The Clash of Kings part 4

The second season Atlantic TV Game of Thrones is concerned with the second book of George R Martin’s the Ice and Fire series, A Clash of Kings, which in turn concerns the attempt of a number of individuals to become King of the Seven Kingdoms or the Iron Throne as the Kingdom  is also known, as previously covered in 2273 (1175) 2274(1174) 2275(1175).

In these three writings I attempted to follow the book, grouping action according to the central characters and taking account of the way the story is presented in the television series. The second TV season has impressed me even more than the first noting that in addition to the excellent acting and visual brilliance there is a maturity about the script which while reflecting the language and approach of the author avoids shocking for shock sake, action for action sake and achieves an integration which leads me argue it is the best produced on Sky since its inception.

However I am finding it increasingly difficult to appreciate the differences between the ten episodes of the TV series of which number six has been reached, just over half way in the season of ten episodes. Part of the problem is that while the overall title is a Clash of Kings much of the book concerns the role of other characters. In order to grasp and appreciate much of what happens in the TV series it is essential to have knowledge of the geography of the territories and the complex interaction of the aristocratic families who take or adopt wards as hostages and who marry off and give power as soon as both sexes become adolescents. As previously mentioned the TV series  adds several years to several of the young main characters to get over the problems in relation sex and violence in relation to their youth and has older actors playing them. This only undermines some of the impact of the books in the TV series from that portrayed in the books
What I plan in this writing is to over view cover the first six episodes of the TV series from the perspective of the Title the Clash of the Kings and then go into some of the detail of the book later.

I begin first with Joffrey, the crowned boy king of the Seven previous Kingdoms where his mother’s husband was known for unifying the land through force of arms but had then settled for eating, drinking and wenching, have known to have fathered eight illegitimate children, most of whom have now been put to the sword with the exception of one brought up as a blacksmith and who was a member of the party being taken to join the Night Watch guardians at the Great Wall which separates the Kingdoms from the wild lands to the greater North of the territories. It has become general knowledge, mainly because of a letter sent to all the lords that Joffrey and his younger brother and sister are not the children of the murdered King, but of the relationship between his mother and her twin brother.

Joffrey is a coward and a vicious bully with no redeeming qualities. My understanding is that he remains unaware of his true parentage, and since gaining official power appears to have all the traits of demonic psychopath.  He is controlled to some extent by his mother Queen Cersei and his uncle Tyrion Lannister. His mother is ambitious for herself, believes she is successfully using her son and remains sexually unscrupulous, taking a young boy Lord into her bed now that her partner has become a prisoner of the son of the former adviser to her father, Lord Stark, who Joffrey had executed in public despite the warnings that by doing so he was storing trouble and making negotiations for the release of uncle (and father) more difficult.

Queen Cersei adopted the role of head of the Small Great council of State, preparing for the defence if the City until the arrival of her other brother Tyrion.
Since he was appointed in effect chief Minister/Steward by his father, Lord Lannister senior, played by Charles Dance, he has by passed the Queen on several issues and held her in check as well as sidelining the King and controlling some of the boy’s worst aspects.

When in the most recent episode the mob turns on the King and his retinue and the King orders the execution of everyone in sight Tyrion tells him not be stupid and manages to get the boy to safety before they are all destroyed.

Queen Cersei has no redeeming qualities and was behind the murder of the previous adviser to the King leading to the appointment of Lord Stark because the man had close to providing her children was not those of the King. She was also responsible for the imprisonment of Lord Stark when he refused to accept the new order. Like her brother she had intended to use him as a bargaining counter for the release of her other brother and lover. Before the arrival of her brother she has organised the City defence by arranging for 8000 containers of an explosive incendiary substance to be manufacture which alarms her brother because in the wrong hand it is just as likely to  burn down the city as save it. She assumed her father would come back to defend the city instead of regrouping and recouping at the previously derelict fortress of Harrenthal

The brother Tyrion whose performance brought him awards for the first season has become the power behind the throne in order to avoid the loss of his life as now that he has found a former prostitute to love him he would like nothing more to eat, drink and be merry, The mention of prostitutes reminds to record that one ploy to contain Joffrey was to get him sexually involved and occupied by sending two young ladies to entertain him. He responded by ordering one of the girls to badly beat the other. Tyrion having gone to view the store of Wildfire created by sister and seeing what a potentially useful weapon they could be, ordered the availability of several thousands of the pots of the city gate keepers to practice with paint and with substances which would do no harm if mishandled.

He has also slowly removed those who opposed or threatened his position or reported to the Queen with his own people. His first act had been to remove the head of the city guard and pack him of to the Wall via ship to become the successor to the present commander, placing someone loyal to him in place. He then imprisons a member of the small Council for revealing to the Queen his plan to betroth her daughter to the family of a potential allay, before she was signed sealed and delivered as a ward hostage until she and the young man were of age(14 years). He proceeds with the plan despite the protestations of Cersei and in the most recent episode we see the reluctant daughter taking ship for her new home. Tyrion points out she will be safer where she is going than in the city, given what is likely to befall them. His concerns for her and for their hostage, the young Sansa, eldest of Lord and Lady Stark, who was keen to become betrothed of Joffrey and becoming his Queen, siding with him against her sister and family has swung of her feelings since witnesses the beheading of her father, and Joffrey’s violence towards encouraging others in his retinue to abuse her.  Tyron sends a trusted Lord to rescue Sansa when she is in peril of gang rape and death when the mob turns on the King,

Then the Queen and Tyrion have a stroke of good fortune in that the two main rivals for the throne, the brothers of the former King, Lord Stannis and Lord Renly cannot agree to a joint venture against the Lannister or joining forces with the son of Lord Stark, who has been proclaimed and crowned King of the North.
 
First instead of going straight to Kings Landing the ships of Lord Stannis have headed to the land camp of his brother, Queen Cersei and Tyrion had feared that the city would be squeezed between a land and sea assault. Their father, Lord Lannister and King Robb of the North had curtailed their warring confrontations because of this development.  Lord Renly is presented as a nice young man who is gay and has a relationship with his wife’s brother. She aware of the relationship insists that her husband gets her with child to secure his claims on the throne and quieten talk, suggesting that her brother helps him with the task if that is what it will take.

Lord Stannis has an unattractive wife by all accounts where their relationship is also limited. He is influenced by a sinister priestess of the dark arts always dressed in red and with red eyes. Lord Stannis has upgraded as his chief gofer a former pirate, Davos, who he charges with taking the priest to a cove and cave in secret. There she suddenly comes in the last stage of pregnancy and gives birth to a black smoke fiend (now where have we experienced that idea before?).

