Explore every episode of the podcast The Ghosts of Harrenhal: A Song of Ice and Fire Podcast (ASOIAF)
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Chapter Twenty-Eight - Cersei 6 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Cersei gets an update on Margaery court, while being waylaid by sparrows. She negotiates a deal with the new High Septon. He’ll bless Tommen and erase the crown’s debt to the Faith for a law allowing the re-emergence of the Faith Militant. Finally, she makes a veiled threat to Margaery. Mackelly and Simon bow their heads in prayer that she knows what she’s doing.
Chapter Review: Queen Cersei Lannister rides to the Great Sept of Baelor with Taena Maryweather. Taena fills Cersei in on the men in Margaery's court. The list is filled with most of the young, handsome knights in King’s Landing. Therefore, the addition of Grand Maester Pycelle stands out. The going is slow. The litter is blocked by sparrows clogging the streets. Ultimately, Cersei walks the remainder of the way. Upon seeing a pile of bones of slain faithful, Cersei promises to seek revenge. However, the sparrows want only protection for the living.
Inside the sept, Cersei is shocked to see septons on hands and knees scrubbing. When she meets the High Septon, she says he should have met her in his finest robes and a crystal crown, not wet and dirty. He explains that they’ve sold their crowns and fine robes. Cersei asks to speak in private. They kneel at the feet of the Crone. Cersei wants the sparrows gone from King’s Landing and a blessing from the High Septon for King Tommen. The High Septon wants better protection from the king for the faithful throughout the realm. Cersei suggests they protect themselves, but a law prohibits the faith from taking up arms. She offers to abolish the law for a blessing for the king and forgiveness on the crown’s debt to the faith. The High Septon agrees.
On the ride back to the Red Keep, Cersei’s festive mood is killed by the sight of Queen Margaery and her court. The two queens exchange pleasantries and barbs. When Cersei sees Margaery and Loras together, it reminds her of Jaime and herself. An idea takes root and laughter bursts forth. Margaery wants to share in the jest, and Cersei promises her that she will.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms. King Tommen Baratheon - Child king of the Seven Kingdoms. High Septon - The highest ranking member of the Faith of the Seven. Taena Merryweather - Socia
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Twenty-Seven - Jaime 3 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Jaime is booted from King’s Landing by Cersei to settle matters in the Riverlands. He finds a sparring partner, installs new leadership at Harrenhal, and sends Wylis Manderly home. Finally, he defends the honor of Brienne of Tarth. Mackelly and Simon give high fives.
Chapter Review: Jaime Lannister thinks the plan is folly. Queen Cersei doesn’t care for his opinions on the matter. He’ll go to the Riverlands, sort out Harrenhal, find Wylis Manderly, and end the siege at Riverrun. Jaime reluctantly agrees but insists on having Addam Marbrand and Ilyn Payne accompany him. Throughout their journey, Jaime finds a private place for Ser Ilyn and him to spar. Ilyn soundly defeats Jaime at every opportunity, and Jaime chose him as his partner because the silent knight can’t tell anyone the embarrassing details.
Once at Harrenhal, Jaime is disappointed to learn that no Bloody Mummers are captives but is pleased that Wylis Manderly is alive and in one piece. Jaime announces that Bonifer Hasty will take command of the castle. Bonifer wants no part of Gregor Clegane’s men, so Jaime agrees to take them with him to Riverrun. At dinner, Ser Bonifer insists his Holy Hundred warriors can hold the castle, and Jaime hopes they can fight as well as they pray.
Jaime leaves Ser Bonifer to find Ser Ilyn. Instead, Jaime finds Ronnet Connington overlooking the bear pit. Red Ronnet wanted to see where Brienne of Tarth fought the bear. He tells Jaime that he and Brienne were betrothed once. However, upon their meeting, he rejected the girl. Ronnet says the bear was surely less hairy than that freak. Jaime socks him in the face with his golden hand, sending Ronnet tumbling. Jaime insists Ronnet call her Brienne.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Biological father of Cersei's children. Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms. Addam Marbrand - Commander of the Gold Cloaks. Friend of Jaime’s. Ilyn Payne - King’s Justice who lost his tongue, so is unable to read, write, or speak. Wylis Manderly - Son and heir of Wyman Manderly of White Harbor. Bonifer Hasty - Pious knight and leader of the Holy Hundred. "Red" Ronnet Connington - Knight once betrothed to Brienne of Tarth.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Twenty Six - Samwell 3 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Sam tries to find the increasingly flighty Dareon and someone who knows something about dragons - to fulfill the dying wish of Maester Aemon. He gets bruised knuckles, a lungful of canal water, but he does meet a sailor who knows about the dragons. Simon and Mackelly share his pain.
Chapter Review Samwell Tarly is in desperate straits in Braavos. Gilly is inconsolable, Maester Aemon is dying, and Dareon is MIA. Between overreaching on their accommodation, paying for passage to Oldtown that they missed because of Aemon’s ill-health, and the cost of a doctor to visit and tell them that a 102-year-old man with a nasty cough is probably dying - they’ve nothing left for food and fire.
Dareon can make coin with his singing, but he promptly spends it on drink and women. He has no idea why Gilly keeps crying, and even she cannot blame him for wanting to be elsewhere. Aemon wants to hear more of dragons. He remembers them. Sam thinks that is an exaggeration, but Aemon insists that he and his brothers always dreamed of dragons. Sam braves the night and almost gets into a fight with a couple of wannabe-bravos. He’s saved by a young girl selling cockles, who calls herself Cat.
Sam finds Dareon in a brothel and gets into a fist fight. He’s thrown unceremoniously into the canal, where he almost drowns before being saved by a sailor Xhondo. He’s a Summer Islander and a mate aboard the Cinnamon Wind. He knows about these dragons and he’d be happy to share his story.
Characters/Places/Names/Events Samwell Tarly - Brother of the Night’s Watch, friend to Jon Snow. Slayer of Others. Gilly - Daughter of Craster. Beloved of Samwell. Maester Aemon - 102-year-old maester of the Night’s Watch. Dareon - Brother of the Night’s Watch renowned for his singing voice. Being sent south to recruit new brothers. Cat - Arya Stark’s latest moniker. Xhondo - Mate on the Cinnamon Wind. From the Summer Isles. Braavos - One of the Free cities in Essos.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Twenty-Five - Brienne 5 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Brienne decides to follow the only lead she has: the Stark girl was traveling with the Hound. She gains a couple of new companions. Mackelly and Simon join her peregrination.
Chapter Review: Brienne of Tarth heads back to Maidenpool, no nearer finding Sansa. Ser Hyle Hunt brings the heads of Shagwell, Timeon, and Pyg with them for Lord Tarly to display on the walls of Maidenpool. He also brings back a swarm of flies. The reception in Maidenpool is no warmer than it was last time. Tarly is impressed, but unmoved, by news that Brienne dispatched the Bloody Mummers single-handedly. He reiterates his demand for her to give up her cos-play. She refuses. She’s determined to follow the only lead she has - the Stark girl was seen traveling with Sandor Clegane. Tarly gives her leave to hunt the Hound, he’s pillaging the environs and the frustrated lord would love to see him defeated. Ser Hyle leaves Tarly’s service to travel with Brienne. She’s not happy about that. He brings along a Septon Meribald who continually travels a circuit through the Riverlands, spreading the word of the Faith of the Seven, and some hard-to-get food and supplies. He talks of the plight of the young men dragged into wars and how their fall into outlawry should be considered in the light of what has happened to them. Brienne understands that he’s describing his own sad backstory.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Brienne of Tarth - Charged with rescuing Sansa Stark. Podrick Payne - Former squire to Tyrion Lannister, now traveling with Brienne. Randyll Tarly - Lord of Horn Hill. In Maidenpool to oversee reconstruction and bring order, prior to the wedding of his son. Ser Hyle Hunt - Captain in service to House Tarly. Former tormentor of Brienne. Septon Meribald - Itinerant Septon of the Riverlands. Sansa Stark - Eldest surviving Stark child Currently in the Eyrie with Petyr Baelish. Sandor Clegane - Fallen Kingsguard. Former companion of Arya Stark.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Twenty-Four - Cersei 5 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Cersei has a busy day as queen regent of the seven kingdoms. She squashes tiny rebellions by her little king, cheers the death of a foe, plots the downfall of Margaery Tyrell and Bronn, spurns the Iron Bank, and so much more. Simon and Mackelly hope she knows what she’s doing.
Chapter Review: Little King Tommen Baratheon wants to be more involved, he is king after all. Queen Cersei Lannister isn’t having it. It’s her turn to shine, and Margaery Tyrell’s ideas in her son’s head aren't going to stop her. Cersei has a long day filled with meetings. While meeting with the merchant’s guild, Grand Maester Pycelle interrupts to bring news that Lord Wyman Manderly has beheaded the Onion Knight. Cersei is thrilled and promises to return Wyman’s heir. She also meets with an envoy from the Iron Bank. They want their payments but Cersei doesn’t budge. Afterward, she talks with Ser Osmund Kettleblack about his brother Osney’s attempts at bedding Margaery. They’ve been stalled by the constant presence of others around the younger queen. Cersei assures that she’ll provide the opportunity for him to make his move. She then squashes the merriment around Tommen’s jousting success.
Bath time provides no relief when Jaime and Tommen burst in. Tommen wants to train under Loras Tyrell and Cersei shoots it down. Jaime thinks she’s either drunk or stupid. When he leaves she decides she must be rid of him soon. She dines with Falyse and Balman Byrch. She masterfully plays the worried mother and convinces Balman to kill Bronn before he helps Tyrion kill Tommen. After dinner she reminisces over her love for Rhaegar Targaryen and the hurt of being spurned as his betrothed. She never forgave Robert for killing him because lions don’t forgive easily. It’s a fact that Bronn will soon discover.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms. King Tommen Baratheon - Child king of the Seven Kingdoms. Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Biological father of Tommen. Margaery Tyrell - Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Loras Tyrell - Knight of Flowers. Brother to Margaery and brother of the Kingsguard. Falyse Stokeworth - Daughter of Lady Tanda. Sister of Lollys. Balman Byrch - Kightly husband of Falyse. Bronn - Sellsword turned
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Twenty-Three - Alayne 1 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Sansa does her best to embrace her new identity as Alayne Stone. She and Littlefinger prepare for the arrival of the Lords Declarant. They want Lord Robert and they want Littlefinger gone. However, when the unexpected arises during the parlay, Littlefinger prevails and earns a year as Lord Protector, to prove himself.
Chapter Review: Sansa Stark is now going by the name Alayne Stone in public and private, as Petyr Balish insisted. At breakfast, little Lord Robert Arryn is in a state. He wanted eggs and bacon but none were available. The Lords Declarant have the Gates of the Moon surrounded and won’t allow new stores of food up to the Eyrie, until Littlefinger sends down Robert and then leaves the Vale. Breakfast ends with a shaking fit from Robert.
Alayne organizes the seating arrangements in the solar and then goes to meet their guests, as they arrive at the Eyrie. Alayne ensures that they eat and drink upon arrival, to guarantee everyone’s safety through Guest Right. She’s thankful that Bronze Yohn Royce doesn’t recognize her, despite meeting her twice as Sansa Stark.
In the solar, the Lords get to the point. They want Robert to foster at Runsetone with Yohn Royce and Littlefinger to leave for Harrenhal. Littlefinger’s strongest argument is that his wife Lysa named him Lord Protector and named Robert his ward. The others don’t care. Talks reach an impasse until Lyn Corbray pulls his sword and demands a duel with Littlefinger. The Lords are aghast, and Littlefinger takes advantage of the situation. Ultimately, all agree that Littlefinger may have one year to set the Vale to rights, as Lord Protector. That night Littlefinger confirms Sansa’s suspicion that Lyn Corbray was bought and paid for.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Sansa Stark - Eldest surviving Stark child. Currently in the Eyrie with Petyr Baelish. Petyr Baelish - Aspiring Lord Protector of the Vale, widower of Lysa Arryn, former Master of Coin. Nestor Royce - Keeper of the Gate of the Moon, head of a lesser branch of the Royce house. Bronze Yohn Royce - Lord of Runestone and head of House Royce. Most powerful lord of the Vale. Robert “SweetRobin” Arryn - Eight-year-old Lord of the Vale. Orphaned by his mother’s murder of his father, and his step-father’s murder of his mother.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Twenty-Two - Arya 2 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Arya acts as a servant in the House of Black and White. Despite her claims, she still can’t shake her identity as Arya Stark. She decides to shed her worldly possessions, all except Needle, earning her a promotion to acolyte. Armed with a smattering of Braavosi, she’s next to go out into the city and sell seafood. Mackelly and Simon ask for a menu.
