Sansa takes breakfast with Lady and Septa Mordane in an inn then goes off with Lady to look for Arya. She finds Arya brushing Nymeria and tells her to wear something nice, as they are riding with Queen Cersei and Princess Myrcella today. Arya would rather explore the area with Mycah, a butcher's boy of thirteen. They have been going off every day of the journey to look at various things and explore. The party has recently emerged from the marshes of the Neck, which took twelve days to traverse. Arya runs off, and Sansa returns to the inn.

When Sansa arrives, she sees Barristan Selmy and Renly Baratheon kneeling before the queen. They have been sent from King's Landing as part of an escort of honor. Off to one side is Ser Ilyn Payne, the King's executioner. Ser Ilyn frightens her, and she steps back into Sandor, who mocks her. Joffrey goes to her then and makes everything better. Sansa is introduced to Barristan and Renly and tries to apologize to Ser Ilyn, who just walks away. Ser Barristan explains that Aerys II had his tongue ripped out with hot pincers. ¹ Cersei has to talk to the new arrivals, so she has Joffrey take Sansa riding. Sansa is elated at the thought of a whole day with Joffrey and equates his rescue from Ser Ilyn and Sandor with Serwyn of the Mirror Shield's rescue of Princess Daeryssa from giants and Prince Aemon the Dragonknight's championing of Queen Naerys against the slanders of Ser Morgil. Joffrey suggests leaving Sandor and Lady behind. Sansa wonders if that is safe, and Joffrey reassures her by showing her his sword, Lion's Tooth. They head off on their ride.

Sansa and Joffrey explore caves and track a shoadowcat to its lair. When they get hungry, they stop at a nearby holdfast. After lunch, where Joffrey drinks too much wine, they come across Arya and Mycah playing at being knights. Drunk, Joffrey threatens Mycah and prepares to hurt him, so Arya lunges at him and hits him in the back of the head. Joffrey whirls in a rage, speaking obcenities, and attacks Arya. Nymeria attacks Joffrey and tears at his sword arm. Arya calls off Nymeria and then throws Lion's Tooth into the river and leaves. Sansa tries to comfort Joffrey, who looks at her with loathing and tells her not to touch him. Sansa goes to get help.