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A Feast for Crows (summary)
By: George R.R. Martin
Summary by: Vincent Briscuso
Prologue (Point-of-View: Pate)
Introduced: Mollander (novice of the Citadel born with a clubfoot, called Hopfrog; his father was a knight killed during the Battle of the Blackwater);
Alleras (called the Sphinx, an acolyte of three links and an accomplished bowman; half Dornish and half Summer Islander);
Roone (a young novice);
Emma (serving wench at the Quill and Tankard);
Rosey (Emma's 15 year old daughter);
Pate* (a novice in service to Archmaester Walgrave; 5 years a novice and has yet to forge a link in his maester's collar; killed by the Alchemist);
Armen (called the Acolyte, an acolyte of four links);
Archmaester Ebrose (Archmaester of the Citadel in Oldtown, the Healer; his ring, rod and mask made of silver);
Archmaester Walgrave (ancient Archmaester in name only now; an expert on ravens; his ring, rod and mask are made of black iron; possibly trained Maester Cressen);
Maester Gormon (of house Tyrell; maester of the Citadel who often serves in Walgrave's place; uncle of Lord Mace Tyrell, brother of Garth the Gross and Ser Moryn);
The Alchemist (mysterious stranger seeking access to the Citadel; his description virtually identical to Jaqen H'ghar's changed appearance when he leaves Arya);
Leo Tyrell (called Lazy Leo, novice of the Citadel, son of Ser Moryn Tyrell, cousin of Lord Mace, nephew of Garth the Gross and Maester Gormon, great-uncle of Elinor Tyrell);
Archmaester Vaellyn (called Vinegar Vaellyn, the Stargazer, his ring, rod and mask forged of bronze);
Archmaester Perestan (the Historian, his ring, rod and mask made of copper);
Archmaester Ryam (his ring, rod and mask made of yellow gold);
Archmaester Mollos, Archmaester Benedict (Archmaesters of the Citadel).
First Mentioned: Ser Moryn Tyrell (uncle of Lord Mace Tyrell, Lady Mina Redwyne, and Lady Janna Fossoway; Commander of the City Watch of Oldtown, father of Lazy Leo, good-brother of the Queen of Thorns).
Legends: Spotted Pate the Pig Boy (mythological simpleton who always bested some lord, knight or septon in the songs).
Several
novices and a pair of acolytes from the Citadel in Oldtown are
discussing the possible reappearance of dragons while drinking at the
Quill and Tankard. The novice Pate is thinking about Rosey, a 15 year
old girl whose mother is selling her maidenhead for one gold dragon.
Pate hopes to soon buy her and then leave the Citadel and wander the
world with the girl. Pate is hoping the Alchemist, a mysterious stranger, will return to the
inn
in 3 days with a gold
dragon for Pate. While the others continue to discuss dragons, Armen
declares there are no more; but Alleras the Sphinx mentions that
Daenerys may still be alive and could be the source of all these tales
of dragons across the sea. Soon after, Lazy Leo
arrives and begins picking on the others as is his wont. Leo tells them
that the tales are true, that Daenerys has hatched three dragons, and
that Archmaester Marwyn believes the stories. Marwyn the Mage has a
somewhat unsavory reputation due to his dabbling in sorcery and the
dark arts, but he still has a group of supporters at the Citadel.
Leo presents proof by stating that a
glass candle is burning in Marwyn's tower, something that Armen finds
unbelievable as obsidian candles cannot burn. The Citadel has been
using them for years as one of the final lessons a maester must learn
on the importance of being humble and knowing the limitations and
dangers of knowledge. But Leo swears he saw the candle himself, and
Alleras imparts that if a dragonglass candle burns, then surely dragons
are returned to the world. The others soon depart for bed, but Pate
remains with Leo who mocks him and his affection for Rosey. Pate would
like nothing better than to hit Leo, but he is well aware of Leo's
heritage. Pate then takes his leave, and on the way back to his
quarters bumps into the Alchemist. With some
misgivings, Pate turns
over the black iron key to the Citadel that he stole from Archmaester
Walgrave's lockbox for his reward. Pate gets a look at the stranger,
noting that he had a very ordinary face with a hooked nose and a scar
on his right cheek (just as Jaqen H'ghar looked after he transformed).
As Pate walks off with his gold dragon, he begins to feel faint and
then collapses on the cobblestones dead. His last words are, "What's
happening? I don't understand."; to which the Alchemist responds sadly,
"And never will."
The Prophet (PoV: Aeron Greyjoy) pg
17 Return to Top
Introduced: Emmond (a boy recently drowned by Aeron, now a member of the priest's drowned men);
Norjen, Rus (two of Aeron's drowned men);
Tarle the Thrice-Drowned (a priest of the Drowned God, once picked to crown a king);
The Sparr (a minor lord on Great Wyk, father of Steffarion);
Steffarion Sparr (son and heir of the Sparr);
Lord Gorold Goodbrother (Lord of the Hammerhorn on Great Wyk, father of Greydon, Gran, Gormond, Gysella, and Gwin);
Greydon, Gran and Gormond Goodbrother (triplet sons of Lord Gorold);
Gysella and Gwin Goodbrother (daughters of Lord Gorold);
Maester Murenmure (counselor and maester at Hammerhorn);
Lord Meldred Merlyn (Lord of Pebbleton on Great Wyk).
First Mentioned: Lord Quellon Greyjoy* (Lord of the Iron Islands, fathered 9 sons on three wives, succeeded as Lord of the Iron Islands by his 4th son Balon; father of Harlon, Quenton, Donel, Balon, Euron Crow's Eye, Victarion, Urrigon, Aeron Damphair, and Robin);
Urrigon Greyjoy* (Urri, fourth son of Lord Quellon and his second wife, younger brother of Balon, Euron and Victarion, older brother of Aeron; died from an infected wound inflicted by Aeron while playing the finger dance);Harlon*, Quenton* and Donel Greyjoy* (sons of Lord Quellon with his first wife, all died in their youth);
Robin Greyjoy* (9th son of Lord Quellon, and only progeny of his 3rd wife, a woman from the "green lands" [Pinkmaiden, specifically]; "the brother best forgotten");
Lord Sawane Botley* (Lord of Lordsport on Pyke, drowned by Euron Crow's Eye, father of Harren and Tristifer, brother of the recently-named Lord Germund; drowned by the Crow's Eye for naming Theon heir).
