Ser Arys comes to escort Sansa to the tournament that is about to begin celebrating Joffrey's name day. She asks him what he thinks about the comet, and he comments that it is a sign that Joffrey's reign will be blessed because it is appearing on his nameday and is Lannister crimson. Sansa is wearing a dress with long sleeves to hide the bruises left by Ser Boros when he beat her when Joffrey learned of Robb's victories.1 Ser Arys makes Sansa feel less uncomfortable than the other Kingsguard, as he is always polite and even attempted to refuse to beat her the first time Joffrey asked him too and did not do so as hard as the others when he finally gave in. Joffrey never asks Sandor to beat her, but the others do so without questioning. The tournament is being held in the Red Keep for security, and only forty or so will participate, many of them squires and freeriders. It will be a poor field. Queen Cersei will not be there because the small council is meeting. Arys confides to Sansa that Lord Tywin disobeyed a direct order from Cersei to bring his army to King's Landing, and she is furious.
There are only a few people in the crowd: Lord Gyles Rosby, Lady Tanda Stokeworth and her daughters, Falyse and Lollys, Jalabhar Xho, and Lady Ermesande Hayford, who is only a baby yet is rumored to soon be married to a Lannister so the house can gain her lands. Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella are seated together in a pavillion and are guarded by Sandor. Tommen is excited because he is going to ride in the tournament, though only against a straw dummy. Joffrey is in a good mood because he has just learned that Viserys is dead.2 He boasts that he will defeat Robb in single combat. Participants in the tournament include Ser Meryn, Ser Balon, Ser Horas, Ser Hobber, Ser Dontos, Morros Slynt, and a sellsword in service to Lord Petyr named Lothor Brune.
When Ser Dontos's turn to ride comes up, he is too drunk to participate. Joffrey, who has been getting angry because of the poor field in the tournament, orders him drowned in wine. Horrified, Sansa tells him not to because it will bring ill luck on his name day. She is lying and he knows it, but Sandor speaks up on her behalf and Joffrey agrees to kill him the next day. Sansa suggests making him a fool instead, and Joffrey likes the idea and decrees it will be so. Joffrey disgustedly declares the tournament to be over. Tommen insists on riding, and Joffrey reluctantly allows it. Ser Aron and some squires help outfit him, and he rides against the straw-filled dummy, which gives him a blow that knocks him off his horse. He is preparing to ride again when the portcullis suddenly rises and Tyrion rides in at the head of a group of Lannister men-at-arms, freeriders, and clansmen, including a graceful black-haired sellsword,3 an incredibly large and hairy man,4 and a youth with a missing eye.5 He approaches Joffrey and bows before him. He subtly mocks Joffrey, who leaves. Tyrion then turns to Sansa and promises he will not hurt her, then walks off to find Cersei.
