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Brienne learns that she’s been on the scent of the wrong Stark girl, and gets definitive intel on the Hound… or does she? Mackelly and Simon consider the probabilities.

Chapter Review:
Brienne of Tarth, Podrick Payne, Ser Hyle, and Septon Meribald reach Quiet Isle, an island in the mouth of the Trident that houses a penitential septry. They see a fearsome looking horse named Driftwood in the stables and a huge novice digging a grave. The future occupant had the misfortune to be in Saltpans when the purported Hound’s raid took place.

The Elder Brother of the Isle welcomes them and asks that septon Meribald hear confessions before he leaves. He tells them news from Saltpans. How the citizenry were left to their fate when Ser Quincy Cox barred the doors to his keep. Furthermore he has information for Brienne.

He met the dying Sandor Clegane by the roadside and, while he could not give him the mercy he sought, he held the Hound as he died. He buried him and left his helmet to mark his grave. Obviously someone picked it up and wore it in Saltpans. He knows that Clegane was traveling with Arya, not Sansa, and she was alive when the Hound was left for dead. Driftwood is Clegane’s horse Stranger.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Brienne of Tarth - Charged with rescuing Sansa Stark.
Podrick Payne - Former squire to Tyrion Lannister, now traveling with Brienne.
Ser Hyle Hunt - Captain in service to House Tarly. Former tormentor of Brienne.
Septon Meribald - Itinerant Septon of the Riverlands.
Sansa Stark - Eldest surviving Stark child. Currently in the Eyrie with Petyr Baelish.
Sandor "The Hound" Clegane - Fallen Kingsguard. Former travel companion of Arya Stark.
Stranger/Driftwood - Warhorse of Sandor Clegane. Equally bad tempered.

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Jaime tarries in Darry to confront his cousin Lancel. He finds a man lost to his faith, a faith that has taken up arms with relish. Mackelly and Simon consider converting.

Chapter Review:
Jaime Lannister finds Darry being rebuilt but still scarred by recent wars. His uncle Kevan has left, having quarreled with Lancel after the wedding of Lancel to Amerei Frey - heir to Darry.

Jaime encourages his squire Peck to make a move with the freed girl Pia - between whom a romance has bloomed. Jaime advises the young lad to seek her permission and to treat her kindly. At dinner Amerei Frey-Darry-Lannister beseeches Jaime to stay and protect Darry from the wolves and brigands that plague the region. Jaime demurs, but others are willing to help.

Jaime finds Lancel in the sept where he doesn’t eat, but does sleep. Lancel confesses all his crimes, including the fact that he already confessed those crimes to the former High Septon. His new plan is to set aside Amerei and to return to King’s Landing as a member of the Faith Militant. Jaime cannot understand why anyone would give up all Lancel has, but Lancel points out that Jaime did.

Jaime spars with Ilyn Payne and unburdens his own crimes to the mute. He slept with Cersei over King Robert’s drunken body, right here in this castle. The executioner just laughs.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Biological father of King Tommen.
Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms.
Addam Marbrand - Commander of the Gold Cloaks. Friend of Jaime’s.
Ilyn Payne - King’s Justice who lost his tongue, so is unable to read, write, or speak.
Kevan Lannister - Uncle to Jaime, father of Lancel.
Lancel Lannister - Son of Kevn, new husband of Amerei Frey. Former lover of Cersei.
Amerei Frey - Daughter of Mariya Darry-Frey. New wife to Lancel and Lady of Darry.
Mariya Darry-Frey - Former Lady of Darry.
Castle Darry - Not on the way from Harrenhal to Riverrun.

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Victarion Greyjoy fights through his opponents and his misgivings about his brother King Euron. He’s dispatched to Essos to bring back a fiancé (for Euron) and three dragons, but Victarion has other ideas. Mackelly and Simon ponder who would win The Bachelor: Iron Islands.

