Game of Thrones Episode 12: The Night Lands

Yoren’s caravan is stopped by City Watch men looking for **Gendry**, and Yoren drives them off, but the soldiers warn they will return with more men. Elsewhere, **Tyrion** discovers that **Shae** has been hidden in the Tower of the Hand, warns **Varys** not to threaten him, and then uses his authority to dismiss **Janos Slynt** from the City Watch and send him to the Night’s Watch, replacing him with **Bronn** after Slynt refuses to reveal who ordered the murder of Robert’s bastard children.

At the Small Council meeting, **Robb Stark’s peace terms** are rejected, and Tyrion realizes from the discussion and Cersei’s reaction that the killing of the infants was carried out without Cersei’s knowledge; Cersei then confronts Tyrion over Slynt’s dismissal. In the Riverlands, **Arya** continues traveling north with Yoren’s group, hides her identity as a girl, and speaks with the prisoners in the cages; **Jaqen H’ghar** introduces himself to her after asking for water.

During the journey, **Gendry** learns Arya’s true identity, and Arya eventually admits that she is **Arya Stark**. In the Red Waste, a riderless horse returns to **Daenerys** with **Rakharo’s** severed head, showing that he was killed by a rival khalasar; Daenerys and her followers mourn him, and she vows revenge.

On the Iron Islands, **Theon Greyjoy** returns to **Pyke** and tries to win his father **Balon** over by presenting Robb Stark’s offer of alliance, but Balon rejects it and makes clear he intends to take the North for himself. Theon also meets the woman who turns out to be his sister, **Yara**, though he does not realize that immediately.

Beyond the Wall at **Craster’s Keep**, **Sam** asks **Jon Snow** to let them take **Gilly** with them, since she is pregnant and in danger, but Jon refuses because they are supposed to leave Craster’s women alone. That night, Jon sees Craster carrying a newborn boy into the woods and follows him far enough to witness a **White Walker** take the baby; Craster then knocks Jon unconscious before he can react.

Elsewhere, **Davos** and **Matthos** recruit the pirate **Salladhor Saan** and his fleet to support Stannis, and **Melisandre** seduces **Stannis**, promising him a son if he gives himself to the Lord of Light.