Recaps

Davion and Gendry traveled to the Hand’s Tourney grounds, joking about Gendry’s recent night with a prostitute and Davion’s generous habits. They arrived at the sprawling camps beside the Blackwater Rush, where Davion identified the regions occupied by the different groups of contestants.

• Davion left for the tourney grounds with Gendry after saying goodbye to Shataya, Alayaya, and the other girls.
• Davion teased Gendry about his night with Janna, and Gendry told him that prostitutes praised his generosity while other customers mocked his spending.
• Davion and Gendry passed through the King's Gate and saw the tourney field and the contestants’ camps along the Blackwater Rush.
• Gendry mistook Renly Baratheon's lavish black-and-gold tent for the king’s, and Davion explained that it likely belonged to Renly.
• Davion observed that the camps were divided among knights from the Reach and Stormlands, the Westerlands, the Riverlands and Vale, the North, and the sellswords and hedge knights.

Davion sent Gendry to buy a tent in the tourney camp, but rejected Ser Koby’s attempt to force his way into Davion’s service. Gendry secured a tent from a poor hedge knight, and Davion ended the evening surrounded by the noisy, rowdy mercenary quarter.

• Davion gave Gendry a Gold Dragon and ordered him to find a clean tent, advising him to act arrogantly while negotiating.
• Gendry returned with Ser Koby, who knelt and begged Davion to take him into his service; Davion refused and told Gendry to find another tent.
• Gendry dragged Koby away and searched again, this time using a forceful manner to negotiate with the tent owners.
• An elderly hedge knight accepted the Gold Dragon and quickly moved out of his clean tent.
• Food carts sold out in the mercenary and hedge-knight area, where hungry men brawled until Gold Cloaks separated them.
• Davion watched the drunken, noisy camp and resolved to bring a luxurious tent to future tourneys.

Tyrion Lannister visited Davion’s tent and mocked his humble lodgings, but Davion answered by raising the painful memory of Tysha. Tyrion was left shaken as memories of his first love and the night Tywin forced him to believe she had been a whore resurfaced.

• Gendry prepared water and fodder for Davion before dawn, and Davion washed and dressed.
• Tyrion entered Davion’s tent with Lannister soldiers and mocked him for living in a shabby shelter.
• Davion traded barbed remarks with Tyrion, then recalled how Tywin had used Jaime to deceive Tyrion about Tysha.
• Davion asked Tyrion whether he remembered the name of the first woman he had paid, and Tyrion’s memories of Tysha and the gold dragon left him pale and speechless.

Davion joined Tyrion and Gendry at the Hand’s Tourney, where the royal family was introduced before the crowd. He was struck by Cersei’s beauty as she appeared beside Robert, leaving him questioning Robert’s lack of interest in her and Tyrion’s resemblance to the Lannisters.

• Tyrion reminded Davion of their wager and led him to excellent seats near the king’s viewing stand.
• Trumpeters announced the opening of Prince Joffrey’s fifteenth Name Day tourney, and the master of ceremonies introduced King Robert.
• Robert entered with Joffrey, Tommen, Myrcella, and the royal entourage, his immense size blocking Cersei from view.
• The master of ceremonies praised Queen Cersei, and she emerged from behind Robert to greet the crowd.
• Davion admired Cersei’s striking appearance and privately wondered why Robert sought whores and whether Tyrion was Tywin’s son.

Davion watched the royal family and leading nobles take their places at the tourney, then witnessed Tywin Lannister silence the crowd with his imposing arrival. The chapter ended with Davion recognizing the Lord of Casterly Rock as the only man capable of inspiring such fear.

• Cersei and Robert took their thrones, and Joffrey appeared before the crowd as the royal heir.
• Davion asked Tyrion why Jaime was absent, and Tyrion explained that Jaime and Ser Barristan Selmy would lead the knights' procession.
• The master of ceremonies introduced Tommen, Myrcella, Renly, and Jon Arryn to the crowd.
• Tywin Lannister climbed onto the viewing platform, and his presence silenced the tourney grounds.
• Davion recognized Tywin by the golden lion emblem and his fearsome authority.

