A Feast for Crows & a Dance With Dragons

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Copyright © 2005 by George R. R. Martin
Map by !ame Sinc"air
e&SBN' 0(55)(*00)2()
George R. R. Martin
A DANCE WITH DRAGONS

A Feast for Crows
For Stephen Boucher, wizard of Windows, dragon of DOS, without whom this book would
hae been written in cra!on
A Dance with Dragons

ate, %hata!a, *ormont, *ich, -amie, .anessa, )o,
for Stubb!, "ouise, Agraaine,
Wert, *alt, -o,
and the rest of the madmen and wild women of
the Brotherhood Without Banners
Winter and Fabio of WI%,
and 1ibbs of Dragonstone, who started it all

for men and women of Asshai in Spain who sang to us of a bear and a maiden fair
and the fabulous fans of Ital!
who gae me so much wine for m! readers in Finland, 1erman!,
Brazil, $ortugal, France, and the 2etherlands
and all the other distant lands
where !ou/e been waiting for this dance

I hae !et to meet
thanks for !our patience
Meanwhile !ac" On The Wall# $ A CA%I& ON CHRONO&OG'
Hey- ait a minte1 ome o, yo may be aying abot no. 3ait a minte- ait a minte
3here4 any an$ the $ragon6 3here4 7yrion6 3e har$"y a !on Sno. 7hat can4t be a"" o,
it8.1
3e""- no. 7here4 more to come. Another book a big a thi one.
& $i$ not ,orget to rite abot the other character. +ar ,rom it. & rote "ot abot them. 9age an$ page an$ page. Chapter an$ more chapter. & a ti"" riting hen it $ane$ on me that
the book ha$ become too big to pb"ih in a ing"e vo"me8 an$ & an4t c"oe to ,inihe$ yet.
7o te"" a"" o, the tory that & ante$ to te""- & a going to have to ct the book in to.
7he imp"et ay to $o that o"$ have been to take hat & ha$- chop it in ha", aron$ the mi$$"e- an$ en$ ith 7o Be Contine$.1 7he more & thoght abot that- hoever- the more &
,e"t that the rea$er o"$ be better erve$ by a book that to"$ a"" the tory ,or ha", the character-
rather than ha", the tory ,or a"" the character. So that4 the rote & choe to take.
7yrion- !on- any- Stanni an$ Me"ian$re- avo Seaorth- an$ a"" the ret o, the character
yo "ove or "ove to hate i"" be a"ong ne:t year ;& $evot"y hope< in A Dance with Dragons-hich i"" ,oc on event a"ong the 3a"" an$ acro the ea- =t a the preent book ,oce$ on
>ing4 ?an$ing.
!ne 2005
&t ha been a hi"e beteen book- & kno. So a remin$er may be in or$er.
7he book yo ho"$ in yor han$ i the ,i,th vo"me o, A Song of Ice and Fire. 7he ,orth
vo"me a A Feast for %rows+ #oever- thi vo"me $oe not ,o""o that one in the tra$itiona" ene- o mch a rn in tan$em ith it.
Both Dance an$ Feast take p the tory imme$iate"y a,ter the event o, the thir$ vo"me in the erie- A Storm of Swords+ 3herea Feast ,oce$ on event in an$ aron$ >ing4 ?an$ing-
on the &ron &"an$- an$ $on in orne- Dance take north to Cat"e B"ack an$ the 3a"" ;an$ beyon$<- an$ acro the narro ea to 9ento an$ S"aver4 Bay- to pick p the ta"e o, 7yrion
?anniter- !on Sno- aenery 7argaryen- an$ a"" the other character yo $i$ not ee in the
prece$ing vo"me. Rather than being eentia"- the to book are para""e"8 $ivi$e$
geographica""y- rather than chrono"ogica""y.
Bt on"y p to a point.
A Dance with Dragons i a "onger book than A Feast for %rows, an$ cover a "onger time perio$. &n the "atter ha", o, thi vo"me- yo i"" notice certain o, the viepoint character ,rom
A Feast for %rows popping p again. An$ that mean =t hat yo think it mean' the narrative
ha move$ pat the time ,rame o, Feast, an$ the to tream have once again re=oine$ each other.
Ne:t p- #he Winds of Winter+ 3herein- & hope- everybo$y i"" be hivering together once
again8
+rolog,e -
Dragon-1 ai$ Mo""an$er. #e natche$ a ithere$ app"e o,, the gron$ an$ toe$ it han$ to han$.
7hro the app"e-1 rge$ A""era the Sphin:. #e "ippe$ an arro ,rom hi iver an$ nocke$it to hi botring.
& ho"$ "ike to ee a $ragon.1 Roone a the yonget o, them- a chnky boy ti"" to year
hy o, manhoo$. & ho"$ "ike that very mch.1
And I should like to sleep with )ose!/s arms around me, 9ate thoght. #e hi,te$ ret"e"y on
the bench. By the morro the gir" co"$ e"" be hi. I will take her far from Oldtown, across the narrow sea to one of the Free %ities+ 7here ere no maeter there- no one to acce him.
#e co"$ hear mma4 "aghter coming throgh a httere$ in$o overhea$- ming"e$ ith
the $eeper voice o, the man he a entertaining. She a the o"$et o, the erving enche at
the Di"" an$ 7ankar$- ,orty i, he a a $ay- bt ti"" pretty in a ,"ehy ort o, ay. Roey a her $aghter- ,i,teen an$ ,reh"y ,"oere$. mma ha$ $ecree$ that Roey4 mai$enhea$ o"$
cot a go"$en $ragon. 9ate ha$ ave$ nine i"ver tag an$ a pot o, copper tar an$ pennie- ,or a"" the goo$ that o"$ $o him. #e o"$ have too$ a better chance o, hatching a rea" $ragon
than aving p enogh coin to make a go"$en one.
Eo ere born too "ate ,or $ragon- "a$-1 Armen the Aco"yte to"$ Roone. Armen ore a "eather thong abot hi neck- trng ith "ink o, peter- tin- "ea$- an$ copper- an$ "ike mot
aco"yte he eeme$ to be"ieve that novice ha$ trnip groing ,rom their ho"$er in p"ace o,
hea$. 7he "at one perihe$ $ring the reign o, >ing Aegon the 7hir$.1
7he "at $ragon in Westeros,1 inite$ Mo""an$er.
7hro the app"e-1 A""era rge$ again. #e a a come"y yoth- their Sphin:. A"" the erving enche $ote$ on him. ven Roey o"$ ometime toch him on the arm hen he broght
him ine- an$ 9ate ha$ to gnah hi teeth an$ preten$ not to ee.
7he "at $ragon in 3etero was the "at $ragon-1 ai$ Armen $ogge$"y. 7hat i e"" knon.1
7he apple,1 A""era ai$. Fn"e yo mean to eat it.1
#ere.1 ragging hi c"b,oot- Mo""an$er took a hort hop- hir"e$- an$ hippe$ the app"e i$earm into the mit that hng above the #oneyine. &, not ,or hi ,oot- he o"$ have been a
knight "ike hi ,ather. #e ha$ the trength ,or it in thoe thick arm an$ broa$ ho"$er. +ar an$
,at the app"e ,"e8
8bt not a ,at a the arro that hit"e$ a,ter it- a yar$("ong ha,t o, go"$en oo$ ,"etche$
ith car"et ,eather. 9ate $i$ not ee the arro catch the app"e- bt he hear$ it. A o,t chunk echoe$ back acro the river- ,o""oe$ by a p"ah.
Mo""an$er hit"e$. Eo core$ it. Seet.1
2ot half as sweet as )ose!+ 9ate "ove$ her hae" eye an$ b$$ing breat- an$ the ay he
mi"e$ every time he a him. #e "ove$ the $imp"e in her cheek. Sometime he ent
bare,oot a he erve$- to ,ee" the gra beneath her ,eet. #e "ove$ that too. #e "ove$ the c"ean ,reh me"" o, her- the ay her hair cr"e$ behin$ her ear. #e even "ove$ her toe. Hne night
he4$ "et him rb her ,eet an$ p"ay ith them- an$ he4$ ma$e p a ,nny ta"e ,or every toe to
keep her gigg"ing.
9erhap he o"$ $o better to remain on thi i$e o, the narro ea. #e co"$ by a $onkey
8/11/2019 A Feast for Crows & a Dance With Dragons
ith the coin he4$ ave$- an$ he an$ Roey co"$ take trn ri$ing it a they an$ere$ 3etero.
broe might not think him orthy o, the i"ver- bt 9ate kne ho to et a bone an$ "eech a
,ever. 7he ma"",o"k o"$ be grate," ,or hi he"p. &, he co"$ "earn to ct hair an$ have bear$- he might even be a barber. #hat would be enough, he to"$ hime",- so long as I had )ose!+ Roey
a a"" that he ante$ in the or"$.
7hat ha$ not a"ay been o. Hnce he ha$ $reame$ o, being a maeter in a cat"e- in ervice to ome open(han$e$ "or$ ho o"$ honor him ,or hi i$om an$ beto a ,ine hite hore on him to thank him ,or hi ervice. #o high he4$ ri$e- ho nob"y- mi"ing $on at the ma"",o"k
hen he pae$ them on the roa$8
Hne night in the Di"" an$ 7ankar$4 common room- a,ter hi econ$ tankar$ o, ,earome"y
trong ci$er- 9ate ha$ boate$ that he o"$ not a"ay be a novice. 7oo tre-1 ?ay ?eo ha$ ca""e$ ot. Eo4"" be a ,ormer novice- her$ing ine.1
#e $raine$ the $reg o, hi tankar$. 7he torch"it terrace o, the Di"" an$ 7ankar$ a an
i"an$ o, "ight in a ea o, mit thi morning. onriver- the $itant beacon o, the #ightoer
,"oate$ in the $amp o, night "ike a hay orange moon- bt the "ight $i$ "itt"e to "i,t hi pirit.
#he alchemist should hae come b! now+ #a$ it a"" been ome cre" =ape- or ha$ omething
happene$ to the man6 &t o"$ not have been the ,irt time that goo$ ,ortne ha$ trne$ or on 9ate. #e ha$ once conte$ hime", "cky to be choen to he"p o"$ Archmaeter 3a"grave ith
the raven- never $reaming that be,ore "ong he o"$ a"o be ,etching the man4 mea"- eeping
ot hi chamber- an$ $reing him every morning. veryone ai$ that 3a"grave ha$ ,orgotten more o, ravencra,t than mot maeter ever kne- o 9ate ame$ a b"ack iron "ink a the "eat
that he co"$ hope ,or- on"y to ,in$ that 3a"grave co"$ not grant him one. 7he o"$ man
remaine$ an archmaeter on"y by cortey. A great a maeter a once he4$ been- no hi robe concea"e$ oi"e$ ma""c"othe o,t a not- an$ ha", a year ago ome aco"yte ,on$ him eeping in
the ?ibrary- nab"e to ,in$ hi ay back to hi chamber. Maeter Gormon at be"o the iron
mak in 3a"grave4 p"ace- the ame Gormon ho ha$ once acce$ 9ate o, the,t.
&n the app"e tree bei$e the ater- a nightinga"e began to ing. &t a a eet on$- a
e"come repite ,rom the harh cream an$ en$"e 3uork ing o, the raven he ha$ ten$e$ a"" $ay "ong. 7he hite raven kne hi name- an$ o"$ mtter it to each other henever they caght
ight o, him- 4$ate, $ate, $ate,5 nti" he ante$ to cream. 7he big hite bir$ ere
Archmaeter 3a"grave4 pri$e. #e ante$ them to eat him hen he $ie$- bt 9ate ha", pecte$ that they meant to eat him too.
