Refusing to Fail/Confronted by Opportunity

Opening in A Feast for Crows, Confronted by Opportunity relates to deepest motivations and the inevitable. Refusing to Fail is a series theme. Sub themes: The Only Way, It Is Underway, Impatience, Resorting to Extremes

1 AGOT Prologue: As the youngest of the lesser line of Royce, Waymar won't return a failure from his first ranging, especially as he's been given command. It is not failure to report accurately, but he hopes for glory and refuses to feel his fear in an attempt to be brave. Will tells us he felt fear on his own first ranging, but no longer. It seems Waymar is being overly brave to compensate for first ranging jitters. This gets him killed, on his first ranging, because in command. It Is Underway, Refusing to Fail, Impatience

4 AGOT Daenerys I: Viserys is fixated on returning to Westeros to take back his family seat. He refuses to fail, but would be a horrible king. Had Viserys been more patient, he might have lived to learn of his engagement to Arianne Martell and the army waiting for him in Dorne. Confronted by Opportunity, Refusing to Fail, Impatience

8 AGOT Arya I: Arya runs away when she doesn't measure up, but Joffrey has learned to stand his ground and change the field. Robb bested Joffrey at sword that morning so, when Ser Rodrik calls for them to spar again, Joffrey insults first the childsplay of it, the the unfairness of Robb being so much older, and finally ends the possibility of sparring by calling for live steel. Both Arya and Joffrey would rather not train where they struggle and are made fools of by older children who have had more practice. Refusing to Fail

13 AGOT Eddard II: Jorah Mormont sent information to Varys as an appeal toward a pardon so he could return to Westeros. Now, with Daenerys wedded to Drogo, he has sworn his sword to Viserys the better to spy on the Targaryens. Refusing to Fail, Confronted by Opportunity

29 AGOT Catelyn V: Catelyn has an idea that the Lannisters must be brought to justice so, when she chances on Tyrion at the inn, seizes him under charges she's been harboring instead of questioning him at dinner. Confronted by Opportunity, Impatience

34 AGOT Eddard VIII: While Ned is relieved to be returning to Winterfell, he plans to go by ship partly to stop at Dragonstone to speak to Stannis, who may know the truth at the bottom of the mystery Ned is trying to solve. "And when you have it, what then?" Ned continues to stew on what Bran could know and whether it's the same secret Jon Arryn died for learning. Knowing Ned to be netted by intrigue, Littlefinger stops by to convince him to delay his exit from King's Landing until he can be sure to sic Jaime on him, starting his desired war. Refusing to Fail

39 AGOT Tyrion V: Aware he'll die if he doesn't act, Tyrion resolves to use his big mouth to get him out of the trouble it got him into. (He's being too hard on himself.) Resorting to Extremes

40 AGOT Eddard X: When Robert wallows in self-pity at his marriage to Cersei, Ned sees his opening and says they need to talk. Ned needs to explain Catelyn's actions, tell of the plot against Robert and accuse Cersei of high treason despite lack of tangible proof? Refusing to Fail

43 AGOT Tyrion VI: When the Stone Crows don't think gold is worth much, Tyrion offers steel. Gunther listens then, saying steel feeds more mouths than gold. Realizing they want food, Tyrion offers the Stone Crows the fertile valley of Arryn. He hadn't realized he'd be positioned for revenge on the Vale lords so immediately. Confronted by Opportunity

46 AGOT Eddard XII: When Ned says he'll tell Robert and warns Cersei to flee into exile, she refuses to give up the throne, saying "When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die." 488 Cersei wants to rule. It Is Underway

52 AGOT Sansa IV: Sansa wants to marry Joffrey and be queen so badly. It's been threatened to be taken from her by Father and now by Queen Cersei. But, if she can just convince them she's good, they'll let her marry him and all will be right with the world. It's how the council convinces Sansa to write the letters to her family about her father's treason. The sad thing is, Cersei had already decided there was no way she'd wed Joffrey to Sansa. It may even have been decided before Ned told her he knew. The Only Way, Impatience

55 AGOT Daenerys VI: Daenerys has begun to press Drogo to go to Westeros. Though she acknowledges to having no real feeling of home there, it's an impatience she can't but be pressed by, herself. It seems related to her burgeoning pregnancy and to Viserys's death. Daenerys now speaks of herself in the third person as "the dragon" the way Viserys used to and she's the one being couselled to have patience by Jorah. The Only Way, Impatience

56 AGOT Catelyn VIII: Catelyn had wished to go to Riverrun from the crossroads after hearing Edmure is ruling as lord. It means her father is in worse health than he's told her. Now at Moat Cailin with Robb, learning he will ride to Riverrun, where the Blackfish will certainly go, Catelyn realizes she will accompany though it means putting herself in the danger of being trapped in a war. Confronted by Opportunity

