April 2012: “I’m going to open with the two big battles that I was building up to, the battle in the ice and the battle at Meereen-the battle of Slaver’s Bay.

Here are (almost) all the updates the author has given since A Dance with Dragons. Since this is not the final book, it can go many ways, and until the book is out, nothing is set in stone.

Cersei had been facing trials for her multitude of crimes and faces the notorious Walk of Shame. In the meantime, Daenerys is facing a dangerous rebellion in Mereen and escapes with the help of Drogon before being stranded near the Dothraki Sea. Tyrion advises Aegon to prove himself worthy of Daenerys’ hand in marriage through conquest. This is when Varys reveals that he is part of a group that has raised the late Prince Rhaegar Targaryen’s son Aegon (presumed dead) in secret. Tyrion Lannister escapes King’s Landing with Varys’ help and considers joining Daenerys’ forces. Meanwhile, Arya Stark trains as an assassin in the House of White and Black to become one of the Faceless Men. He also communicates with Theon Greyjoy in the present. He joins with a weirwood tree and gains access to visions of his father’s past. His brother Bran Stark makes his way North of the Wall and meets the Children of the Forest and The Three-Eyed Crow. But after much more tension, he is stabbed and left for dead by his brothers on the Night Watch. Jon Snow has made the decision to let the Wildings through the wall in order to protect them from the “Others,” which includes wights and White Walkers. Petyr Baelish has murdered Lady Arryn and has named himself Lord Protector of Vale.

Brienne was also working towards fulfilling her promise to Lady Catelyn Stark by searching for Sansa Stark. Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth were trying to quell dissent in the Riverlands. Tommen Baratheon rules over King’s Landing, with Cersei Lannister being the Queen Mother. Jon Snow has been elected the 998th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. The story is told from the point of view of 18 characters, with each chapter being told by a different character.

A song of ice and fire book 6