9erhap it a the ,earome"y trong ci$er@he ha$ not come here to $rink- bt A""era ha$
been bying to ce"ebrate hi copper "ink- an$ gi"t ha$ ma$e him thirty@bt it a"mot on$e$
a i, the nightinga"e ere tri""ing gold for iron, gold for iron, gold for iron+ 3hich a paing trange- becae that a hat the tranger ha$ ai$ the night Roey broght the to o, them
together. 3ho are yo61 9ate ha$ $eman$e$ o, him- an$ the man ha$ rep"ie$- An a"chemit. &
can change iron into go"$.1 An$ then the coin a in hi han$- $ancing acro hi knck"e- the
o,t ye""o go"$ hining in the can$"e"ight. Hn one i$e a a three(hea$e$ $ragon- on the other the hea$ o, ome $ea$ king. 1old for iron, 9ate remembere$- !ou won/t do better+ Do !ou want
her6 Do !ou loe her6 & am no thie,-1 he ha$ to"$ the man ho ca""e$ hime", the a"chemit- &
am a novice o, the Cita$e".1 7he a"chemit ha$ boe$ hi hea$- an$ ai$- &, yo ho"$ reconi$er- & ha"" retrn here three $ay hence- ith my $ragon.1
7hree $ay ha$ pae$. 9ate ha$ retrne$ to the Di"" an$ 7ankar$- ti"" ncertain hat he
a- bt intea$ o, the a"chemit he4$ ,on$ Mo""an$er an$ Armen an$ the Sphin:- ith Roone
in to. &t o"$ have raie$ picion not to =oin them.
7he Di"" an$ 7ankar$ never c"oe$. +or i: hn$re$ year it ha$ been tan$ing on it i"an$
in the #oneyine- an$ never once ha$ it $oor been ht to tra$e. 7hogh the ta""- timbere$
bi"$ing "eane$ toar$ the oth the ay novice ometime "eane$ a,ter a tankar$- 9ate e:pecte$ that the inn o"$ go on tan$ing ,or another i: hn$re$ year- e""ing ine an$ a"e
an$ ,earome"y trong ci$er to rivermen an$ eamen- mith an$ inger- priet an$ prince- an$
the novice an$ aco"yte o, the Cita$e". H"$ton i not the or"$-1 $ec"are$ Mo""an$ertoo "o$"y. #e a a knight4 on- an$ $rnk
a $rnk co"$ be. Since they broght him or$ o, hi ,ather4 $eath pon the B"ackater- he got
$rnk mot every night. ven in H"$ton- ,ar ,rom the ,ighting an$ a,e behin$ it a""- the
3ar o, the +ive >ing ha$ toche$ them a""8 a"thogh Archmaeter Bene$ict inite$ that there ha$ never been a ar o, ,ive king- ince Ren"y Baratheon ha$ been "ain be,ore Ba"on Grey=oy
ha$ crone$ hime",.
My ,ather a"ay ai$ the or"$ a bigger than any "or$4 cat"e-1 Mo""an$er ent on.
ragon mt be the "eat o, the thing a man might ,in$ in Darth an$ Ahai an$ Ei 7i. 7hee
ai"or4 torie81
8are torie to"$ by ai"or-1 Armen interrpte$. Sailors, my $ear Mo""an$er. Go back
$on to the $ock- an$ & ager yo4"" ,in$ ai"or ho4"" te"" yo o, the mermai$ that they be$$e$- or ho they pent a year in the be""y o, a ,ih.1
#o $o yo kno they $i$n4t61 Mo""an$er thmpe$ throgh the gra- "ooking ,or more
app"e. Eo4$ nee$ to be $on the be""y yore", to ear they eren4t. Hne ai"or ith a tory- aye- a man might "agh at that- bt hen oarmen o,, ,or $i,,erent hip te"" the ame ta"e in
,or $i,,erent tonge81
7he ta"e are not the ame-1 inite$ Armen. ragon in Ahai- $ragon in Darth- $ragon
in Meereen- othraki $ragon- $ragon ,reeing "ave8 each te""ing $i,,er ,rom the "at.1
Hn"y in $etai".1 Mo""an$er gre more tbborn hen he $rank- an$ even hen ober he a b""hea$e$. A"" peak o, dragons, an$ a beati," yong een.1
7he on"y $ragon 9ate care$ abot a ma$e o, ye""o go"$. #e on$ere$ hat ha$ happene$
to the a"chemit. #he third da!+ 7e said he/d be here+
7here4 another app"e near yor ,oot-1 A""era ca""e$ to Mo""an$er- an$ & ti"" have to
arro in my iver.1
+ck yor iver.1 Mo""an$er coope$ p the in$,a"". 7hi one4 ormy-1 he comp"aine$-
bt he thre it anyay. 7he arro caght the app"e a it began to ,a"" an$ "ice$ it c"ean in to. Hne ha", "an$e$ on a trret roo,- tmb"e$ to a "oer roo,- bonce$- an$ mie$ Armen by a ,oot.
&, yo ct a orm in to- yo make to orm-1 the aco"yte in,orme$ them.
&, on"y it orke$ that ay ith app"e- no one o"$ ever nee$ go hngry-1 ai$ A""era ith
one o, hi o,t mi"e. 7he Sphin: a a"ay mi"ing- a i, he kne ome ecret =ape. &t gave him a icke$ "ook that ent e"" ith hi pointe$ chin- i$o4 peak- an$ $ene mat o, c"oe(
croppe$ =et(b"ack cr".
A""era o"$ make a maeter. #e ha$ on"y been at the Cita$e" ,or a year- yet a"rea$y he ha$
,orge$ three "ink o, hi maeter4 chain. Armen might have more- bt each o, hi ha$ taken him
a year to earn. Sti""- he o"$ make a maeter too. Roone an$ Mo""an$er remaine$ pink(necke$ novice- bt Roone a very yong an$ Mo""an$er pre,erre$ $rinking to rea$ing.
9ate- thogh8
#e ha$ been ,ive year at the Cita$e"- arriving hen he a no more than three(an$(ten- yet
hi neck remaine$ a pink a it ha$ been on the $ay he ,irt arrive$ ,rom the eter"an$. 7ice
ha$ he be"ieve$ hime", rea$y. 7he ,irt time he ha$ gone be,ore Archmaeter %ae""yn to
$emontrate hi kno"e$ge o, the heaven. &ntea$ he "earne$ ho %inegar %ae""yn ha$ earne$
that name. &t took 9ate to year to mmon p the corage to try again. 7hi time he bmitte$ hime", to kin$"y o"$ Archmaeter broe- renone$ ,or hi o,t voice an$ gent"e han$- bt
broe4 igh ha$ omeho prove$ =t a pain," a %ae""yn4 barb.
Hne "at app"e-1 promie$ A""era- an$ & i"" te"" yo hat & pect abot thee $ragon.1 3hat co"$ yo kno that & $on4t61 grmb"e$ Mo""an$er. #e pie$ an app"e on a branch-
=mpe$ p- p""e$ it $on- an$ thre. A""era $re hi botring back to hi ear- trning grace,""y to ,o""o the target in ,"ight. #e "ooe$ hi ha,t =t a the app"e began to ,a"".
Eo a"ay mi yor "at hot-1 ai$ Roone.
7he app"e p"ahe$ $on into the river- ntoche$.
See61 ai$ Roone.
7he $ay yo make them a"" i the $ay yo top improving.1 A""era ntrng hi "ongbo
an$ eae$ it into it "eather cae. 7he bo a carve$ ,rom go"$enheart- a rare an$ ,ab"e$ oo$
,rom the Smmer &"e. 9ate ha$ trie$ to ben$ it once- an$ ,ai"e$. #he Sphin8 looks slight, but
there/s strength in those slim arms, he re,"ecte$- a A""era thre a "eg acro the bench an$
reache$ ,or hi ine cp. 7he $ragon ha three hea$-1 he annonce$ in hi o,t ornih $ra". & thi a ri$$"e61 Roone ante$ to kno. Sphin:e a"ay peak in ri$$"e in the ta"e.1
No ri$$"e.1 A""era ippe$ hi ine. 7he ret o, them ere a,,ing tankar$ o, the
,earome"y trong ci$er that the Di"" an$ 7ankar$ a renone$ ,or- bt he pre,erre$ the
trange- eet ine o, hi mother4 contry. ven in H"$ton ch ine $i$ not come cheap.
&t ha$ been ?ay ?eo ho $bbe$ A""era the Sphin:.1 A phin: i a bit o, thi- a bit o, that' a hman ,ace- the bo$y o, a "ion- the ing o, a hak. A""era a the ame' hi ,ather a a
ornihman- hi mother a b"ack(kinne$ Smmer &"an$er. #i on kin a $ark a teak. An$
"ike the green marb"e phin:e that ,"anke$ the Cita$e"4 main gate- A""era ha$ eye o, ony:.
No $ragon ha ever ha$ three hea$ e:cept on hie"$ an$ banner-1 Armen the Aco"yte ai$
,irm"y. 7hat a a hera"$ic charge- no more. +rthermore- the 7argaryen are a"" $ea$.1Not a""-1 ai$ A""era. 7he Beggar >ing ha$ a iter.1
& thoght her hea$ a mahe$ againt a a""-1 ai$ Roone.
No-1 ai$ A""era. &t a 9rince Rhaegar4 yong on Aegon hoe hea$ a $ahe$
againt the a"" by the ?ion o, ?anniter4 brave men. 3e peak o, Rhaegar4 iter- born on
ragontone be,ore it ,a"". 7he one they ca""e$ aenery.1
7he Stormborn+ & reca"" her no.1 Mo""an$er "i,te$ hi tankar$ high- "ohing the ci$er that
remaine$. #ere4 to her1 #e g"pe$- "amme$ hi empty tankar$ $on- be"che$- an$ ipe$ hi moth ith the back o, hi han$. 3here4 Roey6 Hr right," een $eerve another ron$ o,
ci$er- o"$n4t yo ay61
Armen the Aco"yte "ooke$ a"arme$. ?oer yor voice- ,oo". Eo ho"$ not even =ape abot
ch thing. Eo never kno ho co"$ be "itening. 7he Spi$er ha ear everyhere.1 Ah- $on4t pi yor breeche- Armen. & a propoing a $rink- not a rebe""ion.1
9ate hear$ a chck"e. A o,t- "y voice ca""e$ ot ,rom behin$ him. & a"ay kne yo ere a traitor- #op,rog.1 ?ay ?eo a "oching by the ,oot o, the o"$ p"ank bri$ge- $rape$ in atin
tripe$ in green an$ go"$- ith a b"ack i"k ha", cape pinne$ to hi ho"$er by a roe o, =a$e. 7he
ine he4$ $ribb"e$ $on hi ,ront ha$ been a robt re$- =$ging ,rom the co"or o, the pot. A
"ock o, hi ah(b"on$ hair ,e"" $on acro one eye.
