The ruling council of Meereen has recently begun overseeing Meereeneese affairs due to the absence of Queen Daenerys Targaryen. The Queen's Hand Ser Barristan Selmy is the leader of the council.
When Daenerys Targaryen first flew away on the back of Drogon, her consort and co-ruler Hizdahr zo Loraq assumed control, taking over the Great Pyramid’s audience chamber. Hizdahr quickly replaced Daenerys's simple ebon bench with two imposing thrones of gilded wood whose tall backs are carved in the shape of dragons.
Ser Barristan Selmy eventually deposed Hizdahr in a coup d'etat and was proclaimed Queen's Hand, ruling in the name of the missing Daenerys.
Ser Barristan chooses to keep both the ebon bench and the dragon thrones out of the hall. Instead he has a large round table set up in the centre of the hall, surrounded by tall chairs. Selmy intends for the men seated at the table, the ruling council of Meereen, to sit and talk as peers..
The decision to use the round table is a shrewd one, a round table allows for equality as there is no glaringly dominant seat, it also serves as a psychological reminder that none of them are the true rulers of Meereen and they must act as a team. As Hand, Ser Barristan is the acknowledged leader of the council, but by being seated alongside them he is still showing importance he puts on the other councillors' contributions.
Ser Barristan refuses to hold court or accept petitioners until Queen Daenerys Targaryen returns.
So far, the seated members of the council consist of:
The ruling council of Meereen discuss how best to deal with the Yunkish army outside their gates. The discussion takes all morning and most of the afternoon before everything is ironed out.
Ser Barristan Selmy fears that Daenerys and the hope of her return is the only thing keeping the council members together. If she fails to return, the council members will be at dagger points with one another, while the city will erupt in blood and flame.
A pressing concern for the council is the safety and potential return of the hostages still held by the Yunkai'i: Daario Naharis, Hero, and Jhogo. Galazza Galare, the Green Grace, is serving as the ruling council's envoy to the Wise Masters. Few members expect the negotiations to succeed, and Skahaz doubts the loyalty of the priestess, openly suspecting that the Green Grace is conspiring with the enemy.[*citation needed*]
Ser Barristan informs the council that he has already offered ransom for the hostages - each man's weight in gold. While the Wise Masters neither want nor need the gold, their mercenaries will and are likely to support the deal, which will serve to create division in the enemy ranks.
Ser Barristan fails to inform the council that the ploy to drive a blade between the Yunkishmen and their hirelings is not actually his own. The tactic was conceived by eleven year old Missandei. Ser Barristan would never have thought of such a thing himself. He thinks to himself that in King's Landing bribes had been Littlefinger's domain, whilst Lord Varys had the task of fostering division amongst the crown's enemies. His own duties as a member of the Kingsguard had been more straightforward.[*citation needed*]
In case of a negative reply, Selmy is prepared to break King Hizdahr zo Loraq's peace, and is already making offensive plans. He suggests making the "slavers" their main targets, hoping that the enemy sellswords would abandon their employers in case of a defeat.[*citation needed*]
The council members discuss different battle strategies, and study the weak and strong points of the two armies. There are disagreements on how to best use the elite Unsullied force, the small company of archers available to Meereen, and their elephants. Tal Toraq suggests breaking through the enemy ranks and sending a force to besiege the city of Yunkai itself, currently undefended, thereby forcing the besieging forces to leave to defend their own city. Cammaron suggests seizing the ships of the river-front and using them to transport a Meereenese force round the enemy rear.
The council members are very concerned about the reaction of the dragons to an ongoing battle. Will the dragons join the fight? Selmy keeps his fears on the subject to himself. He is certain that the dragons will be drawn to the battlefield by the sounds of shouts and screams, and by the scent of blood. But he doubts that they can recognize the difference between the two rival armies, indiscriminately attacking both sides. *]
Grey Worm lingers and tells Ser Barristan that the unsullied will be ready when the beacon fire is lit. Grey Worm adds that when they attack the hostages will be killed. Ser Barristan tells Grey Worm that he has a notion, but tells him no more. Ser Barristan has kept another plan secret from the council members: he intends to send Ser Gerris Drinkwater and Ser Archibald Yronwood as envoys to the Tattered Prince, commander of the Windblown, to negotiate a secret pact by promising him a future war against Pentos.
By the time we leave this table, all of us must be of a single mind, with a single purpose.
- Ser Barristan Selmy
Runceford Redwyne was Lord of the Arbor and head of House Redwyne. He is the father of Lady Olenna Redwyne and grandfather of Lord Paxter Redwyne.
Tyrion Lannister discovered a cask of strongwine in the cellars of Illyrio's manse that once belonged to Lord Runceford.
Runcel Hightower was a member of House Hightower and a former Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.
Lord Commander Runcel forgot his vows and attempted to bequeath Castle Black and the Night's Watch to his bastard son. He almost destroyed the Night's Watch.
Runciter was a Grand Maester during the reign of Viserys I Targaryen. He died in 112 AC and was replaced by Grand Maester Mellos.
In his records, he only cites a quarrel with King Viserys I Targaryen as the reason for Prince Daemon Targaryen's second exile.
Runes were used by the First Men as a writing system. They were engraved on stones and other objects but were not written in books or scrolls. They are thought to be magical.
An ancient war horn with runes engraved onto it. © FFG
The First Men used both a written form of the Old Tongue and a runic writing systems.
The runes of the First Men can be found all over Westeros. In the riverlands, on the lid of the sepulcher of King Tristifer IV Mudd, located in Oldstones, depicts the King with his hands folded over the shaft of a stone warhammer. The runes upon the hammer, telling the hammer's name and history, have been worn away.
The runes of the First Men can also been found upon stone monuments, both located in the barrow fields and elsewhere.
The oldest runic records demonstrate that men have lived since the Dawn Age at the mouth of the Honeywine in the Reach.
The First Men left their runes on cave walls, stones, and the ruins of now-fallen strongholds in most of Westeros, which tell their stories to this day. Only in the stormlands, where the First Men were few, the First Men resorted to carving their tales into the trunks of trees, which have rotted away through time.
The struggle between the Kings of Winter and the Barrow Kings, which has been dubbed the Thousand Years War by the singers, has been suggested by runic records to have been a series of wars which took place over two hundred years.
Rattleshirt carves runes in dead men's teeth.
Ilyn Payne is given a greatsword six feet long and silver bright with runes as replacement for Ice.
The wildling Tormund has thick golden bands in his possession, which are graven with the ancient runes of the First Men.
The horn that Mance Rayder claims is the Horn of Joramun has runes graven upon its golden bands.
Tormund gives his armbands engraved with runes as payment to the Night's Watch when he passes the Wall.
When Ser Jorah Mormont and Tyrion Lannister visit the Widow of the Waterfront at Volantis, an ancient bronze dagger marked with runes is among the gifts she has already received.
Runestone
The Vale of Arryn and the location of Runestone
Runestone is the seat of House Royce in the Vale of Arryn. It lies on a peninsula north of the Bay of Crabs, east of Redfort and south of Old Anchor. While Runestone is on the northern shore of the peninsula, the nearby city of Gulltown is on the southern shore. at Runestone.
Runestone
Runestone was the ancient seat of the Bronze Kings of old from House Royce. After defeating seven Andal longships during the Andal invasion, King Yorwyck VI Royce placed the heads of his slain foes along the walls of his castle. The Royces submitted to Artys Arryn after the death of King Robar II Royce in the Battle of the Seven Stars.
Prince Daemon Targaryen disliked living at Runestone with his first wife, Lady Rhea Royce. He tried to claim Runestone after Rhea's death, however, but his claim was rejected by Lady Jeyne Arryn. Daemon instead married Lady Laena Velaryon and fled with her to the Free Cities.
Ser Corwyn Corbray was killed at Runestone by a crossbowman in 134 AC.
At Runestone, the Lords Declarant write and sign a document containing their demands for the removal of Lord Petyr Baelish as Lord Protector of the Vale.
Runnymudd is a settlement in Westeros, although its location is unknown. It is the origin of Alf of Runnymudd, a builder of the Night's Watch.
Ser Rupert Brax.
Ser Rupert is killed at the Battle of Oxcross.
Ser Rupert Crabb was a knight of House Crabb who became a member of the Kingsguard at an unknown time.
Rupert Falwell, known as the Fighting Fool, was a Lord of House Falwell during the Faith Militant uprising.
At the battle at the Great Fork of the Blackwater in 42 AC, Lord Rupert led the ranks of the pious that had answered the High Septon's and the Starry Sept's call to took up arms against the Iron Throne. Those that rode with him against the royal army led by King Maegor I Targaryen himself, included Ser Lyonel Lorch, Ser Alyn Terrick, Lord Tristifer Wayn, Lord Jon Lychester, along with many other puissant knights. The famed Fighting Fool slew two knights of the Kingsguard before being cut down by Lord Mooton of Maidenpool.
Rushing Falls is the site of one of Lord Beric Dondarrion's many reported deaths. It is located near the Gods Eye in the riverlands.
It is at Rushing Falls that Ser Amory Lorch claims to have killed Lord Beric Dondarrion.
Lem tells Castle Lychester's maester that Thoros of Myr cut down Beric before he died.
Beric recalls that Amory had captured a pair of innocent beekeepers at Rushing Falls and told Beric that he intended to kill them if Beric did not surrender himself. Beric did and Amory hanged him between the beekeepers, but Beric was revived by Thoros.
Russ Barleycorn is a member of the Night's Watch. He is captain of the *Storm Crow* at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea.
Russell Merryweather is the son of Lord Orton Merryweather and Lady Taena of Myr and the heir to Longtable.
Russell was born at Longtable.
Queen regent Cersei Lannister invites Lady Taena of Myr to bring her son to court as the Queen's fosterling. Taena wished to think about the offer before committing herself to it.
Rusty Flowers is a member of the Night's Watch..
Rusty is one of the men brought along as muscle to assist Lord Commander Jon Snow in escorting Janos Slynt out of Castle Black to carry out his duties as garrison commander of Greyguard.
Rutting Meadow is a place in the Riverlands on the east bank of the Widow's Wash. It is disputed land between House Bracken and House Blackwood. It is currently held by House Blackwood.
Jonos Bracken unsuccessfully asks Ser Jaime Lannister for the east bank of the Widow's Wash from Crossbow Ridge to Rutting Meadow for subduing Tytos Blackwood.
Archmaester Ryam is an archmaester of the Citadel. He has a poor opinion of Archmaester Marwyn. His ring, rod and mask are of yellow gold. His maester's chain has no link of Valyrian steel.
Ser Ryam Florent was a knight of House Florent, the father of Selyse, Imry and Erren. He was a younger brother of Lord Alester Florent. He died of a fall from a horse.
Ser Ryam Redwyne was a famed knight from House Redwyne
Ser Ryam was considered the greatest knight of his day,
In a tourney at King's Landing to celebrate the fiftieth year of Jaehaerys I Targaryen's reign in 98 AC, Ryam and Ser Clement Crabb broke thirty lances against each other before the king proclaimed them co-champions. It is often called the finest display of jousting in the history of Westeros.
In 99 AC, Ryam was named Hand of the King by Jaehaerys, after the death of the previous Hand, Septon Barth. Considered one of the worst Hands the Seven Kingdoms has seen,
Ryam served King Viserys I Targaryen after the death of Jaehaerys in 103 AC. Ryam was succeeded as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard by Ser Harrold Westerling when he died in 105 AC. His slot in the Kingsguard was taken by Ser Criston Cole.
When playing as children, Robb Stark pretended to be King Daeron I Targaryen while Jon Snow pretended to be Ser Ryam.
Bran Stark dreams of becoming a Kingsguard like Ryam.
While having a nightmare of the riot of King's Landing, Sansa Stark hopes to be saved by Ryam, Florian the Fool, or Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, but none appear.
The lowborn Davos Seaworth is reluctant to serve as Hand of the King to Stannis Baratheon, but Maester Pylos reminds Davos that there were accomplished knights like Ryam who served poorly as Hand.
To help convince Ser Loras Tyrell to join the Kingsguard, Lord Petyr Baelish has bards bribed to sing of the glories of Ryam, Aemon, and Serwyn of the Mirror Shield.
Ser Jaime Lannister, now Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, feels himself unworthy of a position once held by Ryam.
Jaime advises Loras to learn about their predecessors in the Kingsguard, such as Ryam.
He thought back on all the songs he had heard, songs of blind Symeon Star-Eyes and noble Serwyn of the Mirror Shield, of Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, Ser Ryam Redywne, and Florian the Fool. They had all won victories against foes far more terrible than any he would face. But they were great heroes, brave men of noble birth, except for Florian. And what am I?
– thoughts of Duncan the Tall
Bran was going to be a knight himself someday, one of the Kingsguard. Old Nan said they were the finest swords in all the realm. There were only seven of them, and they wore white armor and had no wives or children, but lived only to serve the king. Bran knew all the stories. Their names were like music to him. Serwyn of the Mirror Shield. Ser Ryam Redwyne. Prince Aemon the Dragonknight. The twins Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk, who had died on one another's swords hundreds of years ago, when brother fought sister in the war the singers called the Dance of the Dragons. The White Bull, Gerold Hightower. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. Barristan the Bold.
– thoughts of Bran Stark
The days when men like Ryam Redwyne and Prince Aemon the Dragonknight wore the white cloak are gone to dust and song.
– Varys to Eddard Stark
Ser Ryam Redwyne was the greatest knight of his day, and one of the worst Hands ever to serve a king.
