
To John and Gail for all the meat and mead we’ve shared Meanwhile the Night's Watch, sworn to protect the realm from dangers north of the Wall, dwindle in numbers, even as barbarian forces gather and beings out of legend stalk the Haunted Forest Daenerys, the exiled last heir of the former ruling family, nurtures three dragons and seeks a way home. Robb Stark, declared King in the North, battles to avenge his father's execution and retrieve his sister from Joffrey's court.


Both the dour Stannis and the charismatic Renly Baratheon, Robert's brothers, also seek the throne. Queen Cersei's family, the Lannisters, fight to hold it for him.

Joffrey, Queen Cersei's sadistic son, ascends the Iron Throne following the death of Robert Baratheon, the Usurper, who won it in battle.
