A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 48: JON
Overview
Jon Snow returns to Castle Black wounded and warns that Styr’s band will assault the gate from the south, revealing Mance’s other attacks as feints. Donal Noye assumes command of a thin garrison while Maester Aemon treats Jon.
Jon learns Jeor Mormont was murdered at Craster’s and that Winterfell was burned, with Bran and Rickon reported slain, deepening his resolve amid looming attack.
Summary
Jon Snow, fevered and badly wounded, races south from Queenscrown to warn the Night’s Watch that Styr, Magnar of Thenn, is leading a raiding party to open the gate from the south. He reaches an eerily quiet Castle Black and finds Donal Noye at the forge, who helps him to Maester Aemon.
Jon explains Qhorin Halfhand’s command to infiltrate the wildlings and reports that the attacks along the Wall are feints meant to thin the Watch. Castle Black is undermanned, with Donal Noye acting as de facto commander while Bowen Marsh has scattered the garrison. Jon urges immediate vigilance toward the kingsroad.
Maester Aemon cauterizes Jon’s arrow wound while Jon, dulled by milk of the poppy, admits he broke his vows with Ygritte and details Styr’s discipline, armor, and knowledge of the Gift. He notes Mance’s fruitless search for the legendary Horn of Winter. The treatment leaves Jon unconscious.
On waking, Jon is tended by Pyp and Grenn, who relay grim news: Jeor Mormont was murdered during Craster’s mutiny and only a handful survived the Fist and the keep. Aemon has sent ravens to the Shadow Tower and Eastwatch and placed sentries to the south.
Aemon then delivers the shattering tidings that Winterfell was sacked by Theon Greyjoy, who allegedly slew Bran and Rickon before the castle was burned. Jon reels between duty and grief, clinging to a sighting of a grey direwolf as faint hope, while the Watch braces for the imminent wildling strike from the south.
Who Appears
- Jon SnowReturns to Castle Black wounded; warns of Thenn attack from the south; undergoes cauterization; grapples with news of Winterfell and his oath-breaking with Ygritte.
- Donal NoyeOne-armed armorer acting as commander; supports Jon, hears his warning, organizes defenses with scarce men.
- Maester AemonTreats and cauterizes Jon’s wound; sends ravens; informs Jon of Mormont’s murder and Winterfell’s fall.
- Pyp (Pypar)Watches over Jon, relays defensive measures, comforts him after the grim news.
- GrennAssists Jon, recounts survivors and Sam’s deed, and the chaos at Craster’s; helps deliver milk of the poppy.
- ClydasAssists Maester Aemon with the surgery and medicines during Jon’s treatment.
- YgritteIn Jon’s recollections and dreams; emblem of his broken vows and divided loyalties.
- Styr, Magnar of ThennLeader of the southern wildling party Jon warns about; disciplined men with armor, aiming to open the gate.
- Jeor MormontFormer Lord Commander; reported murdered during the mutiny at Craster’s Keep.
- Samwell TarlyDiscussed as having slain an Other with dragonglass; left behind during the mutiny’s aftermath.
- Mance RayderOff-page antagonist; orchestrating feints along the Wall; searched in vain for the Horn of Winter.
- Bowen MarshAbsent; has dispersed the garrison along the Wall, leaving Castle Black thinly manned.