Ser Luthor Rivers leads the men of the Kingswood and knights from about court on a raid against Urick Strongbear and his bandits.
The ransom exchange is ambushed and counter-ambushed by the Starveling. A battle ensues in which the knights from King's Landing emerge victorious. The Starveling flees to his hideout in the woods, pursued by the knights. There, Almer finds the bodies of his wife and child. After giving him a severe beating, Ser Almer spares the Starveling's life.
With information extracted from the prisoners, and confirmed by Ser Endros Buckler whose unexpected appearance provided the company a harrowing tale of his escape and travails since first being captured by the bandits, the expeditionary force under Ser Sarmion, the Warden of the Kingswood, closes with the location of the enemy encampment.
Having entered the kingswood on King Daeron's command to find and put an end to the Starveling and his band of outlaws, Ser Sarmion and Ser Dagur lead the company into the depths of the forest at the direction of a Wendwater knight. At the suspected area, a trap is devised to attempt to lure out a group of bandits.