In the North, beyond the Wall, Gared, Finn and Cotter were walking down the woods, with Cotter taking the lead. Gared did trust Cotter but Finn was hesitant to put his trust into Cotter, mainly because Cotter had stolen Finn's knife.

"You sure you know where you're going?" Finn asked, rubbing his hands from the cold.

Cotter didn't reply, making Gared worry. "Cotter?"

Cotter stopped them with a gesture of his hand as he turned to them. "Let's see that map again."

"So you're asking now, are you?" Gared drawled as he pulled the map out of his pocket. "Surprised you haven't taken it out of my pocket already."

Cotter winced as another dreadful realization dawned onto him. "How much food we got left?" He then glanced at the map. "Here we are."

Gared examined the leather box with food but all they had were few pieces of vegetable, which certainly didn't suffice for the trip to the North Grove, assuming they would even find it. "This won't last much longer."

Cotter snorted. "If Finn wasn't eating all of it."

"It's not me!" Finn protested.

Cotter took a breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "We'll have to stop soon. Look for some food." He returned to Gared the map, looking at the area around them, smiling, hopeful. "We're on the right track. This way."

Gared and Finn followed Cotter down the woods but stopped upon spotting a wildling in fur coat and wearing a hood, wielding a spear and strapped to her back a quiver of arrows. They took cover behind some trees as Cotter gulped. "The Free Folk."

"Wildlings?" Finn whispered, alerted, looking around for more wildlings.

Gared groaned. Getting into the way of the wildlings would certainly complicate things for them, since they were deserters of the Night's Watch.

"This complicates things." Cotter summed up what they were all thinking as he turned to Gared and Finn. "You stay here. I'll try and talk to her. I'm one of them."

Finn's eyes widened. "What?" He shook his head, staring in disbelief as they observed Cotter approach the wildling. "He's a fucking wildling?"

Cotter dropped his cloak as he turned to Gared and Finn with a pleading look. "They might kick around a little, but whatever you do, don't come out. All right?" He turned to the wildling. "She has to think I'm alone. If she sees you, you'll only make things worse."

Gared didn't like it but he needed to trust Cotter knew what he was doing as they observed Cotter approach the wildling with his hands in the air. It was apparent though that the conversation wasn't going into his favor as the wildling eyed him in mistrust and apprehension before she kicked him in the chest, sending Cotter to the ground and stepping on his leg as he groaned, while another wildling approached with a bow and quiver, aiming at Cotter.

"You out here alone, little pup?" The wilding looked around, shouting. "Come out, or I'll kill your friend! Or I'll make him scream first."

"If they see us, they'll kill him." Finn whispered. Gared nodded. He didn't like it but they needed to trust Cotter knew what he was doing. "He'll be all right. Won't he?

The wildling kicked Cotter, while another was nearing the log behind which Gared and Finn were hiding. They quietly snuck behind trees, but as Gared saw the wildling stab Cotter in the hip with her spear, he knew he had to do something. When one of the wildlings neared Gared's hiding spot, Gared pulled out his sword but the wildling kicked Gared in the chest, staggering him back.

"Over there!" The wildling whistled as more of them emerged from the woods, flanking Gared and Finn.

"Fuck." Gared swore.

"Gared?" Finn asked.

"Kill them." The wildling ordered.

Gared dropped his cloak and blocked as the wildlings attacked with their spears before Gared cut one of them across her chest.

Another wildling swept Gared's feet with her spear, knocking him down on the ground but Gared raised his sword to block the killing blow, resulting in it being knocked off his hand. Before the wildling could finish Gared off, Finn tackled her and blocked her spear with his sword. Gared kicked the wildling in the leg, giving Finn an opening to cut her across her chest before Gared got up to his feet.

"Thanks." Gared said and Finn nodded before they saw the wildlings about to finish Cotter off. "Cotter!"

