A Clash of Kings Entry 5

Began with Jon with the large party heading into the forest in search of Ben. They come upon this deserted village, apparently one of many. All of the people and game are gone as if something has scared them away. Apparently even ghost cannot find game. Not that much happened in this chapter, which makes me think I missed something...
CB Note: I dont think you missed anything, I recall that chapter being a little on the boring side. Similar to the Dany chapter you just read where they're just wandering the desert. It's like, ok...can something happen already??
JN Note: yes, this was a slow-ish chapter. Designed to build suspense.. where are the wildlings???
RK Note: Oh where oh where are the wildlings! Are the Others killing people in the villages? Or have they all gone off to join Mance Rayder's army?

Next is Arya. They come to a village near Harenhaal that is also deserted (nice parallel there). This desertion is because of the war. Yoren insists that they stay in the keep for the night where there is at least food. Arya falls asleep and is woken up apparently by a wolf that no one can hear. (Nymeria?! COME BACK!) Then the watch sounds a horn. Lannisters men are coming to burn the village. Yoren refuses to open up to show them that they are the Black and not the other side. [Btw, I don't really get why he doesn't just open the door and be like, look not on the other side, leave us alone]. They come to take the keep and Arya has to whip out needle to defend people. I note only that she screams "Winterefell!" presumably blowing her cover. A lot of people die but she ends up escaping with a few and the crying girl from the other villages. Also, she apparently goes back to free the three criminals who were chained up and apparently being burnt alive. (Eh, let em burn...). End with her crying.
CB Note: Arya is a Stark of Honor! She'd never let people burn like that! I remember being pretty excited during this chapter! Arya finally getting to fight! I loved that she screamed Winterfell without a thought. I also didn't get why Yoren didn't open the door. Maybe he didn't trust them to leave them alone either way?
JN Note: nice b2b empty village note. Oh howling wolves... Nymeria wru?! Yoren didn't open the door b/c they would have killed them anyway. these are the raiding and pillaging Lannisters (I believe it was Ser Amory Lorch's group, if not Gregor Clegane's). Yoren knew they were safest in the holdfast. Like cb, i loved how she yelled Winterfell, it was so Arya of her. as to her cover... As to the 3 criminals... well... Arya has a heart and compassion, even if they seemed they might be bad people...
RK Note: These Lannister savages love to kill everything in sight, even the men in Black! (Sidebar where I hum "Here come the men in black, galaxy defenders..."). So they had to kill or be killed... Glad Arya escaped down the tunnel. RIP Yoren.

Aaaaand cut to Tyrion who is with Cercei who has gotten word of Stannis' letter and she is pissed. Tyrion finds it rather amusing how angry it makes her when it's obviously true. Littlefinger comes up with a scheme to start a rival rumor that Stannis' daughter is really his wife's with that creepy fool dude. So devious. Tyrion then goes through this whole secret passage in a brothel arranged by Varys so that he can see Shae. They talk a little bit about who they think told Stannis about the incest that they both know actually did happen. It's really annoying to me how obviously true it is. Cercei is f*ing annoying and someone needs to smack her!
CB Note: Totally hate Cersei!! And really, who actually believes her?
JN Note: Cersei, with an 's'. This is a lol scene. everyone knows, and Cersei is acting all indigant, its totally a case of Whoever smellt it dealt it. That Stannis rumor was pretty lame i thought. Patches or whatever his name is just says dumb rhymes. "It's really annoying to me how obviously true it is" - except in Book 1 until it was revealed... :) I love how the Red Keep is so Clue-y. Varys, how do we get to the Conservatory?! Btw, what's the dilly-o with that big chain Tyrion's making?
RK Note: Yes it's very Clue, and also very Harry Potter secret passage-y.

Cut to poor Bran in Winterfell receiving visitors. He really just wants to be outside playing with the other boys but he can't. Poor kid. How can they expect an eight year old to do all this! I had to leave in the middle of the chapter but he is receiving guests who are proposing things for Robb and talking about how much food to store for the upcoming winter.
CB Note: Poor Bran! The heir to Winterfell has gotta do what he's gotta do!
JN Note: this is a pretty confusing chapter. probably, b/c bran is overwhelmed. what's a crippled boy to do all alone in the North!!!
RK Note: And what's up with Bran dreaming he's a WOLF? He has such a connection with Summer that he dreams he IS Summer!