Journey Through Books

Location: KingsLanding Characters: Ned Stark, Catelyn Stark, Littlefinger Ned Stark reaches KingsLanding ahead of the King's party and attends the first meeting of the small council.  Members of the council included Varys, Littlefinger, Maester Pycelle, Renly, Stannis and Barristen Selmy. The councillor Ned liked least was Varys the eunuch. He smell as foul and sweet as flowers on a grave. Why? Lord Renly was always dressed immaculately, its said that he spends more on clothing than half the ladies of the court. Lord Stannis had left for Dragonstone after king went north. Why? Robert once mentioned to Ned that he was surrounded by flatterers and fools. Ned wondered who was what. In the council meeting, it is announced that the king has asked to stage a great tournament in honour of Ned being appointed the Hand of the King. Littlefinger estimates the cost of the tournament at more than ninety thousand gold pieces. Also, crown was already in debt, owing Lord Tywi...

Location: Castle Black Characters: Jon, Alliser Thorne, Tyrion The Watch had built nineteen great strongholds along the wall, but only three were still occupied. The Eastwatch, the Shadow Tower and between them Castle Black. Jon was training with swords at Castle Black under the supervision of master of arms, Ser Alliser Thorne. Alliser Thorne was a compact man of fifty years, spare and hard, with grey in his black hair and eyes like chips of onyx. He called Jon as Lord Snow as a mockery which everyone picked up. Jon had defeated everyone at practice yet Thorne served him only derision and hated him. He hated the other boys even worse. Jon trained with a group of twenty boys and none he could call a friend. The more time Jon spent with them , more Jon despised them. No one had told him the hard truth about the Night's Watch except Tyrion Lannister. Jon wondered if his father had known what it was like and it hurt it even more. Even Benjen Stark had left for a rang...

Location: KingsLanding Characters: Catelyn, Littlefinger, Varys Catelyn arrives in KingsLanding on the ship named Storm Dancer which belonged to Captain Moreo Tumitis. He spoke the common tongue fluently, with only the slightest hint of a Tyroshi accent. He had been plying the narrow sea for thirty years. He had a forked green beard. The Tyroshi loved bright colours even in their facial hair. This reminds us of another Tyroshi, Majister Illyrio, who had yellow forked beard. Catelyn plans to see Ser Aron Santagar, the King's master of arms who is a vain man but an honest one. Catelyn fears that now that she is in KingsLanding, she can be easily recognised by Littlefinger or Lord Baelish as he was known now. Catelyn's brother Edmure had given him that name long ago at Riverrun. His family's modest holdings were on the smallest of the Fingers and Petyr had been slight and short for his age. He was Cetelyn's father's ward and they grew up together in River...

Location: Bran's Dream Characters: Bran, Three Eyed Crow Bran is dreaming that he is falling. He hears a voice asking him to fly. He sees flashbacks from the past. The voice is from a crow which is circling Bran as he falls. Bran says he doesn't have wings to which the crow says that he has different kinds of wings. What does this imply? Bran sees the flashback of Jaime Lannister but the crow asks him to forget it. Why? Is it not important?  The crow says to Bran that he is teaching him to fly. Suddenly Bran realises he is flying. He could see everything so clearly - the whole realm and everyone in it. He saw Maester Luwin and his brother Robb in Winterfell. He saw his mother with Ser Rodrick Cassel in a ship. A storm was gathering ahead of them but somehow they could not see it. He saw his father and sisters at the Trident. He saw them surrounded by shadows - one shadow was dark with terrible face of a hound ( is this Sandor Clegane or an actual hound? ) and anothe...

Location:  King's Road on the way to KingsLanding Characters: Eddard Stark, Arya, Sansa, Joffrey, Cersie, Robert Baratheon Arya was presented before the King for allegations of attack on Joffrey. The queen alleged that Arya and the butcher's boy attacked Joffrey and Arya's wolf tried to tear his arm off. Arya defends herself by saying that the wold only bit him a little because he was hurting Mycah - the butcher's boy. Since Jofferey said something and Arya said something else, Sansa was brought to narrate what exactly happened. But Sansa says that she doesn't remember anything as everything happened so fast. This escalates the tension between the sisters. Cersie wants Arya punished but Robert dismisses the matter by saying that both parties must discipline their children. But Cersie isn't satisfied and insists that the wolf be punished. Arya set of Nymeria free earlier and the wolf was not found. So Cersie insists on Sansa's wolf being slaughtered. ...

