Recaps

Jon Arryn uncovered evidence that Cersei’s children were Jaime’s and planned to support Stannis in resolving the succession crisis, while Lysa resisted sending Robin to Dragonstone. In the Disputed Lands, Gendry received fossilized dragon eggs, sought the Targaryen eggs that had disappeared, and prepared to meet Littlefinger, who arrived as an envoy of the Iron Throne.

• Jon Arryn concluded that Cersei’s children were not Robert’s and decided to join forces with Stannis, whom he believed was next in the lawful succession.
• Jon Arryn told Lysa he planned to send Robin to Dragonstone as Stannis’s ward, and Lysa angrily objected.
• Daenerys received three fossilized dragon eggs from Illyrio, while Qyburn explained that such eggs were believed unable to hatch.
• Gendry discussed Illyrio’s motives, Viserys, and the search for the missing Targaryen eggs with Qyburn, then considered the military challenges facing his realm.
• Littlefinger arrived at Wolf’s Den as the Iron Throne’s envoy and met Jorah before entering Gendry’s tent.

After Jon Arryn’s death threw Westeros into political turmoil, Gendry prepared to exploit the instability by moving against Tyrosh. King Robert considered a new Hand while Tywin Lannister assessed the dangers gathering around his house.

• Gendry rejected Littlefinger’s offer to hand over Viserys and Daenerys, threatened to keep him by force, and released him after Littlefinger revealed that Jon Arryn was dying.
• Gendry discussed Jon Arryn’s approaching death with Qyburn and Handsome Man, then decided the Wolf Pack should use the turmoil to demand Tyrosh’s ships and governors and prepare for war.
• Jon Arryn died after repeatedly saying “The seed is strong,” and Lysa Tully claimed he had meant her son, Robert Arryn.
• King Robert rejected Cersei’s suggestion that Tywin become Hand and decided to summon Eddard instead; afterward Lysa fled to the Vale and Stannis fled to Dragonstone.
• Tywin and Ser Kevan discussed Jon Arryn’s death, the suspicion falling on House Lannister, and the threats posed by Stannis, the Targaryens, and Gendry.

Tyrosh sent Governor Aquad to negotiate peace with Gendry, offering wealth and territorial concessions in exchange for the Wolf Pack’s recognition of its authority. Aquad explained Tyrosh’s strength and his own precarious position, while Gendry pressed him to reveal which faction he served.

• Governor Aquad arrived at Gendry’s camp escorted by Tyroshi mercenaries and nobles.
• Aquad identified himself as a descendant of Silver Tongue and presented Tyrosh’s gifts, including gold, armor, brandy, and the heads of three fugitive Myrish governors.
• Aquad offered Tyrosh’s estates and towns in the Disputed Lands and recognition of Gendry’s authority over Myr in exchange for peace.
• Aquad warned Gendry that Tyrosh was fortified and that fighting every enemy could turn the whole known world against him.
• Gendry challenged Aquad about his loyalty, and Aquad admitted that Tyrosh’s council had sent him because his position there was weak.

Gendry’s forces launched a naval assault on Tyrosh, where the battle turned in their favor after slaves revolted in the city and aboard Tyroshi ships. Tyrosh’s fleet began to disintegrate, leaving Gendry poised to press the attack on the city.

• Gendry rejected Governor Aquad’s peace offer and ordered his commanders to prepare for an assault on Tyrosh, while planning for possible Dothraki intervention and enemies within Myr.
• Gendry met Ser Davos aboard the Wolf Pack flagship as Moloz led the Wolf Pack Fleet and the Narrow Sea Fleet toward Tyrosh.
• Gendry’s fleets surrounded Tyrosh’s warships, and Moloz’s ships rammed and battered the enemy as sailors fought across the decks.
• Gendry killed a Tyroshi officer during the fighting, while Davos joined the battle and the allied fleets intensified their attack.
• Slaves revolted in Tyrosh and aboard the city’s ships, destroying some defenses and throwing the Tyroshi fleet into chaos.
• Tyroshi ships began fleeing toward the city or raising white flags, and Gendry prepared to exploit the opening.

