A Game of Thrones

Syrio’s training methods are unconventional. As he calls out moves for Arya to parry, he lies and lands a blow. The resulting lesson is that she must carefully observe her opponent to distinguish between truth and lies. Their lesson is interrupted by the Kingsguard announcing that Arya’s father wants to see her. Syrio asks why “Lord Eddard is sending Lannister men in the place of his own” (527). The Kingsguard tries to seize Arya, but Syrio fights them with his wooden practice sword. A knight commands them to kill Syrio and retain Arya, so Syrio tells Arya to run to Ned. Arya tells herself to remain calm and remember Syrio’s lessons. In her father’s quarters and sees a dead man in Stark colors lying in the splintered doorway. Arya fetches clothes and Needle from her room. In the stables, she finds her father’s household men, who were packing for her journey home, killed. One dead man is a Lannister. Arya plans to saddle a horse and leave, but a stableboy grabs her saying her father is dead and the queen will reward him for capturing her. Arya draws Needle and stabs him in his belly, killing him. Arya realizes she won’t escape through the gates, so she dashes into the Red Keep‘s dungeons and runs “deeper into the darkness” (536).