Although there’s still a long summer before ‘Game of Thrones’ returns to television screens across the world, there’s no rest for the cast. Some pictures were recently released of current filming going on in Dubrovnik, Croatia, that is sure to whet the appetites of rabid fans in a way no lemon cakes ever could.

One of the most amazing things revealed in the photos below, especially after the stunning visual effects compilation released earlier this summer, is how perfectly the physical set pieces complement their digital counterparts added later. King’s Landing ain’t no Coruscant. Carpenters and set dressers bring their artistry to the magic of the ‘Game of Thrones’ universe long before equally brilliant effects artists get to the computer, and the resultant care and detail really brings the magic to the series.

Warning! It wouldn’t be much fun if we shared these shots with you without speculating on what they’re for. However, in the interest of being inclusive to everyone, we’ll share the photos first — which are only spoilers if you have a vivid imagination — and then hypothesize on the delightful or horrible scenarios they’ll be used for later, after another spoiler warning! So check out the images, but meet me back at the text below at your own risk!

All right, if you’ve read the books or don’t mind spoilers, continue reading, but if not, it might be better if you avert your eyes from this point on!

How cool is it that they’ve finally cast the Giant Lion’s Head?! Okay, I was just kidding for any stragglers who may have continued reading against their own good.

Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell) and Diana Rigg (Lady Olenna Tyrell) couldn’t look more stunning and regal if they were on the red carpet. That’s no spoiler.

Many of the celebratory set pieces look to me like the dressings for a tournament, and although it’s known that tournaments often go hand-in-hand with jovial celebration, such as the ones held on Joffrey’s Name Day, my guess is that this is going to occur after Joffrey’s wedding and be the setting for a famed Trial By Combat.

Casting news has been flying left and right, including the news of Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane being recast for the second time and the introduction of an entirely new house to the television series with Prince Oberyn Martell, who book-readers know will be the two chosen to fight it out in the famed trial.

Did you see something in the photos that I missed? Is there more to surmise through Instagram filters? Leave your comments below!

‘Game of Thrones’ returns to HBO in spring of 2014.

Source: Uproxx