Lord Commander Mormont, Jon, and Thoren examine burned human remains in the village of Whitetree. The village is deserted. Mormont sends Giant up into the trees to look around and sends other brothers through the houses. Jon is paired with Dolorous Edd. This is the fourth deserted village the Watch has passed through. Chett has the dogs looking too. Mormont, Thoren, Jarmen Buckwell, and Ser Mallador Locke confer, but cannot imagine what might have happened. Giant pokes his head through the trees and reports that he cannot see anything. The Lord Commander writes a message and gives it to Jon before ordering the party to resume the march. First comes Jarmen and his scouts, followed by the vanguard under Thoren, Mormont with the main force, Ser Mallador with the baggage train, and Ser Ottyn Wythers with the rear guard. Jon brings the message to Sam to send back to Castle Black. Sam says he is hardly scared at all, much to his surprise, and Jon teases that they should make him an outrider with Grenn. Ghost joins him as he rides back to Mormont's side. The wolf always goes off hunting well away from the party, but he has not had luck finding game. Dywen has reported that the woods themselves are deserted and must have been frightened away by something. When Jon rejoins the Lord Commander, Mormont tries to reassures him that they will find whatever enemy awaits, but Jon just hopes the enemy does not find them first.