Recaps

Varys reported that a Little Bird had spotted Jaime heading toward the Vale, possibly with Petyr lurking there, but Viserys chose to wait and see who would aid him. Varys also warned that Olenna was testing Margaery’s importance to Viserys, though Viserys remained distrustful of Margaery.

• Varys told Viserys that a Little Bird had seen someone matching Jaime among refugees heading toward the Vale, then disappeared.
• Varys suggested Petyr might be hiding in the Vale and asked whether Viserys should warn its lords, but Viserys ordered him to locate Jaime and let events unfold.
• Viserys continued the Small Council meeting and secured agreement to his plans for the journey south after the hunt.
• After the meeting, Varys reported that Olenna had been receiving Reach lords and was testing Viserys’s position toward House Tyrell and Margaery.
• Viserys left with Daenerys and Rhaenys to join Arya and the others, still unwilling to trust Margaery despite their intimacy.

Viserys considered Varys’s report about House Tyrell’s ambitions while maintaining his own plans to protect Daenerys and Rhaenys. He then watched Arya and Ygritte spar at the Red Keep, where they and Sansa’s companions noticed his arrival.

• Viserys decided to keep Varys working as a spy while watching House Tyrell and guarding against its expansion in the south.
• Daenerys and Rhaenys hurried toward the Red Keep training ground after hearing practice weapons, and Viserys followed.
• Arya and Ygritte sparred with wooden swords while Sansa, Jeyne, and Roslin watched nearby.
• Daenerys admired Arya’s swordsmanship, and Rhaenys suggested that regular practice would improve her own skills.
• Arya and Ygritte stopped to catch their breath, spotted Viserys and his companions, and hurried over to greet them.
• Sansa and the other girls noticed Viserys’s arrival and went to meet him.

Viserys prepared to travel to the Kingswood for a hunt, while arranging for the dragons to rest in a courtyard at the Red Keep instead of reopening the Dragonpit. The group gathered at the courtyard to ride the dragons, though Varys had also prepared a carriage and a Gold Cloak escort.

• Arya asked Viserys when they would leave, and he told her Varys had arranged their departure and they would camp if it became late.
• Sansa said she, Jeyne, and Roslin would stay behind to choose dyed threads, while Roslin gave Viserys honey cakes for the journey.
• Viserys promised a bonfire banquet after the hunt, then took Daenerys and Rhaenys to collect bows and arrows and visit the dragons.
• Viserys explained that the dragons would stay in a courtyard at the Red Keep because it was convenient for their care and for defending King's Landing.
• Arya and Ygritte followed Viserys to the courtyard, where Blackflame, Meleys, Acmot, Viserion, and Vermax were waiting.
• Viserys announced that the group would ride the dragons to the Kingswood, while Varys's carriage and five hundred Gold Cloaks stood ready.

Viserys questioned Varys about Robert's surviving bastards and demanded that he reveal everything he knew. Varys identified Gendry and Mya Stone East, leaving their fate for Viserys to decide.

• Varys told Viserys that the Gold Cloaks were ready to secure a camp near the Kingswood, and Viserys approved the plan.
• Viserys calmed Blackflame after the dragon startled Varys, then asked which of Robert's bastards in King's Landing were still alive.
• Varys feared Viserys suspected his concealment, but Viserys promised to retain him as Master of Whisperers if he told the truth.
• Varys revealed that Gendry, a smith's apprentice in King's Landing, and Mya Stone East, a guide in the Vale, were Robert's two surviving children.
• Varys explained that he had kept them hidden because they were innocent and could serve as bait for enemies, then left their futures to Viserys.

Viserys ordered Varys to ensure two people never appeared before him again, then prepared to leave King's Landing by dragon. Daenerys mounted Viserion while Acmot and Vermax reacted jealously, and the party began setting out for the journey south.

