Tyrion was given a
choice. Brienne felt failure. Cersei sent her daughter to safety, but
Oberon was killed before his mistress in a trial by combat. The sons
of the Harpy crossed a line, and Daenerys called for his capture.
Arya used her coin for passage to Braavos.
Arya prepares to
enter the city of Braavos, by passing beneath the guardian statue's
large feet. A horn sounds, and Arya clutches her chest, she's not
afraid, she's ready. She's rowed ashore to the bustling city. The
open water market is a large one, but they pass it for somewhere far
more quiet. The captain takes her to the house of black and white to
find the man she seeks. She thanks him for bringing her, but any man
of Braavos would have done the same. Arya approaches the large black
and white doors. It takes her a few tries, for the doors to be open
to her. She greets the man, and utters the words “Valar
Morghuilis.” They seem to have no effect. She pulls out the coin
Jaquen H'ghar gave her, telling him his name, and that she has
crossed the sea and has no place else to go. He tells her that there
is no on with that name here, and she has everywhere to go. Arya
turns, and rather than leave, she sits upon the steps. She repeats
the list of people she wants to kill. That list is much shorter than
it once was. Arya sits there through the dark, the rain, the
sunshine, just repeating the list over and over. Cersei, Walter Frey,
the Mountain, Ser Meryn Trant. Arya gets tired of reciting the same
thing, and tosses the coin into the water.
Brienne rides, while
Pod walks to a nearby tavern. Pod eats making eyes at the serving
wench. Sansa and Littlefinger are lunching at the same tavern. Sansa
asks about a Raven's scroll received before they left. Littlefinger's
proposal has been accepted. Pod spots Littlefinger, and Sansa as
well. Her dark disguise really isn't very useful, and it looks
retched. Pod informs Brienne that is is her, and that she is
surrounded by knights. Brienne is ready to spring to action. She
sends him out to find more horses. Littlefinger asks if she likes the
ale, she doesn't find it all too appealing, and wonders why men like
it. He tells her it gives some men courage. Brienne approaches
Littlefinger and Sansa, his knights block her path, but she
introduces herself all the same. Littlefinger remembers her when she
served Renley. He allows her in, noting that someone paid for her
well. Brienne drops to her knee, telling Sansa that she was her
mother's sworn sword before her death, that she vowed to find her and
protect her. She offers to shield her back, give her counsel, and
give her life for hers if need be. Littlefinger tells her they don't
need to be so formal, but points out that Cat never mentioned
Brienne, and he's known her for a long time. Brienne served Catherine
after Renley's murder, which she had tried to save him. Littlefinger
remembers that she was accused, and Brienne begins to lose her
battle. She was accused by men that did not see what happened. Renley
was murdered by a shadow, a shadow with a face of Stannis. She sounds
crazy, and the light in Sansa's eyes go out. Littlefinger would not
want a woman like her protecting her. Experience has made him wary of
outsiders. Brienne asks for a moment alone, but Sansa refuses. She
saw her at Joffery's wedding, bowing to the King. Neither of them
wanted to be there, and sometimes they don't want to be there she
tells Sansa. And sometimes they do, Sansa replies.
Littlefinger offers
her some “protection.” Brienne gets out of there in a hurry,
sending their horses all over the place. Pod has her mount ready, and
they race off, with the knights close behind. Brienne is the much
better rider, and Pod finds himself at the mercy of his horse going
down the wrong path. Brienne loses her tail, and doubles back. She
sees Sansa riding off with Littlefinger. Another Stark girl has
refused her. Pod gets control of his horse, only to be thrown off of
it. The knights catch up to Podrick, who is unarmed. Brienne rides in
just in time, killing the pair. Podrick rises. Since both Stark girls
refused her, maybe she's released from her vow. Brienne doesn't see
it that way. She doesn't think that Sansa is safe with Littlefinger,
and she's going after them.
Cersei calls Jamie.
She received a gift from Dorne. Inside is a snake sculpture with a
necklace in its mouth. There are only two in the world, the one that
Cersei wears and Myrcella's. Cersei thinks that it is a threat. Their
daughter is alone in a city, surrounded by people who hate her. Jamie
tells her to keep her voice down, not about her distaste for Dorne,
but of Myrcella's paternity. Cersei suggests that he does not call
her his daughter then. Being the children of a King hasn't exactly
been good for their children. Cersei mulls over the death of their
first born, their daughter being held prisoner, and their youngest
set to marry the smirking whore from Highgarden. Jamie plans to head
to Dorne to get her back. He won't be taking an army, or going alone,
and he definitely won't be asking permission.
