Recaps

Arthas seized power in King’s Landing by defeating the Kingsguard, removing Baelish, and reshaping the city’s finances and Faith. As Robert left for Winterfell, Arthas established his authority, while Jaina’s attempt to secure an Iron Bank loan in Braavos put her at odds with its rulers.

• Tywin asked Arthas to win the coming tourney and pursue an alliance with House Stark, and Arthas agreed while warning his father not to push him too far.
• Arthas punished Gregor Clegane for exploiting his people, ordered him to return stolen grain and suspend taxes, and put Tyrion in charge of the Clegane lands.
• Arthas challenged all seven Kingsguard, defeated them in combat, and won Robert’s appointment as Commander of the City Watch.
• Arthas exposed Baelish’s role in Jon Arryn’s death, forced him to resign and leave King’s Landing, then ordered Pike to kill him.
• Robert appointed Tyrion acting Master of Coin, and Arthas advised him to use royal debts and commercial privileges to strengthen House Lannister’s position.
• Arthas confronted Cersei about her children’s parentage and rejected her attempt to draw him into her relationship with Jaime.
• After Robert left for Winterfell, Arthas demanded the Gold Cloaks’ loyalty, exposed the High Septon’s abuses, and installed the High Sparrow as the Faith’s new leader.
• Jaina sought an Iron Bank loan in Braavos to fund Daenerys’s fleet, but Syrio refused Ferrego Antaryon’s order to make her disappear and warned that Braavos faced a mad ruler.

Arthas built his power in King’s Landing through the City Watch’s reforms, military victories, and ruthless executions while pursuing supernatural enemies beyond the Wall. Robert dismissed him, but the Gold Cloaks rejected Janos’s return, leaving the city in upheaval and Arthas’s influence intact.

• Jaina borrowed money in Braavos, escaped Qyro Valentine’s attack, and joined the Sealord’s fleet under the name Daelin Proudmoore.
• Arthas won the Lannister knights’ allegiance after defeating them, then transformed Daven into a Death Knight who set out for the North.
• Arthas launched a purge of King’s Landing, punished corrupt officials, and used Brynden Tully’s money to fund his reforms and keep the Gold Cloaks under his command.
• Daven discovered signs of the White Walkers and later hunted the ancient entity that had tried to control Jaime, while Arthas strengthened the City Watch and prepared the city for the king’s return.
• Arthas killed the High Sparrow and the Sons of the Warrior at the Great Sept, raising the dead as an undead army.
• Robert dismissed Arthas as Commander of the City Watch, but the people protested and Arthas warned the king to meet him before he left King’s Landing.
• Janos took command of the City Watch and promised to restore its old privileges, but Gendry and the Gold Cloaks turned against him and the crowd overwhelmed him.