This shape shifting demon then kills Lord Renly in the presence of the wife of Lord Stark, Catelyn and his newly appointed personal guard, the Lady Brienne who won his favour by beating all the men at the recent tournament, Lady Stark had been sent by her son after winning the fourth encounter with Lord Lannister and his men. She had hoped to return to see her youngest children back at her home castle of Winterfell after carrying out her son’s wishes that appeared to want to govern without his mother’s presence any more. It is Catelyn Stark who suggests Brienne leaves with her as the young woman will not be forgiven for the death of Renly despite her devotion to him. She then offers to become the right hand protector of Lady Stark which is warmly accepted.

Back at her son’s camp he has asked for her advice about which of the daughters of Lord Frey (he with eight wives as part of the deal which enabled him to use the quick crossing when going south to engage the forces of Lord Lannister) he should marry when the war is over. Asking her to visit Lord Fry to ensure his continuing support he suggests she checks out the daughters. However back at the camp he is attracted to a young woman who assists a wounded soldier, Talisa, and works out that she is noble birth. She urges him to stop the blood shedding, something which his natural instincts are in favour. The implication is that this relationship will develop and have significance.

I previously reported on the detailed peace terms which he sent to Joffrey, intercepted by Tyrion and firmly rejected by him, in consultation with the Queen before and during a meeting of Small Counsel. He sends the emissary back with his terms for peace which he knows will also be unacceptable to King Robb. They are both buying time. He does make on immediate concession which is to arrange for Lord Baleish, former suitor and present chief Treasurer for the Seven Kingdoms to return the remains of Lord Stark and his men to her Ladyship. He also sends Lord Baleish to see Lord Stannish where he meets up with Catelyn Stark and then goes to see his Lord Lannister senior with news of the latest developments.

This leaves Lord Stannish with his dark red eyed assistant to continue as the sole challenger and with a joining of forces with his brothers now disorganised forces. Davos is able to persuade Stannish not to bring the Red Priestess with him as they make plans to attack Kings Landing. Renly’s wife and now widow and potential Queen has a different idea, correctly convinced Lord Stannish was behind the death of her husband she has not given up on the destiny her husband promised.

I have also mentioned that Theon Greyjoy the only son of Lord Greyjoy. Lord Greyjoy senior is played by the established actor Patrick Malahide. The son has returned home after spending his childhood as the ward Lord Stark with a message from King Robb seeking the support or neutrality of his father. The young man appears more interested in women and in wearing fine clothes and ornaments, seducing the daughter of the ship’s captain and then attempting to seduce the young woman  who offers to return him to his father‘s house from the harbour. In fairness while he attempts to take liberties during their ride on the one horse she also, albeit mischievously, plays him back. She is in fact his younger sister who has taken his place and the fighting warrior after the death of the elder brothers and the departure of Theon. Lord Greyjoy persuades his son to join him in a separate assault on the mainland to achieve his own claims to the Kingship which the former King took from him with the help of Lord Stark.

However while his father gives command of his fleet to his daughter he only gives one ship to his son to undertake some hit and run raids on communities in the north.  Theon the advice and support of a leading crew member decides on another course which is to attack and take the now poorly defended castle home of Robb Stark Winterfell where the disabled brother Brandon and the youngest brother still reside. The disabled son Bran has one of his dreams in which he foresees the castle being taken by water and his chief guard laying dead with his head severed. When Bran hears of the landings he sends all his forces to try and prevent those invading doing great damage and when the castle is taken he agrees to surrender on the understanding that no harm will come to his people.

This is agreed except that Theon is then forced to personally execute Bran’s most loyal champion because of his insults and refusal to accept his authority. Despite warning that no good will come of his actions he listens to those urging him to a show of force. Theon also appears to command the respect of the wildling Bran prevented his men from slaying when she was discovered with a party of rogues when in the forests. It is she that has become an interpreter of the dream, hallucinations, visions which Bran is now experiencing with increasing regularity.  Bran is horrified by what he believes is a betrayal when she appears to put her personal survival before their friendship. He should have more faith because her behaviour is part of a successful ploy to get Bran and his brother away from the Castle.

The books have also concentrated on John Snow, the illegitimate child of Lord Stark who was brought up within the family but has now become a member of Night Watch guarding the great Wall which separates the seven Kingdoms from the far North of the land which even during the long summer periods which lasts years, is a bitterly cold snow and ice covered land. They have set off to find out what is happening north of the wall with tales of the rising of the undead, silent almost invisible figures suggesting a link with the creature born from the Red eyes Priestess adviser to Lord Stannis. They also want to know what happened to the brother of Lord Stark, senior member of the Watch who recruited John Snow and failed to return from an expedition three years previously.

The TV series appears not to cover aspects of the narrative and concentrates on a small expedition from the main party who go on a scouting mission and encounter some of the wildings who they kill with the exception of a young woman. Jon is left to execute the prisoner but cannot do so and when she runs off he chases and recaptures her but loses contact with the others so that they are forced to lie close together at night to avoid freezing. She makes sexual advances towards him which he rejects trying to keep to the vow of celibacy.

Jon’s favourite among his half brothers and sisters is Ayra who has escaped from the Lannisters and was being taken to Winterfell as part of the chief Crow (recruiting officer) along with the eldest of the known illegitimate children of Lord Stark. They have been taken prisoner by a ruthless gang of cutthroats and torturers acting for Lord Lannister senior and taken to work as servants with Ayra now dressed again as a girl after successfully posing as young boy for the journey north assigned to work for Lannister senior.

She has already secured the death of one of the tortures having released three of the Night Watch prisoners so they would be burnt in the fire storm when the village was set alight and where one of the number has said she can claim three lives. When serving at the table she overhears Lannister berate one of his followers for misdirecting a letter containing his campaign plans and dispositions which fortunately ended in friendly hands. Ayra manages to gets hold of the paper and proposes to try and break out with the invaluable information to help the cause of her brother and his family. When she is detected heading for the armoury and questioned she is able to arrange the second return favour just in time to prevent her actions coming to the attention of Lord Lannister.

She is living dangerously because a visitor to his Lordship is none other than Lord Baeilish who knows Ayra but does not appear to recognise her, in part because she is skilful in not showing her face to him while serving wine and clearing the table after the earlier gathering.

Although occurring away from the mainland the trials and tribulations of Daenerys Targaryen seeking to gain the throne of her family  who once controlled the Dragonland appears to become more closely related to the main story. In the TV series she reaches and enters the famous seaboard city of Qarth, famed for his security against land invaders, for its wealth and commercial success, by a different means from that in the book. Martin tells us (310-317) that three tall and thick decorated walls surround the city. The outer of red sandstone thirty feet high and decorated with animals, snakes, fish and birds. The middle wall is forty feet tall in grey granite with scenes of war, the clashing of spears and swords including that of babes being butchered. It is not these scenes which led Daenerys to avert her eyes but the inner wall some fifty feet in height and made of black marble with carvings of men and women in naked enjoyment of each other’s bodies.  She is after all still only a young girl given to a war lord who fortunately proved loving and tender. After his death she emerged from the intense heat of his funeral pyre unscathed with the last dragons eggs from her homeland hatched and who she now guards and gives priority to their development as the key to regaining the crown and lands of her forefathers( Young Merlin episode in which the last dragons eggs is also hatched). Her path into the city is strewn with flowers by children in gold sandals and with body paint but no other clothing.