Gared rushed at them and dodged as one of the wildlings fired an arrow. Gared tackled her to the ground and grabbed the spear of the other wildling who was about to kill Cotter. Gared kicked her in the midsection, disarming her but the wildling pulled out a knife and Gared dodged before he stabbed her in her side right under the armpit as she fell to the ground.

Cotter stared in shock at Gared killing a wildling and Gared froze upon seeing Cotter's shocked look before another wildling used her spear to grab Gared in chokehold. Gared struggled before he flipped her over his back, knocking her down and she grabbed the leather box with food, running off.

"Our food! Hey!" Gared picked his bow and arrow, about to shoot her.

"Gared! Gared, no!" Cotter protested. "She's not fighting you! It's over! Ju— don't do it! Let her go!"

Gared hesitated and instead tried to shoot her in the leg but before he could fire, the wildling jumped off a rock, vanishing from his sight as Gared lowered his bow. She got away with their food, whatever little was left.

"Were those the last of our supplies?" Finn demanded, staring in dismay.

Cotter groaned, struggling to get up before Gared approached to support him as Cotter limped, groaning. "We can't stay here."

"You're hurt." Gared said, trying to help but Cotter shook him off.

"Come on. We can rest ahead." Cotter said.

Back in Ironrath, Rodrik and his family and the smallfolk were recovering from Gryff's ruthless rule. There was still the matter of the spy on the small council but now they had a bargaining chip against Ludd as Rodrik observed the Glenmore soldiers drag Gryff and his men into the cellar, locking them up.

Rodrik and Talia were on the top of one of their watchtowers, seeing the Whitehills dragged to the cellar. "I thought I'd feel better, seeing Gryff dragged out of the Great Hall like that." She looked at Rodrik worriedly. "You wanted to kill him, didn't you?" Rodrik met her eyes. "How did you know when to stop? I don't think I could have." She took a breath. "I suppose that's why you're the lord."

"I just…" Rodrik felt slightly ashamed. "…knew it wasn't right. That wasn't the lord I wanted to be."

Talia nodded in understanding. "What do you think Lord Whitehill will do when he hears? If he truly has a spy…"

"He won't know of this. Not until we want him to." Elissa promised as she went up into the watchtower. "The gates are barred, and every raven in the rookery is dead."

"My lord." Rodrik turned to see Royland and Duncan enter. "There's been a message from Highpoint." Duncan handed Rodrik a scroll as he opened it. "Lord Whitehill invites you to discuss a truce."

Elissa's eyes narrowed. "He wants to make peace?"

Royland snorted. "As if we're that naïve!"

Rodrik considered. "Maybe this is an opportunity. A way to get behind their walls."

"And do what?" Talia asked. "You'd be putting yourself in danger, Rodrik."

Royland nodded. "She's right. What do you hope to accomplish?"

"We could get Ryon back. This could be our chance." Rodrik said.

Elissa nodded. "You're right. Now that we have Gryff, we can propose a trade."

"A trade. His son for my brother." Rodrik considered. "Then we have a plan. We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

"If you're going ahead with this… at least bring the Glenmore soldiers." Royland suggested.

"We obviously need them here." Duncan protested.

Royland shook his head. "You can't mean for Rodrik to travel unprotected."

"What if the Whitehills attack Ironrath while he's gone?"

Rodrik considered. Even with the Glenmore elite, he would be entering the lion's den and the Glenmores would be outnumbered anyway. Plus, the smallfolk were not trained for a siege on Ironrath, they would be vulnerable, if Ludd would make a move on Ironrath. He could only hope that Ludd wouldn't dare to try something on Rodrik in Highpoint, not with Gwyn around. "Ironrath is ours again. The Glenmores will ensure it stays that way."

"Let Arthur know at once." Elissa ordered.

Duncan relaxed but Royland was clearly unhappy about it. "Yes, my lord."

"I'll start making preparations." Duncan said as they left.