Mo""an$er brit"e$ at the ight o, him. Bgger that. Go aay. Eo are not e"come here.1
A""era "ai$ a han$ pon hi arm to ca"m him- hi"t Armen ,rone$. ?eo. My "or$. & ha$
n$ertoo$ that yo ere ti"" con,ine$ to the Cita$e" ,or81
8three more $ay.1 ?ay ?eo hrgge$. 9eretan ay the or"$ i ,orty thoan$ year
o"$. Mo""o ay ,ive hn$re$ thoan$. 3hat are three $ay- & ak yo61 7hogh there ere a $oen empty tab"e on the terrace- ?eo at hime", at their. By me a cp o, Arbor go"$-
#op,rog- an$ perhap & on4t in,orm my ,ather o, yor toat. 7he ti"e trne$ againt me at the Checkere$ #aar$- an$ & ate$ my "at tag on pper. Sck"ing pig in p"m ace- t,,e$ ith chetnt an$ hite tr,,"e. A man mt eat. 3hat $i$ yo "a$ have61
Mtton-1 mttere$ Mo""an$er. #e on$e$ none too p"eae$ abot it. 3e hare$ a hanch
o, boi"e$ mtton.1
&4m certain it a ,i""ing.1 ?eo trne$ to A""era. A "or$4 on ho"$ be open(han$e$-
Sphin:. & n$ertan$ yo on yor copper "ink. &4"" $rink to that.1
A""era mi"e$ back at him. & on"y by ,or ,rien$. An$ & am no "or$4 on- &4ve to"$ yo that. My mother a a tra$er.1
?eo4 eye ere hae"- bright ith ine an$ ma"ice. Eor mother a a monkey ,rom the Smmer &"e. 7he ornih i"" ,ck anything ith a ho"e beteen it "eg. Meaning no o,,ene.
Eo may be bron a a nt- bt at "eat yo bathe. Fn"ike or potte$ pig boy.1 #e ave$ a han$ toar$ 9ate.
If I hit him in the mouth with m! tankard, I could knock out half his teeth, 9ate thoght. Spotte$ 9ate the pig boy a the hero o, a thoan$ riba"$ torie' a goo$(hearte$- empty(hea$e$
"ot ho a"ay manage$ to bet the ,at "or$"ing- haghty knight- an$ pompo epton ho
beet him. Someho hi tpi$ity o"$ trn ot to have been a ort o, ncoth cnningI the ta"e a"ay en$e$ ith Spotte$ 9ate itting on a "or$4 high eat or be$$ing ome knight4
$aghter. Bt thoe ere torie. &n the rea" or"$ pig boy never ,are$ o e"". 9ate ometime
thoght hi mother mt have hate$ him to have name$ him a he $i$.
A""era a no "onger mi"ing. Eo i"" apo"ogie.1
3i"" &61 ai$ ?eo. #o can &- ith my throat o $ry81
Eo hame yor #oe ith every or$ yo ay-1 A""era to"$ him. Eo hame the Cita$e"
by being one o, .1
& kno. So by me ome ine- that & might $ron my hame.1
Mo""an$er ai$- & o"$ tear yor tonge ot by the root.1
7r"y6 7hen ho o"$ & te"" yo abot the $ragon61 ?eo hrgge$ again. 7he mongre" ha the right o, it. 7he Ma$ >ing4 $aghter i a"ive- an$ he4 hatche$ here", three $ragon.1
7hree61 ai$ Roone- atonihe$.
?eo patte$ hi han$. More than to an$ "e than ,or. & o"$ not try ,or my go"$en "ink
=t yet i, & ere yo.1
Eo "eave him be-1 arne$ Mo""an$er.
Sch a chiva"ro #op,rog. A yo ih. very man o,, every hip that4 ai"e$ ithin a hn$re$ "eage o, Darth i peaking o, thee $ragon. A ,e i"" even te"" yo that they4ve een them. 7he Mage i inc"ine$ to be"ieve them.1
Armen pre$ hi "ip in $iapprova". Maryn i non$. Archmaeter 9eretan o"$ be
the ,irt to te"" yo that.1
Archmaeter Ryam ay o too-1 ai$ Roone.
?eo yane$. 7he ea i et- the n i arm- an$ the menagerie hate the mati,,.1
7e has a mocking name for eer!one, thoght 9ate- bt he co"$ not $eny that Maryn
"ooke$ more a mati,, than a maeter. As if he wants to bite !ou+ 7he Mage a not "ike other
maeter. 9eop"e ai$ that he kept company ith hore an$ he$ge iar$- ta"ke$ ith hairy &bbenee an$ pitch(b"ack Smmer &"an$er in their on tonge- an$ acri,ice$ to eer go$ at
the "itt"e ai"or4 temp"e $on by the harve. Men poke o, eeing him $on in the n$ercity-
in rat pit an$ b"ack brothe"- conorting ith mmmer- inger- e""or$- even beggar. Someeven hipere$ that once he ha$ ki""e$ a man ith hi ,it.
3hen Maryn ha$ retrne$ to H"$ton- a,ter pen$ing eight year in the eat mapping
$itant "an$- earching ,or "ot book- an$ t$ying ith ar"ock an$ ha$obin$er- %inegar
%ae""yn ha$ $bbe$ him Maryn the Mage.1 7he name a oon a"" over H"$ton- to %ae""yn4 vat annoyance. ?eave pe"" an$ prayer to priet an$ epton an$ ben$ yor it to
"earning trth a man can trt in-1 Archmaeter Ryam ha$ once cone"e$ 9ate- bt Ryam4 ring
an$ ro$ an$ mak ere ye""o go"$- an$ hi maeter4 chain ha$ no "ink o, %a"yrian tee".
Armen "ooke$ $on hi noe at ?ay ?eo. #e ha$ the per,ect noe ,or it- "ong an$ thin an$
pointe$. Archmaeter Maryn be"ieve in many crio thing-1 he ai$- bt he ha no more proo, o, $ragon than Mo""an$er. !t more ai"or4 torie.1
Eo4re rong-1 ai$ ?eo. 7here i a g"a can$"e brning in the Mage4 chamber.1 A hh ,e"" over the torch"it terrace. Armen ighe$ an$ hook hi hea$. Mo""an$er began to
"agh. 7he Sphin: t$ie$ ?eo ith hi big b"ack eye. Roone "ooke$ "ot.
9ate kne abot the g"a can$"e- thogh he ha$ never een one brn. 7hey ere the ort(
kept ecret o, the Cita$e". &t a ai$ that they ha$ been broght to H"$ton ,rom %a"yria a thoan$ year be,ore the oom. #e ha$ hear$ there ere ,orI one a green an$ three ere
b"ack- an$ a"" ere ta"" an$ tite$.
3hat are thee g"a can$"e61 ake$ Roone.
Armen the Aco"yte c"eare$ hi throat. 7he night be,ore an aco"yte ay hi vo- he mt
tan$ a vigi" in the va"t. No "antern i permitte$ him- no torch- no "amp- no taper8 on"y a can$"e o, obi$ian. #e mt pen$ the night in $arkne- n"e he can "ight that can$"e. Some
i"" try. 7he ,oo"ih an$ the tbborn- thoe ho have ma$e a t$y o, thee o(ca""e$ higher myterie. H,ten they ct their ,inger- ,or the ri$ge on the can$"e are ai$ to be a harp a
raor. 7hen- ith b"oo$y han$- they mt ait pon the $an- broo$ing on their ,ai"re. 3ier men imp"y go to "eep- or pen$ their night in prayer- bt every year there are a"ay a ,e ho
mt try.1
Ee.1 9ate ha$ hear$ the ame torie. Bt hat4 the use o, a can$"e that cat no "ight61
&t i a "eon-1 Armen ai$- the "at "eon e mt "earn be,ore e $on or maeter4
chain. 7he g"a can$"e i meant to repreent trth an$ "earning- rare an$ beati," an$ ,ragi"e thing. &t i ma$e in the hape o, a can$"e to remin$ that a maeter mt cat "ight herever he
erve- an$ it i harp to remin$ that kno"e$ge can be $angero. 3ie men may gro
arrogant in their i$om- bt a maeter mt a"ay remain hmb"e. 7he g"a can$"e remin$ o, that a e"". ven a,ter he ha ai$ hi vo an$ $onne$ hi chain an$ gone ,orth to erve- a
maeter i"" think back on the $arkne o, hi vigi" an$ remember ho nothing that he $i$ co"$
make the can$"e brn8 ,or even ith kno"e$ge- ome thing are not poib"e.1
?ay ?eo brt ot "aghing. Not poib"e ,or yo- yo mean. & a the can$"e brning ith
my on eye.1
Eo a some can$"e brning- & $on4t $obt-1 ai$ Armen. A can$"e o, b"ack a:- perhap.1
& kno hat & a. 7he "ight a eer an$ bright- mch brighter than any beea: or
ta""o can$"e. &t cat trange ha$o an$ the ,"ame never ,"ickere$- not even hen a $ra,t b"e
throgh the open $oor behin$ me.1
Armen croe$ hi arm. Hbi$ian $oe not brn.1
4Dragonglass,5 9ate ai$. 7he ma"",o"k ca"" it $ragong"a.1 Someho that eeme$
important. 7hey $o-1 me$ A""era- the Sphin:- an$ i, there are $ragon in the or"$ again81
ragon an$ $arker thing-1 ai$ ?eo. 7he grey heep have c"oe$ their eye- bt the
mati,, ee the trth. H"$ poer aken. Sha$o tir. An age o, on$er an$ terror i"" oon be
pon - an age ,or go$ an$ heroe.1 #e tretche$- mi"ing hi "ay mi"e. 7hat4 orth a ron$- &4$ ay.1
3e4ve $rnk enogh-1 ai$ Armen. Morn i"" be pon ooner than e4$ "ike- an$
Archmaeter broe i"" be peaking on the propertie o, rine. 7hoe ho mean to ,orge a
i"ver "ink o"$ $o e"" not to mi hi ta"k.1
+ar be it ,rom me to keep yo ,rom the pi tating-1 ai$ ?eo. Mye",- & pre,er the tate o,
Arbor go"$.1
&, the choice i pi or yo- &4"" $rink pi.1 Mo""an$er phe$ back ,rom the tab"e. Come- Roone.1
7he Sphin: reache$ ,or hi bocae. &t4 be$ ,or me a e"". & e:pect &4"" $ream o, $ragon
an$ g"a can$"e.1
A"" o, yo61 ?eo hrgge$. 3e""- Roey i"" remain. 9erhap &4"" ake or "itt"e eetmeat
an$ make a oman o, her.1
A""era a the "ook on 9ate4 ,ace. &, he $oe not have a copper ,or a cp o, ine- he cannot have a $ragon ,or the gir".1
Aye-1 ai$ Mo""an$er. Bei$e- it take a man to make a oman. Come ith - 9ate. H"$
3a"grave i"" ake hen the n come p. #e4"" be nee$ing yo to he"p him to the privy.1
If he remembers who I am toda!+ Archmaeter 3a"grave ha$ no trob"e te""ing one raven ,rom another- bt he a not o goo$ ith peop"e. Some $ay he eeme$ to think 9ate a omeone name$ Creen. Not =t yet-1 he to"$ hi ,rien$. &4m going to tay ahi"e.1 an
ha$ not broken- not ite. 7he a"chemit might ti"" be coming- an$ 9ate meant to be here i, he
$i$.
A yo ih-1 ai$ Armen. A""era gave 9ate a "ingering "ook- then "ng hi bo over one
"im ho"$er an$ ,o""oe$ the other toar$ the bri$ge. Mo""an$er a o $rnk he ha$ to a"k ith a han$ on Roone4 ho"$er to keep ,rom ,a""ing. 7he Cita$e" a no great $itance a the
raven ,"ie- bt none o, them ere raven an$ H"$ton a a veritab"e "abyrinth o, a city- a""
yn$ an$ cricroing a""ey an$ narro crookback treet. Care,"-1 9ate hear$ Armen ay a the river mit a""oe$ p the ,or o, them- the night i $amp- an$ the cobb"e i"" be
"ippery.1 3hen they ere gone- ?ay ?eo coni$ere$ 9ate or"y acro the tab"e. #o a$. 7he
Sphin: ha to"en o,, ith a"" hi i"ver- aban$oning me to Spotte$ 9ate the pig boy.1 #e tretche$- yaning. #o i or "ove"y "itt"e Roey- pray61
She4 "eeping-1 9ate ai$ crt"y.