Her greeting by the thirteen who led the city was also very different from that portrayed in the TV series although the difference between Xaro who spoke offering a crown of black Jade and fire opals for her and the blue lipped Pyat Pree of the House of the Undying suggested the conflict which was to emerge. As with the creature born of the Red Priestess and reports of the undead on the other side of the wall the Undying appear to be shape shifters and illusionists.  Both Xaro, the wealthiest man in the city from his merchant adventuring who wants her to marry him and Pyat Pree who also offers her a home are after her Dragons as appear to the other leading citizens  who flock to the banquet which Xaro lays on to mark her arrival in the city.

She explains that the only Palace she wants is that at Kings Landing to which a member of the accompanying entourage declared that she was wise beyond her years and some in the city said that the house of a warlock (The Udying) was built on bones and lies. Her adviser Ser Jorah who had put on the chain and mail of Westeros warns her in their home language not to have dealings with either man although she responded in the hope more than belief that both would help her to attain her goal. He urged that they did not  stay long as he detects a nasty smell which she suggested was the came; but he would not be placated  saying that the sweet smell of the people sometimes hid what was foul.

She has been allocated a wing of a palace with her own gardens and bathing pool together with servants by her. She was realistic in understanding their interest is the dragons and she is warned by a mysterious person in a red mask that the dragons would be coveted because of their potential power when developed.

Having settled in the city Daenerys concentrates on preparing her case to the city leaders to provide her with the ships and men to help regain the crown of her forefathers. They point out that she had no experience of ruling there or having any support but in truth she realises that they never had any intention of helping her or  assisting her in leaving as they individually and collectively only have interest in her dragons. This was also true of her host who offers her marriage again but with no interest in waging war or being associated with such conflicts despite his possession of great wealth and ships for trading. He says she will find no support from other individuals or groups for the venture and that even if she persuaded some to provide the ships these would be of no use without the men committed to her cause even if she had the money to pay them (420-429) The only possibility open to her was to accept that invitation of the Undying which everyone around her, friend, foe and neural counselled against.  This leads to the finale of episode six in which following an attack on the quarters where she is staying she finds the Dragons missing and we see the back of someone hurrying towards the tall monolith of the House of the Undying. I have not come across this aspect in the book so far although she does go to the House on own accord with some dramatic consequences.

Clash of Kings part 3

It was not until the fifth episode of the Clash of Kings in the second season of the Game of Thrones that an events occurred which provided the first indication of the way things are likely to evolve if not conclude.  

I begin not with the event or will mention it because of overlaps and reorganisation of events in the TV series different from the book. I begin with Ayra who along with Tyrion are given great attention during the first part of the book.  She and the other orphans escaped the killing and the burning and when it appeared that Joffrey’s Lannister men had left the city she climbed as high a tree as she could find to survey the scene and then enerted to find everyone there dead and mulitated by the wild animals that had been left to forage. There was nothing to be done but she would not leave without finding out if Yoren was killed, he who promised to take her home to Winterfell before continuing on the the Wall with the rest of his group.  He was found, his head divided by an axe surrounded by bodies that it appeared he had killed before others killed him. She insisted or burying him before they moved on.

They were without food and driven to eat beatles, and worms. This contrasts sharply with the food of others as will be described. It was after another tree climbing lookout that she saw a village close to the shore and the considred whether to go where there would be food but risk being hunted and captured by Joffrey‘s men who could  also be seen. It was also the occaison when Arya was challenged about her sexual idenity by Gendrey, the young man who unknown to both of them was the late Kings eldest surviving illegitimate son. She tried to brazen it out but in the end admitted the truth, and who she was and swore him to secrey, which although he agrred created a problem because he tried to treat her as the lady she was in the making which was the opposite of what she needed to maintain the secrecy, Gendry was the first to be caught by the men of the caravan at the village and soon the others driven by their hunger they were forced to give themselves up. One whose leg was hurt asked to be carried and had his throat cut for admitting his disability. (212-224)  

For the next eight days of their capture she witnessed the questioning and the tortuting of the villagers at the rate of death a day. The questioning of each victim was always the same. They wanted to know if there was gold and other vaulanles hidden the village, or food not disclosed. They wanted to know about their enemy and if anyone in village had aided them and what of Lord Beric Dondarrion who had escpaed, which did direction did he travel and who was with him? It did not matter if the villagers did not know; the torturing was undertaken by one known as Tickler and continued until the victimn died. With the remaining villagers they were being taken in the service of Lord Tywin Lannister at his fortress at Herennial. The killing continued along way and forced to make water along the road the others soon realised that she was a girl although this fact was ignored by the guards who clearly had no knowledge that Gendry and she were wanted by Joffrey and the Queen. The rape and the slaughter continued along the way with one young woman taken four or five times a night until she hit one with a rock and had her head cut off and her body left for the wolves. 

Ayra was glad someone had taken her sword otherwise she would have used it, been killed and her body left for the wolves. She contented herself by going over the names of those involved- Dunsen, Polliver, Chiswyck, Raif, Ser Amory and the Sweetling for the death of Lommy, The Tickler, The Hound and their commanders Ser Amory. Ilyn and Mervyn together with Joffrey and Cersei. When she reached the citadel she was assigned and warned that defiance and pride were smell about her when they wanted to smell fear. (304-309)

Her main work was cleaning although sometimes she ran messages and served at the table for the men of arms. The work was hard but the life was better than it had been on the road and there was food. She had contact with the other young people who had on the road with her. She was able to learn secrets about the other servants and some of the masters and of the disregard for the King and his mother, and his parentage.  She thought of escape and of revealing her identity. One day Ser Amory Launch and his men arrived. She also realised that one of the three men she had help free was within them but as he showed no recognition she assumed he failed to recognise now that she was dressed as girl. Later she heard the voice of one at her ear indicating that because she had saved three she was owed three. All she had to do was name and three would be killed.  This was more implicit than explicit.

When she heard tell how they treated the girl that had been placed in the kitchen she uttered the name of one man Chiswyck and shortly after he was said to have fallen to his death in a drunken state. She determined to give two more names (334 342).

There is a brief incident covered affecting her older sister Sansa in which she receives an anonymous letter asking for a meeting outside the city walls if she wishes to return home. Knowing the implications of being caught she nevertheless goes to meet the unknown individual (205-2011). She finds the man is a member of the Court is well known as a drunk and a useless threat to her. She has difficulty explaining her absence on return claiming she went to pray for her future husband.

