Catelyn arrives early for the parley between Renly and Stannis outside Storm’s End. She encounters Stannis, who insists that Renly’s obedience is his right as an older brother. He implies that he wants the same obedience from Robb.

When Renly arrives, he and Stannis argue over their claims to the throne. Catelyn reminds them that the Lannisters are their common enemy, but it is no use. When she raises the point of Joffrey’s lineage, the Baratheons inform her that Joffrey is a child born of incest. Catelyn realizes that this aligns with her sister Lysa’s accusations.

Renly says that he is not interested in fighting his brother and extends Storm’s End as a goodwill gesture. Stannis takes this as a mockery and gives Renly one night to accept his terms before he attacks.

Renly and Catelyn return to the encampment, where he plans for the battle. Catelyn asks for permission to return to Riverrun, but Renly does not grant it because he wants Catelyn to report the battle’s outcome. Renly calls upon Loras to lead the army beside him. While Catelyn goes to the sept to pray, Renly asks Loras to remain at his pavilion.

In revenge for Robb’s latest assault on the Lannister forces outside their home city of Lannisport, Joffrey orders his men to repeatedly hit Sansa. He nearly strips her of her clothes when Tyrion arrives. Tyrion angrily rebukes his nephew, putting an end to the punishment.

Sansa is brought to the Tower of the Hand, where her wounds are tended to. Unsure if she can trust Tyrion, Sansa still insists that she loves Joffrey, but Tyrion is unconvinced. He does not want Sansa to wed Joffrey and senses that she feels the same. He promises that if Robb surrenders to Tywin, he will return Sansa to Winterfell. Tyrion offers to let her sleep in his tower for her safety, but Sansa asks to return to her bedchamber, recalling her father’s betrayal.

Catelyn prays for the safety of her sons and their soldiers. Growing dizzy in the sept, she feverishly thinks of Cersei. She ties the accusations of incest to the reasons for Eddard and Jon Arryn’s deaths and Bran’s fall.

Catelyn rides back to Renly’s pavilion to beg him to let her speak to Stannis one more time, proposing to share what she has realized. She also suggests the formation of a Great Council that Robb, Stannis, and Renly will sit on as equals, none higher than any of the others. Renly laughs at the suggestion, but a shadow suddenly enters the pavilion and stabs Renly through the throat.

Renly’s guards initially think that Brienne, who was on guard, assassinated him, forcing her to fight them. Catelyn comes to her defense, explaining that Stannis killed Renly using dark magic. She calls Brienne to join her, assuring her of her protection. Riding away, Catelyn fears what Stannis might do to Robb.

The rangers reach a hill called the Fist of the First Men, where they plan to wait for a veteran ranger named Qhorin Halfhand. That night, Ghost, Jon’s direwolf, is restless, so Jon lets him go to hunt.

The party leaders discuss how to reach Rayder’s kingdom without being noticed. Jeor resolves to remain fortified on the hill. Jon asks if they will prioritize the wildling threat over the search for Benjen. Jeor believes that Benjen will find them if he is still alive.

Ghost returns to the camp, beckoning Jon to follow him to a nearby wood. He uncovers a bundle of buried items that include several obsidian daggers. The bundle itself is the cloak of a Night’s Watch ranger.

Bran and Rickon learn of Robb’s recent victory but are crestfallen when they realize he cannot return home yet. The Frey boys learn that their uncle died in the battle, but all they care about is how it affects the line of succession. Bran realizes this is what Jojen’s dream was referring to.

Bran tells Jojen that he believes him. Jojen explains that the ill omen he dreamed of shows the sea crashing into Winterfell, drowning various people. Bran is unsure how to convince everyone to leave Winterfell. When Bran shares his dreams with Jojen, Jojen identifies him as a “warg,” a person capable of entering animal forms. Bran is reluctant to accept this identity, but Jojen says he cannot change his nature and urges him to open his third eye with his heart.

