While Lord Aeos' forces were on the move and his ships were beginning their sail to their designated directions, and while the entire Essos was holding its breath, a small ship had just anchored at the grand port of Braavos.
Braavos was really a city of great wonders. The Iron Bank, the House of Black and White (Faceless Men), and the Titan of Braavos were the major ones to name a few.
The city was spread over around one hundred islands, and they were connected with each other by bridges and canals. The only deep water entrance into the great lagoon was guarded by the Titan of Braavos, a massive fortress statue that roars to warn the city of approaching ships and can be used to destroy enemy vessels.
Braavos was probably one of the most difficult cities to invade. Launching a direct assault on the city was a very difficult task. The islands were mountainous, and the massive Titan formed a geography making it very difficult to launch a direct assault.
And to protect it from attack by sea, Braavos boasted the most powerful navy in the known world. Though it lacked a standing army, its enormous wealth made up for it. They always had sellswords willing to work for them, and they always had the coins to pay for it.
Two people of paramount importance had arrived on that ship. Lord Stannis Baratheon and Lord Varys. Two members of the small council of the king of Westeros.
It had been a peculiar journey for Varys. Stuck with Stannis, there was little room for the maneuvers he could have made. If he had been alone, he might not have arrived in Braavos first. He might have first traveled to Pentos. He needed to deal with Viserys. The lad had been growing too restless and Varys needed to calm the situation.
Varys did not want to give a contract for the assassination of Rhaenys Targaryen, but with Stannis accompanying him, he had no other option.
Also, thanks to being on the ship, there was no information he had been able to get regarding the events happening in the world, especially in Essos, and particularly Lord Aeos's invasion of the Free Cities.
But now that he was back on land, he would make sure to collect the latest information, even if it was filled with rumours and unverified news. Information was his business and staying away from it for too long made him a bit uncomfortable.
Stannis, on the other hand, had been an unusual partner in the journey. He had remained his usual self during the entire trip. Stern faced and silent. The duo hardly had any conversation during the days they had been on the ship. Stannis mostly remained cooped up in his own cabin.
Even so, Varys was not able to understand why Stannis had taken the initiative to accompany him on the journey. Maybe his 'failure' to get Daenerys and Viserys killed had produced doubts in Stannis's mind, and he did not want any risk to be taken with the assassination of Rhaenys. Of course, she had dragons.
Again, Varys did not want her to be killed, at least not before gauging her intentions. But he was powerless to delay it.
Stannis, in his breast pocket, had the IOU signed by Lord Tywin Lannister. They were to issue the contract to the Faceless Men, learn the price of the contract, exchange the IOU for gold from the Iron Bank, and then make the payment. And once the contract was issued, Rhaenys was surely to be killed. The Faceless Men did not fail in their task.
But perhaps this was for the best. She was a very big unknown in the grand scheme of things, and with her gone, Varys would have one less factor to account for while weaving his plans. Maybe, Viserys or perhaps Daenrys might also have a very miniscule chance to tame one or two dragons of the five 'orphan' dragons.
"What do you think of what we are about to do, Lord Stannis?" Varys questioned as the duo were being rowed towards the House of Black and White on a small boat by a couple of soldiers. A dozen soldiers were following behind them on three more boats.
The city of Braavos had more canals than streets, and boats were a more common mode of transport in this city than horses. And the House of Black and White was located on one of the most prominent islands of the city.
"What do you mean by this question, Lord Varys?" Stannis questioned in his gruff voice, his expression barely changing.
"You know," Varys sighed. "You are a warrior, a general who leads in a war. An honourable one, if I may say."
"And here we are to deliver a contract to get a young lady killed. Assassinated. Perhaps an arrow in her back or poison in her food," he continued. "And that, too, when she has not even declared any intention to come to Westeros."
"Even the city she has selected is as far from Westeros as could be possible," he concluded. "Maybe she will forever remain in Qohor."
Stannis remained silent for a few moments and his gaze remained fixed on the water in the canal that was being split by the travelling boat.
"She must die, Lord Varys," he finally said. "Perhaps what you are saying is true."
"Perhaps she will always remain in Qohor and she might have no intention to come to Westeros. Though this is extremely laughable in itself if she really is Rhaenys Targaryen. If she is who she says, she will surely launch an assault on Westeros."
"But even if we consider this possibility, we cannot take a big risk. If she makes a move, it would bring a lot of chaos and destruction to Westeros. A lot of Houses would be wiped out. She would never forgive Houses like Starks, Lannisters, Arryns and Baratheons."
"Better to curb this possibility on this side of the Narrow Sea," he finished.
Varys nodded but did not respond.
"Nothing more to say?" Stannis questioned.
Varys shrugged. "I just wanted to know your opinion."
Stannis nodded.
"Lord Varys," he said after a couple of moments. "A general surely leads his men into war. But if possible, he does not lead his men into war knowing that everyone is going to be burned alive by a dragon. A good general tries to avoid a suicidal war."
Varys simply nodded, registering the words in his mind, as almost exactly at the same time the boat finally reached the shore of the island on which the House of Black and White was located.
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