CHAPTER 62: JAIME

Riding for King’s Landing with Dreadfort men under a peace banner, Jaime hears conflicting tales of Joffrey’s death and feels disturbingly calm, reflecting on his detachment and on Brienne’s grief for the Starks. At the city gate, he learns Tyrion has been arrested for regicide and notes the city’s indifference to mourning.

At the Red Keep, Jaime reasserts authority among the Kingsguard, meeting new brothers Loras Tyrell and Balon Swann. When Loras attacks Brienne, accusing her of killing Renly, Jaime intervenes, quells a yard-wide confrontation, and orders Brienne confined to a tower cell to forestall bloodshed and placate Loras.

Seeking Cersei in the sept, Jaime confronts Ser Osmund Kettleblack and gains entry. He and Cersei grieve over Joffrey’s bier; Cersei insists Tyrion poisoned Joffrey and begs Jaime to kill him. They have urgent sex on the Mother’s altar, after which Cersei urges caution and deflection, recoiling from Jaime’s stump and sending him to Tywin.

In the Tower of the Hand, Jaime shows Tywin his maiming and hears that Vargo Hoat has been captured and mutilated, Harrenhal retaken, and Joffrey confirmed poisoned. Tywin details arrests tied to Tyrion and dismisses sorcery. Jaime defends Brienne and demands to remain in the Kingsguard despite his lost hand.

Tywin commands Jaime to leave the Kingsguard, return to Casterly Rock as heir, take Tommen as ward, and marry advantageously while finding Cersei a new husband. Jaime refuses every demand, rejects marrying Margaery, and insists on his oath as Lord Commander. Tywin coldly disowns him, sending Jaime away to “do his duty.”