Chapter 44 - Jaime - Golden mediation

Martin is really throwing in some awesome stuff in the last 1/4 of this book.  We got an Arya chapter just recently and now there's a Jaime chapter, too.  Also, this chapter was good because it told us where we are in relation to A Feast for Crows.  Some time has passed since Jaime received Cersei's note pleading for him to save her.  Jaime has continued to ignore that note and is about to finish what he left King's Landing to do when the chapter begins.

I love that he has ignored the letter.  Cersei deserves what she gets.  At one point he wonders if she'll even be alive before he returns.  The casual nature of his thought is startling compared to the intense love and protective nature he had for her previously.  Her...indiscretions have sparked another change in Jaime and I like it.  When he interrupts Lord Bracken he has a conversation with his woman and, at one point, his thoughts drift to Myrcella.  He thinks about how he "will need to tell her too" and it is obvious that he plans to tell his children that they are not Baratheons but rather the offspring of his incestuous relationship with Cersei.  Prince Doran would not be happy to hear this though I doubt he has any intention of marrying his son to Myrcella and I would wager that he already knows that she is a pureblood Lannister.

His goal is simple...to agree to terms with Tytos Blackwood and have the castle under Lannister control before the day is done.  This is the last holdout of the Stark uprising and it's sad for me to see it fall.  It's just another reminder that Robb and Ned are long dead.  I just know that the Starks will rise again somehow since Arya, Bran, Rickon, and Sansa still live, but I don't think it will happen for some time still.

Once in the castle with Lord Blackwood Jaime offers the terms and Blackwood accepts them almost too eagerly.  I don't suspect a trap or a lie.  I think Blackwood is just accepting the reality of his situation.  I kind of respect that, but it was weird how he kept asking about how and when he'd have to kneel.  He was so focused on that.  Maybe it means nothing.  Jaime gets to see the massive heart tree within the castle and Blackwood tells him about how ravens cover the tree every single night and have been for thousands of years.  No one knows why.  Perhaps the ravens are connected to Ser Brynden and they return because of his connection to them through the tree.  I wouldn't be surprised if he can use them as his eyes as they travel across Westeros.  Jaime seals the agreement by taking Blackwood's son as a hostage.  The scene at the end where his son grins about being a hostage was kind of funny.  Jaime quickly grounds this boy's expectations and reminds him that the only thing keeping his head on his shoulders is his father's continued submission and loyalty.  I could hear the way Blackwood snarled the name "Kingslayer" when he said it.
The squabbling of the Blackwoods and the Brackens is ridiculous.  Even Blackwood's son sees it from the histories.  I could feel the boredom and annoyance that Jaime must have felt having to act as a mediator to these two men.

Martin finishes the chapter in typical "holy crap" fashion as Brienne of Tarth rides up to speak with Jaime.  He immediately notices her facial wound that she received from Biter.  She tells him that she has found Sansa and that he must come alone to save her from the Hound.  There's only one way I can react to that (and I must do so in the epic words of Admiral Ackbar)...

Chapter 43 - Tyrion - So close yet so far

So close yet so far was the only thing I could think as I read this chapter.  Tyrion has slowly been moving on his way towards Dany since the beginning of the book.  Each time he thinks he is on the straight path something else gets in the way.  The last chapter was apparently no exception.  It ended with the ship being completely disabled and a slaver ship heading directly towards them.  After the ship reached them it seems that the crew was all captured including Ser Jorah.  I thought that Jorah might have died, but instead he was just beaten within an inch of his life and branded.  I'm thinking he'd have preferred to die.

Tyrion and Penny are thankfully sold as a pair along with the pig and the dog and they are sold as freaks and performers.  In the world they are in now it's as equally good a chance that both would be forced to live as prostitutes or worse so being sold as performance slaves isn't so bad.  In fact, they are so popular that they bring in a ton of silver and are sold to a gigantically fat man in yellow.  For some reason, I can't help but picturing Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat here.  I'm not sure why...  Ser Jorah is saved by Tyrion and also sold to the fat man in yellow.  I don't know why Tyrion did what he did other than that he recognizes that Jorah may be useful to him when it comes time to escape.

