The man who stood before Illyrio was heavily built, clad in stiff leather armor and a leather half-cloak. Despite his heavy boots, his feet seemed to glide soundlessly across the stone steps. Under his steel helm was a round face marked with scars and a short beard. A dagger and a short sword hung at his waist.
Illyrio breathed easier, waving a hand and chuckling. "I thought a man with your abilities was capable of anything, yet you've stumbled on the Beggar King's intelligence."
"I am not a wizard," the burly man replied in a rough, monotone voice, as if stating a fact. "I am far from that king across the sea, and the Little Birds have brought me all the information, which I have told you truthfully. You and the king of the Seven Kingdoms have the same intelligence, and perhaps even more."
Judging by his appearance and voice, it was hard to believe that the man before Illyrio was the most informed person in the Seven Kingdoms, the Master of Whisperers, the eunuch Varys.
Although disguised, Illyrio knew it was him.
Illyrio complained, "This is the first time I've known you to make a mistake."
"Everyone makes mistakes," Varys replied. "Old friend, surely you know that I am not all-powerful."
Illyrio spread his hands. "What do we do now? Revise the plan?"
Varys asked, "I'd like to know first, are you certain of your guess, old friend?"
Illyrio had rested enough, and they began to ascend the winding stone stairs. Despite their considerable weight, both men moved lightly, their footsteps barely audible on the stone.
"Who else could it be?" Illyrio countered. "Shouldn't you be using your information to help me confirm my guess?"
Varys replied, "The truth is, I've examined the movements of those two, as reported from the Free Cities, and there's no record of them meeting with anyone from Dorne, at least not in recent years. They shouldn't have had a chance to conspire.
"To go further back, we'd have to go back to when Willem Darry was still alive. Oberyn Martell went to Braavos and made a secret pact with Ser Darry, witnessed by the Sea Lord of Braavos. I don't know the specifics of the pact, but it certainly concerned taking up arms to reclaim the Iron Throne. And that was always part of our plan.
"But after Ser Willem Darry died, and the new dynasty's position became more secure, the Dornish did nothing. They let the king and princess languish across the Narrow Sea. And that king shouldn't know about any of this. Ser Willem himself said the king was deliberately kept in the dark, to prevent him from demanding that Dorne rise up too early and provoke the Iron Throne's displeasure. Ser Darry and this secret went into the grave together. But now, it's difficult to say."
"That king may have reconnected with Dorne and made a plan!" Illyrio asked. "No news from Dorne? Nothing to corroborate our guess?"
Varys sighed. "Dorne is full of poisonous insects, and the Little Birds have a harsh environment."
In truth, beyond King's Landing, within the territories of many great houses, Varys's network couldn't penetrate the core. Even so, Varys was undoubtedly the most informed person in the Seven Kingdoms.
They had climbed to the top of the deep well, now standing in the middle of a stone passageway.
Illyrio said impatiently, "It seems your Little Birds lose sight of things when they're too far away." He paused to catch his breath after the climb.
Varys pushed something, and a low rumble echoed. Then, a huge stone slab slowly slid out from the well's opening, turning crimson in the firelight, as it rumbled within the space. When the sound subsided, the spot where the well opening had been was now a smooth, hard stone surface, without a single crack.
Varys asked softly, "You were in close contact with the king. Do you have any other conclusions besides this guess?"
Varys led the way, and they began to walk in one direction along the stone passageway.
"That's why I'm asking you, I hoped to get an answer from you," Illyrio said. "To be honest, if they are indeed the ones acting, we might be able to seek cooperation. At the very least, we shouldn't be hindering each other. I suspect that the king's refusal to accept the Dothraki horses was a decision made on his own, knowing of Dorne's support. Otherwise, the Dornish certainly would have thought the more soldiers, the better."
Illyrio had already taken the speculation as fact. "In my opinion, they shouldn't be rushing to contact that king. They don't know what he'll decide to do on his own."
It was laughable, really, that two groups were preparing plans for Viserys to reclaim the Iron Throne, completely unbeknownst to the Beggar King himself.
