Pages 685 – 734
Sansa:
Sansa escapes the Red Keep unnoticed and heads to the godswood. She’s happy Joff’s dead (obviously). She changes into clothes she’s hidden – darker clothes since she’s being smuggled out of Kings Landing – and waits for Dontos. He arrives and lets her know that Tyrion and her are being blamed for poisoning Joffrey. Sansa realizes that her hairnet Dontos wanted her to wear so badly is missing a black amethyst – when she puts two and two together she realizes that Dontos has chocked Joffrey.
They leave the castle grounds and make their way safely to Blackwater Bay. A little boat rows them out to a bigger ship where Sansa finds Littlefinger waiting for her. He’s masterminded this entire plot down to the dwarf jousting routine. Dontos wasn’t really on Sansa’s side, he just wanted ransom money. Littlefinger quickly has Dontos killed as his payment.
Littlefinger killed Joff just to get Sansa!! Do you think he means to wed her? Oh my goodness – he’s a creepy dude. I want to know his motivations. He’s a mastermind. Watch out Sansa – you are most definitely NOT safe.
Jaime:
Jaime learns of Joff’s (his son’s) death and doesn’t seem too moved by it. He arrives in Kings Landing where some recognize him and some don’t. He wastes no time re-introducing himself. Ser Loras wants Brienne’s head for supposedly killing Renly. Jaime saves her, but agrees to have her locked up for the moment.
Of course, Jaime’s first stop is to Cersei who is in the Sept praying over her dead son’s body. The have dirty, nasty, disgusting reunions. Cersei wants Tyrion’s head served on a platter. Jaime tells her he wants to marry her – she thinks he’s lost his mind.
Next, Jaime goes to see his father and it isn’t a happy homecoming. Tywin is pissed that Jaime’s hand is gone and you can tell he pretty much sees Jaime only as a sword. Tywin informs him that he is being removed from the Kingsguard to marry and become Casterly Rock’s true heir. Cersei is to marry Oberyn Martell. And that will be the end of that. Jaime tells him no, that he’s a member of the Kingsguard forever, and that none of his father’s plans are worth shit. Tywin denounces Jaime as his son.
Jaime is now the new Tyrion. Tywin seems to have no problem ridding himself of sons these days.
Davos:
Davos has betrayed his king. He’s secretly removed Edric Storm from Dragonstone on a pirate’s ship. He spends a lot of time wondering what will happen as a result. When he is next with Stannis and Melisandre he owns up to his betrayal and begs Stannis to do the right thing. He offers his head as long as Stannis will hear him out one last time. At the end of the chapter Davos begins to read from a parchment. We know nothing more.
Poor Davos just wanted to be an onion smuggler. Then he just wanted to serve Stannis faithfully, raise his sons, and die an old man.
Jon:
My lord husband of the North awakes to the sound of the horn. Two calls – the Wildlings and Mance Rayder have arrived at the Wall. Everyone rushes to their places atop the wall where they will be pretty safe. No way to get up there but through the elevator. A handful of men, including Donal Noye (acting commander), head down to the gate to protect it. Noye leaves Jon in charge of the Wall – he is amazed, scared, and honored by this new duty.
The Wildlings attack and that includes trying to ram the gate open with Mammoths and Giants. The Watch concentrates their forces on the gate. It’s the dead of night so no one can see much. Jon’s leg hurts something fierce.
Eventually, the Watch are able to push back Rayder’s army as the sun rises. Jon and a few other men head down to check on the gate and the men left guarding it. Jon leaves Grenn in charge of the Wall.
The men at the gate have all lost their lives and the other door has been successfully breached. Jon decides they need to blockade the opening with whatever they can find and someone needs to be put in charge. He lists several men he thinks would fit, but no one will listen to him. They name him their new leader.
JON SNOW for the win!!!
OH…and he burned Ygritte’s body. He says he’s done with kissing. I hope not – what a waste.
Arya:
Arya is broken. She still hopes in her heart that her mother is alive, but her wolf dream shows her otherwise. She has a horse now, but lacks the spirit to escape. The Hound isn’t even much guarding her anymore. I feel Arya giving up on happiness and perhaps even life in general. So sad for one so young. I particularly thought it sad at how different she was than the one little girl her own age. Wow.
The Hound wants to try to ransom her to Lady Lysa, but the way to the Eyrie is blocked. So Clegane sets his sights on Riverrun instead. Arya wants to go to the Wall and to Jon Snow. Clegane doesn’t seem to care much for that idea.
Other points of interest – the Hound teaches Arya where a man’s heart is and how to poke it – plus how to plunder his body once he’s dead.
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