CHAPTER 22: ARYA

Arya travels with the Brotherhood Without Banners from a ruined keep where an aged Lord Lychester rambles, to a young maester who claims Beric Dondarrion was hanged near the Gods Eye. Lem insists Beric survives. Directed to the Lady of the Leaves, they climb to a treetop village, where she repeats another report of Beric’s death by Ser Gregor, which the outlaws again dispute.

They shelter in the burned village of Sallydance, where a septon blames northern “tree worshipers” seeking the Kingslayer for the desecration, unsettling Arya. That night Arya tries Anguy’s bow and learns she may be ransomed at Riverrun, worrying whether Robb or Catelyn would pay.

At High Heart, among ancient weirwood stumps, Arya overhears a tiny white-haired woman with red eyes foretell ominous dreams: a shadow with a burning heart killing a golden stag, a faceless man on a swaying bridge with a drowned crow, and a dead fish-woman with red tears who opens her eyes. Tom sings for her; by morning she is gone. Harwin explains Beric’s scattered tactics and the need-to-know secrecy to avoid betrayal.

They ride to Acorn Hall, where Lady Smallwood scolds the men for dragging a highborn girl through war, bathes Arya, and dresses her, then later provides boy’s clothing and a jerkin. Over supper, Lady Smallwood reveals Thoros and Beric recently passed driving sheep and suggests searching near Stoney Sept and the Threepenny Wood.

Lady Smallwood also reports Karstark men in black with a white sun hunted for Jaime. She shares a rumor that Catelyn freed the Kingslayer, shocking the outlaws and distressing Arya. After a tussle in the smithy with Gendry, Arya returns to songs and teasing; Lady Smallwood shows her gentleness, outfits her for travel, and urges her to be brave.