A Storm of Swords (summary)
By: George R.R. Martin
Summary by: Vincent Briscuso
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Prologue (Point-of-View: Chett)
Introduced: Clubfoot Karl, Small Paul*, Sawwood*, Maslyn* (stewards of the Night’s Watch planning to desert with Chett and Lark);
Dirk, Ollo Lophand, Softfoot* (rangers planning desertion);
Sweet Donnel Hill (squire to Ser Mallador Locke, planning to desert);
Kedge Whiteye*, Tumberjon*, Goady* (rangers who scouted the Milkwater with Thoren Smallwood);
Brown Bernarr*, Grubbs*, Aethan* (rangers);
Blane* (one of Qhorin’s men from the
Bannen* (a tracker of the Watch).
Chett’s hatred of Jon Snow and Sam Tarly for usurping his cushy position as steward to Maester Aemon has boiled over. He and Lark the Sisterman are conspiring to desert the Night’s Watch, along with about a dozen other sworn brothers. They plan to kill Lord Commander Mormont and several others to prevent anyone from actively seeking them out. Thoren Smallwood and his party are the only of the three rangings to return so far, and they have seen the size of Mance Rayder’s army. Thoren wishes to give battle to Mance’s army, mainly because there are so few warriors in it, its composition mostly women and children. Chett and his men plan to kill in the dead of night, and flee to places of safety, leaving Thoren Smallwood and Ottyn Wythers as senior rangers. Thoren won’t search for them because he wants to lead the attack, and Wythers would rather flee to the Wall and could care less about deserters. That evening, the Watch gathers before Mormont and his senior men, who announce that they will march in force against the wildling army, which is about ten days away. Late in the night, Chett awakens to find it snowing, and hopes his plans aren’t ruined. As he approaches the sleeping Sam Tarly, Chett’s target because he has the ravens and Chett hates him, a ranger in the distance sounds his horn. Sam awakens, and they hear the horn blow three times, something that has not happened in hundreds and thousands of years. For three soundings of a horn means the Others approach…
Jaime (I) pg 15 Return to Top
First Mentioned: Lady Genna Frey (of House Lannister, sister of Lord Tywin and Ser Kevan, wife of Ser Emmon Frey, mother of Ser Cleos and Tion).
Ser Jaime is being escorted to King’s Landing by Brienne and his cousin Ser Cleos Frey. He was released in secrecy from Riverrun by Catelyn after swearing never again to take up arms against the Starks or Tullys, and to honor his brother’s pledge to release Sansa and Arya. The oath was sworn at sword point, yet Jaime considers killing Brienne and getting away. He is still chained hand and foot. Their boat is moving down the Red Fork of the Trident, and Jaime has Ser Cleos shave his head so he will be less recognizable should they get caught. He treats Brienne with contempt, mocking the Starks after they find several tavern wenches hung by Northmen for sleeping with the Lannisters. Their trip is interrupted when Brienne spots a river galley bearing down on them. The galley is under the command of Ser Robin Ryger, sent by Ser Edmure Tully to return the Kingslayer. Brienne jumps out of the skiff and climbs a cliff face, knocking boulders down on the galley, sinking it. When she swims back to the boat, Jaime considers smashing her in the face with his oar, but instead pulls her into the boat.
Catelyn (I) {XIX} pg 27 Return to Top
Catelyn has been confined to her father’s rooms by Ser Desmond Grell for releasing the Kingslayer without the consent of Ser Edmure or King Robb. She is aware Ser Robin Ryger was sent to bring back Jaime, and hopes that he fails. Her father, near death, is mumbling in pain, "Tansy…forgive me…the blood…you’ll have others…sweet babes, and trueborn…" Cat deduces that her father had had aborted a child Lysa carried before marrying. She realizes that Jon Arryn took a soiled bride, thinking, "Lysa was the price Jon Arryn had to pay for the swords of House Tully." She does not know who the father might have been. Later, Edmure returns to Riverrun, informing Cat that he has sent ravens with the message that the Kingslayer escaped. Cat despairs because should Jaime be captured, her plan for a secret exchange of hostages will never work.
Arya (I) {XVI} pg 35 Return to Top
Introduced:
Iggo (Dothraki horselord, member of the Bloody Mummers).
Arya, Gendry and Hot Pie are
using the map she stole from Roose Bolton to find the Trident. She plans to
follow the Red Fork to Riverrun, but they seem to be lost. Fearing pursuit,
they ride for long hours and exhaust themselves. Arya falls asleep and dreams
through the eyes of a wolf. In the dream, she and her pack ravage four members
of the Bloody Mummers, killing three and tearing off Iggo’s arm. Was the
dream real?
Tyrion (I) {XXV} pg 43 Return to Top
Tyrion, recovering from his wounds, learns from Ser
Bronn that Ser Addam Marbrand was named Commander of the City Watch since Lord
Jacelyn was killed by his own men during the
Davos (I) {IV} pg 54
Return to Top
Davos has washed up on the
shore of a small island in the
Sansa (I) {XV} pg 61 Return to Top
Introduced: Lady Olenna Tyrell (the Queen of Thorns, of House Redwyne, mother of Lord Mace Tyrell, grandmother of Ser Garlan, Ser Loras and Margaery);
Ser Kennos of Kayce (a knight sworn to Casterly Rock);
Erryk and Arryk (called Left and Right, twin guardsman of the Queen of Thorns);
Lady Alerie Tyrell (of House Hightower, wife of Lord Mace, mother of Ser Garlan, Ser Loras and Margaery);
Elinor, Megga and Alla Tyrell (cousins of Margaery);
Lady Janna Fossoway (of House Tyrell, sister of Lord Mace Tyrell, wife of Ser Jon Fossoway);
Lady Leonette Tyrell (of House Fossoway, wife of Ser Garlan the Gallant);
Septa Nysterica (a sister of the Faith, tutor to Margaery and her cousins);
Lady Alyce Graceford (lady of the court from Highgarden);
Lady Alysanne Bulwer (a young girl; distant cousin of the Tyrells);
Meredyth Crane (called Merry, from Highgarden);
Lady Taena Merryweather (of Myr, wife of Lord Merryweather);
Butterbumps (a fat fool and jester).
First Mentioned: Willas Tyrell (eldest son of Lord Mace Tyrell, heir to Highgarden, brother of Ser Garlan, Ser Loras and Margaery, crippled by the Red Viper during a tourney);
Lord Luthor Tyrell* (former Lord of Highgarden, father of Lord Mace Tyrell, husband of Lady Olenna, died in a fall off a cliff).
Legends: Garth Greenhand (legendary Gardener king of the First Men; House Tyrell claims descent from him through the female line).
Sansa is invited to dinner by Margaery and her grandmother, the Lady Olenna. She is escorted to the party by Ser Loras, and unknowingly upsets him by talking of Renly’s death. The party is held in the Maidenvault, where King Baelor the Blessed confined his sisters so they would not tempt him since he had sworn a vow of celibacy. She is introduced to all of Margaery’s cousins and companions, but it is the Queen of Thorns who takes the most interest in Sansa. Lady Olenna reveals that the Baratheons have Targaryen blood, and that the Tyrell claim to Highgarden has always been shaky since several other houses in the Reach can claim descent from Garth Greenhand as well. The old woman makes it known that her son is an oaf for making this alliance with the Lannisters, and she wishes to learn from Sansa the truth of what Joffrey is. Sansa fears that Varys is listening, but Lady Olenna commands Butterbumps to sing at the top of his voice. Sansa reveals the truth about Joff to the Queen of Thorns and Margaery, telling them that the King is a monster and that she fears for Margaery. Lady Olenna assures Sansa that the wedding will still go on, as Lord Mace is determined that his daughter wed King Joffrey. The Queen of Thorns offers Sansa a proposal to visit Highgarden after the wedding, and wishes Sansa to marry her grandson Willas.
Jon (I) {XVIII} pg 74 Return to Top
Introduced: Mance
Rayder (King-beyond-the-Wall, self-styled king of the wildlings, once a
sworn brother of the Night’s Watch from the
Tormund Giantsbane (Tormund Thunderfist, Husband of Bears, the Mead-king of Ruddy Hall, Tall-Talker, Horn-blower, Breaker of Ice, Speaker to Gods, Father of Hosts, a wildling warchief);
The Weeper* (a wildling leader);
Harma the Dogshead* (a wildling warrior-woman, commands the van of Mance’s army);
Jarl* (a wildling leader);
Dalla* (a wildling queen as she is carrying Mance’s child);
Val (Dalla’s sister, Jarl’s lover);
Lenyl, Longspear Ryk (members of Rattleshirt’s band).
Jon is being brought before Mance Rayder, since
Rattleshirt doesn’t trust him. In the King’s tent, Jon mistakes
Daenerys (I) {XVI} pg 86 Return to Top
Introduced: Captain Groleo (captain of Balerion, in the hire of Magister Illyrio).
First Mentioned: Queen Rhaella* (wife and sister of King Aerys II, mother of Rhaegar, Viserys and Daenerys, died giving birth to Dany on Dragonstone);
Myles Mooton* (squire to Prince Rhaegar and later knighted, slain by Robert
Baratheon at the
Richard Lonmouth* (squire to Prince Rhaegar, later knighted, unknown if dead).
