Robert Baratheon sits the Iron Throne, victorious in his rebellion against the Mad King Aerys Targaryen. His trusted friend, Eddard Stark, has returned to Winterfell, bastard son in hand, to be with his wife Catelyn of House Tully and their son, Robb. At the behest of his Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, Robert has wed the daughter of the powerful Lord Tywin Lannister, Cersei, and pardons have been issued for all those who remained loyal to Aerys and are now willing to bend the knee to Robert.
Now, Jon Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie and Hand of the King, travels south to Dorne, to assuage Prince Doran Martell's fears of being completely swept of influence in King's Landing.