Nake$- & $on4t $obt.1 ?eo grinne$. o yo think he4 tr"y orth a $ragon6 Hne $ay &
ppoe & mt ,in$ ot.1
9ate kne better than to rep"y to that.
?eo nee$e$ no rep"y. & e:pect that once &4ve broken in the ench- her price i"" ,a"" to here
even pig boy i"" be ab"e to a,,or$ her. Eo oght to thank me.1
I ought to kill !ou, 9ate thoght- bt he a not near $rnk enogh to thro aay hi "i,e. ?eo
ha$ been traine$ to arm- an$ a knon to be $ea$"y ith bravo4 b"a$e an$ $agger. An$ i, 9ate ho"$ omeho ki"" him- it o"$ mean hi on hea$ too. ?eo ha$ to name here 9ate
ha$ on"y one- an$ hi econ$ a #!rell+ Ser Moryn 7yre""- comman$er o, the City 3atch o, H"$ton- a ?eo4 ,ather. Mace 7yre""- ?or$ o, #ighgar$en an$ 3ar$en o, the Soth- a ?eo4 coin. An$ H"$ton4 H"$ Man- ?or$ ?eyton o, the #ightoer- ho nmbere$
9rotector o, the Cita$e"1 amongt hi many tit"e- a a orn bannerman o, #oe 7yre"". "et
it go, 9ate to"$ hime",. 7e sa!s these things 9ust to wound me+
7he mit ere "ightening to the eat. Dawn, 9ate rea"ie$. Dawn has come, and the alchemist
has not+ #e $i$ not kno hether he ho"$ "agh or cry. Am I still a thief if I put it all back and no one eer knows6 &t a another etion that he ha$ no aner ,or- "ike thoe that broe an$
%ae""yn ha$ once ake$ him.
3hen he phe$ back ,rom the bench an$ got to hi ,eet- the ,earome"y trong ci$er a"" ent
to hi hea$ at once. #e ha$ to pt a han$ on the tab"e to tea$y hime",. ?eave Roey be-1 he
ai$- by ay o, parting. !t "eave her be- or & may ki"" yo.1 ?eo 7yre"" ,"icke$ the hair back ,rom hi eye. & $o not ,ight $e" ith pig boy. Go aay.1
9ate trne$ an$ croe$ the terrace. #i hee" rang againt the eathere$ p"ank o, the o"$
bri$ge. By the time he reache$ the other i$e- the eatern ky a trning pink. #he world is
wide, he to"$ hime",. If I bought that donke!, I could still wander the roads and b!wa!s of the Seen ingdoms, leeching the smallfolk and picking nits out of their hair+ I could sign on to
some ship, pull an oar, and sail to :arth b! the -ade 1ates to see these blood! dragons for
m!self+ I do not need to go back to old Walgrae and the raens+
Eet omeho hi ,eet trne$ back toar$ the Cita$e".
3hen the ,irt ha,t o, n"ight broke throgh the c"o$ to the eat- morning be"" began to pea" ,rom the Sai"or4 Sept $on by the harbor. 7he ?or$4 Sept =oine$ in a moment "ater- then
the Seven Shrine ,rom their gar$en acro the #oneyine- an$ ,ina""y the Starry Sept that ha$ been the eat o, the #igh Septon ,or a thoan$ year be,ore Aegon "an$e$ at >ing4 ?an$ing.
7hey ma$e a mighty mic. #hough not so sweet as one small nightingale+
#e co"$ hear inging too- beneath the pea"ing o, the be"". ach morning at ,irt "ight the re$ priet gathere$ to e"come the n oti$e their mo$et har,i$e temp"e. For the night is dark
and full of terrors+ 9ate ha$ hear$ them cry thoe or$ a hn$re$ time- aking their go$
R4h""or to ave them ,rom the $arkne. 7he Seven ere go$ enogh ,or him- bt he ha$ hear$ that Stanni Baratheon orhipe$ at the night,ire no. #e ha$ even pt the ,iery heart o,
R4h""or on hi banner in p"ace o, the crone$ tag. If he should win the Iron #hrone, we/ll all
need to learn the words of the red priests/ song, 9ate thoght- bt that a not "ike"y. 7yin ?anniter ha$ mahe$ Stanni an$ R4h""or pon the B"ackater- an$ oon enogh he o"$
,inih them an$ mont the hea$ o, the Baratheon preten$er on a pike above the gate o, >ing4 ?an$ing.
A the night4 mit brne$ aay- H"$ton took ,orm aron$ him- emerging ghot"ike ,rom
the pre$an g"oom. 9ate ha$ never een >ing4 ?an$ing- bt he kne it a a $ab(an$(att"e city- a pra" o, m$ treet- thatche$ roo,- an$ oo$en hove". H"$ton a bi"t in tone- an$
a"" it treet ere cobb"e$- $on to the meanet a""ey. 7he city a never more beati," than at
break o, $ay. 3et o, the #oneyine- the Gi"$ha"" "ine$ the bank "ike a ro o, pa"ace. Fpriver- the $ome an$ toer o, the Cita$e" roe on both i$e o, the river- connecte$ by tone
bri$ge cro$e$ ith ha"" an$ hoe. ontream- be"o the b"ack marb"e a"" an$ arche$
in$o o, the Starry Sept- the mane o, the pio c"tere$ "ike chi"$ren gathere$ ron$ the
,eet o, an o"$ $oager.
An$ beyon$- here the #oneyine i$ene$ into 3hipering Son$- roe the #ightoer- it beacon ,ire bright againt the $an. +rom here it too$ atop the b",, o, Batt"e&"an$- it
ha$o ct the city "ike a or$. 7hoe born an$ raie$ in H"$ton co"$ te"" the time o, $ay by here that ha$o ,e"". Some c"aime$ a man co"$ ee a"" the ay to the 3a"" ,rom the top. 9erhap that a hy ?or$ ?eyton ha$ not ma$e the $ecent in more than a $eca$e- pre,erring to
r"e hi city ,rom the c"o$.
A btcher4 cart rmb"e$ pat 9ate $on the river roa$- ,ive pig"et in the back ea"ing in
$itre. o$ging ,rom it path- he =t avoi$e$ being pattere$ a a tonoman emptie$ a pai" o, night oi" ,rom a in$o overhea$. When I am a maester in a castle I will hae a horse to ride, he thoght. 7hen he trippe$ pon a cobb"e an$ on$ere$ ho he a ,oo"ing. 7here o"$
be no chain ,or him- no eat at a "or$4 high tab"e- no ta"" hite hore to ri$e. #i $ay o"$ be
pent "itening to raven 3uork an$ crbbing hit tain o,, Archmaeter 3a"grave4 ma""c"othe.
#e a on one knee- trying to ipe the m$ o,, hi robe- hen a voice ai$- Goo$ morro- 9ate.1
7he a"chemit a tan$ing over him.
9ate roe. 7he thir$ $ay8 yo ai$ yo o"$ be at the Di"" an$ 7ankar$.1
Eo ere ith yor ,rien$. &t a not my ih to intr$e pon yor ,e""ohip.1 7he
a"chemit ore a hoo$e$ trave"er4 c"oak- bron an$ non$ecript. 7he riing n a peeking over the roo,top behin$ hi ho"$er- o it a har$ to make ot the ,ace beneath hi hoo$.
#ave yo $eci$e$ hat yo are61
*ust he make me sa! it6 & ppoe & am a thie,.1
& thoght yo might be.1
7he har$et part ha$ been getting $on on hi han$ an$ knee to p"" the trongbo: ,rom
n$erneath Archmaeter 3a"grave4 be$. 7hogh the bo: a tot"y ma$e an$ bon$ ith iron-
it "ock a broken. Maeter Gormon ha$ pecte$ 9ate o, breaking it- bt that an4t tre. 3a"grave ha$ broken the "ock hime",- a,ter "oing the key that opene$ it.
&ni$e- 9ate ha$ ,on$ a bag o, i"ver tag- a "ock o, ye""o hair tie$ p in a ribbon- a painte$
miniatre o, a oman ho reemb"e$ 3a"grave ;even to her mtache<- an$ a knight4 gant"et
ma$e o, "obtere$ tee". 7he gant"et ha$ be"onge$ to a prince- 3a"grave c"aime$- thogh he co"$ no "onger eem to reca"" hich one. 3hen 9ate hook it- the key ,e"" ot onto the ,"oor.
If I pick that up, I am a thief, he remembere$ thinking. 7he key a o"$ an$ heavy- ma$e o,
b"ack ironI ppoe$"y it opene$ every $oor at the Cita$e". Hn"y the archmaeter ha$ ch key.
7he other carrie$ their pon their peron or hi$ them aay in ome a,e p"ace- bt i, 3a"grave
ha$ hi$$en hi- no one o"$ ever have een it again. 9ate natche$ p the key an$ ha$ beenha",ay to the $oor be,ore trning back to take the i"ver too. A thie, a a thie,- hether he
to"e a "itt"e or a "ot. 4$ate,5 one o, the hite raven ha$ ca""e$ a,ter him- 4$ate, $ate, $ate+5
o yo have my $ragon61 he ake$ the a"chemit.
&, yo have hat & reire.1
Give it here. & ant to ee.1 9ate $i$ not inten$ to "et hime", be cheate$.
7he river roa$ i not the p"ace. Come.1
#e ha$ no time to think abot it- to eigh hi choice. 7he a"chemit a a"king aay. 9ate
ha$ to ,o""o or "oe Roey an$ the $ragon both- ,orever. #e ,o""oe$. A they a"ke$- he
"ippe$ hi han$ p into hi "eeve. #e co"$ ,ee" the key- a,e ini$e the hi$$en pocket he ha$
en there. Maeter4 robe ere ,"" o, pocket. #e ha$ knon that ince he a a boy.
#e ha$ to hrry to keep pace ith the a"chemit4 "onger tri$e. 7hey ent $on an a""ey- aron$ a corner- throgh the o"$ 7hieve Market- a"ong Ragpicker4 3yn$. +ina""y- the man
trne$ into another a""ey- narroer than the ,irt. 7hi i ,ar enogh-1 ai$ 9ate. 7here4 no one abot. 3e4"" $o it here.1
A yo ih.1
& ant my $ragon.1
7o be re.1 7he coin appeare$. 7he a"chemit ma$e it a"k acro hi knck"e- the ay he ha$ hen Roey broght the to o, them together. &n the morning "ight the $ragon g"ittere$ a it
move$- an$ gave the a"chemit4 ,inger a go"$en g"o.
9ate grabbe$ it ,rom hi han$. 7he go"$ ,e"t arm againt hi pa"m. #e broght it to hi
moth an$ bit $on on it the ay he4$ een men $o. &, trth be to"$- he an4t re hat go"$
ho"$ tate "ike- bt he $i$ not ant to "ook a ,oo".
7he key61 the a"chemit inire$ po"ite"y.
Something ma$e 9ate heitate. & it ome book yo ant61 Some o, the o"$ %a"yrian cro"" $on in the "ocke$ va"t ere ai$ to be the on"y rviving copie in the or"$.
3hat & ant i none o, yor concern.1
No.1 It/s done, 9ate to"$ hime",. 1o+ )un back to the :uill and #ankard, wake )ose! with a
kiss, and tell her she belongs to !ou+ Eet ti"" he "ingere$. Sho me yor ,ace.1
A yo ih.1 7he a"chemit p""e$ hi hoo$ $on.