Legends: Khal Temmo (khal of the Dothraki defeated by the Three Thousand of Qohor).
Illyrio’s three ships are sailing for Pentos, and Dany is watching her dragons fly over the ocean. Arstan tells her that Balerion was 200 years old when he died during the reign of King Jaehaerys the Conciliator. Arstan then speaks of Rhaegar, how he had been bookish as a child, always reading. Then one day he had read something in a scroll that made him want to be a warrior, and he began training fiercely. Arstan admits Rhaegar was a great warrior, but he had won no battles. Later, Jorah tells her that Arstan is more than he seems, and warns her not to trust him. The knight advises her to sail for Astapor and buy Unsullied, the best trained fighting force in the world. He tells the tale of the Three Thousand of Qohor, where a small army of Unsullied defeated a huge khalasar trying to pillage Qohor. The Unsullied are eunuch slaves trained to obey orders absolutely, and they feel no pain. Dany agrees that she will force Captain Groleo and Strong Belwas to change course. Ser Jorah then grabs her by the waist and kisses her. Dany tells him he should not have done so, but Jorah talks of her vision in the House of the Undying, and how the dragon having three heads may mean that she should take two husbands.
Bran (I) {XV} pg 100 Return to Top
Bran now has the ability to
open his third eye at will, and become Summer. Jojen again warns him not to
spend too much time as Summer, neglecting his body and
forgetting what he should do when in contact with his direwolf. They have been
traveling north; staying away from civilization for fear that Bran might be
seen. The world is better off believing he is dead, especially agents of the
ironmen or the Bastard of Bolton. Jojen insists they make for the Wall so that
Bran can find the three-eyed crow, because Jojen can teach him no more.
Davos (II) {V} pg 109 Return to Top
Introduced: Edric Storm (bastard son of Robert Baratheon and Lady Delena Florent, recognized by King Robert, former ward of Ser Cortnay Penrose, later ward of King Stannis, later still rescued from Dragonstone by Davos);
Captain Khorane Sathmantes (Lyseni captain under Salladhor Saan);
Meizo Mahr (a eunuch in the employ of Salladhor Saan).
Davos learns that his son Devan is alive, and that
mainly only the Florents remain to King Stannis. Many of his other bannermen
who were captured during the
Jaime (II) pg 120 Return to Top
Introduced: Sharna
(innkeeper and midwife at the
Husband (Sharna’s husband);
Boy (a boy working for Sharna).
First Mentioned: Lord Roland Crakehall (Lord of Crakehall, father of Strongboar);
Lord Rossart* (former Pyromancer, last of Mad King Aerys’ Hands, slain by Ser Jaime Lannister);
Ser Sumner Crakehall* (former Lord of Crakehall, Jaime squired for him during the battle against the Kingswood Brotherhood);
Ser Harlan Grandison* (Kingsguard who died during the reign of Aerys II, replaced by Ser Jaime).
Jaime, Brienne and Ser Cleos stop at the
Years later, when Aerys made the mistake of admitting Lord Tywin’s army, the Mad King called for the former Hand’s head. Alone in the throne room, Aerys had one final plan, but Jaime arrived in his golden armor, the blood of Lord Rossart on his blade, and killed the King. Jaime had hoped to slip out unnoticed, but his father’s men entered the throne room, and they thought Jaime meant to give the throne to his father, but Jaime told them he didn’t care who was proclaimed king. He was waiting on the iron throne to see who would come to claim the kingdom, but it was Eddard Stark who found him there. You had no right to judge me, Stark. And the taint of being found in the throne room with the blood of the king he had sworn to protect on his hands would never go away. If only his father’s men hadn’t found him standing over Aerys’ body…
Tyrion (II) {XXVI} pg 132 Return to Top
First Mentioned: Maester Gormon (a scholar at the Citadel, uncle to Lord Mace Tyrell).
Legends: Grand Maester Gerardys (fed to King Aegon II’s dragon for displeasing the king).
Tyrion is waiting in Varys’ room when the eunuch walks in. The Spider reveals that the Hand means to restore Pycelle as Grand Maester, since the archmaesters of the Citadel claimed that “only the conclave can unmake a Grand Maester”. When the conclave meant to send Maester Gormon, Lord Tywin acted at once, not wishing another Tyrell on the small council. Tyrion is surprised to learn that Varys has whisperers even in the Citadel, where the conclave always met in secrecy. He finds out that Ser Boros Blount has been restored to the Kingsguard, and that Ser Mandon Moore had been brought to King’s Landing by Lord Jon Arryn. Tyrion asks Varys to bring Shae to the eunuch’s chambers so that no one will notice their meeting. He realizes that he cannot trust Varys any further, but hopes to use him this one last time. When he meets Shae, he means to send her away to protect her from his father, but Tyrion once again cannot bear to part with her. He also knows he must deal with Symon the singer if he means to keep Shae in King’s Landing.
Arya (II) {XVII} pg 142 Return to Top
Introduced: Lem Lemoncloak (a former soldier turned outlaw, fighter of the brotherhood without banners);
Tom of Sevenstreams (Tom Sevenstrings, Tom o’ Sevens, a singer and member of the Lightning Lord’s outlaw brotherhood).
Arya, Gendry and Hot Pie are picking vegetables
when they hear riders approaching. Despite hiding, they are discovered and held
at arrow point. The three riders tell them that they are
king’s men, meaning King Robert. They are taken to the
Catelyn (II) {XX} pg 155 Return to Top
Introduced: Lady Sybell Westerling (of House Spicer, wife of Lord Gawen Westerling, mother of Queen Jeyne);
Jeyne Westerling (wife and Queen of Robb Stark, daughter of Lord Gawen and Lady Sybell);
Ser Rolph Spicer (brother of Lady Sybell, once castellan at the Crag, later named Lord of Castamere);
Ser Raynald Westerling (heir to the Crag, Jeyne’s older brother);
Elenya Westerling (younger sister of Jeyne);
Rollam Westerling (younger brother of Jeyne, new squire of Robb Stark).
Legends: Queen Jeyne Targaryen (of House Westerling, wife of King Maegor the Cruel).
Cat hears Robb’s return from the west, and remembers when Edmure returned how dozens of men left after trampling Robb’s banner, all of them Freys. She is brought before her son, and is confronted by Lord Rickard Karstark for her release of the Kingslayer. Robb silences Karstark who leaves the room in a fury. In privacy, the king introduces her to his new bride and her family. Robb had taken a wound storming the Crag, and Jeyne had nursed him back to health. Cat is concerned about how Lord Tywin will take this betrayal, as the Westerlings are bannermen to Casterly Rock. She is also upset that Grey Wind is not with her son, because Jeyne is afraid of the wolf, and the beast growls whenever Ser Rolph Spicer is near. Cat convinces him to send Ser Rolph off on some errand, for Grey Wind should always be near him. She considers what it may take to appease Lord Walder after this slight. The loss of the Freys is strongly felt by Robb, and there was nothing that could be done when Ser Ryman and Black Walder led their men back to the Twins. The Blackfish then tears into Edmure for engaging Lord Tywin. Ser Brynden’s plan was for Riverrun to stay put, and lure Tywin into the west, where Robb’s mounted army could run them ragged along the mountains, and fall on them from a fortified position. Edmure ruined their whole plan, and admits that he must make amends. Robb plans to return to the North, but first he must win back the Freys…
Jon (II) {XIX} pg 166 Return to Top
Introduced: Mag Mar Tun Doh Weg* (Mag the Mighty, king of the giants);
Varamyr (called Sixskins, a warg of the wildlings);
Toregg, Dormund (sons of Tormund Giantsbane).
Jon is observing Mance's host,
taking note of all the giants and mammoths that make up the army. Tormund is
telling Jon some tall tales about himself, when the eagle that was once Orell
rakes Jon's face. Rattleshirt has arrived to bring Jon before Mance, this time
at the Fist of the First Men. The king confronts Jon about how many men were at
the Fist, and who led. Jon, seeing how many of the Watch died here and
realizing Mance may kill him for lying, tells the truth. Still, Mance and his
men would have killed Jon for his lies, but Ygritte saves him by telling them
that they are lovers. The wildlings respect any man who steals his woman, and
Rayder informs Jon that he will be leaving with
Sansa (II) {XVI} pg
181 Return to Top
Sansa is being fitted for a
new gown provided by Queen Cersei. Margaery informs Sansa that she does not
fear Joff, because her father had only conceded her hand in marriage with the
provision that Ser Loras was named to the Kingsguard. Her brother would protect
her from Joff. When Sansa told Dontos about the Queen of Thorn's plan to marry
her to Willas, the drunk warns her that the Tyrells wish to wed her for her
claim to Winterfell, stating, "These Tyrells are only Lannisters with
flowers." Dontos tells her that they will escape, as promised, on Joff's
wedding day.
Arya (III) {XVIII} pg 187 Return to Top
Introduced: Jack-be-Lucky (a one-eyed outlaw, fighter in Lord Beric’s brotherhood);
Greenbeard (a Tyroshi sellsword, real name Pello, a sergeant in Lord Beric’s company).
