The Fragility of Trust

A Clash of Kings

This thread traces how alliances begin through promises and end through suspicion, betrayal, or strategic necessity.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Davos's Truth Davos's Truth from "A Clash of Kings". The Onion Knight's Counsel Envoy Davos Seaworth reports that the storm lords will not rise for Stannis Baratheon.

Davos's Truth from "A Clash of Kings". The Onion Knight's Counsel Envoy Davos Seaworth reports that the storm lords will not rise for Stannis Baratheon.

The Onion Knight's Counsel Envoy Davos Seaworth reports that the storm lords will not rise for Stannis Baratheon. Honesty He refuses to offer false hope, even though the truth wounds his king. Foundation Their relationship rests on a trust built from blunt speech rather than flattery.

The Poisoned Cup The Poisoned Cup from "A Clash of Kings". Cressen's Last Attempt Plan Maester Cressen prepares the strangler to kill Melisandre. Failure He offers poisoned wine, but Melisandre survives while he dies.

The Poisoned Cup from "A Clash of Kings". Cressen's Last Attempt Plan Maester Cressen prepares the strangler to kill Melisandre. Failure He offers poisoned wine, but Melisandre survives while he dies.

Cressen's Last Attempt Plan Maester Cressen prepares the strangler to kill Melisandre. Failure He offers poisoned wine, but Melisandre survives while he dies. Meaning The scene marks the replacement of rational counsel by dangerous faith in Stannis Baratheon's court.

Pycelle Exposed Pycelle Exposed from "A Clash of Kings". The Old Spy Discovery Tyrion Lannister learns that Grand Maester Pycelle sent one of his letters to Cersei Lannister.

Pycelle Exposed from "A Clash of Kings". The Old Spy Discovery Tyrion Lannister learns that Grand Maester Pycelle sent one of his letters to Cersei Lannister.

The Old Spy Discovery Tyrion Lannister learns that Grand Maester Pycelle sent one of his letters to Cersei Lannister. Coercion He has Pycelle seized and extracts confessions about service to House Lannister. Result Tyrion Lannister gains information but loses another possible source of institutional trust.

Littlefinger's Bargain Littlefinger's Bargain from "A Clash of Kings". A Castle for an Alliance Offer Tyrion Lannister promises Harrenhal and the Trident to Petyr Baelish.

Littlefinger's Bargain from "A Clash of Kings". A Castle for an Alliance Offer Tyrion Lannister promises Harrenhal and the Trident to Petyr Baelish.

A Castle for an Alliance Offer Tyrion Lannister promises Harrenhal and the Trident to Petyr Baelish. Motive Petyr Baelish accepts because ambition matters more than the curse attached to the castle. Risk The bargain strengthens the Lannister position while creating a powerful man whose loyalty is always conditional.

The Tyrell Deal The Tyrell Deal from "A Clash of Kings". Marriage as Strategy Opening The death of Renly Baratheon leaves the Tyrells without a secure political partner.

The Tyrell Deal from "A Clash of Kings". Marriage as Strategy Opening The death of Renly Baratheon leaves the Tyrells without a secure political partner.

Marriage as Strategy Opening The death of Renly Baratheon leaves the Tyrells without a secure political partner. Proposal Tyrion Lannister proposes that Joffrey Baratheon marry Margaery Tyrell. Consequence The alliance converts grief and opportunism into a new coalition against Stannis Baratheon.

opening chapters

opening night

late middle war

after Renly's death