With Arthur and his elite in Ironrath, Rodrik could bring his master-in-arms, while Arthur and Duncan would help protect their home.

Talia stepped up, looking into her brother's eyes. "Rodrik, I know I can't come to Highpoint… but I can't just sit around and do nothing. I want to help. Please. I'll do anything you ask of me. Even… something dangerous. I don't care."

"Talia, I may be leaving you here with a traitor. Find out who it is." Rodrik ordered. "Find proof if you can."

Talia nodded. "I'll…" She hesitated, she certainly wasn't expecting this task but got ahold of herself quickly. "I'll do my best." Much to Rodrik's and Elissa's surprise, she sounded confident enough.

"I have faith in you, Talia." Elissa smiled proudly as Talia left, while Elissa looked down at the courtyard. "I've known Ludd Whitehill a long time." Her tone held bitterness and anger. "He's selfish, greedy, and arrogant." She turned to Rodrik, optimistic. "But he'd never kill a guest in his own home. At least…" Her face then shattered into uncertainty as she dropped her shoulders. "I don't think he would."

"I hope you're right, Mother." Rodrik said.

In the Narrow Sea, Asher was observing the Second Sons and Unsullied before approaching his uncle Malcolm, who gave back a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me. Focus on the mission. Your family needs you. That's what matters right now."

Asher smiled. "You're my family too, Malcolm."

Malcolm returned the smile. "And I couldn't be prouder of you." He pulled Asher closer, holding him by the back of his head. "Good luck, my boy."

Malcolm walked off with his men as Asher entered Daenerys's tent, where was Croft at the table looking at the map of Meereen, moving medallions that served as figures of the battle plan, while Asher looked uncomfortable at watching Daenerys on her bench caressing Drogon's head.

"Shall we begin?" Daenerys asked.

"Listen up." Malcolm turned to his men, leaning onto the desk, gesturing. "There are four of these guard posts throughout the city…" He glanced at his men. "They use 'em to warn the masters in case the slaves decide they're tired of wearing chains…" He straightened. "We're here to make sure they don't see it coming." He then explained who would engage which side of the city as Beskha entered Daenerys's tent, holding the back of her head, clearly a bit hungover.

Beskha got behind Asher, lowering her voice. "You remember when we stole the giant warhammer? From that woman in Lys…?"

"Didn't she hit you in the face in it?" Asher chuckled.

"Never thought my head could feel any worse." Beskha grumbled.

"Have you got that?" Croft finished as Daenerys got up from her bench.

"Tonight, any man who wishes to be free, may take that freedom from the grip of his masters. You will clear a path for them, but they must walk it alone. Justice belongs to the people of Meereen. Do not make them wait any longer!"

As they left Daenerys's tent, Beskha snorted. "Pff. What does she know of justice?"

"Is there a problem?" Daenerys asked icily. Clearly, she had overheard Beskha as her and Asher slowly turned to meet her cold stare. "If you can't do this, tell me now." The look she was giving them was chilling, almost reminding Asher of his mother, whenever he had angered her. "The masters will be judged by the people of Meereen, not by you."

"You don't have to worry about us. Just point us at the people you want dead, we'll take it from there." Asher promised. He was willing to follow orders this time. The real problem was, whether Beskha would and whether Asher could keep her in check.

Daenerys's eyes narrowed as Drogon growled lowly, with Daenerys rubbing the back of her dragon's neck. "You enjoy this far more than you should." Her tone made it adamantly clear it would be unwise to disobey her. "Kill only those you must. You will both do as Croft commands. Follow his words exactly, or you will get nothing. Now go." Asher could see the fire in Daenerys's eyes, which sent shiver down his spine. "Show them the hell they have made here."

Asher would never admit it but for a second, just for a second, even though they had never met before, he could swear he was dealing with Aerys Targaryen, the Mad King himself. In Daenerys's case, considering she was his daughter, Asher wondered whether the nickname 'the Mad Queen' would fit her.