Jon and Ygritte look out at a towerhouse in the distance. Ygritte is incredulous that men can build such structures. They begin to talk about differences in their cultures. Ygritte is disdainful of kings and those who kneel to them, and boldly states that Mance will teach them a lesson. Jon tells Ygritte that Mance has no chance of winning and that all the wildlings will die. Ygritte refuses to believe it and angrily reminds Jon he is one of them now too and kisses him fiercly. Jon kisses back, but sadly laments that she is a wildling to the core. He has been waiting for a chance to escape, but Styr still does not trust him and has him watched day and night. Every day, Styr summons him before himself, Grigg, and Errok to quiz him about Castle Black. He lies where he can, but realizes the truth is bleak. Only four hundred men remain at Castle Black, most of them stewards and builders. If Styr achieves suprise, which is likely under the circumstances, it will be a massacre. Everyday, it also becomes harder to think of betryal. Despite his best efforts, he is beginning to become friends with some of the raiders, including Errok, Grigg, Quort, Bodger, Hempen Dan, Del, Henk the Helm, Toefinger, Big Boil, and Stone Thumbs. They travel until around sunset, when Lenn says a bad storm is on the way. Grigg tells Styr that there is a town within two or three miles, and he agrees to shelter there.

By the time they arrive, it is past dark and the storm is raging. Del reports that their was an old man staying in the ruined inn. Jon walks off to find a dry spot. Ygritte finds him later, and he tells her the village is Queenscrown. One of the Thenns comes and summons him to Styr; Ygritte comes too. Styr wants him to kill the old man that was captured. Jon cannot bring himself to do it despite Ygritte's urgings to prove himself. Styr mocks them as a crow and his wife, and Ygritte angrily stalks forward and slits the man's throat. Just then, Summer charges into their midst, quickly killing a Thenn and Del. Jon realizes he will never get a better chance and takes the old man's horse. Bodger tries to stop him, but Jon kills him. After that, he is able to break away. Hours later, he stops and realizes there is an arrow in his leg. With great effort, he pulls it out, washes the wound, and bandages it as best he can. He then turns north for Castle Black.