Chapter Review: Arya Stark is settling into life as a servant in the House of Black and White. When asked by the Kindly Man who she is, Arya dutifully says “no one.” Invariably, the Kindly Man says she lies. The Kindly Man tells her she doesn’t have to stay here. He can place her in other environments she’d find more suitable or put her on a ship back to Westeros. Arya is insistent she wants to remain in the House of Black and White.
One day the Kindly Man tells her she must rid herself of her worldly possessions, as they belong to Arya of House Stark. That night, Arya takes them all to the canal and throws them in. She hesitates when it’s time to toss Needle. She thinks of the remarkable twist of fate that brought the sword back to her after it had been stolen, and decides that the Old Gods wanted her to have it. Therefore, she hides it under a cobblestone outside of the temple.
Although she never told the Kindly Man of her actions, he seemed to know. The next day he tells her the history of the religion of the Many-Faced God. She’s then given the robes of an acolyte. He also tasks Arya with learning Braavosi and teaching the Waif the Common Tongue. The pair practice by showing each other items and saying the word. In an attempt to help Arya lie better, the pair begin playing a lying game. The Waif seems to know when Arya is lying, but Arya just guesses. Eventually, the Kindly Man feels that Arya’s grasp of Braavosi is good enough for her to go out into the city. She will sell seafood for a man, but she needs a new name. They decide on Cat. With that, Arya exits the temple into the Braavosi night, as happy as she’s been for a long time.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Arya Stark - Younger daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark. Kindly Man - Priest of the Many-Faced God. Waif - Priestess of the Many-Faced God. Braavos - A free city of Braavos in Essos. Multi-Faced God - A god worshiped in Essos that embodies all gods.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Twenty-One - The Queenmaker - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Arianne Martell and conspirators try to spirit Myrcella Baratheon away in order to crown her Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Their plot is foiled by Areo Hotah - who ambushes them and kills Arys Oakheart. Mackelly and Simon will miss the big guy.
Chapter Review: Princess Arianne Martell and a handful of her closest friends wait at an abandoned holdfast for Ser Arys Oakheart and Princess Myrcella Baratheon. The rendezvous is the start of a long journey across Dorne. At the end of the journey, Arianne plans to crown Myrcella as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. While they wait, her friend Garin shares news of the sighting of Arianne’s brother Quentyn Martell in Planky Town seeking passage across the Narrow Sea. This only affirms Arianne’s suspicions that Quentyn seeks the aid of the Golden Company to steal Arianne’s birthright. With the new queen of the Seven Kingdoms on her side, and the support of the vast majority of the Dornish, Arianne will be sure to foil any of her brother’s plans.
When Ser Arys and Princess Myrcella arrive, Aryanne explains to Myrcella that Myrcella is the rightful queen and that Tommen has fallen in with bad advisors who have robbed her of her birthright. A confused Myrcella decides not to push the issue. The group leave for the Greenblood. Garin’s family will meet them and take them up the river toward their destination.
After a long, hot trip they arrive at the meeting point and find the boat where it should be. However, as they approach Aero Hotah steps onto the deck. Prince Doran’s Captain of Guard tells them to stand down or all but the princesses must die. Most drop their weapons and yield. Ser Arys charges the boat and is cut down by bolts and ultimately Aero’s axe. Arianne notices that Myrcella sobs into blood-covered hands before looking up at Areo. How did her father know? Areo responds that someone told. Someone always tells.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Arys Oakheart - Knight of the Kingsguard tasked with protecting Myrcella in Dorne. Princess Arianne Martell - Princess of Dorne. Heir to her father Prince Doran. Princess Myrcella Baratheon - Oldest living child of Cersei and Jaime Lannister. Gerold Dayne - Known as Darkstar. Knight of High Hermitage. Former lover of Arianne. Garin - Orphan of the Greenblood Drey - Ser Andrey
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Twenty - Brienne 4 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Brienne follows Nimble Dick into the wilds. There she encounters some familiar faces, learns some intel on the wrong Stark girl, and registers her first kills. Ser Hyle Hunt offers to help bury a body. Simon and Mackelly survey the damage.
Chapter Review: Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne follow Nimble Dick Crabb toward The Whispers, where he claims to have sent a fool and two girls. They were looking for discreet passage across the Narrow Sea, and the map purportedly took them to where smugglers would lend them a hand.
Brienne is very untrusting of Dick, and he doesn’t help his cause when she catches him rummaging through her saddle bags. They get to comparing the heroes of their homelands. It sounds like it would have been quite the battle. Pod notices that they are being followed, again.
At the Whispers, they find signs of life. Brienne arms Dick, but Shagwell, Timeon, and Pyg surprise them. Shagwell kills Dick for tricking them into coming here. The three try to distract her with news from the Riverlands - Sandor Clegane has captured and rides with the Stark girl. Despite the news, Brienne dispatches Pyg. A rock hits Shagwell in the face and she is able to end Timeon with barely a scratch. She makes Shagwell dig a grave for Dick. As she buries him, Shagwell attacks her, she stabs him mercilessly to death. Ser Hyle Hunt arrives, he’s been charged by Lord Randyl Tarly with keeping an eye on Brienne, in case she finds Sansa. He helps her bury Dick.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Brienne of Tarth - Charged with rescuing Sansa Stark. Podrick Payne - Former squire to Tyrion Lannister, now traveling with Brienne. Randyll Tarly - Lord of Horn Hill. In Maidenpool to oversee reconstruction and bring order, prior to the wedding of his son. Ser Hyle Hunt - Captain in service to House Tarly. Former tormentor of Brienne. Sansa Stark - Eldest surviving Stark child. Currently in the Eyrie with Petyr Baelish. Nimble Dick Crabb - Dubious character of Crackclaw Point. Sandor Clegane - Fallen Kingsguard. Former companion of Arya Stark. Shagwell, Timeon, Pyg - Renegades from the Brave Companions, hoping to escape Westeros. The Whispers - Holdfast on the eastern edge of Crackclaw Point. Named for the sound the sea makes as it travels underground tunnels. Tho
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Nineteen - The Drowned Man - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Aeron “Damphair” Greyjoy, presides over the Kingsmoot. Against his intentions, his brother Euron is chosen by the captains of the Iron Islands. Simon and Mackelly consider what might have been.
Chapter Review: Aeron Greyjoy convenes the Kingsmoot on Old Wyk. Three Iron Island captains throw their hats in the ring, but none can command a significant portion of the electorate. Victarion Greyjoy promises a continuation of Balon’s legacy - and he lavishes gold and silver bribes to prove his case.
Asha Greyjoy sneers at her uncle’s claim, she is the child of Balon and the natural heir. Her promise is of land. She’ll make peace with the north and swell the Iron Islands holdings by tenfold. The two seem to have a similar number of followers. But a horn sounds silencing all.
Euron Greyjoy is the one Kraken to have never tasted defeat. His horn will bind dragons to him, and he knows of three dragons growing in Essos that will give him all he needs to not just win the north, or the west, but the whole of the Seven Kingdoms. His chests of gold and gems seal the deal and he is proclaimed the new king.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Aeron “Damphair” Greyjoy - Youngest brother of King Balon Greyjoy. Priest of the Drowned God. Devout. Balon Greyjoy - King of the Iron Islands - died falling from a bridge in Pike. Euron “Crow’s Eye” Greyjoy - Younger brother of Balon, elder brother to Aeron. Was banished by Balon, but returned to Pike the day after Balon’s death. Victarion Greyjoy - Next younger brother of Balon. Previously holding Moat Cailin for the Iron Islands. Asha Greyjoy - Daughter of Balon. Fierce fighter and reaver. Well respected. Old Wyk - Small Iron Island. Home of Nagga’s Hill where the ribcage of a dead sea dragon marks the venue for kingsmoots of old. Kingsmoot - Ancient rite, whereby king’s of the Iron Islands were chosen from the worthy by the captains of the longships.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Eighteen - The Iron Captain - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
The Iron Captain, Victarion Greyjoy, returns to the Iron Islands for the kingsmoot. He reunites with family, some welcomed others not so much. One thing’s for certain, nobody’s backing down on their claim to the vacant Seastone Chair. Simon and Mackelly hope for a peaceful transition of power.
Chapter Review: Victarion Greyjoy sails the Iron Fleet into Old Wyk for the kingsmoot. In the bay, he spies his older brother Euron Greyjoy’s ship Silence. Victarion is welcomed back to the Iron Islands by his younger brother Aeron Damphair. Both agree Euron is the wrong man to succeed their dead oldest brother Balon as the king of the Iron Islands.
That night at a feast, Victarion finds his niece Asha Greyjoy. They trade friendly banter before a silence fills the room. Euron and his cronies have entered the tent. Aeron tries to discredit Euron but is quickly stymied and leaves in frustration. Next Asha takes her turn confronting her uncle Euron. They go back and forth at each other in a much less friendly manner than she and Victarion, before Victarion commands an end to it. Victarion and Euron exchange words and agree that all will be settled when the votes are cast.
After Euron and his men leave, Asha and Victarion take a walk. Asha admits that she can’t win the Seastone Chair and offers to back Victarion, if he’ll agree to accept her as his Hand. Victarion can’t find his way to consider her offer. However, he shares the secret of the correlation between Euron’s banishment and Victarion’s dead wife. She tells Victarion he’s left her no choice, she will put herself forth as the queen of the Iron Islands. Victarion says it’s her breath to waste.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Victarion Greyjoy - Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet. Younger brother to Euron. Older brother to Aeron. Euron Greyjoy - Eldest of the living Greyjoy brothers. Banished from the Iron Islands. Aeron “Damphair” Greyjoy - Priest of the Drowned God. Asha Greyjoy - Daughter of the late King Balon. Kingsmoot - Congregation of sea captains and lords of the Iron Islands that votes on a new king. Nagga’s Bones - Mark a holy place on the island of Old Wyk.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Seventeen - Cersei 4 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Cersei meets with her new handpicked Small Council who blithely make momentous decisions with huge ramifications. Simon and Mackelly watch on in despair.
Chapter Review: Queen Cersei is, not for the first time, disappointed to find the severed head of the wrong dwarf presented to her. She offers no punishment to the murderers for fear of deterring those hunting Tyrion. She and Qyburn head to the Small Council. He has prepared the skull to be sent to Dorne to satisfy the Martell’s grievance against the now, presumably dead, Gregor Clegane.
The Small Council is at full complement - with men Cersei has personally elevated not because of obvious talents for their positions, but due to perceived loyalty. It doesn’t make for a very thoughtful meeting. They decide to stay out of the trouble in the Vale, but demand that no harm befall Petyr Baelish. That they’ll ignore the flock of Sparrows that continues to descend on King’s Landing. That they have no idea who the next High Septon will be. That the grumblings from the masses about the crimes of the Red Wedding are best dealt with by waiting for Lord Frey to die and hoping that his successor will give up a few rivals as scapegoats. That to pay for a new royal fleet the crown will default on its loan payments to both the Faith and the Iron Bank of Braavos. That Lord Manderly should execute Ser Davos who came to ask for White Harbor’s support for Stannis’ claim. That news of dragons in Essos can be safely ignored. And that Jon Snow has betrayed the neutrality of the Night’s Watch by siding with Stannis.
Cersei arranges a complex plan involving Osney Kettleblack seducing Queen Margaery, being caught in the act, sent to the Wall by King Tommen, murdering Jon Snow, being pardoned, and then becoming Cersei's concubine for his service. A tall order, but if he pulls it off, then a Lannister always pays their debts. She tells Taena to let Margaery know that the handsome Osney is smitten with her, but discreetly.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms. King Tommen Baratheon - Child king of the Seven Kingdoms. Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Biological father of Tommen. Margaery Tyrell - Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Osney Kettleblack - Youngest
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Sixteen - Jaime 2 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Jaime bids farewell to his uncle and to his father’s remains, envies Loras Tyrell’s horsemanship, and frets over his twin’s drinking and her new friends. Simon and Mackelly think he might have a point.
Chapter Review Jaime Lannister bids farewell to his uncle Kevan who is leaving King’s Landing with his son Lancel and the bones of his brother Tywin. The conversation doesn’t go quite as Jaime hoped. Kevan is furious at both twins for their incest, the shame their bringing to the family, and Cersei’s refusal to toe (Kevan’s version of) the party line. Kevan is headed to the Riverlands where rumor has it that Sandor Clegane has joined forces with Beric Dondarrion to terrorize the citizens. Jaime’s warning to be careful manages to sound like a threat.
