A Clash of Kings – Traitor
“As if he could,” said Qhorin. “Turn, Snow, and die.”
And then Qhorin’s sword was coming at him and somehow Longclaw leapt upward to block. The force of impact almost knocked the bastard blade from Jon’s hand, and sent him staggering backward. You must not balk, whatever is asked of you. He shifted to a two-hand grip, quick enough to deliver a stroke of his own, but the big ranger brushed it aside with contemptuous ease. Back and forth they went, black cloaks swirling, the youth’s quickness against the savage strength of Qhorin’s left-hand cuts. The Halfhand’s longsword seemed to be everywhere at once, raining down from one side and then the other, driving him where he would, keeping him off balance. Already he could feel his arms growing numb.
A Clash of Kings Chapter 67 – Jon
Jon surrenders to the wildlings and Qhorin Halfhand tries to kill him as the traitor he is. Just as they agreed upon earlier. Though Jon didn’t expect the wildlings to demand him to kill Qhorin. Or For Qhorin to attack him to make things easier.
When I read the last Jon chapter I wondered just how far back Qhorin’s plan went. Did he expect their scouting mission would fail? Did he bring Jon along exclusively to plant him with the Wildlings because the wildlings would be more likely to accept a descendant of the First Men? Did he leave Jon with Ygritte not just to test him but because knowing sparing her would have her put a good word in for Jon? The list of questions goes on.