CHAPTER 2. KING'S LANDING
The rest of the trip to King's Landing is uneventful, but tense as Arya refuses to speak to Sansa or her father. She blames Sansa for the death of her friend Mycah and her father for not standing up to the King and Queen. Sansa blames Arya for the death of Lady her Direwolf. Arya had sent her wolf off knowing they would kill her for attacking the Prince. The Queen insisted that Lady be killed for the blood drawn from her son.
Arya sits beside the wagon driver Dawson not wanting to be near Sansa. When they reach the city she frowns at the smell and is awestruck by the grandness of the city. They go through the city to the Red Keep which sits on a hill. Arya's mind starts to race as there are many places waiting to be explored. She immediately goes to her room and shuts the door; not wanting anything to do with Sansa.
At dinner Arya eats in her room and when she is done she takes out her sword needle. Her half brother Jon snow had made it for her. Upon returning to her room Arya had forgotten to lock the door. "Where did you get that?"
She spins around to find her father standing in the door. Eddard Stark walks into the room and takes the sword. "I know this work…Mikken!" He looks at Arya, "So where did you get it?"
"Jon had it made for me…"
He smiles, "Of course he did. Well if my daughter is going to swing a sword she is going to have a proper teacher…"
"You mean it?"
She hugs him when he nods, "But first you must make peace with your sister…"
Arya pouts and sits on the bed, "She lied you know…"
He sighs, "Your sister is promised to him. She can't betray the Prince."
"You always taught Robb, Jon, Theon, Bran, and Rickon to be upright and honorable…Joffrey is none of those things…He is a spoiled brat and a coward."
He sighs, "Perhaps it was a mistake making the match…"
"Then why did you do it?"
"Because Robert is my friend and we would have been family if not for…"
Arya frowns when his mood changes, "If not for what?"
"Nothing! Make peace with your sister and promise me you won't stab her with the sword…"
"I promise…"
Later Arya goes to see her sister and apologizes. Sansa half heartedly accepts the apology. The next day Arya goes exploring the Red Keep and finds a secret passageway that leads to the catacombs. Then she finds the Dragon skulls of long dead Dragons. As she stares at the skulls in wonder Arya hears voices. What she hears catches her breath. After many twists and turns Arya finds herself back at the tower of the Hand where her family is housed.
"I am Syrio Ferrel First Sword of Braavos…and you are Arya Stark…Syrio teaches and Arya learns yes…"
"You talk funny…"
"Thank you…"
For many hours Arya learns things that have nothing to do with sword fighting nor has she ever seen Robb, Jon, or Theon do such things. He has her stretch in almost impossible posses. Then he has her chase cats and walk on her hands. Then he has her dodge balls that he throws at her. Finally after hours of doing what Arya considers ridiculous exercises they practice sword moves.
To tired to eat Arya drops on her bed and falls fast asleep. Later she gets up and asks the servants for some food. Every day it is the same with the weird exercises and then sword play. A month passes by and word is received that Bran has awakened. "Ouch!" Arya cries as Syrio gets past her defenses and whacks her on the arm.
"A girl is dead…Her mind is not here, but somewhere else…"
Six months had passed and there was an incident in the streets. Arya's father had been hurt and Jorey Cassel is dead. "My father…is hurt…"
"Yes Syrio has heard this…Valor Morghulis…"
Arya frowns, "What does that mean?"
"All men die…All we can do is live in the now. The past is behind us and tomorrow will come in its own time…"
"I want to kill Jaime Lannister…"
"A girl must become like the wind…Then perhaps maybe she can kill the slayer of Kings…"
When Arya returns to the tower of the Hand; she bathes and decides to eat with her sister. "Pack your things…" Eddard Stark commands upon returning to the residence.
"Why has something happened?" Arya asks.
"Where is your sister?"
"In her room…" Arya follows him to Sansa's room. She is not happy when her father tells her that he is calling off the betrothal and sending them home.
"Father what about you?" Arya asks.
"Unfortunately I must remain here…"
Arya goes to her room to pack. Before she goes to bed Eddard comes to see her, "Can Syrio come with us? So that I can finish my training…"
He smiles, "Oh my little wolf. Your mother would not like that one bit, but perhaps I can send you to Bear Island to be a ward…They train women to fight on Bear Island…"
Arya smiles, "Really…" He kisses her goodnight and leaves. The next morning Arya eats and leaves to meet Syrio as they will not leave until noon. Arya is fighting with her left hand as she had been training to do so.
"Arya Stark…" They are interrupted by Ser Meryn Trant of the King's Guard. There are three Lannister men with him. "…you must come with us."
Arya is about to move, but Syrion stops her by placing his arm in front of her, "And why would Lord Eddard Stark be sending you to fetch his daughter and not his own men."
"Stay out of this Braavosi."
"My father is Hand of the King and the Lord of Winterfell…I don't have to go with you anywhere."
They laugh, "You are coming with us one way or another…"
Arya watches as Syrio cripples one man armed only with a wooden practice sword. She smiles as he takes down the next two with ease. Then Ser Meryn Trant draws his sword, "The time for dancing is over now Arya Stark run…"
"Come with me…"
"What do we say to the god of death?"
"Not today.' She responds in a sad tone of voice.
"Run along now and remember what I taught you…"
