A Clash of Kings-Chapter 68

Jon VIII
A Clash of Kings chapter
POV	Jon Snow
Place	Skirling Pass
Page	689 UK HC (Other versions)
Chapter chronology (All)
Jon VII ↑
Tyrion XV  ← Jon VIII →  Bran VII
↓ A Storm of Swords Jon I

Jon Snow and his companions attempt to leave the Frostfangs, but they are eventually overtaken by wildlings.

Synopsis

The weather in the Skirling Pass has gotten worse. Qhorin sends Ebben east with the last garron to reach the 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 saw: that he faces giants and 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 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 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.

Character list

Appearing: Ebben Ghost Lord of Bones Qhorin Ragwyle Jon Snow Stonesnake Ygritte

Mentioned: Dalbridge Grenn Grey Wind Jeor Mormont Nymeria Orell Pypar Mance Rayder Shaggydog Bran Stark Eddard Stark Rickon Stark Robb Stark Summer Samwell Tarly Eddison Tollett

Mentions

Events:	Houses: House Mormont House Stark House Tarly House Tollett
Places: Beyond the Wall Fist of the First Men Frostfangs Skirling Pass Milkwater Castle Black Wall Winterfell	Terms: Archer Aurochs Bastard Bastard sword Bear Bone Chicken Cow Crow Crown Dice Direwolf Dog Dream Eagle Elk Free folk Giants Goat Horn Horse Humans Longclaw Longsword Maiden Mammoth Marriage Moon Moss Night's Watch Lord Commander of the Night's Watch Rangers Old gods Pine Runes Shadowcat Sheep Skinchanger Smith Spearwife Squire Steel Sun Valyrian steel

References and Notes

• The synopsis was copied from AOL member vbkorik27 previously at [1].
• Analyses and summary of the chapter in the course of a 10th reread by Slynt.
• Review and summary by Leigh Butler.