What's crazy is that the camp they end up in is just outside the walls of Meereen.  Dany has married Hizdahr and peace has been made with the Yunkai'i so that they may continue their slaving.  It was heartbreaking to hear many of the slaves claim that Dany would never make peace with the slavers when that is exactly what she did.  But, she can't save everyone and that's the reality of the world.

After Tyrion and Penny perform for their new master, Tyrion plays cevasse with Brown Ben Plumm who betrayed Dany not so long ago.  I didn't realize that he was a Westerosi.  I guess that is part of why Dany was so hurt by his betrayal.  Tyrion recognizes the coldness in his eyes immediately.  He mentions how Ben's face smiles, but his eyes never do.  So was Brown Ben good at hiding this coldness when he was with Dany or did she just miss it?  There's no doubt that Tyrion is smarter than Dany and I'm sure he's much better at reading them.  I think Dany didn't see it.  That's why I think her marriage to Hizdahr and her relationship with Daario is so dangerous.  Also, she has even been warned of future betrayal and she's on the lookout for it because she talks about it in her point of view chapters, yet she never suspected Brown Ben Plumm of switching sides for coin.

At the end of the chapter we find out that Tyrion and Penny will be performing in front of many more people in the Great Pit of Daznak.  I assume this is one of the fighting pits that Hizdahr wishes to re-open.  Will Dany also be there to see their show?  If so, will Tyrion and Ser Jorah finally be able to reach her?  If so, I will find it funny that the only thing that saved Tyrion and Ser Jorah was Tyrion humbling himself enough to perform in Penny's show.

Chapter 42 - The Ghost in Winterfell - Who is knocking on the door?

There is a ghost in Winterfell, but it's not clear if the ghost is the voice Theon hears in the godswood or if it's the person who is killing Roose Bolton's men or if it's Theon himself.  Regardless, all three are possibilities.  When Theon is in the godswood begging for a man's death I am sure that it really is Bran who he hears and sees.  Bran is communicating through the trees just as Ser Brynden has taught him.  It's interesting that he can do that. I don't think Brynden can though we've never been told that.  Perhaps Bran has abilities because he is a Stark.

Someone is killing the men in Winterfell and they are good.  The first few look like accidents which I think was probably the idea.  The last is obviously not unless Yellow Dick somehow shoved his own member into his mouth and died and I highly doubt that.  I think the last one was intended to freak everyone out because the person on the inside knows that Stannis (or whoever is banging the drums) is near.  I also think that it's this singer and his lady friends.  They are much too interested in Theon and his story and then the scene at the end of the chapter makes it very clear that they are not what they seem.

If Stannis really is outside then I don't know how he did it, but I would rather Stannis take the castle and kill everyone then have Roose Bolton and his men win again.  Manderley will help Stannis as soon as it is safe and wise to do so, of course.  I imagine many of the other northern houses will turn against the Boltons as well.  I also suspect that Theon's love for the Starks is about to bring him back to who he was.  I think that is why this chapter has such an emphasis on Theon wanting to die as a man and not as Reek.

It was funny when Roose Bolton accused him of being the killer.  Could anyone ever suspect that Theon is physically capable of besting anyone at this point?  I think Roose Bolton is desperate and he knows his hold on these houses is tenuous at best.  I don't like him for the part he played in the Red Wedding.  I hope that he and his son get what's coming to them.  I especially hope that for Ramsey.

Chapter 41 - The Blind Girl - Now she can see

This book is just full of wonderful surprises.  Getting an Arya chapter is about one of the coolest things that could happen.  I was so happy when I read the title and immediately recognized who it would be.

