Syrio, Jaqan and Ser Meryn

[The Imp]

This has been rattling around in my head for a while and I need some feedback. It's actually two separate ideas which are mutually exclusive.

I'm starting with the premise that Syrio didn't die at the hands of Ser Meryn. Along with many others here, I believe that unless the corpse has rotted in the ground i don't believe a character is really dead. The end of the Syrio-Trant fight was so inconclusive (from the perspective of knowing what happened) that it's probably VERY likely that Syrio survived, unless GRRM WANTS us to think that and the surprise is that he really IS dead, unless he WANTS us to believe that in which case............... SO if Syrio didn't die, where is he?

Theory A- Syrio is a Faceless Man and took Her Meryn's Identity after killing him. He's now able to have access to the Red Keep and gather information(?) to help in a much larger plan which Jaqan is part of (now at the Citadel)

Theory B- Syrio is a Faceless Man who killed and disposed of the man who really WAS Jaqan H'Ghar and assumed his identity. Syrio leaves the book around the same time that Jaqan appears. It also explains how a master assassin could be captured by any of the useless Gold Cloaks. Syrio in effects starts as himself(?) watching and training Arya and then continuing as Jaqan. She is ultimately "led" to the House of Black and WHite to continue her training and futher a plan that we aren't yet aware of.

SO there you have it. I apologize in advance if this has been talked about before.

 

[Koopa]

I guess it is possible, but judging from what Arya was thinking, (she hesitated before leaving, and it wasn't going well), and from the conversation with Cersei somewhat later when she says that Arya got away because of her dancing instructor, it seems to me, that he is very much dead.

One thing that may help your theory though, is that Jaqan H'Ghar was found in the dungeons by Yoren, to take to the wall with him alongside eddard, after the first mini-battle of the red keep occured. So also after Syrio forel supposedly died, might be he was captured, questioned, and sent to the dungeons. One must wonder when the change in appearance happened though, considering the that bureacrat in chief of the dungeons, and the goalers.

 

[The Imp]

I guess it is possible, but judging from what Arya was thinking, (she hesitated before leaving, and it wasn't going well), and from the conversation with Cersei somewhat later when she says that Arya got away because of her dancing instructor, it seems to me, that he is very much dead.

One thing that may help your theory though, is that Jaqan H'Ghar was found in the dungeons by Yoren, to take to the wall with him alongside eddard, after the first mini-battle of the red keep occured. So also after Syrio forel supposedly died, might be he was captured, questioned, and sent to the dungeons. One must wonder when the change in appearance happened though, considering the that bureacrat in chief of the dungeons, and the goalers.

As I remember it, Syrio wasn't injured in any way, during that fight. Arya left him while he was fighting Trant, and while one could infer that he was a goner, we know that in GRRM's world this isn't necessarily the case, and in fact, he often leads you down one path only to have it dead. Cersei doesn't talk about SYrio being dead, only that he helped Atya.

Allowing himself to be captured so he could go to the dungeon and assume an identity makes a lot of sense though. It's hard to imagine that the real Jaqan committed such horrific crimes (other than murder) that he was chained to a wagon with the likes of Biter and Rorge. Killing wasn't all that uncommon and normal murders didn't get the same treatment as sadiistic rapist child molesters etc. The only problem with the theory of him taking the real Jaqan's place is how did he get rid of the real body, but I suppose that could be explained in any number of ways.

 

[TK-421]

Syrio=Jaqen is plausible and like you said it, anything is possible in GRRM's world.

 

[Charming Serpent]

I'd say Syrio was either left alive or got away and is in Braavos where he will run into Arya. That or he is dead. I would be surprised to find out he is a Faceless Man.

 

[Koopa]

I think, i might be wrong, i remember reading that Arya saw, before she fled,how Syrio his wooden sword was destroyed by the steel sword, leaving him as good as defenseless. From that point on, lots of things might have happened. I admit it is my sincere hope that Syrio Forel did indeed die. It just makes the story, the book a whole lot better. I dont really like Eddings type of books where they almost all miraculously survive. I dont mind happening it sometimes, especially when there is a definite change in the character (Stoneheart - still dont like her though), just not all the time, and especially no when it doesn't seem to be bring much to the story, except weaking it.

 

[Charming Serpent]

I concur, Kiwi. I don't see the "need" for him to reappear for a benefit to the story. I know I am beating a dead horse here, but one of the main reasons I love this series is that it is so real in so many aspects. No miraculously avoiding death or re-emerging later, no over the top magic or love conquers all and last but not least; no just cuz u do good things means u will end up on top etc etc....

Though i liked the character I would be disappointed to find him alive unless GRRM had a damn believeable reason.

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

You are correct Kiwi. From A Game of Thrones:

Ser Meryn advanced; Syrio backed away. He checked the next blow, spun away from the second, deflected the third.
The third sliced his stick in two, splintering the wood and shearing through the lead core.
Sobbing, Arya spun and ran.

I would not be against Syrio popping up again somewhere in the story, as long as it made sense. But I don't think there is a very good possibility that it will happen.

 

[The Imp]

Things certainly didn't look good for Syrio, but again, GRRM intentionally NOT showing hm die leads me to beleive there is at least a possibility thbat he's alive. Being in mortal peril has never been a guarantee of death, we can check with Oberon Martel on that It COULD be a red herring, but the more I think about it the more i like the Syrio morphing to Jaqan theory.