Hot Pie has decided to stay with Sharna as a baker at the inn. The others departed for Riverrun, or so Tom told Arya. Harwin tells Arya the tale of how they first rode out in search of Ser Gregor, and all the men they lost when Gregor's men fell on them. Most of the 120 men from the original group were dead, including Lothar Mallery and Ser Gladden Wylde. It was all a trap, Lord Tywin had planned for Lord Eddard himself to ride out and deal with Gregor, but Jaime didn't know the plan when he attacked Ned in the streets of King's Landing. Since the Hand's leg was broken, he had to send others out, but Lord Beric and the survivors learned a sharp lesson when they had sprung the trap. Dondarrion should have died, having been run through with a lance, but Thoros saved him. And that was when they became outlaws, dead King Robert's men but hunted by the new Hand Lord Tywin. They harried the foraging parties and attacked the baggage trains of Tywin's army, and their brotherhood began to grow as many flocked to their cause, mostly commoners uprooted by the war. Later, they meet up with Greenbeard and learn that Jaime Lannister had escaped from Riverrun. When Arya discovers that they mean to bring her before Lord Beric rather than take her to Riverrun, she tries to ride off, but Harwin catches her. Her father's man is now a member of the brotherhood without banners, and answers only to Beric and Thoros' Lord of Light, the god R'hllor.
Samwell (I) pg 195 Return to Top
Introduced: Black Bernarr* (ranger of the Night’s Watch).
Sam and the few survivors from the Fist are running south in the middle of night with a heavy snow falling. They are ringed by men with torches to keep the wights away, but Sam is beginning to lag and is near exhaustion. He eventually falls in the snow, and cannot get back on his feet. He recalls the horror that occurred at the Fist, when the wights fell on the Night's Watch. Mormont had commanded him to send ravens with warning, and Sam kept sending them with updates, but when it came time to send a raven with word that their end was near, Sam had already let the birds escape. The Watch had held the Fist at first, using fire arrows to hold back the wights. But the dead were relentless and eventually overpowered the Watch, men dying by the score. Mormont had the survivors mount up and form a wedge, slashing past the wights and down off the Fist into the forest. Now they were running for the Wall, pursued by the wights and perhaps the Others. Grenn tries to get Sam to his feet, but the fat steward is too tired, and finally Small Paul arrives and carries Sam. But the three of them have fallen far behind the survivors with their torches, and the cold sets in. Upon an undead horse, an Other appears from the swirling snow. The being kills Small Paul with its ice sword, but Sam stabs the Other with the dragonglass dagger that Jon had given him. The dagger causes the Other to melt away, body and armor, before Sam and Grenn's eyes! Grenn retrieves the burning hot obsidian dagger, and they once again run off to try and catch the other survivors.
Tyrion (III) {XXVII} pg 209 Return to Top
First Mentioned: Ser Daven Lannister (son of the late Ser Stafford Lannister);
Ser Forley Prester (knight sworn to Casterly Rock);
Lord Reyne* (the Red Lion, once Lord of Castamere, his entire line killed off by Lord Tywin for disloyalty to his father; Castamere is ruins now and the Reynes are no more);
Lord Tarbeck* (once Lord of Tarbeck Hall, the Tarbecks were also wiped out by Lord Tywin);
Lord Farlan* (prior Lord of Faircastle, his disobedience to Lord Tywin silenced when a singer played "The Rains of Castamere" in his hall).
The council meets to discuss the progress of the war, and Tyrion learns that Ser Lancel is still near death. Lord Randyll Tarly defeated the northmen attacking Duskendale, with Ser Helman Tallhart reported dead, and Robett Glover fleeing west and chased by Gregor Clegane. Tywin informs them that Ser Daven Lannister is rounding up a new army and will join with men from the Golden Tooth, and then march on Riverrun when Robb Stark returns north. They all agree that Robb will march for Moat Cailin, for he is a king without a kingdom. Ser Kevan reveals that King Balon Greyjoy has sent letters with terms of alliance. Greyjoy wants the North, but Lord Tywin says they will not treat with Balon while other options may present themselves. Littlefinger agrees to go to the Eyrie and marry Lysa Arryn, and once he is consort, deliver the Vale of Arryn into Tywin's hands. Since Littlefinger will be leaving within a day, Tyrion is named master of coins. Pycelle informs them that 300 Dornishmen ride for King's Landing in response to Tyrion's negotiations, despite the hatred between Dorne and Highgarden that has gone on for hundreds of years. Mace Tyrell does not like the idea of Dornishmen riding across the Reach, and Tyrion considers how the Lord of Highgarden prides himself on his victory over Robert Baratheon at Ashford, even though Lord Tarly's van had won that battle. Mace Tyrell laid siege to Storm's End for a year without result, and although he talked like a general, he had never won a decisive battle himself.
Ser Garlan Tyrell has been named Lord of Brightwater Keep since Lord Alester Florent is a traitor. Varys brings word of a three-headed dragon being born in Qarth, and that the Night's Watch is begging for help against a wilding army. Lord Tywin does not want to hear about rumors, and adjourns the meeting, asking Tyrion, Cersei and Ser Kevan to stay. Tyrion warns them not to trust Littlefinger with this quest to the Vale, but Tywin is resolute, telling Tyrion that just the other day Baelish informed them of a plot by the Tyrells to bring Sansa to Highgarden and marry her to Willas. The Hand is aware that should Mace Tyrell ask leave to bring Sansa to Highgarden, they must consent or else offend the Tyrells. Lord Tywin wishes to circumvent this problem by offering Cersei's hand in marriage to Willas, despite the Queen's adamant refusal. But their father has the final say, and Cersei storms out of the room in a fury. Tywin then tells Tyrion that he will wed Sansa Stark, further solidifying the Lannisters' position, because should Robb die and Sansa and Tyrion have a son, the child will become Lord of Winterfell. Tyrion also learns that Robb has broken his pledge with the Freys and married Jeyne Westerling. Ser Kevan reveals that Lord Westerling's wife is a Spicer, a house of extremely low birth having descended from traders. Tyrion is confused by the lack of fury in his father's eyes at this betrayal by the Westerlings, a house sworn to Casterly Rock. Lord Tywin states, "Jeyne Westerling is her mother's daughter, and Robb Stark is his father's son." Jeyne's mother had wed a man of much higher birth than herself, and Robb married Jeyne after deflowering her because he was as honorable as his father.
Catelyn (III) {XXI} pg 225 Return to Top
Introduced: Long Lew (guardsman at Riverrun).
First Mentioned: Tion Frey* (a squire, son of Genna Lannister and Ser Emmon Frey, younger brother of Ser Cleos);
Willem Lannister* (a squire, son of Ser Kevan Lannister, younger brother of Ser Lancel).
Legends: Karlon Stark (a younger son of an ancient Stark king, built Karl’s Hold which later became known as Karhold, and the Karhold Starks became known as the Karstarks).
The bodies of Willem Lannister and Tion Frey are brought before Robb Stark, along with Lord Rickard Karstark and a few of his men who had butchered the two captives. The Greatjon has Lord Karstark in chains. Lord Rickard wanted vengeance for the loss of his two sons, but Cat had released the Kingslayer. Robb sentences him to death, knowing that he must hold the sword since both the Starks and Karstarks are descended from the First Men. The Karstark men had already departed Riverrun to seek out and kill Ser Jaime Lannister, also offering gold and the hand of Lord Rickard's daughter in marriage to anyone who could turn over the Kingslayer to them. Edmure urges Robb to hold Lord Karstark hostage and not to let word get out to the Freys or Lannisters about the two squires' deaths. But Robb has no choice but to kill the man whose two sons died defending his life. Robb carries out the sentence in the godswood. That night, Jeyne comes to Cat for advice in comforting Robb, and the young woman promises that she will soon bear Robb's son if the gods answer her prayers.
Jaime (III) pg 235 Return to Top
Introduced: Urswyck (the Faithful, a sergeant of the Bloody Mummers);
Timeon (a Dornishman, member of the Mummers);
Fat Zollo (a Dothraki, member of the Mummers).
First Mentioned: Lady Joanna Lannister* (wife and cousin of Lord Tywin, sister of Ser Stafford, mother of Jaime, Cersei and Tyrion, died giving birth to Tyrion).
Jaime has decided that he will return Sansa, and Arya should he find her, to their mother as he promised. The idea of honoring his word when everyone expected him to betray it amused him. As they are traveling for Duskendale, archers attack them from behind a wall. Ser Cleos Frey is killed, but Brienne and Jaime chase off the archers. Jaime grabs his cousin's sword and attacks Brienne. The two fight for a long while, Jaime shocked by what a great swordfighter Brienne is. The woman eventually overpowers him, and holds his head under water in a stream until he yields. But they are surrounded by Bloody Mummers, and Jaime learns that they no longer work for his father, but for Roose Bolton. The Mummers plan to bring Jaime before Lord Vargo, and Jaime rescues Brienne from being raped by telling Urswyck that her father is the Lord of Sapphire Isle, a lie to make them think she is worth a lot in ransom. Later, they are brought before the Goat, and Vargo has Fat Zollo chop off Jaime's sword hand as a message to Lord Tywin.
