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Jon has a wolf dream and wakes to face a trying day. He meets with Stannis and disappoints him by rejecting the king’s plan to assume control of the abandoned Night’s Watch castles. Afterward, he talks with Melisandre who gives him an ominous warning. Simon and Mackelly interpret her meaning.

Chapter Review:
Ghost races along the Wall in the night. As he runs, he senses his packmates in their various locations around Westeros. Jon Snow wakes in Castle Black realizing that he was warging Ghost in the night. He dresses and sees the unsigned grant from King Stannis sitting on his desk. This won’t be an easy day.

Jon finds Stannis and Melisandre in the King’s Tower. The king is angry over another rejection letter from a northern house to his call for their support. This time it’s 10-year-old Lyanna Mormont who tells him that House Mormont will support only the King in the North, whose name is Stark. Jon tells Stannis that only Mance Rayder can bind the wildlings to the king. Stannis knows but still can’t spare the man’s life. He is an oathbreaker. Stannis asks if Jon has signed the grant giving Stannis all of the empty Night’s Watch castles. Jon hasn’t, the ask is too high. Jon suggests that the Night’s Watch provide the leaders for the castles and Stannis provides the garrisons, the need not Take the Black. Stannis rejects the idea. Melisandre walks Jon out. Outside she tells him that she has seen him in the flames with enemies all around. She sees ice, blood, daggers, and cold. When Jon says it’s always cold at the Wall, she tells him he knows nothing.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Jon Snow - Bastard son of Ned Stark. Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch.
Stannis Baratheon - Brother of dead King Robert Baratheon, claims the Iron Throne because Cersei’s children are not Robert’s.
Melisandre - Red Woman of Ashaii. Priestess of R’Hellor, the Lord of Light.
Mance Rayder - King Beyond the Wall and former brother of the Night’s Watch.

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Daenerys learns that the Sons of the Harpy are bold enough to murder her Unsullied and her dragons are wild enough to eat children. It’s not a great day. Mackelly and Simon consider the cost of ambition.

Chapter Review:
Daenerys Targaryen is roused before dawn to see the body of her Unsullied Stalwart Shield’s body. He’s been murdered by the Sons of the Harpy, a group fighting a resistance war against her rule of Meereen. She orders that he be granted honorable funeral rites and that a hefty bounty is offered for information on the Sons of the Harpy.

She spends the day hearing petitioners. Nobles want recompense for the losses that her rules has brought them, small folk have their own grievances. The fall of Meereen was accompanied by an orgy of lawlessness to which she has no choice but to turn a blind eye - she cannot execute or maim everyone in the city.

The last petitioner bears the worst news. The dragons have grown increasingly wild and willful and farmer after farmer comes to demand the cost of their lost sheep. But the last one brings the charred bones of a human child. Dany is horrified. 

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Daenerys Targaryen - Last remaining descendent of the royal Targaryen line, Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, Queen of Meereen, claimant to the Iron Throne of Westeros.
Unsullied - Eunuch slave soldiers. Renowned for their fighting prowess. 
Barristan Selmy (aka Arstan Whitebeard) - Former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard in King’s Landing. Lord Commander of Dany's Queensguard.
Strong Belwas - Eunuch former slave, sent by Illyrio Mopatis to keep Dany safe. 
Missandei - Former child slave, now handmaid and interpreter to Daenerys. 
Reznak mo Reznak - Ghiscari seneschal of Meereen.
Skahaz mo Kandaq (aka Shavepate) - Ghiscari noble of Meereen. Convert to Dany’s cause. Despised by the Sons of the Harpy.
Hizdahr zo Loraq - Noble of Meereen, wants the fighting pits reopened.
Daario Naharis - Leader of the sellsword company the Stormcrows.
Second Sons - A sellsword company in Essos.
Meereen - Largest city on Slaver’s Bay.

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Tyrion arrives in Pentos wallowing in self-pity. His plans for revenge against his family are dismissed by Illyrio Mopatis who has a much better idea for the Iron Throne - a three-headed dragon. Simon and Mackelly say hello to their little friend.