Legends: The Grey King (legendary High King of the Iron Islands and beyond, said to rule the sea itself and married a mermaid; the Greyjoys claim descent from him; his hall was said to be Nagga's bones themselves, and he ruled for 1007 years);
Urras Ironfoot, Sylas Flatnose, Harrag Hoare, and The Old Kraken (all High Kings of the Iron Islands chosen by a kingsmoot thousands of years ago).
Aeron Greyjoy is drowning men on Great Wyk when The Sparr and a son of Lord Goodbrother come to him with news of King Balon's death. Losing one of the two pillars he had built his current life on, the Damphair does not easily suffer these lesser lords who demand that he follow them to Lord Goodbrother's keep. Believing the Storm God claimed his eldest brother's life, Aeron takes Gormond's horse and heads to Hammerhorn. On the way, he reflects on his brothers and half-brothers, most of whom did not live past childhood. Balon himself had never shown anything but scorn for Aeron, but his earlier life was scornful as well as sinful. At Hammerhorn, Aeron demands that Lord Gorold send off his daughters and maester, but Maester Murenmure mentions that Euron Crow's Eye sits the Seastone Chair. Infuriated that the godless Euron should call all the other captains to bend their knee to him, Damphair is determined to prevent his crowning; or that of Asha as Balon wanted, since the priest believes that "no woman will ever rule the ironborn".
Aeron learns that Euron drowned Lord Sawane Botley for declaring Theon the rightful heir, and when the maester echoes Botley's sentiment, Damphair responds, "Too long have the ironborn listened to you chain-neck maesters... It is time we listened to the sea again." On his way to Pebbleton, Aeron falls asleep in the saddle and dreams of his brother Urrigon, who lost half his hand from an axe thrown by Aeron. Lord Quellon's third wife sent for her maester to heal him, but the wound festered and Urri died. Lord Quellon died reaving, but when Balon returned as the new Lord of the ironborn, he hacked off three of the maester's fingers and commanded his stepmother to try and heal him. Aeron also recalls in the dream how he had drank and boasted as a young man, yet his ship was sunk by Lord Stannis Baratheon's Fury during Balon's rebellion, and he had drowned. Linked to this frequent dream is the sound of a rusted door creaking open, and Euron entering...
Convinced that Victarion must sit the Seastone Chair, Aeron gathers followers on his way to the seashore preaching that a new king will rise. Entering the ice cold sea at night, Aeron has a revelation that there must be a kingsmoot beneath Nagga's bones on Old Wyk, as had been the Old Way millenia ago. In the morning, Aeron dismisses Lord Merlyn's message that the Reader is summoning the ironborn to the Ten Towers to pay homage to Asha. He then tells his gathering to go to Old Wyk, declaring, "We shall have no king but from the kingsmoot".
The Captain of Guards (PoV: Areo Hotah) pg 30 Return to Top
Introduced: Areo Hotah (Captain of Prince Doran Martell's household guards, born in Norvos and trained to fight with a longaxe by the bearded priests; fiercely loyal to Prince Doran and his daughter Arianne);Prince Doran Nymeros Martell (Prince of Dorne, Lord of Sunspear, elder brother of the late Princess Elia Targaryen and Prince Oberyn, brother-in-law by marriage to the late Prince Rhaegar, father of Arianne, Quentyn and Trystane, ward of Princess Myrcella; suffering terribly from gout);
Obara Sand (eldest of the Sand Snakes [the Red Viper's bastard daughters], her mother was a whore from Oldtown);
Maester Calleote (counselor and maester to Prince Doran at the Water Gardens);
Nymeria Sand (Lady Nym, second oldest of the Sand Snakes, her mother a noblewoman from Old Volantis);
Maester Myles (counselor and healer at Sunspear);
Ricasso (seneschal at Sunspear);
Ser Manfrey Martell (castellan of Sunspear, cousin of Prince Doran);
Princess Arianne Martell (eldest child and heir of Prince Doran, once promised to Prince Viserys; cousin of the Sand Snakes, sister of Quentyn and Trystane, niece of Prince Oberyn and Princess Elia; takes Ser Arys Oakheart as her lover; plots to crown Myrcella Queen of the Seven Kingdoms);
Tyene Sand (third eldest of the Sand Snakes, her mother a septa; closest of all the Sand Snakes to Arianne).
First Mentioned: Lady Mellario Martell (of the Free City of Norvos, Prince Doran's wife, mother of Arianne, Quentyn and Trystane; currently returned to Norvos for an extended stay);
Sarella Sand (4th of the Sand Snakes, her mother a trader; captain of her own ship at age nineteen);
Mors* and Olyvar Martell* (younger brothers of Prince Doran who died in infancy before Elia was born).
Legends:Queen Myriah Targaryen (of House Martell, wife of Good King Daeron, their marriage brought Dorne into the Seven Kingdoms; mother of Baelor Breakspear, Aerys, Aelinor, Rhaegel and Maekar; grandmother of Maester Aemon and Egg).
Prince Doran has been at the Water Gardens for nearly two years now, watching the children play in the pools while trying to deal with his gout. Captain Hotah hears the approach of Obara Sand, eldest of the Red Viper's bastard daughters, and bars her from disturbing Prince Doran's rest. Deadly as she may be, she is no match for the Captain, but the Prince calls her into his presence before they come to blows. Obara demands justice for her father, imploring Prince Doran to marshall the Dornish army and give half to her so she might march on Oldtown and burn it to the ground, and the other half to her half-sister Lady Nym to march up the Kingsroad. Doran tells her that his brother was not murdered, but died in single combat, and that Lord Tywin has promised them Ser Gregor's head. Unappeased, Obara mocks her uncle for his meekness and stalks off after he tells her to await his word in Sunspear. Fearing an uprising in Sunspear incited by the Sand Snakes, Prince Doran tells Hotah that he must return to his seat at the Palace of the Sun.