Tywin Lannister arrived at the Hand's Tourney and unsettled Robert with his imposing presence before the ceremony began. As the knights entered in procession, Robert and Jon Arryn took offense at Jaime Lannister riding beside Barristan Selmy with the Lannister banner alongside the royal banner.

• The master of ceremonies announced Tywin Lannister, who took his seat after Cersei tried to welcome him and he quietly rebuffed her.
• Davion teased Tyrion about his resemblance to Tywin, then reassured him that children did not always resemble their parents.
• Robert ordered the master of ceremonies to continue, and the herald declared the Hand's Tourney open for Joffrey's fifteenth Name Day.
• Jaime Lannister and Barristan Selmy led the knights into the lists carrying the Lannister lion and Baratheon stag banners.
• Robert gripped his throne in anger at the banners riding abreast, while Jon Arryn frowned at the display.

Davion watched the knights’ procession at the Hand’s Tourney and recognized several Riverlands houses that had seized Harrenhal’s lands, deciding to demand compensation from them. Meanwhile, Tyrion joined Tywin, Cersei, and Jaime before the royal luncheon, where Tywin rebuked him and Cersei asked why he had come to King’s Landing.

• Davion listened as Tyrion identified Loras Tyrell and Gregor Clegane among the knights in the procession.
• Davion recognized the banners of House Tully and four neighboring houses that had taken Harrenhal’s land and farmers, and resolved to collect compensation from them.
• The morning procession ended, and Tyrion arranged lunch for Davion before a servant summoned him to Tywin’s tent for the royal luncheon.
• Tyrion entered the tent and greeted Tywin, who scolded him for supposedly missing the tourney and ordered him to change before the luncheon.
• Jaime defended Tyrion’s attendance, while Cersei asked Tywin whether he had come to King’s Landing for another reason besides Joffrey’s Name Day tourney.

Tywin demanded that Jaime leave the Kingsguard and return to Casterly Rock, but Jaime refused, while Tyrion challenged his father's treatment of him. Outside the tent, Jaime promised Cersei he would stay, then heard about Tyrion's friend Davion Whent and agreed only to consider sparing him if they met in the tournament.

• Tywin criticized Cersei for greeting him too eagerly, then ordered Jaime to resign from the Kingsguard and take over Casterly Rock.
• Cersei begged Tywin not to separate her from Jaime, and Jaime refused to break his oath, suggesting Tyrion inherit instead.
• Tyrion accused Tywin of considering him unworthy because he was a dwarf, prompting Tywin to order all three children out of the tent.
• Cersei reminded Jaime of his promise to stay with her, and Jaime assured her he would not return to Casterly Rock.
• Jaime questioned Tyrion about Davion Whent, and Tyrion described their meeting at a brothel and asked Jaime to go easy on Davion in the tournament.

Davion Hean prepared to joust against a contemptuous knight of House Leygood, whose house had seized House Hean’s lands. As the first match began, Davion waited with a plain lance and ignored the knight’s taunts.

• Davion learned that his first-round opponent was a knight of House Leygood, one of Harrenhal’s hostile neighbors.
• The Knight of House Leygood mocked Davion’s family and threatened to keep his armor and horse if he won.
• Davion silenced the knight with a cold stare, then returned his attention to the jousting field.
• The first pair of knights began their match after King Robert and the master of ceremonies addressed them.
• Davion’s opponent and the other wealthy knights carried decorated lances, while Davion had only an ordinary, inexpensive one.

Davion Whent prepared to joust Ser Kalen Leygood while Riverlands nobles scorned him and favored Kalen. As the match was about to begin, Tyrion publicly cheered Davion on, giving him a rare sign of friendship.

