Rickard Karstark left Karhold in the dead of night after informing his lord father he is leaving to woo the beauty of the mountains. He took with him a sword, a soldier's ration, a sturdy horse and his warmest clothes. Also, in one of Karstark's saddlebags he carried gifts for Lord Knott, his sons and his beautiful daughter.

Embarking across the cold northern ground Rickard met many a friendly face and many men with a fire or a tale to tell. While passing through the lands of House Umber he rested in an inn and spent the night talking to a recruiter from the Nights Watch about the noble order.

One of these men was a Norrey named Owen. He was a tall and powerful lad, no more than 17, he was Lord Norrey's third born son. Owen led Rickard into the mountains past hunting huts, small villages and then into Lord Knott's village.