Bran tries to warn everyone about the sea, but no one takes heed. Ser Rodrik soon returns from a skirmish with Ramsay Snow; Ramsay had forced Lady Hornwood into marriage in an attempt to claim her lands. Rodrik killed Ramsay and captured his servant, Reek, who will remain imprisoned at Winterfell to face Robb’s justice. Later, Jojen shares his dream that Reek will kill Bran and Rickon. He states that his dreams are inevitable.

The news of Renly’s death reaches Cersei’s small council. Renly’s bannermen have begun swearing themselves to Stannis, except for a few, including the Tyrells. Storm’s End continues to be held by Ser Cortnay Penrose, a bannerman sworn to Renly.

Tyrion proposes courting the Tyrells’ support by wedding Joffrey to Renly’s widow, Margaery. Cersei protests, citing Joffrey’s betrothal to Sansa. The small council agrees, however, that an alliance with the Tyrells will strengthen their army against Stannis.

Cersei initially tries to make Tyrion the envoy to the Tyrells, but when Tyrion throws the responsibility back to her, Littlefinger volunteers. He asks for an extravagant retinue to impress the Tyrells, as well as the written authority to speak and act in the king’s name. Finally, he hopes for a reward in return for his work.

After the meeting, Cersei expresses her gratitude to Tyrion and her regrets for treating him harshly. Tyrion suspects she is planning something and orders Bronn to investigate.

Theon leads a successful raid on a fishing village loyal to the Starks. He orders the execution of various survivors but knows that his men do not respect him.

Theon flatters his elder lieutenant, Dagmer Cleftjaw, as Balon’s greatest warrior, hoping to convince him that their skills are wasted on small raids. Dagmer understands that Theon is disappointed and tries to validate him as a brave warrior. Theon believes he can earn his father’s approval by matching his sister in conquest. He orders Dagmer to lead an assault on the keep of Torrhen’s Square, drawing Ser Rodrik Cassel to battle. However, he implies that Torrhen’s Square is merely a distraction from his real prize.

Following Robb’s victory, Tywin musters his forces to march from Harrenhal. Arya considers escaping, but she fears suffering Weese’s wrath if she fails. She searches for Jaqen, worrying that a potential target may leave the castle before Arya has given his name. When Arya gets back from finishing a task, Weese slaps her for taking so long.

Arya gives Weese’s name to Jaqen and endures several more days of his brutal supervision. The day Tywin and Ser Gregor leave Harrenhal, Arya realizes she should have given their names instead. She looks for Jaqen to change her answer, but before she can find him, Weese is killed by his dog. Harren’s ghost is blamed once again.

Back at Storm’s End, Ser Cortnay Penrose will swear himself to anyone who saves the castle from Stannis. He is determined to protect Edric Storm, Robert’s son outside of marriage, whom Stannis needs in order to prove his accusations against the Lannisters.

On the road back to Riverrun, Catelyn learns about Robb’s recent victory and Tywin’s departure from Harrenhal. With Catelyn’s safe arrival at Riverrun, Brienne asks for permission to return to Storm’s End, where she plans to kill Stannis. Catelyn discourages her, knowing that Brienne grieves the loss of Renly. Brienne then offers herself to Catelyn’s service in return for her defense of Brienne against Renly’s men. Catelyn accepts.

Catelyn learns that the envoy that returned with Cleos Frey attempted to liberate Jaime, a plan that was foiled, though not without casualties. Against Robb’s instruction, Catelyn insists on staying at Riverrun. Edmure, her younger brother, musters his men to march against Tywin, believing he can intercept him before he reaches Lannisport. While Catelyn discourages this plan, Edmure believes he can defeat Tywin and steal Harrenhal.

Catelyn visits her ailing father, who mistakes her for Lysa. The maester indicates that Catelyn’s father will not live much longer and that she should gather the rest of the Tully family for his impending death. Finally, she learns that Eddard’s remains have been returned to them. She orders the bones to be transported to Winterfell.