Chapter 21 - Craster's Keep


As Jon Snow, Jeor Mormont, Edd, Pyp, Ghost, and a few other men of the Night's Watch ventured north of the Wall, they knew they were entering a treacherous and mysterious territory. The bitter cold pierced their bones, their breath visible in the frigid air as they made their way towards Craster's Keep. The journey had been strenuous, with the vast expanse of white stretching before them like an icy abyss in the dark forest. Jon tightened his grip on Longclaw, drawing strength from the Valyrian steel. He prayed that Sam and Maester Aemon kept their newest member busy, out of sight and out of trouble since they left. Finally, the dim outline of Craster's Keep came into view, its dilapidated structures standing as a stark reminder of the harshness of the land, just as bitter and harsh as the man who lived there. The rotten keep disgusted them all. Several of his daughter-wives roamed his grounds, performing farm chores in the snow and ice that his sons should be doing while he sat warm and fat in his home, except he had no sons. He never kept the sons.

"This place is foul," muttered Pyp.

"It's beyond foul," added Edd. They dismounted from their horses, and Ghost wandered around the keep. Since Sam helped Gilly escape with her child, Mormont knew this confrontation would be a challenging one. Jon wondered if the scumbag would even notice, given how many daughters he had. One of the young women fetched Craster, and the disgusting old man stepped outside his cabin.

"What have we here? Frozen crows?" he said. The women in tattered layers of poor leather and furs around him bowed their heads in fear. "We've come a long way," he taunted. Mormont stepped forward.

"We can talk inside," said the Lord Commander.

"Oh, can we?" sneered Caster through his broken teeth. Mormont clenched his jaw as the crisp, cold air whipped around their faces, chapping their skin.

"We passed through six villages on the way here. All six were abandoned. Where have all the wildlings gone?" asked Mormont outright. Caster took two steps forward and spat on the snowy ground.

"I could tell you, but then one of your boys might run off with another one of my girls," he snarled. Mormont sighed, fearing this might happen. "Tell me, is that little piggy of yours breaking his vows with her?" Craster taunted. If Sam had joined them, Craster would have killed him for sure. Jon gripped the handle of Long Claw, and Mormont could hear his leather glove creek against it. He put a hand out to stop Jon. Craster laughed. "What's the matter, Bastard? You make love to him as well?"

"That's enough!" ordered the Lord Commander. "We didn't come here to argue! If it's more Dornish wine you want, you'll have it. But there have been more and more reports of abandoned villages and sightings of white walkers. Where have all the wildlings gone?"

Caster chuckled with a petty grin and walked closer to Mormont.

"What was it?" the old man hissed. Jon, Pyp, and Edd felt uneasy. The Lord Commander squinted his eyes at the geezer.

"What was what?" he asked.

"The child, what was it?"

Jon gave Mormont a side glance. Mormont stared at Craster square in the face.

"It was a boy, wasn't it?" Craster pushed bitterly. Mormont said nothing. A far-off scream could be heard from one of Craster's wives. Jon thought it was Ghost being nosy again, but it wasn't. One of the blue-eyed, blue-skinned corpses approached from the trees. Then another, and another, and another. One of them lunged for a girl, and Ghost snatched its leg between his teeth, snarling. Edd's eyes widened in horror. Jon's skin prickled with fear. Pyp held his breath, but they all drew their swords regardless.

"This is your doing!" Craster growled. The old bear drew his weapon as well. The trio charged at the walking dead men. Mormont ordered his men to do the same. The women ran. Edd sliced one in half with his sword. It screeched, but the top half kept moving. Pyp gasped as the reanimated dead body crawled towards him. He felt a surge of adrenaline and plunged his sword into its head with all his might, finishing it off. Another one grabbed one of Craster's wives. She screamed as she fell. With a quick swipe, Jon cut its head off with his Valyrian steel sword. To his surprise, the entire body shattered into nothingness. Three more blue-eyed corpses sprang from the trees. One of them snatched a brother of the Night's Watch while another cut the frozen man down. Mormont grabbed Craster by the collar.

"Where have the wildings gone?! WHERE?! I won't ask aga-" Mormont gasped. A hidden dagger found its way into his stomach.

"You want to know where they've all gone?" he said, driving the dagger farther into the Lord Commander, "North, to join up with Mance Rayder… Your old friend. What I hear, he's gathering an army, and he's already got more men than any of your Southern Kings," he answered in a grizzly tone. Mormont let him go, grasping at his wound. He swung his sword clumsily with all the might he could, cutting Craster. The old man stumbled back. Jon slashed at another wight before it could devour one of their men. It shattered into dust once more. Mormont stuck his sword into Craster's shoulder, pinning him to the ground. Jon heard the man yell out in pain from behind.

"He's no friend of mine," he growled, driving his sword deeper, "Where does he plan on marching this army? WHERE?!" demanded Mormont. Jon ran to the Lord Commander. Red poured out of his gut and painted the white snow. He looked around frantically to make sure most of the walking dead man had been slain. He had no idea if more would come. Edd ran up to him.

"We have to go!" he exclaimed, "We have to go NOW!"