A Clash of Kings Entry 1

A good Monday morning to you all. Also, good luck on day one of indentured servitude, err work, to JN. Alas this will likely delay JN Notes but we will survive.
JN Note: JN Notes were indeed delayed. Perhaps cb should step it up and start noting herself in the morning lazybones!
CB Note: CB Notes are worth the wait!!
RK Note: So whoever put the over-under on my finishing a Game of Thrones at May 21st, whoever picked over, was way wrong. Raisin!

The prologue in this second book was very long and it took me a while to get through because it introduced new characters. We are introduced to Maester Cressen, the old Maester at Dragonstone and adviser to Stannis (Robert's brother). Stannis is pissed off because his younger brother has claimed the throne after Robert's death but more importantly, no one is joining him. Stannis' wife is counseled by this creepy woman in red who speaks of a new religion and Maester Cressen is not amused with her and is plotting to poison her. Cressen finds out that Stannis is forcibly retiring him in favor of a younger Maester and when he tries to poison red lady, she somehow survives it and he ends up being poisoned.
JN Note: this prologue was definitely difficult, with the story slow and all the new chars. it was important though. This Melisandre sounds very trixxy. The Maester died from the poison but not her! Stannis you'll remember has been MIA since mid Game of Thrones - the Lannisters were wondering what he was up to. As to all this religion talk, i don't know if i believe in the Lord of Light, The Seven, or the Old Gods of the North...
CB Note: I'm an Old Gods girl myself. If it's good enough for Ned Stark, then it's good enough for me!
RK Note: I'm VERY much an Old Gods girl, too, the godswood seems so peaceful. The Red Woman not dying from the poison reminded me of in the Princess Bride, when that guy has poisoned BOTH of the cups, but has spent the past few years building up an immunity to iocane powder, so he was able to drink the poison and survive. I think its way creepier that she has red eyes. I was really wondering what Stannis was up to, and now we know.

One thing from the prologue, the comet. There is this bright red comet that is appearing everywhere and the Red lady is trying to say that it is her new God and it means good omen for Stannis. We see in later chapters that everyone thinks that the comet is an omen for or against them. Interesting little theme on how people can always interpret natural events to mean what they want and what is favorably politically. Reminds me of my favorite Bob Dylan song, With God on Our Side. See http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/fahrenheit911/withgodonourside.htm for the lyrics. But a taste:

"Oh the First World War, boys It closed out its fate; The reason for fighting, I never straight. But I learned to accept it, Accept it with pride. For you don't count the dead, When God's on your side.

When the Second World War, Came to an end. We forgave the Germans, And we were friends. Though they murdered six million, In the ovens they fried. The Germans now too, Have God on their side.

I've learned to hate Russians, All through my whole life. If another war starts, It's them we must fight. To hate them and fear them, To run and to hide. And accept it all bravely, With God on my side."
JN Note: I loved the lyrics. Great philosophical note by LB, and totes true.
CB Note: I did enjoy how everyone was interpreting the comet for themselves. Who did you think it was meant for LB??
RK Note: Very deep, LB. RK would like to nut the comet being flame from Dany's dragon's mouths! I'd also like to nut that I nutted this at the first mention of the comet in the book, prior to any fictitious characters speculating about it being from dragons.

Next to Arya. Turns out the night watch dude is not trying to harm her. He cut her hair and is smuggling her out of the city to get back to Winterfell. She has to pretend that she is an orphan boy going to serve on the Night Watch. Funny scene where Arya kicks the ass of this boy who is trying to take her sword. I hope she gets home safely!
JN Note: The Night Watch dude is Yoren. He actually made appearances early in Game of Thrones. Loved that scene of Arya beating up Lommy Greenhands (or was it Hot Pie?). Cb did too i bet. Love when Arya is badass.
CB Note: I've always been an Arya fan :) I was worried too when she got taken like that! It's funny that she has to pretend to be a boy. It's especially hard when she has to make water!
RK Note: It was hot pie. Arya is so badass on her own, imagine what a force to be reckoned with she'll be when she's reunited with Nymeria! (Who apparently now is leading a pack of she-wolves on her own).

Cut to Sansa who is attending the tournament for Joffrey's 13th name day. She has learned to put on a brave and happy face so that Joffrey doesn't harm her. I have at this point forgiven her because she seems to have realized she was dumb. I hope she somehow is able to get a message from her family and do some serious spying/damage to the Lannisters. Joffrey is such a little prick. The tournament is a joke because no champions are really allowed in and Joffrey gets bored until Tyrion enters from the north as an envoy from the Lannisters. He charges in and heads to the Queen who is meetin gwith the council.
JN Note: awww, LB forgave Sansa!!! I'm not sure if cb ever did. Zero certainly never did. She's learned that its not all knights and stories and feasts and Ser Loras... Joffrey is the PITS!
CB Note: What are you talking about?! We've had numerous conversations on my thoughts about Sansa!!! Btw, you used that line about knights and stories and feasts and Ser Loras in the last blog. Come up with some new stuff plz. Anyway, as J KNOWS, my feelings towards Sansa did change once Ned was killed and we started to see how Joffrey was treating her. I don't know how Zero can be so cold, how can you not pity the girl?? She has to keep up a front to keep from being hurt, it's so sad!
RK Note: Who is Zero??? Anyway Sansa was dumb because if she hadn't gone and told the queen about Ned's plan for them to leave Kings Landing, she and Arya would have gone back to WInterfell together without a hitch. But now Sansa realizes what a fool she was and she regrets it, and its totally fucked up how Joffrey has his guards beat her, she's such a battered girl! But he never asks the Hound to beat her, and the Hound seems to be sort of on her side... I get the impression the Hound secretly does not care for Joff at all.

Tyrion has a message from Lannister, which is that he is to serve as Hand until Lannister can return. I get to the point where Tyrion is about to talk privately with Cercei and has a few jokes with Littlefinger about the bad luck of the past 4 hands.
JN Note: The message is from Tywin. and, The Imp is back bitchez... betta' recognize!!!
RK Note: Hoping Tywin can whip that douche Joff under into submission. Also so cute how he brought his whore with him to Kings Landing and is keeping her at his inn with his mountain men (and women, Chakka Daughter of Chett or whatever). I hope Tywin doesn't find out and have done to her what he did to Tysha though....