#e a =t a man- an$ hi ,ace a =t a ,ace. A yong man4 ,ace- or$inary- ith ,""
cheek an$ the ha$o o, a bear$. A car hoe$ ,aint"y on hi right cheek. #e ha$ a hooke$ noe- an$ a mat o, $ene b"ack hair that cr"e$ tight"y aron$ hi ear. &t a not a ,ace 9ate
recognie$. & $o not kno yo.1
Nor & yo.1 3ho are yo61
A tranger. No one. 7r"y.1
Hh.1 9ate ha$ rn ot o, or$. #e $re ot the key an$ pt it in the tranger4 han$- ,ee"ing
"ight(hea$e$- a"mot gi$$y. )ose!, he remin$e$ hime",. 3e4re $one- then.1
#e a ha",ay $on the a""ey hen the cobb"etone began to move beneath hi ,eet. #he
stones are slick and wet, he thoght- bt that a not it. #e co"$ ,ee" hi heart hammering in hi chet. 3hat4 happening61 he ai$. #i "eg ha$ trne$ to ater. & $on4t n$ertan$.1
An$ never i""-1 a voice ai$ a$"y.
7he cobb"etone rhe$ p to ki him. 9ate trie$ to cry ,or he"p- bt hi voice a ,ai"ing
too.
+RO&OG.E /
7he night a rank ith the me"" o, man.
7he arg toppe$ beneath a tree an$ ni,,e$- hi grey(bron ,r $app"e$ by ha$o. A igh
o, piney in$ broght the man(cent to him- over ,ainter me"" that poke o, ,o: an$ hare- ea"
an$ tag- even o",. 7hoe ere man(me"" too- the arg kneI the tink o, o"$ kin- $ea$ an$ or- near $rone$ beneath the tronger cent o, moke an$ b"oo$ an$ rot. Hn"y man trippe$
the kin ,rom other beat an$ ore their hi$e an$ hair.
3arg have no ,ear o, man- a o"ve $o. #ate an$ hnger coi"e$ in hi be""y- an$ he gave a
"o gro"- ca""ing to hi one(eye$ brother- to hi ma"" "y iter. A he race$ throgh the tree- hi packmate ,o""oe$ har$ on hi hee". 7hey ha$ caght the cent a e"". A he ran- he a
throgh their eye too an$ g"impe$ hime", ahea$. 7he breath o, the pack p,,e$ arm an$
hite ,rom "ong grey =a. &ce ha$ ,roen beteen their pa- har$ a tone- bt the hnt a on no- the prey ahea$. Flesh, the arg thoght- meat+
A man a"one a a ,eeb"e thing. Big an$ trong- ith goo$ harp eye- bt $"" o, ear an$ $ea,
to me"". eer an$ e"k an$ even hare ere ,ater- bear an$ boar ,iercer in a ,ight. Bt men in pack ere $angero. A the o"ve c"oe$ on the prey- the arg hear$ the ai"ing o, a pp- the
crt o, "at night4 no breaking n$er c"my man(pa- the ratt"e o, har$kin an$ the "ong grey c"a men carrie$.
Swords, a voice ini$e him hipere$- spears+
7he tree ha$ gron icy teeth- nar"ing $on ,rom the bare bron branche. Hne ye rippe$
throgh the n$ergroth- praying no. #i packmate ,o""oe$. Fp a hi"" an$ $on the "ope
beyon$- nti" the oo$ opene$ be,ore them an$ the men ere there. Hne a ,ema"e. 7he ,r( rappe$ bn$"e he c"tche$ a her pp. "eae her for last, the voice hipere$- the males are
the danger+ 7hey ere roaring at each other a men $i$- bt the arg co"$ me"" their terror.
Hne ha$ a oo$en tooth a ta"" a he a. #e ,"ng it- bt hi han$ a haking an$ the tooth
ai"e$ high. 7hen the pack a on them.
#i one(eye$ brother knocke$ the tooth(throer back into a no$ri,t an$ tore hi throat ot
a he trgg"e$. #i iter "ippe$ behin$ the other ma"e an$ took him ,rom the rear. 7hat "e,t the
,ema"e an$ her pp ,or him.
She ha$ a tooth too- a "itt"e one ma$e o, bone- bt he $roppe$ it hen the arg4 =a c"oe$
aron$ her "eg. A he ,e""- he rappe$ both arm aron$ her noiy pp. Fn$erneath her ,r the ,ema"e a =t kin an$ bone- bt her $g ere ,"" o, mi"k. 7he eetet meat a on the
pp. 7he o", ave$ the choicet part ,or hi brother. A"" aron$ the carcae- the ,roen no
trne$ pink an$ re$ a the pack ,i""e$ it be""ie.
?eage aay- in a one(room ht o, m$ an$ tra ith a thatche$ roo, an$ a moke ho"e an$
a ,"oor o, har$(packe$ earth- %aramyr hivere$ an$ coghe$ an$ "icke$ hi "ip. #i eye ere re$- hi "ip cracke$- hi throat $ry an$ parche$- bt the tate o, b"oo$ an$ ,at ,i""e$ hi moth-
even a hi o""en be""y crie$ ,or norihment. A child/s flesh, he thoght- remembering Bmp.
7uman meat+ #a$ he nk o "o a to hnger a,ter hman meat6 #e co"$ a"mot hear #aggon
gro"ing at him. Men may eat the ,"eh o, beat an$ beat the ,"eh o, men- bt the man ho
eat the ,"eh o, man i an abomination.1
Abomination+ 7hat ha$ a"ay been #aggon4 ,avorite or$. Abomination, abomination,
abomination+ 7o eat o, hman meat a abomination- to mate a o", ith o", a
abomination- an$ to eie the bo$y o, another man a the ort abomination o, a"". 7aggon
was weak, afraid of his own power+ 7e died weeping and alone when I ripped his second life
from him+ %aramyr ha$ $evore$ hi heart hime",. 7e taught me much and more, and the last thing I learned from him was the taste of human flesh+
7hat a a a o",- thogh. #e ha$ never eaten the meat o, men ith hman teeth. #e o"$
not gr$ge hi pack their ,eat- hoever. 7he o"ve ere a ,amihe$ a he a- gant an$ co"$ an$ hngry- an$ the prey8 two men and a woman, a babe in arms, fleeing from defeat to death+ #he! would hae perished soon in an! case, from e8posure or staration+ #his wa! was better,
3uicker+ A merc!+
A mercy-1 he ai$ a"o$. #i throat a ra- bt it ,e"t goo$ to hear a hman voice- even hi
on. 7he air me""e$ o, mo"$ an$ $amp- the gron$ a co"$ an$ har$- an$ hi ,ire a giving o,, more moke than heat. #e move$ a c"oe to the ,"ame a he $are$- coghing an$ hivering
by trn- hi i$e throbbing here hi on$ ha$ opene$. B"oo$ ha$ oake$ hi breeche to the
knee an$ $rie$ into a har$ bron crt.
7hit"e ha$ arne$ him that might happen. & ee$ it p the bet & co"$-1 he4$ ai$- bt
yo nee$ to ret an$ "et it men$- or the ,"eh i"" tear open again.1
7hit"e ha$ been the "at o, hi companion- a peari,e togh a an o"$ root- arty- in$brnt- an$ rink"e$. 7he other ha$ $eerte$ them a"ong the ay. Hne by one they ,e""
behin$ or ,orge$ ahea$- making ,or their o"$ vi""age- or the Mi"kater- or #ar$home- or a "one"y
$eath in the oo$. %aramyr $i$ not kno- an$ co"$ not care. I should hae taken one of them when I had the chance+ One of the twins, or the big man with the scarred face, or the !outh with
the red hair+ #e ha$ been a,rai$- thogh. Hne o, the other might have rea"ie$ hat a
happening. 7hen they o"$ have trne$ on him an$ ki""e$ him. An$ #aggon4 or$ ha$ hante$ him- an$ o the chance ha$ pae$.
A,ter the batt"e there ha$ been thoan$ o, them trgg"ing throgh the ,oret- hngry-
,rightene$- ,"eeing the carnage that ha$ $ecen$e$ on them at the 3a"". Some ha$ ta"ke$ o,
retrning to the home that they4$ aban$one$- other o, monting a econ$ aa"t pon the gate-
bt mot ere "ot- ith no notion o, here to go or hat to $o. 7hey ha$ ecape$ the b"ack( c"oake$ cro an$ the knight in their grey tee"- bt more re"ent"e enemie ta"ke$ them no.
very $ay "e,t more corpe by the trai". Some $ie$ o, hnger- ome o, co"$- ome o, ickne.
Hther ere "ain by thoe ho ha$ been their brother(in(arm hen they marche$ oth ith Mance Ray$er- the >ing(Beyon$(the(3a"".
*ance is fallen, the rvivor to"$ each other in $epairing voice- *ance is taken, *ance is
dead+ #arma4 $ea$ an$ Mance i captre$- the ret rn o,, an$ "e,t -1 7hit"e ha$ c"aime$- a
he a eing p hi on$. 7ormn$- the 3eeper- Si:kin- a"" them brave rai$er. 3here are they no61
She does not know me, %aramyr rea"ie$ then- and wh! should she6 3ithot hi beat he $i$
not "ook "ike a great man. I was .aram!r Si8(skins, who broke bread with *ance )a!der+ #e ha$
name$ hime", %aramyr hen he a ten. A name fit for a lord, a name for songs, a might! name, and fearsome+ Eet he ha$ rn ,rom the cro "ike a ,rightene$ rabbit. 7he terrib"e ?or$ %aramyr ha$ gone craven- bt he co"$ not bear that he ho"$ kno that- o he to"$ the
peari,e that hi name a #aggon. A,terar$ he on$ere$ hy that name ha$ come to hi
"ip- o, a"" thoe he might have choen. I ate his heart and drank his blood, and still he haunts me+
Hne $ay- a they ,"e$- a ri$er came ga""oping throgh the oo$ on a gant hite hore-
hoting that they a"" ho"$ make ,or the Mi"kater- that the 3eeper a gathering arrior to
cro the Bri$ge o, Sk"" an$ take the Sha$o 7oer. Many ,o""oe$ himI more $i$ not. ?ater-
a $or arrior in ,r an$ amber ent ,rom cook,ire to cook,ire- rging a"" the rvivor to hea$
north an$ take re,ge in the va""ey o, the 7henn. 3hy he thoght they o"$ be a,e there hen the 7henn theme"ve ha$ ,"e$ the p"ace %aramyr never "earne$- bt hn$re$ ,o""oe$ him.
#n$re$ more ent o,, ith the oo$ itch ho4$ ha$ a viion o, a ,"eet o, hip coming to
carry the ,ree ,o"k oth. 3e mt eek the ea-1 crie$ Mother Mo"e- an$ her ,o""oer trne$eat.