Bronn walks with his
bride to be on the beach as she prattles on about sunflowers and
music. Bronn couldn't care about the wedding or planning. She wants
pigeon pies like they eat in the castle. He's hardly listening. He
can't believe that he'll get a castle. She points out that they won't
live there. When her mother dies, her sister will inherit the castle
not them. Her sister is mean and hateful. Bronn thinks his betrothed
is a good person, and her sister is hateful. He's been around the
world and meanness has a way of coming around. Her sister will get
hers somehow. She spots Jamie, sitting, waiting, looking very
dashing. Bronn heads forward to rekindle their bromance. Bronn gives
his condolences, introducing his betrothed. Jamie charms her with a
simple kiss. Bronn sends her off, then gets down to business, he
doesn't see how this will be good for him, but Jamie assures him that
it is. Bronn reads the scroll. His betrothed has been promised to
another, Bronn doesn't see how that is good for him. He's going to
accompany Jamie on an important mission and when he returns he'll get
a better girl, and a better castle.
In Dorne, Ellaria
watches Myrcella and the young Prince in the gardens. She goes to see
the Prince, but his Captain bars her path. She threatens him, and the
Prince allows her to speak to him. She wants vengeance for his
brother, her slain lover. He reminds her that his brother died in a
trial by combat, one he volunteered for. She wants him to avenge him,
to go to war. But he will not. He will bury his brother. She tells
him that the sand snakes are with her, they will avenge their father,
and they have the support of the people. She wants to kill Myrcella,
sending her back one finger at a time. He loved Oberon, but they do
not mutilate little girls for vengeance while he rules. She
threatens, not long, storming out. His guard suggests a little
skewering, stroking his blade, but the Prince shakes his head in
refusal.
Daario walks the
streets with Grey Worm. His unsully have lost their ability to blend
in, to be the skilled assassins they once were. They're too out in
the open, so its no surprise that they've found no Sons of the Harpy.
His Second Sons blend in with the group, and they're much more
successful. They head into a home, but find no one there. Daario
points out that the unsully no longer have fear and they have
forgotten how to hide. Daario stabs a wall, and uncovers a man.
Inside the wall there are a pair of daggers and a harpy mask.
Daenerys listens to
her advisers. One former slave tells her that the Sons of the Harpy
want to put a salve collar back on his neck, and he begs her not to
let that happen. He wants him killed. That would send a message.
Barristan Selmy thinks that she should exercise restraint, they need
more information. Daario points out that the Son of the Harpy has no
more valuable information, Daario questioned their prisoner himself.
Another wonders why he would want to do for slavery, it does nothing
for him. Daenerys thinks he liked knowing there was someone lower
than him. But the former slave thinks he was paid off, which happens
all the time. The guy from one of the great families hasn't heard of
this practice. Barristan suggests a trial, teach the people of
Mereen that there is a better way. The slave thinks that things are
different here than where she comes from. There is no mercy, no fair
trial here. All the people understand is blood. She dismisses them.
Barristan stays behind. He wants to remind her of the mad king.
Daenerys thinks that he's reminding her of lies. They were not lied.
Her father was a mad, cruel man who burned people with wildfire. His
effort to stamp out rebellion lead to all Targaryeans to be killed
but 2. He thought he was giving the justice that was deserved, right
up to the very end. Daenerys decides not to kill the Son of the Harpy
until he has a fair trial.
Tyrion rides in the
carriage with Varys. He's still drinking the day away, but points out
that there is nothing else for him to do in the box. He agreed to
come, but not to stop drinking. He wants to walk, but he can't Cersei
has offered a lordship for his head. Varys is done talking about the
futility of everything. They're headed to Volatis, then onto Mereen.
There they will find a ruler. Varys points that Tyrion was a great
ruler when he was hand. He got a lot of people killed, but he
excelled in many ways. Shae tried to get him to leave King's Landing,
begged him to, but he wouldn't. Varys lays out some horrible truths,
they hate the grind, but they live for it as well. Tyrion has a walk
back on his mind, thinking that Cersei wouldn't actually kill every
dwarf in the world.
Some soldiers bring
Cersei the head of a dwarf, but its not Tyrion. She would obviously
kill every dwarf in the world to rid herself of Tyrion. She heads to
her council chambers. It's full of sycophants. She's sitting in the
throne for the time being all vying for the role of hand of the king.
She appoints them all with new titles. Kevan she bestows as the title
of master of war. He wants to hear it from the King himself, but the
King is busy with his studies. He returned to pay his respects, but
not to become one of Cersei's puppets. He sees the council for what
it is, and he is less than happy that she has sent Jamie away. She tells him
that he is on diplomatic mission, and that its none of his business.
He doesn't recognize her authority. She is the Queen Mother and
nothing more. If the King wants to send for him, he will be waiting
at Casterly rock.
