The reason I suddenly stopped writing (and reading!) is because suddenly my priorities in life changed. My wife is pregnant! I know that this doesn’t mean that world is coming to a stop, but it made me re-evaluate what I want to do in life and forced me to drop some of the things I did. World of Warcraft landed on shelf as did this blog, which I’m really sorry to admit. With the changes I have to prepare for I will only have time for one crazy internet project and that will have to be Fantasy Fan.

I hope that when things become less crazy I’ll manage to finish reading SOIAF in peace and lay my hands on A Dance With Dragons and HBO’s Game of Thrones adaptation. Some day I also hope to come back to writing this blog. I can’t say when it’s going to happen though. Right now I have more important things to worry about.

I’m going to be a father!

Quotes

“They are mine,” she said fiercely. They had been born from her faith and her need, given life by the deaths of her husband and unborn son and the maegi Mirri Maz Duur. Dany had walked into the flames as they came forth, and they had drunk milk from her swollen breasts. “No man will take them from me while I live.”

The dragons were no larger than the scrawny cats she had once seen skulking along the walls of Magister Illyrio’s estate in Pentos… until they unfolded their wings. Their span was three times their length, each wing a delicate fan of translucent skin, gorgeously colored, stretched taut between long thin bones. When you looked hard, you could see that most of their body was neck, tail, and wing.

Commentary

Finally we’re getting back to Dany. The first book left us holding breath and only now Martin chose fit to show us what happens to Daenerys and her dragons.

Again I have to commend Martin on not letting the magical aspect of the book to take over. The fact that dragons are back in the world is nothing short of a miracle, but by no means it solves all problems. In fact, it makes Dany more vulnerable. There are many would would go great lengths to take the little dragons away from her.

The dragons are portrayed in this chapter as very frail, fragile creatures. Not able to care for themselves yet they are just like Dany’s children. And just like children it will take much time till they have grown. Dany can’t rely on their protection, she has to protect them until the time is right.

In this chapter we’re also taking a peak into Jorah Mormont’s heart. The story of his tragic love and the fact that Dany looks like his unfaithful wife gives us enough hint on the true reasons why Ser Jorah follows her.

Quotes

He smiled crookedly, wondering what his father would say when Theon told him that he, the last-born, babe and hostage, he had succeeded where Lord Balon himself had failed.

After ten years, I thought perhaps my lord father and lady mother might come themselves, or send Dagmer with an honor guard.”
“It is not for you to question the commands of the Lord Reaper of Pyke.”

“A sign it is,” the priest agreed, “but from our god, not theirs. A burning brand it is, such as our people carried of old. It is the flame the Drowned God brought from the sea, and it proclaims a rising tide. It is time to hoist our sails and go forth into the world with fire and sword, as he did.”

Commentary

I do not like this chapter.
Not as in “it’s bad writing”, but more in “I’m disgusted with what I’m seeing”. The foolish, cocky pride of Theon, his disregard for other people’s feelings, lack of respect for anyone and everyone. I really hate him at this stage.

The whole business with captain’s daughter and the way Theon is amused by the fact that her father is afraid to oppose him adds to the whole bad taste of this chapter. I’m sure it was Martin’s goal to make readers feel certain way about Theon, which doesn’t change the fact that I simply don’t like reading it again.

This chapter brings first hints of the bad news that will pour onto the Starks. Robb probably made a mistake sending Theon as envoy to Lord Balon, but in the end I don’t think this would change much. I think that Balon already decided that Asha will be his heir and Theon is as good as dead. The fact that Balon was ready to strike before Theon arrived at Pyke says that the war was coming one way or another.

One thing that amused me in this chapter was the blind belief that everyone in Westeros holds that red comet is their omen. Everyone and their mother see it as a clear sign of their forthcoming victory. I think it’s Martin’s poke at religion in general.

Oh, and in case you didn’t notice, we have another POV character.

Quotes

“A hundred days and a hundred nights he labored on the third blade, and as it glowed white-hot in the sacred fires, he summoned his wife. ‘Nissa Nissa’ he said to her, for that was her name, ‘bare your breast, and know that I love you best of all that is in this world.’ She did this thing, why I cannot say, and Azor Ahai thrust the smoking sword through her living heart.”