%aramyr might have been amongt them i, on"y he4$ been tronger. 7he ea a grey an$
co"$ an$ ,ar aay- thogh- an$ he kne that he o"$ never "ive to ee it. #e a nine time
$ea$ an$ $ying- an$ thi o"$ be hi tre $eath. A s3uirrel(skin cloak, he remembere$- he
knifed me for a s3uirrel(skin cloak+
&t oner ha$ been $ea$- the back o, her hea$ mahe$ into re$ p"p ,"ecke$ ith bit o,
bone- bt her c"oak "ooke$ arm an$ thick. &t a noing- an$ %aramyr ha$ "ot hi on c"oak
at the 3a"". #i "eeping pe"t an$ oo"en ma""c"othe- hi heepkin boot an$ ,r("ine$ g"ove-
hi tore o, mea$ an$ hoar$e$ ,oo$- the hank o, hair he took ,rom the omen he be$$e$- even the go"$en arm ring Mance ha$ given him- a"" "ot an$ "e,t behin$. I burned and I died and then
I ran, half(mad with pain and terror+ 7he memory ti"" hame$ him- bt he ha$ not been a"one. Hther ha$ rn a e""- hn$re$ o, them- thoan$. #he battle was lost+ #he knights had come, inincible in their steel, killing eer!one who sta!ed to fight+ It was run or die+
eath a not o eai"y otrn- hoever. So hen %aramyr came pon the $ea$ oman in
the oo$- he kne"t to trip the c"oak ,rom her- an$ never a the boy nti" he brt ,rom hi$ing
to $rive the "ong bone kni,e into hi i$e an$ rip the c"oak ot o, hi c"tching ,inger. #i mother-1 7hit"e to"$ him "ater- a,ter the boy ha$ rn o,,. &t ere hi mother4 c"oak- an$ hen
he a yo robbing her81
She a $ea$-1 %aramyr ai$- incing a her bone nee$"e pierce$ hi ,"eh. Someone
mahe$ her hea$. Some cro.1
No cro. #orn,oot men. & a it.1 #er nee$"e p""e$ the gah in hi i$e c"oe$. Savage-
an$ ho4 "e,t to tame them61 2o one+ If *ance is dead, the free folk are doomed+ 7he 7henn- giant- an$ the #orn,oot men- the cave($e""er ith their ,i"e$ teeth- an$ the men o, the etern
hore ith their chariot o, bone8 a"" o, them ere $oome$ a e"". ven the cro. 7hey
might not kno it yet- bt thoe b"ack(c"oake$ batar$ o"$ perih ith the ret. 7he enemy a coming.
#aggon4 rogh voice echoe$ in hi hea$. Eo i"" $ie a $oen $eath- boy- an$ every one
i"" hrt8 bt hen yor tre $eath come- yo i"" "ive again. 7he econ$ "i,e i imp"er an$
eeter- they ay.1
%aramyr Si:kin o"$ kno the trth o, that oon enogh. #e co"$ tate hi tre $eath in the moke that hng acri$ in the air- ,ee" it in the heat beneath hi ,inger hen he "ippe$ a han$
n$er hi c"othe to toch hi on$. 7he chi"" a in him too- thogh- $eep $on in hi bone.
7hi time it o"$ be co"$ that ki""e$ him. #i "at $eath ha$ been by ,ire. I burned+ At ,irt- in hi con,ion- he thoght ome archer on
the 3a"" ha$ pierce$ him ith a ,"aming arro8 bt the ,ire ha$ been inside him- conming him. An$ the pain8
%aramyr ha$ $ie$ nine time be,ore. #e ha$ $ie$ once ,rom a pear thrt- once ith a bear4
teeth in hi throat- an$ once in a ah o, b"oo$ a he broght ,orth a ti""born cb. #e $ie$ hi
,irt $eath hen he a on"y i:- a hi ,ather4 a:e crahe$ throgh hi k"". ven that ha$ not been o agoniing a the ,ire in hi gt- crack"ing a"ong hi ing- deouring him. 3hen he
trie$ to ,"y ,rom ithi terror ,anne$ the ,"ame an$ ma$e them brn hotter. Hne moment he ha$
been oaring above the 3a""- hi eag"e4 eye marking the movement o, the men be"o. 7hen
the ,"ame ha$ trne$ hi heart into a b"ackene$ cin$er an$ ent hi pirit creaming back into hi on kin- an$ ,or a "itt"e hi"e he4$ gone ma$. ven the memory a enogh to make him
h$$er.
7hat a hen he notice$ that hi ,ire ha$ gone ot. Hn"y a grey(an$(b"ack tang"e o, charre$ oo$ remaine$- ith a ,e ember g"oing in the
ahe. #here/s still smoke, it 9ust needs wood+ Gritting hi teeth againt the pain- %aramyr crept to the pi"e o, broken branche 7hit"e ha$ gathere$ be,ore he ent o,, hnting- an$ toe$ a ,e
tick onto the ahe. Catch-1 he croake$. Burn+1 #e b"e pon the ember an$ ai$ a or$"e
prayer to the name"e go$ o, oo$ an$ hi"" an$ ,ie"$.
7he go$ gave no aner. A,ter a hi"e- the moke ceae$ to rie a e"". A"rea$y the "itt"e ht a groing co"$er. %aramyr ha$ no ,"int- no tin$er- no $ry kin$"ing. #e o"$ never get the
,ire brning again- not by hime",. 7hit"e-1 he ca""e$ ot- hi voice hoare an$ e$ge$ ith pain.
#histle;1
#er chin a pointe$ an$ her noe ,"at- an$ he ha$ a mo"e on one cheek ith ,or $ark hair
groing ,rom it. An g"y ,ace- an$ har$- yet he o"$ have given mch to g"impe it in the $oor o, the ht. I should hae taken her before she left+ #o "ong ha$ he been gone6 7o $ay6
7hree6 %aramyr a ncertain. &t a $ark ini$e the ht- an$ he ha$ been $ri,ting in an$ ot o,
"eep- never ite re i, it a $ay or night oti$e. 3ait-1 he4$ ai$. & i"" be back ith ,oo$.1 So "ike a ,oo" he4$ aite$- $reaming o, #aggon an$ Bmp an$ a"" the rong he ha$ $one
in hi "ong "i,e- bt $ay an$ night ha$ pae$ an$ 7hit"e ha$ not retrne$. She won/t be
coming back+ %aramyr on$ere$ i, he ha$ given hime", aay. Co"$ he te"" hat he a thinking =t ,rom "ooking at him- or ha$ he mttere$ in hi ,ever $ream6
Abomination, he hear$ #aggon aying. &t a a"mot a i, he ere herein thi very room.
She i =t ome g"y peari,e-1 %aramyr to"$ him. & am a great man. & am %aramyr- the
arg- the kinchanger- it i not right that he ho"$ "ive an$ & ho"$ $ie.1 No one anere$.
7here a no one there. 7hit"e a gone. She ha$ aban$one$ him- the ame a a"" the ret. #i on mother ha$ aban$one$ him a e"". She cried for Bump, but she neer cried for me+
7he morning hi ,ather p""e$ him ot o, be$ to $e"iver him to #aggon- he o"$ not even "ook
at him. #e ha$ hrieke$ an$ kicke$ a he a $ragge$ into the oo$- nti" hi ,ather "appe$
him an$ to"$ him to be iet. Eo be"ong ith yor on kin$-1 a a"" he ai$ hen he ,"ng him $on at #aggon4 ,eet.
7e was not wrong, %aramyr thoght- hivering. 7aggon taught me much and more+ 7e
taught me how to hunt and fish, how to butcher a carcass and bone a fish, how to find m! wa!
through the woods+ And he taught me the wa! of the warg and the secrets of the skinchanger,
though m! gift was stronger than his own+
Eear "ater he ha$ trie$ to ,in$ hi parent- to te"" them that their ?mp ha$ become the great
%aramyr Si:kin- bt both o, them ere $ea$ an$ brne$. 1one into the trees and streams, gone into the rocks and earth+ 1one to dirt and ashes+ 7hat a hat the oo$ itch to"$ hi
mother- the $ay Bmp $ie$. ?mp $i$ not ant to be a c"o$ o, earth. 7he boy ha$ $reame$ o, a $ay hen bar$ o"$ ing o, hi $ee$ an$ pretty gir" o"$ ki him. When I am grown I will
be the ing(Be!ond(the(Wall, ?mp ha$ promie$ hime",. #e never ha$- bt he ha$ come c"oe.
%aramyr Si:kin a a name men ,eare$. #e ro$e to batt"e on the back o, a no bear thirteen ,eet ta""- kept three o"ve an$ a ha$ocat in thra""- an$ at at the right han$ o, Mance Ray$er.
It was *ance who brought me to this place+ I should not hae listened+ I should hae slipped
inside m! bear and torn him to pieces+
Be,ore Mance- %aramyr Si:kin ha$ been a "or$ o, ort. #e "ive$ a"one in a ha"" o, mo
an$ m$ an$ hen "og that ha$ once been #aggon4- atten$e$ by hi beat. A $oen vi""age
$i$ him homage in brea$ an$ a"t an$ ci$er- o,,ering him ,rit ,rom their orchar$ an$ vegetab"e ,rom their gar$en. #i meat he got hime",. 3henever he $eire$ a oman he ent hi
ha$ocat to ta"k her- an$ hatever gir" he4$ cat hi eye pon o"$ ,o""o meek"y to hi be$. Some came eeping- aye- bt ti"" they came. %aramyr gave them hi ee$- took a hank o, their hair to remember them by- an$ ent them back. +rom time to time- ome vi""age hero o"$
come ith pear in han$ to "ay the beat"ing an$ ave a iter or a "over or a $aghter. 7hoe he
ki""e$- bt he never harme$ the omen. Some he even b"ee$ ith chi"$ren. )unts+ Small, pun!
things, like "ump, and not one with the gift+
+ear $rove him to hi ,eet- ree"ing. #o"$ing hi i$e to tanch the eep o, b"oo$ ,rom hi
on$- %aramyr "rche$ to the $oor an$ ept ai$e the ragge$ kin that covere$ it to ,ace a
a"" o, hite. Snow+ No on$er it ha$ gron o $ark an$ moky ini$e. 7he ,a""ing no ha$
brie$ the ht.
3hen %aramyr phe$ at it- the no crmb"e$ an$ gave ay- ti"" o,t an$ et. Hti$e- the
night a hite a $eathI pa"e thin c"o$ $ance$ atten$ance on a i"ver moon- hi"e a thoan$ tar atche$ co"$"y. #e co"$ ee the hmpe$ hape o, other ht brie$ beneath $ri,t o,
no- an$ beyon$ them the pa"e ha$o o, a eiroo$ armore$ in ice. 7o the oth an$ et the hi"" ere a vat hite i"$erne here nothing move$ e:cept the b"oing no. 7hit"e-1
%aramyr ca""e$ ,eeb"y- on$ering ho ,ar he co"$ have gone. #histle+ Woman+ Where are
!ou61
+ar aay- a o", gave ho".
A hiver ent throgh %aramyr. #e kne that ho" a e"" a ?mp ha$ once knon hi mother4 voice. One 0!e+ #e a the o"$et o, hi three- the bigget- the ,iercet. Sta"ker a
"eaner- icker- yonger- S"y more cnning- bt both ent in ,ear o, Hne ye. 7he o"$ o", a
,ear"e- re"ent"e- avage.
%aramyr ha$ "ot contro" o, hi other beat in the agony o, the eag"e4 $eath. #i ha$ocat ha$ race$ into the oo$- hi"t hi no bear trne$ her c"a on thoe aron$ her- ripping apart ,or men be,ore ,a""ing to a pear. She o"$ have "ain %aramyr ha$ he come ithin her
reach. 7he bear hate$ him- ha$ rage$ each time he ore her kin or c"imbe$ pon her back.
#i o"ve- thogh8
*! brothers+ *! pack+ Many a co"$ night he ha$ "ept ith hi o"ve- their haggy bo$ie
pi"e$ p aron$ him to he"p keep him arm. When I die the! will feast upon m! flesh and leae onl! bones to greet the thaw come spring+ 7he thoght a eer"y com,orting. #i o"ve ha$
o,ten ,orage$ ,or him a they roame$I it eeme$ on"y ,itting that he ho"$ ,ee$ them in the en$.
#e might e"" begin hi econ$ "i,e tearing at the arm $ea$ ,"eh o, hi on corpe.
og ere the eaiet beat to bon$ ithI they "ive$ o c"oe to men that they ere a"mot hman. S"ipping into a $og4 kin a "ike ptting on an o"$ boot- it "eather o,tene$ by ear.
A a boot a hape$ to accept a ,oot- a $og a hape$ to accept a co""ar- even a co""ar no
hman eye co"$ ee. 3o"ve ere har$er. A man might be,rien$ a o",- even break a o",- bt
no man co"$ tr"y tame a o",. 3o"ve an$ omen e$ ,or "i,e-1 #aggon o,ten ai$. Eo take one- that4 a marriage. 7he o", i part o, yo ,rom that $ay on- an$ yo4re part o, him.
