AI has been used in this, and while I did try to edit it as much as I could, there are just too many chapters and words for me to do it cleanly, so forgive me if it doesn't feel too smooth to read and if there are points in between when the infamous Hallucinations happen.
Chapter 1: Rebirth at the Tower of Joy
The story begins with the death of the protagonist, John, a man from 21st-century Earth who succumbs to COVID-19 in a hospital, regretting not having read the final book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. He is immediately reborn into the body of the newborn son of Lyanna Stark at the Tower of Joy in 283 AC. Lyanna dies shortly after giving birth amid the sounds of battle, entrusting her son to the Dornish midwife, Wylla. The child is taken by Eddard Stark (Ned) and Howland Reed. Ned resolves to claim the baby as his own bastard, Jon Snow, to protect him. Jon realises he has been reincarnated into the world of Westeros. Ned separates from the party to go to King's Landing, while Jon, Wylla, and Howland begin the journey north by ship from a port near Starfall.
Chapter 2: Journey to Winterfell and Mental Training
The party stops briefly near Starfall, where Ned's grim mood hints at the tragic death of Ashara Dayne. They continue to Seagard by ship, then travel across the Neck with an escort of Howland Reed's Crannogmen. At Moat Cailin, they meet Benjen Stark, who takes Jon for the final leg to Winterfell. Once in Winterfell, the Dornish wet nurse, Wylla, is replaced by a local one. Jon, suffering from "internet withdrawal," begins practising mental exercises to alleviate his boredom and increase his mind's potential, focusing on complicated mental math and "Image Training" to stabilise mental images. Benjen visits, sharing heartfelt memories of Lyanna, and reveals his decision to join the Night's Watch. The chapter ends as Ned, his wife Catelyn, and their son Robb arrive at Winterfell.
Chapter 3: The Bastard and the Septa
Jon is brought out to greet the arrivals but avoids meeting Catelyn by deliberately soiling himself, forcing the wet nurse to take him away (a self-proclaimed "SHIT MISSILE"). Catelyn is shocked to learn of his existence, asking Ned, "Who's Jon?" Later, after a time jump (the boys are now older), Jon and Robb sneak out to the Godswood. Septa Mordane attempts to turn Robb against Jon by claiming bastards are "creatures born out of sin and lust". Robb defends Jon by arguing that King Robert Baratheon is descended from a Targaryen bastard, effectively silencing the Septa.+4
Chapter 4: Frost the Snow Eagle
The family is preparing for the birth of a new child (Sansa). Ned takes Jon and Robb on a hunt, a Stark tradition he missed with his first two children. During the hunt, Jon discovers a baby snow eagle that has fallen from its nest. Feeling an instant connection, Jon convinces Ned to let him keep the bird, promising to care for it himself, and names it Frost.
Chapter 5: The Warg's Path
Jon begins learning the Old Tongue with Old Nan and spends time researching in the Winterfell library. He finds a section of books written in the Old Tongue that detail the lost magic of the First Men, including warging. The texts outline three key training steps for warging: daily mind-emptying exercises, nightly meditation/review for memory and emotional control, and the essential step of forming a strong bond with the animal from a young age. Jon begins rigorously following this regimen, determined to warn his new companion, Frost.
Chapter 6: Hunting Lessons and Old Mark
Now older (around six), Jon realises he needs practical skills for his new life. He seeks out an old, skilled local hunter, Old Mark, and persuades him to teach him hunting and survival. In exchange, Jon teaches Old Mark's six-year-old granddaughter, Emilia (Emy), how to read and write. The chapter focuses on Jon's demanding hunting lessons with Old Mark, where he is forced to learn practical skills.
Chapter 7: The Mind Sense Channel
Jon continues his mental exercises, now calling his mental space his 'consciousness' or 'mind sphere'. His diligent practice results in his mind sphere growing large enough to make contact with a "pin-sized needle" outside of it. This contact opens a mental communication channel, allowing him to issue basic commands to Frost with his mind and sense her location. Benjen Stark returns to Winterfell for a visit, finding Jon in the Godswood with his younger siblings.
Chapter 8: The Struggle of Dual-Wielding
Jon and Robb are training with wooden swords in the castle yard under the supervision of Ser Rodrik Cassel. Jon is attempting to master dual-wielding, but he struggles because his right arm is subconsciously dominant. Ser Rodrik decides Jon must spar only with his non-dominant hand until he can achieve true ambidexterity. Ned encourages Jon by telling him the only other dual-wielder he met was a fearsome "monster" (implying Ser Arthur Dayne).
Chapter 9: First War and Archery
Jon begins experiencing warg-dreams, flying and hunting with Frost in the Wolfswood, leaving him sleep-deprived. He is also learning the Valyrian language from Maester Luwin. Jon is late for his hunting lesson, where Old Mark gives him his first proper bow and arrows and makes him practice until he is accurate. That night, Jon achieves his first full warg into Frost, soaring high above the ground and feeling the exhilarating freedom of flight. He consciously and quickly exits the warg before the animal's mind can overpower his own consciousness.
Chapter 10: The Stark Siblings and Mind Sense Mastery
The four oldest Stark children (Robb, Jon, Sansa, and Arya) conspire to interrupt Ned's meeting with the Steward, successfully using a distraction and Sansa's quick action to remind Ned of his promise to buy them horses from a breeder. Jon continues to practice his "Mind Sense" (using his mind's consciousness to perceive others) on the castle staff to refine the skill. He learns that all Starks have a large, sphere-shaped consciousness, suggesting a genetic predisposition for warging, while non-Starks have irregular shapes. Jon successfully completes his first major solo hunt, bagging a large stag, which he sells for 15 stags and shares a portion of the meat with his teacher, Old Mark
Chapter 11: The First Companion
The chapter opens with Jon training his two students, Emily and Becca, in Warging techniques. Emily is excelling at Mental Arithmetics but struggles with Image Training, while Becca has a very active imagination, causing her visualisations to constantly move. Their session is interrupted when Jon feels an intense surge of anger from his companion, Frost (an Ice Eagle). Jon wargs into Frost and helps her strategically defeat an older, more experienced snow eagle that had been stealing from her nest. After the fight, Jon spots the fallen eagle's baby chick in a nest. He has Frost retrieve it, and he gives the chick to Emily as her companion, which she happily accepts. Jon promises Becca they will find a companion for her soon.
Chapter 12: The StarkHorse and LittleTom
Jon travels to Wintertown to meet Bryan, a part-time blacksmith, about a secret project he is funding: the StarkHorse. Bryan unveils a successful prototype—a three-wheeled contraption with paddles (a bicycle/tricycle prototype). Jon plans to have Bryan make three sizes. On his way out, Jon meets a young, very tall novice blacksmith named LittleTom, who ran away from his family near the Last Hearth to find work but has been unsuccessful. Jon, recognising LittleTom's potential to become a warg, offers him an apprenticeship with the castle's blacksmith, Mikken, and a place to stay, which LittleTom eagerly accepts. The focus shifts to Eddard Stark (Ned), who is overseeing preparations for war due to increased Ironborn activity. Robb finds Ned and leads him to the courtyard, where Jon dramatically unveils the StarkHorse. Arya immediately starts riding the three-wheeled version, while LittleTom brings out two two-wheeled versions for Robb and Sansa.