Chapter Review:
Victarion Greyjoy gets back to what he does best: following orders and taking names. The Iron Fleet decimates the reduced naval capacity of the Reach to claim the Shield Islands, which have long protected the mouth of the Mander River.
The victors feast in the hall of the vanquished, humiliating and abusing prisoners. The scene is festive (if you are an Iron Islander, to anybody else it’s pretty grim), with plunder and revelry for all. But there are some cracks in the facade of unity. Euron wants to sell the captives into slavery against the tradition of thralldom. He awards lordships of the four Shield Islands to redoubtable allies, who just happen to be mainstays of Euron’s principle opponents.

Euron wants the entire fleet to head to Essos to bring back the most beautiful woman in the world to be his fiancé, and to use the dragon horn to command her dragons. Wiser heads convince him to send only a portion - so he sends Victarion and his Iron Fleet. The younger brother accedes, but decides that he would quite like to be affianced to the most beautiful woman in the world.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Victarion Greyjoy - Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet. Brother to Euron.
Euron “Crow’s Eye” Greyjoy - New king of the Iron Islands, elder brother to Aeron.
Asha Greyjoy - Daughter of Balon. Fierce fighter and reaver. Well respected. In hiding since Euron’s elevation.
Aeron “Damphair” Greyjoy - Youngest brother of King Balon Greyjoy. Priest of the Drowned God.
Shield Islands - Cluster of four small islands at the mouth of the Mander.
Mander - Great river that flows from east to west through the Reach.

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Cersei gets an update on Margaery court, while being waylaid by sparrows. She negotiates a deal with the new High Septon. He’ll bless Tommen and erase the crown’s debt to the Faith for a law allowing the re-emergence of the Faith Militant. Finally, she makes a veiled threat to Margaery. Mackelly and Simon bow their heads in prayer that she knows what she’s doing.

Chapter Review:
Queen Cersei Lannister rides to the Great Sept of Baelor with Taena Maryweather. Taena fills Cersei in on the men in Margaery's court. The list is filled with most of the young, handsome knights in King’s Landing. Therefore, the addition of Grand Maester Pycelle stands out. The going is slow. The litter is blocked by sparrows clogging the streets. Ultimately, Cersei walks the remainder of the way. Upon seeing a pile of bones of slain faithful, Cersei promises to seek revenge. However, the sparrows want only protection for the living.

Inside the sept, Cersei is shocked to see septons on hands and knees scrubbing. When she meets the High Septon, she says he should have met her in his finest robes and a crystal crown, not wet and dirty. He explains that they’ve sold their crowns and fine robes. Cersei asks to speak in private. They kneel at the feet of the Crone. Cersei wants the sparrows gone from King’s Landing and a blessing from the High Septon for King Tommen. The High Septon wants better protection from the king for the faithful throughout the realm. Cersei suggests they protect themselves, but a law prohibits the faith from taking up arms. She offers to abolish the law for a blessing for the king and forgiveness on the crown’s debt to the faith. The High Septon agrees.

On the ride back to the Red Keep, Cersei’s festive mood is killed by the sight of Queen Margaery and her court. The two queens exchange pleasantries and barbs. When Cersei sees Margaery and Loras together, it reminds her of Jaime and herself. An idea takes root and laughter bursts forth. Margaery wants to share in the jest, and Cersei promises her that she will.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms.
King Tommen Baratheon - Child king of the Seven Kingdoms.
High Septon - The highest ranking member of the Faith of the Seven.
Taena Merryweather - Socia

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Jaime is booted from King’s Landing by Cersei to settle matters in the Riverlands. He finds a sparring partner, installs new leadership at Harrenhal, and sends Wylis Manderly home. Finally, he defends the honor of Brienne of Tarth. Mackelly and Simon give high fives.