– Pylos to Davos Seaworth
White wool hangings covered the walls, and there was a white shield and two crossed longswords mounted above the hearth. The chair behind the table was old black oak, with cushions of blanched cowhide, the leather worn thin. Worn by the bony arse of Barristan the Bold and Ser Gerold Hightower before him, by Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, Ser Ryam Redwyne, and the Demon of Darry, by Ser Duncan the Tall and the Pale Griffin Alyn Connington. How could the Kingslayer belong in such exalted company?
– thoughts of Jaime Lannister
Ryamsport is a town with a port that sits along the Redwyne Straits in the Reach, on the Arbor.
The town is sacked by the ironborn after the fall of the Shield Islands.
Ser Rycherd Crane is a knight of House Crane and is the husband of Rylene Florent, the sister of Lord Alester Florent.
Ryella Frey is the eldest child of Ser Arwood Frey and Ryella Royce.
Ryella Royce is a member of House Royce and the wife of Ser Arwood Frey, they have four children; Ryella, Androw, Alyn and Hostella Frey.
Ryger Rivers is a bastard son of Lord Walder Frey. His mother was a peasant who milked goats.
When Catelyn Tully comes to discuss terms with Lord Walder over the crossing of the Northern army, Lord Walder is rude to her. Ryger attempts to chastise Lord Walder for his discourtesy and is in turn rudely told off by Lord Walder.
Rylene Florent is the only sister of Lord Alester Florent. She is married to Ser Rycherd Crane.
Ryles is a ranger of the Night's Watch.
Ryles is part of the great ranging which leaves Castle Black and the Shadow Tower in search of Benjen Stark and Mance Rayder. At some point he dies and is turned into a wight. His body attacks Gilly and Samwell Tarly at an abandoned wildling village, and they only escape with the help of Coldhands.
Rylona Rhee is a former slave freed by Daenerys Targaryen. She was enslaved and trained in Yunkai and while there was taught to play music. She plays the harp beautifully and played for many of the noble families of Yunkai.
Rylona becomes a leader for the freeman of Yunkai and often speaks for them on Dany's council on Meereen. She plays her harp while Dany is entertaining guests. The Sons of the Harpy break into her house and cut off her fingers before killing her.
Ser Ryman Frey is a knight from House Frey of the Twins. He is the eldest son of Ser Stevron Frey and second in line to inherit the title of Lord of the Crossing if his grandfather, Lord Walder Frey, dies.
Ryman is a portly man of great appetites, prone to gluttony, drunkenness and whoring. His face is broad and fleshy and, according to Lady Catelyn Stark, stupid. Ryman has small eyes.
Unlike his father Stevron, Ryman never received Lord Walder's grooming on family values.
Ser Ryman participated in the tourney at Lannisport, the tourney that was held to celebrate King Robert I Baratheon's victory over Greyjoy's Rebellion. He was defeated by the eventual champion, Lord Jorah Mormont.
When Ser Stevron Frey dies following the wounds he received in the Battle of Oxcross, his son Ryman becomes heir of Lord Walder Frey. Learning about the death of Stevron by Maester Luwin in Winterfell, Big Walder Frey and Little Walder Frey discuss the line of succession in their house. Little Walder asks Big Walder whether Ryman, whom he thinks is past forty already and has a bad belly, will eventually become Lord of the Crossing, to which he receives an indifferent answer by Big Walder. The two are reprimanded by Luwin for not showing much grief over Stevron.
Ryman participates in the westerlands campaign of Robb Stark, King in the North and King of the Trident. When Catelyn Stark criticizes Ser Edmure Tully for removing Ser Helman Tallhart from the Twins to aid Lord Roose Bolton, Edmure includes Ryman in his examples of loyal Frey support for House Stark.
After Robb marries Jeyne Westerling, slighting House Frey, Ryman strikes Robb's banner and leads his forces from the Crag back to the Twins. He takes Robb's squire Olyvar Frey along, although Olyvar asks to remain with the king. Robb later explains to Catelyn that, if Stevron had still been alive, he might have been able to make amends with the Freys in his host, but that was not possible with Ryman and his son Black Walder.
When Robb Stark arrives at the Twins for the wedding of Edmure Tully, now Lord of Riverrun, and Roslin Frey, a curt Ryman and his three sons ride out to welcome him.
During the wedding feast, Catelyn observe the sour Ryman perspiring while drinking wine, even though Ryman bathed in lemonwater. Ryman confirms for Catelyn that Olyvar and Alesander Frey, who are friendly to House Stark, are not present for the wedding, and he staggers from the hall. When the Freys and Boltons betray Robb, an armored Ryman storms back into the hall followed by soldiers armed with heavy longaxes, and he kills Dacey Mormont by thrusting his axe into her stomach. When Catelyn holds a dagger to the throat of Jinglebell to trade his life for Robb's, Ryman and his son Black Walder circle behind her back. Robb and Catelyn are both slain in what becomes known as the Red Wedding.
Ryman takes two thousand spears to meet with Ser Daven Lannister and Ser Forley Prester to begin the siege of Riverrun.
When Ryman's son, Petyr Frey, is taken hostage by the brotherhood without banners, Ryman's uncle, Merrett Frey, volunteers to deliver the ransom, believing this would put him in the good graces of Ryman and prevent him from kicking Merrett and his family out of the Twins when Ryman succeeds Lord Walder. According to Merrett, Ryman was one of the principal architects of the Red Wedding, together with Lord Walder and Lord Roose Bolton. The outlaws hang Merrett for his own involvement in the massacre.
As heir of Lord Walder Frey, Ryman commands the Frey forces at the siege of Riverrun, with the disorderly camp located north of the Tumblestone and hosting the largest of the three forces besieging the castle. He leaves the planning to his son Edwyn, so he can spend his time drinking and whoring. To upstage Genna Lannister, who has brought the singer Whitesmile Wat to the Lannister camp, Ryman hires a singer for his own camp as well, Tom of Sevenstreams,
Ryman's main contribution to the siege is building a large gallows, on which Lord Edmure Tully has to stand with a noose around the neck all day. The threat of execution is meant to make Edmure's uncle, Ser Brynden Tully, surrender Riverrun but instead it hardens the Blackfish's stance. In a half-drunken state, Ryman rides to the gate of Riverrun and tries to threaten Brynden into submission. However, the Blackfish puts an arrow into Ryman's horse, causing the panicked animal to throw him off and making Ryman a laughing stock to his allies and enemies.
Ryman does not attend the war council called by Ser Jaime Lannister, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, sending his son Edwyn with the excuse that he is indisposed, which, as Daven points out, merely means that he is drunk. Edwyn tells Jaime that his father has stomach problems and wine helps him with his digestion.
Jaime goes to the Frey camp to persuade Edmure into commanding the capitulation of Riverrun. On his way, Jaime notices Ryman entertaining a whore in his tent; also present is Tom o' Sevens. The woman has Robb Stark's bronze crown on her head and states that Ryman crowned her the queen o' whores. When Ryman ignores the advice to remain silent in Jaime's presence and protests the assumed plan of the Lord Commander to execute Edmure, Jaime strikes Ryman with his golden hand and removes him from his position, replacing him with Edwyn. Jamie commands Ryman to leave the camp at once and to take his whore with him, but not the crown.
On his way back to the Twins, Ryman and his escort of three knights and twelve men-at-arms are hanged near Fairmarket. When Jaime learns of this at Riverrun, Edwyn accuses him of having his father's blood on his hands, then suggests his own brother Black Walder might have been involved in the murder, although Black Walder is currently stationed at Seagard. Jaime notices that Edwyn is not mourning his father particularly and suspects that might be true for most Freys. Still, Jaime is bothered by the audacity of outlaws who kill the heir to the Crossing not far from the Twins.
Ser Jaime Lannister ends the siege of Raventree and demands Lord Tytos Blackwood's bookish son Hoster as hostage. When Hoster does not seem to take the situation seriously, Jaime reminds Tytos that his son will die, if he does not keep his word. In this context, Jaime stresses that he is no Ryman Frey, meaning that, unlike the farce Ryman staged with Lord Edmure Tully, Jaime is ready to execute a prisoner.
If you would follow me, my father awaits.
- Ryman to Robb Stark before the Red Wedding
Ryman: I have done nothing ...
Jaime: ... but drink and whore. I know.
- Ryman and Jaime Lannister
Little Walder: Ryman is old too. Past forty, I bet. And he has a bad belly. Do you think he'll be lord?
Big Walder: I'll be lord. I don't care if he is.
- Little Walder Frey and Big Walder Frey
Tully ought to make a sortie, to remind us all we're still at war. Be nice if he culled some Freys too. Ryman, for a start. The man's drunk more oft than not.
- Daven Lannister to Jaime Lannister
A sot, a fool, and a craven. Lord Walder had best outlive this one, or the Freys are done.
- thoughts of Jaime Lannister
Jaime: Edwyn, I am giving you your father's command. Try not to be so stupid as your sire.
Edwyn: That ought not pose much difficulty, my lord.
- Jaime Lannister and Edwyn Frey
Rymolf Stormdrunk is an ironborn steersman in the crew of Victarion Greyjoy.
Victarion Greyjoy loans Rymolf to Theon Greyjoy when he is putting together a new crew for the *Sea Bitch*. "Esgred" tells Theon that Rymolf is a good man when he is sober.
Rymund the Rhymer is a singer.
Rymund comes to Riverrun where he entertains the garrison with the song he wrote about the Battle of Oxcross, "Wolf in the Night".
Rymund entertains Edmure Tully, Marq Piper, and Patrek Mallister with verses about the battle at the Stone Mill.
Ser Ryon Allyrion is a knight of House Allyrion. He is son and heir of Delonne Allyrion, the Lady of Godsgrace. He is married to Ynys Yronwood, with whom he has children, at least two sons.
Ser Ryon is among the group of nobles that accompanies Prince Oberyn Martell to King's Landing for the wedding of King Joffrey Baratheon.
He is present in Dorne, along with his bastard son Daemon, at the feast when Ser Balon Swann arrives in Sunspear to deliver the head of the Mountain. He drinks when Ricasso raises a toast to King Tommen Baratheon.
S'vrone is a dockside whore in Braavos of a murderous bent.
In the House of Black and White, Arya Stark tells the kindly man that the whore S'vrone is pregnant, and that S'vrone is not certain who the father is but she thinks it might be the Tyroshi sellsword that she killed.
The Saan family is a Lysene line of Valyrian descent that has produced a number of famous pirates over the centuries. Saans have been distinguished pirate-lords for at least three hundred years, dating back to the reign of King Aegon the Conqueror.
Saath
Essos west of the Bone Mountains and the location of Saath
Saath is a city in northern Essos at the western end of the Sarne delta along the Shivering Sea. It is west of Vaes Graddakh and southwest of Morosh. Saath is connected by a Valyrian road to Vaes Khadokh farther to the south.
The people of Saath still call themselves Tagaez Fen, or Tall Men, after the Sarnori of old. The city has managed to survive with the support of Ib and Lorath.
The small port of Saath, with its white walls, is the last surviving remnant of the Kingdom of Sarnor, as the other Sarnori cities, including its sister city Sarys, were destroyed by the Dothraki during the Century of Blood.
Saathos, historically known as Saathos the Wise, was once a visitor to Qarth. According to legend, he thought the city so beautiful that he blinded himself because he knew that all he would see after would be ugly in comparison.
Saathos Saan was a Lysene pirate-lord who named himself King of the Basilisk Isles. He was a member of the Saan family and ancestor of Salladhor Saan.
The exact time when he lived is not clear, but it was apparently between the reign of Jaehaerys I Targaryen and the War of the Five Kings.
The pirates of the Basilisk Isles profited from the chaos of the Century of Blood, until seventy-seven years after the Doom of Valyria, when a great plague known as the Red Death swept out of the slave pens and killed nine out of every ten persons, with the rest fleeing. The isles remained totally uninhabited for a full century afterwards, when (during the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen) the Qartheen pirate Xandarro Xhore established himself on the Isle of Toads and the Brotherhood of Bones established themselves on the isles to the west. Ever since, once every generation a major fleet has been sent from the Free Cities to clear out the pirates. Some have ended in failure, but even the successful campaigns seem ultimately futile because new pirates always refill the isles shortly thereafter.
One infamous expedition was led by Saathos Saan. Though he was sent to eliminate the pirates, Saan and his fleet instead turned pirate themselves. He rose to such prominence that he united and reigned the islands as King of the Basilisk Isles for thirty years.
Saathos's relative Salladhor Saan named one of the cogs in his own pirate fleet "*Saathos Saan*" after him.
While sailing from Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, the Saathos Saan founders off the Grey Cliffs.
The Saathos Saan is a great cog in the fleet of Salladhor Saan. It is presumably named after Salladhor's ancestor Saathos Saan.
While sailing from Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, the Saathos Saan founders off the Grey Cliffs.
Sabitha Vypren was a member of House Vypren and a Lady of the Crossing. She was married to Lord Forrest Frey.
Mushroom described Sabitha as "a sharp-featured, sharp-tongued harridan of House Vypren, who would sooner ride than dance, wore mail instead of silk, and was fond of killing men and kissing women."
Sable Hall
The North and the location of Sable Hall
Sable Hall is a castle along the Wall abandoned by the Night's Watch. It is located between Woodswatch-by-the-Pool to the west and Rimegate to the east.
Lord Commander Jon Snow considers re-garrisoning Deep Lake or Sable Hall with wildlings under the command of Halleck, although neither castle is ready for human habitation yet.
The Sack of Darry occurs in the aftermath of the Battle of the Camps during the War of the Five Kings.
