THE DISCARDED KNIGHT

Ser Barristan Selmy attends King Hizdahr’s tense court, noting Daenerys’s absence and the replacement of her simple bench with twin dragon thrones. The hall seethes with fear and anger over the chaos at Daznak’s Pit and rumors of the queen’s fate. Barristan observes Hizdahr’s pit fighters and the masked Brazen Beasts, wary that showy fighters make poor protectors against hidden killers.

As petitions devolve into brawls and grief, Barristan spots Quentyn Martell with Gerris Drinkwater and Archibald Yronwood, reflecting that Quentyn is dutiful but ill-suited to Daenerys’s fiery nature. He worries Hizdahr has noticed the Dornish, then wonders if the locust poison at Daznak’s might have been meant for the king rather than the queen, which would make Quentyn a plausible beneficiary.

The Yunkish envoys arrive with Bloodbeard, who throws Admiral Groleo’s severed head before the throne, claiming “blood pays for blood” for Yurkhaz’s death. Hizdahr hesitates while the envoys return three Meereenese hostages but announce the rest will remain until the dragons are destroyed. Bloodbeard declares Daenerys dead, stoking uproar, and Hizdahr abruptly ends court to consult his council.

Afterward, Barristan intercepts Quentyn and warns him not to return to his apartments but to leave Meereen at once, offering coin if needed. He explains that food in the royal box was poisoned and that Hizdahr, seeking a scapegoat, may blame a spurned foreign suitor tied to the Red Viper. Barristan argues the marriage pact is void and that remaining courts disaster.

Quentyn protests the slight to his honor and fears returning to Dorne in disgrace. Barristan counsels prudence over pride, suggesting that “Quentyn the Wise” would be the better name, and leaves him to choose between flight and peril.