19 AGOT Catelyn IV: Littlefinger's Blade

Catelyn would keep her presence in King's Landing a secret, but an armed guard finds her and brings her to Littlefinger. He introduces her to Varys and Littlefinger recognizes the dagger as belonging to Tyrion Lannister.

Good Lord, Bad Lord

Catelyn pays the oarsmen directly, herself, ensuring they are not paid slave wages. In random contrast, Maegor had the craftsmen who built the red keep all killed so as to retain its secrets. True story?

Theme: Bran's Vision

The ship Storm Dancer did indeed encounter a storm.

Second Thoughts

After coming herself, Catelyn realizes she can't go to the red keep at all without being known.

Meet Varys and Littlefinger

Varys makes a show of knowing nothing about knives, even cutting himself and complaining. (We will learn Varys is quite professional with knives). In contrast, Littlefinger makes a show of expertise then claims the knife is his. He seems villainous in this chapter.

Scenes

1: Storm Dancer Arrives

2: King's Landing

3: Littlefinger and Varys in League

Mnemonic Titles

2022: Littlefinger's Blade: The accusation Littlefinger lost the dagger to Tyrion is an attack on Tyrion. Why? Presumably to aim Catelyn at the Lannisters generally to give Tywin a pretext to take Riverrun from a weakened Hoster, as he's long planned to do. Suggesting the dagger to be his own almost suggests Littlefinger to be taking credit for hiring the catspaw.