Editing A Clash of Kings-Chapter 23

{{Infobox Chapter ACoK
| pov		= [[Jon Snow]]
| place         = [[Craster's Keep]]
| title		= Jon III
| page		= 260
| previous	= [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 22|Catelyn II]]
| current	= [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 23|Jon III]]
| next		= [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 24|Theon II]]
| arc previous	= [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 13|Jon II]]
| arc next	= [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 34|Jon IV]]
}}

The [[great ranging]] finally finds people at [[Craster's Keep]]. [[Craster]] has been an ally to the [[Night's Watch]], but he has an unsavory reputation. [[Jon Snow]] discovers that Craster marries [[Craster's wives|his daughters]] and gives [[Craster's sons|his young sons]] to the [[Others|cold gods]]. Jon gets the opportunity to talk to one of Craster's wives, [[Gilly]], about this, and learns that the cold gods have bright blue eyes like the [[wights]] that attacked [[Jeor Mormont]]. The next day, Jon rides with the [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]], telling him about Craster's sons and daughters, and learns that Jeor knew. Jeor tells Jon that Craster informed them that [[Mance Rayder]] is gathering his people at [[Frostfangs]].

==Synopsis==
[[Jon Snow]] is riding beside a grumpy [[Jeor Mormont]] with an equally soaked and grumpy raven on his shoulder. There have been six days of rain, and the ground is treacherous; Jon thinks about [[Pypar]] and [[Todder]] sitting near the fire in the [[common hall|common room]] back at [[Castle Black]]. The [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]] is relieved when he hears [[Jarmen Buckwell]]'s horn—it means there are still people at [[Craster's Keep]]. They have so far passed through seven villages without seeing anybody. Jon has heard many tales about [[Craster]]. [[Thoren Smallwood]] swears he is a friend of the Watch, though he has an unsavory reputation: [[Dywen]] says he is a [[kinslayer]], liar, raper, and craven who has connections with [[slavery|slavers]] and [[demon]]s. The Lord Commander tells Jon to spread the word down the column that he wants no trouble with [[Craster's wives]], and the men will mind their hands and avoid talking to the women.

As Jon rides down the line, he finally comes to [[Samwell Tarly]] with the baggage. The [[raven]]s are very unruly, and Sam explains that they hate the rain like [[men]]. Sam states he is doing alright, but wet, and when he is told that Craster's Keep is just ahead, he tells Jon that [[Eddison Tollett]] says Craster marries his daughters, only follows his own laws, and that Dywen told [[Grenn]] he has black blood. Also, Craster's mother was a [[free folk|wilding]] who laid with a [[ranger]]. Sam almost goes on to call Craster a [[bastard]], but Jon finishes for him, and says he has heard the word before. Jon finally makes it to the rear to give word to Ser [[Ottyn Wythers]], who considers it welcome news; he has always looked tired, but the rain has made him look much worse. 

On the way back up the column, Jon cuts through the woods. When he hears rustling, he thinks it is [[Ghost]], but it is Dywen and Grenn. Jon gives them the news that Craster is alive, and discussion turns to how many wives he has. Then Ghost is loping beside Jon's horse. Jon rides ahead to the keep.

When Jon gets to the keep, he is very disappointed. He did not expect a stone [[castle]], but what he finds, he would call a midden heap. Inside the compound he sees a little naked girl pulling carrots, and two women tie a [[pig]] for slaughter. He can hear the barking of [[Chett]]'s hounds being answered by the bark of Craster's [[dog]]s. Some of the dogs break off when they see Ghost, while others growl and Ghost ignores them. Jon estimates that only thirty or maybe fifty will get to sleep in the hall, but not their two hundred. Dolorous Edd has been entrusted with the Lord Commander's mount and tells Jon that he is to join Jeor in the hall, but the wolf should stay outside.