Gendry’s forces captured Tyrosh’s outer city with help from a slave uprising, then besieged the Black City while he tried to restore order. After learning that a revolt had erupted in Myr and Dothraki horsemen were advancing, he left Ser Jorah in command and prepared to take part of the army to Myr.

• Gendry led the Wolf Pack and Free Army ashore as freed slaves opened Tyrosh’s gates, and the allied forces defeated the defenders across the docks and outer city.
• Gendry appointed Raymond Wildlings to help control the freed slaves, ordered his troops to maintain order, and chose to besiege the Black City rather than storm it.
• Gendry honored the executed slaves by covering their bodies with shrouds, then ordered punishment for looting and rape in the occupied city.
• Maester Qyburn’s raven informed Gendry that rebels were attacking Free Army troops in Myr and that Dothraki horsemen had crossed the Rhoyne toward the city.
• Gendry assigned Ser Jorah and other commanders to continue the siege of Tyrosh, while he prepared to take part of the army to Myr and confront the Dothraki.

Gendry joined forces with Oberyn and returned to Myr as the city’s slave-owning restorationists rebelled. He crushed the revolt and prepared to face the approaching Horsemen.

• Gendry sent Ser Jorah to Tyrosh and ordered Ser Davos to remain there while Moloz secretly ferried troops toward Myr.
• Oberyn met Gendry and agreed to support his campaign against the Horsemen, while explaining why he had not joined the attack on Tyrosh.
• Gendry told Oberyn that he would distribute confiscated lands, register households, and build Myr’s administration as they rode toward the city.
• Brown Ben held Myr’s walls, harbor, and city hall against a revolt by former governors and slave owners, then welcomed Gendry’s returning army.
• Gendry’s knights entered Myr and crushed the restorationists, while free folk and citizens joined the fighting; the governor Kasa poisoned himself and his family.
• Gendry ordered Brown Ben to punish the conspirators and their collaborators as the Horsemen approached.

Gendry rallied Myr against the approaching Dothraki and prepared layered defenses as Khal Zhako’s khalasar gathered outside the city. The chapter ended with Myr’s forces ready for battle and Gendry and the Red Viper facing the threat from the walls.

• Gendry, the Red Viper, and Arrow Maker scouted Khal Zhako’s khalasar and drove off its advance scouts.
• Gendry rallied Myr’s citizens and soldiers, who pledged to fight the Dothraki, while Brown Ben announced the exiled magisters and nobles as traitors and confiscated their property.
• Gendry ordered Grey Wolf and the Free Army to form up outside the city as Myr’s other troops prepared to defend the walls.
• Gendry organized Myr’s defenses with infantry formations, wall archers, trebuchets, and Moloz’s fleet patrolling offshore.
• Gendry and the Red Viper watched Khal Zhako arrive with around seven thousand Screaming Warriors as Myr’s forces prepared for battle.

Gendry’s forces held Myr’s defenses against Khal Zhako’s Dothraki, then launched a cavalry counterattack. Gendry fought Khal Zhako in heavy armor and gained the advantage, but the duel remained unresolved.

• Khal Zhako sent Lhazareen slave boys running toward Myr, and the Dothraki killed them with whips and arrows.
• Khal Zhako ordered his Screaming Warriors to charge the Myrish lines, where trebuchets, an oil-slicked field, and Grey Wolf and Steel Fist’s shield formation slowed them.
• After seven assaults, Gendry ordered fire arrows and led a cavalry counterattack with Long Spear, the Red Viper, and their mounted forces.
• Gendry’s armored cavalry struck the Dothraki, and Gendry confronted Khal Zhako while his companions engaged the Bloodriders.
• Gendry blocked Khal Zhako’s attacks with his armor and warhammer, wounded him in the chest, and continued fighting as Khal Zhako’s blows weakened.