The Captain reminds him that Princess Myrcella is there, and that Ser Arys Oakheart sends letters to Queen Cersei. Hotah thinks that he and the Kingsguard will eventually cross swords, and when that occurs the Captain would kill him. The next morning, the Prince and his retinue begin the journey back to Sunspear, but along the way they come upon another of the Sand Snakes. The beautiful Lady Nym is far more tactful than her older half-sister, but no less resolved to seek vengeance for her father. Scoffing at Obara's demand to go to war, Lady Nym tells her uncle that she needs only her sister Tyene, and the two will assassinate Cersei, Jaime, Lord Tywin and King Tommen. Stating that his brother was only to take the measure of Joffrey's court and not seek revenge for Elia despite the 17 years that had passed, Nymeria responds in parting, "My sisters and I shall not wait ten-and-seven years for our vengeance."
Arriving in Sunspear, the Prince's retinue is accosted by townspeople calling for vengeance for the Red Viper. In the Old Palace, Princess Arianne greets her father and tells him that Tyene Sand awaits him in the throne room. The third of the Sand Snakes is embroidering when the Captain encounters her while bearing Prince Doran to his high seat. Tyene offers her uncle the cloth she was knitting, which showed her father mounted on a sand steed, so that he would not forget the Red Viper. Prince Doran responds, "I am not like to forget your father." Tyene counsels her uncle to wed his son Trystane to Myrcella now, and then crown the princess as is the Dornish way. This would incite the Queen Regent and Highgarden to march on Dorne, where the Prince's armies could bleed them in the high passes and treacherous deserts. When she calls her uncle fearful, Doran advises her, "There is a difference between fear and caution." Tyene raises her hand to touch her uncle, but Hotah brings the butt of his longaxe down on the marble floor, and cautions her, "My lady, you presume. Step from the dais, if it please you." The Sand Snake replies, "I meant no harm, Captain. I love my uncle, as I know he loved my father." After she takes her leave, Maester Caleotte rushes to the Prince's side to make sure he wasn't pricked by one of Tyene's needles.
Shortly after, Prince Doran commands the Captain to round up and confine all the Sand Snakes, including Ellaria's young daughters, in the cells at the top of the Spear Tower, but with no blood spilled. When Hotah tells him that the common folk will howl when they find out, the Prince of Dorne replies, "All Dorne will howl. I only pray Lord Tywin hears them...so he might know what a loyal friend he has in Sunspear."
Cersei (I) pg 46 Return to Top
Introduced: Senelle* (one of Cersei's bedmaids, later given to Qyburn for his "experiments");
Jocelyn Swyft (companion of Cersei, referred to as Lady Jocelyn in the appendix?);
Shortear, Puckens (Lannister guardsman of the Hand);
First Mentioned: Rugen (undergaoler of the black cells, missing with Tyrion; most likely one of Varys' disguises).
Cersei
is dreaming that she sat upon the Iron Throne, but the dream turns
to nightmare as Tyrion ridicules her, and the barbed swords of the
Throne
begin to cut her. She is awoken by her maids and two Kingsguard who
bear the news of Lord Tywin's murder. Cersei, still reeling from her
nightmare and thoughts of the valonqar
(little brother), finally realizes what they are saying. She learns
that a hidden passage was found in the Hand's room, and that Jaime went
to find out where it leads. The Queen Regent sends Ser Boros to check
if Tyrion is still in his cell, while she contemplates the Tyrells'
ambitions. Reaching the Tower of the Hand, Cersei is now brooding on
how she was the only true "son" her father had, and how she will become
even greater than Lord Tywin.
She sends away all the extraneous bystanders and commands Pycelle be brought in to remove the crossbow bolt from her father's abdomen. But Pycelle had already come and went, which further infuriates Cersei as she considers how useless the Grand Maester has become. However, Qyburn arrives and offers to remove the quarrel and ready the Hand for the wake. Qyburn also asks about the girl, Shae, whose body Cersei had not noticed. Recalling how Lord Tywin had dealt with one of his father's mistresses when he caught her wearing his mother's jewels, Cersei refuses to believe that Shae was in his bed as a whore. She commands Ser Osmund to dump Shae's body and to squelch any mention that she was even in the room.
Shortly after, Jaime returns from his search, claiming it was fruitless as the secret passages were too numerous. Cersei demands
that workers be brought in to start dismantling the walls, and then she
asks Jaime to be Tommen's Hand. When he refuses, Cersei tells him that
she would rule, to which her twin responds, "I don't know who I pity
more: Tommen, or the Seven Kingdoms." The queen reacts by slapping him,
but her action infuriates their uncle Kevan, who had been at
Tywin's side since Cersei arrived. As Cersei considers that her choice
for Hand should be someone trustworthy and meek, she realizes that Varys
is no where to be found. Commanding Ser Meryn to find the master of
whisperers, Ser Boros returns with word that Tyrion had escaped from
his cell...
Brienne (I) pg 56 Return to Top
Introduced: Ser Creighton Longbough (a hedge knight who claims brave deeds during the Battle of the Blackwater);
Ser Illifer the Penniless (Illy, a hedge knight and companion of Ser Creighton);
Naggle (innkeep at the Old Stone Bridge);
Hibald (a merchant on the road to Duskendale);
Ser Shadrich of the Shady Glen (called the Mad Mouse, a hedge knight in service to Hibald and later in service to Littlefinger).
First Mentioned: Ser Herbert Bolling* (a knight supposedly killed by Ser Creighton).
Legends: Ser Galladon of Morne (The Perfect Knight, a legendary knight who bore the enchanted sword 'The Just Maid');
Lord Lucas Lothston (the Pander, last of the Lords of Harrenhal from house Lothston, a family that was overthrown for some black deeds; Harrenhal then passed into the care of the Whents);
Manfryd Lothston (Manfryd o' the Black Hood, son of Lord Lucas; possibly the same Manfred Lothston mentioned in TSS as having first supported, and then betrayed Prince Daemon Blackfyre).
Brienne is traveling to Duskendale, seeking the whereabouts of Sansa as she was charged to do by Ser Jaime. Having found few leads in King's Landing, Brienne is asking nearly everyone she can along the roads and villages, but never mentions Sansa by name. Upon the road beyond Rosby, she comes upon a camp with two hedge knights who offer to share their meal. Mistaking her at first for a man, Ser Illifer later remarks on how she bears a shield with the sigil of house Lothston, a disgraced family who once held Harrenhal. Brienne was given the shield by Ser Jaime, who had taken it from Harrenhal. When she tells the two that she lost her own shield, Ser Illifer figures out by her size that she must be Brienne, murderess of King Renly. The Maid denies having killed Renly, and the hedge knights agree to travel with her to Duskendale.