Chapter Review:
Tyrion Lannister drinks himself into oblivion while confined below decks on a ship. He doesn’t know where he’s headed - his escape was orchestrated by Lord Varys, with no input from Tyrion. Eventually he’s disembarked hidden in a wine barrel. The last half hour of the journey is the worst. 
When the barrel is opened he is face-to-face with Illyrio Mopatis. The magister welcomes him to Pentos. Tyrion explores the grounds of the manse - but he’s not to leave.
Over dinner Tyrion, increasingly drunk, shares his ideas to raise Myrcella’s banners. Mopatis is not impressed, and instead suggests that Tyrion join him in supporting the better claim of the dragon with three heads.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Tyrion Lannister - Youngest son of Tywin Lannister whom he recently murdered. Brother to queen Cersei and Jamie Lannister. Former Hand of the King.
Tywin Lannister - Tyrion’s father, murdered by Tyrion.
Shae - Prostitute and lover of Tyrion. Also murdered by Tyrion. 
Tysha - Tyrion’s first wife. Raped by Tyrion and others at Tywin’s command. 
Illyrio Mopatis - Magister of Pentos. Former guardian of Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen. Friend of Lord Varys.
Lord Varys - Former Master of Whisperers in King’s Landing, freed Tyrion from captivity at Jaime’s instructions.
Pentos - One of the free cities of Essos.

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Varamyr Sixskins flies a bit too close to the sun and ends up dead. Just when his day looked like it couldn’t get any worse he possibly inadvertently creates an immortal enemy. Simon and Mackelly consider the state of the Free Folk.

Chapter Review:
The wildling army is in fragmented disarray. Rumors abound of where to go, who to follow, and what to do next. None of them offer much hope of salvation. Varamyr Sixskins lost his wargs and temporarily his mind during the battle. Only his wolves stayed with him. They eat stray humans they find, but Varamyr gets no nourishment from the vicarious sensations of smell and taste.

He’s dying of a wound sustained from a bereaved child. His only remaining companion is a woman named Thistle, who doesn’t know who he is. HIs only hope is to warg into someone and live a second life.

When Thistle returns she’s panicked - the White Walkers are coming. Varamyr has no strength so he invades Thistle. She fights him and attacks his eyes and tongue - which are also hers. Varamyr is forced out and as his body dies he inhabits his wolf One-Eye. The wolf sees Thistle amongst the wights, and the blue eyes, dripping with her blood, see him.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Varamyr Sixskins - Leader of the wildlings. A powerful warg.
Thistle - a wildling woman.
Mance Rayder - King Beyond the Wall. Now held by the Night’s Watch.
Jon Snow - Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch.
Haggon - Mentor of Varamyr.

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A Feast for Crows comes to an end when Sam reaches Oldtown and the Citadel. He gives his news to Alleras, as well as Maester Marwyn who promptly departs for Essos. Simon, Jenny, and Mackelly review the murder’s banquet.

Chapter Review:
The Cinnamon Wind makes its way through the Redwyne Straits towards Oldtown. Signs of the trouble being caused by the Iron Born are everywhere, and the approaches are patrolled vigilantly. Samwell Tarly wonders if even Horn Hill would be safe for Gilly if the Ironborn are this bold, but he can't think of a better plan.

When they arrive in the city, he makes his way to the Citadel to fulfill the two parts of his mission: to enroll and to share the news from the Wall. The seneschal’s acolyte keeps him waiting for hours until Alleras (the Sphynx) points out that the man is expecting a bribe. Sam, triggered by this nickname, blurts his whole story to Alleras, who suggests that Sam forget the seneschal and the archmaesters. None of whom would believe him anyway, and instead tell the story to archmaester Marwyn.

Sam agrees and by the light of a burning obsidian candle he repeats his tale. Marywn immediately departs for Essos where he intends to advise and protect Daenerys Targaryen from the Citadel. He’s convinced that the maesters will try to destroy the dragons. He advises Sam to forge his chain quickly.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Samwell Tarly - Brother of the Night’s Watch, friend to John Snow. Slayer of Others.
Gilly - Daughter of Craster. Beloved of Samwell.
Xhondo Dhuro - Mate on the Cinnamon Wind. From the Summer Isles.
Quhuru Mo - Captain of the Cinnamon Wind
Alleras - Acolyte of the Citadel, known as the Sphinx.
Marwyn - Archmaester of the Citadel. Known to dabble in magic. 
Pate - Believed murdered novice of the Citadel.
Redwyne Straits - Separating the Arbor from the Mouth of the Honeywine.