So, Arya is still blind and since that was close to the end of A Feast for Crows it means we are getting close to the point where this books extends beyond that one.  This chapter just has me super excited for more.  What is even better is that Arya gets her eyesight back at the end of the chapter once she has proven that she can rely on her other senses as well as her eyes.  Arya is such a strong, amazing character.  I can't wait for her to get an opportunity to show off how tough and smart she really is.

I liked that Arya is warging inside of Nymeria despite the distance between them.  It's nice to know that Nymeria is alive still.  It seems that Arya's ability to warg is growing stronger just like Bran's though Bran knows what he's doing and controls it.  I know that Arya can if she wanted and she obviously used the cat to see who was attacking her.  She must understand it a bit.  I want to know why their powers are growing stronger.  There must be a need.

I'm not totally sure why her sight was returned to her.  It can't be as simple as her figuring out who was attacking her.  I have my suspicions that the old man knows what she can do and he was waiting for her to use the ability.  The things that go on here just feel too well orchestrated.  Regardless, Arya has eyes again and I can't wait to see what she does next.

Chapter 40 - Jon - The arrival of the grey girl

So Queen Selyse is as pleasant as Stannis.  They will make quite the pair ruling Westeros (if Stannis somehow ever sits the Iron Throne).  No wonder her men treat Jon with such contempt since she looks down on him as if he were a mouse.  I kind of chuckled when she said that they were moving into the Nightfort because Eastwatch wasn't safe and how Shireen would one day sit the Iron Throne.  If Shireen ever gets to be queen, that will be quite an event.  Even the way that the queen and her men react to Wun Wun the giant is ignorant and patronizing.  They are appalled at his very existence and refuse to listen to a thing that Jon says.  Part of me wishes her men would have started a fight just so the giant could have killed half of them.  Of course that would have caused major problems for Jon which is the only reason I'm glad it didn't happen.  I did notice that Shireen wasn't scared at all but rather amazed that she was seeing a giant.  She at least seems more open minded than her parents, but I just don't think she'll ever be strong enough to rule.

After the queen and her men leave Jon grabs the banker from Bravos, Tycho, and Jon does something that is very smart but which will probably get him crap from the other Night's Watchmen.  He takes out loans that will enable the Watch to feed and arm the men who are going to be very important in the coming months.  He also acquires temporary use of the 3 ships belonging to Tycho so that he can protect the Wildlings from becoming wights.  I found it very interesting that the Iron Throne isn't paying off Robert's debts and is gaining the anger of the Iron Bank.  If Stannis makes it back from Winterfell and he is willing to work with them then he may have truly just gained an edge over the Lannisters.  And since we know of the trouble going down in King's Landing now is as good a time as any.

Of course, just as soon as there is some good news for Stannis we finally meet the mystery girl on the horse that Melisandre saw and we learn that the Karstarks really are going to betray Stannis for Roose Bolton.  Theon had mentioned that in a previous chapter and it sounds legit now.  How did Theon know this?  I guess he is much like a servant in that people talk in front of him as if he's not there.

Her name is Alys Karstark and her uncle (really cousin) is after her to take her back home.  I believe what she is saying about them wanting an heir through her and about how they are basically playing to take over the Karstark line.  Her uncle is making a good move, but she made it to Jon.  Now we see what he does.  He's not one to turn down a woman in need especially when that woman reminds him of Arya.

Chapter 39 - Daenerys - Decisions and Denial

Dany awakes to the dawn nearly arriving and Daario lying next to her.  She is only a few days away from her marriage to Hizdahr, but she is filled with dread.  She does not love Hizdahr and will wed him only to bring peace.  She feels something for Daario however.  I believe it is nothing more than lust, but it could be more.  Either way, it is foolish for Dany to be acting this way.  She is making one decision as a queen and yet the other as an immature girl.  Daario even dared to kiss her in open court.  He's nothing but a sellsword and a brute and he "loves" Dany because she is queen and beautiful.  I found it interesting that even Dany referred to Ser Barristan as "Ser Grandfather" in her thoughts.  She is letting Daario rub off on her more than she realizes.

