah to the Reach.
• Viserys aimed to leave as soon as possible, but first planned to settle matters in King’s Landing and have Daenerys hand her duties over to Rhaenys.

Viserys handled royal business with Clinton while Rhaenys and Daenerys prepared to finish organizing supplies before his departure. He arranged a meeting to establish the regency council’s rules, then sensed old acquaintances hiding around the city and went to the western courtyard.

• Rhaenys told Viserys and Daenerys that Crownlands deployments and house envoys had been handled, and Daenerys promised to finish organizing dragonglass and Essosi supplies.
• Rhaenys proposed a hunting trip and farewell dinner, joking that Viserys would help her cook.
• Viserys reviewed documents with Clinton, learned that the Riverlands supply station near the Inn at the Crossroads was complete, and ordered Clinton or Duke William to oversee it.
• Viserys told Clinton to summon senior royal officials for a meeting the next day to establish regency council rules while he was away in the Reach.
• Viserys tested the limits of his mental perception, sensed old acquaintances hiding in the city, and later went to the western courtyard.

Viserys tested Arya's swordsmanship in the Red Keep courtyard and saw how much she had improved over the past month. Arya fought relentlessly but began to tire as their sparring continued.

• Arya carefully cleaned Amelia, the Valyrian steel sword Viserys had given her, in the Red Keep courtyard.
• Viserys asked Arya about her swordsmanship, and she eagerly accepted his offer to test her progress.
• Arya charged Viserys with a thrust, but he dodged and struck her lower back with his practice sword.
• Arya repeatedly changed her attacks and targeted openings, impressing Viserys with her increased speed and control.
• Arya's stamina began to fail, but she continued attacking fiercely as sweat ran down her face.

Arya sparred with Viserys, who praised her improvement and identified a flaw in her swordplay for her to practice. After Arya completed a hundred corrective strikes, Viserys asked where Sansa was, and Arya offered to fetch her if he needed her urgently.

• Arya fought Viserys until he defeated her and pointed out an opening in her left-side force redirection.
• Viserys praised Arya's progress and advised her to practice cuts and thrusts against the wooden post.
• Arya refused to spar again until she had practiced, then completed a hundred strikes while Viserys watched.
• Viserys asked Arya where Sansa was, and Arya said Sansa had gone to choose sewing materials and was likely embroidering in the garden.
• Arya asked why Viserys needed Sansa and offered to fetch her if it was urgent.

Viserys gave Arya gifts for herself and Sansa and explained that he planned to travel to the Reach with Daenerys to deal with the Ironborn. Arya asked to join them, but Viserys left her request unanswered and walked toward the garden.

• Viserys showed Arya a black crystal hair clasp for her and a pearl clasp for Sansa.
• Arya asked Viserys about taking Daenerys to Highgarden, and he explained that he needed to deal with the Ironborn threatening the Reach and Westerlands.
• Arya warned that Asha Greyjoy might ambush them and offered to protect Daenerys on the journey.
• Arya pleaded to leave the Red Keep and accompany Viserys, but he neither agreed nor refused.
• Viserys patted Arya's hair and went to the garden while Arya returned to cleaning her Valyrian steel sword.

Viserys visited the garden where Sansa and Rhaenys were tending blue roses and explained that he planned to destroy Asha and her Ironborn. After Sansa left, he told Rhaenys that his real purpose in going to the Reach was to confront nobles undermining the Iron Throne, while Rhaenys worried someone might see them being intimate.

• Arya cleaned her Valyrian steel blade and thought she might get another chance to watch Viserys's back.
• Viserys found Sansa and Rhaenys tending blue roses in the Red Keep garden and praised their work.
• Sansa asked whether Asha was alive and whether Viserys would end the Ironborn threat; Viserys said he would burn Asha and her ships.
• Sansa left the garden after sensing Viserys's displeasure, and Rhaenys tried to speak in her defense.
• Viserys stopped Rhaenys from pleading for Sansa, then explained that the Reach journey was really about confronting powerful nobles who threatened the Iron Throne.
• Rhaenys told Viserys she had meant to warn him that someone might see them being intimate.