Gendry defeated Khal Zhako, broke his Khalasar, and took its surviving warriors and Unsullied into his custody. Meanwhile, Stannis considered seeking allies against House Lannister, and Eddard learned that Robert was coming to Winterfell as news from across the Narrow Sea raised further questions.

• Gendry killed Khal Zhako, and his troops and ambush forces routed the Khalasar as its kos fled.
• Gendry accepted the surrender of the captured Dothraki Screaming Warriors, took in about two hundred Dothraki Unsullied, and ordered Brown Ben to guard the captives.
• Oberyn brought back Khal Zhako's son, whom he had killed, and Gendry ordered the captured Dothraki to be counted and watched.
• Stannis rejected an alliance with Gendry but considered Ser Davos's suggestion to contact Eddard Stark, and warned Davos to watch House Velaryon and House Celtigar.
• Catelyn told Eddard that Jon Arryn had died and Robert was coming to Winterfell with his court, including the queen's brother.
• Catelyn asked Eddard whether he had heard about Robert's situation across the Narrow Sea.

Eddard and Catelyn anticipated King Robert asking Eddard to join a war against Robert’s powerful bastard, while Robert’s procession traveled north toward Winterfell. Across the Narrow Sea, Tyrosh’s besieged citizens opened a gate, allowing Jorah to lead his soldiers into the city.

• Jon, Robb, Theon, and Bran practiced archery at Winterfell while discussing the mercenary king across the Narrow Sea.
• Eddard told Catelyn that Robert might ask him to go south and fight his powerful bastard, and Catelyn considered the danger and her daughters’ marriage prospects.
• Joffrey, Tyrion, Jaime, and Sandor traveled through the Neck toward Winterfell as Tyrion and Jaime discussed the threat posed by the mercenary king and the Targaryens.
• Tyrosh’s Archon considered surrender as the city faced starvation, and merchants opened one of its gates to the besiegers.
• Jorah led the elite soldiers of the Wolf Pack through Tyrosh’s opened gate and began securing the city.

Gendry pacified Tyrosh and planned a standing army to defend the Twin Cities Alliance against Volantis and other threats. He organized the alliance’s forces and appointed Lothor Brune to the Household Guard, while considering a foothold on Crackclaw Point.

• Jorah reported that Tyrosh had submitted, the Archon had been poisoned, and the listed traitors were being rounded up; Gendry accepted Aquad’s renewed service and welcomed Lothor Brune.
• Gendry and his council discussed preparing for the Long Night, stockpiling supplies, and delaying a likely war with Volantis through spies and fabricated reports.
• Gendry assigned commanders to the Wolf Pack, Free, and Second Sons legions and to the Narrow Sea and Wolf Pack fleets.
• Gendry defeated Lothor in a sparring match and appointed him a major in the Household Guard.
• Lothor told Gendry about his rejection by House Brune, and Gendry discussed using Daenerys to establish a foothold on Crackclaw Point.

Gendry sent Rosso Brune to King's Landing to build an intelligence network and infiltrate the circles of Littlefinger and the Spider. In Winterfell, Robert asked Eddard to help confront the threat posed by Gendry and the Targaryens, while Gendry met with Myrish and Tyroshi bankers at a feast.

• Gendry recruited Rosso Brune for a covert mission in King's Landing and warned him about the Spider and Littlefinger.
• Robert arrived in Winterfell, reunited with Eddard Stark, and visited Lyanna's tomb in the crypts.
• Robert told Eddard he feared war with the Baratheon traitor and the dragon's heir, and asked for his help.
• Gendry and Daenerys entered a feast at Wolf's Den with Viserys and Gendry's trusted subordinates.
• Grey Wolf told Gendry that Myrish and Tyroshi bankers wanted to meet him, and Gendry left the dais to speak with them.