Sansa assumed that her younger sister was safe at Winterfell with her two younger brothers, Despite his disability and with the help of his adviser young Brandon was heading a feast to mark the harvest and give heart to the men of the Kingdom not with Robb‘s army. There were great joints of aurochs(?) roasted with leeks, venison pies chunky with carrots, bacon and mushrooms, mutton chops sauced in honey and cloves, goose, skewers of pigeon and capon, peppered boar, savoury duck, beef and barley stew, cold fruit soup. There were also twenty casks of fish brought from Whiteharbour -whitefish and winkles,, crabs and mussels, clams herring, cod, salmon and lobster and lampreys (?), Black bread and honey cakes and oaten biscuits, There was turnips and beets and peas, squash and huge red onions, There was also baked apples and berry tarts, pears poached in strong wine and wheels of white cheese were at every table to be consumed with flagons of hot spice wine and chilled autumn ale. He meets some of the guests and some reaffirm their commitment to the family. He continues to have dream, nightmares, and visions depending upon perspectives. (237- 244).

Their mother also has a dream that her son was whole, the daughters were hand in hand, the eldest crownless, the youngest at her breast and he husband in her bed. It was also a nightmare dream or vision according to perspective (245-259). It was her son crowned King at 15 who insisted she go and see Lord Renly one the former king’s two brothers. She was reluctant but saw the wisdom of her going. As she made her way to the camp of thousands of tents she was escorted by one of his knights who commented that his master was the anointed King of all Seven Kingdoms which made her wonder if he was her escort or she his captive.

As she approach closer she could see that a tournament was taking place before the young King and his bride no more of age than her son. The fights were coming to an end and the victor was revealed to be a young woman, Brienne of Tarth. The King Commander her to say what favour she would ask of him and she was immediate with her answer. She wished to become of he seven of his Rainbow guard, responsible for his personal security. This was granted. Renly then acknowledge Catelyn and also that Robb was King and not Lord of the North. He also expressed his concern for the loss of her husband.

After recovering from the journey she was treated to a banquet of similar proportion that which her younger son had recently provided their people. There was also poached pears in wine and savoury fish, capons stuffed with onions and mushrooms together with mounds of turnips sweet corn and peas, and brown bread, and hams and geese and venison skewed with beer and barley, There were trays of pastries cream swans and spun sugar unicorns, spiced honey biscuits and blackberry tarts, lemon cakes and apple crisps together with wheels of buttery cheese.  All this compares to the days of eating worms and beetles by his sister Ayra and her limited diet now as a servant.

The two then walked together and discussed the situation that had arisen, why her husband has not refused to acknowledge Joffrey and supported Renly’s claim. The calm was broken with the news that his brother, Lord Stannis was his gates with an army. (245-259).

Meanwhile her step son was out with the Watch investigating what was happening north of the Wall. They were approach the camp of one Craster who had many women and it appeared he was there, the first being encountered after finding village upon village deserted. The hall was big enough to accommodate perhaps fifty of the party but the rest would to find lodgings in the open. He learned that his uncle had not been seen for three years when usually there was a visit once a year. (260-276). Jon who does not partake of the hall and its hospitality is approached by a pregnant young woman who seeks his help to leave with him, prepared to be his wife because she is concerned for the future of her unborn child if it is a boy. A girl will be kept to become yet another wife of Craster, but a boy would be given to the cold Gods, the White Shadows as was being given the sheep and soon the dogs as here was no more sheep. When he spoke of had passed with the Commander the Commander was not surprised, indicating that he knew there were unnatural beings about. This made Jon afraid even tough they were several hundred in number.

It is Tyrion who increasingly appears to have control of the King’s affairs and his city although the Queen continues to believe she is the power. He has decided that given the creation of several thousand pots of the incendiary wildfire ordered by his sister it was essential that the gate keepers should have early training in their use otherwise the outcome could well be the city setting fire to itself. He arranged for several thousand empty pots to be used for training purposes, first with paint and then with oil and that that failing show good and safe use of the potential weapons should be replaced

It is while he is out on this mission that he first comes  across some of the open public dissent and criticism of the King, his parentage and the situation the family have placed the city and its citizens especially with the severe shortage of food. He also has the good fortune to encounter Ser Cleos Frey with his letter of Peace terms before it reaches his sister and the King. Given his scathing response to what is requested his decision to read first and present the letter with his view to the small Council is a wise one and echoes an earlier comment that while recognising that the Kingship is doomed he is working out a way to prevent himself, his brother and other family members from being killed during the process.

He is also summoned to see his sister who is raging at having discovered his plan to betroth her only daughter and for her to become an effective hostage for five years until the reaching the age when the marriage should take place. ( 225-244). He explained  his strategy and believed they were in the stronger position over arguing that the sending of peace terms, unacceptable as they were was a good indication that this was so. While she reacted to the letter as he had predicted he mused over who had revealed the plan about the daughter to her mother.

I am missing out the most important development of episode 5 and pivotal to the books because there are several matters earlier in the book yet to be covered and I have more ado elsewhere. I will therefore post this and go back to writing 2271, completing my journey home and the important political events that have occurred

Game of Thrones Clash of Thrones p53-204

I will begin this second record of my reading of the Clash of Kings, the second volume in the George Martin series of Fire and Ice books after watching the fourth episode of the TV series the Game of Thrones, season two, not from page 54 which concerns Ayra once more but with pages 138-149 on the story of Daenerys Targaryen my favourite of the female characters although Ayra Stark comes a close second.

On seeing the comet Daenerys is convinced it is a sign that her time has come following her emergence from the fire of her husband’s funeral pyre and the hatchings of the dragons from their eggs. Where would she go? Ser Jorah Mormont her adviser now appointed to head her paltry Queensguard was clear, there was only one direction to travel if she was not to be destroyed by those who never accepted her  or would now do anything to acquire the three only living dragons in the known world, albeit fledglings without their potential power.

Unlike the TV series the book is explicit on the extent to which the weak in her party commence to die, the old men, the young infants and how everyone suffered from the lack of food and water. She protected the dragons by searing the dead horseflesh and the creatures consumed several times their weight each day, growing in size and strength. The remaining follows retained their belief in her and never questioned her decisions because of what had happened

Just when everyone commenced to fear for their immediate future they came across and empty ruined city but here they found cold water, food and shelter to replenish themselves. Some were hesitant about staying long fearing the place was full of ghosts. It is at this point that the books parts company with the TV series for in the latter they send out riders in each direction to find the best way to go and one returns saying he reached a city on the shore and they had promised a welcome having heard who she is and that she was the mother of dragons. In the book representatives of the city, of the thirteen who                                                     governed this city come to Daenerys and ask to see the dragons. In the TV series she approaches the city where all the thirteen wait and demand to see the dragons and when she refuses insisting that her people must enter and be fed and given water first they make as to return and close the gates. One of their numbers dissents and uses his position to act a surety for her and thus she and her party are allowed to enter. My feel us that her story, her role in the series will take time to develop and emerge.

