Chapter Seventeen - Jon 4 - A Dance with Dragons | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)

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Jon tours the quickly dwindling food stores of the Night’s Watch and then is summoned by King Stannis. The king offers Jon a surprising gift, then adds to the shock by revealing his risky plan to win the north. Jon redirects him to a new plan that is safer and has huge upsides. Mackelly and Simon fear that Stannis is not earning their loyalty.

Chapter Review:
Jon Snow joins Bowen Marsh to inspect winter food stores held beneath Castle Black. Despite past generosity from lords and a long summer, feeding Stannis’ army and wildlings has depleted supplies. Marsh proposes winter rations early. Jon agrees, knowing it’ll cause unrest.

Jon later meets Stannis, Melisandre, and others in the king's solar. Stannis gifts Jon a controlled Rattleshirt as a soldier. Discussion turns to Mors Umber's terms for support. Stannis hesitates, but Jon urges acceptance, warning that rejecting Mors' terms would turn the North against him. Stannis reveals plans to take the Dreadfort, but Jon argues the Boltons will return too soon and crush Stannis’ force. Pressed to arm wildlings, Jon reluctantly offers basic gear, wary of violating the Night’s Watch vows. Privately, Stannis tempts Jon again with legitimization and Winterfell. Jon refuses but proposes recruiting Northern mountain clans instead. If successful, Stannis could retake Deepwood Motte and build support. Stannis likes the plan—but Jon’s left with more mouths to feed.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Jon Snow - Bastard son of Ned Stark. Member of the Night’s Watch.
Stannis Baratheon - Surviving brother of dead King Robert Baratheon, claims the Iron Throne because Cersei’s children are not Robert’s.
Melisandre - The Red Woman of Ashaii. Priestess of R’Hellor, the Lord of Light.
Bowen Marsh - Lord Steward of Castle Black.
Castle Black - Headquarters of the Night’s Watch.
Rattleshirt - Wildling leader who is despised by the Night’s Watch.
Mors Umber - Co-castellan of Last Hearth, with his brother Hother.

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