Eddard and Catelyn argued over whether he should accept Robert's offer to become Hand, while two secret letters warned him that the Lannisters had killed Jon Arryn. Eddard reluctantly agreed to leave Winterfell to investigate, fearing the dangers of the south.

• Eddard told Catelyn he wanted to refuse Robert's offer, but she urged him to accept and warned that refusing the king could endanger their family.
• Eddard explained that the enemy across the Narrow Sea made the king's request dangerous, and revealed that Stannis had secretly written that Jon Arryn was likely killed after discovering an unusual relationship between the queen and her brother.
• Maester Luwin brought Eddard a carved box containing a Myrish lens and a letter sealed with House Arryn's sigil.
• Catelyn read Lysa's letter accusing House Lannister and the queen of murdering Jon Arryn, and Eddard realized it confirmed Stannis's warning.
• Catelyn and Maester Luwin urged Eddard to become Hand so he could investigate Jon Arryn's death, and Eddard reluctantly agreed to leave Winterfell.

Jon Snow reconsidered joining the Night's Watch after Tyrion warned him that war with the king's bastard could soon draw Lord Eddard south. In King's Landing, Varys and Littlefinger discussed the coming conflict and the dangerous power struggles around them, while Littlefinger privately confirmed that Varys wanted chaos and concealed the truth about the royal children.

• Tyrion warned Jon Snow that the Night's Watch had become a refuge for criminals and urged him to consider other paths, including the life of the king's bastard across the Narrow Sea.
• Tyrion told Jon Snow that Lord Eddard would soon lead a war against the Mercenary King, leaving Jon troubled about whether he could still go to the Wall.
• Varys and Littlefinger discussed the Iron Throne's debt, the uncertain outcome of a war against the Twin Cities Alliance, and the time needed to prepare a fleet and army.
• Varys and Littlefinger compared the coming conflict to past civil wars and reflected on the violence power had caused within House Stark and House Targaryen.
• After Varys left, Littlefinger concluded that Varys wanted chaos and had concealed the truth about the king's children from the king and the Hand.

Littlefinger strengthened his position in King's Landing and recruited Rosso Brune while Gendry watched his archers train across the Narrow Sea. Eddard contemplated his coming journey south and sought to learn about Cregan Stark, then the king summoned him for a ride and a discussion of state matters.

• Littlefinger reflected on his ambitions and recruited Rosso Brune, promising him gold and a chance to enter a coming tourney.
• Gendry watched Summer Islander and yew longbowmen practice at Wolf's Den, then demonstrated his dragonbone bow to cheering soldiers.
• Qyburn told Gendry that Littlefinger had received their gift, and Gendry said he trusted Rosso to value friendship over gold.
• Eddard visited the Winterfell crypts, worried about traveling south, and decided to ask the maester about Cregan Stark.
• The king summoned Eddard from bed and took him horseback riding to discuss matters of state away from the castle's loose tongues.

Eddard learned that Robert planned to use assassins against Gendry and Daenerys while relying on Lannister power despite the realm’s enormous debts. As Eddard warned Robert about the dangers of trusting the Lannisters, Gendry’s leaders discussed Eddard’s expected arrival in King’s Landing and the possibility that Robert was preparing for war.

• Eddard noticed that Ser Boros and Ser Meryn wore Lannister lion emblems and suspected they were loyal to House Lannister.
• Robert showed Eddard a letter reporting that Gendry was protecting Daenerys and that armies and warships threatened the realm, then said he intended to send assassins after them.
• Eddard rejected killing the children and urged Robert to prepare a fleet, but Robert revealed that the crown owed millions of gold dragons and preferred cheaper measures.
• Robert appointed Jaime Lannister Warden of the East and dismissed Eddard’s warnings about concentrating power in House Lannister.
• At Wolf’s Den, Qyburn, Jorah, and the Twin Cities’ leaders discussed Eddard’s departure for King’s Landing and the likelihood that Robert sought his help against them.

