Tower of the Hand

Sam listens to Gilly giving birth above him and Bannen dying next to him. The survivors of the Fist are now at Craster's Keep. Sam is trying to feed Bannen broth. Craster says he is as good as dead already, which angers Giant. Without a maester, many of the survivors are not doing well. Kedge had taken off Bannen's foot nine days ago, but the infection had already spread too far. Some in the hall are even worse. Fornio has been delirious for days, and Ser Byam Flint has a shoulder oozing pus. They had some medicines when they began the trip, but the man in charge of them, Brown Bernarr, died on the Fist, and they were abandoned in the chaos of the retreat. Hake had also known some herblore, but he is dead now too. The men are getting restless and angry over the lack of food from Craster. Clubfoot Karl and Garth of Oldtown have been grumbling that he must have a hidden larder somewhere. Some of the men are also angry at how he treats his wives, including Garth of Greenaway, Black Bernarr, and Alan of Rosby. Sam goes out for some air. He sees Ollo Lophand and Tim Stone tending to the few garrons remaining. Sam hears a ragged shout and goes to investigate. He comes upon an archery competition between Sweet Donnel and Ulmer. Ulmer wins. He was a member of the Kingswood Brotherhood and loves to tell stories about some of its more legendary members such as Simon Toyne, the Smiling Knight, Oswyn Longneck, Wenda the White Fawn, Fletcher Dick, and Big Belly Ben. When they see Sam, Donnel, Alan, and some of the others begin to mock him. Sam finds Grenn, who greets him as Slayer. Everyone is calling him that for killing the Other, but most are just mocking him with it. Dirk, Black Bernarr, Garth of Oldtown, Garth of Greenaway, Garth Greyfeather, and Rolley of Sisterton, among others, do not believe it happened, but Dywen and Dolorous Edd believed him and made him speak to Lord Commander Mormont. Mormont took the dragonglass dagger for himself and divided up the few dragonglass arrows between his best archers: Muttering Bill, Garth Greyfeather, Ronnel Harclay, Sweet Donnel, Alan, and Ulmer.

Lord Commander Mormont rides into the compound with Dywen and Ronnel, who is now acting first ranger. Lord Commander Mormont calls for Sam to join him. He laments how the Watch has forgotten its true purpose and does not know things it should such as the effects of dragonglass on the Others. Craster comes out of his hall and announces he has a son. He further tells the Lord Commander that it is past time his men left. He barely has enough food for himself, and now has another mouth to feed. Sam says they could take the boy, causing Craster and Mormont to both become angry. Mormont sends him off to tend to Bannen, but the man is dead when he arrives. Dirk states angrily that Bannen died because he was not fed properly and blames Craster. Lord Commander Mormont presides over a service for him that evening, and the body is burned. Sam is horrified that the burning body smells like pork and runs off to retch. Edd comes up to him afterwards and informs him they are leaving at first light the next day. When Craster learns they are leaving, he decides to send them off with a small feast.

At the feast, Craster sits at the head of the table with Lord Jeor beside him. Sam finds a place between Grenn and Orphan Oss. Only two loaves of bread are available, making some of the men angry. Karl and Dirk challenge Craster about holding out despite Lord Commander Mormont's anger, and Garth of Greenaway, Garth of Oldtown, and Ollo soon join in. The Lord Commander is able to finally silence them, but an angry Craster tries to dismiss the men from his table and his keep. One of them calls him a bastard, which Karl seconds. Suddenly, Craster lunges at Karl, but Dirk grabs him and slits his throat. He then grabs one of Craster's wives and tells her to lead them to the food or die. Lord Commander Mormont tries to interfere, but Garth of Greenaway and Ollo block him, and then Dirk stabs him in the belly. Sam does not remember much of what happened next. Garth of Greenaway killed Garth of Oldtown, while Rolley fell out of the loft while trying to get at Craster's wives and broke his neck. Grenn had tried to rouse him and then left with Edd, Giant, and a few of the others. Craster is sprawled on top of Ser Byam who is no longer making any sound and will be dead shortly if he is not already. Ollo rapes at least one of Craster's wives. Sam just sits on the floor with Mormont's head in his lap. The Lord Commander tells him to return to the Wall and tell the others all that happened. He also gives his dying wish that Jorah join the Watch. Sam is terrified into inaction, but then Gilly appears between two more of Craster's wives, Dyah and Ferny. They tell him to take Gilly south. Sam says he cannot leave Mormont, but they point out that he has died while they were talking. He asks where he should go, and they just tell him to go someplace warm. They feel the cold rising and say Craster's sons will be there soon.