“In ancient books of Asshai it is written that there will come a day after a long summer when the stars bleed and the cold breath of darkness falls heavy on the world. In this dread hour a warrior shall draw from the fire a burning sword. And that sword shall be Lightbringer, the Red Sword of Heroes, and he who clasps it shall be Azor Ahai come again, and the darkness shall flee before him.” She lifted her voice, so it carried out over the gathered host. “Azor Ahai, beloved of R’hllor! The Warrior of Light, the Son of Fire! Come forth, your sword awaits you! Come forth and take it into your hand!”

Even as Davos spoke, he thought, This world is twisted beyond hope, when lowborn smugglers must vouch for the honor of kings.

Commentary

Another POV character is introduced: Ser Davos Seaworth.

Davos is a simple man, ex-smuggler. Seeing world through his eyes I have to praise Martin once again. He’s able to put the soul into such a great number of very versatile characters. Spoiled kids, noble lords, protective mothers, you name it, Martin will create a character you will *believe in*. It’s no different with Davos.

This chapter pulls us into a very important aspect of the entire series (I’m guessing here, since I don’t really know where Martin is pushing all this ). The Red Priestess, Melisandre, proclaims Stannis Azor Ahai reborn, the Warrior of Light. We’re led to believe that Stannis is the warrior to lead the army of humanity against the Others.

The first one to dismiss the prophecy is Salladhor Saan, who happens to know the story of Azor. Salladhor claims that Stannis is not the hero Melisandre makes him to be and that it’s a good thing. At this stage it’s difficult to even imagine what significance this whole ordeal has, but one thing is certain, we will hear more about Azor Ahai before the Song of Ice and Fire is finished.

In this chapter, we also get another glimpse at Stannis. He is indeed unyielding even where straying a bit from the truth would do no harm. He calls naming Robert “his beloved brother” a lie and will have none of it. It’s a man of no compromises. Exact opposite of Renly. In fact, it seems that there couldn’t be two brother more unlike each other as those two… I’ll leave it at this for now, I don’t want to start my theorycrafting too early.

Quotes

At one place, she spotted a man perched up in a dead tree, with a bow in his hand and a quiver hanging from the branch beside him. The moment he spied them, he notched an arrow to his bowstring, and never looked away until the last wagon was out of sight. All the while, Yoren cursed. “Him in his tree, let’s see how well he likes it up there when the Others come to take him. He’ll scream for the Watch then, that he will.”

Her belly clenched tight as she grabbed for Needle, not caring if she pissed herself, counting eyes, two four eight twelve, a whole pack… One of them came padding out from under the trees. He stared at her, and bared his teeth, and all she could think was how stupid she’d been and how Hot Pie would gloat when they found her half-eaten body the next morning. But the wolf turned and raced back into the darkness, and quick as that the eyes were gone.

Commentary

Very short chapter, a “breather” after the intensive Tyrion chapter.

The Night’s Watch recruits are moving closer to the teritory taken by war. The travelers are fewer and they are better armed. Where there’s war, laws and rules tend to dissolve. There is also less room for compassion and trust. Being the man of the Night’s Watch is not enough to get a warm meal anymore.

One interesting episode in this chapter is Arya’s encounter with the pack of wolves. We’ve been hearing about a pack led by a great bitch, the biggest wolf men have ever seen. That screams like Nymeria to anyone who sees it. Could it be that Arya came close with her lost direwolf in this chapter? There is no proof either way, but it’s certainly possible.

Quotes

“I told them to throw Allar Deem into the sea. I am sorely tempted to do the same with you.”
“You might be disappointed by the result,” Varys replied.
“The storms come and go, the waves crash overhead, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on paddling.”

“Alas, no. There was another bastard, a boy, older. I took steps to see him removed from harm’s way… but I confess, I never dreamed the babe would be at risk. A baseborn girl, less than a year old, with a whore for a mother. What threat could she pose?”
“She was Robert’s,” Tyrion said bitterly.

Who truly killed Eddard Stark do you think? Joffrey, who gave the command? Ser Ilyn Payne, who swung the sword? Or… another?”

Tyrion had the City Watch now, plus a hundred-and-a-half fierce clansmen and a growing force of sellswords recruited by Bronn. He would seem well protected. Doubtless Eddard Stark thought the same.

“How do you know which ones to hire?”
“I look them over. I question them, to learn where they’ve fought and how well they lie.”
Bronn smiled. “And then I give them a chance to kill me, while I do the same for them.”
“Have you killed any?”
“No one we could have used.”
“And if one of them kills you?”
“He’ll be one you’ll want to hire.”

