A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 40: BRAN
Overview
Bran, Meera, Jojen, and Hodor shelter from a storm in an abandoned lakeside holdfast reached by a hidden causeway. A lone rider is followed by many armed men taking refuge in the ruined village. During Hodor’s thunder panic, Bran instinctively wargs him to silence, then enters Summer to scout the threat.
Summary
Traveling north across the New Gift, Bran, Meera, Jojen, and Hodor find an abandoned village beside a lake with a small island holdfast once honored by Queen Alysanne. Remembering Old Nan’s tales, Bran guides them to a hidden zigzag stone causeway beneath the water, and they precariously reach the tower ahead of an approaching storm.
Inside, rusted gates block the stairs, but Bran pulls down a corroded murder-hole grate, allowing Meera and Jojen to climb through and help him, while Hodor hauls himself up using piled stones. They explore to the roof, survey the surrounding plains, and discuss how they might cross the Wall via abandoned castles, avoiding Castle Black to protect Bran’s identity.
As rain lashes down, a lone horseman takes shelter in the ruined inn across the lake. Jojen refuses a fire to avoid drawing attention. They eat cold duck and wait in darkness while thunder grows closer. In a lightning flash, Jojen spots many armed men arriving in the village and feeding the rider’s fire.
Startled by thunder, Hodor panics, shouting and flailing with a sword. In desperation, Bran reaches out as he would to Summer and momentarily wargs Hodor, compelling him to sit and fall silent, a power that frightens Bran even as it saves them from discovery.
With danger gathering across the water, Bran argues the causeway will keep them safe at night. To learn more, he closes his eyes and wargs into Summer, feeling the storm, the deer he has eaten, and the men moving under the trees, their fear sharp beneath the scents of rain, leaves, and horse.
Who Appears
- Bran StarkLeads the group to a hidden causeway, calms Hodor by warging him, then scouts through Summer.
- Meera ReedScouts the village, guides the causeway crossing, argues for caution, and manages supplies.
- Jojen ReedForesees a storm, urges secrecy, spots armed men during lightning, advises avoiding Castle Black.
- HodorPanics at thunder with a drawn sword; briefly controlled by Bran’s accidental warging.
- SummerBran’s direwolf; hunts deer and serves as Bran’s eyes to sense men in the village.
- Unidentified riderShelters in the ruined inn and starts a fire, later joined by armed men.
- Unidentified armed menArrive in the village during the storm; their presence threatens Bran’s group.