58 AGOT Sansa V: The opportunity to beg mercy for her father at court opens a second opportunity: to learn whether or not Joffrey loves her enough to be influenced by her. Apparently so, though in truth not at all. Confronted by Opportunity

61 AGOT Jon VIII: When Jeor Mormont finds the House Mormont valyrian steel sword Longclaw in wreckage from the flames, he realizes he has not looked at it in years and that it was a burden. He'd left the family sword behind when he took the black, but his sister returned it to him when Jorah left it behind fleeing in shame. Since Jon saved his life and is being groomed to be his replacment. Mormont has the sword restored for Jon, seeing his family line go forward. Confronted by Opportunity, Refusing to Fail

65 AGOT Daenerys VIII: "Dany was filled with fear. But she had gone too far to turn back back now" 712 The bloodmagic spell that began by bleeding the horse is now going to enter the phase of real magic. Eroeh seems to have recognized the scent of the red powder, for that's when she fled, sobbing. Daenerys could still call off the spell, but has no motive to.  It Is Underway, Refusing to Fail, Resorting to Extremes

66 AGOT Arya V: Joffrey is king now and yet still has to listen to his mother. But, before the crowd at the Sept of Baelor, eveyone has to accept his decision, especially when he's asked as king by the High Septon. So, he does what he'd prefer and calls for his head. Confronted by Opportunity

68 AGOT Sansa VI: Sansa has been looking for a way to die. If she threw herself from the window, maybe singers would write songs of her grief. She drinks a weeks worth of doses of Pycelle's potion in a gulp. offrey is standing at the edge gloating and could could even go over with him. It wouldn't matter if she did. She almost does, but the Hound intervenes, protecting both her and Joffrey. Confronted by Opportunity, Resorting to Extremes

69 AGOT Daenerys IX: Daenerys doesn't give up on Drogo until she fails to arouse him sexually. Presumably, she'd intended to impregnate herself, possibly to test Mirri Maz Duur's statement he would not be as he was until her womb quickens again and she gave birth to a living child. Refusing to Fail, Resorting to Extremes

72 AGOT Catelyn XI: For those like Lords Bracken and Karstark, who have lost much, the recent wins they've racked up mean little. They can't just declare the war won when they've only lost. Refusing to Fail

73 AGOT Daenerys X: When Dany has smothered Drogo and must hold his funeral, she conceives of the idea to hatch the quickened dragon eggs. Confronted by Opportunity, Resorting to Extremes

A Clash of Kings

74 ACOK 1 Prologue: Stannis called his banners, but they were Renly's and Renly already called them, though younger so with no claim. Stannis does not have the support to attack King's Landing to take the threon, but has been convinced by Selyse to plan to anyway. Melisandre has seen Renly's death in her fires. His armies will turn to Stannis. All Stannis has to do is...? (Get Melisandre in range, we learn) Refusing to Fail, Resorting to Extremes

84 ACOK 11 Davos I: Davos still think it's suicide to attack King's Landing, no matter how ripe. Stannis even thinks his letter will be burned and never spoken of among lords and ladies. But Stannis still has Melisandre. Refusing to Fail

92 ACOK 19 Sansa II: When Sansa finds a note under her pillow bidding her go to the godswood to meet her rescuer, if she wants to go home, she overcomes her nervousness to cross the bridge and meet in the godswood. Confronted by Opportunity, Resorting to Extremes

96 ACOK 23 Catelyn II: Renly tells Catelyn he offered Ned swords to take Joffrey and the regency that was Robert's will. Resorting to Extremes

97 ACOK 24 Jon III: Gilly goes to Jon because he's a king's brother. She needs to keep her baby from being given to the Others. Confronted by Opportunity, Resorting to Extremes

98 ACOK 25 Theon II: Balon is so supicious of Theon Greenlander he's made Asha his heir. Asha sees the opportunity to test Theon and learn who he has become among the greenlanders. When it turns out he's less than acceptable, she succumbs to the temptation to school him into learning the place of such as he is in a merit based society. Though Asha means well and to accept and include Theon, the atmosphere of distrust and rivalry prompt her to humilate him repeatedly. Confronted by Opportunity

101 ACOK 28 Daenerys II: When she learns Robert Baratheon has dies, Dany sees the seven kingdoms as having flow to pieces like Drogo's khalasar. Jorah warns her not to expect it to be easy, but Dany knows that. She's simply elated that the signs are positive and that the way is clearing for her. Confronted by Opportunity

102 ACOK 29 Bran IV: counter-example: Bran wants badly to believe he will fly like the crow promised. But when Jojen says he dreamed Bran was a winged wolf chained to the earth, Bran gets upset. Jojen is telling him he will fly, that the crow didn't lie. Not able to handle his fear of disappointment and rage at being crippled, Bran calls Jojen a liar. He can't seize the opportunity. Confronted by Opportunity