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Jaime won Riverrun but lost the Blackfish. He confirms that Jeyne Westerling is not pregnant with Robb Stark’s child and gives Sybell her rewards for her scheming as well as a piece of his mind. He learns that Ryman Frey is dead and that Cersei is in trouble. Neither concern him much, as he ignores Cersei’s plea for help. Simon and Mackelly set their quills down.

Chapter Review:
Jaime Lannister discovers that during the change of hands of Riverrun Brynden Blackfish Tully has gone missing. A well-placed threat to Edmure Tully reveals the truth. The Blackfish swam away in the night. All search parties have come up empty to this point. He meets with Sybell and Jeyne Westerling. Jeyne is still in mourning over the death of her husband King Robb and isn’t afraid to let Jaime see it. On the other hand, Sybell speaks of her role in Robb’s death and preventing Jeyne from getting pregnant. She wants good marriages for her children in return, as promised by Tywin. Jaime agrees, but also tells her to stay out of his way until she leaves for the west.

He crosses the Tumblestone and meets with Edwyn Frey and Walder Rivers. They inform him that Edwyn’s father Ryman was hanged on his way back to the Twins. Edwyn thinks his brother Black Walder is responsible. Jaime isn’t broken up about it and notices Edwyn’s eyes are dry too.

One night he dreams of his mother. She says Tywin wanted him to be a great knight and Cersei a queen. Jaime says they both met those goals, but his mother only sheds a tear. Jaime wakes to snow falling on Riverrun. With it, the hope for one more harvest is gone. Maester Vyman arrives with an urgent letter from Cersei. Jaime reads it and asks Peck to burn it, with no response.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Biological father of King Tommen.
Sybell Westerling - Wife of Lord Gawen and mother of (once) Queen Jeyne Stark.
Genna Lannister - Sister to Tywin, aunt to Jaime.
Emmon Frey - Husband to Genna. New lord of Riverrun - if and when it falls.
Brynden Blackfish Tully - Uncle to Edmure Tully. De facto Lord of Riverrun.
Edmure Tully - Stripped of his lordship of Riverrun, captive of the Freys.
Ryman Frey - Heir to the twins. Abuser of Edmure.
Edwyn Frey - Son of Ryman.

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Cersei’s day goes from an extreme high to an extreme low. She airs the charges against Margaery to the entire court and knows the young queen is in hot water now. However, when Cersei visits the High Septon she discovers that she might’ve cooked her own goose as well. Mackelly and Simon take the temperature of the situation.

Chapter Review:
Queen Cersei Lannister sits in the throne room surrounded by a full court of spectators. She baits the septa representing the High Septon into revealing the charges against Queen Margaery Tyrell and her cousins. They are serious and salacious. The crowd buzzes like a bee hive. Later, Cersei and Taena Merryweather visit the Great Sept of Baelor to meet with the Tyrell girls.

Margaery is confused and pleads with Cersei to take her and her cousins back to the Red Keep. Cersei informs Margaery of the charges against the Tyrells and that a trial is impending. She explains that Margaery can request a trial by combat, but her champion must be of the Kingsguard. Margaery becomes furious with Cersei and kicks her out of her cell.

Cersei visits the High Septon and is happy that they agree that the Faith should conduct the Tyrell trials. She wants to take Ser Osney Kettleblack back to the Red Keep but the High Septon forbids it. He takes her to Osney. She finds the knight strung up and tortured. Osney admits he killed the previous High Septon on Cersei’s command. Cersei is imprisoned and will face a trial herself. She has Qyburn pen a letter to Jaime imploring him to return and defend her.

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.
Taena Merryweather - Social-climbing friend of Queen Cersei.
Orton Merryweather - Judiciar and now Hand of the King.
Aurane Waters - Grand Admiral, bastard of house Velaryon.
Margaery Tyrell - Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Only daughter of Mace and Alerie Tyrell.
Qyburn - Creepy as all hell fallen maester, now Master of Whisperers in King’s Landing. 
Osney Kettleblack - Wooer of Margaery. Confessor of crimes on Cersei's behalf.
Maggy the Frog - Witch who made a prophecy to Cersei that continues to match reality.

