A Clash of Kings-Chapter 60

Within Maegor's Holdfast, Sansa and Cersei hears reports of the ongoing Battle of the Blackwater.

Synopsis

Within the Queen's Ballroom, Osney Kettleblack informs Queen Regent Cersei Lannister about the ongoing Battle of the Blackwater. Joffrey had gone to the Great Sept of Baelor to receive a blessing from the High Septon, and then boy king then walked the walls with Tyrion to rally their men.

The queen's guests try to enjoy their dinner and the antics of entertainers, but they are all worried about the battle. Drunk on wine, Cersei admits to Sansa she dislikes feeling helpless like this but explains it is her duty to inspire the noble ladies. Cersei warns Sansa that the women would be in danger of being raped if the city were to fall to Stannis's men.

Osney returns to inform Cersei that a hundred ships are now burning from wildfire on the Blackwater Rush. Osfryd Kettleblack informs the queen of servants who were caught trying to steal horses and escape, so Cersei gives orders for them to be beheaded by Ser Ilyn Payne.

As the meal progresses, Osfryd reports that smallfolk have gathered at the square before the Red Keep, asking for refuge within the castle. Cersei refuses and gives permission for crossbowmen to fire upon them if they refuse to go home. Cersei reveals to Sansa that she and her twin, Ser Jaime, sometimes dressed as each other when they were young, and the queen complains that she was not taught how to fight like Jaime was.

Osney reports that Stannis has men on the tourney grounds and that the Mud Gate and the King's Gate are under attack. The queen commands that Joffrey be brought back to the Red Kep as the battle seems to be going in Stannis's favor.

Some of the guests are granted permission to leave for the royal sept, and a singer performs sad songs for those who remain in the Queen's Ballroom. Cersei reveals that she is aware of Sansa's frequent visits to the godswood of the Red Keep, and she does not believe Sansa's claim that she has been praying for Joffrey. Cersei then reveals that Ser Ilyn is there for them, for she will not permit Stannis to take them alive.

Character list

Appearing: Frenken Dontos Hollard Osfryd Kettleblack Osney Kettleblack Cersei Lannister Moon Boy Ilyn Payne Gyles Rosby Shae Sansa Stark Falyse Stokeworth Lollys Stokeworth Tanda Stokeworth

Mentioned: Joffrey Baratheon Stannis Baratheon Jacelyn Bywater Sandor Clegane Florian the Fool High Septon Jonquil Jaime Lannister Joanna Lannister Lancel Lannister Tyrion Lannister Tywin Lannister Nymeria Eddard Stark Robb Stark Aegon IV Targaryen Aemon Targaryen Naerys Targaryen

Mentions

Events: War of the Five Kings Battle of the Blackwater	Houses: House Baratheon House Bywater House Clegane House Hollard House Kettleblack House Lannister House Rosby House Stark House Stokeworth House Targaryen
Places: Arbor Blackwater Rush Casterly Rock King's Landing Flea Bottom Great Sept of Baelor Red Keep Godswood Maegor's Holdfast Queen's Ballroom Royal sept River Gate Tourney grounds Seven Kingdoms	Terms: Antler Men Apple Archer Cat Chicken City Watch of King's Landing Crab Currency Dreamwine Dwarf Godswood Hand of the King High Septon Horse Hound Ice King Kingsguard Knight Lance Lord Lord of Rosby Maester Mouse Mushroom Page Pig Harp Old gods Sept Ship Squire Steel Valyrian steel Ten thousand ships Three Whores Tourney Treason Wildfire Wine

References and Notes

• The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [1].
• Analyses and summary of the chapter in the course of a 10th reread by Slynt.
• Review and summary by Leigh Butler.