103 ACOK 30 Tyrion VII: Lancel's midnight ambush doesn't just present the opportunity for Tywin to turn him into his own spy on Cersei but prompts him to celebrate by going to visit Shae. A dull night turned amazing. Tyrion feels alive and triumphant, his life a joy he's aceing. Confronted by Opportunity

104 ACOK 31 Arya VII: Arya wants to escort to Riverrun, but she's been praying for the deaths of many of the Mountain's men and others. When Jaqen H'ghar says he owes her three deaths, Arya gets to choose which on her list will die. (She'd rather he helped her escape, but doesn't have that in view yet.) Confronted by Opportunity

105 ACOK 32 Catelyn III: Stannis has the right to succeed Robert, but not the backing. He thinks Renly has wrongfully taken his bannermen, but it's not true. Renly is a vehicle for the Tyrells to queen Margaery. Even with Renly's support, absent the Tyrells, Stannis can't take King's Landing. But he doesn't care. He has the right and will, so will keep taking one step and another. Refusing to Fail, Resorting to Extremes

110 ACOK 37 Tyrion VIII: Littlefinger seizes the opportunty to represent the crown in proposing allegiance to the Tyrells through marriage. He'll leverage it massivly, even betraying the crown visciously by conspiring to murder the king/groom. Confronted by Opportunity

111ACOK 38 Theon III: Asha says Theon's place is at Winterfell and Balon accuses him of being Stark's son. So, sent the raid the Stony Shore, Theon plas to take Winterfell. Confronted by Opportunity, Resorting to Extremes

112 ACOK 39 Arya VIII: Sent to fetch a new sword for Ser Lionel, Arya thinks she could pretend the note commands a horse and ride away to Riverrun. Weese cuts her off from trying, but she'd have been caught lying by the literate stable boys anyway. Confronted by Opportunity, Resorting to Extremes

113 ACOK 40 Catelyn V: Brienne left Tarth to serve Renly, and to die for him. Refusing to fail, she would return alone to Storm's End to kill Stannis for Renly or die in the attempt. Catelyn convinces her to delay revenge, saying "when you seek to follow him into the earth, you serve no one" 561. That hits closer to home that Brinne hs to acknowledge she doesn't really want to die, only to be abolved of the deaths of her siblings, who she did not kill but could not save. Refusing to Fail

114 ACOK 41 Daenerys III: "Could it be the sadness of a lost dream?" 574 Xaro Xhoan Daxos asks her, when the Pureborn have turned Daenerys down, it seems he has set her up for disappointment one way or another. "Part of her would have liked nothing more than to lead her people back to Vaes Tolorro and make the dead city bloom. No, that is defeat." 578

"Will nothing turn you from this madness?"

"Nothing," she said, wishing she was as certain as she sounded. 580 Refusing to Fail

115 ACOK 42 Tyrion IX: Those who crowded the castle gates to cry for bread and were scattered by Joffrey's military action against them can hardly help but be in the streets crowded by the royal procession. Confronted by Opportunity, Resorting to Extremes

117 ACOK 44 Jon V: Mormont's ranging succeeded at Craster's with the information Mance is gathering wildlings in the Frost Fangs. However, it doesn't explain why rangers have been vanishing. Since the plan is already to meet up with Qhorin Halfhand's hundred from the Shadow Tower at the Fist ofthe First Men, Mormont's party is wounded from a chance encounter with Alfyn Crowkiller's party, and he says the thing to do is send small ranging parties, for stealth. Mormont resigns to do the only thing he ever could: send out small ranging parties and wait for them or return, or not. Yet, if they head back now, won't very step north of Craster's have been a waste? Refusing to Fail

Jon can't help but leap at the opportunity to range with Qhorin Halfhand, having yearned to be a ranger. Now his dream of adventure comes true, if he indeed had one. Confronted by Opportunity

118 ACOK 45 Tyrion X: Tyrion gives Bronn a document of decoy orders having him relay the true instructions to Ser Jacelyn Bywater verbally. Bywater is to seize joffrey's heir and feeble guard, be admitted to Rosby castle when Lord Rosby orders the gate open, imprison Rosby, evict the garrison to replace with own men and hold. While Tyrion says he'll award Ser Jacelyn a lordship for this task, he does not mean Rosby. Yet Bronn might see all he would have to do is not tell Ser Jacelyn the true instructions and take on the role of pirate himself, with his sellswords and declare himself Lord of Rosby with Tommen hostage. Confronted by Opportunity

120 ACOK 47 Bran VI: Theon takes Winterfell. Confronted by Opportunity

121 ACOK 48 Arya IX: When Vargo Hoat arrives at Harrenhal with a hundred captive northmen, Arya sees the possibility to escape back north when they go. If released and armed, they can take the castle! Confronted by Opportunity