Gendry prepared his forces for the coming war and considered invading Westeros through Crackclaw Point. He arrested Ramsay Bolton’s party for spying on his arms factory, but Ramsay disguised himself as Reek, leaving Gendry questioning which man was the Bolton bastard.

• Gendry ordered his armies to intensify training and Myr and Tyroshi craftsmen to increase production of weapons, armor, ships, and siege weapons.
• Gendry considered landing at Crackclaw Point and taking Harrenhal rather than attacking King's Landing directly.
• Qyburn told Gendry that foreign spies and a party of suspected Boltons were investigating Wolf's Den and its arms factory.
• Ramsay tried to obtain weapon designs from an apprentice, but Gendry's guards raided the inn and arrested the Bolton party.
• Ramsay and Reek switched clothes, and Gendry questioned the well-dressed man while the disguised Ramsay posed as his filthy servant.

Gendry exposed Ramsay Snow’s disguise, humiliated him, and had Reek tortured until he confessed to their crimes. After learning the extent of Ramsay’s brutality, Gendry ordered Reek’s death and went to confront Ramsay with the confession.

• Gendry revealed that the supposed Reek was Ramsay Snow, had him washed, and ordered the Dothraki Unsullied to slap him when he tried to bargain.
• Ramsay left with the real Reek, while Reek later endured torture under Maester Qyburn and agreed to confess rather than let Ramsay be harmed.
• Reek described Ramsay’s crimes, including killing Domeric, raping and murdering women, and flaying his victims; he also admitted taking part in Ramsay’s abuses.
• Qyburn gave Gendry Reek’s confession, and Gendry ordered Reek’s death before going to speak with Ramsay.
• Gendry entered Ramsay’s room and asked him to hear what Reek had confessed.

Ramsay was broken by Gendry’s repeated escape-and-beating game and agreed to write down his crimes and call Gendry his master. At Winterfell, Bran remained gravely injured as the king urged Eddard to leave for the south, while Renly prepared in his green armor with Loras’s help.

• Gendry ordered the Unsullied to let Ramsay escape and beat him whenever they caught him, and Ramsay repeatedly failed to flee.
• Ramsay gave up escaping, agreed to record his crimes, and called Gendry his master.
• Tyrion learned that Bran might survive but would likely never walk, ride, or have children, while Tommen hoped Bran would recover.
• Jon visited the unconscious Bran, and the king suggested Eddard bring Jon south rather than send him to the Wall.
• The king pressed Eddard to leave Winterfell for the south, and Eddard reluctantly accepted that he would take Sansa and Arya with him.
• Loras helped Renly put on his costly green armor, and Renly kissed Loras’s fingers.

Renly and Loras discussed gathering allies and preparing for conflict with the Lannisters and Gendry, while Gendry considered how to use Ramsay and heard Qyburn’s theories about bloodline power. The chapter ended with Gendry learning that Eddard Stark was traveling south with his children and a hundred guards.

• Renly told Loras he planned to court Eddard Stark and pursue the plan to make Margaery queen, while keeping Storm’s End and Highgarden ready for trouble.
• Gendry inspected his well-equipped army and questioned Ramsay about whether it could withstand the North’s winter; Ramsay professed loyalty out of fear.
• Gendry told Jorah and Qyburn that Ramsay would remain alive for now, as he intended to use him against Roose Bolton before having him killed.
• Qyburn reported that his research was stalled, then explained his theories about the Baratheon bloodline and the possibility that Gendry’s power could deepen as summer ended.
• Qyburn informed Gendry that Eddard Stark was traveling south with his daughters, his bastard son, and a hundred guards.

At the Twin Cities Alliance’s first tournament, Gendry defeated the mysterious Blue Knight, who was revealed to be Brienne of Tarth. He then heard the Ragged Prince’s request to help him return to Pentos and seek revenge, but left the matter for another day.

