Tyrion Lannister has not yet become a hostage of cruel fate, Bran Stark has not yet become a cripple, and the head of his father Ned Stark has not yet rolled from the scaffold. No man in the Kingdoms dares even to suggest that Daenerys Targaryen will ever be called the Mother of Dragons. Westeros has not brought neighboring states to submission, and the Iron Throne, which, according to the saying, was forged in blood and fire, is far from being satisfied.
An ancient story, as old as the world itself, comes down from the pages of ancient manuscripts, and only we, septons, can separate true events from pitiful fables, and truth from slanderous accusations.
So sit closer to the fire, good listeners, and you will learn: – how King's Landing became the capital of capitals, – how glorious feats were accomplished, beyond imagination, – and how brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers lost their minds in the bloody struggle for power, – how the dragon tribe gradually gave way to dragons in human form, – as well as many other tales of old – funny and unimaginably terrible, clanking with the iron of armor and playing on the pipes, filling our hearts with pride and sorrow…