After passing a large group of poor fellows (or 'sparrows'), lowly holy men bound for King's Landing bearing the bones of septons killed around the Riverlands, they catch up to a merchant guarded by a couple of men and another hedge knight named Ser Shadrich. Joining forces along the dangerous road, Ser Shadrich tells Brienne in private that he knows that the maid she seeks is Sansa Stark, and that he seeks her as well, but for a purse of gold offered by Lord Varys. Brienne is disturbed by the fact that the Mad Mouse knew whom she was speaking of when she repeated Sansa's description to the merchant's group. When the party stops at an inn for the night, Brienne slips off on her own, swearing to herself that she will not fail Jaime, having already failed King Renly and Lady Catelyn.
Samwell (I) {VI} pg 71
Return to Top
Introduced: Left Hand Lew (a steward of the Night's Watch).
Legends: Orbert Caswell (called the Black Centaur, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch perhaps centuries ago);
Septon Jorquen (author of Annals of the Black Centaur, a septon of the Night's Watch);
Colloquo Votar (Volantene adventurer who penned The Jade Compendium, describing myths and tales of the East from around the Jade Sea);
Maester Thomax (author of Dragonkin, Being a History of House Targaryen from Exile to Apothoesis, with a Consideration of the Life and Death of Dragons);
Osric Stark (boy Lord Commander of the Watch 400 years before the Conquest).
Down in the library beneath Castle Black, Sam is trying to dig up any information on the Others for his Lord Commander, Jon Snow. Returning to the surface, Sam considers how hard Jon has been working the men of the Watch. Meeting up with Dolorous Edd, Pyp and Grenn, they mention how much Jon has changed, acting different and barely spending any time with his friends; although he never misses a day practicing his swordwork. We learn that Stannis has plans for Val, Dalla's sister, seeking to use her in order to forge an alliance between the wildlings and the northmen, although so far only the Karstarks have agreed to ally with Stannis. Arriving at Jon's solar, the Lord Commander shows him a letter he plans to send to King Tommen which declares that Stannis is aiding them in their battle, but the Night's Watch is not sworn to his cause.
Discussing how Melisandre means to sacrifice Mance Rayder for his king's blood, Jon states, "Mance's blood is no more royal than mine own." He reveals to Sam that he is sending Gilly and "the boy" far away from the Wall. Sam tells Jon that he has uncovered little on the Others, but one book mentioned dragonsteel swords as being effective against them. However, neither is sure if dragonsteel and Valyrian steel are the same thing. Jon breaks the news that he is sending Sam to the Citadel so he can train to become a maester and replace Aemon. Sam will travel by sea from Eastwatch, along with Gilly, the baby, and Maester Aemon.
The thought of becoming a maester frightens Sam, bringing back memories of his father's wrath when he had mentioned training at the Citadel to Lord Randyll when he was a boy. His father had chained him by the neck in a cell and left him there for 3 days, telling him "no son of House Tarly will ever wear a chain". Lastly, Jon commands Sam to never call himself craven again. The next morning, as the party prepares to set off for Eastwatch where they will join up with Dareon, Gilly begs Jon to find a good wetnurse for the other baby...
Arya (I) {XXIX} pg 87 Return to Top
Introduced: Ternesio Terys (merchant-captain of the Titan's Daughter);
Yorko and Denyo Terys (sons of Ternesio who work aboard his merchanter);
The Kindly Man (a servant/priest of the Many-Faced God in the House of Black and White, probably a teacher of the Faceless Men);
The Waif (appears as a young girl but is much older, another servant of the Many-Faced God).Nearing Braavos, Arya recalls how she originally wanted Captain Ternesio to sail for the Wall, but the free city would be a good place to land, considering that Syrio had come from Braavos and possibly Jaqen as well. During the voyage, many of the sailors and even the captain had asked her to learn and remember their names, and many seemed afraid of her. The captain's younger son Denyo is telling Arya some of the history of Braavos and the Titan that guards its port. The free city honored all gods and even had temples devoted to them, and was founded by the Moonsingers when they brought the people to Braavos to escape the dragons of Valyria. The Titan of Braavos is a massive statue, and has arrow slits and murder holes strategically placed to attack any boat that tried to pass beneath without leave. Furthermore, the Free City of Braavos was protected by the Arsenal, a massive fleet of ships and their fortified port.
The captain has his older son Yorko row Arya to shore, so as to get her off prior to customs coming aboard. As Yorko navigates the hundred isles of Braavos, he points out many of the sites, before dropping her off at the quay in front of the House of Black and White. Arya disembarks, assuring Yorko that she would remember his name, and enters the temple of the Many-Faced God. Within, the temple is quite dark with dozens of odd statues, and Arya notices several people in alcoves who are either dead or dying. Soon, a robed man with a kind voice tells her that the House of Black and White is a place of peace. He asks her for her name, but despite Arya's use of nicknames, the man keeps asking until she admits that she is Arya Stark. When the man asks if she feared death, Arya answers no. The man removes his cowl to reveal a decaying, horrible visage, but she sees through the illusion. Impressed, the Kindly Man asks if she is hungry, to which Arya thinks: Yes, but not for food.
Cersei (II) pg 99 Return to Top
Introduced: Lord Orton Merryweather (Lord of Longtable, bannerman to Lord Mace Tyrell, husband of Lady Taena of Myr, met his wife while in exile with his grandfather, Lord Owen Merryweather; later named Justiciar [Cersei's new title for Master of Laws] of King Tommen, then shortly after Hand of the King to replace Ser Harys Swyft);
Ser Balman Byrch* (husband of Lady Falyse Stokeworth, once a renowned jouster; killed by Ser Bronn);
Ser Lambert Turnberry (a knight sworn to the Iron Throne).
Legends: King Garth Gardener (Garth the Twelfth, High King of the Reach from the Gardener line of kings).
Arriving at the Great Sept of Baelor for Lord Tywin's wake, Cersei goes from worrying about Tommen's health to contemplating the removal of the current High Septon, a man appointed by Tyrion. Tommen and Cersei both notice the stench emanating from her father's corpse. After the service, the procession of mourners come to offer condolences to Cersei. First is Falyse Stokeworth, who mentions that her sister is ready to give birth and the family would like to name the child Tywin. Cersei replies, "Your lackwit sister gets herself raped by half of King's Landing, and Tanda thinks to honor the bastard with my lord father's name? I think not." Next is Lancel, still looking half dead, and as he begins to mention his love and then his new-found faith, Cersei heads him off by saying, "Atonement is best achieved through prayer. Silent prayer."