Both o, yo i"" change.1
Hther beat ere bet "e,t a"one- the hnter ha$ $ec"are$. Cat ere vain an$ cre"- a"ay
rea$y to trn on yo. "k an$ $eer ere preyI ear their kin too "ong- an$ even the bravet man
became a coar$. Bear- boar- ba$ger- eae"8 #aggon $i$ not ho"$ ith ch. Some kin
yo never ant to ear- boy. Eo on4t "ike hat yo4$ become.1 Bir$ ere the ort- to hear him te"" it. Men ere not meant to "eave the earth. Spen$ too mch time in the c"o$ an$ yo
never ant to come back $on again. & kno kinchanger ho4ve trie$ hak- o"- raven.
ven in their on kin- they it moony- taring p at the b"oo$y b"e.1 Not a"" kinchanger ,e"t the ame- hoever. Hnce- hen ?mp a ten- #aggon ha$ taken
him to a gathering o, ch. 7he arg ere the mot nmero in that company- the o",(
brother- bt the boy ha$ ,on$ the other tranger an$ more ,acinating. Borro "ooke$ o mch
"ike hi boar that a"" he "acke$ a tk- Hre"" ha$ hi eag"e- Briar her ha$ocat ;the moment he a them- ?mp ante$ a ha$ocat o, hi on<- the goat oman Grie""a8
None o, them ha$ been a trong a %aramyr Si:kin- thogh- not even #aggon- ta"" an$
grim ith hi han$ a har$ a tone. 7he hnter $ie$ eeping a,ter %aramyr took Greykin ,rom
him- $riving him ot to c"aim the beat ,or hi on. 2o second life for !ou, old man+ %aramyr
7hreekin- he4$ ca""e$ hime", back then. Greykin ma$e ,or- thogh the o"$ o", a ,rai" an$ a"mot tooth"e an$ oon ,o""oe$ #aggon into $eath.
%aramyr co"$ take any beat he ante$- ben$ them to hi i""- make their ,"eh hi on. og or o",- bear or ba$ger8
#histle, he thoght.
#aggon o"$ ca"" it an abomination- the b"acket in o, a""- bt #aggon a $ea$- $evore$-
an$ brne$. Mance o"$ have cre$ him a e""- bt Mance a "ain or captre$. 2o one will eer know+ I will be #histle the spearwife, and .aram!r Si8skins will be dead+ #i gi,t o"$
perih ith hi bo$y- he e:pecte$. #e o"$ "oe hi o"ve- an$ "ive ot the ret o, hi $ay a
ome crany- arty oman8 bt he o"$ "ive. If she comes back+ If I am still strong enough
to take her+
A ave o, $iine ahe$ over %aramyr. #e ,on$ hime", pon hi knee- hi han$
brie$ in a no$ri,t. #e coope$ p a ,it," o, no an$ ,i""e$ hi moth ith it- rbbing it
throgh hi bear$ an$ againt hi cracke$ "ip- cking $on the moitre. 7he ater a o co"$ that he co"$ bare"y bring hime", to a""o- an$ he rea"ie$ once again ho hot he a.
7he nome"t on"y ma$e him hngrier. &t a ,oo$ hi be""y crave$- not ater. 7he no ha$ toppe$ ,a""ing- bt the in$ a riing- ,i""ing the air ith cryta"- "ahing at hi ,ace a he
trgg"e$ throgh the $ri,t- the on$ in hi i$e opening an$ c"oing again. #i breath ma$e a
ragge$ hite c"o$. 3hen he reache$ the eiroo$ tree- he ,on$ a ,a""en branch =t "ong enogh to e a a crtch. ?eaning heavi"y pon it- he taggere$ toar$ the nearet ht. 9erhap
the vi""ager ha$ ,orgotten omething hen they ,"e$8 a ack o, app"e- ome $rie$ meat-
anything to keep him a"ive nti" 7hit"e retrne$.
#e a a"mot there hen hi crtch nappe$ beneath hi eight- an$ hi "eg ent ot ,rom n$er him.
#o "ong he pra"e$ there ith hi b"oo$ re$$ening the no %aramyr co"$ not have ai$.
#he snow will bur! me+ &t o"$ be a peace," $eath. #he! sa! !ou feel warm near the end, warm
and sleep!+ &t o"$ be goo$ to ,ee" arm again- thogh it ma$e him a$ to think that he o"$
never ee the green "an$- the arm "an$ beyon$ the 3a"" that Mance e$ to ing abot. 7he or"$ beyon$ the 3a"" i not ,or or kin$-1 #aggon e$ to ay. 7he ,ree ,o"k ,ear
kinchanger- bt they honor a e"". Soth o, the 3a""- the knee"er hnt $on an$
btcher "ike pig.1
&ou warned me, %aramyr thoght- but it was !ou who showed me 0astwatch too+ #e co"$
not have been more than ten. #aggon tra$e$ a $oen tring o, amber an$ a "e$ pi"e$ high ith
pe"t ,or i: kin o, ine- a b"ock o, a"t- an$ a copper kett"e. atatch a a better p"ace to tra$e than Cat"e B"ackI that a here the hip came- "a$en ith goo$ ,rom the ,ab"e$ "an$
beyon$ the ea. 7he cro kne #aggon a a hnter an$ a ,rien$ to the Night4 3atch- an$
e"come$ the ne he broght o, "i,e beyon$ their 3a"". Some kne him ,or a kinchanger too- bt no one poke o, that. &t a there at atatch(by(the(Sea that the boy he4$ been ,irt began
to $ream o, the arm oth.
%aramyr co"$ ,ee" the no,"ake me"ting on hi bro. #his is not so bad as burning+ "et me
sleep and neer wake, let me begin m! second life+ #i o"ve ere c"oe no. #e co"$ ,ee" them. #e o"$ "eave thi ,eeb"e ,"eh behin$- become one ith them- hnting the night an$
ho"ing at the moon. 7he arg o"$ become a tre o",. Which, though6
Not S"y. #aggon o"$ have ca""e$ it abomination- bt %aramyr ha$ o,ten "ippe$ ini$e her
kin a he a being monte$ by Hne ye. #e $i$ not ant to pen$ hi ne "i,e a a bitch-
thogh- not n"e he ha$ no other choice. Sta"ker might it him better- the yonger ma"e8 thogh Hne ye a "arger an$ ,iercer- an$ it a Hne ye ho took S"y henever he ent
into heat. 7hey ay yo ,orget-1 #aggon ha$ to"$ him- a ,e eek be,ore hi on $eath. 3hen the
man4 ,"eh $ie- hi pirit "ive on ini$e the beat- bt every $ay hi memory ,a$e- an$ the beat become a "itt"e "e a arg- a "itt"e more a o",- nti" nothing o, the man i "e,t an$ on"y
the beat remain.1
%aramyr kne the trth o, that. 3hen he c"aime$ the eag"e that ha$ been Hre""4- he co"$
,ee" the other kinchanger raging at hi preence. Hre"" ha$ been "ain by the trnc"oak cro !on Sno- an$ hi hate ,or hi ki""er ha$ been o trong that %aramyr ,on$ hime", hating the
beat"ing boy a e"". #e ha$ knon hat Sno a the moment he a that great hite
$ireo", ta"king i"ent at hi i$e. Hne kinchanger can a"ay ene another. *ance should
hae let me take the direwolf+ #here would be a second life worth! of a king+ #e co"$ have $one
it- he $i$ not $obt. 7he gi,t a trong in Sno- bt the yoth a ntaght- ti"" ,ighting hi natre hen he ho"$ have g"orie$ in it.
%aramyr co"$ ee the eiroo$4 re$ eye taring $on at him ,rom the hite trnk. #he
gods are weighing me+ A hiver ent throgh him. #e ha$ $one ba$ thing- terrib"e thing. #e ha$ to"en- ki""e$- rape$. #e ha$ gorge$ on hman ,"eh an$ "appe$ the b"oo$ o, $ying men a it
ghe$ re$ an$ hot ,rom their torn throat. #e ha$ ta"ke$ ,oe throgh the oo$- ,a""en on
them a they "ept- c"ae$ their entrai" ,rom their be""ie an$ cattere$ them acro the m$$y earth. 7ow sweet their meat had tasted+ 7hat a the beat- not me-1 he ai$ in a hoare
hiper. 7hat a the gi,t yo gave me.1
7he go$ ma$e no rep"y. #i breath hng pa"e an$ mity in the air. #e co"$ ,ee" ice ,orming
in hi bear$. %aramyr Si:kin c"oe$ hi eye.
#e $reamt an o"$ $ream o, a hove" by the ea- three $og himpering- a oman4 tear. Bump+ She weeps for Bump, but she neer wept for me+
?mp ha$ been born a month be,ore hi proper time- an$ he a ick o o,ten that no one
e:pecte$ him to "ive. #i mother aite$ nti" he a a"mot ,or to give him a proper name- an$ by then it a too "ate. 7he ho"e vi""age ha$ taken to ca""ing him ?mp- the name hi iter
Meha ha$ given him hen he a ti"" in their mother4 be""y. Meha ha$ given Bmp hi name
a e""- bt ?mp4 "itt"e brother ha$ been born in hi proper time- big an$ re$ an$ robt- cking gree$i"y at Mother4 teat. She a going to name him a,ter +ather. Bump died, though+
7e died when he was two and I was si8, three da!s before his nameda!+
Eor "itt"e one i ith the go$ no-1 the oo$ itch to"$ hi mother- a he ept. #e4""
never hrt again- never hnger- never cry. 7he go$ have taken him $on into the earth- into the
tree. 7he go$ are a"" aron$ - in the rock an$ tream- in the bir$ an$ beat. Eor Bmp ha gone to =oin them. #e4"" be the or"$ an$ a"" that4 in it.1
7he o"$ oman4 or$ ha$ gone throgh ?mp "ike a kni,e. Bump sees+ 7e is watching me+ 7e knows+ ?mp co"$ not hi$e ,rom him- co"$ not "ip behin$ hi mother4 kirt or rn o,,
ith the $og to ecape hi ,ather4 ,ry. #he dogs+ ?optai"- Sni,,- the Gro"er. #he! were good dogs+ #he! were m! friends+
3hen hi ,ather ,on$ the $og ni,,ing ron$ Bmp4 bo$y- he ha$ no ay o, knoing
hich ha$ $one it- o he took hi a:e to a"" three. #i han$ hook o ba$"y that it took to
b"o to i"ence Sni,, an$ ,or to pt the Gro"er $on. 7he me"" o, b"oo$ hng heavy in the air- an$ the on$ the $ying $og ha$ ma$e ere terrib"e to hear- yet ?optai" ti"" came hen
,ather ca""e$ him. #e a the o"$et $og- an$ hi training overcame hi terror. By the time ?mp
"ippe$ ini$e hi kin it a too "ate.
2o, Father, please, he trie$ to ay- bt $og cannot peak the tonge o, men- o a"" that
emerge$ a a piteo hine. 7he a:e crahe$ into the mi$$"e o, the o"$ $og4 k""- an$ ini$e the hove" the boy "et ot a cream. #hat was how the! knew+ 7o $ay "ater- hi ,ather $ragge$
him into the oo$. #e broght hi a:e- o ?mp thoght he meant to pt him $on the ame
ay he ha$ $one the $og. &ntea$ he4$ given him to #aggon.