122 ACOK 49 Daenerys IV: Before she'll leave Qarth, where the comet guided her to come, Dany must rule out the House of the Undying. If she leaves without a sense of having found clarity and guidance, she'll have to conclude the comet was a coincidence and that is a major disappointment. So, refusing to fail, she tries something ill-advised and warned against. Refusing to Fail, Resorting to Extremes

124 ACOK 51 Theon IV: Theon hates the idea of being a laughing stock for having let the boys escape, so he grasps at/jumps on Reek's idea to pretend to have succeeded at finding them, even if it means appearing to have killed them. He'll be seen as a hard man not to be defied, not mocked for a failure. Refusing to Fail, Resorting to Extremes

127 ACOK 54 Jon VII: Counter-example: As soon as Qhorin Halfhand is confident they've been made, he commands the retreat. Their lives may be forfeit to their service, but that service involves surviving. Refusing to Fail

129 ACOK 56 Catelyn VII: Catelyn frees Jaime partly because the window of opportunity to do is closing. Confronted by Opportunity, Resorting to Extremes

130 ACOK 57 Theon V: Theon stays in tortured rule of Winterfell despite Asha's beseeching him to raze the castle and return to Deepwood Motte with her. As she sees it, he's already lost the castle, in the immediate future, and lost all that mattered when he killed the Stark boys. Theon meant to do a deed of daring worthy of history books for his own sense of glory, but also to demonstrate loyalty to his fatyher and win back his place as heir. But really, Theon meant to make Winterfell his seat the same way he meant to take Casterly Rock to be self-made, perhaps because he feels he has no family. The Only Way, Resorting to Extremes, Refusing to Fail

133 ACOK 60 Tyrion XIII: Tyrion leads the sortie to clear the ram from the King's Gate because if they are defeated, it means death and shame for him. Riding to battle might mean death, but not shame. Resorting to Extremes

136 ACOK 63 Sansa VII: The Hound already wanted to leave the Lannisters for the Starks, to protect Sansa by returning her, and is presented with the opportunity when he loses all emotional composure amidst the fires of the Blackwater, reliving his childhood burning. Sansa is also confronted by the opportunity to escape. Confronted by Opportunity, Resorting to Extremes

137 ACOK 64 Daenerys V: Qarth was a long shot and, like the House of the Undying, turns out to be more of a disappointing trap than an answer to her prayers. Though her path in A Clash of Kings is best described as forever fleeing dangers, Daenerys presumes to wear the bell Jhiqui awards her for victory over (escape from) the warlocks. When Arstan and Belwas rescue her from the Sorrowful Man's maticore, saying Illyrio has hired ships to bring her back to Pentos, Daenerys prefers not to see it as comparable to Xaro's aid, as Jorah will warn her, but rather as a triumph that proves she will continue to triumph. Resorting to Extremes, Refusing to Fail

140 ACOK 67 Theon VI: Theon wants to live like a prince and sees ways to achieve that for himself. When Lewin recommends begging to take the black, Theon thrills at the idea first of being named Lord Commander, then at the idea of captaining a ship, then at the idea of seducing wildlings. It seems Theon's true ambition is tail, but that he feels compelled to seem to have achieved more. Confronted by Opportunity, Refusing to Fail

142 ACOK 69 Jon VIII: Qhorin knows they'll soon be captured by wildlings and that he will be a prize and tortured for information so has to die before being taken alive. He plans to die on Jon's sword, using his turning on Jonto back the story to get Jon in among the wildlings as a spy. Qhorin sees his purpose as to die, having said it's why Night's Watch men wear black. He means his death to achieve something and explains to Jon the simplicity of their purpose: to keep the Wall from ever being breached. "If the Wall should ever fall, all fires will go out." 946 Confronted by Opportunity, Refusing to Fail

A Storm of Swords

144 ASOS 1 Prologue: Mormont's ranging has had some real success, learning Mance has gathered all the wildlings in the Frost Fangs to look for somethng before making a campaign on the Wall. They might have returned from Vraster's knowing that much, but the plan was to meet Qhorin's group at the Fist of the First Men. Once there, having come so far seemed a terrible ordeal for so little further information. The inyerminable waiting for rangers who never return wears on his nerves until mormont agrees to Thoren Smallwood's suicide mission against Mance's horde. Mormont quotes the Lord Commander Qhorin did, "this is why they dress us in black" to die. He's willing to see them all wiped out. Resorting to Extremes, Confronted by Opportunity

145 ASOS 2 Jaime I: Jaime goading Brienne has only made her determined to succeed at her mission. When they are sure to be caught by Ryger, Brienne rises to the occassion. Refusing to Fail, Resorting to Extremes