After the Battle of the Camps and the proclaiming of Robb Stark as King in the North and of the Trident, Ser Edmure Tully allows his river lords to return to their lands and clear them of Lannister intruders. Engagements are fought at Stone Hedge, Raventree Hall and at Darry, where Lord Lyman Darry's men recapture his castle from the westermen.
Lord Lyman holds the castle for a fortnight. Ser Gregor Clegane descends on the castle, taking it quickly and putting all the defenders to the sword, including the eight-year-old Lord Lyman.
Ser Gregor, having killed Ser Raymun Darry at the Mummer's Ford, and the young Lord Lyman at Darry, is responsible for the downfall one of the major houses of the riverlands. Lord Lyman was the last male heir of the Darry line.
Later in the war, Darry falls to northern forces after a brief siege. Ser Helman Tallhart receives orders from Lord Roose Bolton to put the Lannister garrison to the sword and torch the castle in the name of Robb Stark.
The sack of Duskendale took place at Duskendale in the crownlands during the Dance of the Dragons.
Following the fall of Harrenhal to Daemon Targaryen and the two defeats at Burning Mill and Stone Hedge, King Aegon II Targaryen stripped Ser Otto Hightower of his title of Hand of the King and granted it to Ser Criston Cole, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Criston advised moving against the "traitors" that had bent the knee to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. While House Velaryon and House Celtigar were unreachable, the "black" lords whose land were on the mainland had no protection against Aegon's loyalists.
Duskendale was unprepared for an attack. The town fell easily to Aegon's forces and was sacked, while the ships at the harbor were set afire. Lord Darklyn was beheaded for treason.
After the sack was complete, Ser Criston Cole moved the loyalist forces to the next objective: Rook's Rest, seat of House Staunton.
The Sack of King's Landing
The Battle of the Trident resulted in a loss for the loyalists. Prince Rhaegar Targaryen was killed by Lord Robert Baratheon, as were Prince Lewyn Martell and Ser Jonothor Darry, both of the Kingsguard. Ser Barristan Selmy, the third and last knight of the Kingsguard who had accompanied Rhaegar to the Trident, was a severely-wounded captive of the rebels.
The loyalist army broke and ran, with the survivors fleeing back to King's Landing. Robert Baratheon had taken a wound from Rhaegar, and so gave command of the vanguard to Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, who chased them to the capital. There, King Aerys II Targaryen was located in the Red Keep, protected by several thousand loyalists.
Aerys had been preparing his wildfire plot for a while prior to the Battle of the Trident. Three pyromancers—Rossart, Garigus and Belis— came and went day and night at the Red Keep, and Aerys's Hand of the King, Lord Qarlton Chelsted, eventually became suspicious. When he discovered Aerys's wildfire plot, Qarlton attempted to convince Aerys otherwise, by reasoning, jesting, threatening, and begging the king. Nothing could convince Aerys, however, so Chelsted resigned his office.
Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, had remained neutral throughout the war, ignoring calls to arms by both the loyalists and the rebels. However, about a fortnight after the Battle of the Trident
Ser Jaime Lannister of the Kingsguard, who was holding the Red Keep, asked permission to make terms when he realized King's Landing would fall. Aerys refused and ordered Jaime to instead kill his father, Lord Tywin.
With the Lannister forces sacking the city, Aerys held an audience with his new Hand of the King, Lord Rossart. When Jaime's messenger informed him that Rossart had just left from the king, Jaime realized that Aerys meant to burn the entire city with wildfire.
Eddard Stark finds Jaime Lannister seated on the Iron Throne, by Amok©
With Rossart's death, the execution of the wildfire plot had temporarily been halted. Jaime next went to the throne room of the Red Keep, where Aerys was waiting, and informed him of killing Rossart. Unable to deny having killed Aerys, Jaime's act earned him the nickname "Kingslayer".
Jaime ordered his father's men to spread the news that Aerys was dead. Lord Crakehall asked Jaime if they should proclaim a new king, and for a moment Jaime considered Prince Viserys Targaryen,
Meanwhile, Lannister soldiers were fighting the remaining loyalists on the steps and in the armory of the Red Keep. Lord Eddard Stark arrived at King's Landing from the Trident and led his army through the King's Gate.
The Lannisters needed a way to prove their loyalty to Robert's cause and Rhaegar's children had to die to ensure Robert's claim to the throne,
When Robert Baratheon arrived in King's Landing, Tywin laid the bodies of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys beneath the Iron Throne and presented them to Robert as tokens of his fealty. The children were wrapped in crimson cloaks to hide the blood.
Although the actions of Gregor and Amory have been discussed in rumors and are even considered common knowledge in Casterly Rock,
Oberyn Martell is convinced Tywin himself ordered the deaths of Elia and her children in revenge for her marriage to Rhaegar Targaryen, to whom Tywin had intended his daughter, Cersei Lannister, to marry.
Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon argued over the killing of Rhaegar's family. While Eddard believed it to have been unjustified murder, Robert had been satisfied with the deaths of Rhaegar's children, whom he described as "dragonspawn". Jon Arryn was not able to calm their anger, and Eddard rode south the next day, where he lifted the siege of Storm's End. Afterwards, he travelled to the tower of joy, where he battled the three remaining Kingsguard knights of Aerys II and found his sister Lyanna Stark dying. Only the grief Eddard and Robert shared over the death of Lyanna eventually reconciled them.
Tywin Lannister gave royalist survivors of the Sack, such as Ser Jaremy Rykker and Ser Alliser Thorne, the choice of joining the Night's Watch or being executed. Both knights chose the Wall.
Robert was crowned before Eddard managed to lift the siege of Storm's End.
The deaths of Elia and her children infuriated House Martell. While Prince Oberyn Martell's attempts at another rebellion were stopped by Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne, following Jon Arryn's visit to Dorne the year after Robert took the throne
Lord Eddard Stark repeats his disapproval of the Sack, Ser Jaime Lannister's murder of King Aerys II Targaryen, and the deaths of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen's children, but King Robert I Baratheon considers the actions to have been necessary to end the war.
Grand Maester Pycelle admits to Tyrion Lannister that he had convinced Aerys to open the gates of King's Landing for Tyrion's father, Lord Tywin Lannister. Pycelle had felt that the war had been lost after the death of Rhaegar. With Aerys mad, and Viserys and Aegon too young, Pycelle admits that he had hoped that Tywin would have been the new king.
Ser Amory Lorch is fed to a bear after the fall of Harrenhal.
While in the House of the Undying, Daenerys Targaryen sees a vision of an old man telling another, "Let him be king overcharred bones and cooked meat. Let him be the king of ashes."
Jaime confides in Brienne of Tarth that he slew Lord Rossart and King Aerys to prevent King's Landing from burning.
Lord Tywin Lannister tells his son Tyrion that he ordered the Sack to prove House Lannister's loyalty to Robert Baratheon, the victor of the Trident, and out of worry of what Aerys would do to Jaime, his bodyguard and hostage within the Red Keep. Tywin explains that while the deaths of Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaenys were necessary, he had not expected Ser Gregor Clegane and Ser Amory Lorch to be so brutal, nor for Gregor to rape and kill Elia Martell.
Arrested for the death of King Joffrey I Baratheon, Tyrion confirms for Oberyn that Gregor was involved in the murders of his kin.
Ser Balon Swann delivers the Mountain's skull to Oberyn's brother Doran, the Prince of Dorne.
Illyrio Mopatis, Varys, and the Golden Company support a youth claiming to be Aegon Targaryen.
Eddard: I expected to find the gates closed to us.
Robert: Instead you found that our men had already taken the city. What of it?
Eddard: Not our men. The lion of Lannister flew over the ramparts, not the crowned stag. And they had taken the city by treachery.
Robert: Treachery was a coin the Targaryens knew well. Lannister paid them back in kind. It was no less than they deserved. I shall not trouble my sleep over it.Eddard: You were not there. There was no honor in that conquest.
- - Eddard Stark and Robert I Baratheon
Pycelle: All I did, I did for House Lannister. Always ... for years ... your lord father, ask him, I was ever his true servant ... 'twas I who bid Aerys open his gates ...
Tyrion: So the Sack of King's Landing was your work as well?
Pycelle: For the realm! Once Rhaegar died, the war was done.
- Pycelle and Tyrion Lannister
I saw King's Landing after the Sack. Babes were butchered that day as well, and old men, and children at play. More women were raped than you can count.
- Jorah Mormont to Daenerys Targaryen
Do you think the noble Lord of Winterfell wanted to hear my feeble explanations? Such an honorable man. He only had to look at me to judge me guilty. By what right does the wolf judge the lion? By what right?
- Jaime Lannister to Brienne of Tarth
Justice is in short supply this side of the mountains. There has been none for Elia, Aegon, or Rhaenys.
The sack of Winterfell occurs when House Bolton has the castle burned shortly after the battle at Winterfell.
Main article: Battle at Winterfell
House Greyjoy invades the north during the War of the Five Kings, leading Ser Rodrik Cassel to take Winterfell's garrison to assist in the defense of Torrhen's Square. Since Rodrik is away, Theon Greyjoy is able to capture lightly-defended Winterfell by stealth. While Rodrik is gathering an army to retake Winterfell, Theon allows a previously-imprisoned House Bolton serving man, "Reek", to leave Winterfell in search of aid when he promises to find a few hundred reinforcements for Theon.
When Rodrik's scouts approach Winterfell, Maester Luwin warns Theon his ironborn will not hold the castle against an assault. Urzen, Stygg, and ten men previously brought by Asha Greyjoy abandon Theon's cause. He is left with only seventeen followers, including his squire Wex Pyke, Black Lorren, Red Rolfe, Kromm, Werlag, Tymor and his two brothers, Ulf the Ill, Harrag Sharp, four Harlaws (probably including Dykk and Gevin), two Botleys, and Kenned.
When the ironborn-held Winterfell is besieged by Rodrik's Stark army of near two thousand, Luwin tries to persuade Theon to surrender and join the Night's Watch. They are interrupted by the arrival of House Bolton's garrison from the Dreadfort, however, which betrays Rodrik's army and routs it in the battle at Winterfell's winter town. The Boltons lose only twenty or thirty men from their force of near six hundred.
Ramsay Snow during the Sack of Winterfell
After the battle ends, a group of Dreadfort riders approaches Winterfell's main gate. Their leader, whom Theon Greyjoy dubs "Red Helm" because of his fine armor, has the bodies of Rodrik Cassel, Cley Cerwyn, and Leobald Tallhart dropped. Theon then allows the Dreadfort men to pass Winterfell's moat and inner gate. Theon recognizes Red Helm to be Reek when he removes his helm, but he is actually Ramsay Snow, the Bastard of Bolton. When Theon balks at relinquishing his bedwarmer Kyra, Ramsay strikes Theon and the Bolton men begin to kill the ironborn, including Red Rolfe, Kenned, and Ulf the Ill,
Unbeknownst to Theon and Ramsay, hiding in the crypts of Winterfell are Bran and Rickon Stark, Meera and Jojen Reed, Hodor, and Osha. The direwolves Summer and Shaggydog, who are outside of Winterfell, smell the blood and burnt flesh from the battle and ensuing sack, and they hear the Boltons attack the defenseless people of Winterfell and burn its buildings. The next morning the direwolves find only wild dogs, dead bodies, and dying horses amidst the burning winter town.
When Bran and his companions leave Winterfell's crypt that morning, they find that one side of the First Keep has fallen away and its interior is burnt. Winterfell's previously broken tower remains standing, however. After being joined by Summer and Shaggydog, they reconnoiter Winterfell. Its granite walls still stand, though somewhat blackened by fire, but the interior is heavily damaged. The Great Hall's roof has collapsed, fires are visible in its cellar and a storehouse, and the glass gardens are destroyed. The stables have burned along with the horses, such as Dancer and Smiler, while most of the hounds were slain in the kennels. Water from Winterfell's hot springs leaks from the Library Tower. The bridge between the Bell Tower and the rookery has collapsed, while Luwin's turret is destroyed. The sept built by Lord Eddard Stark for Lady Catelyn Tully is burned. The iron portcullis at the Hunter's Gate has been warped by heat.
They find Luwin dying in the godswood, which is mostly unscathed. The group separates after Osha gives Luwin the gift of mercy. As Bran leaves Winterfell, he believes that the castle will survive despite the destruction.
Concept art by Kim Pope for *Game of Thrones*
At Riverrun, Lothar Frey tells Robb Stark, the King in the North, of a letter the Frey wards wrote to Lord Walder Frey. The youths claim that Theon's ironmen had burnt Winterfell and put its men to the sword, but that Ramsay had led the surviving women and children to safety at the Dreadfort.
Theon's sister, Asha Greyjoy, visits Winterfell before returning to the Iron Islands. Finding only wolves eating the corpses and unable to identify Theon's body, Asha thinks the northmen were fighting each other.
Wex Pyke, Theon's squire, survives the sack by hiding in Winterfell's godswood. Wex later reveals to Lord Wyman Manderly that Ramsay took Theon and the women of Winterfell back to the Dreadfort.
After being tortured by Ramsay at the Dreadfort,
Bastard's Recruits - art by Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games.
Save me the Freys, and burn the rest. Burn it, burn it all.
- Ramsay Snow to his men
All through the night the fires crackled, and once there was a great roar and a crash that made the earth jump under his feet. Dogs barked and whined and horses screamed in terror. Howls shuddered through the night; the howls of the man-pack, wails of fear and wild shouts, laughter and screams. No beast was as noisy as man.
- thoughts of Bran Stark while in the mind of Summer
Winterfell. It was Winterfell. It was all on fire. There were horse smells, and steel, and blood. They killed everyone, Meera.
