It has been eight days since the King's party went south. Maester Luwin comes to Catelyn in Bran's room to go over the cost of the King's visit, but Catelyn refuses to. He also says that they must name a new steward, captain of the guard, and master of horse, as Vayon Poole, Jory Cassel, and Hullen have all gone south with Eddard. She gets nasty then until Robb comes in and says he will take care of things. Robb chastises her for never leaving Bran's room. Rickon has been following Robb and crying because he thinks everyone has abandoned him, and Robb needs her help too. Outside, Bran's direwolf¹ begins to howl, followed by Grey Wind and Shaggydog. Catelyn tells Robb to make them stop, but he says Bran needs to hear them. Catelyn collapses, but refuses to go to sleep in case Bran should die before she wakes.

Robb and Catelyn notice that the library tower is on fire. Robb rushes off, and Catelyn only feels relief that the fire is not near Bran. She turns and sees a small man in filthy clothing with a knife who has come to kill Bran. They struggle, and Catelyn cuts her hand badly. Suddenly Bran's direwolf¹ is in the room and kills the assassin. When Robb returns with Maester Luwin and Ser Rodrik, they find Catelyn laughing hysterically. Old Nan helps her to bed, and she sleeps for four days.

Catelyn wakes feeling weak, but no longer mad from grief and holds a council with Robb, Theon, Maester Luwin, Ser Rodrik and Hallis Mollen, the new captain of the guard. The assassin had been hiding in the stables and had a bag with ninety silver stags. He was obviously hired to kill Bran, but the question is by whom.² They figure someone wanted him dead because he saw something he should not have.³ The assassin had a Valyrian steel dagger with a dragonbone hilt. Hallis leaves to put more guards on Bran's room, and the others continue to confer. Catelyn tells the others about Lysa's accusation that the Lannisters killed Lord Jon. Furthermore, she deduces that Bran did not fall, but was pushed, and guesses that it was Jaime Lannister that did it since he remained at Winterfell that day. Robb draws his sword in his anger, receiving a rebuke from Ser Rodrik. Catelyn is surprised to see him wearing steel now, and Ser Rodrik explains he felt it was time. She decides she must go to King's Landing with the dagger to discover its origin. Ser Rodrik asks to accompany her, and she agrees. They will follow the White Knife to White Harbor and take a ship from there to King's Landing.