Commentary

This is one of my favorite chapters, full of hidden schemes and meanings.

First of all, Tyrion is starting to build his domain in King’s Landing. He’s killing two birds with one stone by removing the butcher Janos Slynt and replacing him with his own man (or, as he reflects, replacing Littlefinger’s man with Varys’). He thinks that securing the gold cloaks plus the army of mercenaries recruited by Bronn should make him feel safe, but he also keeps in mind that Ned was also feeling safe and it didn’t do him much good.

Tyrion is also having an interesting conversation with the Spider himself. Tyrion tells Varys that he’s tempted to remove him just like he did it with Slynt, but Varys doesn’t seem scared. He even kind of boasts, that big fish come and go and he keeps on paddling.

Varys also says something very intriguing. He hints on the possibility that it was not Ilyn Payne, nor Joffrey that killed Ned Stark. He leaves the question hanging in there and the general understanding is that it was Joffrey that gave the command and should bear the responsibility, but what if there was someone else, who convinced Joffrey that leaving Stark alive would be a sign of weakness or that he should punish Ned for the humiliation Arya put him through? Just a thought to ponder.

There is one more plot touched in this chapter - Robert’s bastards. Cersei wants them dead and she doesn’t hesitate sending men to kill new born children. Varys reveals to have plotted to hide one of Robert’s bastards. It’s logical to assume that he’s talking about Gendry. What were his reasons? Who can tell? Does he have a plan that involves Gendry? Did he do it to honor Robert’s life? To save his child knowing that the “true-born” were not his own? Or did he just do it to spite Cersei? I wonder.

The last thing that amused me greatly in this chapter is once again the filled with cynism comedic duo of Tyrion and Bronn. Those two are worth each other.

Quotes

“I will do as I pledged,” Ser Cleos replied stiffly. “What is this message? ”
“An offer of peace.” Robb stood, longsword in hand.

“There are the terms. If she meets them, I’ll give her peace. if not” - he whistled, and Grey Wind moved forward snarling - “I’ll give her another Whispering Wood.”
“Stark!” the Greatjon roared again, and now other voices took up the cry. “Stark, Stark, King in the North!” The direwolf threw back his head and howled.
Ser Cleos had gone the color of curdled milk. “The queen shall hear your message, my-Your Grace.”

He pushed a fall of hair out of his eyes and gave a shake of the head. “I might have been able to trade the Kingslayer for Father, but…”
“…but not for the girls?” Her voice was icy quiet. “Girls are not important enough, are they?”

“That’s blood up there, child, smeared across the sky.”
“Our blood or theirs?”
“Was there ever a war where only one side bled?”

Commentary

Robb, much like Robert Baratheon, is quickly finding out that winning battles is the easy part of waging war. He is pressured by Catelyn to end the pointless bloodshed, his bannermen are divided between those who want to go to battle and the ones who want to go back and defend their lands. There are also those who want justice done to Jaime Lannister. Robb’s life is a nightmare, even though he sees to be winning the war.

The peace offer did not seem to bring any value to Robb’s situation. The Lannisters would never agree to the terms, Robb believed that the offer was already too sweet and some of his liege lords were offended by the fact that he even considers peace before the blood of their kin was avenged.

Robb has many difficult decisions to face and there is no solution, no answer that would make all of his follower pleased. Additionally he’s facing accusations from Cat, who wants nothing more than to get back with her family, to see her daughters again. She’s blinded with cold fury when she sees how rational Robb is in regards to prisoner exchange, how he doesn’t see his sisters worth the same as Jaime Lannister. The pain makes her cruel. Her point of view is the one of the mother. Robb knows though that mothers don’t win wars…

Quotes

“And his brothers?” Jon asked.
The armorer considered that a moment. “Robert was the true steel. Stannis is pure iron, black and hard and strong, yes, but brittle, the way iron gets. He’ll break before he bends. And Renly, that one, he’s copper, bright and shiny, pretty to look at but not worth all that much at the end of the day.”

“Blind he may be, but Aemon knows what he’s about. I pray the gods let us keep him another twenty years. Do you know that he might have been king?”
Jon was taken by surprise. “He told me his father was king, but not… I thought him perhaps a younger son.”

