Ten years after the wedding, Rhaenyra has three sons, Jacaerys, Lucerys and newborn Joffrey, none with the signature Valyrian platinum hair. King Viserys, who survived his collapse and has fathered three children with Alicent, rejects the queen's continued speculation that Ser Laenor is not their father. Alicent tells Aegon that, as the king's firstborn son, he must prepare to dispute Rhaenyra's claim to the throne. In Pentos, Daemon and his wife, Laena Velaryon, living there with their daughters Baela and Rhaena, weigh the local prince's offer of a lordship in exchange for an alliance against a resurgent Triarchy. After agonizing labor leaves her unable to give birth, Laena commands her dragon, Vhagar, to incinerate her.
Criston, now serving Alicent, goads Ser Harwin Strong into attacking him by implying Harwin fathered Rhaenyra's children, and Lord Lyonel Strong, the Hand, escorts his son to Harrenhal. To ease the family strife, Rhaenyra proposes that Jace marry Alicent's daughter Helaena, but Alicent refuses. After Alicent confides that she wishes Otto were still Hand, Lyonel's younger son, Larys, recruits three criminals to set a fire at Harrenhal that kills Lyonel and Harwin. Rhaenyra moves her household to Dragonstone, bringing along Laenor's lover, Ser Qarl Correy.