Chapter Summaries

After hearing that Laenor Velaryon had been found murdered in Spicetown, Redd sent Mysaria to investigate and suspected that Otto might have arranged the killing. Mysaria’s report exposed suspicious details and pointed to Daemon as the public suspect, while Rhaenys mourned her son and restricted access to Driftmark.

• Redd learned of Laenor’s death during the turmoil following Corlys’s death and ordered Mysaria to investigate in detail.
• Mysaria’s network reported that Laenor had detoured to Spicetown and was found dead beside a young sailor in a locked inn room.
• The official investigation blamed a violent dispute between Laenor and the sailor, but Mysaria’s investigators found signs that the struggle may have been staged.
• Mysaria’s report noted that the timing benefited those seeking to end Corlys’s direct line and that Otto’s officials quickly discouraged further investigation.
• Rhaenys was devastated by Laenor’s death but did not publicly challenge the official account, while rumors named Daemon as the chief suspect.

Redd suspected Otto Hightower had arranged Laenor’s murder and ordered Mysaria to keep investigating while he watched Rhaenys’s response and Driftmark’s succession. Rhaenys took charge of the funeral and withheld Driftmark’s title, and Redd and the heavily pregnant Rhaenyra traveled to High Tide for the solemn, small ceremony.

• Redd judged Otto Hightower more likely than Daemon to have arranged Laenor’s murder and told Mysaria to investigate the killing and monitor Driftmark, Rhaenys, Daemon, and King’s Landing.
• Redd refused Mysaria’s suggestion to plant clues for Rhaenys, choosing to gather intelligence and wait before intervening.
• Rhaenys stepped forward after Corlys and Laenor’s deaths but did not pass the Driftmark title to Laena or Daemon.
• Redd and Rhaenyra received Rhaenys’s invitation to the funeral and chose to travel by ship because Rhaenyra was heavily pregnant.
• Redd and Rhaenyra arrived at High Tide, where Rhaenys had arranged a small funeral amid House Velaryon’s mourning.

At Corlys and Laenor’s funeral on Driftmark, Rhaenys faced a fragile political situation after the deaths left House Velaryon without a stable succession. She declared herself provisional ruler of Driftmark, blocking Daemon from immediately taking control.

• Redd and Rhaenyra arrived at High Tide with Mysaria and a small guard, where Rhaenys received them before Corlys and Laenor’s funeral.
• An elderly Driftmark maester conducted brief funeral rites, while Redd observed the vassals’ wary distance from Rhaenys.
• Daemon arrived late, claiming he had been inspecting Driftmark’s defenses, and exchanged guarded words with Redd and Rhaenyra.
• Rhaenys declared herself Earl of Driftmark and lawful heir, saying she would oversee House Velaryon’s affairs until the appropriate time.
• Daemon did not challenge Rhaenys publicly, and Redd recognized her declaration as an effort to establish her authority and prevent Daemon from taking control.

As Redd and the heavily pregnant Rhaenyra prepared to leave High Tide, Alicent privately warned him that Daemon was conspiring with the Three Daughters Alliance over control of the Stepstones. Redd agreed to hear more at a nearby tavern, leaving Rhaenyra wary and angry as the threat to his eastern holdings became clear.

• After Redd and Rhaenyra paid their respects to Rhaenys, they left High Tide and reached the harbor to board their ship for Dragonstone.
• Alicent arrived with guards and asked Redd to speak with her alone, upsetting Rhaenyra.
• Redd agreed to meet Alicent at a nearby tavern after she said Daemon was in contact with the Three Daughters Alliance.
• Alicent revealed that Daemon and the alliance were plotting over control of the Stepstones.
• Redd realized the scheme could threaten eastern trade and the security of Volantis, Norvos, and Lorath.

Redd met with Alicent after she revealed that Daemon was conspiring with the Three Daughters Alliance over the Stepstones and seeking contact with Tormund. Alicent offered cooperation between House Hightower and Redd to contain Daemon, though their deeper political loyalties remained opposed.

• Redd asked Rhaenyra and Mysaria to wait aboard the ship while he heard Alicent out, and Rhaenyra reluctantly agreed.
• Alicent told Redd that Daemon had discussed claiming Stepstones islands with the Three Daughters Alliance in exchange for trade concessions and possible action against House Velaryon.
• Alicent revealed that the Alliance wanted the sea dragon and Tormund’s secrets and was trying to reach Tormund through Daemon.
• Alicent said Viserys had been informed but had ordered Otto only to monitor the situation, then offered to share intelligence and coordinate with Redd.
• Redd questioned what House Hightower wanted and how their cooperation would work, and Alicent proposed limiting their efforts to preventing Daemon and the Alliance from controlling the Stepstones or joining forces with Tormund.