The only mourner to please Cersei is Lady Taena Merryweather, who promises that all her friends in the Free Cities have been notified to watch for and seize Tyrion. When Lord Mace comes before her, he mentions that his uncle Garth is on the way to assume the duties of Master of Coin. The Queen Regent immediately backpedals that Lord Gyles Rosby has already accepted the post, not wishing to see another Tyrell on the small council. This angers Lord Tyrell and his mother, as Lord Tywin had wanted Garth the Gross to assume the position. The Queen of Thorns then brings up the terrible smell in the sept, and Cersei wants nothing more than to get rid of the clever old woman. But Lady Olenna states she will not depart until Margaery is wed to Tommen. Leaving the Sept, Cersei rides back to the Red Keep with Lord Gyles, asking him belatedly to be her new master of coin, which he accepts.
Back in her rooms, Qyburn pays her a visit, revealing that he had found a gold coin in the undergaoler's sleeping cell that dated back to the Gardener Kings of the Reach. Once again, Cersei is suspicious that the Tyrells had a hand in Tyrion's escape and Lord Tywin's murder. Qyburn then asks if he may experiment on the dying Ser Gregor in the black cells, since he is more adept at the nature of death than any of the archmaesters from the Citadel. She agrees with his request, but tells him to bring her Gregor's head when he dies, as her father had promised it to Dorne. Finally, that night, Ser Kevan meets with her for dinner, as she had requested.
Thinking to find her uncle a loyal, dutiful partner like he was to her father, Cersei asks him to be Tommen's Hand. Kevan first advises her it was a mistake to make a fool of Mace Tyrell in front of half the court. He then reminds her that he would rather help his son Lancel take control of Castle Darry; but he will take up position as Hand, provided Cersei removes herself from King's Landing and returns to Casterly Rock. Infuriated, she blurts out, "I was sick with grief, I did not think-" Ser Kevan interrupts her by saying, "No. Which is why you should return to Casterly Rock and leave the king with those who do." Throwing her wine in his face, she begins to threaten her uncle. Unfazed, Ser Kevan counsels her to name Lord Tarly her Hand, stating, "Randyll Tarly is the finest soldier in the realm. A poor Hand for peacetime, but with Tywin dead there's no better man to finish this war." Departing, Ser Kevan Lannister also reveals that he knows who Tommen's father really is.
Jaime (I) {X} pg 116 Return to Top
Introduced: Rennifer Longwaters (chief undergaoler of the dungeons under the Red Keep, claims to be a descendant of a Targaryen princess).
Legends: Lord Quenton Hightower (Lord of the Port and Voice of Oldtown during the grey plague some 70 years ago; killed by the people of Oldtown after the plague).
Standing a planned seven day vigil over his father's funeral bier, Ser Jaime finds himself with a lot of time for thinking. He feels that he is as much to blame for his father's death as Tyrion or Varys. He also finds himself wondering what happened to Varys. His thoughts then turn to the day that Prince Rhaegar rode for the Trident. Jaime had asked not to be left behind to guard the king, but Rhaegar told him that Aerys feared Lord Tywin, and meant to keep Jaime at his side as insurance. Mounting up, Rhaegar's last words to Jaime were, "When this battle's done I mean to call a council. Changes will be made. I meant to do it long ago, but...well, it does no good to speak of roads not taken." Finally, he recalls his recent questioning of the chief undergaoler, which was a complete farce as Jaime knew far more than the man did, since he was the perpetrator.
When Jaime learns that the two gaolers who were put to sleep were killed by Ser Boros and Ser Osmund, he reprimands them, warning them never to act on his sister's orders to kill anyone without consulting him first. Some time in the middle of the night, Cersei visits him with news of Ser Kevan's refusal. She implores him to reconsider being Hand, but Jaime rejects her again. She departs with, "Very well. If it is battlefields you want, battlefields I shall give you." The next morning, the mourners arrive anew, but the smell is so nauseating that Tommen gets sick. Jaime takes him outside to console him, advising him to "go away inside", something Tommen understood from when Joffrey would torment him. Cersei then joins them, as does Mace Tyrell, and Jaime asks the Lord of Highgarden to have dinner with his sister. When Mace departs, Jaime tells Cersei to get the wedding over with, and then send Lord Mace to beseige Storm's End once again. Cersei likes the idea, hoping Tyrell might lose his life this time.
Brienne (II) pg 130 Return to Top
Introduced: Ser Rufus Leek (castellan of the Dun Fort in Duskendale);
First Mentioned: Lord Renfred Rykker (Lord of Duskendale, currently in the field under Lord Randyll Tarly);
Septa Roelle (Brienne's septa and tutor at Evenfall Hall on Tarth);
Ser Goodwin* (master-at-arms on Tarth, trained Brienne);
Lord Denys Darklyn* (last Lord of Duskendale from house Darklyn, as his line was extinguished; the Darklyns counted 7 members in the Kingsguard, more than any other house; beheaded by command of King Aerys II for his orchestration of the Defiance of Duskendale);
Lady Serala Darklyn* (of Myr, called the Lace Serpent, wife of Lord Denys; believed by many to have been the real orchestrator of the Defiance of Duskendale [when Lord Denys had King Aerys II kidnapped for nearly half a year], burned alive by order of King Aerys);
Ser Symon Hollard* (master-at-arms in Duskendale during the Defiance, killed Ser Gwayne Gaunt of the Kingsguard, slain by Ser Barristan the Bold while the kingsguard was rescuing the King);
Ser Jon Hollard* (steward of Duskendale, married to Lord Denys Darklyn's sister, killed for his role in the Defiance, his house attainted);
Robin Hollard* (a squire in Duskendale, died upon the rack by command of Mad King Aerys);
Ser Steffon Hollard* (father of Ser Dontos, twin brother of Ser Symon, died before the Defiance);
Ser Humfrey Wagstaff* (Lord Grandison's castellan, Brienne's third and last betrothed).