Daario manages to convince Dany to hold court so that the Dornishmen in his group can present a gift to Dany. I loved that Daario was used like a fool here and how it made him angry.  He's not someone I trust and I think he's going to be trouble.  Granted, I think that Hizdahr is more than he seems and could be even worse trouble.

So, Dany meets the Dornishmen who reveal themselves.  Quentyn presents him as the prince of Dorne and reveals that Viserys was to marry Arianne.  This confirms for me that Doran did not know that Aegon was alive.  It is fitting that Aegon is headed to Dorne then.  A Targaryen will wed Arianne now, but it will not be Dany and Quentyn.  So Dany refuses him and does what she feels she must.  She is right that she must do what it takes to live long enough to reach Dorne.  I can't fault her for that thinking.

Afterwards, she lies with Daario and in the morning he storms out to raise hell.  I can't tell if he truly cares for her and is jealous or perhaps he's angry that he isn't getting what he wants.  I suspect he usually gets what he wants.

Dany wraps herself in her wedding attire and heads to the temple.  I couldn't help but wonder if there was a bit of symbolism in the fact that she was unable to ride her silver and instead had to be carried to the temple.  The silver was hers from her Khal and that was such a different life.  That Dany is gone.  The inability to ride her horse had such a finality to it.

So, she meets Hizdahr and they wed.  We see them as they emerge.  When we see Dany next will Hizdahr be what he has claimed to be?

Chapter 38 - The King's Prize - Dead in the snow

It was interesting to get a Theon chapter followed immediately by an Asha chapter.  Both of them have fallen quite far from where they started and from where they aimed to be.  It feels like Martin is trying to stress the importance of the Greyjoy siblings by doing this and I think the two of them will play a big role in the coming battle.

Asha is a hostage of Stannis as they travel to Winterfell.  Stannis wants to present her as a prize and as proof of his strength, but I don't get how that's going to work.  Asha even thinks the same thing.  How does capturing the daughter of the former king of the Iron Islands prove anything?  Euron is king.  Asha is kind of worthless in my opinion.  It feels like this is another one of Stannis' weird, illogical moves.

As the army travels, they are hit with a tremendous winter storm.  Is this the storm that Roose Bolton was saying slowed Stannis' army?  The men who follow R'hollor continually pray for deliverance but none comes.  There is constant discussion of offering a sacrifice to R'hollor to prove their faith and gain his protection.  Clearly they want to burn Asha, but that just seems silly to me.  How does burning her prove anything?  It seems like an empty gesture since it costs these men nothing and therefore proves nothing.  Melisandre practices a true faith and it's a faith that seems to bring results.  Perhaps the reason that their prayers have been unanswered is because their faith is false to begin with.  Perhaps their faith isn't strong enough to counter the power of the Old gods of the north.  That is one thing that Martin has never really touched on.  There are so many competing gods and faiths in this world.  You have the Seven, the old gods, R'hollor, and even more gods outside of Westeros.  Is one of them real?  Are all of them?  Perhaps they are all manifestations of the same god?

We see some interesting things about Stannis in this chapter.  We see just how averse he is to woman.  We already kind of knew that, but Asha points out just how bad it is.  Stannis can't stand to be around any women, even the She-bear.  The three Baratheon brothers were quite terrible at dealing with women it seems.  Robert was a womanizer, Stannis is incredibly awkward around them (and possibly even a bit scared of them), and Renly was gay.  We also see that Stannis still lives in his brothers shadow to the point where Robert's name angers him and ends any discussion.  I think this is part of why Stannis can't be a good king.  He keeps himself in that shadow.

By the end of the chapter, the food has vanished and men are dying every day.  They stop to camp in a tiny town.  When Asha wakes there is no movement or sound.  There is no annoucement to start marching.  Something is wrong.  We don't find out what it is, but I expect it's something that could put an end to this march once and for all.