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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

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