On a realm-wide tour to choose a spouse, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, accompanied by Ser Criston Cole, has travelled to Storm's End. With Lord Boremund Baratheon's guidance, she meets and rejects countless suitors. Rhaenyra abandons the tour while a fight erupts between two suitors, in which one, an adolescent boy, kills another by sword. As her ship approaches King's Landing, her uncle, Prince Daemon, flies past on his dragon, Caraxes, victoriously returning from his three-year military campaign in the Stepstones.
Daemon enters the throne room, wearing a crown and claiming the title "King of the Narrow Sea". He gives up the crown to his brother, King Viserys, swearing his allegiance. As the reconciled brothers celebrate at a feast, Queen Alicent confides her loneliness to Rhaenyra, who also admits missing their friendship. Daemon speaks to Rhaenyra, advising her to indulge her desires while fulfilling royal duties.
Late at night, Rhaenyra, disguised as a boy, sneaks out with Daemon to explore King's Landing's seamier areas. They drink, attend a bawdy play, and visit a brothel, where Daemon removes Rhaenyra's disguise and seduces her. Although she is willing, he is unable to consummate the affair. A frustrated Daemon leaves. Returning to the Red Keep, Rhaenyra seduces Criston, who is initially reluctant due to his Kingsguard oath of chastity, but they ultimately fornicate.
Ser Otto Hightower learns about Daemon and Rhaenyra's exploits from a spy called the White Worm. Otto informs Viserys, who reacts angrily to the news, as well as Otto's apparent spying on Rhaenyra. Alicent overhears their conversation. She confronts Rhaenyra privately, inadvertently revealing Otto's spying to Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra denies having sex with Daemon. Viserys angrily confronts a disheveled and hungover Daemon, who seemingly confirms the accusations and proposes to wed Rhaenyra. Viserys claims Daemon only wants the marriage to gain the crown, and exiles his brother back to the Vale. Alicent tells Viserys her belief that Rhaenyra is still a virgin.
To avoid scandal, Viserys orders Rhaenyra to marry Ser Laenor Velaryon. In exchange, she demands her father dismiss Otto as his Hand, claiming he manipulates the king for personal ambitions. Viserys does so. He later sends Grand Maester Mellos to give her an abortifacient drink to prevent any "unwanted consequences."
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Ep. 111 - Clash of Kings: Theon III | “a soft boy from the green lands"
Ep. 110 - Clash of Kings: Tyrion VIII | “soft kiss on his brow”
Ep. 109 - Clash of Kings: Bran V | “Alebelly, Mikken, and Septon Chayle”
Ep. 108 - Clash of Kings: Jon V | “dragon glass"
Ep. 107 - Clash of Kings: Catelyn IV | “the King's Shadow"
Ep. 106 - Clash of Kings: Sansa III | “Be Brave”
Iron Bank of Braavos | The Financial War of Ice and Fire
Ep. 105 - Clash of Kings: Catelyn III | “Look to your own sins, Lord Renly"
Green Dreams | Qhorin Halfhand | Trusting Jojen | Stonesnake & More
Ep. 104 - Clash of Kings: Arya VII | “Chiswyck"
Ep. 103 - Clash of Kings: Tyrion VII | “Who pissed in your soup?"
Ep. 102 - Clash of Kings: Bran IV | “No living man has that power"
Ep. 101 - Clash of Kings: Daenerys II | “Qarth is the greatest city that ever was or ever will be"
Ep. 100 - Clash of Kings: Arya VI | “Obey, serve, and live"
Ep. 99 - Clash of Kings: Tyrion VI | “Tell him that he stands alone"
Ep. 98 - Clash of Kings: Theon II | “bought with Iron"
Ep. 97 - Clash of Kings: Jon III | "Craster's Keep made the difference"
Ep. 96 - Clash of Kings: Catelyn II | “playing at war"
Ep. 95 - Clash of Kings: Bran III | “We swear it by Ice and Fire"
Ep. 94 - Clash of Kings: Tyrion V | “Wildfire is but one of the dread secrets of our ancient order"
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