Chapter 13: An Enemy's Surprise
Jon and Robb are practising archery by shooting dull arrows at Frost, who easily dodges them in the air, demonstrating her speed and manoeuvrability. The practice is interrupted by Emily and Sansa, who playfully "rescue" Frost. The conversation shifts to the Ironborn threat, and the chapter cuts to Ned and the Northern lords riding out. Later, news of a coastal village being destroyed by reavers reaches Jon. Jon, realising the urgency, goes to the Maester's solar where Ned and Robb are. To propose an effective solution, Jon is forced to reveal his secret to his father: he is a warg, and the warging stories are true. He suggests using Frost's superior scouting ability to eliminate the Ironborn's most potent weapon: the element of surprise.
Chapter 14: Scouting and Warning
Jon wargs into Frost and flies to the sea. Using Frost's enhanced vision (which can "zoom 100's of times"), Jon spots three Ironborn ships with the sigil of House Codd and estimates the number of pirates to be about 150. He returns to his body and, with Robb's help, convinces Maester Luwin that Frost communicated the exact location and number of ships by pecking a map and using berries. The Maester sends a raven with the alert to Ser Rodrik Cassel, who is in the area with 80 men. Ser Rodrik, despite his initial scepticism about Jon's eagle, trusts his gut and his Lord's son, and immediately prepares his highly mobile company to "crush some squids".
Chapter 15: The Ambush
The perspective shifts to the Ironborn reavers, who are chasing a small fishing boat and excitedly approaching the Northern coast and a nearby village. Unbeknownst to them, Ser Rodrik's men have set up a clever ambush. When the Ironborn land, they are met by hidden villagers who fire arrows. Their landing zone is revealed to be full of mud traps, snaring many of the pirates. The remaining Ironborn are then attacked by the Northern cavalry, which effectively breaks their formation and morale. The Ironborn are completely routed and flee back toward their ships in a chaotic stampede.
Chapter 16: Becca's Companion
Jon goes on a solo hunting trip to find Shadowcats for their valuable pelts. Frost helps him locate a cave with two of the cats, a male and an injured female. Jon observes a vicious fight break out between them. He realises the female is desperately protecting a small pup hidden inside the cave from the larger male. Jon intervenes by shooting and killing the male Shadowcat with an arrow, saving the pup and the injured female. He takes the pup back to Winterfell and gives it to Becca as her promised companion. Becca names her new companion 'Skitter' and is ecstatic, completing Jon's goal of giving all his younger family and students an animal companion.
Chapter 17: Business and Worry
This chapter shifts back to Wintertown, focusing on the common folk. Danny, Rogar's wife, expresses her dissatisfaction with her life and Rogar's wages. Her father-in-law, Sam (who is working for Jon), leaves for work early. Later, Rogar meets with Sam and a merchant, who are negotiating the purchase of the three Ironborn ships captured in the recent battle. Rogar voices concern for his friends who were crew members on those ships, now left jobless, highlighting the human cost of the conflict.
Chapter 18: StarkHorse Success
The story moves forward, demonstrating the success of the StarkHorse business. Jon and LittleTom are selling the contraptions to the people of Wintertown. LittleTom has become a charismatic salesman, successfully promoting the StarkHorse by emphasising its superiority over a real horse—it requires no feed, cannot get sick or break a leg, and, most importantly, "It doesn't Shit!". The sales are booming, and Jon's enterprise is proving to be immensely profitable.
Chapter 19: Matters of the Family
Jon returns to his family, who are all happily using their StarkHorses. He observes the three captured Ironborn ships docked in the port, confirming that Rogar successfully purchased them. Jon finds Ned training with Robb. Ned expresses his continued worry about the Ironborn, viewing the recent attack as merely a test of their defences. Ned also reveals a personal family matter: Jon's mother, Catelyn, is pregnant, though she is still recovering emotionally from a recent miscarriage.
Chapter 20: The Grand Proposal
Ned, still concerned about the Ironborn's ability to launch surprise attacks, calls Jon to his solar. Robb is also present. Jon reiterates his point that the element of surprise is the Ironborn's greatest weapon. He proposes a plan for permanent, long-distance scouting to eliminate this advantage, a strategy which he can execute using his Warging ability with Frost. Jon explains that removing the surprise factor will turn the Ironborn into "just another band of pirates". After a very long discussion, Ned finally accepts the truth of Jon's warging and his strategy. A few days later, Ned and Jon depart for the Bear Islands with a new plan to deal with the Ironborn.
Chapter 21
Lord Eddard Stark and Lord Galbart Glover's parties meet while travelling through the Wolfswood. Jon Snow wins a bet against Lord Glover by proving his superior hunting skill, receiving a valuable Weirwood longbow as his prize. The party then travels to Deepwood Motte for a night.
Upon arriving at Bear Island, Lady Maege Mormont informs Lord Stark that her son, Ser Jorah, has fled the island with his wife after incurring massive debts to the Iron Bank and selling poachers as slaves to Tyroshi merchants. To help House Mormont regain its honour, Lord Stark proposes building a large, defensible trading port on Bear Island.
To address the threat of Ironborn raiders, Jon Snow reveals his ability to Warg (skinchange). He explains that by Warging into his eagle, Frost, he can provide early warning for any approaching ships, solving the defence problem. Maege accepts the plan.
Later, Dacey Mormont, Maege's daughter, takes Jon on a boat trip and introduces him to her "dolphin friend" named Cory, which Jon immediately recognises as a baby Orca. Jon senses a preliminary bond and confirms that Dacey can also Warg into Cory. It is decided that Jon will remain on Bear Island as a ward for two years, and the work on the new port begins.
Chapter 22
A few years later, Jon leads a covert night raid on an Ironborn ship in the Sunset Sea. Using his Warging connection with his eagle, Frost, Jon is able to see the ship's deck and uses his Weirwood bow to silently kill the three lookouts. With the help of his new mouse companion, Gan, Jon and his Northern crew, including Dacey, board the ship and slaughter the remaining 25 sleeping Ironborn.
In the Captain's quarters, Jon reads a logbook confirming the crew had recently raided the Reach, losing two ships and many men in a counter-attack. Dacey reports that they found captives below deck. Jon is shocked to learn one of the captives is a young noble girl from the Reach—a Tyrell.
Chapter 23
Dacey leads Jon down to the dank prison deck where the Ironborn kept their thralls. They find a maid, Tara, and a young girl. Tara reveals the girl is Alla (Alys Tyrell), cousin to Lady Margaery Tyrell and a Lady-in-Waiting in training. Alla and Tara were captured while travelling to Lannisport to buy a product called a "Starkhorse". Jon expresses keen interest in the "Starkhorse".
Chapter 24
Jon and Dacey return to Mormont Castle to find Maege Mormont, her Master-at-arms, and Captain of the Guards arguing in the Lord's Solar. A letter has arrived reporting a sighting of about fifty Wildlings heading towards Bear Island. Dacey insists on joining the fight and leading the counter-attack.
Meanwhile, a Wildling named Val is part of the invading party. She worries about her leader, Greybeard, who is feuding with Mance Rayder, and who previously failed to claim her sister, Dalla.
Chapter 25
A fleet of Wildling rafts and boats approaches the Bear Island coast. Their leader, Greybeard, ignores warnings from Mance Rayder, believing the port is still a weak fishing village ripe for plunder.
The Wildlings land, and a small force of Bear Islanders and villagers springs a well-planned ambush, though the villagers' arrows eventually run out. As the Wildlings begin to take captives, Jon Snow leaps into the fray on horseback, shooting arrows with impossible skill. He kills roughly half the raiding party with his bow before switching to a spear. Val, realising her escape route is cut off, shoots an arrow at Jon, which he dodges with a slight tilt of his head.