It is therefore to Ayra Stark that I turn next on way to the Wall in secret dressed and shorn to appear a boy (50-59). There is a good description of the state of Kingdom as they travel north and they encounter a posse of Kingsguard on a mission from the Queen to find a boy. The eldest surviving illegitimate son of the late King’s eight known illegitimate offspring brought up as the son of a blacksmith.  Ayra who is out of sight thinks they come for her.

The group of thirty orphans, villains and volunteers is led by Yoren the leader of the Crows, those with the power to recruit for the Night Watch. They manage to get the upper hand of the men and send them packing but with the threat that on return they will have the disobedient Night Watch group leader. Ayra has also shows her defiance and lack of fear at the three men who are shackled and caged.

In a second scene (100-108) the position threatened when
they narrowly miss encountering remnants of a battle without knowing which side the men are fighting, They are forced to lie low one night with fires, and short of food the water is said to have the taste of rotting bodies upstream. Ayra is confronted by wolves when she needs to relieve herself. She is miserable, dirty and misses her family and home. The third piece (156-167) brings the story up to the end of the fourth episode in the new series. The group of 30 destined for the Night Watch come across a deserted town where nearby they had hoped to find boats to cross the water. Here they shelter against the instinct of Ayra. Before the night is done they are surrounded by a troop of Tyrion‘s men acting for the said true King Joffrey they say and insisting they yield  their secure place while the rest of town is burning. 

The group resist when the battle appears lost, Yoren presses Ayra to take the other children away but while she endeavours to do this the men enchained plead with her to set them free. She provides them with an axe before getting into the tunnel of escape. However as they felt this was safe from all the death and fire above ground she hears a noise as the tunnel fills with hot smoke and dust so she bends down to the mud which she kisses and cries, trying to hold her breath. Throughout the ordeal her journey north  she has clutched the special sword, “needle” given to her by half brother Jon Snow to whom she had become the closest attached during their childhood together.

Jon as I have said elected to becme a member of the Night Watch after his uncle had taken him to the Wall before disappearing believed dead on an expeidition through the tunnel into the wilding country on the other side. Jon had wanted to leave on learning what had happened to his father and other family members but had stayed after saving the life of the leader of the Night Watch and being appointed his squire.

He is anxious about the expedition beyond the wall that will follow a day of fasting which he admits to gently Sam Samwell Tarly, also a Steward appointed such because neither the fighting skills and abilities to become Rangers, and who had disappeared over night having been sent to the Libary to find some maps for places they would be going. The young man had become so absorbed with the treasures that he had lost all sense of time and of his need of food before the journey commenced. Jon who knew of books kept by his father was not impressed failing to appreiate what books have to offer, This was not to be a small expedition but involve three hundred men, with three quarters of them Rangers.

An interesting revelation reflecting the position of those who take the vow of celibacy is that two of their young friends who were “recruited” and trained at The same time, had gone to enjoy the company of professional ladies of the night. Jon resisted sayng that he had taken the vow, of celibacy.

 A new party of recruits arrives at the Wall led by another of the Crows, with news of those outside, especially that Robb, his half brother, has been proclaimed King of the North and there is speculation about this on the eventual life which Robb will lead compared to that of Jon his older but illegitimate half brother. Robb who has declared there is no shame in being afraid of what they will confront on the expedition admits to be troubled by this news but he tells the Old Bear as Ser  Jeor  Mormont is known, the Commander of the Night Watch, I be troubled but “ keep my vows.” (69-78)

(150-155) Jon then comments on his travels with Mormont as they pass from the tunnel to the land beyond the wall and finds that the villages are deserted of the wildings, the people of these lands. Mormont insists that they continue to journey north to find a lake shown on one of the maps where they will camp and perhaps catch fish for their supper. There was a sense of an enemy being out there which Mormont promised to find, or as John thought in silence, “they find us.”

Back at the fortress home of the Starks the second bother, Bran (179-190) is effectively in charge despite his disabilities cause by Jaime Lannister at the instigation of his lover and twin sister Queen Cersei. He is required to entertain Lord Wyman Manderly the second son of the Lord of White Harbour. He had come to argue that with sufficient gold he could build a navy within a year for sufficient size to take Kings Landing and the Dragonstone. He also suggested that they use the Harbour to build a mint so that Robb would have his own coin.

There is much talk about forging alliance to build up the strength of the new Kingdom but Bran is still troubled by the memories of his fall and the nightmares which continue to beset him.

His reluctant care mother, Catelyn who husband had never spoken to him or her about his birth mother. She was proud that her first born now wore a crown, specially made as the original was lost, and he only a boy of fifteen years. Under the guidance of his mother King Robb, Robert Stark, given the name of his father best friend and former King of the Seven Kingdoms, has entrusted one of the prisoners from the House of Frey with a special mission.

We   had met Walder Frey senior  during the first season when he had allowed Robb and his men to the use the Crossing short cut and agreed to recognise  his cause on the understanding that when the fighting was done  Robb would marry one of the man‘s daughters from his eight wives.  As part of the deal Ayra had been betrothed a nine year old son of his seventh wife and where Olyvar of the Freys had bcome squire to Robb and where a grandson of the fourth wife Big Walder had become a fostered ward to Catelyn while a grand son of his third wife was also fostered and a ward of Lady Catelyn, known as Little Walder. Despite this entwined connection and agreement to support the cause of the Starks against the Lannisters, one of the sons of first the wife, had married the sister of Tywin Lannister, father of Queen Cersei, twin brother Ser Jamie and the new Kings Hand Tyrion and their son Cleos had fought and been captured by Robb along with Queen Cersei’s twin brother Ser Jaime. 

It is Cleos who is asked to volunteer to take the terms of a peace to Joffrey at Kings landing accompanied by a retinue of thrity of Robb’s best men.  First he is made a knight and then asked to vow that after delivering the message to Queen Cersei he would return remaining a prisoner. In exchange   for his two sisters and the ending of the betrothal to Joffrey Robb stated he would release two of the Queens other cousins now in his captivity. He required the remains of his father and those of the men who died with him to be returned together with his father’s sword. There would then be an exchange of prisoners except for Jaime who would be kept until all was resolved to ensure good faith. He would then be released upon the acceptance that he was reognised by them as the King of the North. They would also yield ten high born hostages who would be treated as guests and released two a year to secure the peace.

