TWoW Victarion I: An Extremely Small Known but Potentially Forgotten Detail (Spoilers Extended)
Background
TWoW, Victarion I has been read in its (at least close to) full form by GRRM before, but unfortunately we only have a transcript of the first part of the chapter. There have been numerous attempts to gather information on the later part of the chapter, with u/BryndenBFish (who has since deleted his socials) going as far as to post about the "Victarion Fragment" and then about a year ago I gathered as much information as I could on the second part of the chapter here: Revisiting the Victarion Fragment. While perusing some old SSMs I found a small detail about the second part of the chapter that wasn't included and I haven't really seen mentioned elsewhere that I just wanted to share.
Note: As with any of the "released" TWoW chapter information, this stuff is decades old and subject to change.
The Rowing to Meereen
While we know from other released chapters that they arrive in Slaver's Bay and attack the Slavers, we (or at least I) did not know that GRRM mentioned the drums booming while rowing and I found this little detail interesting:
I want “total immersion” for readers. For example, I read the Victarion preview chapter at last night’s banquet and when I write about the sound of drums to help the rowers keep time, I want you to feel it. “Boom BOOM Boom Boom” (he hits his hand on the table for emphasis**). If I mention a howl, I want you to hear it. OOOOWWWWOOOOO** (it was quite a nice howl**)**. -SSM, ConCarolinas Q&A: June 2014
Other "Confirmed" (LOL) Facts About This Second Part
According to GRRM this chapter takes place 5 minutes after the end of ADWD and we find out that:
- After he shows the horn to the three deckhands, the dusky woman bleeds his wounded hand/arm into a bowl. Then Victarion takes that blood and rubs it into the horn and murmurs to it softly "My horn...dragons..."
- Then he fingerbangs the dusky woman. No sex. He says he doesn't like to bust a nut before battle (my phrasing).
- The dusky woman helps him put his armor on, he gives a rousing speech to the crew and they set sail towards Meereen.
TLDR: At a Con in 2014 mentioned the drums booming to help the rowers keep time during the Ironborn's trip to Meereen in the second untranscribed section of TWOW, Victarion I. He also mentions how he wants readers to "feel it". With a dragonhorn about to be blown in the same area, I thought it was interesting.
Posted May 21, 2024, 12:05 PM UTC