Arya (IV) {XIX} pg 246 Return to Top
Introduced: Lord Lymond Lychester (an old senile knight);
Maester Roone (maester attending Lord Lychester, sympathizer of the Lightning Lord’s cause);
The Lady of the Leaves (a woman living in a small tree village, sympathetic to the outlaws);
The Ghost of High Heart (a very old dwarf woman, some say she is a ghost of the children of the forest, possesses the greensight);
Lady Ravella Smallwood (of House Swann, holding Acorn Hall for her husband Lord Theomar Smallwood, sympathizer of the outlaws).
Legends: Erreg the Kinslayer (Andal king who cut down the weirwoods at High Heart).
The outlaws visit first Lord Lychester and then the Lady of the Leaves in search of word on Lord Beric's whereabouts. But none have seen him, only hearing rumors that he was dead- hung once, killed by Vargo Hoat, Ser Amory Lorch and twice by Ser Gregor. The same rumors Arya had been hearing at Harrenhal. But Lem and Tom know that Beric is still alive. The outlaws plan to ransom Arya at Riverrun after they meet up with Beric and Thoros. They arrive at High Heart, an ancient hill sacred to the children of the forest. Thirty-one mighty weirwoods had stood at the top of the hill, but only their stumps remained from when the Andals chopped them down, yet still Arya could feel the power of the place. The old dwarf woman speaks in private to Lem, Tom and Greenbeard, but Arya overhears the conversation. The woman has dreams while sleeping among the weirwood stumps, and tells them she dreamt of "a shadow with a burning heart killing a golden stag"; of "a man without a face, waiting on a swaying bridge, on his shoulder perched a drowned crow with seaweed hanging from its wings"; and of "a raging river and a woman that was a fish…dead with red tears on her cheeks, but when her eyes did open, I woke from terror." At Acorn Hall, Lady Smallwood informs them that Thoros had been through recently, and that Karstark men are searching for the Kingslayer. Arya and Gendry go off to the smithy, and the former apprentice tells her how Thoros was a charlatan using regular swords with wildfire to make his flaming sword.
Daenerys (II) {XVII} pg 257 Return to Top
Introduced: Kraznys mo Nakloz* (master slaver in Astapor).
Dany and one of the master slavers in Astapor are discussing the purchase of Unsullied through a translator. Dany is pretending not to know High Valyrian speech, but she understands everything the slaver is saying to the translator. Kraznys demonstrates the loyalty of the Unsullied, how the eunuchs follow every command given them and feel hardly any pain. Both Dany and Arstan are horrified by the conditions the Unsullied live under, and the brutality of their training. The slaver indicates he has 8000 Unsullied currently for sale. Dany informs him she will spend the night considering an offer. Arstan is against the use of slaves, when sellswords can be bought in the Free Cities. Ser Jorah advises that the Unsullied are too useful to pass up, but how could they afford more than a few hundred, having little gold and just the ships and their cargo…
Bran (II) {XVI} pg 274 Return to Top
Traveling north to the Wall, Bran and his companions meet a Liddle in the hills. The man indicates that the Bastard of Bolton is offering gold for wolfskins and for word on the walking dead (Ramsay knows Bran and Rickon are still alive, of course). Later, Meera tells a story of a hero who might have been a crannogman, during the year of the false spring. This crannogman had left Greywater Watch and visited the Green Men on the Isle of Faces. Returning home, he stopped at Harrenhal for the great tourney. Three squires accosted him and mocked him for his short stature, knocking him to the ground until he was rescued by a she-wolf. The story names no names, but from their references, we know who they are.
The story tells of Jaime Lannister being named to the Kingsguard, despite his father's absence who had resigned as Hand. The she-wolf is Lyanna, and Brandon, Eddard and Benjen were all at the tourney as well. Brandon had asked Ashara Dayne, one of Princess Elia's ladies-in-waiting, to dance with his shy brother Eddard. Benjen offered the crannogman some armor so that he could take his vengeance on the squires during the tourney, but the little man turned him down. The crannogman prayed to the old gods, and the next day at the tourney, a mystery knight called the Knight of the Laughing Tree defeated the knights whose squires had wronged the crannogman. Instead of collecting a ransom from the three defeated knights, the mystery knight asked them to teach their squires honor. The Knight of the Laughing Tree disappeared before he could be unmasked, despite the fury of King Aerys. The tourney was won by Prince Rhaegar, but Meera ends the story saying that what happened next was a sadder tale that deserved its own telling. Bran had never heard this story before, and both Reeds are surprised that Lord Eddard had never related it to him before.
Davos (III) {VI} pg 285 Return to Top
Introduced: Lamprey, Porridge (jailers in the dungeons of Dragonstone).
Davos, imprisoned beneath Dragonstone, is visited by Melisandre. The Red Woman tells Davos that her purpose is to keep darkness at bay. When Davos asks about the shadow she had birthed, she tells him that Stannis is too weak, and should she draw more life-energy from him he would die. Melisandre tells Davos that there are only two gods, R’hllor and the Great Other, whose name cannot be spoken. They are opposites, white and black, good and evil, fire and ice. The Other is the god of Darkness, the Soul of Ice and his war with R’hllor is everywhere and everlasting. Melisandre tells him that the Other’s servants often hide in plain view, but the priests of R’hllor can see through falsehoods. Melisandre speaks of a prophecy, which portends that Azor Ahai will be born again in the light of R’hllor, and she is convinced that Stannis is the embodiment of this prophecy: "When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone." Melisandre departs, telling him that he has served R’hllor once and will do so again.
Later, Ser Axell brings his brother Lord Alester,
Stannis’ Hand, and tosses him into the cell with Davos for treason. Lord
Florent is a defeated man, and he tells Davos that his nephew Ser Imry died
with the fleet, and that most of Stannis’ bannermen were captured at the
Jon (III) {XX} pg 294 Return to Top
Introduced: Grigg the Goat* (wildling in Jarl’s party).
First Mentioned: Lord Qorgyle* (Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, predecessor to Lord Mormont).
Legends: Arson Iceaxe (legendary wildling who tried to dig through the Wall).
The night before the planned attempt to scale the Wall, Jon tells Ghost that he cannot come with him, and that they will meet again at Castle Black. The Magnar forces Jon to tell him more about the patrols the Night’s Watch use along the Wall. Jarl and Styr plan to climb the Wall between Stonedoor and Greyguard, where a hill rests against the Wall, making for a shorter climb. Later, Jon and Ygritte spend time in a cavern which supposedly leads from the Haunted Forest all the way beneath the Wall and beyond, but no one since Gendel and Gorne, the legendary wildling twin kings, knows the way. Ygritte asks Jon to stay with her and hide in this cavern forever.
Daenerys (III) {XVIII} pg 304 Return to Top
Introduced: Missandei (a slave girl from Naath, freed by Dany);
Grazdan mo Ullhor* (an old Ghiscari master slaver in Astapor).
Legends: Grazdan the Great (founded the Empire of Ghis in the dawn of days, before the Valyrians were even civilized).
Dany tells the slavers that she wants all eight thousand Unsullied, plus all the slave boys in training, whether they’ve been cut yet or not. In order to pay the slave masters, Dany offers all three of her ships as well as Drogon, for the price of a dragon is incalculable. Dany frees Missandei and takes her into her service, revealing that she can speak High Valyrian. We learn that valar morghulis means ‘all men must die’. That night, Quaithe appears to Dany, seemingly in a dream, telling her again, "To go north, you must journey south. To reach the west, you must go east. To go forward you must go back, and to touch the light you must pass beneath the shadow." When the time for the deal to be brokered arrives, Dany swings the slaver’s whip in Kraznys’ face, and releases Drogon on him, shouting, "Drogon! Dracarys!" Dany frees all the Unsullied and every other slave, and then orders the slavers killed, conquering Astapor. She rides on her white mare past all the newly freed people who call out to her as "Mother!"
Sansa (III) {XVII} pg 316 Return to Top
First Mentioned: Garth Tyrell (called the Gross, Lord Seneschal of Highgarden, uncle of Lord Mace Tyrell).
Sansa is dressing in the gown Cersei had made for her, thinking to herself what it would be like to marry Willas Tyrell. However, her daydreams are shattered when the Queen reveals that she is to marry Tyrion that very afternoon. Sansa does her duty, realizing there is no way out. Tyrion apologizes to her, saying that it was his lord father’s wish to see them wed. During the ceremony, Sansa does not bend to allow Tyrion to place his cloak over her shoulders, causing embarrasment for the dwarf. At the feast, Ser Garlan tells Sansa that Tyrion will make a good husband, "He is a bigger man than he seems." When the time comes to have them bedded, Tyrion demands that there will be no bedding. He has to threaten Joff to keep him from making the tense moment worse. In bed that night, Tyrion realizes that Sansa is petrified at the thought of losing her maidenhood to him, and he tells her, "…I cannot do this. My father be damned. On my honor as a Lannister, I will not touch you until you want me to."
Arya (V) {XX} pg 327 Return to Top
Introduced: Tansy (proprietor of a brothel called the Peach in Stoney Sept);
Bella, Cass, Lanna, Jyzene, Alyce (Tansy’s "peaches");
The Mad Huntsman (outlaw hunter of the brotherhood without banners).