Jamie notes that King’s Landing seems emptier now that the Tyrells have left. He sees Loras Tyrell practicing jousting with envy, the younger Kingsguard is the better horseman. He finds his sister in her cups and hanging with Pycelle, Taena Merryweather, and King Tommen. Lollys Stokeworth has given birth, and the child’s stepfather (Bronn) has thoughtfully named the baby Tyrion. Cersei is not amused.
Jaime dismisses everyone and tries to get Cersei to see sense with her new friends. Nobody knows the true loyalties of Qyburn, Taena, nor the Kettleblacks and these have become her confidantes. She doubles down wanting the comely but untested Aurane Waters to be the Master of Ship. He’s getting concerning Aerys II-vibes from his sister. She prefers to think of herself as the female Tywin.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Biological father of Tommen. Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms. King Tommen Baratheon - Child king of the Seven Kingdoms. Tywin Lannister - Lord of Casterly Rock, recently murdered by his son Tyrion. Kevan Lannister - Brother to Tywin. Lancel Lannister - Son of Kevan, former lover of Cersei, found religion since being severely wounded at the Battle of the Blackwater. Grand Maester Pycelle - Elderly member of the Small Council. Taena Merryweather - new friend of Queen Cersei Loras Tyrell - new member of the Kingsguard.
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Chapter Fifteen - Samwell 2 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Sam is miserable aboard the ship headed for Braavos. Gilly is inconsolable and he’s seasick. He can't understand her tears until Maester Aemon points out that she left her own baby at Castle Black, and that she’s nursing Dalla’s child. Simon and Mackelly try to keep down their breakfast.
Chapter Review: Samwell Tarly is seasick aboard the Blackbird. He takes solace in his companions’ hopeful futures: Gilly will be a maid at Horn Hill, Dareon will recruit for the Night’s Watch using his singing, and Maester Aemon will retire at the Citadel, safe from Melisandre’s fires.
Gilly and her baby are miserable, rarely leaving their cabin. Sam’s fear of the sea dates back to his father Randyll Tarly’s harsh swimming lesson. This voyage is only his second, the first being a traumatic trip to the Arbor where he was bullied and rejected as a foster child by Lord Paxter Redwyne.
Dareon complains about Gilly’s distress. Sam defends her, understanding her fear of the unfamiliar ocean. Maester Aemon reminisces about his voyage to the Wall with Ser Duncan the Tall. Aemon enjoys the rain but becomes ill from exposure.
Violent storms batter the ship, intensifying their misery. The sailors blame their bad luck on having a woman aboard. When Sam asks Aemon for a remedy for Gilly’s distress, the maester reveals her sorrow is due to grief, not fear. Gilly’s baby is not her own; she left her child at Castle Black and took Dalla’s baby instead. Lord Commander Jon Snow orchestrated this swap to protect the child from Melisandre’s fires.
Sam is horrified and questions his involvement in making Jon Lord Commander. As the sea briefly calms, Dareon mocks Sam’s prediction of more storms, calling him craven. Burdened by the weight of recent revelations, Sam knows the worst is yet to come.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Samwell Tarly - Brother of the Night’s Watch, friend to John Snow. Slayer of Others. Gilly - Daughter of Craster. Beloved of Samwell. Maester Aemon - 100 year-old maester of the Night’s Watch. Dareon - Brother of the Night’s Watch renowned for his singing voice. Being sent south to recruit new brothers. Blackbird - Ship of the Night’s Watch. Skagos - Large island in the Bay of Seals. Notorious for its savage inhabitants. Braavos - One of the Free ci
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Chapter Fourteen - Brienne 3 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Brienne’s search for Sansa takes her to Maidenpool to find a fool. First she finds old acquaintances that drum up painful thoughts. She meets a man who will take her to the fool, for a price. Simon and Mackelly question the intentions of Nimble Dick.
Chapter Review: Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne arrive at the gates of Maidenpool. The town has been rebuilt since Brienne was there with Jaime. At the town gates, she defends the honor of a farming couple. Bloodshed is avoided by the arrival of Ser Hyle Hunt, captain of the gate. He and Brienne have history, and it’s immediately clear it’s not a good one.
Once inside the town, Hunt takes Brienne and Pod to Lord Randyll Tarly. When Tarly finishes serving justice to the townsfolk, he meets Brienne. He tells her Sansa won’t be at the Eyrie, as Brienne was considering. Lady Lysa Arryn is dead. The news causes Brienne to reconsider her plans to travel to the Vale.
When Tarly takes his leave, Hunt offers to show Brienne to the Stinking Goose, where she hopes to find news of the fool she’s hunting. Brienne has no interest in spending more time with the knight. She leaves for the tavern alone. Once there, she eventually meets Nimble Dick Crabb. The man explains that he tricked a fool looking for passage to Essos for him and two girls. Dick sent them to a long-unused smuggler’s cove. He offers to take Brienne and Pod to it, for a hefty price. Brienne warily agrees.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Brienne of Tarth - Charged with rescuing Sansa Stark. Podrick Payne - Former squire to Tyrion Lannister, now traveling with Brienne. Randyll Tarly - Lord of Horn Hill. In Maidenpool to oversee reconstruction and bring order, prior to the wedding of his son. Ser Hyle Hunt - Knight in service to House Tarly. Former tormentor of Brienne. Sansa Stark - Eldest surviving Stark child. Currently in the Eyrie with Petyr Baelish. Dontos Hollard - Knight turned fool. Last seen fleeing the Red Keep with Sansa. Duskendale - Coastal town in the Crownlands. Maidenpool - Significant port town in the Riverlands. Seat of House Mooton.
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Chapter Thirteen - The Soiled Knight - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Ser Arys Oakheart plans to break off his affair with Princess Arianne Martell. However, the simple sight of her erodes his resolve. Passionate lovemaking is followed by crippling guilt. Arianne promises a life together but first he must crown Princess Myrcella. After more than a little persuasion, the knight is onboard. Mackelly and Simon try to stop blushing.
Chapter Review: Ser Arys Oakheart walks through the streets of Sunspear’s shadow city incognito. It’s too dangerous to wear his white cloak of the Kingsguard. Arys arrives at his destination; a simple room within the city. He’s come to break things off with a woman. When he opens the door, he finds a naked Princess Arianne Martell waiting for him. The sight of her is enough to make him forget his original plan. Quickly they’re within each other’s embrace. From there things get hot and heavy. Afterward, desire is replaced by the guilt of breaking his Kingsguard vow. When he tries to leave, Arianne accuses him of having another lover but it’s his duty to Princess Myrcella that he’s leaving for. This affair is a blight on both of their honor. Arianne says it’s not their relationship but the monsters he’s served that is the dishonor. Arys believes Tommen Baratheon will be a better king than his brother. Arianne doesn’t disagree but says Myrcella will be the better ruler. Plus, when she's queen she’ll surely change the rules so that Arys and Arianne can marry, Then he can have his woman and his white cloak.
Arianne is shaking due to fear of imprisonment by her father. Arys points out that she is her father’s heir, no harm will come to her. She says he’s wrong. Her father wants her brother Quentyn to succeed him. Much like Myrcella, both princesses are being passed over for their rights and the knight that loves them won’t do anything about it. Arys agrees he will help. What does she want? She wants him forever. However, first… Myrcella.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Arys Oakheart - Knight of the Kingsguard tasked with protecting Myrcella in Dorne. Princess Arianne Martell - Princess of Dorne. Heir to her father Prince Doran. Prince Doran Martell - Infirmed ruler of Dorne. Princess Myrcella Baratheon - Oldest living child of Cersei and Jaime Lannister. Sunspear - The seat of House Martell.
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Chapter Twelve - Cersei 3 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
It’s the royal wedding day and Cersei couldn’t be less thrilled. She’s in constant fear for Tommen’s safety, feels like the Tyrells are manipulating her, and is surrounded by fools. Plus, a long ago prophecy keeps coming to mind. Only one activity brings her any joy in the day, and it’s quite the doozy. Simon and Mackelly remembered to pack their sunglasses and stand in the back.
Chapter Review: Queen Cersei Lannister hopes for a storm to rock the Red Keep to its base. Her youngest son gets married today, and Cersei is taking no pleasure in the fact. Young King Tommen will marry his older brother’s widow, and Cersei thinks it’s much too soon. Ser Jaime Lannister has taken every precaution imaginable to protect Tommen, but it’s not enough for Cersei. She can’t help but recall a prophecy told to her as a child by a fortune teller, where a beautiful young queen will cast her down and take all she holds dear.
When Tommen briefly chokes on wine during the wedding feast, it’s more than Cersei can bear. She leaves the hall to cry in private. However, Taena Merryweather finds her and says Cersei’s made is a Tyrell spy. Cersei is skeptical of the Myrish beauty, who is one of Queen Margaery’s ladies. However, she promises a reward if Taena is telling the truth.
Back in the Small Hall, Cersei surveys the room and decides it’s full of imbeciles, including her brother Jaime. Everyone will need to be replaced by her own people. When she’s called “the old queen” one too many times, Cersei asks for everyone to follow her outside. When the masses are gathered, she has the Tower of the Hand set aflame by wildfire. She hopes to smoke out her brother Tyrion, and remove the taint of the previous Hands of the King, especially her father. As everyone leaves for bed, Cersei sends Jaime away in favor of Ser Osmund Kettleblack.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms. King Tommen Baratheon - Child king of the Seven Kingdoms. Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Biological father of Tommen. Kevan Lannister - Uncle to Cersei, Jaime, and Tyrion. Taena Merryweather - Myrish Lady of Longtable in the Reach. Margaery Tyrell - Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Only daughter of Mace and Alerie Tyrell.
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Chapter Eleven - The Kraken's Daughter - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Asha tries to bring her mother’s family to her aid in gaining the Seastone Chair. But she hadn’t heard of her uncle Aeron’s call to a Kingsmoot. She thinks she can win by force of reason, but her family think that uncle Euron’s wealth and magic might prevail. Mackelly and Simon rattle Nagga’s bones.
Chapter Review Asha Greyjoy is on Harlaw, the wealthiest and most populous of the Iron Islands. Her mother was a Harlaw, and their Lord Rodrik has called his bannermen to support Asha’s claim to the Seastone Chair. There are many, but Asha’s knows deep down that there aren’t enough.
She arranges for her captives, the Glovers, to be treated with respect and her men to be properly fed. She then seeks out her uncle who, as is his wont, is reading. Rodrik tells her of Aeron’s plan to host a Kingsmoot on Great Wyk. This is news to Asha. Euron will go, there is no word from Victarion. She believes she can convince the captains, as the only descendent of Balon. But Rodrik warns her not to go. They’ll never accept a woman, Euron has already moved to bribe and intimidate the captains, and the history of Kingsmoots suggests that the losers don’t get to leave in one piece.
She takes her leave, knowing that despite his protestations, her uncle will be there. She meets Tristifer Botley, a childhood friend. He professes his love for her, but she denies it. He’s saving himself for her, she’s doing nothing of the sort. He’s a lord now, worthy of her hand. But she tells him no. When he grabs at her, her knife is at his throat before he can blink. She’s not his wife, she’s his queen.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Asha Greyjoy - Daughter of King Balon Greyjoy. Balon Greyjoy - Recently deceased King of the Iron Islands. Euron Greyjoy - Recently returned brother of Balon. Victarion Greyjoy - Younger brother of Balon. Last heard of at Moat Calin. Aeron “Damphair” Greyjoy - Youngest brother of Balon. Zealous follower of the Drowned God. Theon Greyjoy - Brother of Asha, presumed dead in the sack of Winterfell. Rodrik Harlaw - Asha’s mother’s brother. Lord of Harlaw. Known as, "The Reader." Tristifer Botley - Former ward of Pyke, childhood friend of Asha. Ten Towers - Holdfast of House Harlaw. Old Wyk - Site of Nagga’s Bones and host of the Kingsmoot.
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Chapter Ten - Sansa 1 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Sansa considers the two sides of Petyr Baelish’s character. She witnesses Marillion falsely implicating himself in the murder of Lysa Arryn, and Nestor Royce being wooed by Baelish. Simon and Mackelly wonder if these life-lessons are standing her in good stead.
