George R.R. Martin took a short break from writing to make an appearance at this year's Balticon. The author also gave loyal fans a treat — a new chapter from his much-anticipated novel, "The Winds of Winter."

The 67-year-old novelist was the guest of honor at Balticon 50 — Maryland's yearly science fiction and fantasy convention — and drew a relatively large crowd who waited patiently to get his autograph and to listen to his talk. Their patience was rewarded when Martin read a long-finished chapter from "The Winds of Winter," but not before he warned them that the chapter was "similar in character to Ramsay Bolton."

Titled "The Forsaken," the chapter focused on Aeron and Euron Greyjoy, Balon's brothers. The former has apparently been relegated to a more minor role as one of the drowned priests, while the latter was just recently introduced in the HBO series. But it seems Aeron's story in the book is much more tragic and his brother, much more sinister.

Based on what the Balticon attendees have pieced together, Aeron had been kidnapped by Euron's minions and has since been imprisoned (and occasionally tortured) by his brother. As it turns out, Euron had been abusing Aeron since he was a child and that aside from Balon, he had also murdered two of their brothers.

The new chapter also teased a connection between Euron and the Night's King, based on a vision Aeron had when his brother forced him to imbibe liquid nitrogen. Martin also offered some proof that Theon and Yara's uncle was also in possession of armor made from Valyrian steel.

Aeron's fate is undeniably depressing, but Martin also gave fans something that helped cheer them up. While not related to the new chapter, the fantasy writer confirmed what a lot of "A Song of Ice and Fire" fans had long suspected — Brienne of Tarth was indeed related to Ser Duncan the Tall.

The character might not be familiar to "Game of Thrones" viewers, but to readers, Brienne's ancestor is a famous knight known for his height, chivalry, and fighting prowess. Ser Duncan is one of Martin's favorite characters and the star of "Dunk and Egg," a series of novellas that recounted the hedge knight's adventures when he was still going by the name Dunk. His squire Egg is actually Aegon Targaryen, who eventually became King Aegon V.

Fans of the Maiden of Tarth are no doubt happy to know that their favorite badass has such a legendary ancestor, even though a lot of fans are probably disappointed that Martin never once mentioned when "The Winds of Winter" will be finished. And no one among the attendees dared to ask.