%aramyr oke $$en"y- vio"ent"y- hi ho"e bo$y haking. Get p-1 a voice a creaming- get p- e have to go. 7here are hn$re$ o, them.1 7he no ha$ covere$ him ith a ti,,
hite b"anket. So cold+ 3hen he trie$ to move- he ,on$ that hi han$ a ,roen to the gron$.
#e "e,t ome kin behin$ hen he tore it "ooe. Get p-1 he creame$ again- they4re coming+1
7hit"e ha$ retrne$ to him. She ha$ him by the ho"$er an$ a haking him- hoting in hi ,ace. %aramyr co"$ me"" her breath an$ ,ee" the armth o, it pon cheek gone nmb ith
co"$. 2ow, he thoght- do it now, or die+
#e mmone$ a"" the trength ti"" in him- "eapt ot o, hi on kin- an$ ,orce$ hime", ini$e her.
7hit"e arche$ her back an$ creame$.
Abomination+ 3a that her- or him- or #aggon6 #e never kne. #i o"$ ,"eh ,e"" back into
the no$ri,t a her ,inger "ooene$. 7he pear(i,e tite$ vio"ent"y- hrieking. #i ha$ocat e$ to ,ight him i"$"y- an$ the no bear ha$ gone ha",(ma$ ,or a time- napping at tree an$
rock an$ empty air- bt thi a ore. Get ot- get out 1 he hear$ her on moth hoting.
#er bo$y taggere$- ,e""- an$ roe again- her han$ ,"ai"e$- her "eg =erke$ thi ay an$ that in ome grotee $ance a hi pirit an$ her on ,oght ,or the ,"eh. She cke$ $on a moth,"
o, the ,rigi$ air- an$ %aramyr ha$ ha", a heartbeat to g"ory in the tate o, it an$ the trength o,
thi yong bo$y be,ore her teeth nappe$ together an$ ,i""e$ hi moth ith b"oo$. She raie$ her han$ to hi ,ace. #e trie$ to ph them $on again- bt the han$ o"$ not obey- an$ he
a c"aing at hi eye. Abomination, he remembere$- $roning in b"oo$ an$ pain an$ ma$ne.
3hen he trie$ to cream- he pat their tonge ot.
7he hite or"$ trne$ an$ ,e"" aay. +or a moment it a a i, he ere ini$e the eiroo$-
gaing ot throgh carve$ re$ eye a a $ying man titche$ ,eeb"y on the gron$ an$ a ma$oman $ance$ b"in$ an$ b"oo$y n$erneath the moon- eeping re$ tear an$ ripping at her
c"othe. 7hen both ere gone an$ he a riing- me"ting- hi pirit borne on ome co"$ in$. #e
a in the no an$ in the c"o$- he a a parro- a irre"- an oak. A horne$ o" ,"e
i"ent"y beteen hi tree- hnting a hareI %aramyr a ini$e the o"- ini$e the hare- ini$e the
tree. eep be"o the ,roen gron$- earthorm brroe$ b"in$"y in the $ark- an$ he a them a e"". I am the wood, and eer!thing that/s in it, he thoght- e:"ting. A hn$re$ raven took
to the air- caing a they ,e"t him pa. A great e"k trmpete$- nett"ing the chi"$ren c"inging to
hi back. A "eeping $ireo", raie$ hi hea$ to nar" at empty air. Be,ore their heart co"$ beatagain he ha$ pae$ on- earching ,or hi on- ,or Hne ye- S"y- an$ Sta"ker- ,or hi pack. #i
o"ve o"$ ave him- he to"$ hime",.
7hat a hi "at thoght a a man.
7re $eath came $$en"yI he ,e"t a hock o, co"$- a i, he ha$ been p"nge$ into the icy
ater o, a ,roen "ake. 7hen he ,on$ hime", rhing over moon"it no ith hi packmate c"oe behin$ him. #a", the or"$ a $ark. One 0!e, he kne. #e baye$- an$ S"y an$ Sta"ker
gave echo.
3hen they reache$ the cret the o"ve pae$. #histle, he remembere$- an$ a part o, him
grieve$ ,or hat he ha$ "ot an$ another part ,or hat he4$ $one. Be"o- the or"$ ha$ trne$ to
ice. +inger o, ,rot crept "o"y p the eiroo$- reaching ot ,or each other. 7he empty
vi""age a no "onger empty. B"e(eye$ ha$o a"ke$ amongt the mon$ o, no. Some ore bron an$ ome ore b"ack an$ ome ere nake$- their ,"eh gone hite a no. A in$
a ighing throgh the hi""- heavy ith their cent' $ea$ ,"eh- $ry b"oo$- kin that tank o, mo"$ an$ rot an$ rine. S"y gave a gro" an$ bare$ her teeth- her r,, brit"ing. 2ot men+ 2ot
pre!+ 2ot these+
7he thing be"o move$- bt $i$ not "ive. Hne by one- they raie$ their hea$ toar$ the
three o"ve on the hi"". 7he "at to "ook a the thing that ha$ been 7hit"e. She ore oo" an$ ,r an$ "eather- an$ over that he ore a coat o, hoar,rot that crack"e$ hen he move$ an$
g"itene$ in the moon"ight. 9a"e pink icic"e hng ,rom her ,ingertip- ten "ong knive o, ,roen
b"oo$. An$ in the pit here her eye ha$ been- a pa"e b"e "ight a ,"ickering- "en$ing her
coare ,eatre an eerie beaty they ha$ never knon in "i,e.
She sees me+
The +ro(het
The prophet a $roning men on Great 3yk hen they came to te"" him that the king a $ea$.
&t a a b"eak- co"$ morning- an$ the ea a a "ea$en a the ky. 7he ,irt three men ha$o,,ere$ their "ive to the rone$ Go$ ,ear"e"y- bt the ,orth a eak in ,aith an$ began to
trgg"e a hi "ng crie$ ot ,or air. Stan$ing ait($eep in the r,- Aeron eie$ the nake$
boy by the ho"$er an$ phe$ hi hea$ back $on a he trie$ to natch a breath. #ave corage-1 he ai$. 3e came ,rom the ea- an$ to the ea e mt retrn. Hpen yor moth an$
$rink $eep o, go$4 b"eing. +i"" yor "ng ith ater- that yo may $ie an$ be reborn. &t $oe
no goo$ to ,ight.1
ither the boy co"$ not hear him ith hi hea$ beneath the ave- or e"e hi ,aith ha$ tter"y $eerte$ him. #e began to kick an$ thrah o i"$"y that Aeron ha$ to ca"" ,or he"p. +or o, hi
$rone$ men a$e$ ot to eie the retch an$ ho"$ him n$erater. ?or$ Go$ ho $rone$
,or -1 the priet praye$- in a voice a $eep a the ea- "et mmon$ yor ervant be reborn ,rom
the ea- a yo ere. B"e him ith a"t- b"e him ith tone- b"e him ith tee".1 +ina""y- it a $one. No more air a bbb"ing ,rom hi moth- an$ a"" the trength ha$ gone
ot o, hi "imb. +ace$on in the ha""o ea ,"oate$ mmon$- pa"e an$ co"$ an$ peace,".
7hat a hen the amphair rea"ie$ that three horemen ha$ =oine$ hi $rone$ men on the
pebb"e$ hore. Aeron kne the Sparr- a hatchet(,ace$ o"$ man ith atery eye hoe avery
voice a "a on thi part o, Great 3yk. #i on Ste,,arion accompanie$ him- ith another yoth hoe $ark re$ ,r("ine$ c"oak a pinne$ at the ho"$er ith an ornate brooch that
hoe$ the b"ack(an$(go"$ arhorn o, the Goo$brother. One of 1orold/s sons, the priet
$eci$e$ at a g"ance. 7hree ta"" on ha$ been born to Goo$brother4 i,e "ate in "i,e- a,ter a $oen $aghter- an$ it a ai$ that no man co"$ te"" one on ,rom the other. Aeron amphair
$i$ not $eign to try. 3hether thi be Grey$on or Gormon$ or Gran- the priet ha$ no time ,or
him. #e gro"e$ a bre comman$- an$ hi $rone$ men eie$ the $ea$ boy by hi arm an$
"eg to carry him above the ti$e"ine. 7he priet ,o""oe$- nake$ bt ,or a ea"kin c"ot that
covere$ hi private part. Gooe,"ehe$ an$ $ripping- he p"ahe$ back onto "an$- acro co"$
et an$ an$ ea(core$ pebb"e. Hne o, hi $rone$ men han$e$ him a robe o, heavy
roghpn $ye$ in mott"e$ green an$ b"e an$ grey- the co"or o, the ea an$ the rone$ Go$. Aeron $onne$ the robe an$ p""e$ hi hair ,ree. B"ack an$ et- that hairI no b"a$e ha$
toche$ it ince the ea ha$ raie$ him p. &t $rape$ hi ho"$er "ike a ragge$- ropy c"oak- an$
,e"" $on pat hi ait. Aeron ove tran$ o, eaee$ throgh it- an$ throgh hi tang"e$- nct bear$.
#i $rone$ men ,orme$ a circ"e aron$ the $ea$ boy- praying. Nor=en orke$ hi arm
hi"t R kne"t atri$e him- pmping on hi chet- bt a"" move$ ai$e ,or Aeron. #e prie$ apart the boy4 co"$ "ip ith hi ,inger an$ gave mmon$ the ki o, "i,e- an$ again- an$ again- nti" the ea came ghing ,rom hi moth. 7he boy began to cogh an$ pit- an$ hi eye b"inke$
open- ,"" o, ,ear.
Another one returned+ &t a a ign o, the rone$ Go$4 ,avor- men ai$. very other priet
"ot a man ,rom time to time- even 7ar"e the 7hrice(rone$- ho ha$ once been thoght o
ho"y that he a picke$ to cron a king. Bt never Aeron Grey=oy. #e a the amphair- ho ha$ een the go$4 on atery ha"" an$ retrne$ to te"" o, it. Rie-1 he to"$ the pttering boy
a he "appe$ him on hi nake$ back. Eo have $rone$ an$ been retrne$ to . 3hat i $ea$
can never $ie.1
Bt rie.1 7he boy coghe$ vio"ent"y- bringing p more ater. Rie again.1 very or$
a boght ith pain- bt that a the ay o, the or"$I a man mt ,ight to "ive. Rie again.1 mmon$ taggere$ to hi ,eet. #ar$er. An$ tronger.1
Eo be"ong to the go$ no-1 Aeron to"$ him. 7he other $rone$ men gathere$ ron$ an$ each gave him a pnch an$ a ki to e"come him to the brotherhoo$. Hne he"pe$ him $on a
roghpn robe o, mott"e$ b"e an$ green an$ grey. Another preente$ him ith a $ri,too$ c$ge". Eo be"ong to the ea no- o the ea ha arme$ yo-1 Aeron ai$. 3e pray that yo
ha"" ie"$ yor c$ge" ,ierce"y- againt a"" the enemie o, or go$.1
Hn"y then $i$ the priet trn to the three ri$er- atching ,rom their a$$"e. #ave yo come
to be $rone$- my "or$61
7he Sparr coghe$. & a $rone$ a a boy-1 he ai$- an$ my on pon hi name $ay.1
Aeron norte$. 7hat Ste,,arion Sparr ha$ been given to the rone$ Go$ oon a,ter birth he
ha$ no $obt. #e kne the manner o, it too- a ick $ip into a tb o, eaater that carce et the in,ant4 hea$. Sma"" on$er the ironborn ha$ been conere$- they ho once he"$ ay
everyhere the on$ o, ave a hear$. 7hat i no tre $roning-1 he to"$ the ri$er. #e that $oe not $ie in trth cannot hope to rie ,rom $eath. 3hy have yo come- i, not to prove yor ,aith61
?or$ Gor

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A Feast for Crows & a Dance With Dragons