Catelyn treats with King Renly in the hope of winning an alliance. At his camp, the female warrior Brienne of Tarth wins a place in his kingsguard by defeating Loras Tyrell in a practice duel; Renly has recently wed Loras's sister, Margaery, but avoids consummating the marriage because of his homosexuality and his relationship with Loras. In the Iron Islands, Balon plans an attack on the North led by Yara, and the conflicted Theon burns his letter warning Robb and affirms his allegiance to House Greyjoy in a water-based ceremony. In King's Landing, Tyrion undertakes a complex plan to expose an enemy: he imprisons Grand Maester Pycelle after determining he is Cersei's informant, and appoints his lover, Shae, as Sansa's handmaiden, both to protect her and to watch Sansa.
At Winterfell, Bran's dreams continue to trouble him. Beyond the Wall, Craster demands the Night's Watchmen leave, and Jon discovers that Jeor Mormont has always known about Craster's human sacrifices. On the road to the Wall, Lannister soldiers searching for Gendry attack the Night's Watch recruits; Yoren is killed, Arya and Gendry are taken prisoner, and to protect Gendry, Arya claims a boy the soldiers killed, Lommy, was him.