Location: Waters of the Trident Characters: Arya, Sansa, Joffrey, Mycah Sansa, along with a huge party, are on their way to the Kings Landing. Today, she and her sister Arya were invited to ride with the queen and princess Myrcella in the royal wheelhouse. Sansa looked her best. Price Joffrey might be there. Just thinking about him made her feel a strange fluttering inside. Sansa did not really know Joffrey yet, but she was already in love with him. He was all she ever dreamt of, tall, handsome and strong, with hair like gold. But Sansa was worried that Arya may ruin the day.  The two sisters were poles apart. Sansa was dressed up in beautiful delicate silks but Arya was wearing the same riding leathers she had worn yesterday and the day before. Sansa was looking forward to riding with the queen but Arya just didn't care. Sansa preferred travelling in the wheelhouse whereas Arya did not because it had no windows to see outside. But Sansa cared the least about th...

Location: Winterfell Characters: Catelyn, Robb, Bran Catelyn had not left Bran's room since his fall. Bran's wolf hadn't stopped howling since his fall too. The howling was full of melancholy and despair. Today, the howling grew louder. Suddenly Catelyn found a man in Bran's room. He was a small, dirty man in filthy brown clothing, and he stank of horses. Catelyn knew all men who worked in the stables, and he was none of them. He was gaunt, with limp blonde hair and pale eyes deep sunk in a bony face and there was a dagger in his hand. He kept saying that Catelyn was not supposed to be there. But Bran's wolf attacked him in time killing him. The next day, it was found that he was no man of Winterfell but some had seen him here and about the castle these past few weeks. He could be one of the King's men or one of the Lannisters. He could have waited behind when the others left. He was hiding and sleeping in the stables. He had ninety silver stag...

Location: On the road to the Wall Characters: Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister Benjen Stark, along with Jon and Tyrion left Winterfell the same day as the King. Jon Sbow's albino direwolf, Ghost, was also with them but it never made any sound. There was something settling about the wolf. They also had some fresh mounts for the Night's Watch. Another Black brother, Yoren, joined them. Yoren was stooped and sinister, with a black beard, but he seemed as tough as an old root and as hard as stone. He had a twisted shoulder, and a sour smell, his hair and beard were matted and greasy and full of lice, his clothing old , patched and seldom washed. He was accompanied by two young recruits who smelled even worse and seemed as stupid as they were cruel. Tyrion saw Jon watching them in uncomfortable dismay. Jon had made the mistake of thinking that the Night's Watch was made up of men like his uncle. Yoren and his companions were a rude awakening. Tyrion felt sorry for Jon, ...

Location: Kingsroad on the way to King's Landing Characters: Eddard Stark, Robert Baratheon Ned and Robert were talking, reminiscing old times. Robert asked Ned about his bastard son's mother, to which Ned told, her name as Wylla and requested to not ask anything about her. He was ashamed he dishonoured himself and his wife.  Who was this Wylla? Robert told Ned that he received a message from Varys (Master of whisperers) in Kings Landing. Varys served Aerys Targaryan before Robert. The source of information mentioned in the message was Jorah Mormont. Jorah had sold poachers to a Tyroshi slaver which was a crime and Ned Stark wanted to bring him to justice but Jorah escaped and went in exile. He offered to be a spy for Robert in exchange for a Royal pardon so that he could return from exile. The message said that Daenerys had wed some Dothraki horselord. Robert wanted to send killers to kill Dany as he did not want her children to be threat to his kingdom. Ro...

Location: Outskirts of Pentos Characters: Dany, Khal Drogo, Viserys, Jorah Mormont, Magister Illyrio This chapter is about Dany's wedding from her point of view where she learns about Dothraki. Ser Jorah Mormont had offered Viserys his sword the night Dany had been sold to Khal Drogo. The Khal had promised Viserys a crown but Viserys was impatient. Illyrio explained to Viserys that the Khal will have Dany first and after they are wed, he will make a procession across the plains to present her to the dosh khaleen at Vaes Dothrak. After that, if the omens favor war. The Dothraki are true to their word but they do things in their own time. Viserys thinks of himself as the dragon. But Dany thinks that there are no more dragons. She however had dreams where Viserys was a dragon and attacked her. During the ceremony, Viserys was seated below the Khal and Dany and felt insulted. Dany and Khal had no common language. Dany did not understand Dothraki and Khal did not...

