In the fourth episode of "Game of Thrones" season 7, "The Spoils Of War," we saw Daenerys riding Drogon in battle, Arya training with Brienne and lots of other impressive sequences. Although being less spectacular, the scene featuring Cersei Lannister and the Iron Bank's emissary was important as well: a huge clue on what is going to happen in Westeros was dropped at the beginning of the episode. Be careful: potential spoilers on "Game of Thrones" season 7 will follow!
Who are The Golden Company
The Golden Company are one of the largest and most skilled sellsword companies in Essos.
Consist of ten thousand highly trained soldiers, several thousand horses and a number of elephants. The Golden Company is reputed to have never broken a contract. It was founded by the Great Bastard, Aegor Rivers aka Bittersteel, and is made up in part of Westerosi exiles. The mercenaries' motto is "Our word is good as gold, "." and their war cry is "Beneath the gold, the bitter steel." The company has a very important role in George R.R. Martin's book series; in the show, it has been mentioned a few times: Jorah Mormont fought for it before the events narrated in the first season of 'GOT,' and Davos suggested Stannis hire these sellswords in season 4.
This is bad for Daenerys
After "The Spoils of War," we know that Queen Cersei intends to take out a new loan from the Iron Bank to hire the Golden Company to strengthen the Lannister army.
In Cersei's words to the Iron Bank's emissary may be hidden a relevant clue on how the queen is going to use the powerful army of sellswords. The man from Braavos tells Cersei that The Golden Company helped the Iron Bank in recovering large amounts of gold from some debtors. "It's good to hear," Cersei answers, "I too would like them to recover some things that belong to me."
What has Cersei lost?
What has Cersei lost recently?
The seat of House Lannister in Westeros, the capital of the Westerlands, Casterly Rock. In "The Spoils of War" Jaime says that they will win back Casterly Rock from the Unsullied. The Lannisters trapped the Unsullied in their family castle, leaving them without ships and without food: it makes sense for the Lannisters to attack The Rock later in the war.
Obviously, this is "Game of Thrones" and we cannot be sure that Cersei is referring to Casterly Rock when she says she wants to recover some things that belong to her. Nonetheless, we think this theory is plausible.
We have no idea of when The Golden Company could land in Westeros. With only three episodes left of this season, the fearsome sellswords may not arrive in the Seven Kingdoms before season 8.
Don't forget! "Game of Thrones" season 7 episode 5 airs on August 13, on HBO.
