Game of Thrones season 6 episode 8: What rumour does Qyburn confirm for Cersei?

Is she looking for Wildfire, or has she discovered something Loras told the High Sparrow?

** Spoilers for season six episode eight of Game of Thrones **

While attention up North was firmly on the siege at Riverrun, back in King’s Landing it was all about Cersei and The Mountain.

Notably, her son, King Tommen, has banned Trial By Combat, something Cersei was hoping to use in her defence against the Faith Militant. The High Sparrow likely knew she would use The Mountain, convincing Tommen to ban the barbaric practice because no person in the capital could win against the Clegane brother.

Attention turned to what may happen next, with Qyburn whispering to the Queen Mother that his Birds had found something. “Is it just a rumour, or something much more?” she asked, to which the Maester sadistically replied: “More. Much More”

So, what is this rumour? There are a couple of possibilities, but the one fans think is most likely is the discovery of Wildfire beneath King’s Landing. Planted by the Mad King, it has long been known the city could be burnt down if the combustible liquid was there.

Why would Cersei want to do this? In a mad attempt to get her son back from the High Sparrow, it is thought she will burn down the city and the Faith Militant, therefore freeing her son of “this wretched place”.

On numerous occasions, she has referenced the fact she would “burn cities to the ground” for one of her children, something that could very well foreshadow King’s Landing in flames.

Minutes after we see the rumour discussion being had, we cut back to Jaime talking about his sister and Catelyn Stark with Edmure Tully, the Kingslayer noting how Cersei would “burn cities to ash” for their children. On top of all that, earlier on this season we also saw the wildfire being lit in one of Bran’s dream sequences.

Is this foreshadowing a bit too obvious though? It’s not exactly subtle and seems like a ridiculous way to help the situation. Instead, some fans believe Cersei may have discovered something about the Tyrells.

Earlier this season, we saw that Loras had been crushed by the High Sparrow, leading to his sister becoming a devout follower of The Faith (so she says). However, it was thought by some that Loras may have confessed something awful; that his family was involved with King Joffrey.

If he did confess to that sin - if Cersei had just heard rumours the Tyrell has said something awful - could she use this information to spark a civil war of some kind? Or perhaps she will tell Tommen in an attempt to turn him against Margaery.

What is odd about this idea is that, if Qyburn had just found out this information, would she not be more shocked? Plus, Cersei may actually already know this, as discussed in another article.

Other ideas follow that she has discovered more information about Tyrion, but the chances of this helping her get out of her trial are small and insignificant to the events unfolding. There’s also thoughts around her digging up information on the High Sparrow himself, but he’s already confessed to many sins and that would barely help.

Whatever the case, King’s Landing burning to the ground is a high possibility considering all the foreshadowing, just when it will happen, who can say?

Also in the episode, Catelyn Stark did not return as Lady Stoneheart despite all the anticipation, it now looking like the character may never reappear.