• Viserys told Varys he never wanted to see the two people again, and Varys promised to handle the matter.
• Varys left to arrange Viserys's dragon journey while Viserys climbed onto Blackflame and assigned Arya and Ygritte to ride with him.
• Viserys told Daenerys and Rhaenys to ride their own dragons, and Daenerys chose Viserion over Acmot and Vermax.
• Acmot and Vermax crowded around Daenerys, while Viserion lowered his back so she could mount him.
• Acmot snorted sparks at Viserion, stamped deep pits into the ground, and took off before the others.

Daenerys, Viserys, Arya, Ygritte, and Rhaenys set out by dragon for the Kingswood. As they flew over the old royal hunting grounds, the chapter recalled how the villages and paths had once served the Targaryen hunting parties.

• Daenerys mounted Viserion and flew after the dragons that had already left for the Kingswood.
• Viserys invited Arya and Ygritte to ride with him on Blackflame, and both climbed onto the dragon's back.
• Rhaenys checked Meleys's saddle, mounted, and prepared to follow.
• Blackflame took off with Viserys, Arya, and Ygritte, while Rhaenys and Meleys rose behind them.
• Arya watched King's Landing recede below as the dragons flew toward the Kingswood and its former royal hunting paths and villages.

Viserys and his companions reached an abandoned royal hunting camp in the Kingswood, where Rhaenys asked about Daenerys. After Daenerys arrived with the other dragons, Viserys prepared to take the women hunting while Blackflame and Meleys flew into the woods to hunt on their own.

• Viserys pointed out the abandoned camp and landed Blackflame on its clearing, with Rhaenys landing Meleys nearby.
• Viserys, Arya, and Ygritte dismounted and began preparing the camp, while Ygritte went to fetch water.
• Rhaenys asked Viserys where Daenerys was, and he assured her that Daenerys was already in the Kingswood and safe.
• Daenerys arrived with Viserion, Acmot, and Vermax, each carrying roasted game they had caught in the woods.
• Viserys called for everyone to prepare for a hunt and sent Blackflame and Meleys deeper into the Kingswood to hunt.

Viserys led Daenerys, Ygritte, Rhaenys, and Arya into the Kingswood to hunt, reassuring the nervous Daenerys as they tracked through the dense woods. After Viserys wounded a stag with an arrow, the group followed its trail deeper into the forest.

• Viserys chose an eastern hunting trail after Blackflame and Acmot flew south, then explained the Kingswood's terrain and game to Ygritte and Daenerys.
• Daenerys stayed close to Viserys as the group crept quietly through the woods, while Ygritte reassured her that the animals were unlikely to pose a threat.
• A stag burst from the bushes and fled before the women could react, and Viserys quickly shot it in the rump.
• Ygritte and Rhaenys each fired two arrows but missed as the stag disappeared into denser trees.
• Viserys told the women the wounded stag would leave a blood trail and invited Daenerys to practice tracking and archery as they followed it.

Viserys and his companions encountered a mysterious White Stag beside the wounded deer he had shot in the Kingswood. After it vanished into the woods, they discussed its possible significance, and Viserys ended the wounded stag’s suffering.

• Viserys and the others followed the blood trail and found a White Stag standing beside the wounded stag.
• The White Stag watched Viserys and his companions before disappearing into the woods.
• Rhaenys told Viserys and Daenerys about the White Stags of the Kingswood and the omen associated with Rhaenyra Targaryen.
• Daenerys asked why the White Stag had stood beside the wounded deer, and Viserys offered a possible natural explanation.
• Viserys reflected that the White Stag had resisted his attempt to form a mental connection and might be a powerful magical being or an Old God.
• Viserys examined the wounded stag and slit its throat to end its suffering.

Viserys and the girls prepared their hunted game by a stream in the Kingswood, while Daenerys reflected on her encounter with the White Stag. They roasted the meat together and settled into a cheerful meal.