Having set this action in train Rob suggests that his mother should become his envoy gaining support from the Lords for more men and also to help him decide which of the Frey girls he should marry. Catelyn then heard news that the Lannisters were raising another army and concludes that she needed to try and gain the support of of the former Kings brothers-the Lord Renly and the Lord Stannis (79-89)

Meanwhile back at Kings Landing Tyrion is already fast at work in his appointed role of the King’s hand when he approaches the Master of the City Watch Ser Janos Slynt and explains that the head of the Night Watch expressed concern to Tyrion on his visit that he had no one to succeed him. The Hand had decided that Janos would join the Watch with view to becoming its Commander and that his family would be provided for.

Ser Janos explodes with resentment sayng that the Queen and King Joffrey would not agree. It was Janos who had put Lord Stark to the sword despite Tyrion and father wanting to use the man as a bargaining counter and it was Ser Janos who was responsible for the carrying out of the order to murder the children of the late King including the child of the whore at the brothel run by Lord Petyr Baelish, known as Littlefinger, the Master of the Coin in the house of the Lannisters and who had always coveted Catelyn Stark.

Ser Janos then finds that Tyrion is well prepared for  this reaction and has the newly appointed replacement at head of the City Watch, ready to escort Ser Janos an his trusted men to a ship waiting to take them north to the Wall. Tyrion later speculates how Queen Cersei will take the news that has taken command of the City Watch without consulting her.

He is also approached by Lord Varys, the Eunuch, some call Spider because of the web of intrigue surrounding him through his spies and information gatherers as Council member. He is inclined to appear all things to all men but he has his uses on providing some valuable information that in  addition to the now murdered baby of the former kings there is another, a son and older. Tyrion also appreciate of some of the advice and thoughts of the Spider, particular that power resides where men believes it resides no more no less. It is a shadow on a wall but Lord Varys adds that a small man can cast a very large shadow (90-100).

It was Grand Maester Pycelle of the Council who brought the news of the letters circulated by Lord Stannis denouncing the King and his mother (168-178) the queen was full of rage which amused Tyrion because what was being said was true. She fumed that she was being accused of being a whore, something which Tyrion points out was not being claimed, he does not say you were paid for bedding your brother he wickedly fanned the flames. Nor could he see any point in burning all the letters as the claims were now already generally known throughout the Seven Kingdoms.

The queen now wanted the Council to issue an edict that anyone heard repeating the claims would have his tongue removed. Tyrion successfully argues that this would only give credence to the talk and suggests a different approach with the counter accusation that the daughter of Stannis comes from a union between his wife and the court fool. Later at his residence Lord Varys explains that the real problem is that the three children of the Queen are faired headed while the known eight illegitimate children of the King were all dark haired thus giving credence to the charges against the Queen and the illegitimacy of Joffrey. Something which was still being kept from him.

Tyrion (192-204) is holding a kind of court hearing petitions delivers personally deciding who to see and who not, revealing a mixture of common sense thoughtful diplomacy and personal prejudices which could quickly appear to have been counter productive as when a visitor from the Wall is held in virtual captivity because Tyrion disliked the man on his visit without first learning why the man come all this way with a decaying hand in a jar.

He encounters the Queen who is on her way inspecting he defences at the gates and again calls on Tyrion to call on their father to bring his army to defend the city, because of the news that Lord Renly with the power of Storm End and Highgarden is approaching the city with allegedly one hundred thousand men. Tyrion is sceptical about the numbers and the immediate intentions of Renly who he believes is playing a waiting game in the hope that either Robb will defeat the South which will be handed over without shedding the blood of Renly’s men or they will be so weakened throught the protracted conflict that Renly will be able to Kings Landing with the minimum of casualties on his side. He is more concerned that he other brother Stannis would take to his ships they would be sandwiched between the sea and the advancing Renly.

He then confers with Lord Baelish and we learn something of how the man rose to power and his ongoing skill in making money for himself, making appointments which secure his position and avoiding offending anyone who might threaten his situation. To him Tyrion discloses his plan to but the neutrality of the wife of the previous Hand to the former King by betrothing his niece to her son and giving the girl to the woman in the meantime has her ward. Baelish speculates on the reaction of the Queen to this.

The action then moves to the Kingdom of Dragonstone and the influence of the woman Melisandre over the Lord Stannis who would be King not just of the South but all the Seven Kingdoms. The story is viewed through the eyes of the former smuggler Davos now given the place of Maester Cressen who had sacrificed his life in the hope of

ending that of Melisandre and her influence over Lord Stannis. It was she responsible for the burning of alleged enemies as a form of sacrifice to gain support for the cause. It was she who had arrange the theatrical seizing of a flaming sword from one of the fires by Stannis who had had been protected in advance by a padded gauntlet so as to be proclaim that he would fulfil an ancient prophecy that there would come one who would draw a sword from fire who would be the Warrior of Light, the son of fire, the Light bringer, once more to rule and bring his people to their proper place.
                    
It Davos when arranging the ships that news comes that the brother of Stannis, Renly is aso taking to the road in his own cause accompanied by his wife. (I08 -120)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

It is not clear how important and what role Theon is to play (121-137) of the House of  Greyjoy and who at the age of ten years had been surrendered by his father to Robert Baratheon and given to be a ward of Robert Stark brought up alongside his brothers. He an envoy of Robb to gave to his father a parchment seeking his assistance in the war against Joffrey and the South. He is not a nice man having seduced the captain’s daughter, a maiden, on the voyage and then abandoned her as soon as his homeland shore is sighted.

The TV series introduced one change from the book in that at the he is offered assistance by one who he assumes is a local girl and therefore open to his sexual advances only to discover this is older sister on arrival at the castle keep. In fact in the book he is greeted by another relative aware of his arrival and visit purpose as is his father. His father ridicules the dress and ornaments of his son and then burns the parchment saying he has no intention of siding with the family of those that killed his two brothers. He has plans of his own which will lead him to being king again but for the moment he refuses to disclose to his the son why he has gathered his ships in the bay.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

A Game of Thrones 2 A Clash of Kings to page 53

I should be completing my reading of Le Carré’s Russia House but the pull of the second series of Game of Thrones with the first two episodes watched before the trip to London and the third and fourth upon my return led to commencing to read the opening chapters of A Clash of Kings, the second of the George R R Martin monster volumes of his series A Song of Ice and Fire with seven volumes in all but with one in two parts and each having at least 700 pages.

It is a good test of the effectiveness of the 10 episode first series and my reading and writing of the first volume as to how much I now remember. There were three principal groups in the first series.

