Trama

Amid whispers of bad omens, the Greens consider how to fill a void on Aegon's Council. Jacaerys sets out on a rogue mission to strike a deal. Daemon enlists Lord Willem Blackwood to help persuade the Brackens to bend the knee.

Corlys, Rhaenyra and Baela mourn Rhaenys' death. Criston parades Meleys' head through King's Landing, though the near-starving smallfolk consider it a bad omen. Aegon has survived but is comatose and severely burned, while Sunfyre is near-dead; Criston withholds telling Alicent what truly happened at the battle. Daemon dreams of incest with his mother, who calls him her favorite son. The Small Council reject Alicent's bid as regent and elect Aemond, wanting a male and a dragonrider on the throne. Aemond orders the city gates shut, preventing blacksmith Hugh Hammer and his family from fleeing. Jeyne Arryn tells Rhaena she is disappointed she received two hatchlings rather than a mature dragon. At the Twins, Jace obtains the Freys' allegiance in exchange for Harrenhal. Elinda is sent to King's Landing as a spy and agitator. Daemon declares he will be king once a large army is raised; he orders the Blackwoods to ravage the Brackens and forces their fealty. Alys criticizes Daemon's ruthlessness and the riverlords denounce his atrocities. Rhaenyra laments lacking riders for Vermithor and Silverwing, the only dragons large enough to challenge Vhagar; Jace suggests searching other noble houses for Valyrian descendants.

Criston parades Meleys' severed head through the city, though he is baffled that the smallfolk, near-starving due to the shipping blockade, consider it a bad omen and do not celebrate the victory.

Aegon has survived but is comatose and severely wounded, while Sunfyre is fate is uncertain. Criston withholds telling Alicent what part Aemond played in the battle. Alicent nominates herself as regent, citing her experience, but the Council instead elect Aemond, primarily due to his sex, saying that the choice demonstrates strength.

Aemond orders the city gates shut just as masses of citizens, including blacksmith Hugh and his family, attempt to flee. Later, Helaena confronts Aemond in front of the Iron Throne, asking if it was worth the price.

Alicent sits at Aegon's bedside but leaves just before he awakens and weakly calls out to her.

Daemon has a vision of incest with his mother, Alyssa Targaryen who calls him her favorite son. He participates in the castle's restoration and demands to be called "King". He tells Alys Rivers that he intends to claim the Iron Throne with Rhaenyra by his side once the war is won.

Daemon and Willem Blackwood try to win over House Bracken, but they refuse to yield, even under the threat of dragonfire. Daemon thus orders the Blackwoods to take the Bracken stronghold, Stone Hedge, which forces the Brackens' fealty. Alys tells Daemon she hears suffering on the wind; he hears similar noises. After the Blackwoods have looted and ravaged the Brackens while displaying Targaryen banners, a delegation of Riverlords arrive at Harrenhal and denounce Daemon as a tyrant.

Lady Jeyne Arryn is displeased at not receiving an adult dragon to protect the Vale in exchange for sheltering Rhaenyra's youngest sons. Rhaena attempts to soothe the situation by pointing out Jayne was given two young dragons instead of only one, and they will grow large. Jeyne says it will take too long for the dragons to mature. Rhaena is also frustrated by not having her own dragon and being kept away from the war.

Without Rhaenyra's consent, Jacaerys meets Lord Forrest Frey and his wife, Lady Sabitha, who control the river Trident crossing between the north and the south. Promising them lordship over Harrenhal, Jacaerys obtains their allegiance to enable the Northern troops to march south.

Rhaenyra sends Baela to ask Corlys to be her Hand. Baela delivers him the sigil, but mourning his wife, Corlys initially refuses; Baela convinces him to accept. In turn, he wants to make her his heir, though she refuses, saying that she is a Targaryen and Driftmark needs a Velaryon.

Rhaenyra admits being untrained in warfare but notes that her all-male council is no more experienced due to the previous kings, Jaehaerys I and Viserys I, having long peaceful reigns. On Mysaria's advice, Rhaenyra sends her maid Elinda to King's Landing as a spy; she also dispatches council member Ser Alfred Broome to Harrenhal to confer with Daemon.

Though initially frustrated by his disobedience, Rhaenyra praises Jacaerys for his success at the Twins. They discuss that their only hope against Vhagar are the large dragons, Vermithor and Silverwing, both without riders. Jacaerys suggests potential dragonriders may be found in other noble houses due to earlier Targaryens marrying into them. Rhaenyra worries the Valyrian bloodline may have become too thin over many generations, but they decide to search Dragonstone's genealogical records.