• Two knights competed in a joust, and one was knocked from his horse and dragged unconscious while the other celebrated his victory.
• Davion watched the matches and reflected that the brutal joust appealed to him, trusting the dragon's strength within him.
• Ser Kalen Leygood threatened to take Davion's equipment and rode onto the field; Davion answered with a cold remark about Kalen's horse.
• Davion and Kalen circled the field as Riverlands nobles cheered Kalen and showed contempt for Davion and House Whent.
• The master of ceremonies introduced both knights before King Robert, who frowned at the mention of House Whent.
• Tyrion stood on his stool to cheer Davion, and Davion smiled and waved back.

Davion Whent defeated Kalen Leygood in a joust after Kalen aimed for his throat, and Kalen was thrown from his horse with his gorget dented. Tywin defended Davion, and the master of ceremonies declared him the winner.

• King Robert blessed the jousters, while nobles mocked Davion and predicted Kalen would win.
• Gendry gave Davion a lance, and Davion said he only needed one.
• Kalen charged first and aimed his lance at Davion's throat, drawing alarm from the crowd and approval from Robert.
• Davion used Dragon Tail to bash Kalen's lance aside, then struck Kalen's shoulder and sent him crashing from his horse.
• Tywin argued that Kalen had brought the injury on himself, and the master of ceremonies named Earl Davion Whent the winner.

Davion killed Kalen Leygood in the joust, claimed his horse and lances, and forced Tristan Leygood to pay fifty gold dragons for Kalen’s armor. Davion advanced to the Hand’s Tourney finals, where he was set to face Loras Tyrell the next day.

• Jaime and Barristan recognized that Davion had deliberately feigned losing his balance before killing Kalen Leygood in the joust.
• Davion ignored Robert’s dismissive reception and demanded Kalen’s horse, lances, and armor from Tristan Leygood, who agreed to pay fifty gold dragons for the armor.
• Davion sent Gendry away with the horse and lances and gained ten experience points for defeating Kalen.
• Over the next two days, Davion defeated three more knights and advanced to the finals without killing them.
• The tournament’s eight finalists were announced, and Davion’s first match the next day was against Loras Tyrell.

Davion faced Loras Tyrell in the jousting final and gained an overwhelming advantage in their first pass. Loras conceded because his shoulder was injured, leaving Davion the victor as the crowd cheered.

• Davion and Loras entered the lists, where the crowd welcomed Loras as the Knight of Flowers and Davion as the Bat Knight.
• Robert gave Davion a hostile blessing, while Davion remained focused on the contest.
• At the start of the joust, Loras aimed for Davion’s lance-bearing shoulder, but Davion blocked the strike with his shield.
• Davion’s counterattack dented Loras’s shoulder armor and broke his goldenheart lance, nearly unhorsing him.
• Loras held his injured shoulder and signaled that he could not continue, and the crowd cheered for Davion.

After defeating Loras, Davion refused his offer of knighthood and rode away from the tourney, leaving Jaime and Barristan considering whether to knight him themselves. The next matches went to Jaime, Barristan, and Gregor Clegane, whose brutal victory thrilled the crowd.

• Davion spoke with Loras about his strength, Harrenhal, and the ransom for Loras's armor.
• Loras offered to knight Davion before Robert, but Davion immediately refused and left the grounds.
• Jaime and Barristan each considered knighting Davion, interpreting his refusal as pride in being knighted by someone he had defeated.
• Jaime Lannister, Barristan Selmy, and Gregor Clegane won the next three matches.
• Gregor Clegane knocked his opponent unconscious with a charging impact, then roared as the crowd cheered.

Davion faced Jaime Lannister in the Hand’s Tourney semifinal, first matching him in a pass before exploiting his shield defense to unhorse him. Davion celebrated his victory as Jaime fell to the ground.

