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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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Princess Arianne Martell is confined to a tower room by her father. She wonders about the fate of her co-conspirators and Princess Myrcella, and laments the death of Ser Arys Oakheart. After what feels like an eternity, her father calls for her and reveals important family secrets. Mackelly and Simon raise an eyebrow.

Chapter Review:
After the ambush on the Greenblood, Princess Arianne Martell is taken to a tower cell atop the Spear Tower of Sunspear. Her servants are sworn to silence, despite her demands and pleas. She learns of the fate of her co-conspirators. They were taken to a prison for hardened criminals. However, news of Myrcella and Darkstar is withheld. She sheds tears over the death of Ser Arys Oakheart.

As the days drag on, she convinces her servant Cedra to smuggle a message out for her. However, Cedra never returns. After more days and nights isolated in her chamber, her father finally sends for her. Her plans to beg and plead for his mercy evaporate upon seeing him. He tells her Darkstar is still the wind and that Myrcella will survive but will be disfigured, having lost an ear from his attack. Arianne says she did it because his passivity shames all of Dorne. She adds that she knows he plans to replace her with her brother Quentyn, she read it in a letter years ago. Doran admits it’s true, he did mean for Quentyn to succeed him in Sunspear, but only because he had bigger plans for Arianne. She was secretly promised to a man. However, that man died from a pot of molten gold, so she will rule Dorne. It is Quentyn who has the tough road now. He’s on a journey to bring them back fire and blood.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Princess Arianne Martell - Heir to her father Prince Doran.
Arys Oakheart - Knight of the Kingsguard tasked with protecting Myrcella in Dorne.
Prince Doran Martell - Infirmed ruler of Dorne.
Princess Myrcella Baratheon - Oldest living child of Cersei and Jaime Lannister.
Areo Hotah - Captain in Doran Martell’s service.
Gerold "Darkstar" Dayne - Knight of High Hermitage. Former lover of Arianne.
Garin - Orphan of the Greenblood.
Drey - Ser Andrey Dalt, knight of House Dalt.
Sylva Santager - Spotted Sylva for her freckles. Lady of Greenstone.
Greenblood - River in Dorne.
Sunspear - The seat of House Martell.

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Cersei gets a confession of Margaery’s wantonness from the Blue Bard. She will get the same from Ser Osney Kettleblack. The noose tightens around the young queen. Simon and Mackelly feel their throats constrict.

Chapter Review:
Queen Cersei Lannister blames Grand Maester Pycelle for the death of Ser Gyles Rosby. But leverages this anger to learn that Pycelle has been providing moon tea to Queen Maragery. At last something tangible she can use against her foe.
At dinner with the Merryweathers, she accuses the Blue Bard of sleeping with Tommen’s bride. He denies it until Qyburn works his magic. Then he sings a very different tune. If he can keep his story straight through a possible trial he’ll be allowed to take the Black. 

Ser Osney Kettleblack is encouraged to confess the same crime to the High Septon. He agrees, but wants to actually sleep with a Queen so that his lie can have the ring of truth. Cersei obliges. 

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms.
Aurane Waters - Grand Admiral, bastard of house Velaryon.
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.
Margaery Tyrell - Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Only daughter of Mace and Alerie Tyrell.
Loras Tyrell - Knight of Flowers. Brother to Margaery and brother of the Kingsguard.
Qyburn - Creepy as all hell fallen maester, now Master of Whisperers in King’s Landing. 
Osney Kettleblack - Wooer of Margaery. 
Maggy the Frog - Witch who made a prophecy to Cersei that continues to match reality.

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Jaime takes control of the debacle that is the siege of Riverrun. He gets only scorn from the Blackfish, but he makes Edmure Tully an offer that would be hard to refuse. Simon and Mackelly consider the intestinal fortitude of the tormented Lord of Riverrun.

Chapter Review:
Jaime parlays with Brynden Blackfish Tully. He makes zero progress. The older man is resigned to Edmure’s death, accuses Jaime of oathbreaking and cowardice, and won’t believe Jaime’s offer of pardons for all within.

Jaime calls a war council that is closer to a war. All parties bring their high-horses and nobody budges an inch. The enmity within the besiegers camp is greater than that between the besiegers and the besieged.

He gives up, dismisses Ryman Frey back to the Twins for his incompetence and elevates Ryman’s son Edwyn to head the Frey contingent. He frees Edmure from his torment and brings him back to be bathed and fed. The kindness comes with an offer and a threat. Edmure will be returned to Riverrun. If he then surrenders the castle the original offer remains - all will be spared. But if he doesn’t, everyone inside will die and Edmure’s soon-to-be-born baby will be trebucheted over the walls. Tully is left to consider these options as a singer plays the Rains of Castermere.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Jamie Lannister - Twin and lover to Cersei. Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Biological father of King Tommen.
Daven Lannister - Son of Stafford Lannister (the late Stafford was Tywin’s cousin). New Warden of the West.
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.
Riverrun - Capital of the Riverlands. Seat of House Tully. Gifted to the Freys by the crown. Under siege.

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Brienne reaches the Inn at the Crossroads where she meets Gendry who she mistakes for Renly and then, less happily, she meets Rorge and Biter and their motley crew. Mackelly and Simon call for a medic.

Chapter Review:
Brienne of Tarth, Podrick Payne, Ser Hyle Hunt, and Septon Meribald plod through the Riverlands. It’s not great, with soldiers of all stripes hanging from every tree. Truly a feast for crows.

They reach the Inn at the Crossroads, which has become a haven for orphans. There are too many to count. The girl Willow has an air of command that makes Brienne wonder if she might be Arya Stark. The closest the children have to a protector is Gendry the smith. Brienne is stunned by his similarity to Renly Baratheon, although he has Robert’s build. She asks after his parentage but he’s not very forthcoming. 

