News of Jon Arryn's Death

Catelyn Stark tells Eddard that Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died. She also reveals that King Robert is traveling to Winterfell to offer Eddard the position of Hand. Catelyn urges Eddard to accept, seeing it as a duty to the realm and a chance to uncover the truth behind Jon Arryn's death. Eddard is reluctant but agrees after receiving a secret letter from Lysa Arryn, which warns that the Lannisters murdered her husband. This event sets the plot of the novel in motion, drawing Eddard into the political intrigue of King's Landing.