- Bran Stark to Meera Reed
If the gods are good, the Others will take them that did this work.
- Osha to Bran Stark
The tops of the keeps and towers still stood as they had for hundreds of years, and it was hard to tell that the castle had been sacked and burned at all. The stone is strong, the roots of the trees go deep, and under the ground the Kings of Winter sit their thrones. So long as those remained, Winterfell remained.
- thoughts of Bran Stark
Aemon: Your brothers died at the command of Theon Greyjoy, after he took Winterfell in his father's name. When your father's bannermen threatened to retake it, he put the castle to the torch.
Grenn: Your brothers were avenged. Bolton's son killed all the ironmen, and it's said he's flaying Theon Greyjoy inch by inch for what he did.
Groleo captains the Balerion.
© Fantasy Flight Games
The Balerion, with Viserion perched atop the cog's figurehead - by Tomasz Jedruszek.
© Fantasy Flight Games
Daenerys Targaryen aboard the Balerion with her three dragons - by Mark Evans.
© Fantasy Flight Games
Saduleon is a great cog owned by Illyrio Mopatis and captained by Groleo. It is renamed Balerion, after the Targaryen dragon of old.
Magister Illyrio Mopatis sends Saduleon, *Joso's Prank, and *Summer Sun to Qarth to bring Daenerys Targaryen back to Pentos in preparation for her return to Westeros. Daenerys accepts, but insists on renaming the ships as *Vhagar, *Meraxes and Balerion, in homage of the three powerful dragons of Aegon the Conqueror.
On the shores of Slaver's Bay, Daenerys has the Balerion broken up to provide her army with the wood it needs to make instruments of war for the siege of Meereen.
I will never see her like again.
- Groleo, on the destruction of the Balerion, to Daenerys Targaryen
Princess Saera Targaryen was a daughter of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen and Queen Alysanne Targaryen.
Princess Saera was one of the thirteen children born to King Jaehaerys and his sister wife, Queen Alysanne.
On his deathbed, King Jaehaerys mistook Lady Alicent Hightower for one of his daughters. Near the end, he grew convinced that Alicent was Saera, returned from across the sea.
Saffron is the daughter of a spice merchant from Gulltown, one of the richest men in the city. She is described as tall and slim, with big brown eyes and hair like honey.
Harrold Hardyng: It is different with Saffron.
Alayne Stone: Saffron? Truly?
Harrold Hardyng: Her father says she is more precious to him than gold.
Saffron Straits
The known world and the location of the Saffron Straits
The Saffron Straits is the eastern exit of the Jade Sea, dividing Essos and Ulthos. The city of Asshai is at its northwestern entrance. North of the straits are the Shadow Lands, while Ulthos is to the south. The island of Ulos is to the east.
The Sailmender's,
It is located southeast of Ragman's Harbor, southwest of the Inn of the Green Eel, and east of the Foghouse.
The Sailor's Sept is a sept located in Oldtown. It is found near the harbor.
The Sailor's Wife is a prostitute who works at the Happy Port brothel in Braavos. Her real name is unknown, but she is called the Sailor's Wife because she only beds those who marry her.
The Sailor's Wife can speak the Common Tongue of Westeros. She is generous, and quick to laugh, but there is something sad about her. She knows all the gods on the Isle of the Gods, even those that Braavos has forgotten.
The Sailor's Wife's first husband was lost at sea when she was no older than fourteen. Every month, she visits the temples on the Isle of the Gods to pray for his return. However, according to the prostitute Yna who tasted her blood, her first husband is dead.
Dareon pays for the right to bed the Sailor's Wife for one night by marrying her. When Samwell Tarly finds out, he confronts Dareon and they fight, until Samwell is thrown out of the Happy Port.
Arya Stark, disguised as the Braavos street urchin and fishmonger Cat of the Canals, becomes friends with the prostitutes of the Happy Port, including the Sailor's Wife. When the Sailor's Wife marries, she insists that her new husband buy oysters from Cat's barrow.
Arya Stark recalls walking through Braavos with the Sailor's Wife, who told her tales of the stranger gods of the city.
One theory about the Sailor's Wife is that her real husband was a Lannister.
The basis of this idea is that her daughter is named Lanna
Her husband is thought to be either Tyrion or Gerion Lannister.
She could be his first wife, Tysha. Lanna is the right age to be a daughter of their marriage. The Sailor's Wife also states that she was the same age as Lanna is now when she gave birth to her. This puts her at about the same age when she gave birth as Tysha when she was married to Tyrion.
He could be the Lannister husband because he was a sailor and is thought to be dead. He has been to Braavos.
Salladhor Saan, known as Salla to his friends, descent and is played by actor Lucian Msamati.
See also: Images of Salladhor Saan
Salladhor is slim and friendly,
Besides his galleas *Valyrian*, Salladhor commands a fleet of two dozen striped galleys.
The Saan family have a long and distinguished history as pirate-lords stretching back at least three centuries to the reign of Aegon I Targaryen.
Before becoming a knight during Robert's Rebellion, the one-time smuggler Ser Davos Seaworth often bought cargo from Salladhor.
Ser Davos Seaworth journeyed to Lys to recruit Salladhor for Stannis Baratheon.
During the Battle of the Blackwater, Salladhor and his fleet stay in Blackwater Bay outside of the Blackwater Rush to keep watch for any hidden fleets that may sneak up from behind. Davos thinks this a waste of Salla's resources.
Salladhor is made Lord of Blackwater Bay by Lord Alester Florent, who as Hand of the King has control of Stannis's king's seal after the Blackwater.
Salla's galley *Shayala's Dance* rescues Davos from Blackwater Bay. Salladhor counsels Davos upon his return to Dragonstone not to seek out Melisandre but is rebuffed.
Alester attempts to have one of Salladhor's men transport a letter with terms for peace to Lord Tywin Lannister, but Alester is imprisoned when his plot is discovered.
Salladhor informs Dragonstone of the Red Wedding.
Salladhor's fleet helps to transport Stannis's army north to the Wall.
With Stannis at Castle Black, Salladhor is left at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea.
Queen Selyse Florent feasts Salladhor at Eastwatch.
The men of Westeros are ever rushing. What good is this, I ask you? He who hurries through life hurries to his grave.
- Salladhor to Davos Seaworth
Davos: How is it you come by a Pentoshi ship? Have you gone pirate again, my lord?
Salladhor: Vile calumny. Who has suffered more from pirates than Salladhor Saan? I ask only what is due me. Much gold is owed, oh yes, but I am not without reason, so in place of coin I have taken a handsome parchment, very crisp. It bears the name and seal of Lord Alester Florent, the Hand of the King. I am made Lord of Blackwater Bay, and no vessel may be crossing my lordly waters without my lordly leave, no. And when these outlaws are trying to steal past me in the night to avoid my lawful duties and customs, why, they are no better than smugglers, so I am well within my rights to seize them.
- Davos Seaworth and Salladhor
Salladhor the Beggar, that's what your king has made me. Salladhor the Smashed. Where are my ships? And my gold, where is all the gold that I was promised? When, when? On the morrow, on the new moon, when the red comet comes again? He is promising me gold and gems, always promising, but this gold I have not seen. I have his word, he is saying, oh yes, his royal word, he writes it down. Can Salladhor Saan eat the king's word? Can he quench his thirst with parchments and waxy seals? Can he tumble promises into a feather bed and fuck them till they squeal?
- Salladhor to Davos Seaworth
The Lyseni was a sleek, smiling man whose flamboyance was a byword on both sides of the narrow sea.
- thoughts of Davos Seaworth
When a pirate grows rich enough, they make him a prince.
- thoughts of Davos Seaworth
Salladhor Saan thinks only of gold! His head is full of dreams of the treasure he fancies lies under the Red Keep, so let us hear no more of Salladhor Saan. The day I need military counsel from a Lysene brigand is the day I put off my crown and take the black.
- Stannis Baratheon to Davos Seaworth
You are a treacherous old rogue, Salladhor Saan, but a good friend all the same.
- Davos Seaworth to Salladhor
Sallei Paege is a member of House Paege and is married to Ser Jammos Frey with whom she has three children, Walder, Dickon and Mathis Frey
Sallor, better known as Sallor the Bald, was a Qartheen captain of the mercenary company, Stormcrows. He had a twisting scar on his cheek. He picked his nose with great regularity. He was slain by his fellow captain, Daario Naharis outside of Yunkai.
Sallor was one of the senior captains of the Stormcrows when they took a contract to defend Yunkai against the forces of Daenerys Targaryen. He was among those who attended the parley with Daenerys where she attempted to bribe the captains to come to her side but was rebuffed by Prendahl na Ghezn. However, the Stormcrows were free men and so the captains returned to their camp to put the question to the men, but Daario Naharis, a fellow captain, had already been won over and killed Sallor and Prendahl in order to bring the Stormcrows over to Daenerys.
Salloreon is a master armorer in King's Landing. He is an older man and richly dressed.
Salloreon is one of the smiths approached by Tyrion Lannister to build his monstrous chain. He complains about being given work only fit for a common smith, and offers to forge Tyrion a suit of armor and a demon's head helm. Tyrion replies that he can either make chains or wear them.
He later joined the Antler Men, a group of rich merchants, tradesman, and crafters who conspired to aid Stannis Baratheon in taking King's Landing. He was arrested.
During the Battle of the Blackwater, captured Antler Men have antlers nailed to their heads and are flung over the walls of King's Landing by the three great trebuchets called the Three Whores.
Sallydance is a small village on the Red Fork in the Riverlands. Its sept has windows of leaded glass.
Sallydance was attacked by Prince Aemond Targaryen and his dragon, Vhagar, during the Dance of the Dragons.
The village is sacked during the War of the Five Kings. Men from the North, searching for Ser Jaime Lannister, steal everything of value from the sept.
Salt Shore
Dorne and the location of the Salt Shore
Salt Shore is the seat of House Gargalen in Dorne. It lies on the southern coast along the Summer Sea.
The Salt War is one of the Rhoynish Wars, fought between the Valyrians and the Rhoynar.
Salt king was an ancient title among the ironborn during the Age of Heroes. Each of the Iron Islands had both a Rock and a salt king. While the rock king ruled the island itself, the salt king commanded at sea, whenever the island's longships sailed. They were chosen at the kingsmoot.
The tradition of salt kings ended with Urron Greyiron abolished kingsmoots.
A salt son is the son of an ironborn and a salt wife. They are considered trueborn and may inherit, though they are placed behind the sons and daughters of a rock wife.
© Fantasy Flight Games
In Ironborn culture a salt wife is a concubine. They are the women kidnapped by the ironmen during raids. An ironborn may keep several salt wives, but only one ironborn "rock wife".
Unlike Dornish paramours, salt wives have a low status in the society of the Iron Islands, on the same level of thralls. They are not, however, considered whores or slaves, and their sons can even inherit property or lands in lieu of trueborn heirs born of a man's rock wife.
Houses descended from salt wives, such as the Codds and Humbles, are looked down by the members of older ironborn houses.
Once I might have carried you home as a prize, and kept you to wife whether you willed it or no. The ironmen of old did such things. A man had his rock wife, his true bride, ironborn like himself, but he had his salt wives too, women captured on raids.
The Lyseni would have made whores of you, but we have saved you. Now you need only serve one man instead of many. Those who please their captains may be taken as salt wives, an honourable station.
- Victarion Greyjoy, to the girls captured from the *Willing Maiden*
Saltcliffe
The Iron Islands and the location of Saltcliffe
Saltcliffe is one of the islands that make up the Iron Islands. It is located south of Great Wyk and west of Pyke.
Saltpans
The riverlands and the location of Saltpans
Saltpans is a town in the riverlands that sits on the Bay of Crabs. It is the seat of House Cox, although semi-canon sources indicate that House Hawick is also from the town.
The river kings of old refused charters which would have allowed towns like Fairmarket, Lord Harroway's Town, and Saltpans to expand and potentially become cities.
Saltpans has never been an important trading port, but ships do call there from time to time.
Arya Stark arrives at Saltpans six days after abandoning the dying Sandor Clegane by the banks of the Trident. Arya sees that most of the shops and inns and alehouses around the harbor have been plundered or burned from the War of the Five Kings, though some still look inhabited. After trading her horse for silver, she manages to procure passage on a Braavosi ship, using the iron coin given to her by Jaqen H'ghar.
A raven arrives in King's Landing from the septry at the Quiet Isle, saying that Saltpans has been savagely raided by a band of outlaws, and some of the survivors claim a roaring brute in a hound's head helm was amongst the raiders. Supposedly the Hound killed a dozen men and raped a twelve-year-old girl who had been promised to the Faith.
On the Quiet Isle, the Elder Brother informs Brienne of Tarth more of what happened at Saltpans. He has treated some of the survivors, when the fisherfolk brought them across the bay to him, after the flames had gone out and they deemed it safe to land. The Elder Brother tells Brienne that the raiders wanted a galley or a cog to carry them across the narrow sea. When none was at hand, they took their rage and desperation out upon the townsfolk.
The Elder Brother tells Brienne that it was not Sandor Clegane who had led the massacre, as the Hound had died by the Trident, but another man who found his hound's head helm that the Elder Brother had left on his grave.
The fishermen and others who escaped the assault eventually abandon the town, with most of them going to Maidenpool, leaving nothing behind in Saltpans other than the holdfast.
Saltpans was the work of some fell beast in human skin.
– Lady Mariya Darry
At Saltpans, they had found only death and desolation. By the time Brienne and her companions were ferried over from the Quiet Isle, the survivors had fled and the dead had been given to the ground, but the corpse of the town itself remained, ashen and unburied.