The Stark family are the chosen family to represent integrity, loyalty, justice and honour. The family are happy and content together living in their stronghold Winterfell in a long period of unprecedented peace which appears to have been created through the reign of the King who lives at Kings Landing in the South. He and Lord Stark were close friends who fought to achieve the stability. The King had married the daughter of an ambitious noble family, the Lannister’s, although his heart remained attached to the dead sister of Lord Stark. When the Chief Adviser cum Prime Minister to the King dies in questionable circumstances he visits Winterfell to persuade Lord Stark to return with him to become in his “Hand” and to bring with him his eldest daughter who is beautiful but still a child to become the bride of his son, Joffrey, when he reaches the age of fourteen. He also brings his youngest daughter, Ayra who is a tomboy and realising that that the situation at the Court is thwart with danger he enables his youngest daughter to become skilled in self defence.

Lord Stark has three sons. Robb the eldest son is also a boy who finds himself the head of the family when his father is executed and after the murder of the King and the coming to power of Joffrey who the daughter Sanza has willingly married and made to declare her father a traitor and witness his death. Unbeknown to her mother and the rest of the family the youngest daughter Ayra escapes by pretending to be a boy.  A feature of the first volume is that many of future central characters are all in effect children and as they were during the Middle Ages until Victorian times and prepared to fight and to marry as soon as they became adolescents and if they were high born to participate in arranged marriages which furthered the interests of Kingdoms and Noble families.

Robb supported by his mother, Catelyn, assumes not just the title of Lord Stark but is recognised by the Nobles as the King of the North of the Seven Kingdoms which comprises a land area not dissimilar to that of the British island. Robb with the help of the northern nobles has engaged the forces of the family of Joffrey’s, mother, her twin brother and her father.  He has defeated them three times and captured the twin brother. He would gladly cease fighting and return home if Joffrey and his allies would accept the division of power and exchange the two daughters for the “uncle“.

Lord Stark has two other sons. The eldest is Jon Snow the name given to an illegitimate child, accepted into the family by Catelyn and who is persuaded by the brother of Lord Stark to joining the Night Watch, an order which guards and patrols the great Wall with separates the lands controlled by Joffrey and the Starks, and others, from the wild cold far North

The seasons in these lands do no go in conventional cycles but cover prolonged periods of Summer, as now or Winter, except that at and beyond the Wall it is a permanent Winter,  dark, mysterious and threatening. The Wall is a giant construction with only one access to the world beyond through a tunnel. Jon faces a crisis of conscious when his uncle disappears after investigating developments beyond the wall and seeks to return to Winterfell on learning of the death of his father and the position of his half brothers and sisters. However he stays after saving the life of the head of the Order after a Joffrey associated plot to kill the head and take control of the Order.

There have been disturbing developments north of the wall which heralds the approach of a new and prolonged winter. There was a time of magic and devilish spirits and of dragons.

The youngest son of Lord Stark remains at the family home cared for and protected since he lost the use of his legs having been thrown from a window by Joffrey’s twin brother, Ser Jamie Lannister after accidentally witnessing an adult relationship with the twin sister, the then wife of the King. It emerged that Joffrey was not the legitimate son of the King and but the product of this relationship and was therefore not the rightful heir. Joffrey’s sister and young brother were also conceived through this incestuous relationship. It also emerged that the King had fathered a considerable number of illegitimate children. Joffrey sets out to kill these children reminding of King Herod.

Having mentioned Dragons it is perhaps an appropriate point to introduce another family who form a central role, albeit in parallel to the events involving the Starks and the Lannisters.

The also adolescent young Daenerys Targaryen is the exiled princess of the Targaryen dynasty who were associated with the use and power of Dragons. She is effectively controlled by her brother (with suggestions also of incest and physical abuse) who seeks the position lost by his ancestors and the two are advised and to some extent protected by someone who facilitates their stay in warm climes with deserts suggesting a location similar to southern Europe. Her bother arranges her marriage to the powerful Dothraki warlord Khal Drogo because he promises to use his forces to help the brother regain power.

Daenerys is at first afraid of her new husband but after learning the Dothraki language, she genuinely falls in love with him, after learning that he is a good leader and a kind man. After embracing the Dothraki culture, she becomes stronger and rebels against her brother. She later becomes pregnant with Drogo's son who is prophesied by the Dothraki to be the conqueror who will unite the world.

Her brother resenting the position she begins to hold plots against her but is killed and the former King, on learning of he prophecy also attempts to kill her. The Drogo vows that he will use his forces to conquer the Seven Kingdoms so that she will regain her rightful place and for their son. During the journey to the coast Drogo suffers an infected wound incurred during a fight with a Dothraki tribesman which forces Daenerys to seek the help of healer Mirri Maz Duur to save his life using blood magic. But Mirri tricks Daenerys by using her unborn son's life as a sacrifice to heal Drogo which leaves him a permanent catatonic state, forcing Daenerys to end her husband's life. Losing both her husband and son, Daenerys punishes Mirri by burning her into a pyre which helps hatch the three dragon eggs Daenerys carries. With her baby dragons, Daenerys and what is left of her husband's tribe must find a way to gather new allies to protect themselves and reclaim the Iron Throne.

This brings me to the Lannisters, effectively headed by Cersei Baratheon, nee Lannister, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, and was the wife of King Robert Baratheon. As stated she and her twin brother Jaime have been involved in an incestuous love affair since childhood. She had one son by Robert, who died in infancy of a strange illness. And her three surviving children are her bothers and not the former King’s’ She is calculating, ruthless, and cares only for power and the advancement of her family.

The twin brother is a member of the Kingsguard. He is nicknamed "Kingslayer" for killing the previous King, Aerys II, whom he was sworn to protect. He was allowed to keep his post in the current Kingsguard as he and his influential father helped Robert win the war, but no one feels he deserves this post which frustrates him. Away from the control of his twin sister he has shown some unexpected positive characteristics. The first is his respect for Lord Stark and a commitment to fair play. The second is his support for his brother, the height challenged Tyrion. The brother is captured by Lord Stark’s widow believing that Tyrion was complicit in the attempting killing of her youngest child and in the imprisonment and death of her husband.   Until his capture Tyrion was only interested in wenching and drinking but this near death experience as well as a visit to the Wall, changes his approach to life and he seeks the approval of his father by joining the battles against Robb Stark.

His mother died during his birth, for which his father, Tywin Lannister, blamed him as does Cersi his sister. While not physically powerful, Tyrion has a cunning mind, and often uses to his advantage the fact that others constantly underestimate him. His brother captured, his father recognises that Tyrion can play an important part in maintaining order while the war continues as the two brothers of the former King declare Joffrey a usurper and seek to gain the crown for themselves. Tyrion is appointed to be the King’s Hand in place of his father while the war continues, much to the opposition of his sister who sees her power challenged. Peter Dinklage, the only American among the leading cast won a number of awards as best supporting actor for his role in the series.

The new King, Joffrey, is unaware of his true parentage. He has shown himself to be vicious, cruel, a coward and a short tempered. He believes he could do anything he wants when the Crown Prince and on becoming King he quickly begins to act without the guidance of his mother and official advisers.  He orders the death of Lord Stark and the killing of the illegitimate children of the former King which he still believes was his father. So it is time for the second volume which begins with a prologue.