First Mentioned: Lord Jon Connington* (Hand of the King during the early days of the War of the Uprising, exiled by King Aerys II after losing the Battle of the Bells);
Ser Denys Arryn* (the darling of the Vale, cousin of Lord Jon Arryn, killed
by Lord Connington during the
Harwin tells Arya about the
Battle of the Bells, where her father defeated Lord Connington the Hand in a
fierce battle fought in the streets of Stoney Sept. Robert Baratheon was
injured and hiding in the city when the Hand’s army invaded the town.
Many credit Robert with the victory, but the King always said that Eddard had
won that battle. Arya is disturbed to find Northmen being starved in cages, and
gives one of them water. They were Karstark men captured by the Mad Huntsman.
That night while asleep in the brothel, they hear a commotion, and watch as the
Mad Huntsman brings Sandor Clegane into the city in chains.
Jon (IV) {XXI} pg 336 Return to Top
Introduced: Errok* (one
of Jarl’s raiders).
Jon is watching as Jarl’s
men are competing with the Magnar’s to see who will reach the top of the
Wall first. Many of the climbers fall to their death, including Jarl, but
several eventually reach the top. As long rope ladders are dropped down to the
base to allow the others to climb, Jon notices Ygritte with tears in her eyes.
She tells him that they never found the Horn of Joramun which would have helped
them bring the Wall down without a fight.
Jaime (IV) pg 342 Return to Top
On the way to Harrenhal, Jaime’s wound is infected, and he is feverish from the loss of his hand. When some of the Mummers come to rape Brienne, Jaime advises her to take her mind far away, much as he had done when Aerys had cooked Lord Rickard Stark alive while Brandon died trying to rescue him. But Jaime saves her again by yelling “Sapphires” loud enough for the Goat to hear. Brienne thanks him as Jaime considers the debt he owes to Vargo Hoat and his Bloody Mummers, a Lannister always pays his debts. Hoat presents the Kingslayer to Lord Bolton, who is disgusted that the Mummers hacked off his hand. Qyburn cleanses the stump and bandages it.
Tyrion (IV) {XXVIII} pg 352 Return to Top
First Mentioned: Martyn Lannister (a squire, son of Ser Kevan, twin brother of Willem and younger brother of Ser Lancel, held captive at Riverrun);
Gerion Lannister* (called Gery, youngest brother of Lord Tywin, lost at sea trying to recover the Lannisters’ ancestral greatsword).
Legends: King Tommen II (ancestor of the Lannisters, King of Casterly Rock, lost the greatsword ‘Brightroar’ on his fool’s quest to Valyria).
Tyrion visits Symon Silvertongue, and thinks to pay him to leave King’s Landing. But the singer wishes to join the tournament of singers that will take place during Joff’s wedding. Tyrion tells him that one of the singers will be removed, and Bronn will visit him in three days time. Outside, Tyrion orders Bronn to kill Symon. Later, Lord Tywin shows him the two new Valyrian swords he had made for Joffrey and Ser Jaime. Master Mott reworked the metal, and the color of the blade on each sword is black and red. Tywin had Ice taken from Ser Ilyn Payne and melted down to form the two new blades. House Lannister had not had a Valyrian sword in hundreds of years, and try as he might, Tywin could never get any of the lesser houses to sell theirs. Tywin tells him that he must consummate his marriage to Sansa, and that Mace Tyrell rejected the marriage proposal between Cersei and Willas, probably because the Queen of Thorns told him to. Pycelle brings dire tidings from the Wall, and that Maester Aemon fears Lord Mormont is dead. Tywin tells Pycelle to send a letter that no men shall be sent to the Wall unless Lord Janos Slynt is considered for the post of Lord Commander. Tyrion thinks to himself that he should have had Slynt and Pycelle put to death when he had had the chance.
Samwell (II) pg 365 Return to Top
Introduced: Ronnel Harclay, Alan of Rosby, Tim Stone, Garth Greyfeather, Garth of Greenaway, Ser Byam Flint*, Fornio*, Garth of Oldtown* (rangers of the Night’s Watch);
Ulmer of
Rolley of Sisterton* (steward, cousin of Lark the Sisterman);
Muttering Bill, Orphan Oss (stewards of the Night’s Watch);
Dyah, Ferny, Nella (Craster’s wives).
First Mentioned: Simon Toyne* (leader of the outlaws known as the Kingswood Brotherhood, slain by Ser Barristan the Bold);
The Smiling Knight* (a great warrior and right hand of Simon Toyne, slain by Ser Arthur Dayne);
Wenda the White Fawn*, Oswyn Longneck the Thrice-Hanged*, Fletcher Dick*, Big Belly Ben* (members of the Kingswood Brotherhood, unknown if all are dead).
Forty-four survivors reached Craster’s Keep from the 300 men the Watch had at the Fist. Some of the men are becoming ornery because there is so little food, and Craster seems to be hiding a larder. Mormont speaks with Sam about dragonglass, noting in disgust that the Watch once knew the purpose of obsidian weapons, and that their true enemies were the Others, but they had forgotten. Craster soon makes it clear he wants the crows gone, and several members start to accuse him of not sharing all his food. The argument worsens, until finally Craster attacks Clubfoot Karl. Dirk slits Craster’s throat, and when Mormont screams at them that there is no crime worse than murder at a host’s dinner table, Ollo Lophand stabs the Lord Commander. Sam watches in horror as the deserters begin to rape Craster’s wives, and sees the few men still loyal to the Watch flee because they are outnumbered. Grenn, Giant, Dolorous Edd and a few others get away. Mormont, dying, commands Sam to return to the Wall with all haste. His last words to Sam are, "Tell Jorah. Forgive him. My son. Please. Go." Gilly, who had recently given birth to a son, asks Sam to take her with him. Sam and Gilly flee Craster’s Keep on horseback.
Arya (VI) {XXI} pg 381 Return to Top
Introduced: Edric Dayne (called Ned, Lord of Starfall and bannerman to the Martells, squire to Lord Beric Dondarrion and member of the forgotten fellowship, nephew of Ser Arthur Dayne and Lady Ashara Dayne);
Dennet, Kyle* (archers of the brotherhood without banners);
Melly (member of the brotherhood).
Arya and Gendry are blindfolded until they reach Hollow Hill, the secret base of the forgotten fellowship. Sandor Clegane is brought bound before Thoros of Myr, and Arya cannot believe how different the red priest looks. The Hound is to be judged by Lord Beric and hung if found guilty. Thoros is a changed man, no longer a fat priest with a fake flaming sword, "I am not the false priest you knew. The Lord of Light has woken in my soul. Many powers long asleep are waking, and there are forces moving in the land."
When Lord Beric appears, Arya is appalled by his appearance. Once handsome, the man is now stick thin, missing an eye, with part of his skull crushed in, a noose scar around his neck, and a terrible wound through his chest. Lord Beric asks for charges to be made against Sandor, but the Hound spits at the accusations, laying them at the hands of his brother and others. But Arya accuses him of killing Mycah, and the Hound does not refute that. The Lightning Lord sentences him to trial by battle, and it will be Lord Beric he faces. Before the fight, Thoros says a prayer to R’hllor, and then Lord Beric cuts open his palm with his sword, causing the blade to take fire. The fight ends with Clegane’s shield destroyed and his left arm in flames, but the Hound cut Lord Beric near in half from shoulder to navel. Sandor is screaming in pain and fear from the hideous burn to his arm. When Arya confronts him about Mycah, Clegane admits killing the boy, and suddenly Lord Beric appears, alive and leaning against Thoros, to tell Sandor he has gone to hell.
Catelyn (IV) {XXII} pg 392 Return to Top
Introduced: Lothar Frey (Lame Lothar, eldest son of Lord Walder and his fourth wife);
Walder Rivers (Bastard Walder, eldest of Lord Walder’s bastard sons).
Lord Hoster Tully has finally passed away, and his family and bannermen are gathered for the funeral. Lame Lothar and Bastard Walder have come to Riverrun to negotiate a meeting between Robb and Lord Walder that will hopefully reunite them. The Lord of Riverrun is placed on a funeral pyre boat, and when Ser Edmure tries to launch a fire arrow at the ship to light it, he misses three times. Ser Brynden takes the bow and hits the boat, causing it to catch fire. Later, Robb is devastated by the news from Duskendale, shocked that Robett Glover and Ser Helman Tallhart took it upon themselves to attack such an insignificant castle, losing nearly a third of Robb’s infantry. The king tells his mother of Sansa’s marriage to the Imp, and Cat begs him to bend the knee and make peace with the Lannisters, but Robb will not hear it. At dinner, Lothar tells them that his father received word from Little Walder and Big Walder at the Dreadfort, that Winterfell had been burned and Ser Rodrik Cassel killed. Lothar tells them that Lord Bolton’s bastard son rescued the survivors from Winterfell, to Cat’s disbelief. Lothar brings his father’s terms that Robb appear in person to offer apology, and that Lord Edmure marry Roslin Frey immediately. Robb dismisses Lothar and Bastard Walder, and when Edmure balks at not being able to choose his wife, the Blackfish reminds him that he must make amends for his blunder with the Battle of the Fords.