Shireen teaches
Gilly to read, while Sam does some reading of his own. Gilly
appreciates Shireen's skill in teaching. Shireen was taught to read
at a young age, being kept inside, because of her condition. She asks
Shireen how they cured her condition. Shireen doesn't remember, she
was young. Gilly had two sisters who had it and they weren't so
fortunate. Her father kept them away from everyone else, no one was
allowed near them, and in the end they were covered in the scales,
and animal like. They were left in the woods, and became white
walkers. Shireen's mother sends Gilly and Sam away. She tells Shireen
to stay away from Gilly, she's a wildling. Her father just executed
their king, and Gilly may strike out at her. Shireen doesn't think
Gilly would do that, but her mother isn't so sure.
Stannis is not
pleased with Jon Snow. He ordered Mance to be burned, and Jon showed
him mercy. The King's word is law. If you show too much kindness
people won't fear or follow you. Jon tells him that the free folk
won't follow him no matter what he does. He's the man that burned
their King alive. They won't follow Jon either, only one of their
own. Stannis asks if he knows the Lord Commander's niece. She was
asked to commit her house, but she will only do so to a Stark. Jon
is slightly amused. Northerners are like the free folk, loyal to
their own. The new Lord Commander will be elected, and it won't be a
pleasant turnover for Jon. The man think he's a traitor, and Jon's
bravery made him look weak. Stannis does not punish men for their
bravery. Jon has given everything he has to the Night's Watch, he
doesn't have anything left to give Stannis. Stannis wants the North.
Kneel before him, and he will rise as Jon Stark, Lord of Winterfell.
Jon confesses to Sam
that becoming legitimate was everything he ever wanted. He dreamt of
it, and now he will refuse it. He made a pledge to the Night's Watch
and he will keep it. The proceeding for Lord Commander begins. The
maester asks if there is anything else that anyone wishes to add
before the vote is made. A man stands for Thorne, calling him the
only true choice, his exploits exaggerated Alleister gets his
nomination next. The Maester begins the process, but Sam stops him.
He has a nomination, though Jon shakes his head no. Sam is teased
about his Wilding love, but he points out that his teaser cowered
with Gilly in the lader during the war. He found him there after the
battle was over in a puddle of his own making. While Jannis was
hiding, Jon Snow was leading. Alleister fought bravely, but when he
was wounded, it was Jon who took charge of the wall's defense. After
he went to deal with Mance, even if it meant his death. Before then,
Jon lead the mission to avenge Lord Commander Mormont. Mormont,
himself, chose Jon as his stewart. He may be young, but he is the
commander that they turn to when the night is darkest. There is
cheering all around. Thorne rises. He cannot deny what has been said.
But wonders who Jon wishes to command, them or the wildlings. He was
among the wildlings, loved a wilding girl, and was found chatting
with Mance when Stannis arrived. Who knows what would have happened
had Stannis not arrived. He asks if they want to choose a man who
fought the wildlings his entire lif,e or one who loves them. The time
has come for the vote. The pieces are counted, and it is a tie. The
Maester has not voted yet, and he casts his vote with Jon.
Arya walks through
the city, and beheads a pigeon with her sword. A man stops her,
surrounded by a little group, asking what she has. She suggests he
turn around and go. She draws out her sword, and they think it'll
draw a pretty penny. She tells them that money is no good to dead
men. Before they can decide whether they want to try her, the door
man from the house of Black and White watches them, scaring off the
men. Arya follows him back to the house. She demands to know who he
is, and why they're scared on him. He gives her back the coin that
she “lost” and changes his face. Its Jaquen. He told her that
there was no Jaquen there. She asks who he is then. He is no one, and
that is who she must become. He holds the door open for her, and she
enters the house.
The former slave
fores to see the Son of the Harpy. The Son thinks that Daenery does
not belong there. They call her Mhysa, but she is not their mother.
The Son is killed, and his body left out wearing the harpy mask with
the message “Kill the masters.”
Daenerys wants
answers. The man tells her that she wanted the man dead, but her
hands were tied. He did it for her, to keep her hands free. The man
was waiting for his trial. Trials do not work in Meereen he believes.
When Grey Worm came, he was the first to take up his knife for the
cause. His father died in that fight. He the Harpy's are allowed to
return them to their chains it will tarnish his memory. The law is
the law. She orders him to be taken away. Daenerys walks to announce
her verdict before her people. They all shout Mhysa at her. The
nobleman thinks that she should have cut his head off in the great
hall and been done with it. The Slave is marched out as she addresses
the people. They recognize him as a brother, beg for mercy as she
reads off the crime. Daario steps forward, and again he calls to
Mhysa for mercy. They all beg for mercy, but Daenerys does not give
it. The crowd is silent for a second, before a hissing begins. The
former slaves throw a rock at the nobles, and its a riot. Daenerys
rushes out, under the cover of her unsully.
Barristan offers to
stand guard outside of her door. Grey Worm will have them all stand
guard. Daenerys just wants to be left alone. She hears a noise
outside of her window, and goes to see what it is. It's Drogon, her
largest child. She's happy to see him. He looks down on her, and
comes near. As she reaches out to him, he leans in, but doesn't let
her touch him before flying away from her, far away over the city.
