Wednesday 28 September 2011

A Read of A Dance with Dragons - Part 47

Chapter 46 - A Ghost in Winterfell

People are getting murdered at Winterfell. It starts with deaths that could be accidental; someone falls off a wall. People wonder if there are traitors among them. They are covered in snow, cold and suffering from frostbite. The gates are frozen shut. Someone makes the mistake of saying Stannis' red god has brought the snow in Ramsay's men's hearing. He is whipped and thrown from the battlements.

Abel's washerwoman approaches Theon asking how he took Winterfell. He is too scared to tell her. She wants to see the crypts. He walks the walls and is still too scared to flee.

A squire is found naked and frozen to death. A crossbowman is found in the stables with a broken skull. Theon recalls the similar deaths at Winterfell when he held it. Bolton's knights are arguing about what to do. Frey and Manderly are at each other's throats. Bolton is uneasy. The stable collapses, killing twenty-six horses and two grooms. Then one of Ramsay's men is found with his severed cock stuffed in his mouth. All the horses and men are brought within the Great Hall.

Theon walks the walls again then returns to his chambers. He is summoned by Roose Bolton. He is accused of the murders and Lady Dustin asks him to show them his hands. They agree he doesn't have the strength to be responsible. Some think that Manderly is behind the deaths. Lady Dustin points out that all the knights here had supported Robb.

A horn blows. A drum beat begins. Theon goes to the godswood wondering if he can get killed in the battle. Abel's washerwomen find him and tell him they will kill him quick once he's told Abel what he knows.

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I knew Abel and co were up to something. Hooray! Bolton's alliance is being undone by the waiting and the tension. There's still no sign of Arya/Jeyne. Theon seems a little less scared sometimes, as Ramsay can't really hurt him here.

I felt so cold reading this chapter. Martin really brings the weather to life. Amazing.

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