- thoughts of Brienne of Tarth
Saltspear
The North and the location of the Saltspear
The Saltspear is a long inlet that opens into Blazewater Bay in the North. At its eastern end is the mouth of the Fever River, whose headwaters are in the Neck.
Victarion Greyjoy sails up the Saltspear in his mission to take Moat Cailin.
The Salty Wench is an ironborn longship captained by Asha Greyjoy's cousin, Quenton Greyjoy.
The Salty Wench is one of four longships under Asha Greyjoy's command when she returns to Deepwood Motte.
Sam Stoops was the steward of Standfast for House Osgrey during the reign of King Aerys I Targaryen. He was an old man.
When Dunk was training the smallfolk, he stuffed some old sacks with soiled straw, for them to practice on.
Samarro Saan, known as the Last Valyrian, was a Lysene pirate who became one of the infamous Band of Nine, the instigators of the War of the Ninepenny Kings.
The Band of Nine were a group of merchants, sellswords, and pirates, who joined together to carve kingdoms out for themselves. Samarro Saan was one of them, a notorious pirate from a notorious family of pirates from Lys.
Samwell is a given name.
It is borne by:
Samwell Dayne, known as the Starfire, was member of House Dayne who ruled as King of the Torrentine and Lord of Starfall. He once sacked Oldtown.
Ser Samwell Rivers was a knight and a natural son of Lord Tommen Tully of Riverrun.
When Harwyn Hoare, King of the Iron Islands, invaded the Riverlands, Ser Samwell assembled a small host and faced King Harwyn on the Tumblestone. Samwell's lines shattered when the Hardhand charged. Hundreds drowned attempting to flee, while Rivers was hacked in two, so that half of his body might be delivered to each of his parents.
Ser Samwell Spicer is a member of House Spicer. He is the cousin of Sybell and Rolph Spicer.
When news that Ser Jaime Lannister had "escaped" from Riverrun, Lord Tywin sent men into the Riverlands to look for him, among them Samwell.
Ser Samwell Stokeworth was a knight of House Stokeworth during the reign of King Daeron II Targaryen.
Samwell participated in the tourney at Ashford Meadow in 209 AC.
Ser Samwell Stone, better known as Strong Sam Stone, is a well-known bastard in the Vale. He is the master-at-arms at Runestone.
Strong Sam sides with Lord Yohn Royce in attempting to depose of Petyr Baelish.
For the Lord of Horn Hill during the reign of Aenys I Targaryen, see Samwell Tarly (lord).
Samwell Tarly is the eldest son of Lord Randyll Tarly and his wife Melessa Florent. A recruit of the Night's Watch originally from House Tarly,
See also: Images of Samwell Tarly
Samwell is very fat, with dark hair, pale eyes, and a large moon-shaped face. Although he is insecure and awkward, Sam is observant and intelligent.
Samwell was the first child of Randyll Tarly, Lord of Horn Hill, and his wife, Melessa Florent. Randyll, regarded as one of the finest military commanders in the Seven Kingdoms, did everything in his power to raise his son into what he deemed a proper heir, but Samwell frustrated him at every opportunity, resisting every effort made to change his nature. A dozen masters-at-arms failed to toughen him. Attempts such as dressing him in his mother's clothes, forcing him to sleep in chainmail, and even being bathed in aurochs blood by Qartheen warlocks failed to raise his valor. He even wept to see a chicken slaughtered.
Sam once accompanied his father on a trip to the Arbor, but the Redwyne twins Horas and Hobber bullied him and Lord Randyll brought him back home. Sam's mother revealed to him that Randyll had meant for Samwell to remain at the Arbor, to serve as Lord Paxter Redwyne's page and squire. Had Sam pleased Paxter, he would have been betrothed to his daughter, Desmera.
After Lady Melessa bore her husband three girls, Samwell's brother Dickon was born. Dickon showed all of the physical vigor that Samwell lacked, and Randyll's attentions turned to raising his more promising younger son to take his place. For a time Sam was left to enjoy his music, food, and other soft pursuits, though Randyll forbade Samwell from traveling to Oldtown to study at the Citadel, horrified at the notion of a member of House Tarly wearing a maester's chain. To discourage the boy, Randyll had Sam chained and manacled to a wall for three days.
When Sam turned fifteen, his father bluntly told him that he was not worthy of their house's ancestral Valyrian steel sword, Heartsbane, and that he must join the Night's Watch and renounce his family name so that he would not stand in the way of Dickon's inheritance. Failing that, Randyll promised that Sam would suffer an unfortunate hunting accident on the morrow. Sam chose to take the black.
Sam training with the new recruits at Castle Black.
Samwell arrives at Castle Black shortly after Jon Snow and is immediately mocked for his size and timid nature. Ser Alliser Thorne, the master-at-arms, joins in the mocking, nicknaming him "Ser Piggy" and doing nothing to prevent the other recruits from bullying him and hurting him during their training. Miserable, Sam finds a friend in Jon, with whom he shares his story. Jon takes pity on Sam and, to Alliser's annoyance, takes it upon himself to persuade (and threaten, when necessary) his fellow recruits to stop their abuse.
Samwell is not helped by Alliser's training and remains an incompetent warrior. Because of this he is initially deemed not ready to take his vows and become a man of the Night's Watch with Jon and his fellow recruits. Jon, fearful of what will happen to Sam once he is no longer able to protect him, persuades Maester Aemon to allow him to join the stewards, convincing him that despite his uselessness as a soldier, Sam's literacy and intelligence may be of great value to the Watch. Aemon agrees, and gives Samwell a position assisting him in Castle Black's rookery and library, displacing Chett. Despite having been born and raised into the Faith of the Seven, Samwell decides to take his Night's Watch vow with Jon at a heart tree. He is able to impress Lord Commander Jeor Mormont by noting some of the odd details of the corpses of Othor and Jafer Flowers. He is among the group of friends who stop Jon from abandoning the Night's Watch and forswearing himself.
Sam joins the great ranging which ventures beyond the Wall, and he is placed in charge of the ravens as Lord Commander Mormont's aide.
Samwell facing an Other - by Amok ©
When wights attack the Watch's camp at the Fist of the First Men, Sam sends ravens to alert Castle Black and the Shadow Tower. When the Watch loses the fight at the Fist, however, Sam releases the rest of the ravens but forgets to include messages with them.
Sam and Grenn rendezvous with the remaining survivors at Craster's Keep, where Gilly gives birth to a son. Shortly thereafter, violence erupts in the keep, with some Night's Watch men believing that Craster is holding out on the food he provided for the Watch, and others harboring mutinous intentions toward Lord Commander Mormont. Craster and Jeor are both killed in the mutiny. Before Jeor dies he gives Sam his dying wish, that his son, the exiled Ser Jorah Mormont, join the Watch.
Sam is forced to flee, joined only by Gilly and her newborn.They make it as far as a village Sam believes to be Whitetree but are then attacked by wights, including a reanimated Small Paul, who attacks Sam first. Sam fights him off and stabs him with the dragonglass dagger, but it proves ineffective. Desperately, Sam strikes him with a piece of charred wood, which catches him on fire, killing him. They run, but are beset by additional wights, and are saved at the last moment by Coldhands.
Gilly and Sam are led back to the wall by Coldhands, who has informed them that there will be one in the Nightfort that must be sent to him. Entering the Nightfort through the castle's Black Gate, Samwell encounters Bran Stark, along with Hodor, and Meera and Jojen Reed, all of whom he leads back to Coldhands.
After leaving the Nightfort on the south side of the wall, Sam and Gilly join Ser Denys Mallister and Bowen Marsh's party, also en route to Castle Black. They arrive after the battle beneath the Wall, with Stannis Baratheon present and urging the swift election of a new Lord Commander and threatening to name one himself if none can achieve the required two-thirds majority. In the voting, Janos Slynt gains ground on the leading candidates, Cotter Pyke and Denys Mallister. Believing Janos would be a disastrous Lord Commander, Sam approaches Cotter and Denys independently, and lies to each regarding Stannis's intentions to name the other to the office, thus convincing them both to support Jon Snow as a compromise candidate,
Sam and Gilly: "I would sooner have you than any princess..., but I can't". Art by cabepfir
One of Jon Snow's first acts as Lord Commander is to send Samwell south to the Citadel of Oldtown, where he might study to become Maester Aemon's successor. Jon also sends Dareon, whom he appoints as a recruiter for the Night's Watch, as well as Aemon and the infant son of Mance Rayder, so as to deprive Melisandre of the chance to sacrifice them for their king's blood. He also sends Gilly, separating her from her own child, so that she might nurse Rayder's son.
Samwell urges Dareon to sing at the local taverns to earn money so that they might buy passage on a ship to Oldtown, but Dareon spends most of what he earns on wine and trade from the city's whores. Sam confronts Dareon in a brothel and accuses him of breaking his vows, and Dareon responds with his intention to abandon them and desert the Night's Watch, resulting in a fight whereupon Sam is pulled off of Dareon and thrown into a canal. He is pulled out by Xhondo, who heard him speaking of dragons and had seen them in Qarth.
Maester Aemon dies early in the journey from Braavos to Oldtown, and in mourning for his death Gilly briefly becomes a lover to Samwell. She names Mance's child "Aemon Steelsong" after Maester Aemon,
Samwell continues to the Citadel, where he goes to the Seneschal's Court to speak with the Seneschal. Samwell is forced to wait a long while before he will be admitted. When his patience starts to run thin, he is approached by the acolyte Alleras, who brings him to Archmaester Marwyn and Leo Tyrell. Upon hearing Sam's story, Marwyn orders Sam to keep Aemon's prophecies and Daenerys's dragons a secret from the other archmaesters. Marwyn immediately departs the city with the stated intention of going to Daenerys and becoming her maester. Alleras informs Sam that Marwyn's glass candle had anticipated Sam's arrival, and Pate gives Sam a cell near Archmaester Walgrave's chamber.
Jon: Have you seen the Wall?
Samwell: I'm fat, not blind. Of course I saw it, it's seven hundred feet high.
– Jon Snow and Samwell
Sam thought of all the trials that he and Gilly suffered, Craster's Keep and the death of the Old Bear, snow and ice and freezing winds, days and days and days of walking, the wights at Whitetree, Coldhands and the tree of ravens, the Wall, the Wall, the Wall, the Black Gate beneath the earth. What had it all been for? No happy choices and no happy endings.
– Sam's thoughts aboard the *Blackbird*
The worst isn't done. The worst is just beginning, and there are no happy endings.
– Samwell to Dareon
No matter where he went in this wide world, his fears went with him.
– Samwell's thoughts
Samwell: I am Sam, from Horn Hill. Lord Randyll Tarly's son.
Leo: Truly? I suppose you are. Your father told us all that you were dead. Or was it only that he wished you were? Are you still a craven?
Samwell: No. I went beyond the Wall and fought in battles. They call me Sam the Slayer.
- Samwell and Leo Tyrell
Nobody likes cravens. I wish we hadn't helped him. What if they think we're craven too?
The world was full of cravens who pretended to be heroes; it took a queer sort of courage to admit to cowardice as Samwell Tarly had.
– Jon Snow's thoughts
I don't care if you're so scared you foul your breeches, and I don't care if a thousand wildlings are coming over the walls howling for your blood, you get those birds off, or I swear I'll hunt you through all seven hells and make you damn sorry that you didn't.
- Jeor Mormont to Samwell
You have no father. Only brothers. Only us. Your life belongs to the Night's Watch, so go and stuff your smallclothes into a sack, along with anything else you care to take to Oldtown. You leave an hour before sunrise. And here's another order. From this day forth, you will not call yourself a craven. You've faced more things this past year than most men face in a lifetime. You can face the Citadel, but you'll face it as a Sworn Brother of the Night's Watch. I can't command you to be brave, but I can command you to hide your fears.
- Jon Snow to Samwell
You're a man who appreciates cooking, Slayer. We need more o' your sort.
- Hobb to Samwell
The Citadel is not what it was. They will take anything these days. Dusky dogs and Dornishmen, pig boys, cripples, cretins, and now a black-clad whale. And here I thought leviathans were grey.
- Leo Tyrell to Alleras
For the POV character, see Samwell Tarly.
Samwell Tarly,
When the Vulture King rebelled against the Iron Throne, Lord Orys Baratheon was joined by marcher lords in the Vulture Hunt, the effort to defeat the would-be king. It is claimed that Savage Sam's Valyrian steel sword, Heartsbane, was crimson from hilt to point with the blood of the Dornish outlaws he had slain.
Ser Samwyle Tarly was a knight and heir to House Tarly during the reign of Daeron II Targaryen. He is listed as competing in the Tourney at Ashford Meadow in 209 AC.
Sand Road
The known world and the location of the Sand Road
The Sand Road is a mountain pass in in the southern Bone Mountains of central Essos. It travels north from Qarth through the desert of the red waste, and next heads east through the Dry Bones to the fortress city of Bayasabhad, which lies on the eastern side of the mountain range. It then travels around the Great Sand Sea to Tiqui.
All of the Sand Snakes are said to have their father's eyes - by Magali Villeneuve. © Fantasy Flight Games
Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene, by Beelphazoar ©
Sarella, Elia, and Obella, by Beelphazoar ©
Dorea and Loreza, by Beelphazoar ©
The Sand Snakes are the bastard daughters of Prince Oberyn Martell.
In birth order, Oberyn Martell's daughters are:
The three eldest Sand Snakes—Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene—try to stir Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne, into declaring war against the Iron Throne in revenge for the death of their father, Oberyn Martell, at the hands of Ser Gregor Clegane in King's Landing. Doran orders his captain of guards, Areo Hotah, to take all Sand Snakes into custody, however. While the youngest Sand Snakes pose no threat, Doran wants to prevent anyone from using them against him. Sarella remains free, however, because she is outside of Dorne.