Chapter 26
Following the Wildling attack, the smallfolk are gossiping about the beautiful, blonde woman (Val) Jon brought back, noting she speaks the Old Tongue. Jon has persuaded Val to remain on Bear Island with an oath that if she can defeat him or Dacey in a single combat, he will take her safely back over the Wall to her sister. Maege teases Jon about his interest in Val.
Chapter 27
Jon reflects on how Lord Stark revealed his true parentage to him some time ago, judging him mature enough to handle the secret. Jon receives a letter from Robb updating him on the factory at Winterfell, his own training, and his warging lessons with Emily. Sansa, Arya, and Emily have also sent letters.
Chapter 28
Jon is performing the difficult feat of Warging into three minds simultaneously: his own, his eagle Frost's, and an unfamiliar raven's. Through the raven, which is hidden in Highgarden, Jon eavesdrops on a conversation between Olenna Tyrell, Lady Alerie, and young Margaery Tyrell. Margaery is crying, feeling responsible for her cousin Alla's capture because she wanted a 'Starkhorse'. Olenna dismisses her guilt. A maester informs them that the 'Starkhorse' merchant (Jon) is expected to arrive in about three weeks.
Chapter 29
Jon is sailing south with his fleet for the Reach. Val, still angry, claims Jon 'stole' her. Tara, the rescued maid, is amazed at Jon's navigating skill, noting he avoids all storms and must have "eyes in heaven" (unaware of his Warging). Jon enlists Tara's help to meet the port master at the Mander, using her as a familiar face to ensure his fleet is not seen as hostile.
At the port, Jon is greeted by Willas Tyrell. Margaery arrives and is overjoyed to be reunited with her cousin Alla, as is Willas with the maid Tara. Jon successfully sells his Starkhorses to merchants after a competitive bidding process, and Willas compliments Jon's use of a merchant as an "insider". Jon and Dacey discuss plans to buy a decent trade vessel from House Redwyne for around 5,000 dragons before Dacey collapses from exhaustion and falls asleep.
Chapter 30
The Tyrell family, including Olenna, Mace, and Willas, watch from a viewing area as Dacey drags Loras Tyrell to the training yard for an impromptu duel. Jon is formally introduced to Olenna and Mace Tyrell. Mace attempts to boast about his military history, but Olenna, annoyed, quickly has him called away by a guard on the pretence of an urgent letter.+3
Jon and Olenna discuss his business, and she agrees to a future partnership/trade deal for his Starkhorses in exchange for ships.
The duel between Dacey, wielding a Morningstar, and Loras, with a training sword, begins. Loras launches a frantic offensive, but Dacey calmly evades and parries every blow. As Dacey corners Loras, the scene concludes, but the narrative reveals that Jon and Dacey must leave immediately because the Wildling, Val, has slipped past the guards and is now loose in Highgarden
Chapter 31: Val's Introduction to the South
Val, having slipped away from the ship, is overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and customs of a Southern market, particularly the use of money and the apparent lack of violence. She enters a tavern, eats a massive meal, and then attempts to leave without paying, believing the food was free. A noble, Hobber Redwyne, pays her bill, assuming she is a noble, and then tries to court her. When she reveals she is not a noble, Hobber attempts to force her to repay him. Val leads him into an alleyway and, when Jon and Dacey find her, she is sitting on Hobber, trying to cut off his finger to pay the "just price" for attempting to "steal" her. Jon intervenes and, after Hobber orders his guards to attack, Jon effortlessly disables the two guards and then knocks out Hobber with a powerful kick to the face.
Chapter 32: Samwell Tarly and a New Alliance
Jon sends Dacey ahead to the ships to oversee the incoming large shipment of crops from the Tyrells. As Jon and Val walk back, they encounter Hobber Redwyne's twin brother viciously bullying a round-faced boy in an alley. The bully, who is similar in appearance to Hobber, is mocking the boy for being "a fat coward" and the prospect of marrying his sister. Jon quickly knocks out the bully and introduces himself to the victim, who is revealed to be Samwell Tarly.
Chapter 33: The Queen of Thorns' Assessment
The narrative shifts to Highgarden, where Olenna Tyrell and her grandson, Willas, discuss their recent meeting with Jon Snow. Olenna is impressed by Jon's fierce intelligence, noble upbringing, and charisma, noting that he does not exhibit the typical resentment of a bastard. She also recognises the unusual power he wields, evidenced by a noble (Dacey) obeying him and his authority to negotiate a major trade deal, concluding that he must have the Lord Paramount's absolute trust. She instructs Willas to contact Oberyn Martell in Dorne to investigate Jon's past.
Chapter 34: Mance Rayder's Discovery
The scene moves north to a tavern in Barrowtown, where a wandering singer (who is secretly Mance Rayder, the King-Beyond-The-Wall) is gathering information. Local fishermen praise "the boy," Jon Snow, for bringing prosperity to the region and ending the Ironborn and Wildling raids, noting he is currently sailing South. Mance leaves the tavern and finds his companion, Ygritte, captured, bound, and gagged in a cave by a man named Lawrence and a mute girl. Lawrence reveals that they were sent by Jon Snow.
Chapter 35: A Deal with the King-Beyond-The-Wall
Lawrence explains to Mance Rayder that Jon Snow remembers him from a trip to Winterfell, where Mance, then a man of the Night's Watch, covered for Jon and Robb Stark after they played a prank on Catelyn Stark. Jon, through Lawrence, offers Mance a trade opportunity with the Free Folk, provided Mance can deliver a stable supply of goods.
Chapter 36: Oldtown and the Viper
In Oldtown, Jon finishes giving Dacey final instructions for her voyage North with the Tyrell crops. He emphasises specific trade rules, including a price ceiling to ensure fair distribution in the North. Jon and Sam then visit the Citadel library, where Jon researches the elusive "Fortune Bird" (a hummingbird-like creature). While leaving, Jon overhears an argument and realises he is standing outside a room with Oberyn Martell. Oberyn confronts Jon for eavesdropping, but Jon is unfazed and proposes a mutual bargain: they will keep each other's presence/actions in Oldtown a secret from the Citadel, and they part ways.
Chapter 37: Ironborn Vows and the Journey North
The focus briefly shifts to the Iron Islands, where Balon Greyjoy refuses to act yet, but a fierce Ironborn named Alyn vows to avenge the Northmen's disrespect. The chapter then follows Dacey, now Captaining the fleet back North, as she struggles with the responsibilities of navigation and command, especially without Jon's warging help, and deals with the crowded ships carrying extra crew for the new galleons.
Chapter 38: The Impending Ambush
Dacey finally docks and is immediately greeted by the "Fortune Bird," which leads her to a secluded dock where Jon is waiting on two enormous, pristine galleons acquired from the Tyrells. Jon informs Dacey about an imminent Ironborn attack on the coast of the Reach. Dacey is highly concerned about the odds, arguing that their fleet, even combined with merchant ships, is severely outnumbered by the 30-ship Ironborn warband and would lead to a Pyrrhic victory. Jon dismisses her fears, expressing high confidence in his plan to ambush the Ironborn, suggesting their chances are excellent.
Chapter 39: The Raid
Jon successfully convinces the merchant captains (including Tyrand from the Westerlands) to join his plan for vengeance against the Ironborn. The ambush begins under the cover of night, with Jon's forces (composed of wargs and Northmen) launching a surprise attack on the anchored Ironborn fleet. The fight quickly turns into a chaotic and brutal all-out battle.