• Gendry defeated the Blue Knight in a brutal mounted fight, and she yielded without removing her helmet.
• Gendry recognized the Blue Knight as Brienne of Tarth and arranged for medics to treat her injuries privately.
• Gendry reunited with Daenerys at the viewing stand and reassured her that he would protect her.
• The Ragged Prince met Gendry and explained that he wanted to return to Pentos and take revenge on those who had driven him away.
• Gendry noted that Pentos would be difficult to take and postponed discussing the Ragged Prince’s proposal.

Gendry recruited the champion archer Anguy after defeating him in a contest, while the Ragged Prince considered serving Gendry in exchange for help reclaiming Pentos. Sansa traveled toward King's Landing and resented Arya and Jon, who made her feel embarrassed.

• The Ragged Prince urged Gendry to attack Pentos and offered the Windblown's two thousand veteran sellswords, while Gendry demanded loyalty and left the Prince to consider his terms.
• Dick the Bowmaker brought Gendry to meet Anguy, the archery champion from the Dornish Marches.
• Gendry beat Anguy by splitting his arrows and piercing the targets, then offered him a place in his forces.
• Anguy accepted Gendry's offer and learned that the Arrow Maker would train him.
• Sansa heard that Eddard and the king had left camp, then reflected on her journey and complained inwardly about Arya and Jon.

Sansa’s ride with Joffrey ended in a violent clash when he attacked Jon, and Arya’s direwolf drove him off. In the King's Hall, Eddard tried to end the dispute quickly as Cersei challenged him and the king urged a settlement.

• Joffrey took Sansa riding along the Trident, where they encountered Arya, Jon, and Mycah practicing with wooden swords.
• Joffrey challenged Mycah, and Jon slapped the boy and sent him away to appease the prince.
• Joffrey attacked Jon with Lion's Tooth, wounding his face and shoulder before Jon disarmed him and Arya's direwolf frightened him.
• Jon and Arya left with Nymeria, while Joffrey rejected Sansa when she tried to comfort him.
• Eddard recounted the incident in the King's Hall and asked to take the children to eat, but Cersei rebuked him and the king urged him to settle the matter quickly.

At Darry, Eddard apologized to Jon for failing to secure fuller justice after Joffrey wounded him, and Jon warned him about Lannister influence and the dangers of King's Landing. Arya brought Needle to Jon's room and demanded vengeance, prompting Eddard to recall Lyanna's wildness and caution Arya against acting recklessly.

• The royal party arrived at Darry, where old loyalties to the Targaryens and the renewed Stark-Lannister conflict heightened tensions.
• Eddard visited Jon, apologized for the compromise over his injuries, and let him keep the six hundred Gold Dragons sent by the Lannisters.
• Jon warned Eddard that the Lannisters had people everywhere and urged him to watch for traitors in King's Landing.
• Arya entered Jon's room carrying Needle and accused Joffrey, Cersei, and Sansa of betraying her brother.
• Eddard recognized Mikken's work on Needle, scolded Arya for seeking vengeance, and told her she reminded him of Lyanna.

Gendry and Daenerys gained the support of Ser Mortimer Boggs and the loyalists of Crackclaw Point as they prepared for a future campaign against the Lannisters. In King's Landing, Eddard Stark arrived with his family and attended the Small Council meeting, where he faced Varys, Renly, and Littlefinger.

• Brienne left Wolf's Den after thanking Gendry and Daenerys, and Daenerys gave her a quartered-banner badge.
• Gendry discussed Renly's influence and the Reach's alliances with his advisers, then hinted that he had prepared a new landing route.
• Ser Mortimer Boggs pledged House Boggs and Crackclaw Point's loyalty to Gendry and Daenerys, and Gendry promised secret supplies and support for House Darry.
• Eddard Stark arrived at the Red Keep with his family, warned Jon to be careful, and went to the Small Council meeting.
• Eddard exchanged guarded words with Varys, Renly, and Littlefinger before greeting Grand Maester Pycelle.