A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya
Summary
Arya gets angry at Sansa at the dinner table and has run to her room. This is where Ned finds her. He discovers her sword, The Needle. Father explains to Arya that those are trying times and that she needs to be strong and show her best behavior. He also finds a way to keep her occupied. Ned hires Syrio Forel, who becomes Arya’s “dancing master”.
Quotes
“Arya, what did you think to do with this . . . Needle? Who did you hope to skewer? Your sister? Septa Mordane? Do you know the first thing about sword fighting?”
All she could think of was the lesson Jon had given her. “Stick them with the pointy end,” she blurted out.
Her father snorted back laughter. “That is the essence of it, I suppose.”
“Let me tell you something about wolves, child. When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives.”
“Now you will try to strike me…”
Arya tried to strike him. She tried for four hours, until every muscle in her body was sore and aching, while Syrio Forel clicked his teeth together and told her what to do.
The next day their real work began.
Commentary
This is one of my favorite chapters for one simple reason. Syrio is introduced. The Braavosi Master of Sword is the kind of character that gets your respect from the moment he appears. Immediately there is a bond between the “boy” and the teacher.
Syrio’s role in the book is short, however Martin manages to make him a memorable character, not just another face that you forget once you turn the page. You don’t get the feeling that this character was created just to be killed (even though that’s pretty much what happens).
Tags: Arya