Chapter 40: The Warg Lord's Arsenal
The battle culminates with Jon's secret tactic: he is revealed to be standing on the water, using his Orca warg-link (Cory) as his stable platform, to rain arrows down on the Ironborn. He manages to kill the last Ironborn raider, an Ironborn noble named Orkwood, who, in his final moments, witnesses Jon standing on the water and whispers, "As if a... GOD...". Jon finishes the battle and reflects on the mystery of the deep sea, which remains an invisible, inaccessible boundary to his wargs.
Chapter 41: Trade Expansion, Island Discovery, and the Iron Bank Problem
The chapter establishes the success of Jon Snow's Northern businesses, confirming he has added new trading galleons and is planning a second port with Lord Glover. Jon tasks his powerful dragon, Frost, with a months-long "carpet search" of the far western sea to find a large, unknown island. The intent is to create a secure, secret backup haven for the Free Folk (Wildlings) in the event that the Northern Lords refuse to settle them and the White Walkers become too powerful. Frost eventually succeeds, discovering a cluster of five islands, one of which is large enough to be a suitable haven.
Simultaneously, Jon's eastern operations face a serious financial threat in Braavos. The Iron Bank is systematically increasing the import tax on Starkhorses, slowly strangling the business. Merchant Sam fails to reason with the Iron Bank's representative, learning that the tax is due to a greedy banker's attempt to boost his own revenue for an upcoming internal election. With no other option, Sam resolves to call on "The Boss of your Boss"—Jon Snow—to solve the problem.
Chapter 42: The Wildling Ambush and the Warg's End
Jon sets sail for the Bay of Ice near the True North to proceed with the planned trade with the Wildlings, ignoring warnings from Val about the minimal protection on his five ships. Jon's confidence is rooted in his warging ability.
A wildling warband, led by The Weeper and assisted by the powerful warg Varamyr, attempts an ambush on Jon's fleet. Jon detects Varamyr warging into an eagle and instantly retaliates by sending his own warging influence (a "blue shadow") to strike the bird, breaking Varamyr's concentration. As the ambush is about to commence, Jon seizes total warg-control of Varamyr's own animals (three wolves and a Shadowcat), making them turn on and feast on the wildling ambushers. In a horrifying climax, Varamyr's final animal, a massive snow bear, turns its hatred on its former master and smashes Varamyr's head, giving the warg a true death and ensuring the failure of the ambush.
Chapter 43: The Trade, Reunion, and Display of Terror
Jon arrives at the Frozen Shore where Mance Rayder awaits with a large, anxious gathering of Free Folk, including sceptical leaders like Rattleshirt. Jon arrives in a small boat with only Val, leading to Mance's concern that his promise of a mighty Southern army has been exposed as a lie. Dalla, Mance's partner, immediately recognises and is joyously reunited with her lost sister, Val.
Rattleshirt attempts to incite the wildlings to kill Jon and steal the ships. Jon accepts Rattleshirt's challenge to a duel, but Rattleshirt cheats by summoning fifteen men to fight alongside him. To immediately secure the trade route and terrifyingly subdue the Wildling leaders, Jon abruptly summons a massive, towering, shadowy tentacle from the sea. The creature appears out of nowhere, establishing a chilling dominance over the entire host.
Chapter 44: The Wolfswood Escape
After returning to Winterfell, Arya Stark is desperate to see Jon. She escapes her mother, Catelyn Stark's, supervision by riding Jon's powerful horse, Peggy, into the Wolfswood. Arya's horse is shown to be protective, later joined by Jon's Shadowcat, Tiger. Jon soon arrives and, after giving Arya gifts, insists she return home quickly to avoid facing her mother's full wrath against him.
Chapter 45: The Stark Family's Concerns
Jon meets with Robb and Lord Eddard Stark to discuss his trade strategies. Catelyn, still annoyed with Jon for his perceived influence on her daughters, attempts to assert herself by suggesting Jon send aid to the ill-supplied Night's Watch. Jon counters her suggestion by revealing that he has already arranged for a successful, long-term shipping route from Bear Island to the Wall, thus negating Catelyn's unsolicited advice and frustrating her.
Chapter 46: The Shift to Global Finance
Jon begins preparing for his next phase of business, which involves his trip to Braavos to deal with the Iron Bank. He is shown studying a rare book, The Origins of the Iron Bank and Braavos, to understand the institution's key power structures. The chapter notes that Jon is considering taking Little Tom, an apprentice who is now much healthier due to his training, on the voyage as a valuable assistant for future plans that require literacy and basic education.
Chapter 47: The Manderly Deal
Jon and his companions arrive in the city, where Big Sam (a Merchant) informs Jon that Lord Manderly is throwing a feast out of sheer excitement for their meeting. Big Sam asks Jon about solving the "Braavosi problem." Jon reveals his plan: he will sell all the rights to sell Starkhorses on the East coast of Westeros to Lord Manderly for a hefty price. This strategy allows Jon to utilise Manderly's extensive trade connections, boost the business beyond its current limits, and offload the complex logistics and risks associated with East Coast sales.
Chapter 48: The Banker's Unexpected Visitor
The scene shifts to a meeting with a banker named Darrio. Jon Snow enters the banker's room unannounced and without permission. When Darrio instinctively reaches to call for the guards, Jon throws a knife that sticks in the table just inches from Darrio's hand. This act immediately establishes Jon's dominance and forces the banker to listen.
Chapter 49: Intimidation and Acquisition of Warships
Jon, after threatening Darrio, begins to reveal his "secrets" and attempts to explain why following him would be in the banker's best interest. He questions Darrio on his belief in magic, sorcery, and the powers of the Faceless Men, subtly implying his own supernatural capabilities. It is later revealed that Jon coerced Darrio by using a small bird named Tweety to deliver poison to Darrio's drink before the meeting, giving Jon full control by holding the antidote. Jon successfully secures information about acquiring warships from the now-compliant banker.
Chapter 50: Pirates and the Stepstones
The scene introduces a pirate Captain and his Advisor who are discussing Jon Snow. The Advisor explains that Jon's success is due to a secret navigation method that allows him to sail straight across the open sea, drastically cutting travel time and making his fleet a highly profitable and desirable target. The pirates formulate a plan to capture Jon near the Stepstones.
Jon's fleet sails silently through the treacherous Stepstones at night. Jon uses his shadowy tentacle to eliminate a scouting boat anchored in a narrow pass, causing the boat to flip, the torch to be extinguished, and the sentries to vanish. Jon believes he has successfully sneaked past the pirates. However, a lone pirate sentry observes the torch going out as predicted and alerts the Advisor, who exclaims, "We got him!"—confirming the pirates have a solid lead on Jon's whereabouts and are now in pursuit.
Chapter 51
Captain Jack, a pirate, and his crew are waiting in ambush between Pentos and Myr for a promised fleet of merchant ships. After three days with no sign of the prey, Jack is furious at his scout, Frank, and threatens to kill him and sell his nephew into slavery. The "Advisor," a mysterious, clean-shaven man sent by Jack's father, intervenes and sends Frank back to find the fleet, intending to sell the nephew if Frank fails.
Meanwhile, Jon's Westerosi fleet, Northern Wolf Shipping, has completed a successful round trip to Volantis in less than three weeks, bypassing the ambush and the pirate-infested Stepstones with ease. This phenomenal speed shocks the people of Bravoos and brings a flood of new customers.