Redd accepted Alicent’s offer of limited cooperation against Daemon and the threat in the Stepstones, then sailed from Driftmark while weighing the danger of killing Daemon. He realized that a confrontation with Viserys could force Rhaenyra to choose between her father and husband, but his hesitation gave way to resolve.

• Redd agreed to temporarily share information with Alicent about the Stepstones and Daemon, without changing his position on Rhaenyra’s succession.
• Alicent left the tavern, and Redd considered how Daemon, Otto, and the Three Daughters Alliance were drawing him into their struggle.
• Redd boarded the ship, and Mysaria ordered the crew to sail at full speed from Driftmark.
• On the voyage, Redd weighed the benefits of working with Otto against the risk of killing Daemon and provoking King Viserys.
• Redd saw Rhaenyra with her unborn child and worried that conflict with Viserys would make her choose between her father and husband.
• Redd acknowledged that his family had constrained him, but his hesitation was soon replaced by cold resolve.

Redd resolved to secure Rhaenyra’s position as heir amid Daemon’s alliance with the Three Daughters and the growing political crisis. He told Rhaenyra that Viserys must formally proclaim her the sole heir to the Iron Throne.

• Redd considered ways to counter Daemon, including using House Hightower, dividing the Three Daughters Alliance, and turning Viserys against his brother.
• Mysaria told Redd that Rhaenyra wanted him to return to the cabin, and he went back to her.
• Redd decided that he would no longer hesitate and that he had to discuss Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne with her.
• Redd asked Mysaria to leave them alone, then told Rhaenyra that Daemon was colluding with the Three Daughters Alliance and seeking Tormund and the Sea Dragon.
• Redd told Rhaenyra that Viserys had to publicly and formally confirm her as the sole heir to the Iron Throne.

Redd urged Rhaenyra to prepare to take the Iron Throne, warning that he would use force against her father if necessary. Rhaenyra agreed to first demand that Viserys publicly confirm her as heir, while trying to accept force as a possible last resort.

• Redd warned Rhaenyra that Viserys would likely favor Alicent’s unborn son and said he would coerce the king by force if necessary.
• Rhaenyra recoiled at the prospect of attacking her father and wept over the possibility of kin dying in a fight for the throne.
• Redd proposed that they formally demand Viserys confirm Rhaenyra as Heir Apparent at a gathering of nobles before deciding what to do next.
• Redd told Rhaenyra he would bear the blame and argued that their child would inherit the Iron Throne and his eastern holdings.
• Rhaenyra asked for time to consider the possibility of force, and Redd embraced her as their ship continued toward Dragonstone.

After Daemon was rebuffed on Driftmark, he sailed to the Stepstones, crowned himself king, and allied with the Three Daughters Alliance as Dorne declared independence. On Dragonstone, Redd explained to Rhaenyra how the new alliance threatened the Iron Throne, and suspected Daemon’s move and his interest in Tormund’s Sea Dragon had been planned in advance.

• Daemon left Driftmark and sailed with his fleet to the Stepstones instead of returning to King's Landing or Runestone.
• Dorne declared independence, while Daemon proclaimed himself King of the Narrow Sea and the Stepstones and allied with Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh.
• The Three Daughters Alliance recognized Daemon’s claim and promised him military and financial support, while Dorne made no move against his occupation of the Stepstones.
• Mysaria reported the news to Redd and Rhaenyra on Dragonstone, and Rhaenyra worried that Viserys would have to respond to Daemon’s challenge.
• Redd explained how Daemon’s position benefited the Three Daughters Alliance and Dorne, and said the move had likely been planned with Tormund and the Sea Dragon in mind.

Rhaenyra asked Redd for three days to confront Viserys in King's Landing and learn whether he would support her and preserve House Targaryen's unity. After she left, Redd summoned fifty thousand naval troops from Volantis to Dragonstone, preparing for either outcome.

• Redd warned Rhaenyra that Daemon could build a powerful Stepstones Kingdom with the Three Daughters Alliance and Dorne if he found Tormund and the Sea Dragon.
• Rhaenyra asked what Redd would do if Viserys refused to support her, and Redd said he would act after establishing the king's position.
• Rhaenyra requested three days to visit Viserys in King's Landing, and Redd agreed to wait for her answer.
• Rhaenyra ordered Mysaria to prepare ships and additional guards, then sailed for King's Landing as Redd saw her off.
• Redd instructed Jasent to bring fifty thousand naval troops from Volantis to Dragonstone, leaving Theora and Marcus to manage affairs there.