When Brienne swims toward the boat, Jaime sees his opportunity to be rid of her. Assuming Cleos will remove his fetters once Brienne is murdered, Jaime plans to hit her in the head with his oar. However, when the opportunity presents, he doesn't do what he expects. He uses the oar to help her into the boat, instead. Confronted by Opportunity

146 ASOS 3 Catelyn I: Refusing to fail Robb in his task to protect Jaime, Edmure puts price on him as an escape, ensuring Jaime to be more endangered than secured.  Refusing to Fail, Resorting to Extremes, Impatience

149 ASOS 6 Davos I: Davos wants to live but fears he won't be lucky enough to flag down the passing ship. He experiences his fear as the lack of a confidence in his conscience, as a lack of faith in his luck and deserving. Confronted by Opportunity

150 ASOS 7 Sansa I: Sansa itches to escape King's Landing and Joffrey's reach and does not expect to find friends in the Tyrells. When Olenna proposes they visit Highgarden for her to wed Willas, Sansa doesn't even understand that to agree to meet Willas is to agree to wed him because she will be as much of a captive (in theory) as she is in King's Landing. Confronted by Opportunity

152 ASOS 9 Daenerys I: Jorah brings Daenerys a plan to test the loyalty of Illyrio and his servants. They'll change course for Astapor trade Illyrio's goods and ships for Unsullied and march be land to arrive in Pentos with military force. Daenerys has worried about treachery. Now, there's something she can do to prevent it. Confronted by Opportunity

154 ASOS 11 Davos II: Davos is too weak to attack Melisandre with dagger, but would rather make the attempt before his resolve flags than rest and recover, as he might not do it, then. Refusing to Fail, Resorting to Extremes, Impatience

155 ASOS 12 Jaime II: Jaime had wanted to intervene against Aerys in the matter of the Stark trial by combat, so seizes the opportunity to intervene in his burning of King's Landing. Confronted by Opportunity

158 ASOS 15 Catelyn II: The Westerlings might have ceded The Cragg to Robb, but Lady Sybell saw opportunity. Banking on reward from Tywin, she offered to pretend to turn. Refusing to Fail, Resorting to Extremes

A Feast for Crows

226 AFFC 1 Prologue: When Rosby directs the alchemist to Pate, he watches the dragon dance between the stranger's fingers. But he is no thief. He'll have to earn enough to buy her maidenhead another way. But it turns out he is a thief, then a betrayed dead thief. Confronted by Opportunity, Resorting to Extremes

230 AFFC 5 Brienne I: When they come to an inn, Brienne sees the opportunity to pay back her companions for the food they shared, and also ditch them. Though, it's safe to travel as a group, she must protect and hide Sansa when she finds her, not skill her to Varys as Ser Shadrich would. Brienne has to honor the memory of the sword Jaime was by fulfilling his oath to Catelyn. So, she rides hard for Duskendale at night.  Confronted by Opportunity, Resorting to Extremes

231 AFFC 6 Samwell I: Sam wanted to be a maester when he was a boy. Now, against his will, Jon sends Sam to Oldtown. He's to escort Aemon there, Gilly and babe to Horn Hill or wherever he chooses, and to become a maester while recruiting for the Wall. At this point, Sam feels the confrontation more than the opportunity.  Confronted by Opportunity

240 AFFC 15 Brienne III: When he sees Brienne at the gate, Ser Hyle Hunt steps from the gatehouse to call off his bullying sergeant. He proceed, to follow her around. While Brienne hold a grudge from the contest on her maidenhead Hyle thought up so as to actually win her without being derided by other knights. Hyle thinks he's got nothing better to do than give it another try.  Confronted by Opportunity

247 AFFC 22 The Queenmaker: When Arianne head Tyene's idea--or perhaps Oberyn's--to crown Myrcella she saw the opportunity to crown herself. Anxious that Doran means to bypass her as his heir and give her birthright to Quentyn, having read a letter, Arianne feels crowning Myrcella to be like assuring herself she'll not be overlooked.  Confronted by Opportunity

251 AFFC 26 Brienne V: When Septon Meribald was a broken man, he started posing as a septon to be fed. Who knows how he came be his robes or whether he even had copy of the Seven-Pointed Star. Then, when he had established himself as a false septon he found opportunity to deflower many a maiden. However, he did find the gods, took it upon himself to practice the pennance of going barefoot, and has had a life he enjoys for some twenty years.  Confronted by Opportunity

252 AFFC 27 Samwell III: All it takes for Dareon to desert is to realize he can make a living as a singer in Braavos. Had they shipped to Oldtown, he might have felt obliged by Sam & Aemon to do some token recruiting before buying passage away. The crime of desertion isn't recognized so far away from the Wall because no one even knows what a black brother is, there.  Confronted by Opportunity

