A winter snowstorm has hit Winterfell. Roose Bolton comments that the northern gods do not favour Stannis as he is at the mercy of the weather while they are sheltered in Winterfell. His men cheer, but Theon does not join in and notes that the Freys do not join in either, unfamiliar with the north that has claimed three of their lives already.
A respite at the falling of snow motivates Jon to range beyond the Wall, leading the new recruits of the Night's Watch who follow the old gods to the same grove of weirwoods in the haunted forest where he and Sam swore their vows.[1] Scouting ahead of them go Tom Barleycorn, Big Liddle and Luke of Longtown.
Tyrion is aboard the Selaesori Qhoran, a trading cog on the way to Qarth. He watches the evening prayer led by Moqorro, a red priest from the Summer Islands and Benerro's right hand. Tyrion ask Moqorro what he sees in the flames, to which he replies dragons, true and false, with Tyrion in the middle of it all.
Following the departure of Stannis's host, Castle Black is in a quiescent state, with the exception of the training yard. Although Stannis has vacated Mormont's former chambers in King's Tower, Jon does not move in, knowing that others may misconstrue the move as a sign that he does not expect Stannis to return.
During an inspection of the stores, Jon is informed by Bowen Marsh and some other stewards that there is not enough to feed the Night's Watch, the wildlings, and Stannis' men through the winter. He grimly orders a cut in rations, though he knows it will make him unpopular, and tells Marsh they will find a way to feed everyone.
Bran is making his way through the haunted forest, in search of the three-eyed crow, accompanied by the Reeds, Hodor, and Coldhands. Bran skinchanges into Summer frequently, and even into Hodor, although Hodor seems to dislike the experience. Coldhands is riding on an elk and is accompanied by ravens.