A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 1: JAIME
Overview
Freed by Catelyn, Jaime departs Riverrun in chains with Brienne and Ser Cleos, needling Brienne while plotting freedom. After disguising himself by shaving, Jaime witnesses wartime atrocities and warns of Bolton at Harrenhal. Ser Robin Ryger pursues by galley, but Brienne scales a cliff and triggers a rockfall that cripples the pursuers, securing their escape.
Summary
At dawn on the Red Fork, Jaime Lannister revels in freedom after darkness, chained in a skiff with Brienne of Tarth rowing and Ser Cleos Frey aiding. He recalls Catelyn Stark forcing oaths from him at swordpoint and arranging his release to exchange for her daughters. Jaime provokes Brienne with taunts about her sex and honor, while she insists on respect and her oath to deliver him safely to Tyrion in King’s Landing.
To avoid recognition, Jaime has Ser Cleos hack off his long golden hair and trim his beard, leaving him bald and older-looking. As they sail past deserted, war-torn riverlands, they see a dead Lannister in the water and reach a burned inn where women hang from an oak beneath a sign, “They Lay With Lions.” Brienne lands to cut them down for burial over Jaime’s objections, and Jaime warns that Bolton likely holds Harrenhal, making river and road dangerous.
A Tully river galley led by Ser Robin Ryger appears upriver. Brienne shoves off, but the larger, oared galley closes the distance, archers ready. Jaime, still chained, urges either a stand-up fight or release, while estimating they cannot outrun the galley. Ryger orders them to surrender despite Jaime’s claim of Catelyn’s authority.
Brienne abruptly dives overboard and climbs the adjoining bluff as arrows begin to fly. Jaime distracts Ser Robin by challenging him to single combat, delaying the archers long enough for Brienne to pry loose a boulder. Her rockfall smashes the galley’s mast, sweeps archers into the river, cripples a rower, and likely holes the hull, forcing the pursuers to founder amid eddies and snags.
Rounding the bend, Jaime initially exults at being rid of both captors, but Brienne reappears ahead, dives from the clifftop, and swims for the skiff. Despite intending to strike her away, Jaime helps haul her aboard. Brienne reaffirms her oath to deliver him safely, and they continue downstream, their escape secured for now.
Who Appears
- Jaime LannisterCaptive in chains; taunts Brienne, shaves his head to avoid recognition, assesses dangers, and aids escape by distracting Ser Robin.
- Brienne of TarthEscort sworn to deliver Jaime to Tyrion; rows tirelessly, cuts down hanged women, scales a cliff, and topples rocks to cripple pursuit.
- Ser Cleos FreyJaime’s cousin and messenger; rows, trims Jaime’s hair and beard, and nervously steers during the chase.
- Ser Robin RygerRiverrun’s captain; leads a river galley to recapture Jaime, orders surrender, and is thwarted by Brienne’s rockfall.
- Catelyn StarkOff-page instigator; freed Jaime under strict oaths to trade him for her daughters and ordered the secret departure.