255 AFFC 30 The Reaver: When Victarion backs Rodrik the Reader over Euron, he turns the tide in the discussion of where to sail. The men take over and name the Mander & Arbor as the obvious targets, thwarting Euron's plan to sail in force to Slaver's Bay. To leave, himself, would be to surrender his throne, so Euoron tricks Victarion into going in his stead. Perhaps through warging the dusky woman, Euron knows Victarion still wants to kill him for stealing his wife and making him beat her death. So Euron gives Victarion the opportunity to steal his love, the beautiful dragon queen, by asking Victarion to go fetch her. And her dragons. Though he should see there's naught to be gained and much risk, Victarion falls into Euron's trap when confronted by the opportunity for revenge.  Confronted by Opportunity, Resorting to Extremes

256 AFFC 31 Jaime IV: Though he hasn't quite realized it, Jaime wants to do as Kevan has and abandon Cersei as an alternative to serving her. His role Lord Commander of the Kingsguard puts a wall of institution between her murderous whims and his role of office. Leaving King's Landing removes that role as anything but a banner. But when Jaime hears Lancel's confession, he sees his own crimes more than his cousin's. Lancel killed his king, too, but commanded to by that murderous seductress. He slept with her but did not commit the treason of a bastard, though Jaime has to confront the realization that he joined the kingsguard for Cersei because she seduced him. Then, he faces the memory of how she tried to get her to take Arya Stark's life or her hand after Nymeria bit Joffrey at the Ruby Ford. Seeing through Cersei, Jaime separate from her instead of wanting to marry her. Confronted by Opportunity

257 AFFC 32 Brienne VI: On the Quiet Isle, men take second lives as penitents. Shielded by vows of silence, even by masks, they reflect on their lives and futures, reforming. Many were soldiers or broken men. When the Elder Brother begs Brienne to take such a second life by returning to her father's hall and not dying as a sword, she tells him why she can't. The sword is her second life and her crime is being too physically freakish for an arranged marriage. That or too willful. Brienne left Tarth to die for Renly--to give her life for his--almost in marriage as Rainbow Guard. She failed, then failed Catelyn by losing Jaime to the Bloody Mummers (predictably) but the longer she explains why she must find and protect Sansa Stark or die, the less it makes sense and the more it sounds like survior's guilt. It's only clear she left Tarth in shame to die. However, confronting the opportunity to return home to Tarth later makes Brienne realize she has a home, unlike Podrick, the hedge knights she's met, and so many sparrows. Confronting her shame, Brienne can now acknowledge many men would court her for Tarth, even should she remain a warrior. She's beaten the laughter out of her critics in the melee. She's a success and can acknoweldge it because she's confronted her unconscious motives. Confronted by Opportunity

258 AFFC 33 Cersei VII: When Taena begins to stay in Cersei's bed as a bedmaid, topless, naked, Cersei sees the opportunity to try on the role of abuser Robert played in their marriage. He'd hurt her sexually when drunk, then blamed the wine and drank more. Cersei knew he remembered. She hurts Taena on purpose, sexually, but gains no satisfaction from any part of it, though Taena fakes orgasm. Cersei discards the notion after, aware that she is a better king.   Confronted by Opportunity

259 AFFC 34 Jaime V: Kevan has abandoned the Seven Kingdoms to ill rule because he knows how bad Cersei is. Jaime is moving to do the same when confronted by Genna who says he's no Tywin. Her goal is to goad Jaime into superior performance, and likely into reining Cersei in and sharing rule. Jaime came to Riverrun with the goal of seeing the castle taken without having raised a hand to the Tullys, as per his vow to Catelyn. Tywin could have done it, though he did much Jaime recognizes as horrific. This is his moment to prove hiself to himself. He was captured while laying his own siege to Riverrun and now can take the castle..somehow.  Confronted by Opportunity

260 AFFC 35 Cat of the Canals: Though she's followed the rules and demands of the House of Black and White so far, when Arya sees the opportunity to execute Dareon for a deserter, she does. She'd wanted to, hearing him brag about never returning to the Wall. After she's done it and given his Night's Watch boots to Brasco, Arya tells the kindly man what she's done. He orders a warm milk for her--perplexing--but she wakes up blind. It's a promotion, but at first it's not clear she's being allowed to continue her training. Confronted by Opportunity

261 AFFC 36 Samwell IV: It's obvious from his actions that Sam wants to protect Gilly and provide hearth and home for her. As a man of the Night's Watch, he is permitted to escort her to his family home or to find a position at the Citadel for Gilly, but not to take her to wife. When they have sex at Aemon's Summer Islander funeral, Sam is confronted by the opportunity to live with Gilly as man and wife. He may in Oldtown. They could even desert together. It is what he wants. But Sam can also become a maester for the Watch. H's only conflicted about where to draw the line. Confronted by Opportunity

