Jon meets the King-Beyond-the-Wall while his Night Watch Brothers flee south towards the Wall. In King's Landing, Tyrion wants a reward, Cersei arranges a dinner party, and Littlefinger offers to help Sansa. Across the Narrow Sea, Dany starts her journey west while in the Riverlands, Arya meets a band of outlaws.

Arya encounters the Brotherhood without Banners, while her brother Bran encounters a mysterious group of followers on the other side of the world. Jaime and Brienne continue their journey towards the capital, while the capital itself welcomes the arrival of the infamous Queen of Thorns, who invites Sansa to lunch upon her arrival.

Daenerys makes a deal for all the Unsullied and slaves in Astapor by offering something of value, against the advisement Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Jorah Mormont. Jon Snow is sent with a band of wildings to scale the wall, while Arya and Gendry leave Hot Pie at the inn and are made to travel with the Brotherhood without Banners. In King's Landing, Tyrion is made the new Master of coin, while Petyr Baelish is sent to wed Lady Arryn in the Vale. Jamie convinces his captors against the rape and cuddle of Brienne with the thought of the amount her father may pay in Sapphires for her safe return. Jamie then tries to convince his captors that his father would pay them gold for his safe return to Kings Landing.

Jaime wakes up and even without a hand he steals a sword and tries to fight his captors but he is immediately defeated and captured. Arya and Gendry are taken to the secret cave of the Brotherhood without Banners where they meet their leader Beric Dondarrion a missing soldier from the Stark army who sentences Hound to a sword battle with him. Theon Greyjoy is taken to his father's castle where he is betrayed and captured by the man who saved him. Daenerys is still convinced that she will trade her dragon for the Unsullied army, the day of the exchange, Kraznys meets with Daenerys to complete the deal. Daenerys hands Drogon to Kraznys, who tries to shake loose of his collar. Kraznys then gives her the golden whip. Daenerys asks if it is done, and if the Unsullied are now under her command, to which Kraznys insultingly says yes. Daenerys now tests her new powers and reveals her identity and that she can speak Valyrian, she orders Drogon to burn Kraznys and tells him that dragons are not slaves, she also orders the Unsullied tohug every armed man in the castle and leaves with the whole army and the three dragons now unchained.

In King's Landing, with the help of Littlefinger, the Lannisters discover the Tyrells' plot to marry off Sansa Stark to Loras Tyrell. To prevent the union, Tywin Lannister plans to marry Sansa to Tyrion, and Cersei to Loras instead, despite Cersei and Tyrion's protests. At Dragonstone, Stannis visits his wife, Selyse, to confess about his infidelity, only to realize that his wife has always known and approves it. He then reveals to his daughter, Shireen, that Davos is imprisoned, and she sneaks into the dungeon to visit him and teaches him to read. In Riverlands, the Hound defeats Lord Beric in trial by combat and is released, angering Arya Stark. Gendry decides to stay with the Brotherhood, and Thoros and Beric plan to ransom Arya to her brother, Robb Stark. At Riverrun, despite many objections, Robb Stark decides to execute Lord Karstark after he cuddled two captive Lannister boys. With the Karstarks abandoning him, Robb plans to make a desperate alliance with Walder Frey. Beyond the Wall, Jon Snow struggles to earn the Wildlings' trust while holding back the imperative information. Later, he and Ygritte have sex. Across the Narrow Sea, while on the march, Daenerys Targaryen's Unsullied select Grey Worm as their leader.

Tywin plans strategic unions for the Lannisters. Melisandre pays a visit to the Riverlands. Robb weighs a compromise to repair his alliance with House Frey. Roose Bolton decides what to do with Jaime Lannister. Jon, Ygritte, and the Wildlings face a daunting climb.

Daenerys exchanges gifts with a slave lord outside of Yunkai. As Sansa frets about her prospects, Shae chafes at Tyrion's new situation. Tywin counsels the king, and Melisandre reveals a secret to Gendry. Brienne faces a formidable foe in Harrenhal.

King's Landing hosts a wedding, and Tyrion and Sansa spend the night together. Daenerys meets the Titan's Bastard. Davos demands proof from Melisandre. Sam and Gilly meet an older gentleman.

Robb presents himself to Walder Frey, and Edmure meets his bride. Jon faces his harshest test yet. Bran discovers a new gift. Daario and Jorah debate how to take Yunkai. House Frey joins with House Tully.

Joffrey challenges Tywin. Bran tells a ghost story. In Dragonstone, mercy comes from strange quarters. Daenerys waits to see if she is a conqueror or a liberator.