The Atlantic

On <em>Game of Thrones</em>, a Loyal Ally Is Hard to Find

Is there anyone trustworthy left in Westeros?
Source: HBO

“Loyal service means telling hard truths.”

- Ser Davos Seaworth

The players in the have rarely benefitted from telling hard truths. Jon Arryn sought King Robert Baratheon's bastard children and was poisoned. Ned Stark uncovered the truth of Joffrey's parentage and paid for the knowledge with his head. And Maester Cressen—who originally, emphatically gave Stannis the advice that Davos repeated in tonight's "The Ghost of Harrenhal"—died for the hard truths he offered about Melisandre. But none of the show's four remaining kings—and one remaining khaleesi—can conquer without a loyal army, or rule without loyal subjects. As the war rages on, and lines are drawn and redrawn, is there any loyalty left in Westeros? And in a world full of

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