A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 33: SAMWELL
Overview
At Craster’s Keep, Bannen dies as Gilly births a son. Starvation and suspicion ignite a mutiny: Craster is slain and, in the chaos, Lord Commander Mormont is fatally stabbed.
With the camp collapsing, Mormont orders Samwell to reach the Wall and tell all. Craster’s wives press Sam to flee with Gilly and the baby as the “sons” and white cold near.
Summary
In Craster’s hall, Samwell Tarly tends the dying ranger Bannen while Gilly labors in the loft. Craster taunts the starving Watch and dismisses their suffering. Outside, Sam endures mockery, longs for Jon, and frets over the meager dragonglass weapons. Lord Commander Mormont resolves to depart soon despite weak mounts and wounded men.
Mormont questions Sam about dragonglass and laments the Watch forgetting its true enemy. Craster announces Gilly’s newborn son, provoking Sam to blurt that the Watch could take the child, earning Mormont’s rebuke. Moments later Bannen dies, and the brothers burn his body at sunset.
That night Craster offers a thin feast of horsemeat. Clubfoot Karl and others accuse him of hoarding food. As Mormont demands silence, Craster draws the guest-gifted axe; Dirk slits Craster’s throat. Calling on hearth laws, Mormont confronts the mutineers, but Ollo Lophand stabs him in the belly, and the hall erupts into violence and depravity.
Afterward, Sam finds himself cradling the dying Lord Commander. Mormont orders Sam to flee for the Wall and report everything—the Fist, the wildlings, dragonglass, and the mutiny—and to tell his son Jorah to take the black and that he is forgiven. Mormont dies as his raven croaks for urgency.
Craster’s wives, led by two elders and Gilly holding her newborn boy, warn that the white cold and Craster’s “sons” are coming. They urge Sam to take Mormont’s sword, cloak, a horse if possible, and escape with Gilly and the child to someplace warm. Sam, numb but compliant, faces the choice to flee and carry the Old Bear’s charge.
Who Appears
- Samwell TarlyTends dying Bannen, rebuked for offering to take Gilly’s son, cradles Mormont as he dies, tasked to reach the Wall.
- Lord Commander Jeor MormontDetermined to depart; questions dragonglass; wounded mortally in the mutiny; orders Sam to warn the Wall; dies.
- CrasterAbusive host and father-husband; boasts of a newborn son; confronts mutineers; slain by Dirk during the feast.
- GillyGives birth to a son; fears the “sons”; implores Sam to take her and the baby and flee.
- DirkInstigator in the food dispute; slits Craster’s throat and threatens wives during the mutiny.
- Clubfoot KarlFans accusations of hoarded food; defies Mormont and helps spark the mutiny.
- Ollo LophandStabs Lord Commander Mormont in the belly; later assaults a woman amid the chaos.
- GrennEncourages Sam about the ‘Slayer’ name; tends fires; survives the mutiny and flees with others.
- Dolorous EddOffers grim humor at Bannen’s pyre; plans for departure; leaves the hall during the mutiny.
- Bedwyck (Giant)Supervises within the hall; covers Bannen’s corpse; later flees the chaos with other brothers.
- Mormont’s ravenEchoes key words; urges haste; witnesses Mormont’s last commands to Sam.
- BannenWounded ranger who dies of cold and infection; cremated to prevent rising as a wight.
- Ser ByamWounded knight trampled during the melee; dies as chaos unfolds.
- Garth of GreenawayAccuses Craster of hoarding; blocks Mormont during the mutiny; later kills Garth of Oldtown.