The Starks of Winterfell host the visit of the royal family. Across the sea, the exiled Targaryen prince plots an alliance to regain at last the Iron Throne.

An altercation between the Stark and Baratheon children threatens to drive a wedge between the two noble houses.

Lord Ned Stark arrives at King's Landing, and before he can shake off the dust of the road, his presence is requested by the Small Council. On his way through the Red Keep, Ned sees Sir Jaime Lannister standing by the Iron Throne. The two men exchange barbs, and then Jaime recounts the day that the Mad King Aerys murdered Ned's father and brother in the throne room.

A raven flies through the gates of Winterfell, swooping past Bran Stark, who's standing in the courtyard practising his archery. He walks after the bird, and when he catches up to it, sees that the raven has three eyes. Bran wakens from the dream and finds himself in bed with his wolf Summer, still unable to walk. Theon Greyjoy enters the room with Hodor, a large and simpleminded stable boy, who carries Bran downstairs.

The Silent Sisters perform rites over Ser Hugh of the Vale's corpse and stitch up the throat wound that killed the young knight. Lord Ned Stark and Ser Barristan Selmy look on, discussing how Ser Hugh recently was raised to knighthood and received enough money to buy some fine new armour. Ned is also suspicious of how the knight came to be matched up against Ser Gregor Clegane, known as The Mountain, in the tourney.

Ned deals with all sorts of new issues while King Robert goes hunting, and Tyrion must stand trial at the Eyrie for his alleged crimes.