Chapter Review: Sansa is being kept awake by Marillion’s singing. A problem with those sky-cells being so open. Apparently he’s only got his voice left, as Mord has taken care of several fingers and both eyes. She assumes that when Nestor Royce arrives Marillion will be kept quiet, but Littlefinger says quite the opposite. The singer will be brought before the Keeper of the Gates of the Moon to sing the song that Baelish wants him to. Sansa is worried, but Petyr is relaxed - even if Marillion doesn’t play ball, it is his word against theirs.
Marillion admits to the murder before Royce, his empty sockets bandaged in silk. Littlefinger entertains the High Steward in his solar afterward. There he presents Royce with a hereditary lordship of the Gates of the Moon - elevating him and his descendants at a stroke. The document is signed by the new Lord Protector of the Vale, so Nestor has a very strong reason to back the widower’s claim.
Sansa follows the machinations, and Baelish is impressed - she really is his daughter (only, you know, she isn’t). But he insists that she maintain the ruse, that she is Alayne, Petyr’s natural-born daughter. Even in private.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Sansa Stark - Eldest surviving Stark child. Currently in the Eyrie with Petyr Baelish. Petyr Baelish - Aspiring Lord Protector of the Vale, widower of Lysa Arryn, former Master of Coin. Nestor Royce - Keeper of the Gate of the Moon, head of a lesser branch of the Royce house. Bronze Yohn Royce - Lord of Runestone and head of House Royce. Most powerful lord of the Vale. Robert “SweetRobin” Arryn - Eight-year-old Lord of the Vale. Orphaned by his mother’s murder of his father, and his step-father’s murder of his mother.
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Chapter Nine - Brienne 2 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Brienne continues to search for Sansa Stark. None of her leads pan out in Duskendale. But not all is lost, she gets a fancy sigil on her shield. She considers Sansa’s possible alternative locations and gets awfully close to the truth. She discovers that a familiar face (to us) is following her. Simon and Jenny wish Brienne would follow her instincts.
Chapter Review: Brienne of Tarth arrives in Duskendale; her first official destination on her journey to find Sansa Stark. Her House Lothston shield gives her trouble at the town gate and the guard suggests his sister as an artist to repaint the shield. After dropping the shield off and describing a sigil she’d like to see on it, she makes for the Dun Fort. The lord of the Dun Fort is absent so she is shown to his maester. After reading her letter from King Tommen proving she is on official royal business, the maester reveals she’s not the first to ask about Sansa and Dontos Hollard; more like the 21st.
The maester breaks it to Brienne that Ser Dontos had little ties to Duskendale, as the rest of his family was wiped out years previously. Dejected, Brienne leaves and returns to the inn to wait on her shield. At the inn, she meets a dwarf holy man who tells her of a fool in Maidenpool with two travel companions. It intrigues Brienne enough to consider it as her next stop. The next morning the shield is delivered to her and exceeds her expectations. Brienne heads north up the coast but realizes she’s being followed. She springs a trap on the unwanted company. When she has the man where she wants him, it’s revealed that he’s Podrick Payne, who was hoping that following Brienne would lead him to Tyrion.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Brienne of Tarth - Charged with rescuing Sansa Stark. Sansa Stark - Eldest surviving Stark child. Currently in the Eyrie with Petyr Baelish. Dontos Hollard - Knight turned fool. Last seen fleeing with Sansa. Duskendale - Coastal town in the Crownlands. House Darklyn - Extinct royal house from Duskendale.
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Chapter Eight - Jaime 1 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Jaime might’ve bitten off more than he can chew with standing vigil over his father for seven days and nights. While battling sleep, he recalls his last conversation with Rhaegar Targaryen as well as his recent one with the chief undergaoler. He’s visited by Cersei and again rejects her plea to be Hand of the King. Finally, he brokers a lunch for Cersei and feeds her exact steps to success. Simon and Mackelly wonder if she’ll still muck it up.
Chapter Review: While Jaime Lannister stands vigil over his father's body, he thinks of how if he’d known that Tyrion was going to kill their father he’d have stopped him. He thinks of the conversation he had with the chief undergaoler of the Red Keep dungeons. He gets the same story Cersei got regarding Rugen, the missing undergaoler. Jaime is furious to learn that the turnkeys who fell asleep the night of Tyrion’s escape were murdered, by order of the queen.
Said queen appears in person, as Jaime stands vigil. She’s dressed as a commoner to escape notice. She says Kevan refused her offer of Hand of the King and that he knows about Jaime and Cersei’s relationship. She begs Jaime to reconsider taking the role of Hand of the King. Jaime again refuses. Again, in no uncertain terms. A furious Cersei stalks off after unleashing a barrage of angry words toward Jaime.
When the sun comes up, mourners again flood the Great Sept of Baelor. Tywin’s body has continued to decay and the odor has intensified greatly. When Queen Cersei and King Tommen approach the corpse, Tommen gags and runs for the door. Jaime goes after him and consoles the little king. Queen Cersei arrives and admonishes her son for embarrassing her. Mace Tyrell is close on her heels. Jaime sets up a lunch between Cersei and Mace, to Cersei’s annoyance. But Jaime explains that it’s an opportunity to send Mace on a task out of the city, where he might get himself killed.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Biological father of Tommen. Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms. King Tommen Baratheon - Child king of the Seven Kingdoms. Tywin Lannister - Lord of Casterly Rock, recently murdered by his son Tyrion. Kevan Lannister - Brother to Tywin. Grand Maester Pycelle - Elderly member of
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Chapter Seven - Cersei 2 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Busy day for Queen Cersei. She fends off mourners expressing regret and vying for her favor and works to keep the Tyrells off the Small Council. She bonds with Qyburn before finally having a highly contentious dinner with her uncle. Mackelly and Simon are in shock that Kevan went there.
Chapter Review: Queen Cersei Lannister and King Tommen kneel before her father Tywin’s body. The odor emanating from the late Hand of the King is not missed by those in attendance, so all are glad when the prayers end. Afterward, mourners approach Cersei to express condolences. Falyse Stokeworth offers that if her sister Lollys has a son, they’d like to name him Tywin. Cersei shoots the idea down. She congratulates Lancel on his betrothal and his new lordship. He’s not thrilled about either. He met with the high septon. Cersei reminds him of the power of silent prayer.
She’s approached by Mace Tyrell. He’s angling to be named Hand of the King, but says his uncle Garth is on his way to King’s Landing to serve as Master of Coin. Cersei has no interest in another Tyrell on the Small Council, so lies and says she’s offered the role to Gyles Rosby. Mace is shocked, but his mother steers him away. Later, she asks Rosby to be Master of Coin and to act as though it was offered yesterday.
Back in the Red Keep, Qyburn says he's found a gold coin in the missing gaoler Rugen’s chamber. It’s from the Reach, which causes Cersei to question whether the Tyrells were involved in the plot to free Tyrion. Cersei plans to call for the headsman for Gregor Clegane. Qyburn asks to move Gregor to the dungeons, to continue to work with him.
Her uncle Kevan arrives for dinner. Cersei asks him to be Tommen’s Hand of the King. Kevan says he will, if he’s also made King Regent. Cersei is to go back to Casterly Rock. She refuses. Kevan says he’s taking his brother and going home. Tommen has his mother… and his father too.
Characters/Places/Names/Events Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms. King Tommen Baratheon - Child king of the Seven Kingdoms. Tywin Lannister - Lord of Casterly Rock, recently murdered by his son Tyrion. Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Biological father of Tommen. Kevan Lannister - Brother to Tywin. Qyburn - Former Maeste
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Chapter Six - Arya 1 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Arya arrives in Braavos. Inside the temple of the Many-Faced God, she meets a man who isn’t fooled by her aliases. He tests her on her fear of death, and she passes with flying colors. She hopes to feed a hunger, but it’s not for food. Mackelly and Simon wonder what it is she’s hungry for.
Chapter Review: Arya Stark, or “Salty” as she’s known by the ship’s crew, sees the lights of Braavos on the eastern horizon. Soon the enormous titan statue that guards the city comes into view. As her ship The Titans Daughter passes underneath, she can see the defenses built into the titan. The ship’s captain Ternesio Terys is all too happy to get rid of Arya, and has his oldest son Yorko row her to land. However, before he lets her go, Ternesio makes sure she knows his name and is aware of the favors he’s done for her.
Yorko provides a comprehensive, if slightly biased, guided tour as he rows her through the canals of Braavos. He leaves her at the stairs to the temple of the Many-Faced God. Arya tries the doors of the temple but they’re locked. She shouts that Jaqen H’ghar sent her, brandishes the iron coin he gave her, and says “valar morghulis.” The doors suddenly open on their own. Inside, she finds statues to many gods as well as several people weeping quietly. A man sits by a pool weeping. Arya gives him a cup of water from the pool and he drinks it. He stands and staggers to an alcove between the statues. Arya notices a stab wound in his gut.
She’s met by a young girl and a man, both in cowed robes. The man asks Arya her name. She tries several of her aliases, but the man isn’t fooled. It’s only when she says she’s Arya Stark of Winterfell that the man is content. He says this is no place for her, but she begs him. She has nowhere to go. He asks if she fears death. When Arya says she doesn't, the man lowers his hood to reveal a skull with a worm in the eye socket. He asks for a kiss, and Arya obliges. She then tries to eat the worm. It disintegrates and the skull turns into the face of a kind man. He asks if she’s hungry. She thinks that she is, but it’s not for food.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Arya Stark - Younger daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark. Braavos - A free city in Essos. Titan of Braavos - Huge statue that guards the sea entrance to Braavos. Multi-Faced Go
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Chapter Five - Samwell 1 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Lord Commander Jon Snow sends Sam to Oldtown to earn his maester’s chain. Gilly, her baby, and maester Aemon are to go with him. Simon and Mackelly dream of a warmer future.
Chapter Review: Samwell is scouring the Castle Black libraries for information on the Others. Pickings are surprisingly slim. He’s tired and hungry so he heads up to the castle. In the yard, he’s met by Edd, Grenn, and Pyp. Jon wants to see him.
The guys think that Jon is too good for them now he’s Lord Commander, but Sam defends his friend - he does have a lot on his plate. First order of business is rebuilding the stairs up the Wall, and training every single brother in archery.
Sam meets Gilly at Jon’s door. She’s upset and he’s clumsy in her presence. Within, Jon tells Sam that she was begging for Mance’s life on behalf of Val, but Mance’s crimes are unforgivable even if Stannis and Melisdanre didn’t have an eye on Mance’s royal blood for their magic. Jon wants Sam to take Gilly, her baby, and Maester Aemon to Oldtown. There Sam is to earn his chain as Aemon’s replacement. Sam is conflicted - he wanted to be a maester but his father forbad it. At dawn the next day, they ride toward Eastwatch, with Aemon and a tearful Gilly in a wayn.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Samwell Tarly - Bother of the Night’s Watch, friend to John Snow. Slayer of Others. Stannis Baratheon - Claimant to the Iron Throne. Gilly - Daughter of Craster. Beloved of Samwell. Jon Snow - New Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. Melisandre - Priestess of R’Hellor, advisor to King Stannis. Maester Aemon - 102-year-old maester of the Night’s Watch.
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Chapter Four - Brienne 1 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Brienne begins her wild goose chase in the hunt for Sansa Stark. She meets some unusual travelers on the road and makes some unexpected travel companions, on her way to Duskendale. She also learns that she’s not the only one looking for the Stark girl. Simon and Mackelly worry about saddle sores.
Chapter Review: Armed with Oathkeeper, Brienne of Tarth rides through the Crownlands asking all and sundry if they have seen a high-born maid of three and 10 riding with a portly knight or a fool. She doesn’t mention Sansa’s name, and gets no help from anyone.
She camps down with a couple of hedge knights for the night. Ser Creighton tells of his amazing, hardly believable, exploits at the Battle of the Blackwater. Ser Illifer is a quieter soul. But it is the latter who figures out who she is. He accuses her of Renly’s murder, but she denies it.
They meet a group of “sparrows” the next day. These adherents of the Faith of the Seven are heading to King’s Landing with the bones of murdered holy people. They hope to find protection from King Tommen when they get there. Another knight, Ser Shadrich, tells Brienne that she is not the only hunter. Varys has offered a reward for Sansa’s whereabouts. Brienne feigns ignorance. That night she slips away from the others - preferring the lonely road.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Brienne of Tarth - Charged with rescuing Sansa Stark. Sansa Stark - Eldest surviving Stark child. Currently in the Eyrie with Petyr Baelish. Illifer the Penniless - Taciturn hedge knight. Creighton Longbough - Loquacious hedge knight. Ser Shadrich - Hedge knight, also seeking for Sansa to claim the reward offered by Varys.
