Re: Arya, Tyrion, The Doctor, Gil
Tyrion heard the words spoken by the scruffy young man, and at first they didn't register, but suddenly they did, although he was careful to maintain the same even expression as he considered the facts. Despite the dirt and the demeanor, the lad appeared to be in good health, and any privation in the area of his diet was not a longstanding one. The fact that he was educated only served to raise Tyrion's suspicions, for few bothered to teach the servants how to read and write - to what purpose? Hell, he knew quite a few well born young men who could not boast of that accomplishment.
Something about his manner was familiar, something that had been niggling in the back of his mind since they met, but he couldn't put a name to it. Now, it suddenly hit him. He had seen this boy before, but he was no boy then. That's what had thrown him off, delayed the recognition. When he was at Winterfell last, accompanying the late King, he'd seen her there. Arya Stark, one of Eddard's brood.
What to do with the knowledge? Last time he'd greeted one of the Starks, little suspecting Lady Stark to be traveling incognito, he'd been taken captive, and forced to spend time in Lady Arryn's sky cells - a time which still gave him nightmares.
On the other hand, this girl had no soldiers, no one at her beck and call. Only herself. So they were on an even playing field.
"Did your father teach you?" he asked softly. "Or should I say your later father?" He'd always wondered what happened to the girl after the death of the previous Hand. He was sure she had quite the tale to tell.