Editing A Clash of Kings-Chapter 68 (section)

==Synopsis==
The weather in the [[Skirling Pass]] has gotten worse. [[Qhorin Halfhand|Qhorin]] sends [[Ebben]] east with the last garron to reach the [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch|Lord Commander]] with all haste, while the rest try to head off pursuit. They are watched by the [[eagle]], however.

After [[Stonesnake]]'s mare breaks a leg, Qhorin sends him on foot to take the high passes to reach the [[Fist of the First Men]]. Qhorin commands Stonesnake to tell [[Jeor Mormont]] all that [[Jon Snow|Jon]] saw: that he faces [[giants]] and [[skinchanger|wargs]] and worse, and that the trees have eyes again.

That night, the Halfhand asks Jon if his sword is sharp, and makes the young man recite his oath with him. Qhorin then commands Jon to yield when they are overtaken, and not to balk no matter what the wildlings ask him to do to prove himself. Jon is appalled at the suggestion, but Qhorin tells him to go among the [[free folk|wildlings]] and learn what they plan, watch what they do, but to remember who he is and to return to Jeor when he has learned what the wildlings are searching for. Qhorin promises to tell the Lord Commander that Jon never broke his oath when he sees him again.

They pass through a waterfall and seek refuge in a cave known to Qhorin. They pass through a cavern the next day, but the eagle waiting for them when they emerge on the other side. Qhorin decides they will make their stand there.

Fourteen hunters soon arrive with eight dogs, with the [[Lord of Bones]] their leader and [[Ygritte]] amongst them. They have Ebben's head, and Rattleshirt orders them killed. Jon yields, as Qhorin ordered him to, and the Halfhand says in contempt, "I was warned [[bastard]] blood is craven." Rattleshirt commands Jon to kill Qhorin to prove himself. Jon slays the big [[ranger]] with [[Longclaw]] only after [[Ghost]] gives him an opening by biting the man's calf. The wildlings accept Jon despite Rattleshirt's misgivings, and Ygritte tells him that the eagle was once [[Orell|the man]] he killed up in the passes when they captured her.

The wildlings burn Qhorin's body on a pyre, and Rattleshirt claims some charred bones. Ygritte informs Jon that [[Mance Rayder]] is marching on the [[Wall]].