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Please enjoy some of the flubs, confusion, and mishaps that we suffered through this year and then compiled just for you. Thank you all for being part of this journey.

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Brienne is held captive by the Brotherhood without Banners, as she battles the infection caused by her wounds. When she recovers, she’s brought before Lady Stoneheart - who is Catelyn Stark. Brienne stands accused of oath-breaking and must deliver Jamie Lannister or die. Simon and Mackelly weigh the possibilities.
 
Chapter Review:
Brienne of Tarth is tied to a horse in agony from her wounds and their inevitable infection. She drifts in and out of fever-dreams. When she finally rouses with the fever broken, Thoros of Myr explains a few things: Lem should have been protecting the inn, she’s got terrible facial wounds from Biter, and she’s here to answer to Lady Stoneheart, the Brotherhood’s new leader, for her crimes. The lion-pommeled sword and the letter signed by Tommen do her no favors.

She’s taken to Lady Stoneheart, who is mostly silent allowing Lem and others to hector Brienne with accusations. She contends that both girls were gone, that Jaime gave her the sword and the letter to allow her to rescue Sansa - but it falls on deaf ears. Finally Lady Stoneheart speaks, she’s unintelligible to the uninitiated. But she demands that Brienne bring her Jaime - or she along with Pod and Ser Hyle will be hanged. Brienne cannot agree so the three are dragged to trees and strung up. She cries out a single word as the chapter ends. 

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.
Long Jeyne Heddle - Child proprietress of the Inn at the Crossroads.
Gendry - Smith of King’s Landing, working at the Inn of the Crossroads.
Thoros of Myr - Red priest. Reanimator of Beric Dondarrion.
Beric Dondarrion - Now, finally, deceased leader of the Brotherhood without Banners
Lady Stoneheart - Reanimated corpse of Catelyn Stark.

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Alayne coaxes Lord Robert down the mountain, while Petyr Baelish arranges a betrothal for his daughter to a ward of Lady Waynwood. The angle? Oh he just happens to be the heir to the Vale. Mackelly and Simon try to find the romance.

Chapter Review:
With winter coming it is time to mothball the Eyrie and for the Arryn court to move to the Gates of the Moon. Most of the castle has already moved but on this last day Alayne must get Lord Robert and the last remaining staff down. He’s being his usual self. But Alayne has a way with him (1 part matronly no-nonsense, 1 part tolerating kissing and groping). He agrees to get out of bed. 

They descend to Sky via the chain winch. It’s scary but rapid. From there Mya Stone guides them by mule down the remainder of the mountain. Alayne rides with Randa Royce, daughter of Lord Nestor. Randa is chatty and kind but Alayne was told to be wary of her.

At the Gates of the Moon after a long, cold journey, Alayne finds her father LIttlefinger. He reveals that he’s brokered a betrothal for Alayne. She needs to woo Harry the Heir a ward of Lady Waynwood. Not the heir of the Waynwoods, but the heir to the Vale itself. Baelish assures his daughter that it is a matter of “when” not “if” Lord Robert meets an untimely end.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Sansa Stark/Alayne Stone - Eldest surviving Stark child.
Petyr Baelish - Aspiring Lord Protector of the Vale, widower of Lysa Arryn, former Master of Coin. 
Nestor Royce - Keeper of the Gate of the Moon, head of a lesser branch of the Royce house.
Myranda "Randa" Royce - Daughter of Nestor.
Bronze Yohn Royce - Lord of Runestone and head of House Royce. Most powerful lord of the Vale.
Robert “SweetRobin” Arryn - Lord of the Vale. Orphaned by his mother’s murder of his father, and his step-father’s murder of his mother.
Eyrie - Impregnable castle high on a mountain top in the Vale.
Lothar Brune - Knight in service to Petyr Baelish. Has protected Sansa from unwanted advances.
Mya Stone - Bastard daughter of King Robert Baratheon. Muleteer on the Giant’s Lance. 
The Eyrie - Seat of House Arryn in the Vale.
Sky - Highest way-station on the climb up to the Eyrie.
Gates of the Moon - Castle at the base of the Giant's Lance.
Giant’s Lance - The mountain on which

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