When Brienne reaches Duskendale, she finds the gates barred for the night. The area surrounding is littered with corpses of both northmen and men from the Reach. The gates open at morning, and the captain tells Brienne that his sister can paint over the black bat of Lothston on her shield. After telling the sister what sigil she wants, Brienne heads to the Dun Fort to speak to the lord. Since Lord Rykker is in the field, she meets with the castellan, who tells her that many came before her asking if Ser Dontos Hollard and Sansa had come to Duskendale. We then learn the story of the Defiance of Duskendale, which seems to have been the incident that finally sent King Aerys over the edge.
Either of his own initiative, or from the urgings of his wife, Lord Denys Darklyn took Aerys hostage. When Lord Tywin (who was Hand at the time) surrounded the Dun Fort, Lord Darklyn threatened to kill Aerys. When Aerys was captured, Ser Symon Hollard killed one of his kingsguard, Ser Gwayne Gaunt. After Ser Barristan the Bold slipped into the Dun Fort and rescued the king, Aerys had nearly every member of the Darklyn and Hollard families killed or attainted. Ser Dontos was young at the time, but Ser Barristan asked Aerys to stay his hand. The castellan tells Brienne that Duskendale would have been the last place Dontos would have fled to. Despairing that she will never find Sansa, Brienne bumps into a boy whom she had seen back at Rosby, but he runs away.
Visiting the inn for dinner, Brienne meets a pious dwarf, who tells her that he overheard a man called Nimble Dick in Maidenpool bragging that he had "fooled a fool" seeking passage for three across the Narrow Sea. That night, Brienne dreams of Renly's death, but when he topples after the shadow killed him, the body is that of Jaime. The next day, Brienne picks up her shield, and the sigil is that of Ser Duncan the Tall that Tanselle had painted for him. Proceeding to Maidenpool, Brienne camps by the ruins of the Hollard castle, and hears a rider. Fearing it may be Ser Shadrich and that she would need to fight him, she discovers the boy who seemed to be stalking her. It turns out to be Podrick Payne, who asks to stay with her, hoping that if she finds Sansa, it may lead the boy back to Tyrion.
Sansa (I) {XXII} pg 145 Return to Top
Introduced: Gretchel (servingwoman to Lord Robert Arryn at the Eyrie);
Maddy (called Fat Maddy, another servingwoman at the Eyrie);
Ser Marwyn Belmore (captain of the guards at the Gates of the Moon, previously captain of the guards at the Eyrie until Littlefinger had him replaced; called Ser Ding-Dong by Marillion).
First Mentioned: Lord Lyonel Corbray (Lord of Heart's Home, bannerman of the Arryns, older brother of Ser Lyn Corbray);
Ser Ronnel Arryn* (younger brother of Lord Jon Arryn, served as Keeper of the Gates of the Moon, father of Elbert Arryn).
Marillion, whose eyes were put out, has been singing from his sky cell day and night. Sansa easily convinces herself that Lord Petyr's lies were for the best, even if Marillion wasn't guilty of pushing her aunt. After all, had it not been for Littlefinger, Marillion might have raped her in the Baelish household on the Fingers. Waiting for Lord Nestor Royce to arrive, Littlefinger tells Sansa that he has persuaded the bard to cooperate with the High Steward. She has come to notice that there are two distinct sides to Petyr Baelish: the kind, authoritative Lord Petyr, and the manipulative, deceptive Littlefinger. She thinks to herself, A lie is not so bad if it is kindly meant.
When Lord Nestor arrives, Littlefinger sends Sansa, who is now almost a pro at playing the part of Alayne Stone, to bring Lord Robert. Lysa and Jon Arryn's boy has taken to sleeping in Sansa's bed of late, as a substitute for his mother. In the High Hall, Robert doesn't last long before he begins shaking, but Nestor Royce and his party are completely convinced of the bard's guilt. They had seen firsthand Marillion's contempt, and the lavish gifts Lady Lysa had given him. Littlefinger even pretends that it was his fault, for not being in Lysa's presence, and obtains the sympathy of the Steward's party. Lord Nestor and his son declare that Marillion must die, so he is sent back to his sky cell. Petyr then invites Lord Nestor to join him and his daughter in the Lower Hall.
Littlefinger, now holding the title of Lord Protector of the Vale and wanting to keep it, heaps praise on Nestor Royce, telling him that both Jon and Lysa Arryn relied on him more than any other. Nestor reveals that his cousin, Bronze Yohn, and several other Arryn bannerman are on their way to the Eyrie to remove Petyr from his post, but Littlefinger already knew. He then shows Lord Nestor the document he had written up and signed, saying that it was really Lysa's idea, to make the Keeper of the Gates of the Moon the hereditary post of Lord Nestor's house. Shocked, since the post had never been hereditary and was never a true lordship, Nestor is extremely appreciative. Afterwards, Littlefinger continues training Sansa in the art of playing the game of thrones, revealing that he signed the document himself so that if he gets removed from office, Lord Nestor would lose his writ. This doubly insures the High Steward's support against the Lords Declarant when they come to the Eyrie. He leaves off by saying, "With my wits and Cat's beauty, the world will be yours..."
The Kraken's Daughter (PoV: Asha Greyjoy) pg 159 Return to Top
Introduced: Lord Rodrik Harlaw (the Reader, Lord of Harlaw, Lord of the Ten Towers, maternal uncle of Asha and Theon, brother of Lady Alannys Greyjoy);
Sigfryd Harlaw (Sigfryd Silverhair, master of Harlaw Hall, great uncle of Lord Rodrik);
Hotho Harlaw (Hotho Humpback, master of the Tower of Glimmering on Harlaw, cousin of the Reader);
Ser Harras Harlaw (called the Knight, the Knight of Grey Garden, another cousin of Lord Rodrik; bears the Valyrian sword 'Nightfall'; later named Lord of Greyshield by King Euron);
Boremund Harlaw (Boremund the Blue, master of Harridan Hill on the island of Harlaw, yet another cousin);
Three-Tooth (steward of the Ten Towers, a very old woman);
Tristifer Botley (Tris, second son and rightful heir of Lord Sawane Botley, dispossessed by Euron Crow's Eye; once a ward of Lord Baelor Blacktyde and childhood friend of Asha; nephew of Lord Germund Botley);
Lady Gwynesse (widowed sister of Lord Rodrik Harlaw and Lady Alannys Greyjoy);
Lady Alannys Greyjoy (of House Harlaw, wife of Lord Balon, mother of Rodrik, Maron, Asha and Theon, younger sister of Lord Rodrik, called Lanny by the Reader);
Lady Sybelle Glover (of house Locke, wife of Robett Glover, Lady of Deepwood Motte);
Lord Baelor Blacktyde* (Lord of Blacktyde on the isle of Blacktyde, master of the Nightflyer; killed by command of King Euron);
Blind Beron Blacktyde, The Old Grey Gull (priests of the Drowned God).