Frank returns with news of the fleet's impossible speed, which Jack dismisses as a lie. The Advisor investigates and confirms the ship's speed. He theorises that Jon uses an "Ancient Westerosi navigation method" to sail directly across the open sea, drastically shortening the route. The Advisor tells Jack that capturing Jon alive to learn this secret is priceless, as it would make them "completely invincible at sea". Captain Jack, seeking glory, refuses to involve his father and has the Advisor devise a plan, which starts with releasing Frank and his nephew for a "perfect job".
Chapter 52
Merchant Sam and three guards, including the young Northerner Gill, are in Volantis to conduct business. The Northerners are deeply disturbed by the rampant, open slavery in the city. Gill is particularly affected when a merchant lashes a slave woman in front of them. Sam orders the guards not to intervene, knowing they would be killed. Sam reflects that Jon, the 'boss', never leaves the ship in slaver cities after his first trip resulted in five cruel slavers dying mysteriously.
Back at sea, Sam reports the successful trip to Jon. Jon then cryptically muses that while a man may not abolish slavery, "maybe a woman could," one with "three very powerful friends," suggesting he is searching for Daenerys Targaryen.
Five days later, as the fleet approaches the Stepstones, Jon abruptly senses danger and orders the sails lowered. Using his warg connection to his bird, Frost, Jon scouts the area and discovers that the passages between the islands are blocked by small boats acting as scouts, ready to raise an alarm. He realises someone has figured out his tactics and is waiting to catch them.
Chapter 53
Jon, exhausted from warging for a prolonged period, manages to evade the main pirate fleet. He informs Sam that they successfully passed through the Stepstones ambush, revealing he used Frost to attack the scout boats by warging a kraken/sea monster near them. A lone pirate sentry, however, noticed the signal from the resulting overturned boat was snuffed out and alerted the Advisor, who is delighted that his trap plan confirmed their method of travel.
Soon after, Jon's fleet is ambushed by three fast pirate ships (Captain Jack's fleet) and an escort of two warships from Pentos. The Magister's son, Nyrio, who commanded the warships, had arrogantly left the main merchant group, leaving Jon's fleet with inadequate protection. Jon quickly realises one pirate ship is acting as a messenger to bring the rest of the pirate fleet for a massive attack. Jon then uses his abilities (implied warging/kraken attack) to damage the messenger ship and two other ships, forcing the pirates to slow down and retreat. Jon's fleet easily slips away.
Chapter 54
The Advisor is furious that Jon's fleet escaped again, but Captain Jack angrily refuses the Advisor's suggestion to bring in his father.
Back in Bravoos, Jon and Sam plan to expand their company, Northern Wolf Shipping, by buying new ships to meet the skyrocketing demand. Jon instructs Sam to return to White Harbour not for trade goods, but for as many trained sailors as possible. Jon also tells Sam that Robb has sent two "very special people" to White Harbour, whom he needs to pick up, referring to them as "helpers" for the increasing workload. Sam finds the boy who does the reading for Jon and informs him that Frost will be too busy for a while because they are going on a new, dangerous trip: "To the Disputed Lands".
Chapter 55
The chapter opens in King's Landing during a hot summer, contrasting the early, hard-working smallfolk with the nobles of the Small Council who begin their meeting at noon. Lord Jon Arryn and Lord Stannis are the first to arrive. The scene then shifts to Pentos, where Magister Nyrio (whose son is involved in the Chapter 53 ambush) is trying to maintain his prestige and fortune. Nyrio, bored with the low speeds of the merchant fleet he is escorting, decides to split his forces and take only half his warships to escort a few specific merchants, dismissing the servant's protests about the unnecessary risk.
Chapter 56
Jon and Sam are travelling through the flatlands of Essos, heading toward the Disputed Lands. They stop to set up camp for the night. Jon uses his warg connection to his bird, Frost, to hunt, and Frost quickly brings back a fat rabbit. Sam prepares the rabbit stew for their dinner.
Chapter 57
While eating, Jon and Sam encounter three sellswords torturing a teenage boy. Jon easily insults the sellswords, prompting a fight. Before the combat, Jon asks the captive his name, and the boy replies, "Bran!". Jon warg-scouts the boy and is shocked by what he finds. Sam is forced to kill one of the sellswords with his axe, leaving him in deep shock over taking a human life. Jon reassures him, calling it a cruel world.
After taking care of the bodies, Jon and Sam hear Bran's story. Bran is from the Company of the Rose, a sellsword company, and his sister, Lea, is near death. Bran's uncle wants to use slavery to raise money for her cure, but his father, Gared, refuses. Desperate, Bran heard about a thousand-gold bounty for a lion cub for a Magister's son and set out alone, only to be captured by sellswords from a rival company, the Gallant Men. Jon, suspicious of the convenience of the capture, agrees to bring Bran back to the Company of the Rose, as they share the same destination.
Chapter 58
Jon, Sam, and Bran arrive at the camp of the Company of the Rose. Inside the commander's tent, Bran's father, Commander Gared, is arguing fiercely with his second-in-command, Rickard. Rickard is pressuring Gared to resort to slavery to save his daughter, Lea, and the company, but Gared vehemently refuses, declaring the "blood of the North still runs in my veins".
The argument is broken by the announcement that Bran is back. Gared is overjoyed and rushes out to give his son a crushing hug. The sellswords are highly curious about the two newcomers, especially Jon, who wears a wolf insignia and is quickly identified as a Northerner and a warrior.
Chapter 59
Bran immediately takes Jon and Sam to see his sister, Lea, who is gravely ill and near death. Gared asks about Jon and Sam, and Jon confidently introduces Sam as a healer whose knowledge rivals most Maesters, especially concerning Essosi diseases.
Sam examines Lea and finds that her symptoms do not match any known diseases. He eventually realises he has read the exact same symptoms in a book about poisons. This shocking revelation immediately gives Gared and Bran new hope. Sam quickly works to create an antidote, and within days, Lea's condition rapidly improves. Bran is immensely grateful to Sam. Gared is enraged at their company's own healer, who had dismissed any new medicine and is now suspiciously absent.
Chapter 60
Gared calls a meeting to find out who poisoned his daughter. Jon conducts a methodical interrogation of the company's command structure and other suspicious members.
Jon exposes three sellswords who were profiting from betraying the Company of the Rose:
Ros: A sellsword who possessed 200 gold and confessed to selling information about the company's plans, including an unprovoked attack on the Gallant Men, to a rival. Ros is immediately executed.
Daryn (The Sleeping Piggy): The man in charge of salaries, whose letters to his successful merchant son in Pentos reveal he was selling valuable company information, which his son then sold for profit. Daryn is dragged away to be dealt with.
Finally, Jon turns to the second-in-command, Commander Rickard, who had been pressuring Gared to resort to slavery. Jon gives Rickard a meaningful smile and asks, "Am I right, Commander Rickard...so should I call you Rattlesnake!"
Chapter 61
The chapter delves into the backstory of Rickard, Gared's second-in-command, revealing his bitterness, his identity as the son of a slaver and a slave, and his deep-seated belief that the strong prey on the weak. His ambition to command the Company of the Rose led him to plot against Gared by trying to associate him with slavery and by hiring others to kidnap Gared's son, Bran. The plotting is exposed when Jon publicly accuses Rickard, calling him "Rattlesnake" and producing letters as proof. Jon then introduces the final, devastating witnesses: the two hired kidnappers and the missing healer whom Rickard had tried to murder for silence. When Gared confronts him, Rickard loses control and confesses his contempt for Gared's leadership.