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Chapter Three - Cersei 1 - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Cersei is awakened to the news that her father is dead. She can hardly believe it, but is not exactly broken up about it. At least her little brother is locked up and will be a head short by this evening. Ah, about that: he’s escaped. Mackelly and Simon spot many of Cersei’s character flaws, while ignoring their own.
Chapter Review: Cersei dreams of sitting the Iron Throne. It’s a great dream until Tyrion appears, and her clothes disappear. Then it takes a nasty turn. She gets cut and the Iron Throne fights her. Tyrion laughs. A maid wakes her. Not to save her from the dream but because the Kingsguard are here to let her know that Tywin is dead. Cersei’s struggling to separate the dream from reality. But she begins to piece it together. She dresses and is escorted to the Tower of the Hand.
En route, she ponders how she should react and how she and her rivals will use her father’s death to their advantage. Jamie has followed the secret passage in the fireplace, and Loras Tyrell has been sent to check on King Tommen. She sends Boros Blount to confirm that Tyrion is still secured. She wants Pycelle to prepare her father’s body, but he’s been and gone and not even bothered to remove the quarrel from Lord Tywin’s guts.
Qyburn comes in and prepares the body, and asks what’s to be done with Shae. Cersei hadn’t even noticed her. She wants her removed quietly, so nobody gets the idea that Tywin was consorting with a prostitute. Jamie arrives back, no sign of the murderer. She offers him the role of Hand, he refuses. Uncle Kevan demands that they stop squabbling. Blount returns with news that Tyrion is escaped. Cersei recalls a prophecy in which the Valonqar will choke the life from her.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Cersei Lannister - Queen regent and mother to King Tommen. Tywin Lannister - Lord of Casterly Rock, recently murdered by his son Tyrion. Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Biological father of Tommen. Loras Tyrell - Knight of the Kingsguard. Boros Blount - Knight of the Kingsguard. Kevan Lannister - Brother to Tywin. Grand Maester Pycelle - Member of the Small Council. Qyburn - Former Maester, stripped of his chain by the Citadel. Shae - Former lover of Tyrion, murdered by him. Valonqar - High Valyrian for “little brother”.
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Chapter Two - The Captain of Guards - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Areo Hotah observes as Prince Doran Martell is visited by three Sand Snakes, each with a plan to seek revenge for their father Oberyn’s murder. The prince hears each niece out but makes no commitments. Doran does commit to sending Areo to round up all the Sand Snakes and confine them in the palace indefinitely. Simon and Mackelly worry about their venomous bite.
Chapter Review: Areo Hotah, the Captain of Guards for Prince Doran Martell, bars Obara Sand's way, as she attempts an unscheduled visit with her uncle Doran. To avoid bloodshed, Doran allows her passage. The oldest of Oberyn Martell’s bastard daughters, Obara is loud, brash, and filled with vengeance for Oberyn’s murder. Doran reminds her that it was a trial by combat, and Oberyn willingly participated in it. Obara wants to take the Dornish hosts and attack. She will lead a host to Old Town while her sister Nymeria follows the Kingsroad with the other host. Doran says he’ll think on the matter.
When Obara storms out, Doran announces it’s time to leave the Water Gardens and return to Sunspear. He fears the Sand Snakes are riling the populace over Oberyn’s death. Along the way, they are met by Nymeria Sand. She has an alternative plan to Obara’s. She wants the heads of Tywin, Jaime, and Cersei Lannister, along with King Tommen’s. Doran asks her to be patient. She will not.
Upon entering Sunspear, the populace is in an uproar, calling for vengeance. Inside the palace, he's first greeted by his daughter Arianne, but then met by Tyene Sand in the throne room. Her plan for vengeance is to marry Myrcella Baratheon to her cousin Trystane Martell, then hail Myrcella as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. When the Lannisters ride against Dorne for challenging Tommen’s claim, the Dornish army destroys them. When Tyene is gone, Doran commands Areo to round up all eight of the Sand Snakes and confine them to a palace tower.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Areo Hotah - Captain of Guards for Prince Doran Martell. Doran Martell - Prince of Dorne. Older brother to Oberyn Martell. Obara Sand - Oldest bastard daughter to Prince Oberyn. Nymeria Sand (AKA Lady Nym) - Bastard daughter of Prince Oberyn. Tyene Sand - Bastard daughter of Prince Oberyn. Sunspear - Seat of House Martell. Water Gardens - Private retreat of Hous
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Chapter One - The Prophet - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Aeron “Damphair” Greyjoy, learns of his eldest brother Balon’s death and their brother Euron’s claiming the Sea Stone Chair. He is not happy with that outcome and calls for a kingsmoot to decide the next king. Simon and Mackelly consider the options.
Chapter Review: Aeron Greyjoy is drowning men in the sea (to bring them back with the kiss of life) when news arrives that his brother King Balon is dead. Aeron doesn’t break down or anything, but he recalls Balon with awe and reverence for his returning the Iron Islands to its traditional god (the Drowned God) and practices (they really don’t sow).
At Hammerhorn (Lord Goodbrother’s seat) Aeron learns further that his eldest remaining brother Euron has returned to Pike. He was banished for life by Balon, but has conveniently arrived back the day after the king’s death. Goodbrother wants to know if Euron’s claim should be supported, but the prophet needs time to pray on this one.
Aeron had spoken with Balon recently, and knows that Balon thought Asha should succeed him - and she too has claimed the throne. But Aeron is skeptical that the Iron Islanders would accept a queen. Theon is believed dead and Aeron despises Euron - he won’t have someone so unrighteous on the throne. He doesn’t want the honor for himself, so that leaves only Victarion, Aeron’s older, but Euron’s younger, brother. While praying, he's struck by inspiration: in the old days kings were chosen not by hereditary. He calls for a kingsmoot on Nagga’s Hill on Old Wyk. All claimants and captains should go there to choose their next ruler.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Aeron “Damphair” Greyjoy - Youngest brother of King Balon Greyjoy. Priest of the Drowned God. Balon Greyjoy - King of the Iron Islands. Died falling from a bridge at Pike. Euron “Crow’s Eye” Greyjoy - Younger brother of Balon, elder brother to Aeron. Was banished by Balon, but now returned to Pike. Victarion Greyjoy - Next younger brother of Balon. Currently holding Moat Cailin for the Iron Islands. Asha Greyjoy - Daughter of Balon. Fierce fighter and reaver. Well respected. Theon Greyjoy - Younger brother to Asha. Grew up in Winterfell as ward of the Starks. Betrayed them. Was last seen losing Winterfell to Ramsay Bolton. Kingsmoot - Ancient rite, whereby king’s of the
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Prologue - A Feast for Crows | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
The Citadel novice Pate and his fellow maester-hopeful friends discuss the existence of dragons, while Pate dreams of winning the love of Rosey the tavern girl. Later, Pate sells a stolen key to the Citadel to a man known as “the alchemist.” When the transaction is complete, Pate becomes suddenly dizzy and collapses. Mackelly and Simon fear the worst for Pate.
Chapter Review: Pate the Citadel novice sits at the Quill and Tankard Inn with his fellow maesters-in-training. They’re celebrating Alleras earning a new link for his maester’s chain. They discuss news of dragons in Essos. Pate’s only half listening. He’s mostly focused on Rosey, a server at the tavern. He hopes to earn the coin to take her maidenhead and fantasizes about a life together with her. Problem is, he’s broke. He hopes to change that by selling a stolen key to a man called “the alchemist.” The key is said to open every door in the Citadel. The man has offered a golden dragon for the key, which coincidentally is exactly how much Pate needs for his rendezvous with Rosey. However, the alchemist is nowhere to be seen.
Lazy Leo Tyrell arrives and provides a mixture of mean-spirited barbs along with news about a Targaryen queen and her three dragons. The others take his news with a grain of salt but there’s stunned silence when Leo says a glass candle is burning at the Citadel. He says it indicates nothing good for the future. The men grow tired of Leo and head for home. Pate leaves separately and is finally met by the alchemist. The pair move to a secluded alley to trade key for coin. Leo bites the coin to make sure it’s truly gold. With that they go their separate ways. However, after a few steps Pate becomes dizzy and collapses. His last thought is of Rosey.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Pate, Alleras, Mollander, Leo Tyrell, and Roone - Novices at the Citadel. Armen - Acolyte at the Citadel. Citadel - Institution of higher learning in Westeros where maesters earn their knowledge and links for their chain. Old Town - Large port city in the Reach where the Citadel is located.
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Epilogue - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Merrett Frey is lured to a ransom payment by the Brotherhood without Banners. They have his great nephew Petyr Pimple. Upon arrival he learns that his kinsman is dead, and that he’ll be joining him because Catelyn Stark points the finger at him for his involvement in the Red Wedding. Simon and Mackelly are almost as speechless as she is. Chapter Review: Merrett Frey heads toward Oldstones with ransom money to secure the release of his great nephew Petyr. He bemoans his rotten luck that has brought him to this juncture. A concussion as a squire means he can no longer fight and was never knighted. As Walder’s ninth son, he’s got no hope of rising very far. But at least he can bring back Ser Ryman’s son and get some favor that way.
He wasn’t even involved in the planning for the Red Wedding. His only role was to get the Greatjon Umber drunk. And even in this he failed. Umber fought like a giant before finally being chained.
When he arrives at Oldstones, he is robbed of the gold by members of the Brotherhood without Banners. Petyr is already dead and Merrett will join them if they can prove he had a hand in the Red Wedding. Merrett knows that there are no witnesses. But the brothers reveal Catelyn Stark, risen from the dead. Lem asks her if she saw Merrett at the wedding and she, unable to speak, nods. They string him up.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Catelyn Stark - Murdered mother of the Stark children. Brought back to life. Merrett Frey - Ninth son of Lord Walder, known principally as the Frey who drinks the most. Petyr Pimple - Great grandson of Lord Walder Frey. Lem Lemoncloak - Member of the Brotherhood without Banners. Tom Sevenstreams - Singer in the Brotherhood without Banners. Lord Beric Dondarrion - Head of the Brotherhood without Banners. Has been repeatedly resurrected from death by Thoros of Myr. Thoros of Myr - Priest of R’hellor, member of the Brotherhood without Banners. Able to raise the dead to life. Oldstones - Riverlands holdfast. Long abandoned. Former seat of House Mudd.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Eighty - Sansa 7 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Sansa builds a snow-castle, and squabbles with Robert Arryn. Petyr Baelish kisses her against her will. Lysa confronts Sansa about trying to steal Littlefinger from her and threatens to push her out of the Moon Door. Baelish intervenes and pushes Lysa out instead. Simon and Mackelly try to pick up the pieces (not of Lysa, that would be nasty).
Chapter Review: Sansa Stark wakes early to snow falling. It makes her wistful for Winterfell. She dresses and builds a snow castle, which quickly turns into Winterfell. She’s joined by Petyr Baelish who says she is even more beautiful than her mother was at her age. He kisses her, she yields briefly before pushing him away. Cousin Robert arrives and uses his doll as a giant to smash the walls. Sansa tries to stop him, and his beloved doll is destroyed.
Later she’s summoned to her aunt by the singer Marillion. He’s a favorite of Lysa Arryn, to whom he’s unfailingly pleasant. He uses this as a license to abuse the servants and force himself on the unwilling. They proceed to the great hall. Lysa saw Sansa kiss Baelish, but blames the child. Sansa protests. Lysa compares Sansa to Catelyn - both want to steal away Lysa’s love Petyr. She describes how he deflowered her and the termination of the subsequent pregnancy.
She threatens to push Sansa out of the Moon Door, but is prevented by the timely arrival of Lord Baelish. He talks Lysa down. She reveals that it was she who murdered her husband Jon, with the help of Petyr. He reassures Lysa that he only ever loved one woman. She softens, but then he adds “Only Cat” and pushes her out of the door. He calls for guards to arrest Marillion.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Sansa Stark - Elder daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark. Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish - Former member of the Small Council, now lord of Harrenhal and Protector of the Vale. Lysa Arryn - Lady of the Eyrie. Widow of Jon Arryn, wife of Petyr, and sister to Catelyn. Robert Arryn - AKA Sweetrobin. Son of Jon and Lysa Arryn. Lord of the Vale. Eight going on three. Marillion - Singer and favorite of Lysa Arryn. The Eyrie - Seat of House Arryn in the Vale. The Moon Door - Door to the outside in the Eyrie. Used for execution of prisoners.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Seventy-Nine - Jon 12 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Jon decides that he will accept Stannis’ offer and become Lord of Winterfell. But at that moment Ghost returns, reminding him of his belief in the old gods and his outsider status to the Starks. He joins his brothers for the vote for the new Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and is surprised as anyone when he wins. Mackelly and Simon start drawing up a transition team.