Location: Winterfell Characters: Jon, Catelyn Stark, Bran Stark, Robb Stark, Arya Stark Jon was about to leave for the Night's Watch with Uncle Benjen. He was out saying his goodbyes to his brothers and sisters. Jon is most close to Bran and Arya. Their equations looked like real brothers and sisters full of affection. Its more formal with Robb and Sansa. Arya is really wild and packed her clothes shabbily until the Septa asked her to repack everything. Jon gifts Arya a small sword which they name Needle. Its ironic because Arya hates needlework but loves swords.

Location: Winterfell Characters: Cersie Lannister, Jaime Lannister, Tyrion Lannister, Joffrey Baratheon Tyrion had been up all night in the Winterfell library reading some books. He was not one a much for sleeping. Outside, he saw his nephew Joffrey with Sandor Clegane - the hound. He had a visor shaped like a black hound to cover his burnt face and has a bit of a temper. Joffrey and the Hound mocked Tyrion for being a dwarf. On being asked if Joffrey had offered comfort to the Starks, Joffrey responded that Bran means nothing to him and he hates the wailing of women. This shows that Joffrey lacks compassion and empathy. Tyrion slaps him hard for this and Clegane says that the prince will not forget the slap. Will Joffrey hold a grudge against Tyrion? Tyrion proceeds to breakfast where the Queen, Jaime and the children are also breaking fast. Cersie looked at Tyrion with distaste. She hates Tyrion since the day he was born. During all the terrible long years o...

Location:  Winterfell Characters: Bran Stark The King's party was supposed to depart from Winterfell the next day, so today the King went for a hunt. Prince Joffrey, Robb Stark, Benjen Stark, Jory Cassel, Theon Greyjoy, Rodrick Cassel and Queen's funny little brother ( Tyrion Lannister ) accompanied the King on the hunt. Bran thought that Jon was angry at everyone these days. Why? Bran wanted to be a Knight in the Kingsguard. Kingsguard were the finest swords in all of the realm. There were only seven of them, they wore white armour and had no wives or children, but lived only to serve the King. Two of the Kingsguard who came with King Robert were : Ser Boros, who was a bald man with a jowly face, and Ser Meryn, who had droopy eyes and beard the colour of rust. Ser Jaime looked like the Knights in the stories but he killed the old mad king ( who? ). Thats why he is called the Kingslayer. Since Bran was leaving the next day, he started to say his farewells...

Location : Winterfell Characters : Arya Stark, Jon Snow, Sansa Stark Arya considers her sister Sansa as someone who likes everything pretty and does everything prettily. Everybody said that Sansa's needlework was exquisite . Septa Mordane even told Catelyn that " Sansa's work is as pretty as she is ". For Arya she said " Arya has hands of a blacksmith ". Beth Cassel, master-at-arms Jory Cassel's daughter and Jeyne Poole, steward Vayon Pool's daughter were Sansa's friends. Arya addresses Jon Snow as her brother whereas Sansa consider him as their half brother and a bastard. As per Arya's thoughts, It wasn't fair. Sansa had everything. She was two years older. Maybe by the time Arya had been born, there had been nothing left. Often it felt that way. Sansa could sew and dance and sing. She wrote poetry. She knew how to dress. She played the high harp and the bells. Worse, she was beautiful. Sansa had got their mother's fi...

Location : Catelyn's Chambers Characters : Eddard Stark, Catelyn Stark, Maester Luwin Catelyn was bethrothed to Brandon Stark, Ned Stark's elder brother.But after his death, Ned was the one to wed her. Ned and Catelyn were in Catelyn's chambers when Maester Luwin came to them. The Maester was a small grey man. His eyes were grey, quick and saw much. He received a message. There was no rider. Only a carved wooden box, left on a table on his observatory. It was brought by someone in the king's party as there were no other visitors from south. Inside the box was a fine new lens for the observatory, from Myr by the look of it. A lens is an instrument to help us see. The true message was found concealed within a false bottom in the box. The message was meant for Catelyn as it had the moon and falcon seal of house Arryn. It was from Catelyn's sister Lysa, wife of late Jon Arryn. The message said that Jon Arryn was murdered by the queen with the help of Lannist...