Chapter 62
The chapter opens with Rickard's furious screams echoing across the training grounds. Jon immediately directs Bran to dismiss the crowd to protect Gared's image. After the confrontation, Rickard is knocked unconscious by Gared. Two days later, all the traitors and spies, including Rickard, are executed by Gared himself. Jon later finds Gared drinking and convinces him to break his five-month contract with Myr early by achieving its primary objective: conquering the contested Disputed Lands from the rival sellsword company. The scene shifts to the camp of the enemy, the Company of the Cat, where Oberyn Martell (under an assumed name) and his daughter, Obara, are serving as sellswords. Oberyn samples the company's food and realises it has been poisoned.+4
Chapter 63
This chapter continues the sequence of events following the poisoning. Oberyn, realising the entire Company of the Cat is compromised, orders Obara to immediately pack the essentials and meet him at the stables, stressing that they must leave now. To secure their escape, Oberyn ruthlessly kills a stable hand with a spear after the man refuses to let them leave with horses without the commander's permission. They gallop away from the camp, with Obara knowing "something was very wrong here".
Chapter 64
Oberyn and Obara are riding through a narrow gorge when they are ambushed by Jon and Sam. Jon reveals he was waiting for them and that the Cat camp's poisoning was his doing. Obara recklessly charges Jon but is thrown from her horse (implied to be caused by Jon's warging) and captured. Jon is forced to resort to desperate measures to subdue a raging Oberyn, scratching him with a poisoned spear to force him to stop fighting. Meanwhile, the main attack by Gared's Company of the Rose and the Windblown (led by the Tattered Prince) begins at the Cat camp, capitalising on the chaos of the poison and a diversionary fire.
Chapter 65
This chapter details the negotiations and aftermath of the battle. Jon holds Oberyn as a "noble guest" and explains his reasons for capturing him. Jon reveals his overarching goal is to return to Westeros to hunt Gregor Clegane (The Mountain). To win the Prince of Dorne over, Jon promises that if Oberyn stays with his company for a year and is not impressed by Jon's leadership, he will pay him and let him leave. Obara, meanwhile, is released after agreeing to a challenge to train against Sam twenty times. Following the decisive victory over the Company of the Cat, Jon immediately receives an urgent raven summoning him to Braavos.
Chapter 66
This chapter transitions the action to Braavos. Jon arrives in Braavos to find his friend, the merchant Gill, has been kidnapped by a notorious pirate leader named Ravager. During Gill's rescue, Jon experiences a surge of uncontrollable, violent strength that worries him. Jon agrees to help Gill track down the pirates. Meanwhile, the pirate Captain Ravager is introduced, an ambitious man who wants his name to "resound across all the continents". Ravager tasks his Advisor with researching Jon's identity and abilities, as they suspect he is a legendary Skinchanger.
Chapter 67
This chapter focuses on the research into Jon's unique abilities. Jon uses his shadow cat, Tiger, to communicate with his brother Robb back in the Godswood of Winterfell, asking him to look into the legends of "Wolf's blood". Simultaneously, Ravager's Advisor, who is highly intelligent and believes magic is real, delves into old Westerosi and Northern legends to find a way to defeat Jon, whom he correctly identifies as "much more than a man".
Chapter 68
Jon's fleet sets sail from Braavos, carrying Gared's men and Oberyn. The ships make an "absurd" journey from Braavos to Tyrosh in just six days due to their unprecedented speed. Jon reveals his initial plan was a hit-and-run, but it changed because he gained a "secret weapon" three nights ago. This weapon is the captured Pirate Advisor, who, when apprehended during a scouting mission, offered to betray Captain Ravager and provide all the military information in exchange for Jon saving his son.
Chapter 69
This chapter describes the commencement of the pirate island assault. The target is the pirate stronghold on the island of Grey Gallows. The invasion begins with Gared and Oberyn leading their forces (Phase 1) to eliminate the smaller, independent pirate groups scattered along the island's edges, who make up roughly half of the island's three-thousand-man force.
Chapter 70
Oberyn and Gared successfully complete their first objective, eliminating all seven pirate camps on their side of the island. They are unconcerned when Oberyn reports that a man escaped to warn the main castle, with Gared saying, "it doesn't matter too much... we were almost done with here anyway" and that the warning just makes the next part "a bit more interesting". The leaders consolidate their forces and prepare to move toward the centre of the island and the main fortress for the next part of the operation, which Oberyn calls "Phase 2".
Chapter 71: The Ambush
The chapter opens with the pirate Rake waking up violently hungover, following a night of heavy partying organised by The Advisor. He is alerted that a nearby pirate camp was attacked by "invaders". Rake dismisses the threat as minor local trouble and sends 50 men under a pirate named Lark to pursue them. He ignores advice to alert the castle to avoid disturbing the Pirate King, Ravager. When a pirate lights a large campfire, the resulting illumination allows Jon Snow's hidden sellsword army to strike with pinpoint accuracy. The pirates panic and are decimated by an initial volley of arrows. Lark's force is quickly overwhelmed by the main sellsword army in the trees. The remaining pirates are caught in a "hammer and anvil" manoeuvre, crushed between a shield wall in front and a second force led by Gared and Oberyn from the rear. The pirate settlement is annihilated, with only a few dozen survivors escaping by ship. Jon's forces lose five men and sustain ten injuries.
Chapter 72: Ravager's Strategy
Pirate King Ravager is woken up and gathers his commanders, who confirm that the eastern camp was destroyed, and the scout ships are gone. The Advisor arrives and reveals that his own scouts reported that all camps in the North, East, and West have been wiped out, with only the western settlement remaining. The Advisor argues against fleeing, insisting the enemy is trying to lure Ravager out of the castle to kill him for the bounty. He estimates the enemy force is small (500–600 fighters) and advises Ravager to stay safe inside the castle until morning, when daylight will remove the enemy's advantage and force them to make a move. Meanwhile, Oberyn and Bran, scouting near the castle, observe the last 750 pirates from the western settlement racing into the castle for safety. Oberyn surmises that Jon is avoiding a direct battle to minimise casualties, suggesting a different plan is in motion.
Chapter 73: The Attack
Captain Ravager prepares for a counter-attack but is searching for The Advisor, who is rumoured to be ill from the previous night's drinking. Ravager's second-in-command, Blackheart, voices a suspicion that a high-level spy must be involved. When the disciplined sellsword army approaches, Ravager sees his opportunity to fight. However, he discovers that The Advisor is missing. At that moment, pirates on the wall begin vomiting, seizing, and falling to their deaths. Ravager realises The Advisor was the spy, and the "porridge" he suggested was the poison. Ravager lies about having an antidote and flees into the castle, abandoning his men. Oberyn confirms the poison, prepared by Sam, is working. Jon Snow shoots Blackheart with an arrow, eliminating the last organised defence. Gared's sellswords charge the gate and quickly massacre the remaining pirates.
