View source for A Feast for Crows-Chapter 17

{{Infobox Chapter AFfC
| pov		= [[Cersei Lannister]]
| title		= Cersei IV
| place         = [[King's Landing]]
| page		= 238
| previous	= [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 16|Jaime II]]
| current	= [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 17|Cersei IV]]
| next		= [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 18|The Iron Captain]]
| arc previous	= [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 12|Cersei III]]
| arc next	= [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 24|Cersei V]]
}}
 
==Synopsis== 
After yet another group presents her with a [[pious dwarf|dwarf's head]] that is not [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion's]], [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] walks together with [[Qyburn]] to meet the small council. The new [[Master of Whisperers]] indicates that he has prepared the "skull" in an ebony box for delivery to Prince [[Doran Martell|Doran]], but no mention is made that it belongs to [[Gregor Clegane]]. 

[[Pycelle]] is near apoplectic upon hearing that Qyburn has been raised to Lord and has replaced [[Varys]] on the council, and Cersei makes it clear how unfit she considers the old Grand Maester. Cersei has finalised her appointments, placing men she considers to be meek and loyal and giving them the titles used in the [[Free Cities]], thinking that she will have no "masters" with her in the [[small Council]]. She now has a council consisting of:
*[[Orton Merryweather]] as judiciar ([[master of laws]]) 
*[[Aurane Waters]] as grand admiral ([[master of ships]])
*Her uncle [[Kevan Lannister|Kevan]]'s father-in-law Ser [[Harys Swyft]] as "her" [[Hand of the King|Hand]]. This last appointment she considers as a shield against any threat that Ser Kevan may present.

The council first discusses the unrest in [[Sunspear]] and Prince Doran's letter that he imprisoned the [[Sand Snakes]]. Cersei notes that they are sending [[Balon Swann]] to Dorne with [[Gregor Clegane]]'s head as has been promised, but she does not mention that Balon will have another task as well.<ref> We next learn of Ser [[Balon Swann]]'s mission in Dorne in [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 40|Chapter 40]]</ref> 

We also learn that [[High Septon (Tyrion's)|Tyrion's High Septon]] has died in his "sleep", and the council brings up the continuing influx of "sparrows" into [[King's Landing]], stirring up the populace with their preaching of "doom and demon worship". But Cersei cares not, nor does she care who becomes [[High Septon]], provided he "pronounce(s) an anathema upon the Imp." 

The next topic is a letter by the [[Lords Declarant]] in [[the Vale]] of Arryn, but the Queen Regent decides not to intervene directly on [[Petyr Baelish|Littlefinger]]'s behalf, but only send a letter warning these Lords that no harm must come to Lord Petyr.

When the subject of rebuilding the fleet comes up, Cersei is adamant against making any pact with the [[ironborn]], stating, "Their turn will come, once we have dealt with [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]]." Aurane Waters will get his fleet of dromonds however, and Cersei will find the coin by deferring the crown's debt to the [[Faith of the Seven]] and to the [[Iron Bank of Braavos]] until the end of the [[War of the Five Kings|war]]. Pycelle warns her against this route, cautioning that it would be foolish to make an enemy of the Iron Bank, but the decision is made regardless. <ref> This decision influences the events of [[A Dance with Dragons]], [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 44|Chapter 44]]</ref> 

The council also discusses the prudence of making someone pay for the [[Red Wedding]] so as to appease all the "sparrows"; and in the mean time offering whomever succeeds the sure-to-die-soon Lord [[Walder Frey]] a chance to rid himself of unwanted brothers, half-brothers and nephews.

On the topic of the [[North]], the council indicates that Stannis may soon be confronted by [[Roose Bolton]]'s army, once [[Ramsay Snow|his bastard son]] hits [[Moat Cailin]] from the north, allowing the Lord of the [[Dreadfort]] passage through [[the Neck]]. Cersei mentions that [[Wyman Manderly]] has taken [[Davos Seaworth]] captive, after the latter was sent by Stannis to treat with him.{{Ref|aDwD|9}}{{Ref|aDwD|15}}{{Ref|aDwD|19}} Lord Manderly seeks the favor of the [[Iron Throne]], and the queen will recommend that he can achieve that favor if he beheads Stannis's Hand.<ref>Pages 277-278 (UK MMP edition; ''circa'' page 246 in the US and UK Hardcover Editions); we learn Lord Manderly's reaction to this ultimatum in [[A Dance with Dragons]], [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 29|Chapter 29]] from Manderly's perspective, and in [[A Feast for Crows]], [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 24|Chapter 24 (Cersei V)]], ''circa'' page 346 from Cersei's perspective</ref> When [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] is mentioned, Cersei shocks the council into silence with a violent tirade about how she plans to deal with the girl once she is found. In the uneasy silence that follows, Cersei also remarks that Lord Bolton possesses [[Arya Stark]] and that her marriage to his bastard should appease the north, keeping to herself the fact that "Arya Stark" is really a "[[Jeyne Poole|steward's whelp]]" provided by Littlefinger. 

Next they debate the fact that the [[Night's Watch]] might be joining its might to Stannis, especially now that [[Jon Snow]] is their Lord Commander. The council decides to warn the Watch that the crown will stop sending men to the Wall, but Qyburn suggests that they do send 100 men. Cersei picks up on Qyburn's reason for suggesting ostensibly an act of goodwill, and interrupts him to indicate that the men sent will really be assassins ordered to remove [[Eddard Stark|Eddard Stark's]] bastard. 

Back in her apartments, Cersei learns from [[Taena of Myr|Taena]] that [[Dorcas]] fancies [[Osney Kettleblack]], and also hints that she herself likes dangerous, scarred men. Cersei tries to learn the name of Taena's old flame, but the [[Myr]]ish woman is evasive. 

When Osney arrives, Cersei butters him up with an offer to join the [[Kingsguard]] and a chance to bed her again, provided he accomplishes a couple of tasks. First, Cersei wants him to seduce, and hopefully bed, Queen [[Margaery Tyrell|Margaery]]; this will enable Cersei to execute her lawfully. Second, she plans to send him to the [[Wall]] as "punishment" for his treason with Margaery, but in reality he will lead a group of men to assassinate [[Jon Snow]]. She assures him that the men would not be required to serve in the Watch after they complete their task, and promises him a lordship, should he accomplish both missions. 

Later that night, Cersei asks Lady Taena to remark to Margaery that she has a secret admirer, but not to let out Ser Osney's name unless the girl probes.

==References and Notes== 
{{References}}
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2014/04/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-feast-for-crows-part-12 A Read of Ice and Fire: A Feast for Crows, Part 12]. Analyses and summary of the chapter by Leigh Butler.
*The synopsis was copied from Aol member vbkorik27 previously at[http://web.archive.org/web/20080228051425/members.aol.com/vbkorik27/summary/legend.html]

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Feast for Crows: Chapter 17]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Cersei Lannister]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Red Keep]]

[[es:Festín de Cuervos-Capítulo 17]]
[[fr:A Feast for Crows, Chapitre 18, Cersei]]
[[pt:O Festim dos Corvos - Capítulo 17]]