Location : King's Welcome feast at Winterfell's Great Hall Characters : Jon, Benjen Stark, Tyrion Lannister This chapter is from Jon's point of view. It is the King's welcome feast at Winterfell. Jon, being a bastard, is not allowed to dine at the king's table whereas his brothers and sisters , the stark children can. The feast started with Ned stark accompanying the queen to the table. She is as beautiful as the men said. She had beautiful long golden hair and emerald green eyes. She did not even look at Ned when he accompanied her. Jon could see through her smile. Next came the King, accompanied by Lady Stark. He was a big disappointment to Jon. He had heard about Robert Baratheon from his father - the demon of the Trident, the fiercest warrior of the realm, a giant among princes. Jon saw only a fat man, red-faced under his beard, sweating through his silks. Then came Robb accompanying princess Myrcella, Arya with prince Tommen and Sansa with Joffrey. Sa...

Location : Crypts of Winterfell Characters : Eddard Stark, Robert Baratheon   The King has finally arrived in Winterfell. He is accompanied by Queen Cersie, and her brothers. Ned had last seen the king nine years before during Balon Greyjoy's rebellion where the stag and the direwolf had jointly fought against the self-proclaimed King of the Iron Islands. Robert had accepted the rebel lord's surrender and Ned had taken his son Theon as hostage and ward. What was the rebellion about? Robert was a man of huge appetites, a man who knew how to take his pleasures. That was not the charge anyone could lay at the door of Eddard Stark. This implies Eddard Stark was too honorable. The Stark kings were buried in crypts at Winterfell. The king proceeded to pay his respects to the dead much to the dismay of the queen. Robert was betrothed to Lyanna, Ned's sister who died. ( Thats why queen was unhappy with Robert going to the crypts ) Ned recalls about Lyanna: ...

Location : Pentos Characters : Dany, Viserys, Illyrio, Jorah Mormont, Khal Drogo Referenced Characters : Ser Willem Darry Daenerys and Viserys were the last Targaryans taking refuge in Pentos with Magister Illyrio. Dany was thirteen, had violet eyes and white silver hair. Viserys was a gaunt young man with lilac eyes. Magister Illyrio was a dealer in spices, gems, dragonbone and other things. He was fat and wore gems on all his fingers. He had oiled his forked yellow beard which shone like gold. Illyrio showered them with gifts and servants and luxuries. Viserys thought it was because he was the rightful heir to the seven kingdoms. However, Dany knew that such gifts seldom came without their price. What is Illyrio's motive? Dany thought that her brother was living in his dreams far from reality : "Illyrio never had a friend he would cheerfully sell for the right price... but she knew better than to question her brother when he wove his webs of dream...

Location : Winterfell's Godswood Characters : Catelyn Stark, Ned Stark Referenced Characters: Ben Stark, Robert Barathean, Jon Arryn, Catelyn was born a Tulley of Riverrun. She is married to Eddard Stark and mother to Bran, Robb and 3 other stark children. She remembers the godswood in Riverrun as : "The godswood there, was a garden, bright and airy, where tall redwoods spread dappled shadows across tinkling streams, birds sang from hidden nests, and the air was spicy with the scent of flowers." whereas the godswood in Winterfell are: "It was a dark primal place, three acres of old forest untouched for ten thousand years as the gloomy castle rose around it. It smelled of moist earth and decay. No redwoods grew here. This was a wood of stubborn sentinel trees armored in grey-green needles..." Catelyn was anointed with the seven oils and named in the rainbow of light that filled the sept of Riverrun. Her gods had names and faces and were worshiped usin...

Location : Outskirts of Winterfell Characters : Bran Stark, Eddard Stark, Robb Stark, Jon Snow, Theon Greyjoy, Jory Cassel (Captain of the household Gaurd), Hullen (Master of Horse), Harwin (Hullen's Son) Referenced Characters:  Mance Rayder (King Beyond the Wall), Old Nan, Robert This chapter is from Bran's point of view. Bran is seven years old and is going to witness an execution for the first time. A man of the Night's Watch, Gared, a deserter, has been caught and the penalty for desertion is death. The deserter from the Night's watch was sentenced to death because no man is more dangerous. The deserter knows his life is forfeit if he is taken, so he will not flinch from any crime, no matter how vile. Old Nan told Bran a lot of stories about wildlings. She told that " The wildlings were cruel men, slavers, slayers and thieves. They consorted with giants and ghouls, stole girl children in the dead of the night, and drank blood from polished ...