Davos (IV) {VII} pg 404 Return to Top
First Mentioned: Lord Cafferen* (lord sworn to Highgarden whom Robert captured during the battle at Summerhall, later fought for Robert, slain by Lord Randyll Tarly at Ashford);
Lord Grandison* (captured and went over to Robert’s side, died from a wound suffered on the Trident).
Legends: Prince Daemon Blackfyre (first and greatest of the Blackfyre Pretenders, the Black Dragon, also called “The King Who Bore the Sword” by his supporters; eldest and highest born of King Aegon IV’s 4 “Great Bastards”, his mother was Princess Daena Targaryen who was Aegon IV’s cousin; started the Blackfyre Rebellion during the reign of Daeron the Good, slain by his half-brother Lord Bloodraven on the Redgrass Field; legitimized by his father with his half-brothers and half-sister, Aegon IV gave the hereditary Targaryen sword ‘Blackfyre’ to Daemon rather than his trueborn son Daeron);
Princess Daena Targaryen (Daena the Defiant, sister and briefly wife of King Baelor the Beloved until he annulled the marriage and kept her under “Comfortable Confinement” in the Maidenvault; later she was one of her cousin Aegon IV’s mistresses, and bore him his highest born bastard son Daemon Blackfyre);
<NOTE: All the above info on Daena and some of the info on Daemon comes from Mr. Martin’s correspondence with the artist Roman Papsuev. Daena has yet to be mentioned in any of the novels, so the info above is included as important background. For more info on the other 3 “Great Bastards” of Aegon IV, see the Summary for “The Sworn Sword”, George RR Martin’s second Dunk and Egg novella>
Lord Belgrave (commanded by Baelor the Blessed to wash the beggar’s ulcerated feet);
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (older sister of Aegon II, contested her brother’s claim to the Iron Throne starting the Dance of the Dragons; eaten by her brother’s dragon during the war; mother of Aegon III and Viserys II).
Ser Axell comes to bring Davos before King Stannis, and takes the torch to leave his brother alone in the darkness. Axell tells Davos that he has seen Stannis’ victory in the flames, and if Davos does not help him become Hand, he will see the Onion Knight killed. Stannis proclaims that Lord Alester will die for treason, and tells Davos that Ser Axell wishes to resume the war and invade Claw Isle. Davos calls the plan a folly, and Stannis dismisses Axell. Stannis mentions that Ser Barristan once told him that ‘the rot in King Aerys’ reign began with Varys’, and that Robert should have killed the eunuch, and sent Ser Jaime to the Wall as Lord Eddard had suggested (but Robert listened to Jon Arryn instead).
Stannis then raises Ser Davos to Lord and names him Hand. When Stannis mentions battle, Davos mistakes him to mean the continuance of the war, but Melisandre has entered the room and calls it "the great battle…Soon comes the cold, and the night that never ends." Stannis has also seen a vision in the Red Woman’s flames- of him standing in the snow surrounded by men in black with torches, while all around them shapes closed in. Melisandre proclaims that Westeros must unite under King Stannis in order to defeat the one whose name must not be spoken. The King takes three leeches and tosses them one at a time into a brazier, naming each of the false kings: Joffrey, Robb, and Balon Greyjoy. Melisandre tells him that this is not the best way, for it both will and will not work. The better way is to sacrifice Edric Storm to the flames, for there is power in a king’s blood, but Stannis will not hear of it. Melisandre tells him that the death of Edric Storm will wake the stone dragon in the prophecy, and the sacrifice of one life to save thousands of others is warranted.
Jaime (V) pg 416 Return to Top
First Mentioned: Ser Jonothor Darry* (called Jon, Kingsguard of Aerys II, died at the Trident);
Lord Chelsted* (Hand of the King before Lord Rossart, burned alive by the command of King Aerys II);
Belis*, Garigus* (Pyromancers under Rossart, slain by Ser Jaime Lannister).
Jaime and Brienne are in the bathhouse in Harrenhal, washing themselves before meeting Lord Bolton. Jaime feels dizzy in the hot bath, and begins to tell Brienne his story despite his own misgivings about revealing the tale. Jaime says, "Aerys would have bathed in wildfire if he’d dared. The Targaryens were all mad for fire." After the Battle of the Bells, Aerys realized that Robert Baratheon was no mere outlaw, and that the Targaryens faced their greatest threat since the Blackfyre Pretenders. He began to disperse his Kingsguard to take command of the army, recalled Rhaegar from the south, and sent letters to Casterly Rock. But when Lord Tywin never responded, Aerys commanded his pyromancers “to place caches of wildfire throughout King’s Landing.” Lord Chelsted, the current Hand, tried to stop Aerys from continuing along his mad course, but Aerys had him killed and named the pyromancer Rossart, the man who had burned Lord Rickard Stark alive, his Hand.
All this time, Jaime remained in the throne room guarding the king and his secrets. After the Trident, Aerys sent his wife and Prince Viserys to Dragonstone, but kept Elia and her children in the Red Keep because he thought that Prince Lewyn Martell had betrayed Rhaegar during the battle. With the wildfire in place, Aerys told Rossart, "The traitors want my city, but I’ll give them naught but ashes. Let Robert be king over charred bones and cooked meat." Aerys thought that the great fire would kill everyone, but transform him into a dragon, much as Aerion Brightflame had thought. Pycelle convinced Aerys to open the gates for Lord Tywin, however the king should have listened to Varys who advised him to keep the gates closed. Tywin had “held back during the war, brooding on all the wrongs Aerys had done him and determined that House Lannister should be on the winning side.” Jaime felt he had to act after the Mad King commanded him to bring him his father’s head. Ser Jaime killed Lord Rossart, then snuck into the throneroom and killed King Aerys. Days later he hunted down and killed the rest of Aerys’ pyromancers, so that their secret would die with them. When Brienne asks why no one else knows this tale, Jaime tells her that the Kingsguard are sworn to protect the king’s secrets, and that Lord Eddard would never have believed his tale, "By what right does the wolf judge the lion? By what right?"
Jaime then nearly passes out from the heat, and
Brienne calls out for Qyburn. They are brought before Roose Bolton, who tells
them he chose to wed Fat Walda because Lord Walder had offered him his bride’s
weight in silver. When Brienne inquires after Arya,
Tyrion (V) {XXIX} pg 428 Return to Top
Introduced: Prince Oberyn Nymeros Martell* (The Red Viper, brother of Prince Doran and the late Princess Elia, fathered several bastard daughters collectively referred to as ‘The Sand Vipers’);
Ser Deziel Dalt (the Knight of Lemonwood);
Lord Tremond Gargalen (Lord of Salt Shore, bannerman of the Martells);
Lord Harmen Uller (Lord of Hellholt, bannerman of the Martells);
Ser Ulwyck Uller (brother of Lord Harmen);
Ser Ryon Allyrion (knight sworn to Sunspear);
Ser Daemon Sand (the Bastard of Godsgrace, bastard son of Ser Ryon Allyrion);
Lord Dagos Manwoody (Lord of Kingsgrave, bannerman to the Martells);
Ser Myles Manwoody (brother of Lord Dagos);
Ser Arron Qorgyle (knight sworn to Sunspear);
Myria Jordayne (heir to the Tor);
Lady Larra Blackmont (Lady of Blackmont, bannerlady to the Martells);
Jynessa Blackmont (Lady Larra’s daughter);
Perros Blackmont (a squire, son of Lady Larra);
Ellaria Sand (Prince Oberyn’s paramour);
Ser Merlon Crakehall (youngest son of Lord Roland Crakehall, brother of Strongboar).
Tyrion has been sent to greet the 300 Dornishmen with a small retinue. However, he is shocked when he finds that the Dornishmen are being led by Prince Oberyn Martell and not his brother, Prince Doran. The Red Viper of Dorne had a famous reputation for using poisoned weapons in battle. The man had fought in the Free Cities and even formed his own sellsword company, he had studied at the Citadel for a time, and had crippled Willas Tyrell in a tourney years before. The Red Viper tells Tyrion the story of how he and Elia had traveled to Casterly Rock when the Imp was an infant. They were ignored by Lord Tywin the whole time, supposedly because he was in mourning after his wife’s death, but he and Elia were disappointed to find Tyrion only a dwarf after the stories they had heard about him being Lord Tywin’s monster son. The Red Viper then gets down to the point, asking Tyrion, "when will justice be served?" He warns Tyrion that he does not mean to stop after killing Gregor Clegane, "Before he dies, the Enormity that Rides will tell me whence came his orders, please assure your lord father of that." But Tyrion has a more subtle warning that the Lannisters have tens of thousands of Tyrell men as allies, for the Tyrells hate the Dornish, and especially Prince Oberyn for what he did to Willas.
Arya (VII) {XXII} pg 439 Return to Top
Introduced: Beardless Dick, Mudge, Watty the Miller, Merrit o’ Moontown, Puddingfist, Likely Luke (members of Lord Beric’s outlaw brotherhood);
Septon Utt* (sergeant of the Bloody Mummers).
First Mentioned: Ser Burton Crakehall* (brother of Lord Roland, slain by Lord Beric Dondarrion).
