This House of the Dragon character's death and a brutal battle seem quite likely in Season 3

**Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers for George R. R. Martin's book Fire & Blood and the series House of the Dragon. Reader discretion is advised.**

HBO's House of the Dragon reintroduced House Stark in Season 2, which makes a major character death inevitable in the upcoming chapter.

Ser Criston Cole, who was once a loyal ally, friend and even lover to Rhaenyra Targaryen, could not accept that she would not run away with him, which ultimately turned him against her.

As Criston grew closer to Rhaenyra's enemies, he was doomed. His actions eventually started a civil war, which will likely be played out in Season 3.

Martin's readers know that Ser Criston Cole's death is one of the most satisfying in the book and is followed by the Butcher's Ball.

Since Criston's resentment towards Rhaenyra was not justified, he quickly became an unlikeable character and his death will likely be a high point in the show's upcoming chapter.

More on Ser Criston Cole's death in House of the Dragon in our story.

House of the Dragon Season 3: Ser Criston Cole will likely meet his end at the hands of the Northern Army

Ser Criston Cole's death seems likely in House of the Dragon Season 3 as Season 2 saw the return of House Stark and the introduction of Lord Cregan Stark of Winterfell.

While Rhaenyra Targaryen lost an important ally in Criston Cole, she gained a brutal army in the form of Cregan Stark's 2000 men, which he gave to Jacaerys Velaryon in Season 2.

The Northern army, known as the Winter Wolves, was a strong army of old Northerners. These grizzled warriors pledged their loyalty to Rhaenyra Targaryen, who did not expect to return home but vowed to die on the battlefield. They eventually joined the Riverlands' Black forces and created one of the strongest opposition against their enemies, including Ser Criston Cole.

The strength of the Winter Wolves can be estimated by their leader, Roderick Dustin, aka Roddy the Ruin, an important character who will debut in House of the Dragon Season 3. Actor Tommy Flanagan will play the role.

While the Winter Wolves fought in many bloody battles, the Butcher's Ball was among the most bloody, mainly because it followed Ser Criston Cole's death.

House of the Dragon: How will Ser Criston Cole's death and Butcher's Battle play out in Season 3?

Every book fan knows Ser Criston Cole's end is near and will likely play out in House of the Dragon Season 3. The Hand of the King will not be able to march towards the South much longer and will be ambushed by the Winter Wolves and Black forces.

Criston will initially try to surrender and negotiate with the three Wolves' leaders, namely Garibald Grey, Pate of Longleaf, and Roddy the Ruin. Howwever, he will ultimately be killed by a riverman named Robb Rivers by three fatal arrows. With Criston Cole dead, Winter Wolves will ultimately hunt down his fleeing Green army and butcher them all.

The brutal massacre of Cole and his army will become one of the most violent battles of the Dance of the Dragons, described in the books as:

''They [Greens] broke and fled, casting aside their shields as they ran. Their foes came after, cutting them down by the hundreds. Afterward Ser Garibald was heard to say, “Today was butchery, not battle.”

Upon hearing Garibald's words, Mushroom will dub the battle as Butcher's Ball, recording it forever in the Dance of the Dragons' history.

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Also Read: House of the Dragon Season 3 filming updates

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