Contents
THE GRIFFIN REBORN
Overview
Jon Connington and the Golden Company storm Griffin’s Roost with minimal losses, severing the ravens and taking hostages to secure the Connington claim. Connington consolidates, recalls past failures, and plots to seize Storm’s End by guile while soliciting Dorne’s support. Prince Aegon arrives and insists on personally leading the Storm’s End assault, raising both opportunity and risk.
Summary
Black Balaq’s archers lead a swift dawn assault on Griffin’s Roost, downing ravens and defenders before alarms can spread. Franklyn Flowers’ ram smashes the gate, unheated oil fails to check the attackers, and the Golden Company overruns the walls, shouting the Connington war cry. Resistance collapses within minutes; the maester is thrown from his tower, and Jon Connington reclaims his ancestral seat with only four casualties.
Connington secures the garrison and smallfolk, confining Red Ronnet’s siblings Raymund and Alynne and his bastard Ronald Storm as hostages. Reflecting atop the east tower, he recalls Rhaegar’s visit and his own ruin at Stoney Sept, accepting that pride and a refusal to butcher the town let Robert escape. He vows not to fail Rhaegar’s son.
In the keep, Haldon Halfmaester’s intelligence shows Lannister alliances fraying, Tyrells distracted, Stannis penned at Storm’s End, and Dorne waiting. Connington orders letters to Doran Martell, rejects using Aegon’s hand or his own for marriage alliances, and secretly maintains his greyscale with wine soaks, determined to hide the affliction.
At a war council, news arrives that Marq Mandrake has taken Greenstone. Connington keeps banners hidden to sow confusion, summons Aegon to the castle, and argues against delay. Despite Homeless Harry’s caution, Connington sets a ten‑day timetable to strike Storm’s End by guile, judging a dramatic capture essential to win allies, especially Dorne.
Prince Aegon reaches Griffin’s Roost with horse and three elephants, attended by Septa Lemore and Ser Rolly Duckfield in a white cloak. After hearing Strickland and Flowers, Aegon backs Connington’s plan but declares he will lead the Storm’s End attack himself, asserting royal will and raising the stakes of their gamble.
Who Appears
- Jon Connington (Griff)Leads the Golden Company to seize Griffin’s Roost; reflects on past failure; plots to take Storm’s End; hides greyscale; writes Doran.
- Prince Aegon Targaryen (Young Griff)Arrives with cavalry and elephants; endorses Storm’s End attack; insists on personally leading the assault.
- Homeless Harry StricklandGolden Company captain-general; urges delay and consolidation; overruled by Connington.
- Black BalaqCommands archers; shoots down ravens; key to the swift capture of Griffin’s Roost.
- Haldon HalfmaesterProvides political intelligence; manages ravens; drafts letters to Doran; suggests marriage alliances.
- Ser Franklyn FlowersLeads ram team and assault; secures the keep and prisoners; reports to Connington.
- Ser Rolly Duckfield (Duck)Aegon’s Kingsguard; accompanies the prince and remains at his side during planning.
- Raymund ConningtonRed Ronnet’s younger brother; taken hostage to deter recapture attempts.
- Alynne ConningtonRed Ronnet’s sister; captured and confined as a political hostage.
- Ronald StormRed Ronnet’s bastard son; defiant captive, used as leverage.
- Malo JaynGolden Company captain; questions how Storm’s End can be taken; hears plan of guile.
- Ser Brendel ByrneCaptain who suggests allying with Stannis; Connington dismisses the idea.
- Lymond PeaseCaptain who asks about raising banners and raven warnings; part of war council.
- Marq MandrakeReported to have taken Greenstone with 500 men after being put ashore on Estermont.
- Lady LemoreArrives with Aegon in septa’s robes; earlier prescribed vinegar soaks Connington imitates.