The Stone Crows encounter Tyrion and Bronn, who are returning from the Eyrie after Tyrion's trial there. The tribes initially intend to kill them, but Tyrion talks Shagga into an alliance with the Lannisters who, he says, are enemies of the Vale and will supply the hill tribes with money and weapons to take over the region themselves.

In a public hearing, Ned confesses to treason and publicly affirms Joffrey is the rightful heir. However, rather than sparing Ned's life as negotiated, the vengeful Joffrey has him decapitated.

Yoren, a sworn brother of the Night's Watch, instructs Arya to go by the name Arry the orphan boy, because no one pays any attention to orphans.

When a septic wound leaves Drogo in a vegetative state, Daenerys compassionately ends his life by smothering him with a pillow.

Craster lives north of the Wall in a fortified homestead with has nineteen wives, and when his daughters are old enough, he marries them too, incestuously fathering new children.

Lady Melisandre, often referred to as the Red Witch, is a Priestess in the religion of R'hllor and a close counselor to King Stannis Baratheon in his campaign to take the Iron Throne.

Each of the Seven aspects symbolizes a different part of life and are prayed to for different purposes. They are known as the Father, the Mother, the Maiden, the Crone, the Warrior, the Smith, and the Stranger.

Following his father's failed rebellion against the Iron Throne, Theon Greyjoy is taken as a ward by Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell. After Eddard's execution in King's Landing, Theon pledges his loyalty to Eddard's eldest son, Robb Stark, in the subsequent War of the Five Kings, but ultimately betrays Robb and sides with his father in invading the North.

When Samwell first encounters Gilly, she is pregnant with the incestuous child of her own father. Later, when the Night's Watch mutiny, Samwell helps her escape Craster's Keep with her son.

Margaery first marries King Renly Baratheon, the lover of her brother Loras, though she's aware of their relationship. After Renly's death, she becomes Queen Consort through her marriage to King Joffrey Baratheon. After Joffrey is poisoned, she maintains her title by wedding his younger brother, King Tommen Baratheon.