Chapter Review:
Jaime Lannister thinks the plan is folly. Queen Cersei doesn’t care for his opinions on the matter. He’ll go to the Riverlands, sort out Harrenhal, find Wylis Manderly, and end the siege at Riverrun. Jaime reluctantly agrees but insists on having Addam Marbrand and Ilyn Payne accompany him. Throughout their journey, Jaime finds a private place for Ser Ilyn and him to spar. Ilyn soundly defeats Jaime at every opportunity, and Jaime chose him as his partner because the silent knight can’t tell anyone the embarrassing details.

Once at Harrenhal, Jaime is disappointed to learn that no Bloody Mummers are captives but is pleased that Wylis Manderly is alive and in one piece. Jaime announces that Bonifer Hasty will take command of the castle. Bonifer wants no part of Gregor Clegane’s men, so Jaime agrees to take them with him to Riverrun. At dinner, Ser Bonifer insists his Holy Hundred warriors can hold the castle, and Jaime hopes they can fight as well as they pray.

Jaime leaves Ser Bonifer to find Ser Ilyn. Instead, Jaime finds Ronnet Connington overlooking the bear pit. Red Ronnet wanted to see where Brienne of Tarth fought the bear. He tells Jaime that he and Brienne were betrothed once. However, upon their meeting, he rejected the girl. Ronnet says the bear was surely less hairy than that freak. Jaime socks him in the face with his golden hand, sending Ronnet tumbling. Jaime insists Ronnet call her Brienne.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Biological father of Cersei's children.
Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms.
Addam Marbrand - Commander of the Gold Cloaks. Friend of Jaime’s.
Ilyn Payne - King’s Justice who lost his tongue, so is unable to read, write, or speak.
Wylis Manderly - Son and heir of Wyman Manderly of White Harbor.
Bonifer Hasty - Pious knight and leader of the Holy Hundred.
"Red" Ronnet Connington - Knight once betrothed to Brienne of Tarth.

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Sam tries to find the increasingly flighty Dareon and someone who knows something about dragons - to fulfill the dying wish of Maester Aemon. He gets bruised knuckles, a lungful of canal water, but he does meet a sailor who knows about the dragons. Simon and Mackelly share his pain.

Chapter Review
Samwell Tarly is in desperate straits in Braavos. Gilly is inconsolable, Maester Aemon is dying, and Dareon is MIA. Between overreaching on their accommodation, paying for passage to Oldtown that they missed because of Aemon’s ill-health, and the cost of a doctor to visit and tell them that a 102-year-old man with a nasty cough is probably dying - they’ve nothing left for food and fire.

Dareon can make coin with his singing, but he promptly spends it on drink and women. He has no idea why Gilly keeps crying, and even she cannot blame him for wanting to be elsewhere. Aemon wants to hear more of dragons. He remembers them. Sam thinks that is an exaggeration, but Aemon insists that he and his brothers always dreamed of dragons. Sam braves the night and almost gets into a fight with a couple of wannabe-bravos. He’s saved by a young girl selling cockles, who calls herself Cat.

Sam finds Dareon in a brothel and gets into a fist fight. He’s thrown unceremoniously into the canal, where he almost drowns before being saved by a sailor Xhondo. He’s a Summer Islander and a mate aboard the Cinnamon Wind. He knows about these dragons and he’d be happy to share his story.

Characters/Places/Names/Events
Samwell Tarly - Brother of the Night’s Watch, friend to Jon Snow. Slayer of Others.
Gilly - Daughter of Craster. Beloved of Samwell.
Maester Aemon - 102-year-old maester of the Night’s Watch.
Dareon - Brother of the Night’s Watch renowned for his singing voice. Being sent south to recruit new brothers.
Cat - Arya Stark’s latest moniker.
Xhondo - Mate on the Cinnamon Wind. From the Summer Isles.
Braavos - One of the Free cities in Essos.

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Brienne decides to follow the only lead she has: the Stark girl was traveling with the Hound. She gains a couple of new companions. Mackelly and Simon join her peregrination.