Inside the squalid, foul smelling hall, there are already two dozen chief rangers, including Jarman Buckwell and Thoren Smallwood. Jon thinks how he looked forward to seeing the wonders [[beyond the Wall]]—it is a pity Pypar and Todder are missing this. Craster is the only one sitting in a chair, even the commander has to sit on a bench, and seeing him Jon thinks of Old [[Nan]]'s tales of wildlings drinking blood from human skulls. He overhears Craster say he has not seen [[Benjen Stark]] for three years. In the background, shabbily dressed women prepare the food and pass out beer while a dozen puppies and a pig skulk around. Mormont tells Crater that Ben was searching for the vanished Ser [[Waymar Royce]], [[Gared]], and [[Will]]. Craster recalls the three men, but does not know where they went. He does complain that his wives made cow eyes at young Waymar who was too proud to sleep under his roof. Jeor tells Craster about the villages they found abandoned, and the [[wights]] that attacked him at [[Castle Black]]. Craster feigns ignorance, but one of his wives recognizes the truth in the tale by the look of horror on her face. Craster also refuses the offer of an escort back to the [[Wall]], saying he is of the free folk. He even has his wife confirm that this is their place, Craster keeps them safe, and it is better to die free. Jarmen Buckwell asks about Craster's king, [[Mance Rayder]], and Craster states that free folk have no need of kings, and that when one of Mance's men arrived to tell him he had to leave his keep and grovel at Mance’s feet, he sent the man back without his tongue. 

Craster tells the Lord Commander that they can sleep on the floor, but he will only feed twenty. Jeor responds that the roof would be welcome, and they have food and wine which they will share. Craster expresses particular interest in the wine and then adds that any man that lays a hand on one of his wives loses his hand. Jeor agrees, but does not look pleased. Craster now asks if Jeor has a man that can draw maps, and Jon steps forward stating that Sam likes maps. Lord Commander Mormont tells Jon to get Sam with quill and parchment and bring Jeor's axe as a guest gift. Craster notes that Jon Snow has the look of a [[House Stark|Stark]], and is told that he is the Lord Commander's [[steward]] and squire. When Craster hears the name Snow, he understands that Jon is a bastard, and declares that a man who wants to bed a woman should marry her like he does, and then tells Jon to do his service.

Jon almost collides into Ottyn Wythers as he is leaving. Outside he finds tents have gone up all over the compound. He finds Dolorous Edd and tells him of the requests. Edd states that the Lord Commander will get his axe back, buried in his skull. When he hears that Jeor wants wine as well, he says that Craster, drunk, will only cut off an ear when he attempts to slay them. When Jon tells Edd that Thoren says Craster is their friend, he responds the difference between wildling friends and enemies is that the friends bury them in secret graves.

Jon hears a shout of fear as he finishes up feeding the horses. He finds Ghost with two [[rabbit]]s confronting a fifteen-year-old girl. Jon promises that Ghost will not hurt her. He asks her if she is one of Craster's daughters and is told she is now his wife. She was hoping to breed the rabbits. Jon can tell that Ghost has gone after the caged rabbits; he must have been hungry. He would pay for them but has no money, so he tells her that the [[Night's Watch]] will make good. She calls him lord and he responds he is no lord. Then ranger [[Lark|Lark the Sisterman]] tells her that he is Lord Snow himself, and then notes that the wolf is looking hungry. Jon tells Lark that he is scaring her, only to have Chett respond that Lark is warning her. The girl then remembers she is not to talk to them. Chett tells Jon that he would not be so bold without Ghost around; Chett lost is position as Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]'s steward because of Jon. When Lark joins in about Jon being a coward without his wolf, he leaves.

It takes a while for Jon to find Sam, and it is actually Ghost that finds him under a rock outcrop. Ghost has given Jon the second rabbit, and Jon shows Sam and then informs him that the Lord Commander wants him to create a map. Jon proceeds to cook the scrawny rabbit over a fire. It smells wonderful and the other rangers give them envious looks. As they eat, Sam asks if Craster is a savage, as they say. After Sam leaves with the quill and parchment, Jon falls asleep thinking that maybe the commander will learn something that will lead them to Uncle Benjen. 