First Mentioned: Maester Wendamyr (maester and counselor at Pyke);
Lord Sawane Botley* (former Lord of Lordsport, father of Harren and Tristifer, brother of Germund; drowned by Euron Crow's Eye);
Harren Botley* (eldest son of Lord Sawane, brother of Tristifer; died at Moat Cailin);
Maester Qalen* (former maester at Pyke).
Legends: Lord Theomore Harlaw (great, great grandfather of Lord Rodrik, built the Ten Towers);Aenar Targaryen (Targaryen prince [?] from before the Doom came to Valyria, his daughter was said to be a prophet);
Haereg (author of History of the Ironborn);
King Urron Greyiron (Urron of Orkmont, won a kingsmoot a thousand years before the coming of the Andals by killing all his opposition);
Archmaester Rigney (archmaester of the Citadel who wrote famous words on history);
Maester Denestan (author of Questions).
Asha is disturbed by the small turnout of supporters for her claim on the Seastone Chair. Her captains and champions are being hosted in the great hall of the Ten Towers, the seat of her favorite uncle, Lord Rodrik Harlaw. Asha asks her uncle's steward to take care of her captives from Deepwood Motte, then goes to speak privately with her uncle. She decides not to visit her mother now, as Lady Alannys' mind was not as strong as it once was. News of Theon might be the end of her, and that would hurt her uncle as well, who took care of both of his sisters, neither of them very healthy. She finds her uncle in his library, as he isn't called the Reader for nought. Lord Rodrik tells her he is reading Archmaester Marwyn's current book regarding the discovery of pages from an ancient Targaryen prophecy dating before the Doom.
The conversation soon turns to Euron's return on the day after King Balon's fall. Asha is sure he had a hand in his brother's death, and asks her uncle why so few supporters showed up for her. The Reader tells her of Aeron's call for a kingsmoot on Old Wyk, and Asha likes the idea, although she's unsure whether her uncles Euron and Victarion intend to attend. Lord Harlaw warns her not to go, reminding her that the Crow's Eye might try to kill all his competitors. Besides, the Reader doesn't feel that the Iron Islands should continue along the path that King Balon had chosen, stating, "The Old Way served the isles well when we were one small kingdom amongst many, but Aegon's Conquest put an end to that."
When the Reader asks her about Theon's fate, Asha admits that while she believes him to be dead, they never found his body at Winterfell. She takes her leave, but not before telling her uncle that she will attend the kingsmoot and place her claim. Outside of the Ten Towers, Asha meets Tristifer Botley, once a boy she had strong affections for years back on Pyke. Tris' father was drowned by Euron for declaring that the Crow's Eye had no right to the throne. Tris mentions that Euron is buying support left and right with his ill-gained loot, including Tris' uncle who was named Lord of Lordsport over himself. But Tristifer is not so interested in all that, he is far more interested in resuming his romance with Asha. But she'll have none of it, calling him a fool for not seeing other women all these years. Tris does pledge his support to her claim, however.
Cersei (III) pg 172 Return to Top
Introduced: Ser Lyle Crakehall (called Strongboar, a renowned knight once taken captive at Riverrun; second son of Lord Roland Crakehall);
Wat (a singer self-styled 'the Blue Bard', a favorite of Queen Margaery's).
First Mentioned: Jeyne Farman (once a ward at Casterly Rock who persuaded Cersei to visit Maggy the Frog; sister of the Lord of Fair Isle);
Maggy the Frog* (an old woods witch and seeress whom Cersei had visited when she was a teen; a maegi and bloodmage from the east, married a wealthy merchant and their son was raised to a petty lord by Lord Tytos Lannister; very possibly the grandmother of Lady Sybell Westerling);
Melara Hetherspoon* (a childhood friend of Cersei's and a ward at Casterly Rock who went with her to the woods witch; soon after, she supposedly betrayed Cersei, then drowned in a well);
Lord Owen Merryweather* (Hand of King Aerys II after Lord Tywin, exiled to the Free Cities by Aerys, as was his successor Lord Jon Connington; grandfather of Lord Orton Merryweather; died in exile).
Legends: Ossifer Plumm (supposedly fathered a child despite being dead);
King Viserys I Targaryen (fifth of the Targaryen dragonkings, grandson of King Jaeherys the Concilliator [as stated in the Appendix of AGOT, although contradicted elsewhere; it fits better if Viserys I was Jaehaerys' grandson]; father of Princess Rhaenyra and King Aegon II, it is believed that he intended for his daughter to succeed him) .
Cersei is remembering her concession to the Queen of Thorns to allow Tommen and Margaery to sleep in the same bed on their wedding night only, when Jaime arrives to speak to her. He asks if she still means to burn down the Tower of the Hand after the wedding, but she is determined to see it destroyed, and hopefully smoke out a few rats in the process. We begin to notice Cersei's progressive downward spiral in her mental health, exemplified by her obvious weight gain and her overindulgence in alcohol. Tommen's wedding is a modest affair compared to his brother's, and the ceremony goes over well enough. Afterwards, Ser Kevan comes over to Cersei and mentions that Sandor Clegane was reported to have joined Lord Beric Dondarrion's outlaws. The queen is already aware of this, having heard that outlaws had pillaged Saltpans and savagely raped the townswomen. The report mentioned that they were led by a huge man in a hound's head helmet.
Cersei suggests that Ser Lancel hunt down the Hound, but her uncle scoffs, "My son is not the man to deal with Sandor Clegane." When she then suggests that he go after Clegane, Ser Kevan responds, "When a dog goes bad, the fault lies with its master." To Jaime, she wonders if Margaery is really a maiden, and he tells her that Mace Tyrell will be marching on Storm's End in a few days, while Ser Garlan will take half the Tyrell host to Brightwater Keep and then on to Highgarden, including Lady Alerie and Lady Olenna. During the reception, Cersei recalls her visit to a woods witch when she was younger, and the old hag's words: Queen you shall be, until there comes another, younger and more beautiful, to cast you down and take all you hold dear. Drinking heavily during the feast, she begins to wonder if Margaery is the one in the hag's prophecy, which also mentions the valonqar.