Chapter Review: Jon Snow spars in the yard of Castle Black with Iron Emmett. A ringing blow to the head brings back memories of Winterfell, sparring with Robb, and Catelyn’s enmity. When he is back in the present he discovers he’s viciously assaulted Emmett and is being restrained by several brothers.
Jon takes a bath to ease his muscles. While there he overhears Alliser Thorne, Bowen Marsh and a reluctant Orwell Yarwyck plotting to install Janos Slynt as Lord Commander. Jon heads north of Wall to consider Stannis’ offer of legitimacy, Winterfell, and Val’s hand in marriage. He admits to himself that it is all he ever wanted and that he’ll give up his vows and his gods for it. At that moment Ghost returns, his red eyes and white fur redolent of a weirwood. They reunite and Jon takes it as a sign that his decision was wrong.
He joins his brothers in the latest round of voting for the Lord Commandership. Stannis has promised to keep them sequestered until they have made a choice. Edd has put forward Jon’s name. Thorne invites Yarwyck to speak but is surprised when the First Builder advises every man to vote with his conscience. Jon’s case is bolstered by Mormont’s raven who lands on Jon’s shoulder announcing “Snow” over and over again. Jon wins in a landslide.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Jon Snow - Bastard son of Ned Stark. Member of the Night’s Watch. Robb Stark - Jon’s dead half brother. Catelyn Stark - Robb’s mother. Never a fan of Jon. Maester Aemon - Elderly, blind maester of the Night’s Watch. Castle Black - Headquarters of the Night’s Watch. Ser Alliser Thorne - Senior member of the Night’s Watch recently returned from King’s Landing. Janos Slynt - New recruit to the Night’s Watch. Formerly commander of the Gold Cloaks in King’s Landing and briefly Lord of Harrenhal. Stannis Baratheon - brother of dead King Robert Baratheon, claims the Iron Throne because Cersei’s childre
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Seventy-Eight - Samwell 5 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Sam and the men vying for Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch attend an audience with King Stannis. Stannis wants a Lord Commander chosen tonight. Sam hatches a plan to consolidate the votes between the leading contenders. Both men agree a new candidate might suffice. Sam knows just the guy. Simon and Mackelly pick up what he’s putting down.
Chapter Review: Samwell Tarly assists Maester Aemon to a summons by King Stannis Baratheon. They are accompanied by the current vote-getters for Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. King Stannis has had enough of waiting for the brothers to agree on a leader. He wants this wrapped up today. When Janos Slynt suggests King Stannis offer guidance to the brothers, Stannis says anybody but Janos should suffice.
King Stannis has other needs from the Night’s Watch, and the Lord Commander should have a say in the matter. He wants the Gift and the abandoned castles. The brothers don’t take this news well. Stannis says he needs to rebuild the castles to garrison a force to stop the Others’ attack.
Before leaving, Maester Aemon asks to “see” Lightbringer. Sam describes the beautifully glowing sword to the blind maester. Afterward, Aemon finds it odd the sword gave off no heat. Later, Sam hatches a plan to stop Slynt from being voted Lord Commander. He asks Cotter Pyke to back Ser Deny Mallister. Pyke has no interest. Sam asks Ser Denys to back Pyke. Again, no interest. Sam suggests a different candidate. To Ser Denys he touts the mystery brother as well-educated, from old blood, castle trained, and highly trusted. To Pyke he describes the man as a good fighter but a bastard. Both men agree this unnamed candidate has potential.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Samwell Tarly - Brother of the Night’s Watch, friend to John Snow. Slayer of an Other. Stannis Baratheon - Lord of Dragonstone, rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms. Denys Mallister - Commander of the Shadow Tower. Cotter Pyke - Commander of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. Janos Slynt - New recruit to the Night’s Watch. Formerly commander of the Gold Cloaks in King’s Landing and briefly Lord of Harrenhal. Maester Aemon - 100 year-old maester of the Night’s Watch. The Gift - The lands south of the Wall that are owned by the Night’s Watch.
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Chapter Seventy-Seven - Tyrion 11 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Tyrion is rescued from his cell by Jaime, but learns the awful truth of Jaime’s previous betrayal. Tyrion, in turn, tells Jaime he killed Joffrey. The two part ways acrimoniously. On his way to freedom, Tyrion stops to visit his father. He finds a familiar face waiting in Tywin’s bed and Tywin in the privy. Tyrion deals with them both in similar fashion. Simon and Mackelly wallow in the sadness and betrayal.
Chapter Review: Tyrion Lannister prepares to attack, as the door to his cell opens. It turns out to be his brother Jaime. Jaime is here to rescue him. When Tyrion thanks him, Jaime says he’s repaying a debt. Tyrion insists on knowing the secret of this debt. Jaime tells him he lied to Tyrion about Tysha, on their father’s command. Tyrion’s wife truly was a crofter’s daughter, met on the road. The news sends Tyrion into a fury. He tells Jaime that Cersei has been unfaithful to Jaime and that, yes, he killed Joffrey. With that the two part ways.
Tyrion meets Varys, to escape through the dungeons and to the sea, bound for Essos. Along the way, Tyrion realizes he’s below the Tower of the Hand. He insists Varys tell him how to find his father’s bed chamber. When Tyrion arrives, he finds Shae in Tywin’s bed. She says she was forced to say horrible things about him at trial. She calls him her Giant of Lannister. At that, Tyrion strangles her with the Hand of the King chain she wears.
He finds a crossbow and tracks his father to the privy. Tywin says he doesn’t know what happens to the “whore” Tysha after Tyrion’s “sharp lesson.” Tyrion says if he uses the term again, he will kill his father. True to his word, when Tywin says it again, Tyrion shoots him dead.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Tyrion Lannister - Youngest son of Tywin Lannister. Brother to queen Cersei and Jamie Lannister. Former Hand of the King. Tywin Lannister - Tyrion’s father, Hand of the King. Shae - Prostitute and lover of Tyrion. Tysha - Tyrion’s first wife. Sansa Stark - Oldest daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark, wife to Tyrion. Lord Varys - Master of Whisperers in King’s Landing, has served multiple monarchs as chief spy.
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Please enjoy some outtakes, miscues, and general mayhem that we suffered through and saved just for your listening pleasure. Thank you all for being part of this journey.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Seventy-Six - Jon 11 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Jon is summoned by King Stannis. The king offers Jon his dream come true; the title of Lord Stark of Winterfell. Stannis also plans to let the wildlings through the Wall, if they bend the knee. Jon agrees with the wildling plan but needs time to think about being legitimized and made lord of Winterfell. Simon and Mackelly consider shopping for castle-warming gifts.
Chapter Review: Jon Snow spars in the yard of Castle Black with Satin. Melisandre interrupts; King Stannis wants a word with Jon. Stannis tells Jon he’s heard much about him. Jon confirms some facts and dispels some rumors. The bottom line is that he never turned his cloak. The king believes him. Stannis knows Janos Slynt and knew Ned Stark. Stannis reveals that he plans to let the wildlings through the Wall, as long as they bend the knee and take R’hllor as their true god. The king explains that he’s here to fight the true enemy: the Great Other. They will need the wildling’s help in that fight.
Stannis then tells Jon the primary reason he sent for him. The king doesn’t need another sword in the Night’s Watch. He needs the North. There’s no better way to rally the North than through a son of Eddard Stark. He plans to legitimize Jon, making him Jon Stark the Lord of Winterfell. It was a dream of Jon’s when he was young, but he never wanted harm to come to his siblings. However, he’s likely the last of them alive. But there’s another issue: he’s taken The Black. Melisandre says his vow is meaningless, since it wasn’t said to R’hellor. The final detail of the plan is that Stannis wants to marry Jon to the wildling Val. Jon asks for time to consider the offer.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Jon Snow - Bastard son of Ned Stark. Member of the Night’s Watch. Stannis Baratheon - Brother of dead King Robert, claims the Iron Throne because Cersei’s children are not Robert’s. Melisandre - Red Woman of Ashaii. Priestess of R’Hellor, the Lord of Light. Janos Slynt - New recruit to the Night’s Watch. Formerly commander of the Gold Cloaks in King’s Landing and briefly Lord of Harrenhal. Mance Rayder - King Beyond the Wall, a former brother of the Night’s Watch. Val - Sister to Mance's woman Dalla.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Seventy-Five - Samwell 4 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Sam and Gilly have made to Castle Black. Gilly has taken on a second baby to feed. Sam has a crafty idea to ensure Gilly and son are cared for. Janos Slynt is making waves in the vote for Lord Commander. Mackelly and Simon consider voter fraud to keep Slynt out of the top spot.
Chapter Review: Samwell Tarly, Gilly, and Gilly’s baby have finally made it to Castle Black. Gilly has begun feeding Mance and Dalla’s newborn son. Dalla’s sister Val has heard that Melasandre plans to burn Mance and asks that he be allowed to see his son first. Jon Snow says he’ll ask.
Later, Jon asks Sam about his feelings for Gilly. Sam says he knows there’s no future for them but tells Jon of a plan to send Gilly and the baby to Sam’s mother at Horn Hill. Sam will lie and say that the boy is his. Jon thinks it could work, but it depends on the type of man the boy grows up to be. It is killing Sam to keep a secret from Jon. Sam knows that Bran is alive but swore multiple times not to reveal it, and he holds true to his word.
That night the men vote on a new Lord Commander. Nobody is close to the two-thirds vote necessary to win. Denys Mallister and Cotter Pyke are the front-runners but Janos Slynt continues to climb in the voting. Sam knows that if Mallister and Pyke could agree on only one of the men running, they’d be very close to having the numbers. However, Sam is too craven to raise the idea to his superiors.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Samwell Tarly - Brother of the Night’s Watch, friend to John Snow. Slayer of Others. Gilly - Wildling daughter/wife of Craster. Jon Snow - Bastard son of Ned Stark. Member of the Night’s Watch. Stannis Baratheon - Lord of Dragonstone, rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms. Denys Mallister - Commander of the Shadow Tower. Cotter Pyke - Commander of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. Janos Slynt - New recruit to the Night’s Watch. Formerly commander of the Gold Cloaks in King’s Landing and briefly Lord of Harrenhal. Mance Rayder - The King Beyond the Wall, a former brother of the Night’s Watch. Val - Sister to Mance’s woman Dalla.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Seventy-Four - Arya 13 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Arya and the Hound return to the Inn at the Crossroads, where they meet some of the Mountain’s men. Trouble ensues, leaving three dead and the Hound mortally wounded. Arya refuses him mercy and leaves him to die. Finally, she uses her mysterious iron coin to earn her passage out of Westeros. Simon and Mackelly wish Arya a bon voyage.
Chapter Review: Arya Stark and Sandor Clegane (AKA the Hound) find themselves back at the Inn at the Crossroads. As soon as they enter, Arya knows there’s trouble. She recognizes two of Gregor Clegane’s men: Polliver and the Tickler. They’re accompanied by a young squire. The men recognize the Hound.
The soldiers fill them in on news of the realm: King Joffrey is dead, Sansa Stark killed him, and Sansa’s sister has been found. The Hound finds that last bit funny but doesn’t share why. When the Tickler wants Sandor to come with them to Harrenhal, chaos breaks out. Sandor has his hands full fighting Polliver and the Tickler. Arya is distracted by the fighting and is surprised by the squire. She turns and stabs him with a dagger. The Hound kills Polliver and Arya stabs the Tickler repeatedly. Sandor makes Arya finish the squire off. She pulls Needle from Polliver’s belt and slides it into the boy’s heart.
The next day the Hound is unable to continue riding to Saltpans due to his injuries. He wants mercy from Arya, and spews horrible things at her to get her to do it. She leaves him to die on the side of the road and continues to Saltpans. At the port town, she sells Craven and tries to buy passage on a ship for Eastwatch. The ship is going to Braavos, and she doesn’t have the funds to catch a ride. She pulls out the iron coin Jaqen H’ghar gave her and utters "Valar Morghulis." The shocked captain offers her passage and her own cabin.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Arya Stark - Younger daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark. Sandor “The Hound” Clegane - Former personal bodyguard to King Joffrey Baratheon, younger brother of the Mountain (Gregor Clegane), deserter from the Lannister forces. Polliver - Soldier in Gregor Clegane’s company. Tickler - Torturer in Gregor Clegane’s company. Needle - Small, thin sword given to Arya by Jon before they left Winterfell. Inn at The Crossroads - Inn at the intersection of three major roads in th
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Chapter Seventy-Three - Jon 10 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Jon gets a reprieve from the ice cell and noose that Thorne and Slynt had promised. Hooray! It's so he can go on a suicide mission to assassinate Mance Rayder. Boo! But at the last second redemption comes from an unlikely source. Simon and Mackelly consider the new power structures at the Wall.