262 AFFC 37 Cersei VIII: After viewing seven wrong dwarf heads, Cersei is ready to despair of being brought Tyrion's Then, she dreams of her visit to Maggy the Frog and realizes, with Qyburn's help, that she can forestall the valonquar prophecy by killing Margaery: a plan already underway. Confronted by Opportunity

263 AFFC 38 Brienne VII: Considering the crossroads, Brienne is as open to the idea of confessing her failure to Jaime and returning to Tarth. The thought makes her consider whether he would be comforting if she cried on his shoulder. She does want emotional intimacy with a loving husband. The decision isn't made when Hyle Hunt proposes marriage or when Rorge attacks. Still, when Hyle says she must want a castle full of children and will require a fertile man such as himself for that end, it's obvious Brienne will remain a warrior. If she wanted children she could care for an inn full of orphans who are desperately in need of protection and care. Brienne begins to realize a new idea towards a solution to her situation as heir to Tarth because confronted by an opportunity to see things a certain way.  Confronted by Opportunity

264 AFFC 39 Jaime VI: Jaime had hoped to take Riverrun without raising a hand to Tully to keep his oath to Catelyn. When the Blackfish accuses him of intending to put all to the sword if they yield, Jaime relizes he now has to take the castle by force in the morning, or release Edmure, who might hear his terms and believe he'll be well treated if his bands. Jaime gets to do what he'd hoped: treat Edmure well, offer exceedingly generous terms, and take Riverrun without bloodshed. Where Genna would have hung Edmure as a threat to her sons inheriting the castle. Jaime will keep him happily captive to the same end. Confronted by Opportunity

265 AFFC 40 Cersei IX: When she learns it's Maiden's Day, Cersei realizes the timing is perfect and sends Ser Osney to confess to the High Septon. Really, she needed to have discussed with Taena, at minimum, but this is what she's been working towards for so long and it would mean release from the terror of the prophecies. Confronted by Opportunity

266 AFFC 41 The Princess in the Tower: Though she thinks she would have crowned Myrcella to start a war to avenge Oberyn, that's Tyene's idea. Arianne crowned herself when she stole Myrcella by seducing Arys. Confronted by Opportunity

A Dance with Dragons

272 ADWD 1 Prologue: When the warg Lump saw the opportunity to kill his stronger little brother Bump from within one of the family dogs, he did it. They discovered him when his father killed the dogs, and he screamed from within the hut. He was dragged to Haggon the warg and abandoned there to be raised by him.  Confronted by Opportunity

277 ADWD 6 Tyrion II: Illyrio's scheme to send Tyrion to aid Daenerys appeals. He'll see dragons. He'll back a throne claim that would appall his father and get to go to war against Cersei.  Confronted by Opportunity

278 ADWD 7 The Merchant's Man: The ship Adventure stinks and its captain will certainly betray them. The demon road is too slow, ven if glory were worth it. They're simply stuck in a hot, sweaty city. Unless they join the Windblown. Which seems exciting and fun. Confronted by Opportunity

279 ADWD 8 Jon II: Jon wanted to execute Slynt when he offered him--no ordered him--to command at Greyguard. Jon could have named another commander but was giving Slynt a chance to prove himself. Cleaning his sword during the command was oddly not intended as a threat. At least not consciously. But Slynt shold have taken Jon seriously. Refusing such a task required Jon execute Slynt. And he even already wanted to and would sleep easier for it and Throne couldn't say boo, as the Wall is a mercy and any man of the Watch has vowed to obey the Lord Commander. Confronted by Opportunity

280 ADWD 9 Tyrion III: At sixteen, Tyrion had wanted to tour Essos and see the wonder he read about in Longstrider. Now, he's on that tour and as disowned as Tywin threatened he'd be. Confronted by Opportunity

283 ADWD 12 Daenerys II: Dismissed by Joffrey, Selmy realizes he must finds Viserys and serve him. when he saw Eddard Stark beheaded, "Afterward I went to the Great Sept and thanked the Seven gods that Joffrey had stripped me of my cloak." 171  Confronted by Opportunity

294 ADWD 23 Tyrion VI: Jorah Mormont is sitting in a brothel in Selhorys with a whore on his lap that looks like his first wife and like Dany. Jorah recognizes Tyrion and says "You're mine, Hugor."  He says he's taking Tyrion to "the queen," so Tyrion misunderstands and thinks he means Cersei. Jorah means to present Tyrion to Dany to buy his way back into her good graces.  Confronted by Opportunity

296 ADWD 25 The Lost Lord: The Golden Company has been waiting to return to Westeros since its formation by Bittersteel. When Daenerys didn't pass through Volantis as expected, choosing to stay in Meereen, it created a complication. How to get to her. Aegon, convinced to use Tyrion's strategy to woo his aunt, suggests shipping straight to Westeros. The captains love the idea.  Confronted by Opportunity