Viserys left Rhaenys in the garden when Daenerys summoned him to the King's Tower, where they spoke about Roslin and the women in his life. Daenerys said Roslin was learning High Valyrian but was too shy to visit him, and urged him not to neglect the women he had drawn close.

• Viserys teased Rhaenys in the garden before Daenerys's handmaid arrived with a request for him to come to the King's Tower.
• Viserys and Rhaenys left for the King's Tower, with Rhaenys planning to read the armaments reports Duke Clinton had sent.
• Viserys met Daenerys in the study and asked why she had summoned him, but she said she could want to see him without an urgent reason.
• Daenerys told Viserys that Roslin had been studying High Valyrian diligently and was too shy to visit him.
• Daenerys urged Viserys not to neglect the women drawn to him or become involved with anyone new.

Viserys reassured Daenerys that she would remain close to him and agreed to invite Roslin to dinner. Daenerys also suggested inviting Ygritte, while the chapter described how Ygritte and Arya had become companions in the Red Keep.

• Viserys comforted Daenerys and promised not to neglect her or become involved with other women lightly.
• Viserys agreed to check Roslin's progress and invite her to dine with them that evening.
• Daenerys offered to tell Roslin about the invitation and asked whether Ygritte should join them too.
• Ygritte adjusted to life in King's Landing and spent much of her time exploring the Red Keep and seeking news.
• Arya and Ygritte grew close, training together, exploring the keep, and sneaking off for honey bread or to watch the ships.

Viserys decided to let Arya spend more time with Ygritte and invited everyone in the Red Keep to dinner, where he spoke warmly to Roslin about her Valyrian lessons and a possible future child. The chapter left Roslin imagining a life and family bound to House Targaryen.

• Sansa and Jeyne's approaching footsteps sent Arya and Ygritte hiding in a secret passage, where they shared a laugh and grew closer as friends.
• Viserys agreed to invite Arya, Ygritte, and the others to dinner and announced plans to hunt the next day.
• Daenerys hurried to gather the others, pleased by Viserys's warmer manner toward her.
• Roslin arrived at dinner dressed carefully, and Viserys asked how her High Valyrian lessons were progressing.
• Viserys told Roslin she could teach their future child Valyrian and suggested Rhaenys teach her as well, leaving Roslin overwhelmed and hopeful.

Viserys introduced Roslin Frey to Arya and asked Arya to help her settle into life at the Red Keep. Arya welcomed Roslin and planned an outing with her and Ygritte, while Daenerys and Rhaenys arrived after discussing the transfer of the Iron Throne’s affairs.

• Roslin promised Viserys that she would study diligently under Princess Rhaenys.
• Arya arrived, met Roslin, and heard Viserys ask her to help Roslin make friends and enjoy King's Landing.
• Arya welcomed Roslin and suggested sneaking out with her and Ygritte to visit the Blackwater Rush and market once Viserys left.
• Viserys cautioned Arya not to lead Roslin astray, and Arya and Roslin relaxed as they joked together.
• Daenerys and Rhaenys arrived and Daenerys explained that their discussion about handing over the Iron Throne’s affairs had delayed them.

At supper, Viserys invited everyone to hunt in the Kingswood the next day. Arya, Ygritte, Rhaenys, and Daenerys agreed to go, while Sansa, Roslin, and Jeyne kept their plans to visit Margaery’s roses and see Yi Ti silks.

• Sansa, Jeyne, and Ygritte arrived late to supper after spending time with Arya and practicing swordplay.
• Ygritte said Arya was improving quickly and might soon become a better fighter than her.
• Daenerys and Rhaenys discussed amusing incidents in King's Landing while the others talked among themselves.
• Viserys invited the women to hunt in the Kingswood the next day.
• Arya, Ygritte, Rhaenys, and Daenerys accepted the invitation.
• Sansa, Roslin, and Jeyne declined because they planned to see Margaery's southern roses and Yi Ti silks.