• Viserys dragged the deer to a stream and told Daenerys that the White Stag belonged in the Kingswood, noting that it had seemed especially drawn to her.
• Ygritte dressed the deer while Arya helped wash the meat and Rhaenys cleaned the hide for use as boot linings.
• Viserys and Daenerys gathered wood and started a fire as the others finished preparing the deer, rabbits, and pheasants.
• Daenerys roasted the meat while Arya, Rhaenys, and Ygritte joined the others by the fire.
• Ygritte asked for the largest share of venison, Viserys claimed two tender loin pieces, and Rhaenys watched their banter with a smile.

Viserys returned from hunting with Daenerys and Rhaenys to find Varys had arranged repairs and supplies for their camp. Viserys remained wary of Varys, suspecting that he might favor Daenerys as a future ruler, and resolved to eliminate him once the Valyrian Freehold's intelligence network took root in Westeros.

• Rhaenys praised the freshly hunted venison as she ate with Viserys and Daenerys by the stream.
• Viserys realized their group could not carry all their game farther, so they packed up and returned to camp.
• Viserys found that Gold Cloaks and craftsmen had reinforced the camp and set up tents and cooking supplies.
• Viserys considered Varys's careful preparations and concluded that the Master of Whisperers might be seeking a benevolent ruler rather than pledging loyalty to him.
• Viserys suspected Varys would prefer Daenerys to Rhaenys on the throne and decided Varys would die once the Valyrian Freehold's intelligence organization was established in Westeros.

Viserys and his companions returned to the hunting grounds after resting at camp, where they found little game. Farther from camp, Viserys shot a huge wild boar, which survived the arrow and squealed in pain.

• Viserys entered the camp with the women and heard from the Gold Cloak captain that the area had been searched and patrolled.
• Viserys suggested another short hunt, and Arya, Ygritte, Rhaenys, and Daenerys prepared to go with him.
• Viserys led the party into the woods, where they found three pheasants, two rabbits, and a clutch of pheasant eggs.
• Viserys heard a noise and led the group toward a clearing, where they saw an enormous wild boar striking a tree with its tusks.
• Viserys shot the boar through its exposed flank, and the wounded animal stopped and squealed.

Viserys killed a charging wild boar in the Kingswood, and his party dressed the carcass before returning to camp for the night. The next morning, they prepared to leave, while half the Gold Cloaks stayed behind with the craftsmen to continue repairing the royal family's camp.

• Viserys dodged the Boar King's charge and killed it by driving his hunting knife into the wound from his arrow.
• Ygritte inspected the boar and estimated it would provide two or three hundred jin of meat, then led the group to a nearby lake to dress it.
• Viserys called an end to the hunt as night approached, and the group carried the butchered meat back to camp.
• Arya buried wild pheasant eggs by the fire for breakfast while Ygritte cooked meat and Viserys, Daenerys, and Rhaenys spent the night in one tent.
• The next morning, the Gold Cloaks took down the spare tents, and half the men remained with the craftsmen to repair the royal family's camp.

Viserys and his companions left the Kingswood and returned to King's Landing on dragons, while Ygritte and Arya discussed visiting the reborn forests of the Valyrian Peninsula. They landed at the Red Keep, where someone was waiting for them.

• Ygritte asked Viserys to spend more time traveling after the crisis with the Cold God, and he promised to take her to the Valyrian Peninsula.
• Viserys described how magic had restored the Valyrian Peninsula's forest, and Arya recalled seeing it from a dragon's back.
• Blackflame and Meleys emerged from the Kingswood, followed by Acmot, Viserion, and Vermax.
• Viserys, Daenerys, Rhaenys, Arya, and Ygritte mounted the dragons and flew from the Kingswood toward King's Landing.
• The five dragons landed at the Red Keep, where someone was waiting for Viserys and the others.

Viserys met Sandor Clegane and the Mountain Clans after they arrived late in King's Landing, learning that sellswords had attacked them on the road. The Hound began explaining the clash, but had not yet identified who hired the sellswords.