“Robb will rule, you will serve. Men will call you a crow. Him they’ll call Your Grace. Singers will praise every little thing he does, while your greatest deeds all go unsung. Tell me that none of this troubles you, Jon… and I’ll name you a liar, and know I have the truth of it.”
Jon drew himself up, taut as a bowstring. “And if it did trouble me, what might I do, bastard as I am?”
“What will you do?” Mormont asked. “Bastard as you are?”
“Be troubled,” said Jon, “and keep my vows.”

Commentary

The entire storyline of Jon and the Night’s Watch revolves around the conflicting feelings and the fight between two strongest forces in human psyche: the bond with family and the determination to keep your honor, to keep your vows.

Jon’s will is tested once more with Robb being crowned the King in the North. Knowing that his half brother will be the heir to Winterfell is entirely different thing than knowing that he’s going to be a King. Mormont has the right of it. The message he passes o Jon though is: those feelings are not bad in themselves. They are natural. Now what can be good or bad is the way we deal with them. Jon chooses to “be troubled and keep his vows”.

Quotes

“A boy has more courage than sense,” the one who had named himself Jaqen H’ghar observed.

“You’ll have no one,” Yoren said stubbornly. “There’s laws on such things.”
The gold cloak drew a shortsword. “Here’s your law.”
Yoren looked at the blade. “That’s no law, just a sword. Happens I got one too.”

“Don’t see why no one wants neither o’ you,” Yoren said, “but they can’t have you regardless. You ride them two coursers. First sight of a gold cloak, make for the Wall like a dragon’s on your tail. The rest o’ us don’t mean spit to them.”
“Except for you,” Arya pointed out. “That man said he’d take your head too.”
“Well, as to that,” Yoren said, “if he can get it off my shoulders, he’s welcome to it.”

Commentary

The recruits slowly move towards the lands ruled by fire and sword. Although Yoren is confident that the fact that Night’s Watch does not take part in realm wars will guarantee them safe passage other travellers are not so certain.

The journey does not become any safer when Yoren decides to stand up to gold cloaks sent by the queen after Robert’s bastard. Cersei, knowing that the truth about her offspring may see the light of the day wants to make sure that whoever comes out with the news does not have Robert’s heir with him. Each bastard Robert fathered in theory has the claim to the throne as the King didn’t have any legitimate children. Cersei should be more concerned with Stannis and Renly, who have a stronger claim, but lacking the power to reach them she chooses to go after the easy prey - children.

As for Arya, she makes a mistake assuming she’s the only one queen would have interest in. When the gold cloaks show up she reveals to Gendry that she’s the one they are after peaking his interest. Is this a beginning of a romantic relationship between the two outlaws? Maybe Robert’s son will wed Ned’s daughter after all…

There is one more thing worth mentioning in this chapter. The character of Jaqen H’ghar. He’s introduced as dangerous criminal travelling in a cage with two other men, however he claims that it is not the company he chose for himself. He doesn’t sound like a criminal that needs to be locked in chains. His true identity (if you can call it that…) will be revealed later on as will be his role in Arya’s life.

On the side note kudos to Yoren for standing up to the gold cloaks!

Quotes

“Oooo,” Bran cried tentatively. He cupped his hands around his mouth and lifted his head to the comet. “Ooooooooooooooooooo, ahooooooooooooooo, ” he howled. it sounded stupid, high and hollow and quavering, a little boy’s howl, not a wolf’s. Yet Summer gave answer, his deep voice drowning out Bran’s thin one, and Shaggydog made it a chorus. Bran haroooed again. They howled together, last of their pack.

Winterfell, he remembered, the sound coming to him suddenly. Beyond its sky-tall man-cliffs the true world was calling, and he knew he must answer or die.

Commentary

Brans destiny starts to surface. Being trapped in his crippled body the boy is looking for ways to break free and unconsciously reaches out to his direwolf. Boy and the beast share the mind.

Bran is beginning to think that there is more to the world than what Maester Luwin teaches him. He remembers how the direwolves knew about his father’s death. With the wolf dreams Bran starts to see other things as well. He can feel the weirwood dreams. The question springs to my mind - is he the only one who has this power, was he chosen for some strange reason? Or is it the fact that he’s crippled, that he’s reaching inside himself while his brothers and sisters are constantly distracted by the world around them? I hope that with time we’ll find out.

While this chapter is mostly about Bran (it’s his POV after all) I keep wondering what role does his little brother have to play in the story. Rickon, boy deprived of his parents long before he was ready to let them go is struggling to find a place for himself in this strange world. He’s growing as wild as his direwolf. Is he going to cause trouble before this tale is told?