Tower of the Hand

Arya spends most of her days cleaning. Hot Pie works in the kitchens, and Gendry in the forge. Weese is a cruel taskmaster who is quick to beat his charges or set his dog on them. Arya continues to say the litany of those she despises every night, now with Weese at the head of the list. She means to kill every one of them. As she works, she overhears many conversations and learns may secrets from around the castle. She learns that Pia from the buttery is a slut who is working her way through every knight in the castle. The wife of the gaoler is with child, but the real father is either Ser Alyn Stackspear or a singer called Whitesmile Wat. Lord Leo Lefford made mock of ghosts at table, but always kept a candle burning by his bed. Ser Dunaver's squire Jodge could not hold his water when he slept. The cooks despised Ser Harys Swyft and spit in all his food. She also learns that Maester Tothmure received a letter stating that Joffrey is a bastard and that Stannis has crowned himself king. Many of the soldiers doubt that Joffrey will be able to keep the throne long.

The Brave Companions ride in one day with Vargo Hoat at their head and cause an altercation that leaves Ser Harys's squire dead. They leave several days later. Before they go, Arya overhears one say that Lord Roose has occupied the ruby ford of the Trident. She also learns that northmen captives from the Battle of the Green Fork are in the castle. They mostly have free reign of the place in return for a pledge not to escape. The four Freys are soon after ransomed and freed. Lord Medger Cerwyn has a serious wound and eventually dies. Several days later, Ser Amory rides into the keep with his men, including Biter, Rorge, and Jaqen. None appear to recognize her, but that night Jaqen comes to speak to her. He tells her that she saved three lives and that he will repay her by killing three people of her choice. She avoids him for a few days, but then is called upon to serve several of Ser Gregor's men, fresh returned from foraging and a skirmish with Lord Beric that cost them four men. She overhears Chiswyck telling a story to Raff and several others about how he, Eggon, Tobbot, and Gregor's squire Joss Stilwood were at an alehouse with Gregor on the way back west after the Hand's tournament and gang raped a brewer's daughter named Layna. A disgusted Arya finds Jaqen and whispers the name Chiswyck. Three days later, she learns that Chiswyck appears to have fallen off the wall and broken his neck. That night, her litany contains one less name.