Jon

           "Othor,"announcedSerJaremyRykker,"beyondadoubt.AndthisonewasJaferFlowers."Heturnedthecorpseoverwithhisfoot,andthedeadwhitefacestaredupattheovercastskywithblue,blueeyes."TheywereBenStark’smen,bothofthem."

           Myuncle’smen,Jonthoughtnumbly.Herememberedhowhe’dpleadedtoridewiththem.Gods,Iwassuchagreenboy.Ifhehadtakenme,itmightbemelyinghere...

           Jafer’srightwristendedintheruinoftornfleshandsplinteredboneleftbyGhost’sjaws.HisrighthandwasfloatinginajarofvinegarbackinMaesterAemon’stower.Hislefthand,stillattheendofhisarm,wasasblackashiscloak.

           "Godshavemercy,"theOldBearmuttered.Heswungdownfromhisgarron,handinghisreinstoJon.Themorningwasunnaturallywarm;beadsofsweatdottedtheLordCommander’sbroadforeheadlikedewonamelon.Hishorsewasnervous,rollinghereyes,backingawayfromthedeadmenasfarasherleadwouldallow.Jonledheroffafewpaces,fightingtokeepherfrombolting.Thehorsesdidnotlikethefeelofthisplace.Forthatmatter,neitherdidJon.

           Thedogslikeditleastofall.Ghosthadledthepartyhere;thepackofhoundshadbeenuseless.WhenBassthekennelmasterhadtriedtogetthemtotakethescentfromtheseveredhand,theyhadgonewild,yowlingandbarking,fightingtogetaway.Evennowtheyweresnarlingandwhimperingbyturns,pullingattheirleasheswhileChettcursedthemforcurs.

           Itisonlyawood,Jontoldhimself,andthey’reonlydeadmen.