Chapter Review: Jon is lowered down the north face of the Wall in a cage. It beats the tiny ice cell in which he’d been held for the last 4 days. Thorne and Slynt’s plan to hang him had been foiled by Maester Aemon. But they’ve found a sure-fire alternative. He’s to go parlay with Mance Rayder, murder the King Beyond the Wall in the middle of his army, and then make it back alone to Castle Black - this will prove his loyalty.
Tormund guides him through angry faces - none are pleased to see the turncoat back in black. Mance’s woman Dalla is about to give birth. Mance himself is relatively sanguine about Jon’s return. He never trusted Jon enough to tell him that they had found the fabled Horn of Winter in the Frostfangs. Mance says that the Night’s Watch will let the wildlings pass through the Wall or the horn will be blown in three days, and they’ll pass through the rubble instead.
Jon concedes that the Night’s Watch might consider this, if Mance and his people bend the knee. But Mance won’t promise that. Seeing an impasse, Jon looks for ways to carry out the assassination. But before anything happens, an army attack the wildlings. It’s Stannis coming west from Eastwatch, and he routes Mance’s forces with ease. During the chaos, Dalla goes into labor.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Jon Snow - Bastard son of Ned Stark. Member of the Night’s Watch. Maester Aemon - Elderly, blind maester of the Night’s Watch. Ser Alliser Thorne - Senior member of the Night’s Watch. Recently returned from King’s Landing. Janos Slynt - New recruit to the Night’s Watch. Former commander of the Gold Cloaks in King’s Landing. Mance Rayder - King Beyond the Wall. Former brother of the Night’s Watch Dalla - Mance’s pregnant partner. Thormund Giantsbane - Wildling leader. Stannis Baratheon - Brother of dead King Robert Baratheon, claims the Iron Throne because Cersei’s children are not Robert’s.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Seventy-Two - Jaime 9 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Jaime has a curious goodbye with Arya Stark. He refuses to leave the Kingsguard, despite a strong push from his family. He resists an advance from his sister, which results in a heated argument between the two. Finally, he gives Brienne a jaw-dropping gift and then tasks her with a surprising mission in return. Simon and Mackelly squint hard at “Arya Stark.”
Chapter Review: Jaime Lannister grows bored of watching the king sign documents that offer rewards or punishment to houses, for their roles in the war. He returns to the White Sword Tower. On his way, he runs into a girl claiming to be Arya Stark. Jaime is skeptical.
Cersei waits for him in his chambers. She begs him to talk to their father about Tywin’s plan to send her back to Casterly Rock, effectively separating her from her son Tommen. Jaime doesn’t think it’ll do any good, but Cersei believes it will, if he agrees to leave the Kingsguard. Jaime refuses. Cersei makes a sexual advance that Jaime rebuffs. She throws insults as she storms out.
Jaime calls for Ser Loras Tyrell and Brienne of Tarth. Loras admits Brienne might be telling the truth about Renly Baratheon's death. After dismissing Loras, Jaime gives Brienne the Valyrian steel sword his father gave him. In return, he asks she use it to find Sansa Stark and keep her safe.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Jaime Lannister - Member of the royal Kingsguard. Twin brother to queen Cersei and older brother to Tyrion. Nicknamed the "Kingslayer" for killing King Aerys Targaryen. Ser Loras Tyrell - Member of the Kingsguard. Young, dashing, talented knight from the Reach. The third son of Lord Mace Tyrell of Highgarden. Brienne of Tarth - Warrior woman. Once "Brienne the Blue" in King Renly's Rainbow Guard. On a mission to rescue the Stark girls for Catelyn Stark. Cersei Lannister - twin to Jaime, mother to Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella. Tywin Lannister - father of Jaime, Cersei, Tyrion. Lord of Casterly Rock. Hand of the King. Tyrion Lannister - youngest sibling of Jaime and Cersei. Imprisoned awaiting trial for murdering his nephew King Jofrrey. Tommen Lannister - King of the Andals, Roynar, and the First men. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. Protector of the Realm.
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Chapter Seventy-One - Daenerys 6 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Daenerys has taken Meereen, but Astapor and Yunkai are backsliding. She forgives Barristan Selmy for his failures to protect her family, but banishes Jorah Mormont from her sight. She’ll stay in Meereen and rule. Mackelly and Simon settle in to watch some dragons grow.
Chapter Review: Daenerys Targaryen surveys Meereen from the great pyramid. She’s bothered by flies who’ve gathered to feast on the many dead, including the 163 she crucified as payment for what they did to the slave children.
She meets an envoy from Astapor. The council she appointed have all lost their heads, literally, and a former (and apparently current) butcher Cleon, has made himself King. He offers his hand in marriage. Dany is distinctly disinterested. The second petitioner is a Qartheen trader. He has goods he wants to trade for slaves. He’s surely barking up the wrong tree. Only Daario Naharis confirms that many freed slaves are down at the docks offering to reenter slavery. Dany begrudgingly allows it and imposes a tax on the trade to swell her own coffers.
Next she sees Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Jorah Mormont. The former gives it to her straight. Her father was mad, Viserys had the hallmarks too. Robert Baratheon was a great knight, and could have been a good king. She appreciates the candor and reinstates him to her service. Mormont tries a similar tack. He spied for Varys for a pardon, as recently as Qarth. But this is too much for Dany. She banishes Jorah forever.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Daenerys Targaryen - Last remaining descendent of the royal Targaryen line, Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, claimant to the Iron Throne of Westeros. Ser Jorah Mormont - Exiled former Lord of Bear Island. Daenerys’ bodyguard and loyal advisor. Unsullied - Eunuch slave soldiers. Renowned for their fighting prowess. Barristan Selmy, aka Arstan Whitebeard- Former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard in King’s Landing. Sent by Illyrio Mopatis to bring Dany to Pentos. Strong Belwas - Eunuch former slave, sent by Illyrio Mopatis to keep Dany safe. Daario Naharis - Leader of the sellsword company the Stormcrows. Meereen - Largest city on Slaver’s Bay.
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Chapter Seventy - Tyrion 10 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Tyrion’s is betrayed by Shae and demands a trial by combat. Oberyn Martell steps up and defeats the Mountain, but then lets his guard down and the Mountain crushes his head, and Tyrion’s hopes. Simon and Mackelly rue the day.
Chapter Review: Tyrion Lannister weighs the offer of Oberyn Martell, but for now allows the trial to continue. Podrik Payne cannot vouch for Tyrion’s innocence, which suggests that few will. The last witness is a surprise: Shae. Of course Cersei would have interviewed, and coerced, Sansa’s handmaids. But Shae is not only going to lie for Cersei, she’s also going to tell the truth. Tyrion and Sansa plotted the murder and Tyrion used her sexually and forced her to refer to him as “her giant of Lannister.” The crowd’s laughter is too much for Tyrion and he demands the trial by combat.
Cersei is thrilled to announce that the Mountain Gregor Clegane will fight for her, but the whole room is stunned when Oberyn Martell offers to champion Tyrion’s cause. Tywin is furious. Tyrion realizes that this situation has no good outcomes for Tywin. If Oberyn wins, the Tyrells will be annoyed, and Tyrion freed. If the Mountain wins, Tyrion will be dead and the Martells might crown Myrcella, Plunging Westeros into another civil war.
Oberyn outwits and defeats the Mountain, with his poisoned spear. But then stands on the vanquished Clegane’s chest to extract a deathbed confession. He gets one, Gregor did rape and murder Elia, and murder her children, but it’s Oberyn’s deathbed. The Mountain trips him and crushes his skull. Tyrion’s hopes die with the Red Viper.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Tyrion Lannister - Youngest son of Tywin Lannister. Brother to queen Cersei and Jamie Lannister. Former Hand of the King. Tywin Lannister - Tyrion’s father, Hand of the King. Kevan Lannister - Tyrion’s uncle, as well as brother and trusted advisor to Tywin Lannister. Sansa Stark - Oldest daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark, wife to Tyrion. Cersei Lannister - Mother of the late Joffrey Baratheon, sister to Tyrion. Oberyn Martell - Brother to Doran Martell the Prince of Dorne. In King’s Landing to seek justice for his murdered sister Elia and her children. Shae - Prostitute and lover of Tyrion. Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane - Feared fighter and Lannister loyali
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M
Chapter Sixty-Nine - Jon 9 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Still no rest for the wicked. Jon and his Black Brothers continue to repel the wildlings. But reinforcements on this side of the Wall spell bad news for Jon. Simon and Mackelly share their fears.
Chapter Review: Morale is running low for Jon Snow and his Night’s Watch brothers, as they defend the gate against the wildlings. The handful of brothers eat, sleep, and fight on top of the Wall, while Mance Rayder can throw limitless fresh troops against them. Mance's latest twist is a huge rolling shelter that can shield many wildlings from attacks from above. The Black Brothers named the contraption “the turtle.” Jon has his men drop barrels of ice and rocks on the turtle and send the wildlings scurrying back to the safety of the forest.
Jon then returns to his little chamber in the King’s Tower for some much needed sleep. When he wakes, four unfamiliar men stand over him. They lead him to Ser Alliser Thorne and Janos Slynt. Slynt says he’s taken control of Castle Black and says Jon has been accused of treason, listing all of the things Jon did while with the wildlings. Jon defends himself and says he was doing as Qhorin Halfhand commanded, but it falls on deaf ears. Slynt decides that Jon will hang for his transgressions.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Jon Snow - Bastard son of Ned Stark. Member of the Night’s Watch. Pyp - Friend of Jon’s in the Night’s Watch. Grenn - Large brother of the Night’s Watch. Friends with Jon. Maester Aemon - Elderly, blind maester of the Night’s Watch. Castle Black - Headquarters of the Night’s Watch. Ser Alliser Thorne - Senior member of the Night’s Watch recently returned from King’s Landing. Janos Slynt - New recruit to the Night’s Watch. Formerly commander of the Gold Cloaks in King’s Landing and briefly Lord of Harrenhal.
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Chapter Sixty-Eight - Sansa 6 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Sansa discovers that Littlefinger’s “you’re sailing home” comment is not exactly what she was expecting. She finds herself in a run-down tower on a rocky coast. She gets a new name, attends a wedding, narrowly avoids sexual assault, and has a reunion with a family member. Mackelly and Simon hold their breath, hoping for no deaths at this wedding.
Chapter Review: Sansa Stark and Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish arrive at Petyr’s ancestral home in the Fingers. It’s a dismal place but the staff is friendly and happy to see their lord. Petyr informs Sansa that she must take a new name, as it’s not safe to be a Stark at the moment. He names her Alayne, after his mother. She will play his natural-born daughter. He also tells her that he will wed Sansa’s aunt Lysa Arryn, who is on her way to meet them at the tower. Finally, Petyr divulges to Sansa that he was working with Olenna Tyrell to murder King Joffrey. It was Olenna who put the poison in the chalice.
When Lysa arrives, Sansa is introduced as Alayne to her aunt. The couple is wed at once. After the festivities, the singer Marillion, who arrived with Lysa, attempts to have his way sexually with Sansa. His effort is thwarted by Ser Lothor Brune. The next morning Sansa is brought to her aunt, who now knows her true identity. Lysa says she’d never turn away Cat’s daughter. They commiserate over forced marriages, then Lysa says that Sansa will marry her young cousin Robert.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Sansa Stark - Elder daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark. Forcibly married to Tyrion. Lord Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish - Former member of the Small Council, now lord of Harrenhal. In the Vale seeking an alliance with Lysa Arryn, with whom he grew up and possibly had a relationship with. Lysa Arryn - Lady of the Eyrie. Widow of Jon Arryn and Catelyn’s sister. Ser Dontos Hollard - Drunken jester of King Joffrey, but friend to Sansa. Fingers - Group of five peninsulas in the Vale. Tyrion Lannister - Youngest son of Tywin Lannister. Brother to queen Cersei and Jamie Lannister. Master of Coin. Now accused of murdering King Joffrey. King Joffrey Baratheon - King Joffrey Baratheon First of His Name. Bastard son of Jaime Lannister and his twin sister Queen Cersei. Killed at his wedding feast.
