Sacrifice and Deception

A Dance with Dragons

Mance Rayder's apparent execution is a deception, allowing him to undertake a secret mission to save Arya.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Burning The Burning from "A Dance with Dragons". The Burning The Execution Mance Rayder is burned at the stake before the wildlings. He appears to die.

The Burning from "A Dance with Dragons". The Burning The Execution Mance Rayder is burned at the stake before the wildlings. He appears to die.

The Burning The Execution Mance Rayder is burned at the stake before the wildlings. He appears to die. The Deception Melisandre used a glamor to make Rattleshirt look like Mance. The real Mance is spared. The Purpose Mance is given a new mission: to rescue Arya Stark from Ramsay Bolton.

The Mission The Mission from "A Dance with Dragons". The Mission The Plan Mance, disguised as a singer named Abel, travels to Winterfell with six spearwives.

The Mission from "A Dance with Dragons". The Mission The Plan Mance, disguised as a singer named Abel, travels to Winterfell with six spearwives.

The Mission The Plan Mance, disguised as a singer named Abel, travels to Winterfell with six spearwives. The Infiltration They enter Winterfell and make contact with Theon. They plan to rescue Jeyne Poole. The Sacrifice Mance risks his life to save a girl he does not know. He is captured by Ramsay.

The Aftermath The Aftermath from "A Dance with Dragons". The Aftermath The Capture Ramsay's letter claims Mance is captured and flayed. His fate is uncertain. The Cost Mance's sacrifice may have been in vain.

The Aftermath from "A Dance with Dragons". The Aftermath The Capture Ramsay's letter claims Mance is captured and flayed. His fate is uncertain. The Cost Mance's sacrifice may have been in vain.

The Aftermath The Capture Ramsay's letter claims Mance is captured and flayed. His fate is uncertain. The Cost Mance's sacrifice may have been in vain. The spearwives are killed. The Legacy Mance's actions show that even a king can sacrifice himself for a greater cause.

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