Jon wakes to dawn, and Ghost is gone. Everything is coated in a fine ice glaze, and Jon thinks of his sisters, and that Sansa would call this enchantment. He hears his name called and finds the girl with the rabbits wearing Sam's cloak. She asks him if he is the king's brother, and he tells her he is his half-brother. Jon is concerned about Craster, but the girl, [[Gilly]], tells him her father drank too much and will sleep most of the day. She then asks him about king's justice; she wants to leave. Craster should not even notice since he has nineteen wives. She explains that she is pregnant, and while it will not be too bad if she has a girl, since Craster will let her grow up and marry her, if it is boy, he will give it to the gods. Nella has told her that the baby will be male, and Gilly believes she knows these things, having had six boys. She continues by telling Jon that when the white cold comes, he sacrifices [[Craster's sons|the boys]], and it has been coming more often, so he has had to give the sheep, which are now gone. Next it will be the dogs. The cold gods come at night, and are white shadows. Jon thinks about the two wights, asks the color of their eyes and is told they are bright blue. Gilly tells him that she knows he did not take of Craster's hospitality, so Jon is not bound to Craster, and asks to be taken to the Wall, but Jon tells her that they are going the other direction, and that it is for the old crow to decide, not him. Disappointed, she leaves.

Jon joins Dywen, Grenn, and [[Hake]] for breakfast. Dywen claims he had three of the woman that night. He is not believed. Jon asks if Sam slept in the hall, and is told that it was impossible to sleep with the hard ground, the ill-smelling rushes, and the snoring, particularly the snoring of [[Brown Bernarr]]. Jon soon excuses himself to attend to the Lord Commander.

On the way, Jon passes by the scouts, and Jarman Buckwell tells him to keep a good edge on his sword since they will be needing it soon enough. When Jon enters the hall, [[Mormont's raven]] announces his presence with a request for corn. When Jeor asks, Jon tells him the rain has stopped but it is cold. Lord Commander Mormont tells him to saddle his horse for he plans to leave within the hour. He tells Jon that there is some food, but Jon declines, deciding he will not take of Craster's hospitality.

Jon finds Sam behind the hall with Gilly. She quietly leaves and Sam tells Jon he was hoping he could do something for the girl. Jon asks what he could have done, wrap her in a cloak and take her with them? Sam admits Jon is right, but she is afraid, and maybe when they come back they can take her. Jon states the Lord Commander will not let them take one of Craster's wives, then quickly excuses himself because he has to groom and saddle the horses.

As he rides alongside Jeor, Jon notes that Craster has no sons or sheep. Jeor admits that Craster gives his sons to the wood, and tells Jon that all the rangers know, but will not talk of it. If he could have, Jeor states, he would have taken the boys, they could raise them to the black, but the wildlings serve crueler gods. Lord Commander Mormont then asks if Jon spoke to one of Craster's wives, and Jon admits he did. Then Jeor tells Jon that if he had his way, with Craster sprawled out drunk and the new axe below, one of the wives could easily kill him. However, the Night's Watch needs Craster, and his keep has been responsible for saving many ranger lives. Jeor can tell Jon wants to say something, and tells him to. Jon states that [[Eddard Stark|his father]] said that a brutal or unjust [[bannerman]] shames his liege lord. Jeor responds that Craster is his own man and has sworn no vows.

After Jon informs Jeor that Jarman has told him he would soon need his sword, Lord Commander Mormont explains that Craster told them Mance Rayder is gathering his people at the [[Frostfangs]], a cruel, inhospitable wilderness of stone and ice. Jeor expects Mance to invade [[Seven Kingdoms|the realm]]. Jon mentions that [[Raymun Redbeard]] in the time of [[Rickard Stark|his grandfather's]] [[Willam Stark|grandfather]], and before that [[Bael the Bard]], invaded the realm. Jeor admits this, adding more names including [[Joramun]], who blew the [[Horn of Winter]] to wake the [[giants]], but not only is the Watch   shadow of itself, Winterfell is weak with [[Robb Stark]] marching south. This is a great opportunity for the wildlings. Their only choice is to find Mance Rayder and stop him.

