EPILOGUE

In a snow-chilled throne room, Kevan Lannister presides over a fractious small council. Ronnet Connington asserts loyalty and begs to fight his uncle Jon Connington and the “false dragon,” but Kevan orders him confined. Mace Tyrell and Randyll Tarly dismiss the Golden Company and focus on Margaery’s trial, while Kevan presses the urgency of Connington’s incursions and the danger if Daenerys joins them. Finances prove dire; Ser Harys Swyft may need to entreat the Iron Bank.

Debate turns to Cersei’s and Margaery’s trials. Kevan defends Ser Robert Strong as Cersei’s champion and outlines measures curbing Cersei’s power. He defers contentious questions like the Rosby inheritance and Myrcella’s future, wary of alienating Dorne. As the council disperses, Kevan weighs the political balance, considering guards for Pycelle and Swyft and the coming addition of a Dornish seat.

Warmed by wine, Kevan reflects on Cersei’s fall and past Lannister scandals before dining with Cersei and King Tommen. Cersei appears subdued; Tommen chatters about his kittens. Kevan discusses Jaime’s silence and Tyrion’s absence, grants Cersei’s request to recall Taena after the trial, and reveals the arrests of the Kettleblack brothers, undercutting Cersei’s fears.

A novice interrupts: Pycelle urgently summons Kevan. Crossing the moonlit, snowbound castle, Kevan reaches the rookery to find the hearth cold, a white raven heralding winter, and Pycelle murdered. A crossbow bolt strikes Kevan. From the shadows, Varys emerges, apologizing and claiming the killing serves the realm and the children.

Varys says Kevan’s reconciliation of Tyrells, Lannisters, and Faith would stabilize Tommen, which he cannot allow as Aegon raises his banner at Storm’s End. He insists Aegon lives, long trained for rule, contrasting him with Tommen. As Kevan weakens, Varys summons his child agents, who surround Kevan with daggers and complete the assassination to ensure suspicion and chaos consume the court as winter begins.