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Chapter Sixty-Seven - Jamie 8 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Jaime reminisces about the bygone glory days of the Kingsguard. He turns his attention to righting the wrongs of the current White Swords. He goes man-by-man through his sworn brothers, calling them out on the issues he has with them. Lastly, he has a heart-to-heart with Loras about his claim that Brienne killed Renly. Jenny and Mackelly applaud Jaime’s closing arguments.
Chapter Review: Jaime Lannister reads through the White Book, the written history of the Kingsguard, while waiting for his sworn brothers to join. When his brothers arrive, Jaime admonishes them for allowing the king to die under their watch. He then gauges their opinions on Tyrion’s involvement in the death.
He goes through each man and calls them out on issues. Ser Boros Blount will now be King Tommen’s taste tester, as he’s unfit to protect the boy he gave up so easily. He then questions why he’s never heard of Ser Osmund Kettleblack before. After that, he asks Ser Meryn Trant to show him where in their vows it says to beat women and children, like he did to Sansa Stark. He praises Balon Swann's character but questions how he’d handle his family challenging Tommen’s rule. Finally, he turns his attention to Ser Loras Tyrell, who reminds Jaime of himself at that age. Jaime makes a case for Brienne’s possible innocence in the murder of Renly Baratheon. His argument is enough to seed doubt in Loras’ mind. Jaime tasks Loras with talking with Brienne and deciding her innocence or guilt. Whatever Loras determines is the case, Jaime will abide by it.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Jaime Lannister - Member of the Kingsguard. Twin brother to queen Cersei and older brother to Tyrion. Ser Boros Blount - Member of the Kingsguard. Gave up Tommen to Tyrion’s men without a fight. Ser Meryn Trant - Member of the KIngsguard. Beat Sansa Stark on the command of King Joffrey. Ser Osmund Kettleblack - Member of the Kingsguard. Former sellsword, with a mysterious past. Ser Balon Swann - Member of the Kingsguard. Seemingly honorable and valiant. Ser Loras Tyrell - Member of the Kingsguard. Young, dashing, talented knight from the Reach. The third son of Lord Mace Tyrell of Highgarden. Brienne of Tarth - Warrior woman. Once "Brienne the Blue" in King Renly's Rainbow Guard. On a mission to rescue the Stark gi
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Chapter Sixty-Six - Tyrion 9 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Tyrion stands trial for the murder of the king. The prosecution has no end of witnesses, while Tyrion has none. But at the 11th hour a glimmer of hope appears. Mackelly and Simon weigh the scales of justice.
Chapter Review: Tyrion Lannister languishes for days in a Red Keep tower cell. He’s well-treated and fed as befits his station, but the crime of which he’s accused holds only one possible punishment. He’s getting advice and daily visits from his uncle Kevan, but neither of them is very optimistic of his chances. Cersei is amassing a deluge of witnesses to testify against him.
Tyrion pins his hopes on trial by combat, but knowing that the opponent will be Gregor Clegane, Bronn demurs. The trial, before a three-judge panel of Tywin, Mace Tyrell, and Oberyn Martell, goes very badly for Tyrion. The witnesses either exaggerate, downright lie, or in the case of Varys: accurately report Tyrion’s various threats and comments on the dead king. Kevan advises confession and the Night’s Watch, but Tyrion doesn’t trust his father’s mercy.
On the final night of the trial, Tyrion is visited in his cell by Oberyn. He’s not necessarily there to reassure Tyrion, but knowing that he’s doomed he’s hoping to get the truth about his sister’s death. Tyrion confirms some suspicions: while it was the now dead Lorch who dispatched Princess Rhaenys, it was The Mountain who raped and murdered Elia and killed baby Aegon. But Tyrion denies that Tywin ordered the deaths. Oberyn throws Tyrion a lifeline. He’ll be his champion in trial by combat against Clegane.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Tyrion Lannister - Youngest son of Tywin Lannister. Brother to queen Cersei and Jamie Lannister. Former Hand of the King. Tywin Lannister - Tyrion’s father, Hand of the King. Kevan Lannister - Tyrion’s uncle. Brother and trusted advisor to Tywin Lannister. Sansa Stark - Oldest daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark. Former hostage of the Lannisters. Wife to Tyrion. Cersei Lannister - Mother of the late Joffrey Baratheon, sister to Tyrion. Mace Tyrell - Lord of Highgarden. Oberyn Martell - Brother to Doran Martell the Prince of Dorne. In King’s Landing to seek justice for his murdered sister Elia and her children. Lord Varys - Master of Whisperers in King’s Landing. Has served multiple monar
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Chapter Sixty-Five - Arya 12 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Arya continues to plot the Hound’s death but never goes through with it. She has a wolf dream that convinces her that her mother is dead. The Hound changes the target of his plan to ransom Arya. Then changes the target again. Arya has a third family member in mind to deliver her to. Simon and Mackelly hope Arya is getting rewards points for the miles she’s logging.
Chapter Review: Arya Stark and Sandor Clegane (AKA the Hound) continue to ride together, despite what transpired at the Twins. Arya’s head hurts from the axe blow the Hound gave her to prevent her from entering the castle to find her mother. However, that’s nothing compared to the hurt she feels in her heart, after being so close to her mother and then having the reunion ripped away. Arya isn’t convinced that her mother is dead and wants to go back. The Hound is having none of it. When Arya has a wolf dream where she finds her mother and drags her body out of the river, she is convinced that her mother is indeed dead.
The Hound finally tells Arya where they’re headed. He plans to ransom her to her aunt Lysa Arryn. The pair stop in a village in the foothills of the Mountains of the Moon, where the Hound is hired to help build a palisade around the village. The Hound’s ransom dreams are once again shattered when he learns that getting through the mountains is an impossibility due to attacks from the mountain clans. He’s also told that he and Arya must leave now that the palisade walls are constructed. The Hound decides it’s back to the Riverlands for them. He’s going to ransom Arya to her uncle Blackfish instead.
Characters/Places/Names/Events Arya Stark - Younger daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark. Caelyn Stark - murdered mother of Arya. Sandor “The Hound” Clegane - Former personal bodyguard to King Joffrey Baratheon, younger brother of the Mountain (Gregor Clegane), deserter from the Lannister forces. Mountains of the Moon - Mountains that surround the Vale. The Twins - The seat of House Frey.
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Chapter Sixty-Four - Jon 8 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
No rest for the wicked. Jon and his black brothers mount the Wall to defend it from the thousands of wildlings of Mance’s army. It’s a long night. Simon and Mackelly flex their tired bow-fingers.
Chapter Review: Jon Snow’s dream of walking in the Winterfell crypts is disrupted by two horn blasts. Wildlings are approaching. Jon limps his way to the cage winch and up to the top of the Wall. It’s night so only sounds can be heard from the northern side. Donal Noye has the men fire casks of burning oil into the darkness. With the fire from the casks, the Black Brothers see mammoths and giants charging the Wall. Noye takes a few men with him to protect the gate and leaves Jon in command on top of the Wall.
Jon and his brothers unleash arrows, rocks, and flaming casks on the huge wilding host below. When the wildlings finally retreat, Jon takes the cage winch back down to check on Noye and the gate. He discovers that Noye and the other brothers who accompanied him are dead, along with the giant Mag The Mighty. Mag destroyed the outer gate and killed the men. However, Noye killed the giant before he died.
Jon tells Maester Aemon about several steps that the new interim commander of the Night’s Watch needs to implement immediately. Aemon tells Jon there’s nobody left to fill the role but Jon. He was chosen and groomed for this. Until Bowen Marsh returns, the Wall is Jon’s.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Jon Snow - Bastard son of Ned Stark. Member of the Night’s Watch. Ygritte - Wildling girl who Jon developed a romantic relationship with. Mance Rayder - King Beyond The Wall. Leader who has united the wildlings groups. Donal Noye - One-armed blacksmith of the Night’s Watch. Grenn - Large brother of the Night’s Watch. Friends with Jon. Maester Aemon - Elderly, blind maester of the Night’s Watch. Castle Black - Headquarters of the Night’s Watch.
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Chapter Sixty-Three - Davos 6 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Davos, with the aid of several co-conspirators, returns to his smuggling ways. When he comes clean to King Stannis and Melisandre they are really angry. Stannis prepares to take more than just a few fingers from Davos. However, Davos has what he hopes is an ace up his sleeve. Mackelly and Simon sure hope Davos knows what he’s doing.
Chapter Review: Davos Seaworth, and several trustworthy king’s men, enter Maester Pylos’ chambers. They ask for Edric Storm, and the maester tells Edric to listen to the King’s Hand. The men take Edric to a boat. The boy tries to be brave but it becomes clear he’s nervous and uncertain. Davos persuades him to get on the boat and Edric’s cousin Andrew Estermont and several other men accompany Edric.
Davos makes his way to the Painted Table to wait for Stannis and confess his treachery. When Stannis and Melisandre arrive they are arguing about whether Joffrey Baratheon is indeed dead. Melisandre saw it in her flames, but Stannis doesn’t trust the accuracy of the flames. Davos confirms Melisandre’s story. He’s been told that Joffrey died during his wedding feast. With that, Melisandre feels the case has been proven for her work with Edric’s blood and asks for the rest of the boy to wake the stone dragons and win Stannis his throne.
Davos explains why that’s not possible. Stannis is extremely disappointed with his Hand. Davos explains that, as Hand, it is his job to help the king protect his people. Edric is one of the king’s people. When Stannis draws Lightbringer, Davos explains that he’s learned to read and begins to read a letter. He hopes it’ll be enough to save his life.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Davos Seaworth - The Onion Knight. Former Smuggler, Hand of the King to Stannis Baratheon. Stannis Baratheon - Lord of Dragonstone, rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms. Andrew Estermont - Cousin to Stannis and Edric. Melisandre - Red priestess of R'hllor. Confidante of King Stannis. Selyse Baratheon - Stannis’ queen and fervent follower of R’Hllor. Axel Florent - Brother to Queen Selyse. Edric Storm - Bastard son of Robert Baratheon.
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Chapter Sixty-Two - Jaime 7 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)
Jaime and Brienne arrive in King’s Landing. They’ve learned that bad news awaits them. Brienne is immediately imprisoned, while Jaime gets into it with his father and his sister. Simon and Mackelly hope for a bit more love and a lot less, respectively.
Chapter Review: Jaime Lannister arrives in King’s Landing with Brienne, Qyburn, and Roose Bolton’s men. It’s not changed that much, still stinks. They've learned en-route of the deaths at the weddings (the red and the purple). Jaime is struggling to find the correct emotion. He cares more about how Cersei is feeling and feeling sorry for himself about his hand.
Upon arrival, they meet Ser Loras Tyrell, who denounces Brienne as a kingslayer - of Renly that is. Jaime arranges for Brienne to be imprisoned (temporarily, for her own good). Jaime visits the sept, where Joffrey lies in state. He finds his twin mourning over their dead child. She affirms that it was Tyrion who killed Joffrey. They have sex there and then. Jaime wants to be open about their relationship, but Cersei roughly disabuses him of that idea.
Jaime visits his father, who reports that Vargo Hoat is getting his comeuppance from Gregor Clegane, who has retaken Harrenhal. Jaime is to leave the Kingsguard, marry Margaery Tyrell (Cersei will marry Oberyn Martell) and take King Tommen to Casterly Rock to be raised away from his mother. Jaime flat out refuses. Tywin disowns him.
Characters/Places/Names/Events: Jaime Lannister - Lord Commander of the Royal Kingsguard. Twin brother to queen Cersei and older brother to Tyrion. Nicknamed the "Kingslayer" for killing King Aerys Targaryen. Brienne of Tarth - Warrior woman. Once "Brienne the Blue" in King Renly's Rainbow Guard. On a mission to rescue the Stark girls for Catelyn Stark. Vargo Hoat - Leader of the Brave Companions. Steelshanks Walton - Soldier in Bolton’s forces, tasked with bringing Jaime safely to King’s Landing. Ser Loras Tyrell - Knight of Flowers. Brother to Margaery. Reputed former lover of King Renly Baratheon. Now member of the Kingsguard. Gregor Clegane - The Mountain. Tywin’s most feared soldier. Cersei Lannister - Twin to Jaime. Mother to Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella. Tywin Lannister - Father of Jaime, Cersei, Tyrion. Lord of Casterly Rock. Hand of the King.
All Music credits to Ross Bugden: INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M