Obara, Nym, and Tyene are confined to cells in the Spear Tower of Sunspear.
Obara, Nym, Tyene, and their cousin, Arianne, are released from captivity and are present at the feast in which the Mountain's skull is presented to the Dornish court.
Prince Quentyn Martell, Doran's heir, remembers his cousins' sharp, mocking smiles.
His tourneys, his battles, his duels, his horses, his carnality ... it was said that he bedded men and women both, and had begotten bastard girls all over Dorne. The sand snakes, men called his daughters. So far as Tyrion had heard, Prince Oberyn had never fathered a son.
- thoughts of Tyrion Lannister
All of Prince Oberyn's daughters have his viper eyes, Hotah realized suddenly. The color does not matter.
- thoughts of Areo Hotah
It would gladden my heart if I could assure you that the Sand Snakes were alone in wanting war, but I will not tell you lies, ser.
– Doran Martell to Arys Oakheart
Arianne: Are you certain you are not off to some other bed, some other woman? Tell me who she is. I will fight her for you, bare-breasted, knife to knife. Unless she is a Sand Snake. If so, we can share you. I love my cousins well.
Arys: You know I have no other woman. Only ... duty.
- Arianne Martell and Arys Oakheart
Arianne loved all her bastard cousins, from prickly, hot-tempered Obara to little Loreza, the youngest, only six years old. Tyene had always been the one she loved the most, though; the sweet sister that she never had.
- thoughts of Arianne Martell
A black sand steed gallops across the sands © FFG
Prince Oberyn Martell's stallion is as black as sin with a mane and tail the colour of fire © FFG
A desert raider astride a Dornish sand steed © FFG
The sand steed is a type of horse bred in Dorne.
The horse is marked by its long neck, narrow head and its slimness and swiftness. They have narrow, beautiful heads. Some sand steed colours are red, golden, black and pale as snow.
They are smaller than normal warhorses and cannot bear the weight of the armor a warhorse usually wears. Dornishmen claim the mounts are able to run for a day and night and another day, and never tire.
In *The Conquest of Dorne* King Daeron I Targaryen remarked that the Dornish love their sand steeds equal to their children, and wrote that the Knight of Spottswood had his sand steeds stabled in his very own hall.
Prince Oberyn Martell is riding a stallion black as sin with a mane and tail the colour of fire when arriving in King's Landing.
Sandbeggars are trees native to Dorne. They grow on the edge of deserts and are said to mark nearby water. Most of the trees are gnarled and twisted with as many thorns as they have leaves.
Sandor Clegane is a member of House Clegane. He is the younger brother of the current head, Ser Gregor Clegane. He is nicknamed the Hound for his fierce nature and unquestioning obedience to his masters and for the three dogs featured in his family's arms. In the television adaptation *Game of Thrones* he is played by Rory McCann.
The Hound is considered one of the most dangerous fighters in Westeros. As a child, Sandor received gruesome facial burns when Gregor shoved his face into a brazier. in general.
See also: Images of Sandor Clegane
Sandor is a huge and heavily-muscled man. The right side of his face is gaunt, with sharp cheekbones and a heavy brow, while the left side is a burned ruin with a stump for an ear.
Sandor speaks in a rasping voice.
The Hound regularly wears an olive-green cloak over plain, soot-dark armor
Sandor's childhood appears to have been overshadowed by his older brother Gregor's brutality and martial prowess. When Sandor was seven, his father explained the burns inflicted by Gregor by claiming his bedding caught fire.
Sandor left to join the Lannister household the same day Gregor came into his inheritance.
At some point Sandor was assigned as Cersei Lannister's sworn shield, who later assigned him to Prince Joffrey Baratheon.
Ser Barristan Selmy unhorsed Sandor during a tourney in 297 AC.
The Hound vs the Mountain - by Cristi Balanescu ©
Sandor is the bodyguard and servant of Prince Joffrey Baratheon, who regularly calls him "Dog". Queen Cersei Lannister suggests that he looks to the Hound as a surrogate father. En route from Winterfell to King's Landing, Sandor earns the enmity of Arya Stark by acting on Lannister orders to kill her friend Mycah, the son of a butcher, who is believed to have harmed Joffrey.
Sandor rides well during the first day of the Hand's tourney, unhorsing Lord Renly Baratheon.
When Lord Eddard Stark attempts to take Cersei and her illegitimate children into custody with the help of the gold cloaks—unbeknownst to the fact that Commander Janos Slynt is already under the employ of the treacherous Petyr Baelish—Sandor participates in the widespread slaughter of Eddard's remaining household guard alongside his erstwhile allies, personally killing Cayn.
Sandor Clegane wiping Sansa Stark's bloodied lip - by Arantza Sestayo ©
After Ser Barristan Selmy is dismissed from the Kingsguard, Sandor is named as his replacement despite refusing to become a knight.
Sansa and Sandor on the eve of the Battle of the Blackwater - by Luaprata91 ©
Despite his loyalty to the new king, Joffrey I Baratheon, Sandor strategically defends Sansa Stark from Joffrey's wrath many times and is the only Kingsguard who is never commanded to beat her.
When returning from the Red Keep's godswood after meeting for the first time with Ser Dontos Hollard, Joffrey's new fool, Sansa runs into a drunk Sandor. He admires her blooming womanhood, but sees her as still a "stupid little bird […] singing all the songs they taught you". He asks her to sing "some song about knights and fair maids", and mocks Sansa's admiration of true knights, but she says she will sing for him gladly. Sansa is frightened by him during this encounter, but though he hurts her by grabbing her wrist to stop her from falling, he is also gentle when he protects her from Ser Boros Blount, and she asks Sandor why he does not let anyone call him a knight. When he takes her back unharmed to the Red Keep, he warns her she is surrounded by liars.
After the battle of Oxcross, Joffrey summons Sansa, and Sandor warns her Joffrey is not pleased with her brother, Robb Stark. Sansa says she had no part Robb's treasons, at which Sandor snorts, "They trained you well, little bird." Angry at Ser Stafford Lannister's defeat, Joffrey orders Sandor to beat Sansa, but Dontos interrupts and hits the girl with a melon. Joffrey instead has Boros punch Sansa and strike her with the flat of his sword. When Sandor objects, Joffrey orders Boros to strip Sansa naked, but he is stopped by the arrival of Tyrion Lannister with Bronn and Timett. Tyrion asks for someone to give the half-nude girl something to cover herself, so Sandor tosses his cloak to Sansa.
During the riot of King's Landing, Sandor comes to the aid of Sansa when she is nearly dragged from her horse by the angry mob. Sandor's savage fury and sword fighting drives the mob away from her in fear, saving her from rape and possible murder.
Sandor fights heroically during the battle of the Blackwater, leading the defense against a group of Stannis's archers who land on the shores of the Blackwater Rush.
Sandor Clegane vs Beric Dondarrion - by Michael Komarck ©
With Ser Mandon Moore drowning at the Blackwater and Sandor fleeing the battle, Ser Loras Tyrell joins the Kingsguard and Ser Boros Blount is restored to the white cloaks.
Ser Jaime Lannister considers Brienne of Tarth to be "the Hound with teats".
The Mad Huntsman captures the vagabond Sandor and brings him to Stoney Sept in the riverlands. The Hound is taken into custody of the brotherhood without banners, who also have Sansa's younger sister, Arya.
The brotherhood strip Sandor of most of his possessions, including the remains of his winnings from the Hand's tourney, and set him free, though he is allowed to keep his arms, armor and warhorse, Stranger. When several of the brotherhood state that Sandor should be killed, Beric says R'hllor must have a purpose for the Hound.
Sandor and Arya cross the Trident at flooded Harroway, where the Hound pays outraged ferrymen with a promissory note from Beric instead of gold.
Sandor hopes to find another relative to whom he can ransom Arya, possibly her aunt, Lysa Arryn, in the Vale. While traveling away from the Twins, Sandor gives the gift of mercy to a Piper archer who was wounded by Boltons during the Red Wedding.
Seeking shelter at the inn at the crossroads, Sandor and Arya encounter two of Gregor's men and their squire, who inform them of the siege of Riverrun by House Frey. When the two groups come to blows, Sandor kills Polliver and holds off the Tickler until the torturer is killed by Arya, who also kills the squire. The hungry and inebriated Sandor is seriously injured, receiving wounds on his thigh, ribs, neck, and face, and the stump of his burned ear is sliced off. Though Arya dresses his wounds, they quickly became infected during their journey to Saltpans. Conflicted about her feelings after she leaves him off her list, Arya refuses to grant Sandor the gift of mercy despite his pleas. She rides off, leaving him under a tree by the Trident.
Arya Stark refuses Sandor the gift of mercy - by Mike S Miller ©
Reports spread of the Hound leading a pack of outlaws in a brutal spree of banditry near the Trident,
During dinner at Darry, Ser Lyle Crakehall claims to have been moved by the distress of Mariya Darry and Amerei Frey, and gives them his word that once Riverrun has fallen he shall return to hunt down the Hound and kill him for them, adding that dogs do not frighten him.
Seeking Sansa Stark, Brienne of Tarth acts on information that she received from Timeon of the Brave Companions that Sansa had been carried away by the Hound. Her travels with Septon Meribald take her to a septry on the Quiet Isle. The Elder Brother of the monastery informs her that it was the younger sister that Sandor made off with, Arya Stark. The Elder Brother knows they were headed for Saltpans, but he states the Hound is dead, "by the sword, as he had lived" and he buried him personally and left his hound helm as a marker — a mistake, as someone else found and claimed it, and went on, with others, to rape and kill at Saltpans. The Elder Brother tells Brienne she would have pitied Sandor if she had seen him at the end, crying in pain and begging for the gift of mercy. He tells her the Hound died in his arms, and Sandor Clegane is at rest. He also tells her Sandor's big black stallion, Stranger is in their stables.
While at the crossroads inn, Brienne encounters a group of broken men led by Rorge, who wears Sandor's hound helm.
When the brotherhood returns to the inn, Lem Lemoncloak takes Sandor's helm from Rorge's corpse. Thoros of Myr advises Lem to abandon the helm, seeing it as a symbol of Sandor's rage, but the bitter Lem refuses. This new Hound serves Lady Stoneheart.
With the siege of Riverrun ended, Lyle Crakehall tells Ser Jaime Lannister he is going to hunt down Beric and the Hound.
Many readers of the series believe that there are hints in what the Elder Brother has said about the Hound to Brienne of Tarth, that the Elder Brother considers "the Hound" to be simply an aspect of Sandor's personality — the same way that “the Cobbler Above” is an aspect of the Smith, who in turn is an aspect of the one God — and that Sandor himself may have survived and is living as a novice on the Quiet Isle's monastery. Some believe Sandor is the novice gravedigger espied by Brienne.
Sandor Clegane with a little bird - Artwork by Asiulus ©
Eddard: You rode him down.
Sandor: He ran. But not very fast.
– Sandor and Eddard Stark regarding Mycah
Spare me your empty little compliments, girl ... and your ser's. I am no knight. I spit on them and their vows. My brother is a knight.
– Sandor, to Sansa Stark
I was younger than you, six, maybe seven. A woodcarver set up shop in the village under my father's keep, and to buy favor he sent us gifts. The old man made marvelous toys. I don't remember what I got, but it was Gregor's gift I wanted. A wooden knight, all painted up, every joint pegged separate and fixed with strings, so you could make him fight. Gregor is five years older than me, the toy was nothing to him, he was already a squire, near six foot tall and muscled like an ox. So I took his knight, but there was no joy to it, I tell you. I was scared all the while, and true enough, he found me. There was a brazier in the room. Gregor never said a word, just picked me up under his arm and shoved the side of my face down in the burning coals and held me there while I screamed and screamed. You saw how strong he is. Even then, it took three grown men to drag him off me. The septons preach about the seven hells. What do they know? Only a man who's been burned knows what hell is truly like.
– Sandor, to Sansa Stark
Sansa: Why do you let people call you a dog? You won't let anyone call you a knight.
Sandor: I like dogs better than knights... A hound will die for you, but never lie to you. And he'll look you straight in the face.
– Sandor, to Sansa Stark
Killing is the sweetest thing there is.
– Sandor, to Sansa Stark
What do you think a knight is for, girl? You think it's all taking favors from ladies and looking fine in gold plate? Knights are for killing. I killed my first man at twelve. I've lost count of how many I've killed since then. High lords with old names, fat rich men dressed in velvet, knights puffed up like bladders with their honors, yes, and women and children too—they're all meat, and I'm the butcher.
– Sandor, to Sansa Stark
Sandor: If there are gods, they made sheep so wolves could eat mutton, and they made the weak for the strong to play with.
Sansa: True knights protect the weak.
Sandor: There are no true knights, no more than there are gods. If you can't protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world, don't ever believe any different.
Sansa: You're awful.Sandor: I'm honest. It's the world that's awful.
– Sandor and Sansa Stark
I could keep you safe. They’re all afraid of me. No one would hurt you again, or I’d kill them.
– Sandor, to Sansa Stark
I’ve killed a lot more than him, I promise you. You think that makes me some monster. Well, maybe it does, but I saved your sister’s life too. The day the mob pulled her off her horse, I cut through them and brought her back to the castle, else she would have gotten what Lollys Stokeworth got. And she sang for me. You didn’t know that, did you? Your sister sang me a sweet little song.