When Tommen chokes on his wine accidentally, Cersei flees the hall for some air. She is met outside by Lady Taena, who offers that one of Cersei's maids is a spy reporting to Margaery's cousins. Cersei assumes it is Senelle, and promises to reward Lady Merryweather if this is true. Asking why the beauty from Myr would venture this info, Taena responds that she wants what is best for her husband and son, and Cersei could provide advancement for her family. Back inside, Cersei refuses to dance with anyone, but takes note of how attractive the Bastard of Driftmark, Aurane Waters, was: with his silvery hair- a mark of house Velaryon which was descended from the Freehold of Valyria like the Targaryens- he almost resembled Prince Rhaegar.
Towards the end of the night, Cersei leads everyone outside to watch as the pyromancers set the Tower of the Hand on fire. As the green flames of wildfire consume the Tower, the queen regent compares the beauty of the spectacle to Joffrey. As the others begin to depart for bed, Cersei remains behind to watch the fires burn, arm in arm with Ser Osmund Kettleblack.
The Soiled Knight (PoV: Ser Arys Oakheart) pg 185 Return to Top
Introduced: Septa Eglantine (Princess Myrcella's septa and tutor);
Ser Gascoyne of the Greenblood (Prince Trystane Martell's sworn shield).
First Mentioned: Prince Quentyn Martell (second child and eldest son of Prince Doran, brother of Arianne and Trystane, has been a ward of Lord Anders Yronwood for years, serving as a page and squire, recently knighted by Lord Yronwood; currently across the Narrow Sea in Myr);
Prince Trystane Martell (Trys, youngest child of Prince Doran, betrothed to Princess Myrcella);
Lord Anders Yronwood (Lord of Yronwood, Warden of the Stone Way, the Bloodroyal, bannerman to Prince Doran, fostering Prince Quentyn for several years);
Dorea and Loreza Sand (youngest of the Sand Snakes, two of Ellaria and Oberyn's four daughters).
Legends: Lord Edgerran Oakheart (the Open-Handed, Lord of Old Oaks who collected Dornish heads);
Ser Olyvar Oakheart (the Green Oak, Kingsguard to King Daeron I, died at the Young Dragon's side in Dorne);
Prince Maron Martell (Lord of Sunspear during the reign of Good King Daeron, elder brother of Queen Myriah Targaryen, married Daeron II's sister in the dual weddings that sealed the alliance of Dorne);
Ser Terrence Toyne (Kingsguard who was caught sleeping with one of King Aegon IV's mistresses, it cost him his life and the downfall of his house; slain by Prince Aemon the Dragonknight in single combat- this was the impetus that led to Toyne's brothers' attempt to assassinate King Aegon IV; during the attempt, Prince Aemon was killed defending his brother, King Aegon);
Ser Lucamore Strong (called Lucamore the Lusty, a Kingsguard with 3 wives and 16 children, sent to the Wall when this was discovered by King Jaeherys I);
Ser Criston Cole (Criston the Kingmaker, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard during the reign of King Viserys I and King Aegon II; may have incited the war called the Dance of the Dragons by falsely declaring it was Viserys' dying wish that his son Aegon succeed him, and not his elder daughter Rhaenyra; considered by some to have been a vindicative act as Rhaenyra had once been his lover).
Slipping through the shadow city of Sunspear during the night for a rendezvous with Princess Arianne, Ser Arys Oakheart considers how unlikely it is for an Oakheart to even be in Dorne. Hailing from the Reach, the Oakhearts had long been enemies of the Dornish. The kingsguard knight had left Myrcella playing cyvasse with Prince Trystane, and under the protection of the prince's sworn shield Ser Gascoyne. Ser Aerys recalls his recent first meeting with Prince Doran, who advised him that Myrcella would be safer at the Water Gardens. All her guards and Ser Arys would accompany them there, but Doran asked him not to write King's Landing about the move. When he arrives at Arianne's secret location, he swore he would do no more than tell her it had to end, but her nakedness overwhelmed him, as it always did.After their passion is sated, Arys is once again consumed by guilt, but Arianne has a response for every one of his doubts. The knight feels he has dishonored himself enough already, and he doesn't want to dishonor her. But Arianne's seductive words and gestures are difficult for him to disregard. When Arianne reminds him that he had told her he loved her, Arys responds that he had sworn a vow. However, Arianne brings up several kingsguard who had broken their vows, most famously Lucamore the Lusty and Ser Terrence Toyne, and even Prince Aemon the Dragonknight (though Ser Arys doesn't believe that story). She finishes with, "It is not our love that dishonored you, it is the monsters you have served and the brutes you've called your brothers." When Arys tells her that King Robert was no monster, he can't help but think that she was right about Joffrey.
And although he considers Tommen to be Joffrey's opposite, he can't disagree with Arianne's persuasive words that Myrcella would be a better ruler. Their conversation moves to Ser Criston Cole, Lord Commander of Viserys I's Kingsguard, and his declaration of the reversal of the king's wishes that his daughter Rhaenyra succeed him. Arianne reminds him that in Dorne, the eldest child rules, and had it not been for Criston the Kingmaker, even the Targaryen inheritance might have been rewritten. She then explains to him the real reason that Myrcella is being moved to the Water Gardens- "To keep her away from those who'd seek to crown her." Arys tells her that the Water Gardens are not a prison, but she warns him, "...she will not be allowed to leave...Hotah will see to that. You do not know him as I do. He is terrible when aroused."
Still unable to convince him that her suggestions are correct, Arianne hugs him and begins to tremble. Once again, she manipulates him by asserting that if the Sand Snakes can be imprisoned by her father for wanting to crown Myrcella, she could too. She mentions that there are no secrets between Tyene and herself, and then tells him how her father has never considered her worthy. Prince Doran had tried several times to marry her off to old men of high birth, and when she was 14 she had discovered a letter her father had written to her brother Quentyn, a ward of Lord Yronwood for years. In the letter, Doran wrote, "one day you will sit where I sit and rule all of Dorne, and a ruler must be strong of mind and body."