Game of Thrones: What is Cersei's Next Move in The Winds of Winter?

Last season, Cersei Lannister made a mistake she couldn't fix with military force or manipulation. The former queen of the Seven Kingdoms made an alliance with the High Sparrow, a humble religious leader with a growing following in King's Landing. By establishing the High Sparrow as the head of the Faith of the Seven and giving him a military force in the Faith Militant, Cersei gave the High Sparrow the power to arrest and imprison her rival Margaery Tyrell for her past sexual transgressions. However, Cersei didn't count on the High Sparrow also arresting her for her incestuous relationship with Jamie and Lancel Lannister, as well as the murder of her late husband King Robert Baratheon.

Since her arrest, the High Sparrow has systematically stripped Cersei down, both literally and figuratively. He forced Cersei to suffer through a humiliating walk of atonement, parading her around naked through the city, before announcing she would face a trial to determine her guilt. The High Sparrow then targeted Cersei's son King Tommen, using his imprisoned wife Margaery to sway the young king under his influence.

Two weeks ago, the High Sparrow made his boldest move yet. With Cersei's trial looming, he convinced Tommen to ban the practice of "trial by combat", preventing Cersei's champion Gregor Clegane from fighting (and most likely winning) the Faith's champion. After the losing her power, her son, and her undefeatable champion, what will Cersei's next move be?

Cersei may need to look back on her dealings with one of her past political rivals on how to proceed. Back in Season 1, Ned Stark confronted Cersei about her children's true parentage, but he made the fatal mistake of offering her time to leave with her honor. Instead of fleeing the city, Cersei instead bought out Littlefinger and the city guard, which directly led to Ned's death. Cersei might not have the same power she once wielded, but she still has her Lannister name, wealth and an army lurking just a few days away. The High Sparrow has surrounded himself with the poor and devout, whose loyalty could be swayed with money or titles.

If Cersei gets close to the High Sparrow, this conflict is probably over. As shown many times on Game of Thrones, Cersei embraces violence as a means to her goals. After all, the "game of thrones" began when Cersei murdered Robert Arryn for getting too close to the truth about her relationship with Jamie. Whether Arryn, Stark, her husband King Robert or even her own brother Tyrion, Cersei is savage to her rivals and will do whatever to permanently eliminate them.

The seasons may be ready to change, but that doesn't mean that Cersei's reign over King's Landing is about to come to an end. The High Sparrow may have the upper hand right now, but many have underestimated Cersei before and died because of it.