• Varys told Viserys that Sandor Clegane had arrived at the Red Keep with more than two hundred people, mostly Mountain Clansmen, and that they had fought someone on the road.
• Viserys went to the square outside the Red Keep with Varys and saw the injured Mountain Clansmen guarded by the Gold Cloaks.
• The Hound greeted Viserys and explained that gathering the tribe had delayed their journey beyond the seven days Viserys had allowed.
• The Hound said sellswords heading to Harlon Castle had mistaken his group for raiding wildlings and attacked them without warning.

The Hound explained why the surviving mercenaries had agreed to serve Viserys, and Viserys examined them before focusing on Bronn. He learned that Bronn had helped form the band and had taken charge after its leader died.

• The Hound told Viserys that the mercenaries had surrendered after their leader was killed and had agreed to join him for the chance to earn a better living.
• Viserys observed that the surviving mercenaries kept their distance from the Mountain Clansmen but showed no hostility.
• Viserys noticed a wary, unremarkable man in green leather armor and asked The Hound about him.
• The Hound identified the man as Bronn, a squad leader who had helped form the band and kept its survivors together.
• Viserys considered Bronn's reputation as a capable, practical fighter who openly worked for money.

Viserys accepted Bronn and his sellswords into the force assembling to fight the Others, assigning them to follow the Hound while they awaited their orders. As Viserys returned to the Red Keep, he saw Sansa and several women approaching him.

• Viserys questioned Bronn about why he had kept his sellswords together and chosen to serve.
• Viserys ordered Bronn's men to follow the Hound and told Bronn that Hand Clinton would arrange their assignments, lodging, and supplies.
• Viserys directed the Hound to take his men to the barracks west of the city and keep them from causing trouble.
• The Hound gathered the Mountain Clans and led them toward their campsite with Bronn and the sellswords.
• Viserys reflected on keeping Bronn because he believed fortunate people could prove useful in the fight against the Cold God.
• Viserys rounded a gallery corner and saw Sansa standing beneath an archway, her shoulders relaxing when she saw him unharmed.

Viserys returned to the Red Keep after arranging for The Hound and the Free Folk to join him, reassuring Sansa that they were under guard. Roslin admitted she had worried about him and asked him to spend another night with her before he left for the south, and Viserys promised he would.

• Sansa asked Viserys about the Free Folk and whether they posed a danger, and he explained that The Hound had brought them over and that they were being housed under guard outside King's Landing.
• Jeyne told Viserys that Roslin had stayed awake by the window waiting for his return, embarrassing Roslin.
• Viserys reassured Roslin that he was safe and told her she could send for him whenever she needed anything.
• Roslin asked Viserys to spend another night in her room before he left for the south, and he promised to visit once he had finished his duties.
• Viserys quickly excused himself from the group after accepting Roslin's request.

Viserys received a purportedly urgent message from the Riverlands and recognized that the messenger was hiding his identity with magic. The messenger claimed to serve Duke Hoster, but Viserys challenged his story and the chapter ended with the man offering an explanation.

• Lyg delivered letters from Ashara and Kinvara, then told Viserys that a messenger insisted on delivering a sealed letter in person.
• Viserys ordered Lyg to bring in the messenger and leave them alone.
• The messenger claimed Duke Hoster was dying and had sent him with a letter to the Iron Throne.
• Viserys sensed magic around the messenger’s face and questioned his identity.
• The messenger called himself Dayne and explained that recent staff changes at Riverrun might account for his missing name on the official list.

Viserys exposed the man posing as Dayne as a Faceless Man sent to kill him and questioned him about his employer and the House of Black and White’s true worship. When the assassin reached for his hidden dagger, Viserys struck him and shattered his magical disguise.

• Viserys tested Dayne’s claimed history with questions about Riverrun, and the assassin failed to answer convincingly.
• Viserys confronted him with the real Dayne’s death and named possible patrons, prompting the Faceless Man to abandon his disguise’s performance.
• The Faceless Man admitted Viserys had seen through his magical disguise and offered to reveal his employer in exchange for leaving King’s Landing.
• Viserys demanded the name of the employer and asked whether the Faceless Men worshipped the Many-Faced God or the ancient Other.
• The Faceless Man reached behind him, but Viserys kicked him into the door and broke the magic concealing his face.

