Ser Conrad Arryn returns to the Red Keep from the Boneway gaunt and battered, bearing Blackfyre for King Baelor and confirming that Aegon's crown remains in Dornish hands, while Viserys and the court react to the symbol of Targaryen kingship being recovered from Daeron's disastrous campaign.
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.
A day of light hunting in the Kingswood becomes a battle of words as tongues loosen away from the confines of court.
Lady Reyna delivers Ser Luthor news that he has been made the new Royal Huntsman, only to have the old one, Ser Ethos arrive, and violence ensue.
The Heir to Crakehall comes to the Baratheon manse in King’s Landing to approach the Stormbreaker with an interesting proposal, but finds the Lord of Storm’s End. His proposal is accepted, much to his joy, but it may be more than he bargained for.
Lady Tully hosts a masked ball for her day of feasting.
The battered remnants of the Dornish campaign return to King's Landing under mourning banners, where Baelor, Viserys, the High Septon, and the court greet the surviving captains and soldiers; families reunite, Ethos returns under guard to a tense meeting with Joleta, Viserys discusses Salt Shore with Dagur, and the royal party proceeds to a restrained feast in the Red Keep.
Word of Prince Marence’s counter-offer is shared with King Baelor and members of his court, including some of the Dornish hostages.
Ser Luthor Rivers is called upon to make a report to Prince Viserys to deliver Ser William’s side of the events surrounding the breakup of the army.
A small gathering in the Great Hall, turns violent as Ethos Mertyns and Luthor Rivers meet.
Viserys informs Ethos that Stevyn Locke's investigation found he conspired to murder Lord Gargalen and acted against Daeron's command, fines him, removes him as royal huntsman on grounds of volatile and unreliable conduct after Dorne, and allows Ethos to recommend Janden Melcolm as a replacement.
Storm-scattered Westerosi ships are attacked by Lyseni pirates while repairing at sea; Sarmion and Dagur hold the Black Dread, Luthor crosses to the beleaguered Just Maid, the Crakehall cousins battle boarders, and Elmer kills pirate captain Salladhin Saan, breaking the attack as the approaching fleet captures one pirate ship and the other flees south.
Joleta gathers the Dornish hostages to share Ethos's letter claiming Dorne will surrender, but as victory bells turn to mourning bells and Aidan realizes King Daeron is dead, Cadan and Joleta decide they must enact an escape plan, neutralize Joleta's Mertyns guards, disguise some hostages in their uniforms, and move quickly before King's Landing turns on them.
The Hand meets with one of his daugther's companions, to discuss certain household matters of importance.
Ser Aidan Dayne and Lady Obany discuss the possibility of a trip outside of the city, when the recently returned Ser Raynard Locke arrives.