After waiting three days for Rhaenyra’s return from King's Landing, Redd learned that Viserys had agreed to publicly name her his heir but wanted to negotiate in person. Redd left Dragonstone for King's Landing on King Ghidorah, while ordering Jasent to keep the navy gathered and Mysaria to watch for trouble.

• Redd decided that if Viserys’s weakness continued to endanger the realm, he would remove him from power, even at the cost of Rhaenyra’s love.
• Redd spent three days managing Dragonstone’s affairs and awaiting news from Rhaenyra.
• Mysaria returned and reported that Viserys had agreed to publicly proclaim Rhaenyra his heir, but had invited Redd to King's Landing to discuss terms.
• Mysaria told Redd that Rhaenyra was well and waiting in King's Landing, Viserys had become more attentive toward her, and Otto was absent.
• Redd ordered Jasent to keep the fifty-thousand-strong navy at Dragonstone and told Mysaria to report any unusual activity by raven.
• Redd flew toward King's Landing on King Ghidorah.

Redd met with Viserys in King's Landing to negotiate Rhaenyra's recognition as heir, agreeing to help resolve the realm's crises while demanding Otto Hightower's removal. The chapter ended with Viserys facing Redd's ultimatum and Rhaenyra backing Redd.

• Redd flew King Ghidorah to King's Landing and landed near the Dragonpit before going to the Red Keep.
• Ser Criston Cole escorted Redd to the council chamber, where he met Viserys, Rhaenyra, and Alicent.
• Viserys offered to publicly confirm Rhaenyra as heir if Redd helped bring Daemon back, reclaim the Stepstones, expel the Three Daughters Alliance, and find Tormund.
• Redd criticized Viserys for causing the crises through indecision, then agreed to help because Daemon and the Three Daughters Alliance threatened his interests.
• Redd demanded that Otto Hightower leave the Small Council and King's Landing, and Rhaenyra firmly supported him as Viserys faced the choice.

Viserys yielded to Redd’s demands, dismissing Otto Hightower and publicly confirming Rhaenyra as his sole heir. Redd agreed to address Dorne, Daemon, and the Three Daughters Alliance within a year, while staying with Rhaenyra until their child was born.

• Viserys abandoned the idea of attacking Redd and agreed to his terms.
• Viserys dismissed Otto Hightower, named Lyonel Strong Hand of the King, and confirmed Rhaenyra as his sole heir.
• Redd told Viserys he would deal with Dorne, Daemon, and the Three Daughters Alliance, but needed a year to begin taking action.
• Redd said he would remain with Rhaenyra until their child was born, and she took his hand in support.
• Viserys accepted the one-year deadline, and Redd and Rhaenyra left the Council Chamber as Alicent watched.

After Viserys confirmed Rhaenyra as heir, the realm’s nobles and houses rapidly declared support for her, encouraged by Redd’s military strength. Redd watched the shifting court and waited for Otto and Alicent to reveal their plans while delaying action in Dorne and the Stepstones.

• Viserys sat with Alicent after Rhaenyra and Redd left, and Alicent reassured him that his decision had prevented civil war and kept him alive.
• Fifty thousand naval troops assembled at Dragonstone while King Ghidorah remained outside King’s Landing, and Rhaenys and other nobles publicly supported Rhaenyra’s claim.
• Rhaenyra attended Small Council meetings as heir, where Lyonel Strong avoided opposing her and she steadily learned to navigate court politics.
• Redd waited for Otto’s response from exile and watched Alicent, whose attitude toward Rhaenyra had grown calculating as she carried Viserys’s child.
• Redd postponed action on Dorne and the Stepstones, choosing to observe Daemon and the other powers before making a move.

Redd met privately with Alicent, who asked what future he intended for her and her unborn child after Otto's banishment. He made clear that Rhaenyra and her children alone would inherit the Iron Throne, leaving Alicent to decide whether to accept that future.

• Mysaria told Redd that Alicent had invited him to meet privately in her quarters that night.
• Alicent explained that Otto had left her a letter advising her to wait, and that his influence and connections remained in King's Landing.
• Alicent asked what place she and her child had in Redd's plans, and he said they could retain royal status if they did not challenge Rhaenyra, but would face consequences if they did.
• Alicent asked whether the lords would support her possible son over Rhaenyra's children, citing the question of blood and Rhaenyra's Eastern blood.
• Redd told Alicent that the Iron Throne would belong only to Rhaenyra and her children, and that anyone who challenged that claim would die.