Chapter 74: The Advisor and Ravager's End
Jon, Oberyn, and Gared search the castle. They meet Obara, who has hit a "snag" at a heavily reinforced storage door. Jon simply asks for the door to be opened, and it swings open, revealing The Advisor, whom Jon greets, confirming that he was Jon's spy. Jon reveals he only made the Advisor spy by promising the safety of his enslaved son, Rostch, who was hidden in the dungeons. The Advisor leads them to the treasury, which is surprisingly disappointing. Jon dismisses the gold but claims a copy of Gerion Lannister's diary is the "most important treasure". The Advisor insists the diary only contained mundane accounts of Gerion's doomed voyage, but Jon counters that the disappearance of Euron Greyjoy after reading the diary implies it holds secrets to Valyria's location. The Advisor reveals a secret escape route. They follow it to a cave where Ravager is attempting to flee with a final locked chest. Jon kills Ravager's final two guards with arrows. Ravager is enraged, questioning if Jon destroyed his fleet just for one man's (Sam's) torture. Ravager flees into the sea but is caught and brutally crushed by the massive tentacles of a Kraken (implied to be summoned by Jon), ensuring his gruesome death.
Chapter 75 (Inferred): The North and Farewells
The chapter shifts to Winterfell, where Robb Stark reads a letter from Lord Manderly to Lord Eddard Stark, confirming the shocking news that Jon killed a Pirate King. Jon (warging into his shadowcat, Frost) flies across the Wall, noting the improved state of the Night's Watch due to his prior actions. Frost lands in the Wildling camp and retrieves parchments from Mance Rayder. The perspective returns to Jon in the Stepstones, where Oberyn Martell warns him that his public display of power means he can no longer operate "under the radar" from players like Varys. Oberyn and Obara prepare to sneak away to return to Dorne. Before leaving, Jon gives Oberyn a written "cure" for his brother Doran's gout, which is a dietary and lifestyle remedy he recalled from a medical webnovel in his previous life.
Chapter 76 (Inferred): A Princess to Save
A follower of R'hllor in Braavos (implied to be Melisandre) sees Jon, and upon hearing his name, she is struck as if by lightning, recognising him as "The Prince that was...". Jon receives a letter from King's Landing, giving him six months to attend a royal tourney. Jon is annoyed, as this forces him to accelerate his plans. The narrator introduces Jon's new mission: a "side quest" to save a princess from the "cruel claws of..."
Chapter 77: Daenerys's History Lesson
Jon begins his mission by warging into a rat named Gan in Illyrio Mopatis's mansion in Pentos to communicate with Daenerys Targaryen. Daenerys discusses a book Jon gave her on the Dance of the Dragons. Reading the true history of the civil war and its death toll has shattered her brother Viserys's narrative that the Targaryen family was perfect and adored by the realm. Jon makes her promise to keep an open mind for the next book, one on "more recent history"
Chapter 78: Confronting the Past
The next time Jon (as Gan) meets Daenerys, she is red-eyed and angry, having read the book on recent history (implied to be Robert's Rebellion and the reign of Aerys II). She furiously demands to know who wrote such "lies," assuming the Maester was paid by the Usurpers (Starks and Lannisters). She expresses disbelief at the book's contents, showing her attachment to the romanticised version of her family's history provided by Viserys.+2
Chapter 79: Viserys's Cruelty
Daenerys ignores Jon's attempts to explain the book's truth and confronts her brother, Viserys, about their father. Viserys is immediately cruel. When she asks if their father, Aerys II, loved their mother, Viserys avoids the question, simply saying their mother "did her duty by her husband". Enraged by his sister's questioning, Viserys violently slaps her and leaves. Jon (as Gan) watches and is forced to comfort Daenerys.
Chapter 80: The Decision
Jon (as Gan) decides to be fully honest with Daenerys, explaining that Aerys II was broken by events and a weak will, succumbing to a "deep darkness" carried by those of "dragon blood". Daenerys asks if her brother, Viserys, is on the same path, and Jon confirms that "if he continues as he has, then eventually... yes, your brother, too, would become like your father". After a long period of contemplation, Daenerys interrupts Jon and, with a determined look, accepts his previous offer: "I want to leave the mansion". Jon (as the rat) is thrilled.
Chapter 81
Oberyn Martell returns to Sunspear after dealing with bandits. He meets with Doran and quickly notices that his brother is acting unusually serious and secretive. It becomes clear that Doran is planning something dangerous, and Oberyn is being quietly pulled into it.
Daenerys waits in Illyrio's mansion, speaking to Jon through Gan the rat. Jon explains the truth about Aerys and gently confirms what Dany already fears—Viserys is heading down the same path. After reflecting on her family and her situation, Daenerys finally decides she wants to leave the mansion and escape Pentos.
Chapter 82
Oberyn, Nymeria, and Sarella arrive at a deserted coast before dawn to meet Jon. Despite the girls' doubts, Oberyn commits fully by sending their horses away, cutting off any easy retreat. Jon appears and begins leading them into the forest, but suddenly stops when something goes wrong on his other warg connection.
Chapter 83
Daenerys sneaks through Illyrio's treasury with Gan and retrieves her mother's crown. The escape is tense but successful. She leaves the mansion and meets Samwell Tarly, who will help her flee the city. Though exhausted and frightened, she keeps going, knowing there's no turning back.
Chapter 84
Jon and Daenerys talk about Aerys, madness, and the dangers of Targaryen blood. Jon doesn't excuse Aerys but explains how he fell apart over time. When Dany asks about Viserys, Jon answers honestly. This conversation pushes Daenerys to fully commit to leaving and trusting Jon.
Chapter 85
Sansa and Arya travel by ship with Dacey toward Essos. Dacey avoids stopping at Westerosi ports to keep them hidden. The girls are excited about the journey and eager to meet Jon, unaware that he is currently heading back toward Westeros, narrowly missing them.
Chapter 86
Daenerys dyes her hair black to avoid being recognised. She travels through Pentos in a carriage with Sam and Merchant Sam. They manage to slip past several guards, but just as they are about to leave the city, a suspicious guard notices Daenerys and calls them back.
Chapter 87
The escape turns into a chase. Guards pursue them through the crowded docks, even threatening civilians. Sam and Merchant Sam force their way through the crowd while dragging Daenerys along. They reach their ship just in time and successfully escape Pentos. Daenerys realises she is finally free.
Chapter 88
Jon travels through the forest in the Westerlands with Oberyn, Nymeria, and Sarella. The girls question Jon's confidence and methods, but his experience becomes obvious as they move forward. Earlier tension about the danger of the mission lingers, making it clear they are heading toward something deadly.
Chapter 89
Jon discovers that Gregor Clegane has unexpectedly abandoned his keep. After gathering information, he learns that the Mountain suffered one of his violent episodes and left for King's Landing during the night. This puts Jon at a disadvantage, but he steadies himself and prepares to adapt his plan.
Chapter 90
The chapter opens with Ser Gregor Clegane (The Mountain) and his men making camp by the Kingsroad at sunset. The men, including Amory Lorch, Chiswyck, and Polliver, are cruel, abusing their elderly servants and casually discussing plans to rape the wife and daughter at an inn on their route.
Meanwhile, the Dornish party (Oberyn Martell, Jon, Nymeria, and Sarella) are lying in ambush. A small, fast bird, seemingly warged, drops a vial of poison into the men's soup pot while the servants are away.
The ambush is triggered when Polliver, Gregor's thin squire, reacts quickly to the poison due to his low body weight, alarming the men by convulsing and managing to shout, "Poison!".+1
As the men scramble for their weapons, Jon's arrows kill two of Gregor's best fighters. The Mountain, enraged, immediately kills one of his own servants, believing he was the poisoner. Oberyn Martell then steps out of the shadows, confronting Gregor and declaring, "You are mine"
Chapter 91
The chapter focuses on the battle. Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper, engages The Mountain in a duel. Oberyn fights with speed and precision, using his spear to dance around Gregor's brute-force greatsword and constantly target the weaker joints of his heavy armour.