• Robert announced the semifinals, pairing Davion against Jaime Lannister and Barristan against the Mountain.
• Jaime and Davion exchanged taunts before the joust, while the crowd loudly chanted against Jaime.
• In their first pass, Jaime deflected Davion’s lance with a curved shield, but Davion stayed mounted and Jaime’s lance broke.
• Davion changed his aim on the next pass, bypassed Jaime’s shield, and struck a gap in his armor.
• Davion’s lance lifted Jaime from his horse and snapped, sending Jaime crashing to the ground as Davion removed his helmet and celebrated.

Davion defeated Jaime in the joust, provoking Cersei’s fury while leaving Davion frustrated that Jaime had departed before they could discuss a ransom. As Davion prepared for the next semifinal, Barristan questioned why he had refused knighthood.

• Cersei panicked when Jaime was struck down, while Robert mocked him and Tywin watched for signs of injury.
• Jaime got to his feet with an injured left arm, cursed Davion, and left the tournament grounds; Cersei quietly ordered a maid to carry out instructions and glared at Davion.
• Davion lamented that Jaime had left without discussing a ransom, then rode to the rest area and received ale from Gendry.
• Barristan congratulated Davion and asked why he had refused Loras’s offer to knight him.
• Davion said he had no interest in knighthood, and Barristan asked why he disdained its honors and recognition.

Davion rejected Barristan Selmy’s offer to knight him and challenged the honor of a Kingsguard member who had served three kings. As the Mountain and Barristan entered the arena for their duel, Davion rested confidently while Gendry watched in excitement.

• Davion argued that knighthood had become meaningless because knights such as the Mountain and Jaime Lannister committed atrocities and broke their oaths.
• Barristan offered to knight Davion, citing his past bond with Davion’s uncle Oswell Whent, but Davion declined and dismissed him.
• After Barristan left, Gendry praised his heroic reputation, and Davion questioned how serving three kings could fit the Kingsguard’s oath of lifelong loyalty.
• Davion pointed out that Barristan had sworn allegiance to Aerys but was still alive and serving Robert, leaving Gendry questioning his admiration for knights.
• The Mountain, Gregor Clegane, and Barristan rode into the arena for their duel while Davion rested, confident he could defeat either finalist, and Gendry watched eagerly.

Davion Whent was declared the jousting champion after the Mountain and Barristan both fell, and he received twenty-five thousand gold dragons. He crowned Princess Myrcella queen of love and beauty, then rode to Chataya's brothel with Tyrion and Gendry planning to follow.

• Barristan unhorsed the Mountain, but the Mountain's exhausted warhorse collapsed beneath him, and Tywin stopped him from attacking Sandor Clegane.
• Robert declared Davion Whent the jousting champion and awarded him twenty-five thousand gold dragons.
• Davion crowned Princess Myrcella instead of Cersei, leaving Cersei furious but unable to object openly.
• Davion lifted all the prize sacks with one hand, loaded them onto his horse, and rode away from the tourney grounds.
• Davion told Tyrion and Gendry to meet him at Chataya's brothel, and Tyrion decided to follow with Gendry.

Davion confronted Janos Slynt at Shataya’s brothel and struck him after Janos threatened Shataya and insulted him. The confrontation was interrupted when Tyrion arrived with Mary, Alayaya, and Janna, leaving Janos facing Davion and his companions.

• Davion arrived at Shataya’s brothel and heard Janos Slynt demand Mary and threaten to raise the brothel’s taxes and fees.
• Janos insulted Davion, who slapped him hard enough to knock out more than a dozen teeth.
• Shataya warned Davion that Janos was the Deputy Commander of the Gold Cloaks, but Davion kicked Janos several more times.
• Janos regained his senses, threatened Davion, and reached for his sword.
• Tyrion arrived with Mary, Alayaya, and Janna, drawing Davion’s attention away from Janos.

Tyrion Lannister forced Janos Slynt to leave Shataya’s brothel after Davion defeated him, then celebrated with Davion. Later, seven Lannister guards arrived and ordered Davion to get dressed and go with them.

