Syrio Forel

Syrio Forel is a character in Game of Thrones. He is played by Miltos Yerolemou and debuted in the third episode of the first season. Syrio Forel is a master sword-fighter, originally from the Free City of Braavos where he spent nine years as the First Sword of the city, before relocating to King's Landing.

Lord Snow
After arriving in King's Landing, Lord Eddard Stark is disturbed to discover that his daughter Arya owns a sword (Needle, a gift from her half-brother Jon Snow) but has not been properly trained to use it. He hires Syrio Forel to train Arya in its use. Forel accepts the commission and begins to train Arya in how to use the sword in the Braavosi style. Arya's lessons are a secret; her sister Sansa believes that Arya is getting 'dancing lessons'.

Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things
Eddard finds Arya balancing on the top of some stairs. She tells him that Syrio set her the task to improve her balance. Later, he will send her to chase cats.

The Wolf and the Lion
Chasing a cat on Syrio Forel's suggestion, Arya stumbles into the dungeons under the Red Keep. There she overhears Varys and Illyrio Mopatis plotting to aid Viserys Targaryen's play for the Iron Throne.

A Golden Crown
Syrio and Arya have another lesson, but Arya is distracted. Syrio tells her that she is more vulnerable when she is 'with her trouble' rather than concentrating on the here and now. He teaches her how to forget her troubles so she can concentrate on fighting.

The Pointy End Syrio-firel.png
After Eddard Stark's arrest, Lannister guards led by Ser Meryn Trant of the Kingsguard arrive to take Arya into custody. Syrio informs them that he will protect her. When they try to barge past him, he disarms one guard with a training sword. He fights off a massed attack by the guardsmen and then engages the Kingsguard in combat, telling Arya to run. When she asks him to come with her, he tells her, "The First Sword of Braavos does not run." Arya then flees as the sounds of battle erupt behind her.

In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels Syrio Forel was once the First Sword of Braavos, the most skilled bravo or swordfighter of the city, in the service of the Sealord himself. He specialized in a style of combat known as 'water dancing', favoring a light sword and expert balance over the Westerosi style of hacking one another in heavy armor with massive swords. It is unclear why he departed Braavos to relocate to King's Landing.