In the surrounding skirmish, Jon continues to shoot arrows, injuring Amory Lorch and eliminating more of Gregor's men. Nymeria easily fights and kills one of her two opponents.
After a prolonged, tiring fight, the poison finally affects Gregor, causing dizziness. Oberyn capitalises on this moment, slamming his spear butt into the back of Gregor's knee, forcing the giant knight to the ground.
In a desperate final act, the injured Amory Lorch throws a knife at Nymeria's face. Nymeria avoids the knife but loses her balance. Her surviving opponent seizes the opportunity and stabs her in the chest. Jon quickly shoots an arrow, striking the attacker's neck and saving Nymeria from a fatal blow. However, the noise and Sarella's scream distract Oberyn for a crucial second. Gregor uses this opening to swing his greatsword, hitting Oberyn's chest and sending him crashing into a rock, severely injuring him.
Chapter 92
With Oberyn down, Jon enters the melee against the Mountain. During a moment where Jon is distracted by attempting to use his warg ability, Gregor seizes the opportunity for a lethal strike.
In a life-or-death moment, Jon's mind achieves a state of "enlightenment" or flow, pulling back all his dispersed spiritual energy. This new state allows him to perceive the fight in slow motion, perfectly dodge and deflect Gregor's swing, and then counter-attack with flawless precision, repeatedly striking the Mountain's head.
Oberyn, fueled by rage, manages to get back up, and he and Jon launch a coordinated, relentless final assault. The two men simultaneously strike the Mountain's head, cracking his skull and finally killing the beast. Oberyn weeps with relief and vengeance.
Chapter 93
The chapter deals with the aftermath of the battle. Jon and Nymeria must go to each fallen enemy and ensure they are dead, as the poison was not instantly lethal. Sarella administers a new, stronger dose of sedative to two prisoners they captured. They then burn the bodies of the dead.
Sarella questions Jon about his sudden, incredible fighting skill, which he attributes to a "sudden enlightenment" that allowed all his past training to converge in a moment of crisis.
Jon arranges a carriage to transport the exhausted girls and the two boxed prisoners. As they prepare to leave, Jon feels like he is "forgetting something important". Unbeknownst to them, the second old servant, whom Jon's arrow saved from Gregor's sword, managed to flee into the forest during the battle and is running away.
Chapter 94
Jon and Nymeria arrive at a secluded cliff overlooking a waterfall to set up camp. Nymeria subtly suggests they only need one tent. She then calls Jon out of the tent, wearing only a thin, revealing shirt, and asks him to apply medicine to a minor wound on her back. Jon, a virgin, is internally mortified by his reaction to her beauty and attempts to maintain professionalism. Nymeria escalates the teasing, pointing to shallow bruises by her navel and chest. Jon, overwhelmed, asks about her intentions. She clarifies that she is not proposing marriage (which Northerners would expect) but is propositioning him for "just... sex," stating she likes him. Jon nods, dazed. Nymeria kisses him. Jon then embraces his "inner wolf" and reverses their position, pinning her beneath him, ready to "show her what he can do."
Chapter 95
Oberyn, Sarella, and "The Advisor" are aboard a ship, waiting. Jon and Nymeria arrive late, with Jon sending a message claiming they "overslept." The Advisor's son reports that "the Big One" (one of the prisoners) is starting to wake up, prompting a discussion to increase the sedative. Jon informs Oberyn that he is bringing half of his company's ships to King's Landing, justifying the large show of force: "You don't go into a snake's pit without at least bringing a stick along for protection." Oberyn, amused, regrets that his injury will prevent him from joining the "excitement."
The Characters:
Hunter Mark: A Hunter who lives in Wintertown and was the one to teach Jon archery from a young age, and he was also the one to teach him how to hunt in the Wolfswood.
Emilia: Hunter Mark's daughter and Jon's childhood friend. He discovers her ability to warg and teaches her to read and write, among other things. She also has an eagle as her war pet.
The Starks: All the characters from books with mostly the same personalities, just a bit more open and loving towards Jon, and yes, that includes even Catelyn.
Uncle Sam: A merchant living in Wintertown whom Jon had cultivated over the years as his right-hand man, and is the one who mostly handles his Shipping Company's situation in Essos. He also has a daughter named Becca, who is a good friend of Jon and has grown up with him and Emilia, who is her cousin.
Samwell Tarly: Jon was on a trip in Reach when he came across him, and seeing how sad he was, he decided to take him with him, to the North and then to Essos. He is now not only a formidable warrior after training under Jon, but he is also learning to Maester on the side by using the books that Jon steals for him from the Citadel.
Val: Jon meets during a wildling raid and decides to keep her with him for a while, and after seeing that she was teachable, he takes her under his wing, and she becomes the one responsible for the trade between wildlings and the rest of Westeros.
Mance Rayder: The king of Free folks whom Jon meets during his trip beyond the Wall, they discuss various things among which are the White Walkers, and the King seeing that Jon believed in him and was willing to help him, decides to have the Wildlings work for Jon by procuring valuable resources such a fur, trees, and even rough silver, in exchange for food.
Dacey Mormont: Jon meets her during his trip to the Bear Island, where he was fostered during his childhood. She also possesses the talent of warging and has an Orca as her pet, and this Orca is also part of a pod of her family and can command them. She is also the captain of Jon's fleet of ships that travel between the cities on the West side of Westeros, such as Lannisport, Oldtown and others. She had established trade like never before by bypassing the Ironborn pirate ships using her warg, bringing prosperity by trading cheap grains from the Reach.
LittleTom: He is a young man with the body of a half-giant who hailed from Last Hearth and is suspected to be a bastard of an Umber. He was wandering in Wintertown looking for work when Jon stumbled upon him. He was impressed with the boy's skill as a Blacksmith and recruited him. Most importantly, the boy also possessed the talent of warg, so after Jon taught him, he was able to quickly acquire for himself a bird pet, and using that pet, he was able to have eyes across all of Westeros and sneakily learn all kinds of forging secrets from the best smiths in Westeros.
Gared: He is the commander of the Company of the Rose, a sellsword company in Essos that has roots in the North. He and the soldiers under him are the main fighting force that he has under his command. He has equipped them with the best armour and weapons that Little Tom and his big smithy in Wintertown can produce.
The Advisor: He is a Volantene noble who had been captured by the Pirate King. When Jon killed the pirate, he rescued him along with his son, because of which he was very grateful and decided to join his company. He has a very profound knowledge of naval warfare not only because of his deep education as a noble, but also because of the battle experience he had accumulated over the decade that he was the Advisor for the Pirate King.
The Wargs and their names:
Frost: A mystical Ice Eagle who was a legendary creature from beyond the wall. Has many mystical skills, including a sonic attack and an invincible speed capable of flying across Westeros in a matter of hours.
Inky: A young but giant female kraken capable of destroying a fleet of ships with barely any effort on her part.
Gan: A clever rat that Jon mostly uses for communication and stealing books from the Citadel.
Tweety: A quick colouful hummingbird that can fly so fast that she'll zoom right in front of your eyes, and won't even notice her. She is mighty helpful whenever Jon sneakily wanted to add a little bit of spice to his enemy's soup.
Tiger: A young shadow cat that primarily stays in Winterfell and the woods surrounding the castle. He is quick, stealthy and has a nose sharper than a dog, and is your best companion during a hunt.
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