Snooty Queen Selyse, annoying Ser Axell Florent, heir to the iron throne Shireen, probably cleverer than he makes out Patchface and assorted hangers on come to Castle Black on their way to the Nightfort (where Bran found a tunnel under the wall). Also with them is the Braavosi banker Tycho Nestoris. Jon does a deal with him to borrow some ships (to rescue the wildlings from Hardhome so they don't die and turn into wights) and some gold (to buy food). Paying it back is a problem for the spring. Tycho is also planning to lend Stannis money to hire sellswords to ensure that Stannis wins the war so Stannis will pay him back.
Which means it is clear that Cersei not paying back the Braavosi will cause real trouble, since the bankers will support Stannis or basically anyone who is more likely to pay them back. How money makes the world go around!
The prophesied girl arrives but she is neither Arya nor Jeyne. She is Alys Karstark, on the run from her uncle who doesn't sound much better than the Boltons. Help me, Jon Snow, you're my only hope, she says. She also has news that he is going to betray Stannis, which we already knew from the Theon point of view. But now Jon knows it, too and can perhaps warn him.
