The Mystery of the Others and the Threat Beyond the Wall

The ancient enemy stirs in the far north, posing a supernatural threat to the realm.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Prologue: The Others Appear

The First Encounter The Ranging Three rangers of the Night's Watch—Will, Gared, and Ser Waymar Royce—investigate a wildling camp beyond the Wall. They find the bodies of eight wildlings, seemingly frozen to death. The Attack Ser Waymar is confronted by an Other, a pale, armored creature with a sword of ice. Despite his bravery, Waymar is killed, and Will is later killed by the reanimated corpse of Waymar. The Omen Gared escapes but is later executed for desertion. The Others have returned after thousands of years, signaling the beginning of a long winter.

Benjen Stark's Disappearance

The Lost Ranger The Ranging Benjen Stark leads a ranging into the haunted forest to search for Ser Waymar. He does not return, and his disappearance becomes a growing concern. The Search Jeor Mormont sends out search parties, but they find only traces. Jon Snow clings to hope that his uncle is alive. The Discovery of the Wights Months later, the bodies of two of Benjen's men are found, but they are not dead—they are wights. The threat becomes real.

The Great Ranging

Mormont's Decision The Council After the wight attack, Mormont decides to lead a great ranging beyond the Wall to discover what is happening. He believes the Night's Watch must act before winter comes. Jon's Role Jon Snow, now Mormont's steward, will accompany the ranging. He has accepted his place and is ready to face the dangers of the haunted forest. The Ominous Signs Reports of giant footprints, abandoned villages, and mass migrations of animals suggest that something terrible is gathering in the north. The Long Night may be coming.

before the main story begins

early in the story, after Jon's arrival at the Wall

at the end of the book, after the wight attack