297 ADWD 26 The Windblown: Concerned about their planned desertion working out, Quentyn is amazingly fortunate to be selected as part of the envoy escort designed to negotiate the Windblown's defection to Daenerys. Though he remains dubious of the safety of the mission, he's being escorted designed to negotiate. Confronted by Opportunity

301 ADWD 30 Davos IV: Wyman Manderly explains he'd shown discourtesy toward him before the Freys for shows. The Lannisters were not going to return Wylis until he'd proved loyalty. Executing Stannis's Hand and Cersei order seemed to do that. Davos's arrival was the opportunity Wyman needed to prompt Cersei to return Wylis.  Confronted by Opportunity

308 ADWD 37 Daenerys VI: Daenerys has long dreamed of bringing Daario into her bed, but expected he'd betray her. When Brown Ben Plumm of the Second Sons does so instead, she feel she owes Daario an apology. Misprocessing her guilt over Astapor, Dany takes Daario for her lover.  Confronted by Opportunity

318 ADWD 47 A Ghost in Winterfell: When Holly pulls a knife on Theon at the heart tree after he's prayed for a death of dignity, his first impulse is to scream for help. But he'd be dead before help came. Theon resigns himself to accept the mercy he has just prayed for. Rowan promises it to him, even saying he won't be hurt by Ramsay again.  Confronted by Opportunity

320 ADWD 49 Jaime I: Jaime wonders where Brienne is and whether she's found Sansa when she rides up saying she has. He already didn't want to go straight back to King's Landing and here's a few days detour. Confronted by Opportunity

321 ADWD 50 Jon X: Alys Karstark's need for a husband and guard coincides with Jon's need to find some new situation for the Thenns. Confronted by Opportunity

322 ADWD 51 Daenerys VIII: Dany need to address her captive dragons. The opportunity arises when she needs to either form a real allegiance with Dorne through Quentyn or scare him into leaving. Daenerys takes Quentyn to see her dragons. Confronted by Opportunity

323 ADWD 52 Theon: Theon has looked down off the outer wall of Winterfell to see that what would be eighty foot drop in summer is much softened by the pile up snow. It's even been snowing for days since then. The man thrown off only broke a leg. He's thought about makig this jump. So, with Holly dead, the rope with Freya and crossbowmen reloading, he grabs Jeyne and jumps.   Confronted by Opportunity

324 ADWD 53 Daenerys IX: Dany will not remain a military power without dragons, but she cannot fly them. Those in captivity grow wild and Drogon, at large, has too. When Dany realizes she is riding Drogon after having subdued him with the whip, she feels the ecstasy of having suddenly succeeded at what she could not have figured out how to orchestrate. But, when she leaps into the pit, Dany has been confronted by the opportunity to take responsibility for her dragons eating human flesh. Drogon eating Barsena will be a scandal and creates justification for the attacking with spear. It is time for Dany to tame Drogon, or at least ride him.  Confronted by Opportunity

326 ADWD 55 Cersei I: She's been wringing her hands waiting for word Loras has died, but instead it's Ser Arys Oakheart who frees a space on the kingsguard for Qyburn's man. Cersei has confessed and now may expect trial. By combat!  Confronted by Opportunity

329 ADWD 58 Tyrion XI: Planning to seize an opportunity to escape, eventually, Tyrion finds himself well positioned to visited the Second Sons with Jorah & Penny rather than return directly with the water. They were ordered to go, not sent with a wagon, and have the true and excellent excuse for the well master that Nurse has died of the flux (and poisoned mushrooms).  Confronted by Opportunity

343 ADWD 72 Daenerys X: Just as she was being shamed by a daydream Jorah into remembering the plan to conquer Westeros, Dany hears the bells of the Dothraki scout. She remembers Quaithe's riddle and understands that to go forward to Westeros she must go back (to Vaes Dothrak?). Dany passes the scout on dragonback and presents herself to Khal Jhaqo in his path, eating horsemeat.  Confronted by Opportunity

The Winds of Winter

Selmy: For chapters now, Selmy has wanted to take soldiers into the field. At first it ws to prevent siege. now, the trebuchet throwing corpses leave them no choice. They must take out the Harridan, sow chaos, burn tents, kill captains, and make the attck upon their walls blend. Selmy also wanted to bring his knights in training to a level where he can feel he's replaced himself well enough. he brings them for their first battle. Barristan Selmy feels he thrives as a general where he felt he struggled as a Hand.  Confronted by Opportunity

Tyrion: Brow Ben Plumm wanted to turn the Sons back to Daenerys and Meereen, but she would rather have had his head. It's the reason he tried to buy tyrion: to give to Daenerys as an apology gift to show continued allegiance. When Tyrion & Jorah present a plan to turn them and then the messenger who identifies Tyrion as an escaped slave is killed by Jorah...well, it was at Ben's command.   Confronted by Opportunity