==Character list==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:50;" |
'''Appearing:'''
{{Columns|1|
*[[Bedwyck]]
*[[Jarman Buckwell]]
*[[Chett]]
*[[Craster]]
**[[Craster's wives]]
*[[Dywen]]
*[[Ghost]]
*[[Gilly]]
*[[Grenn]]
*[[Hake]]
*[[Lark]]
*[[Jeor Mormont]]
**[[Mormont's raven]]
*[[Pypar]]
*[[Thoren Smallwood]]
*[[Jon Snow]]
*[[Samwell Tarly]]
*[[Todder]]
*[[Eddison Tollett]]
*[[Ottyn Wythers]]
}}
| style="width:50;" |
'''Mentioned:'''
{{Columns|3|
*[[Bael the Bard]]
*[[Brown Bernarr]]
*[[Conwys]]
*[[Craster's sons]]
*[[Jafer Flowers]]
*[[Gared]]
*[[Gendel]]
*[[Monster|Gilly's child]]
*[[Gorne]]
*[[Theon Greyjoy]]
*[[Horned Lord]]
*[[Joramun]]
*[[Luwin]]
*[[Denys Mallister]]
*[[Old Nan]]
*[[Nella]]
*[[Mance Rayder]]
*[[Raymun Redbeard]]
*[[Waymar Royce]]
*[[Jaremy Rykker]]
*[[Arya Stark]]
*[[Benjen Stark]]
*[[Eddard Stark]]
*[[Rickard Stark]]
*[[Robb Stark]]
*[[Sansa Stark]]
*[[Robb Stark]]
*[[Sansa Stark]]
*[[Willam Stark]]
*[[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon Targaryen]]
*[[Will]]
*[[Yoren]]
}}
|}

==Mentions==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|- valign="top"
| style="width:20;" |
'''Events:'''
*[[War of the Five Kings]]
| style="width:25;" |
'''Houses:'''
*[[House Buckwell]]
*[[House Greyjoy]]
*[[House Lannister]]
*[[House Mallister]]
*[[House Mormont]]
*[[House Royce]]
*[[House Stark]]
*[[House Targaryen]]
*[[House Tarly]]
*[[House Tollett]]
*[[House Wythers]]
|- valign="top"
| style="width:25;" |
'''Places:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[Beyond the Wall]]
**[[Craster's Keep]]
**[[Frostfangs]]
**[[Haunted forest]]
*[[Castle Black]]
**[[Common hall|Common room]]
**[[Lord Commander's Tower]]
*[[Gorge]]
*[[Seven Kingdoms]]
*[[Three Sisters]]
*[[Wall]]
*[[Winterfell]]
}}
| style="width:20;" |
'''Terms:'''
{{Columns|2|
*[[Bannerman]]
*[[Bastard]]
*[[Bastard sword]]
*[[Bear]]
*[[Beer]]
*[[Bone]]
*[[Cheese]]
*[[Cod]]
*[[Copper]]
*[[Crow]]
*[[Currency]]
*[[Deer]]
*[[Demon]]
*[[Diamond]]
*[[Direwolf]]
*[[Dog]]
*[[Dreams]]
*[[Emerald]]
*[[Fox]]
*[[Free folk]]
*[[Giants]]
*[[Gold]]
*[[Guest right]]
*[[Honey]]
*[[Horn]]
*[[Horn of Winter]]
*[[Horse]]
*[[Human]]
*[[Incest]]
*[[Ironwood]]
*[[King]]
**[[King-Beyond-the-Wall]]
**[[King in the North]]
*[[Kinslayer]]
*[[Knight]]
*[[Longclaw]]
*[[Longsword]]
*[[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]]
*[[Maester]]
*[[Magic]]
*[[Maiden]]
*[[Moon]]
*[[Moss]]
*[[Mushroom (fungi)|Mushroom]]
*[[Night's Watch]]
*[[Oak]]
*[[Others]]
*[[Pig]]
*[[Rabbit]]
*[[Rangers]]
*[[Raven]]
*[[Red comet]]
*[[Rose]]
*[[Sable]]
*[[Sentinel]]
*[[Sheep]]
*[[Silver]]
*[[Sistermen]]
*[[Slaver]]
*[[Spices]]
*[[Squire]]
*[[Steel]]
*[[Steward]]
*[[Sun]]
*[[Tongue mutilation]]
*[[Wights]]
*[[Wine]]
*[[Wolf]]
}}
|}

==References and Notes==
{{References|2}}
*Analyses and summary of the chapter [http://slynt.blogspot.com/2011/10/re-read-jon-iii-procrasterination.html in the course of a 10th reread] by Slynt. 
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/03/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-clash-of-kings-part-11 Review and summary] by Leigh Butler.

[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|Clash 23]]
[[Category:Chapters with the POV of Jon Snow|Clash 23]]
[[Category:Chapters which take place at Craster's Keep|Clash 23]]

[[es:Choque de Reyes-Capítulo 23]]
[[fr:A Clash of Kings, Chapitre 24, Jon]]
[[pt:A Fúria dos Reis - Capítulo 23]]