Rakharo's horse returns riderless and Ser Jorah Mormont discovers his head and severed braid in its saddle bag. When Theon warns his father that he will not defeat the Lannisters, Balon retorts that he has no intention of fighting the Lannisters.Дaenerys Targaryen and her khalasar lie exhausted in the heat, their water dwindling as they wait for the return of her bloodriders. He insists that he will follow the ironborn tradition of paying the iron price (meaning to take something through force) and says that no one will give him his crown. Balon rejects the proposal and compares Theon unfavorably to his sister. His guide enters and he is shocked to realize that she is his sister Yara when Balon greets her warmly. He delivers Robb Stark's letter suggesting an alliance against House Lannister, for which Robb will make Balon King of the Iron Islands again. He is further disappointed when his father Balon questions his loyalty and his memory of his roots having spent nine years as a ward of House Stark. A woman offers him a ride to Pyke and he attempts to seduce her throughout the journey.

He tells her that he is expecting a warm reception and is crushed when there is no one to meet him when he disembarks in Lordsport. Theon Greyjoy travels to the Iron Islands on a merchant ship and has sex with the Captain's daughter. At first, Stannis hesitates, explaining he has a wife, but Melisandre still manages to successfully seduce Stannis. Melisandre seduces Stannis with the promise of a son. His son Matthos Seaworth encourages him to learn to read so that he can study the holy texts of the Lord of Light but Davos is happy to put his faith solely in Stannis. On Dragonstone, Davos recruits the Lysene sellsail Salladhor Saan and his fleet of thirty ships to King Stannis Baratheon's cause. She ends the discussion with the barb that his finest joke was killing their mother when he was born.Дavos walks on Dragonstone with Salladhor and Matthos. He jokes about her relationship with Jaime and she says that he has always been funny. He concludes that Joffrey ordered the massacre, having initially suspected that it was Cersei. He warns that she is losing the support of the people but she claims that she does not care. Cersei confronts Tyrion about his actions. Tyrion has Janos arrested and exiled to the Night's Watch and installs Bronn as Commander of the City Watch in his place. Janos freely admits his involvement but will not reveal who ordered the attack. Tyrion has dinner with Lord Janos Slynt and questions him about the massacre of the royal bastards. He orders her to return happy after a night off. Petyr Baelish threatens her with a tale about selling an unhappy girl to a depraved customer in order to recoup his investment. Ros struggles to continue her work as a prostitute after having witnessed the murder of Mhaegen's infant daughter Barra, one of Robert Baratheon's bastard children. Tyrion is the only one to take the warning seriously. Grand Maester Pycelle relays a message from the Night's Watch requesting manpower and warning of wights. Alton Lannister delivers King Robb Stark's peace terms to the small council and Queen Regent Cersei Lannister rejects them. Tyrion warns Varys not to underestimate him. In King's Landing, Varys discovers Shae living with Tyrion Lannister in the Tower of the Hand and makes implied threats about revealing her presence. Arya reveals her identity to him and swears him to secrecy. He questions why she thought that they had come for her and tells her that he has seen through her disguise.

He tells her that he was questioned by Lord Jon Arryn and Lord Eddard Stark in the months before he fled King's Landing. They promise to return with more men.ДЄrya asks Gendry why he is wanted and he admits that he does not know. They deliver a warrant for Gendry, one of Robert Baratheon's bastard children, but Yoren intimidates them into leaving empty-handed. A pair of Gold Cloaks approach the party and Arya hides, believing that they have come for her. Jaqen asks her for water and introduces himself. Arya is drawn to the caged prisoners containing Jaqen H'ghar, Rorge and Biter. She urinates privately to conceal that she is a girl. In the Riverlands, Arya Stark continues to pose as a boy while traveling north with Yoren and his Night's Watch recruits. Davos enlists Salladhor Saan, a pirate, to join forces with Stannis and Melisandre for a naval invasion of King's Landing. After nine years as a Stark ward, Theon Greyjoy reunites with his father Balon and sister Yara, who want to restore the ancient Kingdom of the Iron Islands. With supplies dwindling, one of Dany's scouts returns with news of their position. On the road north, Arya shares a secret with a Night's Watch recruit named Gendry. In the wake of a bloody purge in the capital, Tyrion chastens Cersei for alienating the king's subjects.

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