Criston Cole was killed in the opening moments of House of the Dragon season 3, episode 6 after being struck by three arrows. Cole, a former Kingsguard, served as Hand of the King to Aegon II and played a prominent role in the Dance of the Dragons conflict. The series showed his death without the single combat he had requested, depicting him falling while holding Queen Alicent’s handkerchief. In the source book Fire & Blood, his death is attributed to Red Robb Rivers and his archers, whereas the television adaptation assigns the killing to Lady Alyssanne Blackwood, wife of Lord Cregan Stark. Cole’s history included violating his oath by fathering a child with Princess Rhaenyra, switching allegiance to the Greens, and serving as Hand of the King. He acknowledged his wrongdoing, stating, "Do not think I have no shame in me, ser. Desire for women has brought me grief after grief." His actions led to the deaths of Lord Beesbury, Lord Darklyn, and Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, and he was implicated in numerous battlefield casualties. Cole’s death aligns with events described in Fire & Blood, though the show altered details of the battle known as Butcher’s Ball. The series continues to examine the fallout of his choices.