A Clash of Kings begins not with the Starks, the Lannisters or Daenerys Targaryen but with the King of the Narrow Sea Lord Stannis Barathon the older of the former Kings brothers and a rightful claimant to the throne over Joffrey. The TV series covers all the events and storylines of the book but in a different order, I will follow that of the book until the end of the fourth part although cover the story in two parts.

It is Stannis who writes to all the Lords in the land of the Seven Kingdoms to claim the Kingship over all, correctly stating that Joffrey and his brother and sisters are the children not of his older brother but of the incestuous relationship between his brother’s wife and her twin brother,

This is the land of the Dragon stone, the former homeland of Daenerys and her now dead older brother. Here Lord Stannis was cared for by Maester Cressen, his former tutor and healer and now an old man but still wise and anxious for the once boy  of the three sons who he helped raise after the early death of their father.

His place now had been taken by the woman, the red woman Lady Melisandre of Asshal, called red because of hair and her dress, a priestess, a witch, sorceress, a dealer in the black arts and who no was driving Lord Stannis to take on Joffrey alone without the help of his estranged younger brother or of Robb Stark. Cressen who dismissed the horrible visions of the Stannis young daughter Sireen, only ten years, as nightmares and saw no meaning in the appearance of a great red comet in the sky pleads with his Lord as had  to  find common cause with Stark and brother, Renly, something which is also supported by Ser Davos Seaworth, his principal adviser a man with seven sons, but their view is challenged by the Lady Melisandre and who in the matter of what their Lord  should do was supported by his wife despite his lack of regard for her since her inability to provide him with sons from their occasional couplings.  Concerned at the decision which events are being directed Cressen plots the death of Melisandre only to be thwarted by her skills as she turns the tables on his attempt to poison her with wine. He dies instantly but she drinks the rest of the wine without adverse effect.

It was Ayra’s good fortune to be discovered by the man entrusted with the task of replenishing the men sent to join the Night Watch at the Wall. He had been allowed by her father to take his pick of the cut throats and thieves held in the dungeons as well as the volunteers with authority to leave the city and journey north. He cuts the girl’s hair and warns her take care when she passes water so that no one else knows of her sex and identity. Also in the caravan is the eldest of the surviving illegitimate children of the king and therefore a rightful claimant to the throne. They have not travelled long before one of the other youths takes a fancy to the sword given her by Jon Snow. Faced with his challenge she resists his request and beats him badly in their subsequent fight. She is stopped from killing him by the leader who gives her a gently smacking out of sight of the others telling her to cry out in protest and warning her and the others what will happen if they engage in further conflict between themselves.  He warns her that half of the company would gladly give her up to the Queen and the other half would rape her first before doing so.

Back in Kings Landing a tournament was held to mark the birthday of the King, but there was to be a poor showing because of the situation. Sanza was expected to play the role of the loving betrothed although her situation had become one of constant torment as she was regularly beaten not just by Joffrey but by his younger brother and his adult companions at his command. She hoped the Queen would also attend because was able to restrain the wilder behaviour of her son. Unfortunately the Queen would not be present having arranged a Council because her father instead of coming to the city to support her was staying away.

When one of the participants worse for drink displeases Joffrey, he is nearly put to death being forced to drink until Sansa intervenes and saves her and the young knight by suggesting he is appointed the King’s fool. She is also supportive of the eight year old overweight brother when he makes a fool of himself trying to be an adult in the lists. This is cue for Tyrion to arrive and surprises Joffrey who believed him dead. Tyrion advises that he has brought his wit as a present for the King and tells Sansa that he is sorry for her loss and she in turn regrets what happened to him when taken by her mother. She has learned quickly to say the right thing although she finds it difficult to control her emotions as well as her words.

Tyrion then has to insist on being allowed into the Council when the news that he has been appoint the Hand by her father and only brought his own men,  a few hundred,  fills her with dismay and anger. She wanted an army now that Stannis and Renly as well as the Starks had risen again against her son. Tryion is able to convince of his value in acting as a brake upon the wilder actions of Joffrey that she has so far been unable to control. He demands that Sansa  remains unharmed as he works out a way to free their brother and he is impressed at almost all the ensures that have been taken to defend the city except for “quickfire” where the quantity created is  enough to burn down the city. She demands his allegiance to her and insists that he gets approval from her for everything he plans to do.

Tyrion chooses to reside in the official quarters despite knowing the fate of all those who have held the position in recent times, with the exception of his father. However he has brought with him the young woman, only eighteen years and a professional whore who has shown genuine affection and loyalty towards him. His father had insisted that she was not brought into the court so against her wish to be always with him he promise a home of her own  close to him in the city so he can visit he as often  as his duties permit. One of the members of the Council, the Eunuch Vaerys is  waiting for him at the Inn where he is staying, announcing that eh has come to see the woman for himself thus announcing that hi intelligence service remains as strong as every. Tyrion retaliates by warning that he kills any enemy and he has already shown his serious intent by demanding the heads of those killed be removed from the battlements despite Joffrey ordering that they remain until accompanied by those of Robb Stark, Lord Stannis and Lord Renly.
It was always my belief that the second youngest of the Stark sons Bran, short for Brandon is to play an important role. It is noteworthy that Martin in introducing Bran into his second book explains to the reader that one the boy was so fearless and nimble that he would climb the out walls and spent more time on the roofs of the city than he did in the other pursuits of a son of the a ruler.  He is cared for and dependent on his Maester Ser Rodrick Cassels who dismisses his concerns about the dreams and the arrival of the comet.

For explanation Bran turns to Osha a wilding woman taken prisoner and employed in the kitchen but who has a relationship with Bran as well as appearing to know of the ancient powers and ways. She warns that the Comet means blood and fire and nothing sweet and she is also altered that the howling of the dire wolves signals time of change and trouble. The dire wolves play some part in the first volume when the cubs of the mother slain are given as pet guardians to each of the children with that of Sansa killed, that of Ayra Nymeria run off but surely to have an important role in her survival, that of Brandon called Summer, that of the youngest brother called Shaggydog now aged four, that of Jon Snow with him at the Night Watch and called Ghost and that of Robb the Grey Wind.

Osha bring him a potion mixed with honey to make him sleep without the dreams of his being able to run and climb but always ending in tragedy and pain. He is still being called to go beyond the security of the Castle and its grounds. He is certain he has to answer the call or die. The books returns to the situation of Ayra while in the first episode we have also visited the Wall, Robb’s camp where he is accompanied by his mother and across the Narrow Sea to where Daenerys, her young dragons, her adviser and a few of the Dothraki still accompanying her go in search of sanctuary and revenge, across the unforgiving desert.