The Lightning Lord’s band is attacking a town held by several members of the Bloody Mummers. Arya watches as Lord Beric and Thoros seem to be everywhere at once, both with flaming swords in hand. Afterward, they hang the Mummer called Septon Utt for his crimes. Arya was upset that Lord Beric had let Sandor free after taking all his gold. That night, Lord Beric is speaking to Arya and asks Thoros, "How many times have you brought me back now?" Thoros claims it is R’hllor who has restored his life six times, but the seventh may be the end of both of them. Beric reveals that he has trouble remembering his past, and would be unable to even find his ancestral home. Thoros believes that the Lord of Light is not done with Lord Beric yet, and that is why the red god has raised him from the dead so many times. The outlaws plan to ransom Arya back to her mother or brother. Later, Gendry joins the outlaws as a blacksmith, and is knighted by Lord Beric. Soon after, Sandor Clegane returns, claiming he killed the sentries. He demands his gold back, but he is rebuffed by Thoros and commanded to leave. The Hound leaves realizing he cannot do anything, and they then discover that the sentries were only asleep. When some complain that the Hound will follow and murder them in their sleep, Lord Beric states, "Sandor Clegane would kill us all gladly, but not in our sleep."
Bran (III) {XVII} pg 453 Return to Top
Legends: Queen Alysanne (Good Queen Alysanne, wife of King Jaehaerys the Conciliator, bequeathed the New Gift to the Night’s Watch);
Silverwing (Queen Alysanne’s dragon).
Bran and the others reach a small, deserted village
on a lake. There is a holdfast tower on an island in the middle of the lake,
and Bran tells them that Good Queen Alysanne had once
stayed there.
Jon (V) {XXII} pg 461 Return to Top
Introduced: Hempen
Jon is with the Magnar’s men nearing the
village alongside the lake. He realizes that he must somehow escape and reach
Castle Black before the raiders do, in order to warn
them. The Thenns captured an old man camped in one of the ruined houses, and
Daenerys (IV) {XIX} pg 473 Return to Top
Introduced: Grey Worm (field commander of the Unsullied);
Daario Naharis (Tyroshi, Captain of the sellsword company called the Stormcrows, later one of Dany’s commanders);
Prendahl na Ghezn* (Ghiscari, one of the Stormcrows’ captains);
Sallor the Bald* (Quartheen, captain of the Stormcrows);
Mero of Braavos* (the Titan’s Bastard, Captain of the sellsword company called the Second Sons);
Grazdan mo Eraz* (master slaver of Yunkai).
Dany and her army of Unsullied reach Yunkai, to find the city guarded by a huge force including two sellsword companies. She knows that open battle will cost her many lives, even though her commanders feel she will win easily. Dany tells her men to invite the two sellsword Captains, as well as the Yunkish leader. The first to arrive are the three Captains of the Stormcrows, who spurn her offer to join her, although she notices Daario Naharis smile at her as they leave. The Captain of the Second Sons also laughs at her offer, but does accept a wagonload of wine to bring to his men. The master slaver brings Dany chests full of gold hoping she will leave Yunkai alone, but she sends him off with his gold and a warning that she will attack in three days time.
After he leaves, Dany tells her commanders that they will attack that night, since none of Yunkai’s defenders will be expecting it. Soon after, Daario returns with the heads of the other two Stormcrow Captains, and swears the service of his company. Jorah warns her not to trust the Tyroshi, yet she commands the battle to commence as planned. During the fight, she asks Arstan to tell her more of her brother Rhaegar. Whitebeard explains that the Prince was always melancholy, and a sense of doom hung over him. "He was born in grief, and that shadow hung over him all his days." Dany knows that it was the shadow of Summerhall that Arstan was referring to. Word arrives that her army won the battle easily during the night, with the help of the Stormcrows, and all the Second Sons too drunk to fight. Dany commanded her men to spare any who threw down their swords, and promised to free any slaves. Once again, Dany’s army swells to even greater size.
Arya (VIII) {XXIII} pg 489 Return to Top
Introduced: Notch (archer of the brotherhood without banners).
Gendry mentions that Master Mott considered Thoros a false priest, and he agrees. He was sent to the Seven Kingdoms to bring word of R’hllor, but he spent his time eating and whoring. King Robert was fond of him, and many enjoyed the sight of his flaming sword in melees. Lord Beric silences Thoros by saying, "Fire consumes. It consumes, and when it is done there is nothing left. Nothing." The outlaws reach High Heart again, and the ancient dwarf woman calls Beric the Lord of Corpses, for the stink of the grave is fresh on him. The Ghost of High Heart tells them her dreams: the kraken king is dead, and Lord Hoster too; the goat sits alone in the hall of kings in a fever "as the great dog descends on him"; she dreamt of drums and pipes and screams making a great clangor; and "of a maid at a feast with purple serpents in her hair, venom dripping from their fangs. And later I dreamt that maid again, slaying a savage giant in a castle built of snow." Suddenly, she spots Arya, and calls her "blood child…you are cruel to come to my hill. I gorged on grief at Summerhall, I need none of yours. Begone from here dark heart!" When Beric tells the old dwarf woman that Arya is being brought to Riverrun, she tells them to seek her mother at the Twins, for there is to be a wedding. She then demands a song as payment for her dreams, the same song she always requests from Tom, Jenny of Oldstones.
Later, Arya speaks with Edric Dayne, who is called Ned like her father. Edric tells her that he saw her father during the Hand’s tourney while he squired for Lord Beric. He reveals that Beric was promised to his aunt, “but that was before he died”, Arya thought to herself. Ned tells her of Wylla, the mother of Jon Snow and Edric’s wetnurse. She has been in the service of the Daynes for years, and Ned is surprised that Arya’s father never spoke of her nor of the Lady Ashara, Ned’s aunt. He tells Arya that her father and Ashara had fallen in love during the tourney at Harrenhal, and that she had killed herself after the war because her heart was broken. Arya does not believe the young squire and Lord of Starfall, believing her father only loved her mother. She asks Harwin about it, and he confirms that Lord Eddard and Lady Ashara may have fallen in love at Harrenhal, but at the time his brother Brandon was betrothed to Lady Catelyn. He tells her Ashara killed herself over grief for her brother, and tells Arya "Let it lie, my lady. They’re dead, all of them." When the outlaws come upon a ruined town, Arya thinks the Lannisters destroyed it, but she is told that the town was destroyed years before by Lord Hoster Tully, because Lord Goodbrook, the lord of the town, had fought for the Targaryens during the war. Later, Thoros sees in his flames that Riverrun will soon come under attack by the Lannisters again, and he believes the Ghost’s dream that Catelyn and Robb are at the Twins. That night, Arya sneaks off while everyone else is asleep, feeling the outlaws were not her pack if they wanted to ransom her off to her brother, mother or uncle Brynden. But she is captured by the Hound while racing through the woods…
Jaime (VI) pg 500 Return to Top
Introduced: Steelshanks Walton (a soldier of iron loyalty from the Dreadfort);
Pyg, Three Toes (Bloody Mummers).
Lord Bolton had left Harrenhal to the goat, but before marching for the Twins he told Jaime to give his warm regards to his father. Jaime responds, "So long as you give mine to Robb Stark." Jaime is now traveling for King’s Landing under the protection of Steelshanks Walton and a host of Dreadfort men. Qyburn tells him that Lord Selwyn has promised Vargo Hoat 300 gold dragons for the safe return of his daughter, but the goat still believes there are sapphires in Evenfall Hall. One night, Jaime has a bizarre fever dream that he and Brienne are trapped in the dank caverns beneath Casterly Rock. He sees the shades of the other knights of the Kingsguard as well as Prince Rhaegar, come to judge him for killing Aerys. After the fire of his sword goes out, Brienne’s continues to burn, defending him from the shades.
When Jaime awakens, he commands Walton to return to Harrenhal so he can try to rescue Brienne. Back at Harrenhal, the goat’s men open the gates, and Jaime finds that Brienne has been tossed into the bear pit with only a tourney sword. Vargo Hoat, with a bandage around his face from where Brienne bit off his ear, will not pull the woman up. Jaime jumps into the pit to save Brienne, and holds off the bear long enough for Walton’s men to fill it with quarrels. The Mummers are unable to stop them because Steelshanks outnumbers them two to one. Vargo tells Jaime to tell his father that he had been merciful, and the Kingslayer promises that the goat will receive his ransom. When Brienne asks him why he came back, Jaime responds that he had dreamed of her.
Catelyn (V) {XXIII} pg 514 Return to Top
Introduced: Dacey Mormont* (daughter of Lady Maege, one of Robb’s battle companions);
Lord Lymond Goodbrook (one of Edmure’s battle companions).
Legends: Jenny of Oldstones (lover of the Prince of Dragonflies, possibly daughter of the Ghost of High Heart, died in the tragedy at Summerhall);
King Tristifer IV Mudd (the Hammer of Justice, legendary River King, killed by the Andals);
King Tristifer V (last of the River Kings and of House Mudd, son of Tristifer IV, slain by the Storm King [?]).