Viserys forced a captured Faceless Man to reveal that the Iron Bank had paid the House of Black and White five million gold dragons to kill him. He left the Faceless Man alive for now and planned to send a message to Braavos through him.

• Viserys broke the Faceless Man's limbs and demanded to know who had hired him.
• The Faceless Man revealed that the Iron Bank of Braavos had offered five million gold dragons for Viserys's death, paying four million in advance.
• The Faceless Man explained that the Night Lion was one of the Many-Faced God's identities and that the House of Black and White would keep sending assassins after a failed attempt.
• The Faceless Man said he would leave King's Landing that night, but Viserys told him he could not leave yet and would carry a message to Braavos.

Viserys threatened the captured Faceless Man and warned the House of Black and White and the Iron Bank against targeting Valyria. His words made the dying assassin suspect that the priests had manipulated the order into the mission, though Viserys remained unsure whether the attempt had been driven by greed or by the Many-Faced God.

• Viserys ordered the Faceless Man to warn the House of Black and White against accepting future contracts to kill people in Valyrian territory.
• Viserys threatened to display the corpses of any Faceless Men who entered his lands and vowed to settle House Targaryen's debt with the Iron Bank.
• The Faceless Man wondered how Viserys knew the secret workings and priests of the House of Black and White.
• The Faceless Man began to suspect the priests had betrayed the Many-Faced God and used him as a pawn to test Viserys.
• Viserys mocked the Faceless Man's suspicions, while privately considering whether the mission had been ordered by the Many-Faced God or motivated by the priests' greed.

Viserys exposed the Faceless Man’s mission as a scheme by the House of Black and White, then ordered him taken to Grand Maester Pycelle for treatment. He burned the poisoned letter and decided to keep the assassin alive to delay further attacks and potentially stir trouble within the House of Black and White.

• Viserys confronted the injured Faceless Man with his belief that the House of Black and White had used him as a pawn, and the man grew too weak to respond.
• Viserys summoned Lyg and ordered him to take the Faceless Man to Grand Maester Pycelle while hiding his face.
• Lyg sent attendants to carry the Faceless Man away and maids to clean the blood from Viserys’s study.
• Viserys burned the unopened letter and recognized the sweet-smelling smoke as toxic Strangler poison.
• Viserys chose to keep the Faceless Man alive to buy time for Rhaenys and Daenerys and avoid provoking the House of Black and White or Braavos.

Pycelle treated a badly injured Faceless Man delivered to him on Viserys's orders, while privately reflecting on his reduced role at court and his quiet routine in King's Landing. The chapter left Pycelle preparing to return to his familiar evening visits on the Street of Silk.

• Lyg brought the injured Faceless Man to Pycelle's chambers on Viserys's orders.
• Pycelle examined the stranger, gave him milk of the poppy, and instructed two assistant maesters to treat his wounds and watch over him.
• Pycelle considered how Viserys had sidelined him and how content he was to spend his remaining days among books and records.
• Pycelle's routine included sorting ravens' letters, napping, and secretly traveling to the Street of Silk at night.
• Pycelle regularly visited Ros, a popular courtesan from the North.

Pycelle considered why Viserys had left him as Grand Maester and decided to enjoy his remaining freedom while the Citadel still posed a political risk. Meanwhile, Viserys took Ygritte into King's Landing to show her the city.

• Pycelle reasoned that removing him could provoke the Citadel to disrupt raven communications or recall maesters across the Seven Kingdoms.
• Pycelle changed into a plain gray robe, hid his Grand Maester's chain, and left the Red Keep through a concealed passage.
• After lunch, a maid escorted Ygritte to the Red Keep gates, where Viserys met her and promised to show her King's Landing.
• Viserys and Ygritte walked uphill along the Street of Steel, passing market stalls and increasingly luxurious shops.
• Ygritte looked eagerly at the sights, which differed from the wharves around Blackwater Bay that Arya had shown her.