At a courtyard farewell feast before the Braavosi embassy departs, Maron and Tenesio affirm Dorne-Braavos friendship, the court discusses the Dornish delegation and Samara's children sailing east, Arrant's attacks on Aegon and the High Septon briefly threaten the diplomatic mood, and Leyla works to smooth tensions while privately saying goodbye.
At the Lemonwood wedding tourney, Sebaston Vaith reaches third place, Prince Rhodry recovers from early humiliation to reach the final, and Felix Sand unseats Rhodry twice to win the day and crown Selara and Muriel Queens of Love and Beauty.
Over a private meal in the Tower of the Sun, Joleta and Lord Protector Quinlan discuss Marence's failing health, Mariah's marriage to Prince Daeron, the danger of Aegon's eventual succession, Braavos and the Stepstones, Mavros Uller's influence, and the need to stabilize Dornish court offices such as Lord Justiciar.
In the Sandship after Rhodry's return from Braavos, Joleta, Cyrissa, Selara, Digory, and Sebaston trade uneasy gossip about his foreign companion, Braavosi violence, and upcoming political marriages, with Rhodry confirming he killed Idario Ferys and needling nearly everyone before duty calls him away.
The Lord Protector, Ser Quinlan Qorgyle, presides over a court session. A wedding date is announced, along with some decisions that meet with mixed reactions.
The wedding of Ser Mavros Uller to Lady Delicia Blackmont.
Following a meeting of the Keepers in the Old Palace to discuss the affairs of the realm, a disagreement between Prince Cadan and Prince Rhodry spills out into the yard. In the course of it, the question of a Regent is raised and it is clear that neither brother will accept the other in such a position.
A leading member of the Westerosi Embassy gives his thoughts on Sunspear and the Shadow City. The Dornish are not best pleased.
Marence's packed court audience turns explosive as Aryard Manwoody asks to court Ariana only to learn she is betrothed to Farien Yronwood as part of the settlement, Liane and Ulwyn win mercy for Alyx Sand while Red Rhys takes the black, Baelor's embassy to Sunspear is announced, and Mavros Uller replaces Rhodry as Keeper of the Tower of the Sun.
The heir to the Boneway calls upon the heir to Salt Shore to discuss a marriage.
In the Sandship feasting hall after the Yronwood expedition, Rhodry trades barbed courtly talk with Samara, Caitrin, and Tamara about books, dancing, ambition, boredom, and the uneasy state of Sunspear after the army's return.
As Marence's army returns toward Sunspear with Alyx Sand and Red Rhys as prisoners, Liane confronts her cousin over rebellion, broken oaths, and the likely gallows, pleading for Alyx to bend the knee so Liane can ask the prince to spare her life.
As Sunspear prepares to march against Yronwood, Ariana practices archery with Liane, Rhodry and Cadan spar verbally over war and court duties, Corrent gains leave to ride in Cadan's stead, Caitrin confirms Laurent will bring her along, and various Dornish nobles gather amid the bustle of departure.
Prince Marence is out hunting with his court when a messenger arrives with news of his envoy to the rebellious Lady Yronwood.
: A visit to, and from, the court catches a handful in its web. When Joleta and Galwell leave for their own personal business, Ser Daven remains in conversation with Lilah with a subject that seems dear and passionate to both of them: Dornish independence.