Redd promised Alicent that she and her child would be protected if they did not threaten Rhaenyra, but warned he would kill them if they plotted against her. Alicent offered intimacy as her guarantee, and after spending the night with Redd, she became another piece in his political game.

• Alicent asked Redd to protect her and her child if she accepted Rhaenyra as monarch and made no claim to power.
• Redd promised their safety on the condition that Alicent did nothing to threaten Rhaenyra, and threatened to kill them if she secretly plotted against her.
• Alicent embraced Redd and proposed that a more intimate relationship would secure his promise.
• Redd gave in to Alicent's advances, and they spent the night together.
• At dawn, Redd left Alicent asleep and returned toward the chambers he shared with Rhaenyra, viewing Alicent as a piece on his board.

After spending the night with Alicent, Redd returned to find Mysaria waiting for him, hurt and jealous. He brought her to her quarters, and afterward she was satisfied that he smelled only of her.

• Alicent woke alone and reflected on her choice to secure Redd’s promise for herself and her child.
• Redd left Alicent’s quarters in a good mood but found Mysaria waiting in the Red Keep corridor.
• Mysaria noticed Alicent’s scent on Redd and confronted him about staying away all night.
• Redd drew the jealous Mysaria into her quarters, where they became intimate.
• Later, Mysaria told Redd that he now smelled only of her.

Rhaenyra caught Redd in bed with Mysaria, confronted him, and eventually accepted his apology while warning him to keep his affairs discreet. They turned to political matters, and Redd explained why he would wait before moving against Daemon and Dorne.

• Rhaenyra entered the room and found Redd and Mysaria together, then ordered Mysaria to leave.
• Redd claimed he had spent the night reading intelligence reports, but Rhaenyra challenged his excuse and told him how hurt and lonely she felt.
• Redd apologized and embraced Rhaenyra, who calmed down and agreed to overlook his affair if he kept it quiet and did not give Viserys ammunition against him.
• Rhaenyra asked when Redd would deal with Dorne and Daemon, and Redd said he would act within a year as promised to Viserys.
• Redd explained that attacking Daemon in the Stepstones too soon could draw the full strength of the Three Daughters Alliance into the conflict.

Redd told Rhaenyra he would wait for his forces and his enemies to be ready before dealing with Daemon and Dorne, and she forgave him after catching him in an affair. More than half a year later, his fleet and armies had taken position, but the Triarchy and Daemon refused to surrender while Dorne stayed silent, and Redd told Rhaenyra that his year-long deadline had not yet expired.

• Redd explained to Rhaenyra that he planned to wait until his forces were in position and Daemon and Tormund had fought before intervening against Daemon and Dorne.
• Rhaenyra forgave Redd, asked him not to let her catch him in another affair, and urged him not to be too hard on Mysaria.
• Over the next six months, Douglas positioned Redd's fifty-thousand-strong fleet near the Stepstones while armies from Pentos and Volantis advanced toward the Triarchy's borders.
• The Triarchy's Magistrates refused to surrender, Daemon rejected Redd's demand, and Dorne remained silent while strengthening its defenses.
• Redd told Rhaenyra that he had promised Viserys to deal with Dorne and Daemon within a year, and the year was not over yet.

Redd reassured the pregnant Rhaenyra that he could contain Daemon, the Triarchy, and Dorne while waiting for the twins’ birth. After Rhaenyra delivered Jaehaerys and Visenya, Redd felt newly determined to protect his family as the conflict still loomed.

• Redd told Rhaenyra that Douglas’s fleet and dragons could hold Daemon, his troops would deter the Triarchy, and Dorne would wait to see what happened.
• Daemon received word that the Triarchy would support him only if he paid half the military expenses upfront, and he planned to seek an alliance with Tormund and the Sea Dragon.
• Thirty-two magistrates in Lys argued over whether to fight Redd, surrender, or ally with Daemon and Dorne, but they reached no agreement.
• Redd waited in King’s Landing, dismissing calls to act until the year was up.
• Rhaenyra safely gave birth to twins, a boy named Jaehaerys and a girl named Visenya.
• Redd held Rhaenyra’s hand and touched the sleeping twins, recognizing that the storm still awaited him and that he now had people to protect.