A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 67: JAIME
Overview
Jaime, newly installed as Lord Commander, studies the White Book and convenes the Kingsguard, reprimanding failures around Joffrey’s death. He assigns Boros as Tommen’s food taster, curbs Meryn’s blind obedience, probes Kettleblack’s past, and tests Balon Swann’s loyalties.
Jaime confronts Loras about Renly’s death and orders him to question Brienne and render judgment, signaling Jaime’s firmer leadership and shifting loyalties.
Summary
In the White Sword Tower, Jaime settles into the Lord Commander’s chambers, reflecting on his altered body, his estrangement from family, and the weight of the White Book. Comparing his sparse entry to Ser Barristan’s illustrious page, he broods on lost ideals and fallen heroes.
He convenes the Kingsguard and rebukes them for failing to protect Joffrey, probing whether Tyrion truly poisoned the wine. Loras argues Sansa had motive, but no certainty emerges. Jaime asserts Tommen must be kept safe and assigns Ser Boros Blount to taste all of Tommen’s food, cowing Boros into sullen compliance.
Jaime interrogates Ser Osmund Kettleblack about his murky sellsword past and dubious knighthood, then warns Ser Meryn Trant to obey only the queen regent, the Hand, and the Lord Commander—protecting Tommen even from himself. With Ser Balon Swann, Jaime needles family loyalties and demands an answer to the blood-versus-duty dilemma that once broke Jaime.
Alone with Ser Loras, Jaime punctures the boy’s arrogance, unmasking Garlan’s ruse in Renly’s armor. He presses Loras about Brienne’s alleged murder of Renly; Loras admits the armor’s gorget was cut too cleanly to fit the tale and shows grief and doubt. Jaime orders Loras to question Brienne and either accuse her or release her, on his honor.
After the meeting, Jaime weighs his failure to avenge Joffrey against Loras’s vengeance for Renly, then turns to practicalities, resolving to replace his stump with a golden hand as he embraces the debts and duties of command.
Who Appears
- Jaime LannisterNew Lord Commander; reviews the White Book, disciplines the Kingsguard, and directs Loras to judge Brienne; contemplates a golden hand.
- Ser Loras TyrellConfronted over Renly’s death; reveals Garlan wore Renly’s armor; ordered to question Brienne and decide her fate.
- Ser Boros BlountRebuked for past failures; assigned to taste Tommen’s food; retreats in humiliation and anger.
- Ser Meryn TrantChided for beating Sansa; instructed to obey only crown authorities and protect Tommen from himself.
- Ser Balon SwannQuestioned about family loyalties; pledges not to repeat Jaime’s betrayal; remains wary but compliant.
- Ser Osmund KettleblackPressed on his sellsword past and dubious knighthood; dismissed after evasive answers.