Chapter Review:
Brienne of Tarth heads back to Maidenpool, no nearer finding Sansa. Ser Hyle Hunt brings the heads of Shagwell, Timeon, and Pyg with them for Lord Tarly to display on the walls of Maidenpool. He also brings back a swarm of flies.
The reception in Maidenpool is no warmer than it was last time. Tarly is impressed, but unmoved, by news that Brienne dispatched the Bloody Mummers single-handedly. He reiterates his demand for her to give up her cos-play. She refuses. She’s determined to follow the only lead she has - the Stark girl was seen traveling with Sandor Clegane. Tarly gives her leave to hunt the Hound, he’s pillaging the environs and the frustrated lord would love to see him defeated.
Ser Hyle leaves Tarly’s service to travel with Brienne. She’s not happy about that. He brings along a Septon Meribald who continually travels a circuit through the Riverlands, spreading the word of the Faith of the Seven, and some hard-to-get food and supplies. He talks of the plight of the young men dragged into wars and how their fall into outlawry should be considered in the light of what has happened to them. Brienne understands that he’s describing his own sad backstory.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Brienne of Tarth - Charged with rescuing Sansa Stark.
Podrick Payne - Former squire to Tyrion Lannister, now traveling with Brienne.
Randyll Tarly - Lord of Horn Hill. In Maidenpool to oversee reconstruction and bring order, prior to the wedding of his son.
Ser Hyle Hunt - Captain in service to House Tarly. Former tormentor of Brienne.
Septon Meribald - Itinerant Septon of the Riverlands.
Sansa Stark - Eldest surviving Stark child Currently in the Eyrie with Petyr Baelish.
Sandor Clegane - Fallen Kingsguard. Former companion of Arya Stark.

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Cersei has a busy day as queen regent of the seven kingdoms. She squashes tiny rebellions by her little king, cheers the death of a foe, plots the downfall of Margaery Tyrell and Bronn, spurns the Iron Bank, and so much more. Simon and Mackelly hope she knows what she’s doing.

Chapter Review:
Little King Tommen Baratheon wants to be more involved, he is king after all. Queen Cersei Lannister isn’t having it. It’s her turn to shine, and Margaery Tyrell’s ideas in her son’s head aren't going to stop her. Cersei has a long day filled with meetings. While meeting with the merchant’s guild, Grand Maester Pycelle interrupts to bring news that Lord Wyman Manderly has beheaded the Onion Knight. Cersei is thrilled and promises to return Wyman’s heir. She also meets with an envoy from the Iron Bank. They want their payments but Cersei doesn’t budge. Afterward, she talks with Ser Osmund Kettleblack about his brother Osney’s attempts at bedding Margaery. They’ve been stalled by the constant presence of others around the younger queen. Cersei assures that she’ll provide the opportunity for him to make his move. She then squashes the merriment around Tommen’s jousting success.

Bath time provides no relief when Jaime and Tommen burst in. Tommen wants to train under Loras Tyrell and Cersei shoots it down. Jaime thinks she’s either drunk or stupid. When he leaves she decides she must be rid of him soon. She dines with Falyse and Balman Byrch. She masterfully plays the worried mother and convinces Balman to kill Bronn before he helps Tyrion kill Tommen. After dinner she reminisces over her love for Rhaegar Targaryen and the hurt of being spurned as his betrothed. She never forgave Robert for killing him because lions don’t forgive easily. It’s a fact that Bronn will soon discover.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms.
King Tommen Baratheon - Child king of the Seven Kingdoms.
Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Biological father of Tommen.
Margaery Tyrell - Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
Loras Tyrell - Knight of Flowers. Brother to Margaery and brother of the Kingsguard.
Falyse Stokeworth - Daughter of Lady Tanda. Sister of Lollys.
Balman Byrch - Kightly husband of Falyse.
Bronn - Sellsword turned

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