Tower of the Hand

Cersei speaks to Grand Maester Pycelle with Taena and Ser Osmund in attendence. Lord Gyles has finally succumbed to his cough, and Cersei is not at all pleased. He has been attending Margaery often as late to give her sleeping draughts to help her as she grieves for Loras, and Cersei accuses Pycelle of killing Gyles on her order. She presses him, revealing that she knows he has been going to Margaery for some time before Loras was injured and threatens him with the black cells. He confesses that he provides her with moon tea, a contraceptive. As Lord Gyles had no children, Cersei delcares that his lands and castles will escheat to the crown, despite the existence of a ward, and dismisses Pycelle. Cersei feels she can move against Margaery now, but she requires more proof to forestall Lord Mace. Margaery always has her ladies about her, and not one of Cersei's informants has seen her with a man. She decides Margaery's cousins must be apart of it and formulates a plan. Cersei tells Taena that she will sup with her and Lord Orton that night and that Taena should bring a singer for entertainment. At dinner, she tells Orton that she means to make Ser Harys the new master of coin and elevate him to the position of Hand. She then turns to the singer, Wat, the Blue Bard, and tells him that he deserves a reward as well. She accuses him of having seduced Margaery and orders her taken to the black cells. He denies the charge repeatedly, until Qyburn begins to torture him. In the end, he gives his whole life story, how he was the son of a chandler but ran off at twelve to join a troupe of singers wandering the Reach before coming to King's Landing, but does not confess to being a part of or witnessing any crime. By morning, the singer is completely broken. He gives names of men that made love to her, Ser Tallad, Ser Lambert, Jalabhar Xho, Ser Horas, Ser Hobber, Ser Osney, Hugh Clifton, and Ser Loras. Cersei makes him recant the accusations against Horas, Hobber, and Loras, as they are too valuable to harm, and tells him that he will have to testify about the others at trial and then will be allowed to join the Night's Watch. Cersei returns to her quarters, feeling slightly ill about what she had to do to the singer. Lady Taena is there and suggests a bath. Dorcas and Jocelyn prepare the bath, which Taena and Cersei share. Cersei wants to spare Tommen as much as she can and hates to move against all of Margaery's cousins since he is close to them, and Taena suggests that Alla should be declared innocent and persuaded to bear witness against the others. They go to bed, and Cersei has a dream of Tyrion torturing her. When she awakes, she tells Taena all about Maggy's prophecy. Tyrion is going to kill her, for valonqar means little brother. She takes breakfast with Tommen, who insists Loras will return. She asks if he will spend the day with Margaery, but he reminds her that they must fast and prepare for Maiden's Day, a holy day to the Faith. This gives Cersei an idea, and she meets with Osney. She tells him of her plan to implicate Margaery and tells him he must confess to the High Septon himself. Osney demands to have sex with her first, and she gives in.