After sharing their food with the children, the inn is visited by armed riders. Willow threatens them with a crossbow, and they recognize Brienne. She kills Rorge, but Biter gets the better of her until a sword pierces his throat. 

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 - Former captain in service to House Tarly, now traveling with Brienne.
Septon Meribald - Itinerant Septon of the Riverlands.
Willow Heddle - Child proprietress of the Inn at the Crossroads.
Gendry - Smith of King’s Landing, working at the Inn of the Crossroads.
Rorge - Brutal criminal sentenced to the Night’s Watch, now free in the Riverlands.
Biter - Even more brutal companion of Rorge.

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Cersei learns that Dragonstone has fallen but that Loras has paid with his life - or at least he lies at death’s door. She delights in sharing this news with Margaery - who is stricken, but remains hopeful. Cersei dreams of her childhood run-in with Maggy the Frog and the details of the woman’s terrifying prophecy. Simon and Mackelly probably should have seen this coming.

Chapter Review:
Queen Cersei Lannister learns from Aurane Waters that Dragonstone has fallen but that Loras led the assault to his doom. He was grievously wounded multiple times and lies unconscious beyond the skill of any maester to heal. Cersei is delighted. She carefully hides this as she shares the news with Margaery. The young queen is devastated, but latches on to the fact that Loras still lives and seems determined to seek to revive him.

More non-Tyrion dwarf’s heads are placed before her. The High Septon sends an emissary rather than himself to Cersei’s annoyance. The faith is trying to shut down the brothels on the Street of Silk also to Cersei’s, and every sailor’s, annoyance. Grand Maester Pycelle reports that Lord Gyles Rosby seems to be dying. 

She dreams of her meeting with Maggy the Frog, the details of whose prophecy continue to come true (she did marry the king, she did become queen), which wouldn’t be a problem but the prophecy turns a lot darker after that: she’ll be replaced by a younger more beautiful queen, her three children will die, and the valonqar will choke the life from Cersei. She’d like to put a stop to that, and Qyburn thinks that she can.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Cersei Lannister - Mother to King Tommen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms.
Aurane Waters - Grand Admiral, bastard of house Velaryon.
King Tommen Baratheon - Child king of the Seven Kingdoms.
Taena Merryweather - Social-climbing friend of Queen Cersei.
Margaery Tyrell - Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Only daughter of Mace and Alerie Tyrell.
Loras Tyrell - Knight of Flowers. Brother to Margaery and brother of the Kingsguard.
Qyburn - Creepy as all hell fallen maester, now Master of Whisperers in King’s Landing. 
Maggy the Frog - Witch who made a prophecy to Cersei that continues to match reality.

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Aboard the Cinnamon Wind, Sam and Gilly mourn the loss of Maester Aemon. The old man succumbed as the ship neared Dorne. Their tears bring them into each other’s arms and Sam’s vows are history. Simon and Mackelly sprinkle rose petals in the bathtub and try to light a scented candle.

Chapter Review:
Samwell Tarly eulogizes Maester Aemon to the crew of the Cinnamon Wind. The Summer Islanders honor their elderly and their funeral rites involve drinking and love-making. The news of the dragons that Xhondo provided put a spring in Aemon’s step, but it couldn’t last and as the ship made its way around Dorne, he succumbed after a period of sporadically lucid dream and prophecy. Part of which was a realization that the Prince Who Was Promised is in fact Daenerys. 

Drunk on rum, Sam and Gilly make love in the women’s section of the boat. Sam has fleeting regrets about his vows, but they’re swept away by his feelings for Gilly. The next day the regrets are in ascendancy, and he avoids Gilly all day. 

Sam has paid for passage with the books intended for the Citadel, and with his labor. But the captain assures him that the Citadel shan’t miss out - he’ll sell them the books and make a healthy profit from them. He uses the excuse of work to avoid Gilly but eventually he’s taken aside by the captain’s daughter Kojja who tells him to go to Gilly or swim. 

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.
Maester Aemon - 102 year-old maester of the Night’s Watch. 
Xhondo Dhuro - mate on the Cinnamon Wind. From the Summer Isles.
Quhuru Mo - captain of the Cinnamon Wind.
Kojja Mo - Daughter of the captain.
Narrow Sea - Separating Westeros from Essos.

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Arya murders Dareon for deserting the Night’s Watch. It appears that the Many-Faced God doesn’t agree, as she is struck blind. Mackelly and Simon grope for answers.

Chapter Review:
We learn of Arya’ Stark's (aka Cat of the Canals) day-to-day life as a seafood seller on the docks of Braavos. It’s a vibrant atmosphere that she relishes. She learns languages, skills, and information like a sponge.

She visits a regular customer, the brothel run by Merry. There she sees Dareon singing. He’s dressed more like a peacock than a crow. She does not like the man. She leaves the brothel at the same time as him and they walk together for a while. When she returns to Brusco’s ,in addition to the day’s takings, she has a nice pair of boots.

She visits the House of Black and White, as she does at every new moon, and learns some poison-lore from the Waif. She confesses to the Kindly Man that Arya Stark killed Dareon, nervous as to his reaction. He offers her warmed milk, which sounds benign. However, the next morning she has been struck blind. 

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Arya Stark - Younger daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark.
Kindly Man - Priest of the Many-Faced God.
Waif - Priestess of the Many-Faced God.
Brusco - Seafood merchant.
Merry - Kindly brothel owner.
Dareon - Night’s Watch runaway and singer.
Braavos - A free city in Essos.
Many-Faced God - A god worshiped in Essos that embodies all gods.

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