Varys concocted a story to hide his true purpose saying that Clinton had been banished for stealing from the Golden Order and ended up in a drunken depression. But Tyrion Lannister discovered through observation that Clinton had changed his name to Griff and adopted Aegon, Rhaegar's surviving son (who was thought to have died at the fall of King's Landing), and plotted an invasion and conquest of Westeros in order to install the boy on the Iron Throne. They planned to join Daenerys Targaryen's great army in Volantis to strengthen it. Clinton was infected with gray scale on his journey to Volantis to rescue Tyrion Lannister, but he kept this a closely guarded secret.

When they learned that Daenerys had stayed in Slaver's Bay, the Golden Company, on Aegon's orders, decided to change their plans and land directly in Westeros due to the urgency of the situation. Clinton, Aegon and the Golden Company landed in the Stormlands and captured several castles, including Clinton's former home fortress, Wyvern's Nest. Their next step was to take Windhelm Keep, and Aegon intended to raise the banner of House Targaryen on the battlefield. But at this point Aegon and Clinton had a difference of thought.

Clinton is still haunted by his defeat at the Battle of the Bells, and when he closes his eyes he can still hear the continuous tolling of the bells. He knows that he is counting down the days to death due to his gray scale disease, but he expects the heavens to lend him a few more moments in order to place Aegon on the Iron Throne and put an end to the treachery of the War of the Usurper. Jon Clinton is confident that he can accomplish this, and thereafter end those phantom bells and grow old in his home fortress, Wyvern's Nest.