Viserys planned a Kingswood hunt with Arya and Ygritte while considering his intelligence network and schemes involving the Iron Bank, Petyr, and the Free Cities. After dinner, he went to Roslin’s room in the Maidenvault, where a maid opened the door cautiously.

• Viserys arranged for the hunters to meet at the Red Keep’s training ground the next morning, and offered to bring new longbows to test.
• Viserys considered searching for Gendry and suspected that Petyr was hiding in Braavos with the Iron Bank’s help.
• Viserys reflected that Gray Rat and Ashara had built a covert intelligence network across the Free Cities while he waited to uncover the Iron Bank’s connections.
• After dinner, Viserys watched Daenerys and Rhaenys leave together, while Sansa, Jeyne, Arya, and Ygritte departed in pairs.
• Viserys went to Roslin’s room in the Maidenvault and knocked; a cautious maid opened the door.

Viserys visited Roslin in her room before leaving King's Landing, reassuring her and giving her a hair clasp. Roslin fell asleep in his arms, and he stayed beside her.

• Viserys entered Roslin's room and found her nervous after she had changed for the night.
• Viserys told Roslin he had come to spend time with her and explained that he would soon leave for Highgarden.
• Viserys advised Roslin to seek Rhaenys's help and take Arya, Ygritte, and guards with her if she left the castle.
• Viserys gave Roslin a silver hair clasp set with a pale blue gemstone.
• Viserys held Roslin on the bed until she fell asleep, then remained beside her while the maids watched.

Viserys spent the morning with Daenerys and Rhaenys before preparing for a Small Council meeting, a visit to the armory, and a hunt. He also promised to take Ygritte and Roslin around King's Landing in two days, and the chapter ended with Daenerys teasing Rhaenys about having spent the morning with Viserys.

• Viserys watched King's Landing wake from the King's Tower after returning to Rhaenys and Daenerys's room that morning.
• Daenerys joined Viserys and asked about his night with Roslin, then teased him about her late night with Rhaenys.
• Viserys outlined the day's plans: a Small Council meeting, choosing longbows at the armory, and going hunting.
• Daenerys reminded Viserys that he had promised to show Ygritte around the city, so he arranged to take Ygritte and Roslin out in two days and invited Daenerys along.
• Rhaenys met Viserys and Daenerys in the courtyard after riding Meleys, and Daenerys boasted that she and Viserys had spent the morning together.

Viserys received intelligence about Duke Arthur’s campaign near the Golden Tooth, where he was hunting Westerlands rebels. The report confirmed the rebels were led by a Lannister but cast doubt on whether Jaime Lannister was in command.

• Viserys, Daenerys, and Rhaenys attended a Small Council meeting to assign responsibilities in King's Landing before the royal party went hunting and traveled south.
• Rhaenys told Viserys she had sent a messenger to the Golden Tooth for news about Arthur and expected a reply within three days.
• A Little Bird delivered Varys a letter containing intelligence about Arthur, and Varys immediately presented it to Viserys.
• Viserys learned that Arthur had reached the Golden Tooth and that House Smallwood and House Piper had each sent a hundred men to support him.
• The report said the rebel force was led by a Lannister, but its leader might not be Jaime Lannister.

Viserys considered the growing Lannister rebel force in the Westerlands and Arthur's cautious efforts to eliminate it. The rebels' leader remained unidentified, while Varys reported that Arthur and his men were still hunting them and his Little Birds were searching for Jaime Lannister.

• Arthur's report described a rebel leader called Lord Lion, whose identity was rumored to be Martyn Lannister, Kevan Lannister's missing youngest son.
• Lord Lion gathered fugitives and stragglers in abandoned mines near the Golden Tooth, and his force grew to nearly five hundred after three minor Westerlands lords joined him.
• The rebels seized a grain shipment bound for Darry, threatening Viserys's efforts to supply the Riverlands and stabilize the Westerlands.
• Arthur avoided sending troops into the mines, instead seeking the rebels' location so he could seal the entrances and destroy the force completely.
• Varys told Viserys that Arthur should soon wipe out the rebels and that his Little Birds were searching for Jaime Lannister.