A iron coin is given to Arya Stark by the faceless man Jaqen H'ghar.
About
If a Faceless Man gives a special iron coin to any man of Braavos and says "valar morghulis", that Braavosi will obey him, responding "valar dohaeris".[2][3]
Recent Events
A Clash of Kings
After the fall of Harrenhal, Jaqen H'ghar tells Arya Stark that she must come with him across the narrow sea. When she says she cannot go, he gives Arya a small iron coin, claiming it has great value. He says that should she ever wish to find him again, she should give the coin to any man of Braavos and tell him "valar morghulis".[4]
Arya sometimes regrets not leaving with Jaqen. As she examines Jaquen's worn iron coin, which has foreign writing on one side and a man whose face has rubbed off on the other, Arya becomes so angry at the lies Jaqen told her that she throws the coin away, but an hour later she decides to find it again and keep it. When Arya escapes Harrenhal, she distracts a Bolton guard with the iron coin and then slits his throat; she whispers "valar morghulis" as he dies.[1]
A Storm of Swords
Arya finds a Braavosi ship at Saltpans, the Titan's Daughter, and though she cannot afford passage, she remembers the iron coin that Jaqen had given her. She gives the iron coin to the captain and says "valar morghulis"; he replies "valar dohaeris", and respectfully grants her a cabin on his ship.[2]
A Feast for Crows
When Arya arrives at the House of Black and White in Braavos, she offers the iron coin to a kindly man, who says he does not know Jaqen's name.[3]
Quotes
Jaqen: If the day comes when you would find me again, give that coin to any man from Braavos, and say these words to him—valar morghulis.
Arya: Valar morghulis. Please don't go, Jaqen.
Jaqen: Jaqen is as dead as Arry, and I have promises to keep. Valar morghulis, Arya Stark. Say it again.
Arya: Valar morghulis.[4]—Jaqen H'ghar and Arya Stark
Sometimes she wished she had gone off across the narrow sea with Jaqen H'ghar. She still had the stupid coin he'd given her, a piece of iron no larger than a penny and rusted along the rim. One side had writing on it, queer words she could not read. The other showed a man's head, but so worn that all his features had rubbed off. He said it was of great value, but that was probably a lie too, like his name and even his face.[1]
—thoughts of Arya Stark
Arya: Wait, I have something else.
Ternesio: One more silver will make no difference, child.
Arya: It's not silver. It's iron. Here.
Ternesio: This… how…?
Arya: Valar morghulis.
Ternesio: Valar dohaeris. Of course you shall have a cabin.[5]—Arya Stark and Ternesio Terys
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 64, Arya X.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 65, Arya XII.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 6, Arya I.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 47, Arya IX.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 74, Arya XIII.