Without Joffrey and the Hound, Tyrion picks up the mantle. Tyrion intercedes and tells Joffrey he needs to lead his men, but Joffrey opts to follow his mother's instructions. Lancel arrives to tell the king that the Queen has commanded him to the Red Keep. Unable to bear it, he abandons his post, despite Tyrion's pleas and Joffrey's orders to return to the battle. The Hound fights fiercely-and is saved from a hit by Bronn's arrow-but he is dazed by the fires burning around him. Turning to Sansa, she confesses that Ser Ilyn is really on hand to see that Stannis doesn't take them alive. With the news that Stannis' soldiers are battering the Mud Gate, Cersei demands Lancel bring Joffrey back to his quarters. Cersei marvels that Shae has managed to become a royal handmaiden in just 10 years time and asks for the details, but Lancel, now injured, arrives to update the Queen on the battle. She strikes up a conversation with Shae and correctly identifies her as a low-born Lorathi. Still drinking, Cersei tells Sansa she hated being married off to a man she never knew. The Hound goes to meet them directly, but he warns the archers to keep him away from their flaming arrows. Certain that Tyrion has no more wildfire, Stannis orders his men to storm the beach, no matter the cost. The bay explodes with green flame Matthos is among those thrown overboard. Davos orders his sailors to steer clear, but it's too late: Tyrion has already signaled Bronn to fire a flaming arrow into the ship. Only one royal ship sails into the harbor, leaking wildfire. When Stannis' fleet comes into sight, Tyrion readies his archers, but does not give the order to fire. Tyrion quarrels with his nephew about strategy on the battlements. "If the city falls, these women will be in for a bit of a rape," she says, including Sansa. Spotting Sansa praying, Cersei mocks her and complains that she was born a woman, unable to do anything but babysit "frightened hens." She shocks Sansa with her regret that her womanly charms will have no effect on Stannis. Cersei, already tipsy, encourages Sansa to drink and tells her that Ser Ilyn is there for the protection of the women. Sansa questions why Cersei-who clearly hates her-wants her in the holdfast. Unhappy when she insinuates he will not be in the midst of the fighting, Joffrey promises that one day the blade will be coated with Robb Stark's blood. Joffrey shows off his new Valyrian steel sword, Hearteater, and makes Sansa kiss it for good luck. Off to join the other high-born ladies in Maegor's holdfast, Sansa tells Tyrion she is praying for his safe return-like she's praying for Joffrey's. In the Great Hall, Tyrion gives instructions to Bronn: Wait until the ships are in the bay. Shrugging off Tyrion's skepticism, Varys tells him that a man like Stannis cannot sit on the throne. Varys warns him that Stannis has taken up with a priestess and that dark magic has brought him to King's Landing. Tyrion tells Varys that he will not run he's the captain of the ship. His squire Podrick Payne dresses him while Varys shows him the city's secret underground tunnel system. Tyrion hears the bells from his chambers. The two exchange words and dirty looks, but the alarm sounds before the men come to blows. The crowd goes quiet with the arrival of the Hound, who refuses Bronn's offer of hospitality. In the evening, Bronn joins a group of Lannister soldiers at Littlefinger's brothel for some boisterous drinking. Even more anxious, Queen Cersei secures a vial of nightshade from Grand Maester Pycelle. Tyrion knows that the Lannisters won't survive the defeat, so Shae offers to "make love like it's your last day on earth," just like when they first met. In King's Landing, Shae tries to comfort Tyrion Lannister, who is having trouble sleeping. They have more men, and the Lord of Light on their side. As Stannis Baratheon's ships sail to King's Landing, Matthos Seaworth assures his father, Davos, that come morning, the elder Seaworth will be Hand of the King.
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