Chapter Summaries

Aermir returned to Moat Cailin, secured the war gods’ promise to keep Magic Heart creation secret, and directed his council to address famine and expand trade. He then reunited with his aunt Bris, who urged him to marry and secure House Drasil’s future, while he encouraged her to consider marrying Jory Cassel.

• Aermir inspected the magical armory and discovered that Valyrian steel weapons had been made with Blood Magic, while Dark Magic might produce stronger weapons.
• Aermir summoned the war gods to the temple and made them swear not to teach anyone to create a Magic Heart without his permission.
• At the council meeting, Aermir ordered his personal granaries and winter reserves sold cheaply in exchange for labor and quadrupled the workforce on the strait project.
• Aermir learned that charcoal exports had fallen and ordered ten large trading wagons to establish routes to Loras or Ibben.
• Bris confronted Aermir with marriage proposals and insisted he needed an heir for House Drasil.
• Aermir teased Bris about marrying Jory Cassel and urged her to consider the match.

A masked man and his five masked companions slaughtered the Night's Watch escorting Alaric Blackthorn to the temple. After learning that the Druid was experimenting on Alaric’s father and planned to do the same to him, the masked man decided Alaric could be useful and took him along.

• Harald and the Night's Watch beat Alaric Blackthorn while taking him to the temple, and Alaric's hatred of the Druid and the Seven deepened.
• A masked man appeared, demanded to know why the Druid was sending Alaric to the temple, and ordered his companions to kill the escort.
• Five figures in white masks leaped from the trees and killed Harald and the other Night's Watch men.
• The masked man questioned Alaric, who explained that the Druid was experimenting on his father and had threatened him with the same fate.
• After Alaric said he would rather die than help the Druid, the masked man decided to take him along because he could be useful.

With Aermir absent, Ulf tried to keep the mountain army from attacking Strongsong, but Toruin challenged his leadership and called for a duel. Ulf defeated Toruin, leaving the clans’ dispute unresolved.

• Toruin urged the chieftains to attack Strongsong, while Ulf insisted they wait for Aermir’s guidance.
• Rolf criticized Ulf’s reliance on the Druid, and Ulf punched him to the ground and warned the others not to disrespect Aermir.
• Toruin declared that the Red Smiths would attack Strongsong and accused the Moon Brothers of serving the Druid.
• Ulf challenged Toruin to a duel under the Moonlight Pact, and the two fought with their magical greataxes and armor.
• Ulf disarmed Toruin and kicked him away, winning the duel.