The Titan of Braavos stands tall and proud above the ship. Arya has long given up trying to fight against what is seemingly her fate.

When Syrio revealed himself and told her he was taking her to Braavos, she tried to run back to the docks. Staying in King's Landing seemed a far better option than being whisked away to an unknown city across the Narrow Sea. However, her waterbending instructor reminded her that her sister is risking her own safety for hers, and going back to the city could endanger her even more. "Besides", he added, "a girl is much safer in another continent than here."

It was the thought of her family in further danger because of her that settled it. She was far from happy about it—she still isn't—but even now sees no other choice.

When the ship finally stops by the docks, Syrio gives her a hooded jerkin—gods know where he found one that fits her relatively well—and guides her out. From her shadowed view, she sees the port is crowded and full of noises and life. A blue-haired man sings and dances to a small audience; another man, dark-skinned and middle-aged, tries to recollect cabbages that fell from his cart; a black-haired, pale-skinned woman sells bread while trying to avoid a disgusting-looking man stalking her from behind; children run and scream. Even though she can't understand a word of what they are saying, she sees enough to understand this is a lively city.

However, no observance skills help her get a grip on the path she follows Syrio through. It's a zig-zag through crowded and narrow streets, alternating with large avenues, until they reach a bridge. And then a second one.

Right as they cross this second bridge, a tall building pops up in her line of vision. A staircase leads to a black-and-white door. "Welcome", Syrio announces, "to the House of Black and White. This is where a girl must fulfill her destiny. Valar morghulis."

She turns to ask him what in the world he means, but suddenly he's no longer there. She looks around to find nobody in her vicinity. I could just turn around and make my way back, she thinks. I could go back to the docks and find a ship back North. Or, even if I'd rather stay in Essos, I could find a way to make my own living. However, even as she entertains those thoughts, she is filled with a certainty they are nothing but fantasies. Syrio may be silent and quick, but not fast enough to have already left this area. He won't let me go easily. He may say otherwise, but I'm his hostage, kept under his wing to fulfill whatever 'destiny' he thinks I have to follow.

With that thought, she goes upstairs and knocks. It is opened to reveal a tall, hazel-eyed, olive-haired, fair-skinned, bland-looking man. He eyes her up and down and says, "Arya Stark of Winterfell. Welcome to the House of Black and White."

He opens the door just enough to let her in. Inside, everything looks dark, although it might be because everything is painted black. A few things are painted white, though, allowing the sun to reflect on them and illuminate the place just enough for her not to trip at every step.

Numerous statues are spread across the place, surrounding what seems to be an artificial pool. "What are those statues?", she asks the bland-looking man.

"The Weeping Woman", he begins, pointing at the statue of a woman holding a bowl. "The Lion of Night, the Hooded Wayfarer, Bakkalon, the Moon-Pale Maiden, the Stranger, the Merling King… There are thirty statues here in total."

She frowns. "So many gods... Which one do your really worship here?"

He looks down at her, as if she had asked a stupid quetion. "All of them. None of them. This is the temple for the one god. The god of death. He of many faces."

O...kay? "Does he have a name?"

The man hesitates, but eventually replies. "His name is seldom used, but it's Koh. It is not what matters most here, girl. What matters is what the girl seeks."

"I don't seek anything", she retorts. "I was taken here, supposedly to fulfill my destiny, or whatever."

This time, the man doesn't miss a beat. "Precisely. A girl is a waterbender, is she not?" She nods, startled that he knows. Has Syrio contacted him somehow? "But a girl does not bend ice, or snow, or fog, or mud, or blood."

"Of course not. I take after my Tully mother."

"But a girl can learn. A girl can become a fully realized waterbender, if only she allows herself to learn the proper way."

Oh, now this is interesting. She may not be the Avatar, but she will be able to help Jon even more—and defend herself better against Robert Baratheon and his lackeys—if she masters all water specialties.

"What will be the price?", she asks, because she highly doubts this man does volunteer work.

He smiles gently. "Your service."