– Sandor, to Arya Stark
Even a dog gets tired of being kicked.
– Sandor, to Arya Stark
Archer: You're Joffrey's dog.
Sandor: My own dog now.
– Sandor, to another survivor of the Red Wedding, the dying bowman in service to Marq Piper
Bugger that. Bugger him. Bugger you.
– Sandor, to the Tickler, before the fight at the inn at the crossroads
He is a dog, just as he says. A half-wild, mean-tempered dog that bites any hand that tries to pet him, and yet will savage any man who tries to hurt his masters.
– thoughts of Sansa Stark
He is no true knight, but he saved me all the same. Save him if you can, and gentle the rage inside him.
– Sansa Stark, praying to the Mother during the battle of the Blackwater
I wish the Hound were here. The night of the battle, Sandor Clegane had come to her chambers to take her from the city, but Sansa had refused. Sometimes she lay awake at night, wondering if she’d been wise. She had his stained white cloak hidden in a cedar chest beneath her summer silks. She could not say why she’d kept it. The Hound had turned craven, she heard it said; at the height of the battle, he got so drunk the Imp had to take his men. But Sansa understood. She knew the secret of his burned face. It was only the fire he feared. That night, the wildfire had set the river itself ablaze, and filled the very air with green flame. Even in the castle, Sansa had been afraid. Outside… she could scarcely imagine it.
– thoughts of Sansa Stark
Sandor Clegane would kill us all gladly, but not in our sleep.
– Beric Dondarrion, to Watty
When a dog goes bad, the fault lies with his master.
– Kevan Lannister to Cersei Lannister
Sandor had been hard and brutal, yes, but it was his big brother who was the real monster in House Clegane.
– thoughts of Jaime Lannister
Both men were large and powerful, but Sandor Clegane was much quicker, and fought with a savagery that Lyle Crakehall could not hope to match.
– thoughts of Jaime Lannister
As the boy's lips touched her own she found herself thinking of another kiss. She could still remember how it felt, when his cruel mouth pressed down on her own. He had come to Sansa in the darkness as green fire filled the sky. He took a song and a kiss, and left me nothing but a bloody cloak.
– thoughts of Sansa Stark
Sandor Clegane was a man in torment.
Sandor Frey is a member of House Frey, the only son of Ser Geremy Frey and Carolei Waynwood. Sandor is the squire of Ser Donnel Waynwood.
The Sandship is the ancient keep of House Martell. It is now part of Sunspear in southeastern Dorne.
The Sandship is a squat, ugly keep.
After the Rhoynish Wars, Nymeria led the Rhoynar in their ten thousand ships to Dorne, where she wed the Lord of the Sandship, Mors Martell, a lesser lord of Dorne. The alliance of the Martells and the Rhoynar allowed Nymeria and Mors to conquer the rest of Dorne in Nymeria's War, however. The Princes and Princesses of Dorne made their seat Sunspear, the great castle which developed around the Sandship.
Sandstone
Dorne and the location of Sandstone
Sandstone is the seat of House Qorgyle. It lies west of the Hellholt and the Brimstone in the western desert of Dorne.
Knights of House Qorgyle leading the charge - by artist Tomasz Jedruszek. © Fantasy Flight Games.
The Andals who founded House Qorgyle built Sandstone when they fortified the only well around for fifty leagues in the deep dunes of Dorne.
It was rumored that Lord Qorgyle arranged the murder by scorpion of Lord Lyonel Tyrell at Sandstone.
Prince Oberyn Martell was fostered at Sandstone.
For the historical figure, see Sansa Stark (daughter of Rickon).
Sansa Stark is a member of House Stark and is the elder daughter of Lady Catelyn and Lord Eddard Stark. She has three brothers: Robb, Bran and Rickon; a younger sister: Arya; and a half-brother: Jon Snow. Sansa Stark is one of the major POV characters in the books. In the television adaptation *Game of Thrones*, she is played by Sophie Turner.
See also: Images of Sansa Stark
Sansa is traditionally beautiful, taking after her mother's family (House Tully) with her high cheekbones,
Raised as a lady, Sansa possesses the traditional feminine graces of her milieu, with a keen interest in music, poetry, singing, dancing, embroidery, and other traditional feminine activities. Like many girls her age, Sansa is enthralled by songs and stories of romance
Sansa's relationship with her sister Arya is often strained, and the two are opposites in most respects.
Sansa was born at Winterfell,
Jon Snow, having covered himself with flour to appear as a ghost, once tried to scare his younger siblings in the crypt of Winterfell. While Sansa and Bran were frightened, Arya instead punched their half-brother.
Sansa became infatuated with Ser Waymar Royce when the young man stopped at Winterfell on his way to Castle Black.
Sansa with Lady. Illustrated by Smirtouille © Fantasy Flight Games
Sansa names her direwolf pup Lady.
On their journey to the capital, Sansa is frightened when she meets Ser Ilyn Payne, the King's Justice, at the crossroads inn. Joffrey courts Sansa at the insistence of his mother, Queen Cersei Lannister. The two are walking together near the ruby ford when they come upon her sister, Arya, playing at swords with the boy Mycah. Joffrey draws his sword, Lion's Tooth, and threatens Mycah, but Arya fights with him; her direwolf Nymeria disarms and superficially wounds him.
Later recounting the tale to Joffrey's father, King Robert I Baratheon, at Darry, Arya tells the truth while Joffrey lies, saying that Mycah, Arya, and Nymeria attacked him without provocation. Sansa, not wishing to betray her future husband, lies and refuses to verify either story, pleading that she does not remember. Cersei uses the opportunity to insist that the direwolf that attacked her son be killed. Arya, having anticipated this, had driven Nymeria away. To assuage the queen, Sansa's direwolf Lady is killed by Eddard instead.
Sansa feuds with Arya in King's Landing, placing the majority of the blame on her sister for Lady's death. Sansa remains infatuated with Joffrey, largely overlooking his violent mood swings, and she develops a close relationship with Queen Cersei as well. Attending the Hand's tourney celebrating her father's appointment, Sansa finds many of her notions of knightly valor and chivalry reinforced, seeing the events as worthy of one of her favored stories. To warn Sansa about dangers she faces, Sandor Clegane tells the girl how his brother, Ser Gregor Clegane, burned his face. She also develops a crush on Ser Loras Tyrell, the Knight of Flowers; when he gives her a red rose, she is certain she is living in a romantic song.
Sansa kneels before the Iron Throne, pleading for the life of her father, Eddard Stark. Illustrated by Drazenka Kimpel © Fantasy Flight Games
After Eddard discovers the truth of Joffrey's parentage and tells his daughters that he is returning them to Winterfell on the *Wind Witch*, Sansa, in an act of defiance, runs to the queen and tells her of her father's plans, pleading that she might be allowed to stay and marry Joffrey. Her doing so unwittingly aids Cersei's plot against her father.
Sansa sending a letter to her family at the behest of Cersei Lannister. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve © Penguin Random House
Even after Eddard's beheading, Cersei declares that Joffrey should still be married to Sansa upon her flowering. Sansa, horrified at the prospect and only wanting to return home, has no choice but to remain in King's Landing during the deteriorating situation, as a hostage, and denounce her father and brother as traitors. Joffrey shows Sansa her father's head, which has been placed on a spike in the Red Keep. Sansa briefly considers pushing the prince to his death, even if it means she will die as well, but Sandor subtly stops her.
After the Battle of the Camps, Sansa's brother Robb is proclaimed King in the North at Riverrun.
The Hound rescued Sansa Stark during the Riot of King’s Landing. - by Mathia Arkoniel ©
Now effectively a hostage in the Red Keep, Sansa armors herself in her lady's courtesies as she dutifully goes through the motions of denouncing her family as traitors and pleading to them for peace. King Joffrey I Baratheon frequently orders her to be beaten by his Kingsguard
When Tyrion Lannister arrives in King's Landing and assumes the position of acting Hand of the King, he sees an end to the more overt abuses directed at Sansa, including stopping Ser Meryn Trant from stripping the girl naked and beating her.
One night Sansa finds a note in her room, directing her to come to the godswood if she wants to go home. It is from Dontos, who promises that a plan is in place to free her from the Lannisters and bring her to Winterfell. Wary of a trap, she agrees to Dontos's promise, who in turn counsels patience and perseverance. Feigning a newfound piety to the old gods, Sansa makes frequent trips to the godswood to meet with Dontos, at first seeing him as a gallant rescuer who seeks redemption for the shame he brought upon himself, though she eventually comes to doubt his competence. They refer to each other as Florian and Jonquil.
During the riot of King's Landing after the departure of Princess Myrcella Baratheon to Dorne, Ser Mandon Moore abandons Sansa to protect Joffrey and the girl is separated from the royal party. Sandor rescues the wounded Sansa from the mob and returns her to the Red Keep.
Sandor takes a song from Sansa during the Battle of the Blackwater. Illustrated by © Luaprata91
As Stannis Baratheon's army approaches the city, Sansa experiences her first flowering, making her officially a woman.
When Sansa returns to her chambers, she finds Sandor hidden in her room, broken from the threat of wildfire. He drunkenly offers to take Sansa with him as he flees the city. She refuses, and he makes her sing for him at knifepoint.
After the Lannister victory, it is announced that Sansa's betrothal to Joffrey is at an end, for the Crown's alliance with the Tyrells includes a marriage pact between Joffrey and Lord Mace Tyrell's daughter, Margaery Tyrell. Joffrey assures Sansa he will still get to have her sexually, stating as a king he can take whomever he wants to bed. Sansa remains in King's Landing, still a hostage to the Lannisters; Dontos assures her the plan to get her home is still in place after the wedding, giving her a hairnet adorned with dark purple amethysts.
Sansa Stark with her amethyst hairnet. Illustrated by Natascha Röösli © Fantasy Flight Games
Since Bran and Rickon Stark are believed to have been murdered by Theon Greyjoy, Lady Catelyn Stark releases Ser Jaime Lannister from captivity at Riverrun, in return for his promise to return with her daughters, Sansa and Arya Stark.
Sansa remembers the night Sandor left, and she wishes he was still there. Sansa is asked to sup with Margaery Tyrell and her grandmother Olenna Redwyne. Ser Loras Tyrell takes her breath away with his beauty and compliments, but he does not appear to remember her or the rose from the Hand's tourney. When Olenna tries to find out more about Joffery, Sansa confesses that the king is a monster and begs Margaery not to marry him. Margaery insists that she will be safe with her brother Loras's addition to the Kingsguard, and brushes off the concerns. The Tyrell women raise the possibility of Sansa being taken to Highgarden to be married to the Tyrell heir, Willas, who is crippled, but kind, intelligent, and capable. Sansa readily agrees, anxious to be free of the Lannisters, and she becomes friends with Margaery for a time.
Sansa shares with Ser Dontos Hollard the Tyrell plot, but the fool advises against it, fearfully noting that the Tyrells are not as gentle as they seem. Sansa, frustrated with the apparent lack of progress in Dontos's own plans, disregards his warnings.
Sansa's wedding to the Imp, Tyrion Lannister. Illustrated by © Algesiras
Not wishing to lose their hostage, Lord Tywin Lannister acts quickly to marry Sansa to Tyrion Lannister against the wishes of both parties.
Sansa wears the hairnet she had received from Dontos to the wedding between Joffrey and Margaery. When Joffrey chokes and dies at the wedding feast, Sansa flees and meets with Dontos. He escorts her to a boat that takes her to a ship in Blackwater Bay, where she is greeted by Lord Baelish, known as Littlefinger. He explains that Joffrey's death was due to a poison that had been smuggled into the feast, disguised as the amethysts on her hairnet, and shares with Sansa some of the details of the plot between himself and Lady Olenna to kill Joffrey. Littlefinger also has Dontos killed and dumped overboard, explaining that while he had played his part well, a drunk such as Dontos could never be entrusted to keep such sensitive information secret for long.
Tyrion is arrested for Joffrey's death and put on trial.
The *Merling King* takes Sansa to Petyr's tower at the Fingers in the Vale. Petyr coaches her on a story to pass her off as his bastard daughter, Alayne Stone, to avoid detection. Sansa's aunt, Lady Lysa Arryn, meets with them and weds Petyr at the tower. Upon returning to her bed for the night, Sansa is accosted by Lysa's singer, Marillion, who tries to rape her. Sansa is saved by the intervention of Ser Lothor Brune, Littlefinger's personal guard. After briefly thinking that it is Sandor and not Lothor who rescued her, Sansa dreams of Sandor in her marriage bed, as well as the deaths of Joffrey and Robb. In the morning, Lysa reveals she knows Sansa is her niece. Lysa agrees to assist in the deception, providing the girl with hair dye to color her most obvious Tully feature, her auburn hair. Lysa also proposes to wed Sansa to her sickly son, Lord Robert Arryn. Sansa is appalled by this, but keeps her true feelings to herself.
Sansa as Alayne Stone, building a snow Winterfell in the gardens of the Eyrie. Illustrated by Michael Komarck © Fantasy Flight Games
Later in the Eyrie, Sansa finds herself having to comfort young Robert, who is no longer able to share his mother's bed, since Petyr is in it. Robert frequently crawls into her bed and she is disgusted by his shaking sickness, which often leads him to wet her bed. Increasingly resembling a grown woman, she denies the sexual advances of Marillion. Sansa is homesick in the Eyrie, and when snow falls in the courtyard where the godswood would not grow, she makes an elaborate snow fort, which eventually takes the shape of Winterfell. She is surprised when Lord Baelish helps her and kisses her, which is witnessed by Lysa. Before Sansa has time to digest what happened, Robert comes out and destroys the castle which upsets her even more. She rips his doll and he goes into a shaking spell.
