THE KINGBREAKER

In the Great Pyramid’s armory, Skahaz mo Kandaq and Ser Barristan Selmy finalize their plan to seize King Hizdahr at the hour of the wolf, using “Groleo” as the watchword. Skahaz urges a dawn assault on the Yunkai’i, but Barristan insists on honoring Daenerys’s peace and acting only after lawfully detaining Hizdahr. They debate rescuing the hostages Daario, Jhogo, and Hero; Barristan seeks a rescuer within the Yunkish camp, while Skahaz suggests letting Daario die. When Skahaz proposes retaliation against the queen’s cupbearers, Barristan forbids harming children, demanding no blood unless necessary.

Through the day, Barristan inspects the pyramid and trains his “orphans,” weighing knighting Tumco Lho and Larraq but postponing for fear of taint if he’s branded a traitor. He instructs Missandei to remain in the queen’s chambers, broods over past failures—especially Ashara Dayne—and prepares himself, donning his white armor as rain begins.

At night he descends with six masked Brazen Beasts (as locusts) while Skahaz secures other targets. Passing the chained interior doors, Barristan reaches Hizdahr’s apartments, where Steelskin admits him alone. Inside, with cupbearers present, a naked, sleepy Hizdahr appears. Barristan directly accuses him of being the Harpy and of orchestrating the poisoned locusts. Hizdahr blames Prince Quentyn and hot spices, denies plotting, and tries to dismiss Barristan.

When pressed for the Harpy’s name, Hizdahr calls for Khrazz, who storms out armed with an arakh. In the close quarters, Barristan’s armor and experience prevail; after a fierce exchange and scattered coals from a toppled brazier, Selmy opens Khrazz’s belly and ends him with a thrust to the heart.

Barristan finds Hizdahr cowering and takes him prisoner, promising safety until the queen’s return if no guilt is proved. As he prepares to remove the king, cupbearers return with wine and a message from Reznak: Hizdahr must come outside to see. The report—“the dragons have been loosed”—signals chaos erupting beyond the coup and the fragile peace.