Traveling in the rain to the Twins, Cat recalls Robb sending Ser Rolph Spicer to deliver Martyn Lannister to the Golden Tooth in an exchange of captives, and hearing that Robett Glover had been put on a ship at Duskendale as part of the agreement. Robb had left his wife at Riverrun, and only Ser Raynald Westerling traveled with them. Robb has brought 3500 men with him, those who had been with him since the Whispering Wood, and who would follow him to Moat Cailin after the wedding. Cat thinks to herself of Theon Greyjoy boasting about how he had almost crossed swords with Ser Jaime, If Theon had died in place of Lord Karstark’s sons, how much ill would have been undone?
When they reach Oldstones, Cat recalls how once the ruins had been a great castle of the River Kings during the Mudd Dynasty. The Mudds were First Men, but during the time of King Tristifer IV, the kingdoms of the First Men were falling before the onslaught of the Andals. Tristifer IV died when seven Andal kings joined forces against him. Robb tells his mother that he plans to legitimize his brother Jon and name him heir should he and Jeyne not have a child. Cat is stunned by this proclamation, and pleads with him not to make the mistake the Targaryens had when King Aegon IV legitimized all his bastards on his deathbed. The Blackfyre Pretenders had plagued the Targaryens for five generations until Ser Barristan slew Maelys Blackfyre on the Stepstones. She pleads that Robb consider his sister Arya as heir, because naming Sansa will give the Imp control of Winterfell.
Lord Jason Mallister soon joins Robb’s force,
bringing with him the captain of the Myraham. The man tells them that
Balon Greyjoy fell to his death when a wind blew him off one of the bridges
between the towers of Pyke, and no sooner was he dead than Euron Crow’s
Eye returned and claimed the Seastone Chair, naming himself King of the
Samwell (III) pg 528 Return to Top
Introduced: Ryles* (ranger of the Night’s Watch);
Coldhands (?!?).
Sam and Gilly have reached what appears to be Whitetree, and Sam prays to the old gods to protect them. They camp in one of the huts for the night, but Sam is woken by shapes moving within. The corpse of Small Paul comes after Sam, and he tries to stab it with the obsidian dagger, but it shatters upon contact with Paul’s chainmail. Despairing, Sam thrusts a burning stick from the campfire in the wight’s mouth, setting it on fire. Outside the hut, the wights begin to surround Gilly and her infant son after killing their horse. Thinking all is lost, a raven lands on Sam’s shoulder, and suddenly thousands of ravens fly from the branches of the weirwood tree to tear the wights to pieces. The raven tells Sam to "Go", and he and Gilly begin to run south, but without their horse they are doomed. Suddenly a voice calls out, "Brother! Here." And from the falling snow appears a man dressed all in black astride a great elk! But when Sam reaches up for the man’s bare hand, Sam notices his hand was black and cold as ice…
Arya (IX) {XXIV} pg 537 Return to Top
Arya attempts to kill the Hound at night while the man is asleep, but Clegane awakens and takes the rock from her hands. They reach Lord Harroway’s Town, but find it flooded. Sandor promises to pay some ferryman to take them across the Trident, but gives them only the parchment Lord Beric had given him promising reimbursement after the war. Arya tells Sandor that she had once been captured by his brother, and the Hound finds it interesting that Gregor never knew who he had caught. Clegane says, "I’ll be sure and tell him that, before I cut his heart out." Sandor tells her that he saved Sansa’s life when the mob tried to kill her, and realizes that the "wolf bitch" hates the "pretty bird" from Arya’s expression. The Hound informs her that he is taking her to the Twins, and will ransom her to Robb and perhaps join the Young Wolf’s service, because "even a dog gets tired of being kicked."
Jon (VI) {XXIII} pg 546 Return to Top
Introduced: Ser Wynton Stout (a ranger for 80 years).
Jon reaches Mole’s Town and warns the populace to evacuate. At Castle Black, Jon learns that Jarman Buckwell and his men have returned with tidings of Mance’s army. He discovers that the wildlings have been feinting all along the Wall, and groups of black brothers have been dispersed to counter them. Maester Aemon also tells him that Mormont was betrayed and killed, and that only 12 men made it back from Craster’s keep, including Giant, Grenn, Dywen, Sweet Donnel Hill and Dolorous Edd. Aemon cleans and wraps Jon’s wound, and Grenn tells him that Winterfell has been burned to the ground and that Bran and Rickon are dead at the hands of Theon. Jon tells them that there is some kind of mistake, for he saw a grey direwolf at Queenscrown, and maybe Bran lives on through his direwolf…
Catelyn (VI) {XXIV} pg 555 Return to Top
Introduced: Ser Ryman Frey (only son of Ser Stevron and his first wife, now heir to the twins, grandson of Lord Walder);
Edwyn Frey (eldest son of Ser Ryman);
Walder Frey (Black Walder, second son of Ser Ryman);
Petyr Frey* (Petyr Pimple, youngest son of Ser Ryman, brother of Edwyn and Black Walder);
Aegon Frey* (Jinglebell, halfwit son of Ser Stevron and his second wife);
Ser Benfrey Frey (second son of Lord Walder and his sixth wife, brother of Ser Perwyn and Olyvar);
Roslin Frey (fifth child of Lord Walder and his sixth wife, sister of Ser Benfrey, later wife of Lord Edmure Tully);
Lady Joyeuse Frey (of House Erenford, eighth wife of Lord Walder);
Arwyn and Shirei Frey (daughters of Lord Walder and his seventh wife);
Amerei (Ami, eldest child of Merrett Frey, widow of Ser Pate of the Blue Fork);
Marianne Vance (eldest child of the late Maegelle [daughter of Ser Stevron and his second wife, sister of Jinglebell]);
Cersei Frey (called Little Bee, youngest child of Ser Raymund Frey);
Merianne Frey (Merry, daughter of Ser Whalen Frey);
Tyta Frey (called Tyta the Maid, youngest of Lord Walder and his fourth wife);
Alyx Frey (daughter of Symond Frey [second son of Lord Walder and his third wife]);
Marissa Frey (youngest daughter of Merrett, sister of Ami, Fat Walda and Little Walder);
Serra and Sarra Frey (twin daughters of Ser Raymund, older sisters of Cersei);
Walda Rivers (daughter of Ser Aemon Rivers [Bastard Walder’s son]);
Ser Raymund Frey (seventh child of Lord Walder and his third wife, father of Serra, Sarra and Cersei);
Lord Lucias Vypren (husband of Lady Lythene [eldest daughter of Lord Walder and his third wife]);
Ser Damon Vypren (son of Lord Lucias and Lady Lythene);
Ser Leslyn Haigh (married to Perriane Frey);
Ser Donnel Haigh (son of Ser Leslyn and Perriane);
Maester Brenett (counselor and healer to House Frey);
Jon Umber* (the Smalljon, son of Greatjon Umber, battle companion of Robb).
Four Freys ride out to welcome Robb’s army,
but Ser Ryman is angered that Queen Jeyne is not amongst them. The army is to
cross the bridge and join Lord Walder’s and Lord Bolton’s men
beneath pavilions erected for the wedding. Robb and his retainers will have
rooms in the Water Tower, but Lame Lothar advises that Grey Wind be kept in the
kennels. Lord Walder is relentless in his veiled insults against Robb, making
it clear that the King betrayed him by breaking his solemn oath. Robb
apologizes, and then Roslin is brought out, by far the most beautiful of Walder’s
get. After Edmure meets his soon-to-be-bride, Cat asks the Lord of the Crossing for bread and salt, and the old man welcomes them as
guests to his table. When Lord Bolton joins them, Robb finds out more of what
happened at Winterfell, and his bannerman tells him that Ramsay rescued many of
the women and has been fighting the ironmen.
Arya (X) {XXV} pg 568 Return to Top
The Hound is pretending to be a trader in the service of Lady Whent, and they learn that Arya’s mother and brother are at the Twins. Sandor has stolen goods and horses, and they begin the journey to the Crossing, where Clegane hopes to ransom Arya.
Catelyn (VII) {XXV} pg 574 Return to Top
Introduced: Walda Frey (called Fair Walda, daughter of Walton Frey [only child of Ser Stevron and his third wife]);
Walda Frey (called Fat Walda, wife of Lord Roose Bolton, daughter of Merrett);
Merrett Frey* (fourth son of Lord Walder and his third wife, father of Ami, Fat Walda, Marissa and Little Walder; once a squire of Ser Sumner Crakehall with Jaime Lannister);
Ser Whalen Frey (third son of Lord Walder and his fourth wife, brother of Lame Lothar);
Donnel Locke*, Owen Norrey* (Northmen sworn to King Robb).
Catelyn listens to the continuous pounding noise of the drums the musicians in the hall are playing. She is seated between Ser Ryman Frey and Lord Bolton during the wedding feast. She remarks to herself how joyless the wedding is, and watches as Robb dances with several of the Frey maids and Edmure dotes on his soon to be wife, Roslin. Cat becomes more wary when she learns that Olyvar, Ser Perwyn and Alesander Frey are all not in attendance at the wedding. She notices Merrett Frey trying to drink the Greatjon under the table, and finally Lord Walder calls for the bedding. Robb does not participate as many of the men carry Edmure up to his wedding bed, as the women do the same for the weeping Roslin.