A jealous Lysa accuses Sansa of trying to seduce her new husband, and she threatens to shove the girl through the Moon Door. Littlefinger arrives in time to intervene, however. After Lysa drunkenly confesses to having poisoned her first husband, Lord Jon Arryn, on Petyr's orders, Littlefinger shoves Lysa out of the Moon Door to her death, framing Marillion for the murder.
Alayne Stone. Illustrated by Drazenka Kimpel © Fantasy Flight Games
Brienne of Tarth searches the crownlands and the riverlands for Sansa, whom she claims is her sister.
During a meeting of the new small council of King Tommen I Baratheon, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister is angered that Sansa, whom Cersei believes she tried to mentor, helped to murder her son.
Sansa, still in the guise of "Alayne Stone", becomes the de facto Lady of the Eyrie, comforting her sickly young cousin, Lord Robert Arryn, while being tutored by Petyr Baelish, Lord Protector of the Vale, in some of the finer points of courtly intrigue. She tells Lord Nestor Royce that Marillion killed Lysa Arryn, not Littlefinger, and she deduces that Petyr grants the Gates of the Moon to Nestor to gain his political support.
When Ser Lyn Corbray draws his sword during a parlay at the Eyrie between Petyr and the Lords Declarant, Littlefinger leverages the breach of etiquette to demand a trial period of regency over the little Lord Robert, whom Alayne calls Sweetrobin. She correctly surmises that Lyn is under Petyr's employ, which Littlefinger confirms.
The Arryn court departs the Eyrie for the Gates of the Moon because of the onset of winter. Preparing for departure, Alayne lets Sweetrobin kiss her, but when his lips touch hers, she remembers Sandor kissing her. Alayne befriends Lord Nestor's daughter, Myranda Royce, and helps Robert during the journey down the Giant's Lance. Alayne tells Myranda that she is fourteen, a year older than Sansa actually is at the time. Once at the Gates of the Moon, Alayne is introduced to three hedge knights, among which is Ser Shadrich. Petyr later reveals his plan to Alayne for the eventual marriage of Sansa to the heir of the Vale of Arryn, Ser Harrold Hardyng, and to reveal her true identity to the Lords of the Vale and to reclaim Winterfell in her name.
Stannis Baratheon wants to bestow Winterfell on Jon Snow, now Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, but Jon insists the castle is his half-sister Sansa's birthright.
Finding a means of meeting her betrothed, Alayne suggests that a personal guard be formed to protect Lord Robert Arryn, named the Brotherhood of Winged Knights, whose initial members would be selected in a tourney. She meets the newly-knighted Harrold Hardyng when he comes to the Gates of the Moon to compete for a position in the brotherhood. When he first meets Alayne he treats her with contempt for her bastard status. Sansa remembers that Joffrey Baratheon was attractive as well, but cruel, while the ugly Tyrion Lannister was kinder. She attempts to beguile Harrold during a feast held that evening at the behest of Lord Petyr Baelish.
There are no heroes ... In life, the monsters win.
—Sansa's thoughts after the execution of Eddard Stark
The Hound is right ... I am only a little bird, repeating the words they taught me.
—Sansa's thoughts
Once, she had loved Prince Joffrey with all her heart, and admired and trusted his mother, the queen. They had repaid that love and trust with her father's head. Sansa would never make that mistake again.
—Sansa's thoughts
I would be gladder if it were the Hound, Sansa thought. Harsh as he was, she did not believe Sandor Clegane would let any harm come to her.
—Sansa's thoughts
I wish the Hound were here. The night of the battle, Sandor Clegane had come to her chambers to take her from the city, but Sansa had refused. Sometimes she lay awake at night, wondering if she'd been wise. She had his stained white cloak hidden in a cedar chest beneath her summer silks. She could not say why she'd kept it. The Hound had turned craven, she heard it said; at the height of the battle, he got so drunk the Imp had to take his men. But Sansa understood. She knew the secret of his burned face. It was only the fire he feared. That night, the wildfire had set the river itself ablaze, and filled the very air with green flame. Even in the castle, Sansa had been afraid. Outside... she could scarcely imagine it.
—Sansa's thoughts
Tyrion: I know I am not the sort of husband young girls dream of, Sansa, but neither am I Joffrey.
Sansa: No. You were kind to me. I remember.—Tyrion Lannister and Sansa
My skin has gone from porcelain, to ivory, to steel.
—Sansa's thoughts
The memory of her own wedding night with Tyrion was much with her. In the dark, I am the Knight of Flowers, he had said. I could be good to you. But that was only another Lannister lie. A dog can smell a lie, you know, the Hound had told her once. She could almost hear the rough rasp of his voice. Look around you, and take a good whiff. They're all liars here, and every one better than you. She wondered what had become of Sandor Clegane.
—Sansa's thoughts
No one will ever marry me for love. But lying came easy to her now.
—Sansa's thoughts
Petyr: Trust no one, I once told Eddard Stark, but he would not listen. You are Alayne, and you must be Alayne all the time. Even here. In your heart. Can you do that? Can you be my daughter in your heart?
Sansa: I ... I am Alayne, Father. Who else would I be?
Petyr: With my wits and Cat's beauty, the world will be yours, sweetling.—Petyr Baelish and Sansa
A falcon soared above the frozen waterfall, blue wings spread wide against the morning sky. Would that I had wings as well.
—Sansa's thoughts
As the boy's lips touched her own she found herself thinking of another kiss. She could still remember how it felt, when his cruel mouth pressed down on her own. He had come to Sansa in the darkness as green fire filled the sky. He took a song and a kiss, and left me nothing but a bloody cloak.
—Sansa's thoughts
Sansa Stark. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve, © Fantasy Flight Games
She blushed prettily. She did everything prettily, Arya thought with dull resentment.
—Arya Stark's thoughts
You're like one of those birds from the Summer Isles, aren’t you? A pretty little talking bird, repeating all the pretty little words they taught you to recite.
—Sandor Clegane to Sansa
Life is not a song, sweetling. Someday you may learn that, to your sorrow.
—Petyr Baelish to Sansa
Sansa was a lady at three, always so courteous and eager to please. She loved nothing so well as tales of knightly valor. Men would say she had my look, but she will grow into a woman far more beautiful than I ever was, you can see that. I often sent away her maid so I could brush her hair myself. She had auburn hair, lighter than mine, and so thick and soft... the red in it would catch the light of the torches and shine like copper.
The man who weds Sansa Stark can claim Winterfell in her name.
And she sang for me. You didn’t know that, did you? Your sister sang me a sweet little song.
She is just as comely as the Tyrell girl. Her hair was a rich autumn auburn, her eyes a deep Tully blue. Grief had given her a haunted, vulnerable look; if anything, it had only made her more beautiful. He wanted to reach her, to break through the armor of her courtesy.
—Tyrion Lannister's thoughts
Sandor: The little bird flew away, did she? Well, bloody good for her. She shit on the Imp's head and flew off.
Polliver: They'll find her. If it takes half the gold in Casterly Rock.
Tickler: A pretty girl, I hear. Honey sweet.
Sandor: And courteous. A proper little lady. Not like her bloody sister.—Sandor Clegane, Polliver, and the Tickler
Shadrich: A little lost sister, is it? With blue eyes and auburn hair? You are not the only hunter in the woods. I seek for Sansa Stark as well.
Brienne: Who is this Sansa Stark, and why do you seek her?
Shadrich: For love, why else?
Brienne: Love?
Shadrich: Aye, love of gold.
You have your mother's eyes. Honest eyes, and innocent. Blue as a sunlit sea. When you are a little older, many a man will drown in those eyes.
—Petyr Baelish to Sansa
I ought to have shown her to the black cells as the daughter of a traitor, but instead I made her part of mine own household. She shared my hearth and hall, played with my own children. I fed her, dressed her, tried to make her a little less ignorant about the world, and how did she repay me for my kindness? She helped murder my son. When we find the Imp, we will find the Lady Sansa too. She is not dead ... but before I am done with her, I promise you, she will be singing to the Stranger, begging for his kiss.
—Cersei Lannister to the small council
When Robert dies, Harry the Heir becomes Lord Harrold, Defender of the Vale and Lord of the Eyrie. Jon Arryn's bannermen will never love me, nor our silly, shaking Robert, but they will love their Young Falcon ... and when they come together for his wedding, and you come out with your long auburn hair, clad in a maiden's cloak of white and grey with a direwolf emblazoned on the back ... why, every knight in the Vale will pledge his sword to win you back your birthright. So those are your gifts from me, my sweet Sansa ... Harry, the Eyrie, and Winterfell. That's worth another kiss now, don't you think?
—Petyr Baelish to Sansa
Sansa Stark was a member of House Stark and a Lady of Winterfell. She was the second daughter of Rickon Stark, heir to Lord Cregan Stark, and Jeyne Manderly. She was married to her father's half-brother, Lord Jonnel Stark, but had no issue.
Many readers have wondered why Sansa Stark thinks that Sandor Clegane kissed her when he came to her bedchamber during the Battle of the Blackwater. GRRM has stated that the kiss will eventually mean something, but what?
When asked about the kiss discrepancy George R. R. Martin simply replied that Sansa Stark is an “unreliable narrator”,
Well, not every inconsistency is a mistake, actually. Some are quite intentional. File this one under "unreliable narrator" and feel free to ponder its meaning. . .
He has added that the kiss “will eventually mean something”.
You will see, in A STORM OF SWORDS and later volumes, that Sansa remembers the Hound kissing her the night he came to her bedroom... but if you look at the scene, he never does. That will eventually mean something, but just now it's a subtle touch, something most of the readers may not even pick up on.
This has led to much speculation by fans on what he means and intends.
GRRM's reply when asked about Sansa misremembering the name of Joffrey's sword:
The Lion's Paw/Lion's Tooth business, on the other hand, is intentional. A small touch of the unreliable narrator. I was trying to establish that the memories of my viewpoint characters are not infallible. Sansa is simply remembering it wrong. A very minor thing...,but it was meant to set the stage for a much more important lapse in memory.
In an interview GRRM was asked: There's some speculation that you plan to replace Lady with the Hound, possibly?
What? Interesting speculation. I won't comment on that. [laughs].
Questions submitted By: Moreta:
Moreta12: I understand, I've heard your opinion on that. In ACOK, it seems that the relationship between the Hound and Sansa had romantic undertones. Is that true?
GRRM: Well, read the book and decide for yourself.
Moreta12: I've read the book and I've debated those particular scenes with a few others. Half say that it's romantic and half say it's platonic. I've taken the romantic stance.
GRRM: It could be very different things to each of those involved, mind you.
In the Hedge Knight a tourney is held in Ashford Meadow to celebrate Lord Ashford's daughter's name-day. By the end of the tourney five knights champion the Lady Ashford named Lyonel Baratheon, Leo Tyrell, Tybolt Lannister, Humfrey Hardyng and Prince Valarr Targaryen. This parallels Sansa's story throughout the Song of Ice and Fire series, who has been promised to marry/married to characters who share the same family names as Lady Ashford's champions from the tourney. Sansa was betrothed to Joffrey Baratheon, promised to marry Willas Tyrell and married to Tyrion Lannister. She is promised to marry Harry Hardyng. Following this pattern, Sansa will marry or be promised to marry a member of House Targaryen.
Sar Mell
Western Essos and the location of Sar Mell
Sar Mell is a ruined city of the Rhoynar that sits on the eastern bank of the Rhoyne to the north of Volantis in western Essos. Almost directly across the river to the west sits the city of Volon Therys.
During the Rhoynish Wars, Sar Mell, a pale city known for its flowers, fought with nearby Volon Therys, a colony of the Valyrian Freehold. Sar Mell was burned during the First Turtle War, while Volon Therys was flooded with Rhoynish water magic. Sar Mell was ruined during the Second Spice War and its people were enslaved by Valyria.
Saranella was a septa of the Faith of the Seven in service to House Lannister when Cersei Lannister was a young girl.
After Melara Hetherspoon drowned Cersei Lannister asked Septa Saranella the meaning of the word *valonqar*. She responded that it means "little brother" in High Valyrian.
Cersei Lannister tells Taena Merryweather about Maggy the Frog, telling her that Tyrion Lannister is the valonqar and that it was Septa Saranella who had told her the meaning of the High Valyrian word for "little brother".
Sarella Sand is the fourth eldest of the Sand Snakes, the bastard daughters of Oberyn Martell.
See also: Images of Sarella Sand
Sarella has a reputation for insatiable curiosity.
Sarella is Prince Oberyn Martell's fourth daughter. Her mother, the trader captain of the *Feathered Kiss*,
Sarella sometimes played with her cousin, Princess Arianne Martell, at the Water Gardens, although Arianne was always closer to Sarella's half-sister, Tyene Sand.
Sarella once visited the abandoned holdfast Shandystone with her father, Tyene, and Arianne. Interested in the history of the ruins, Sarella turned over rocks and brushed sand off its mosaics.
Sarella Sand, by TheThreeHares
Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne, orders Areo Hotah to take the Sand Snakes into custody, but as Sarella is outside of Dorne, he leaves her be.
Areo: What of Sarella? She is a woman grown, almost twenty.
Doran: Unless she returns to Dorne, there's naught I can do about Sarella save pray that she shows more sense than her sisters. Leave her to her... game.—Areo Hotah and Doran Martell
Main article: Sarella/Theories
Via a poll from 2015, a large number of readers of *A Song of Ice and Fire* believe that Sarella is in disguise at the Citadel of Oldtown as the acolyte Alleras.[N 1]