• Janos threatened Davion until Tyrion recognized him and revealed that Davion was the Hand’s Tourney champion and his friend.
• Tyrion intimidated Janos into leaving the brothel and warned him not to return.
• Davion thanked Tyrion and offered to pay for the night’s drinks, while joking that he would demand a trial by combat if accused.
• Later, seven Lannister guards entered Davion’s private room despite Shataya’s pleas and ordered him to come with them.

Davion fought off the guards sent to fetch him, then agreed to go with them after learning Queen Cersei had summoned him. He entered Cersei’s bedchamber alone, where she was waiting for him.

• Davion punched the lead guard through his armor and knocked the other guards down when they threatened to force him to leave.
• The surviving guards explained that Queen Cersei had sent them to invite Davion, and he agreed to go after getting dressed.
• Davion told Shataya to find Tyrion if he had not returned by midnight, then left with the guards carrying his sword.
• The guards led Davion through the Red Keep to Maegor’s Holdfast and escorted him to Cersei’s apartments.
• Cersei ordered Davion to enter her apartments alone, and a maid led him to the queen’s bedchamber.

Davion Whent was summoned to Cersei’s bedchamber after injuring her guards, but her private meeting took an unexpectedly intimate turn. Cersei invited him behind the curtain, and he saw her reclining on the bed.

• Davion noticed Cersei had sent the maids and guards away, then entered her bedchamber alone.
• Cersei accused Davion of injuring her guards, and he defended himself by saying they had burst into his room and provoked him.
• Cersei recalled reports that Davion’s nights at Shataya’s brothel left the whores paying him, and her curiosity about him grew.
• Cersei invited Davion to come closer so she could see him clearly, and he parted the curtain.
• Davion saw Cersei lying on silk bedding with her golden hair still damp from a recent bath.

Queen Cersei tried to assert control over Earl Davion by ordering him to undress and kneel, but his teasing defiance unsettled her. The encounter turned intimate when Davion licked wine from her chest and Cersei drew him close.

• Cersei ordered Davion to pour her wine, then demanded that he remove his clothes so she could inspect his strength.
• Davion undressed and let Cersei touch his abdomen, causing her to spill wine on her nightgown.
• Cersei ordered Davion to kneel, but he refused and joked that he only knelt in bed.
• Cersei asked Davion to pour her another glass, and he suggested the wine on her chest was enough for him.
• Davion bent over and licked the wine from Cersei's chest, and she wrapped her hands around his head.

Tyrion Lannister discovered that Davion was inside Cersei’s bedchamber, but left without interrupting them. After their all-night struggle, Cersei fell asleep in Davion’s arms and woke the following evening with her resentment renewed.

• Tyrion hurried to the Red Keep after Shataya told him that the Lannister Guards had taken Davion.
• Two guards stopped Tyrion outside Cersei’s bedchamber, and their reactions confirmed his suspicion that Davion was inside with the queen.
• Tyrion left a message for Davion and muttered that the young man had dared get involved with Cersei.
• Davion repeatedly overpowered Cersei through the night, and she finally fell asleep in his arms around noon.
• Cersei woke after eight in the evening, remembered Davion’s treatment, and climbed on top of him with a cold, resentful expression.

Davion restrained Cersei after she tried to strike him, then spent the morning with her while her maids prepared their bath and dinner. With the Hand's Tourney ending the next day and his return to Harrenhal approaching, Davion dismissed the maids to be alone with Cersei.

• Cersei woke and tried to slap Davion, but he caught both her wrists and held her against him.
• Cersei's maids entered with hot water and dinner, then withdrew when Cersei signaled them to leave.
• Davion carried Cersei to the bathtub, where they drank wine and the maids washed them.
• Cersei tried to pinch Davion underwater, but his intimidating look made her turn away.
• Davion stood up and dismissed the maids, intending to spend his last chance with Cersei before returning to Harrenhal.