A Clash of Kings-Chapter 23

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Jon III
A Clash of Kings chapter
AClashOfKings.jpg
POV Jon
Place Craster's Keep
Page 260 UK HC (Other versions)
Chapter chronology (All)
Jon II
Catelyn II  ← Jon III →  Theon II

Jon IV

Synopsis

The Lord Commander’s force reaches Craster’s fort, the first populated wildling settlement since they set out. Mormont commands his men to leave Craster’s wives alone, and then enters the wildling’s hall with his senior men. It is rumored that Craster’s mother lay with a ranger, and that is why the wildling is courteous to the Night's Watch. Craster claims he has not seen Benjen Stark in three years, but he remembers Waymar Royce and his party. When the Old Bear mentions the wights that attacked him at Castle Black, Craster feigns ignorance, but one of his wives recognizes the truth in the tale by the look of horror on her face. Craster tells Mormont that he is a free man, and hence has not heeded Mance Rayder’s call, although all the other wildling settlements have. To learn more, Mormont gives Craster a new axe and some good wine in exchange for information on the whereabouts of Mance’s host. Craster recognizes Jon as a Stark, and learns he is Eddard Stark’s bastard.

Jon goes in search of Sam so that the fat boy can draw a map, and finds Ghost has taken a rabbit from one of Craster’s wives. Jon apologizes to the girl, whom he notices is pregnant. The girl runs off when Lark the Sisterman warns her that Ghost might eat her. Jon finds Sam and tells him to attend the Old Bear.

The next morning he is awoken by the girl he had met the day before. Sam had told her Jon’s brother is a king, and she pleads with Jon to take her and her unborn child to the king. She fears for the child’s life, and Jon learns that if it’s a boy, Craster will give it to the gods. When Jon asks what gods, Gilly elaborates 'the cold gods, the white shadows', and Jon knows that Craster lied about not being aware of the Others and wights. Craster has been giving them sheep now since the Others come more often. Jon tells her he can’t help her and she runs off.

Jon later confronts Sam, who tells him he thought they could help the girl when they returned from the north, but Jon tells him he was a fool. As they depart, Jon mentions to Mormont that Craster has no sons, but Mormont was aware that Craster offers them to the Others as a type of prayer. The rangers have known this for a long time, but the Watch has found Craster to be helpful over the years, and Mormont would not harm the wildling. Mormont reveals that Mance Rayder is gathering the wildlings in the Frostfangs, and that he plans to stop the man he once knew.

References and Notes