Assumptions and Assumptions: The Cost of Arya’s Training with Syrio

The journey of Arya Stark, a young and spirited member of House Stark, is marked by twists and challenges. Her training under the master of arms Syrio Forel is one of those pivotal moments. But what if Syrio Forel was not who he seemed? Could Ned Stark have unknowingly paid a high price for Arya's training?

Faceless Men: A Religious Order of Assassins

The Faceless Men, also known as the Many-Faced Gods, are a secretive society of assassins based in Braavos. Their primary role is to serve the Many-Faced God, a deity whose followers believe can assume any form. These assassins do not simply take any contract for monetary gain; instead, they require a deeply personal sacrifice from their clients. The price can range from one's life, a child, wealth, or power, all of which are deemed too valuable to be lateralized over a simple fencing lesson.

Syrio Forel: Master of Arms and Faceless Man?

The question arises whether Syrio Forel, the masked master of arms who trained Arya, could have been one of the faceless men. This possibility adds a layer of intrigue to Arya's training. While Syrio’s methods were unconventional, they proved effective in honing Arya's skills.

Assuming Syrio was a member of the Faceless Men, he might have been masquerading as a master of arms to keep his true identity hidden from both Arya and Ned Stark. Given the secretive nature of the Faceless Men, it would be improbable that Ned Stark would have known about Syrio's true affiliation. In fact, it's unlikely that any Faceless Man would take on a client without a clear and compelling reason, let alone for teaching a young girl.

Why Might Ned Have Hired Syrio?

If Ned Stark, as a lord of House Stark, had known Syrio was a member of the Faceless Men, it's highly unlikely he would have hired him to teach Arya. The principles of the Faceless Men are not aligned with the ethical and moral codes of the Stark family. The Faceless Men serve their god and their duties without regard for the titles and power of lords in Westeros. Instead, they recruit exclusively in the city of Braavos, where they train new acolytes to serve the deity and take on assassination contracts.

The Case of Arya and the Faceless Men

Arya’s initiation into the ways of the Faceless Men at the House of Black and White is well-documented in the series. She learns the stark reality that the Faceless Men are not water dancers but deadly assassins. The only known instances of individuals intentionally joining the Faceless Men are Arya herself and the Waif, both of whom had no prior connection to the society of assassins. The Waif, in particular, joined under the debt of her father to the Faceless Men, and her subsequent training was tied to this obligation.

The Faceless Men do not go around Westeros or Essos seeking recruits casually. Their methods of recruitment are strictly limited to those who come to them. The idea of a lord of House Stark sending his daughter to be trained by these secretive assassins without any explicit reason or obligation is highly improbable.

Conclusion

The story of Arya Stark and her training with Syrio Forel presents an interesting hypothesis. While it's entertaining to imagine the training might have had a more sinister undertone, the fact remains that the Faceless Men are a secretive and highly personal society. If Syrio Forel were a member of the Faceless Men, he would have been likely to serve under the pretext of being a master of arms, and the price for such training would have been something far more significant than the simple cost of lessons.

The true cost of Arya's training is a testament to the depth and complexity of her character development. It emphasizes the ethical and moral choices she must make in her journey, making her story all the more compelling in the vast tapestry of Westeros.