One group consisted of Willem Darry, who was entrusted with a mission, and Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne. They secretly arranged for Viserys to marry Princess Arianne Martell of Dorne, hoping to secure Dorne's support in raising an army to help Viserys seize the Iron Throne. However, as King Robert's reign became increasingly secure, and Viserys made no headway in Essos, the Dornish remained inactive for years.
The other group was a secret pact between Varys, Illyrio, and the former commander of the Golden Company. They agreed to support Viserys, preparing for him to exchange Daenerys for the Dothraki horde, and then launch an offensive against Westeros.
Viserys would lead the way, followed by the Golden Company.
But this plan only began to be executed after the death of the Golden Company's former commander. Now led by Varys and Illyrio, their true goal wasn't to help Viserys reclaim his throne, but to support "Young Aegon," who was hidden behind the scenes. (Viserys had once hosted a banquet for the Golden Company's commanders, hoping they would assist him in taking back the throne, but after enjoying the feast and listening to Viserys's request, they mocked him. This showed that only a few in the Golden Company were aware of this plan.)
These two groups had their own plans, and it was difficult to say if they weren't aware of each other's existence. Even so, they did not communicate or cooperate, simply incorporating the variables into their own plans.
The Dornish were happy to see Viserys leading an army to attack Westeros because they believed they would be facing the other Six Kingdoms, and the more troops Viserys brought back, the better.
Varys and Illyrio were also happy to facilitate cooperation between Viserys and the Dornish because Viserys was merely the vanguard, and his political legacy would ultimately fall to "Young Aegon."
"Perhaps we should keep a closer eye on things there. Dorne is kicking up dust, and we haven't heard a thing." Varys neither agreed to nor refused Illyrio's suggestion of cooperating with Dorne. Instead, he said, "I'll need at least twenty birds."
They arrived in a spacious, high-ceilinged chamber. Skeletons were arranged around them, their massive bones as black as onyx, gleaming ominously in the firelight.
It was Dragon Bones. Some were as large as small mountains, others bigger than fishing boats. Each had a gaping maw, filled with teeth that stood like mountain ridges, like spears, like swords. Their empty, skeletal eyes watched Varys and Illyrio as they passed, seemingly oblivious.
"So many? The kind you want are hard to find, young and literate." Illyrio's voice trailed off. "What if they were a bit older, less likely to get themselves killed?"
Varys refused. "No, young is safer. Be kind to them."
Illyrio bargained, "Keep their tongues?"
Varys simply replied softly, "You know what to do, old friend."
Illyrio suddenly said, "Perhaps we could prepare in advance, arrange a marriage proposal in Young Aegon's name. The Dornish only want a Targaryen king, not necessarily that one, especially Aegon?"
Varys replied, "Complicating matters is just asking for trouble."
Illyrio couldn't help but lament, "But what about them? It was such a bargain to trade a worthless princess for tens of thousands of Roaring Warriors. Now, with that king's big mouth, we're short several tens of thousands of soldiers. Are we underestimating our forces? Just Dorne and the Golden Company?"
"Fewer soldiers don't necessarily mean weaker. Their plan, 'Three Princes'," Varys said suddenly, "It's clear they're hoping for a new dynasty 'Dance of the Dragons', and they don't want to be the first to jump in."
"That rumor alone isn't enough, is it?"
"Of course not, which is why the Little Birds are out there to see what they're up to. And you, the king is in your hands."
"Is there enough time?" Illyrio worried, "How is the old Hand's health?" He had already accepted that the death of the old Hand, Jon Arryn, would be a critical turning point.
On the way to King's Landing, Illyrio had considered many strategies. For example, continuing to persuade Viserys to trade Daenerys for a Dothraki army, or even setting up a trap. But he dismissed them all.
Because if Viserys and the Dornishmen truly had a plan, and if they could make it work, then Daenerys's value would skyrocket. Even if they needed to trade for soldiers, they would prioritize the nobles of Westeros over the barbarians of the Dothraki.
You have to understand, when the Usurper first rose up, how many noble houses took up arms for the Targaryen family?
Once it was determined that Viserys had backers and ulterior motives, the plan to trade Daenerys for a Dothraki army was already beyond saving.
"He's old, but not at death's door," Varys replied. "However, the Master of Ships has recently been in contact with him, and I think that's a dangerous sign."
The Master of Ships Varys was referring to was Stannis Baratheon, King Robert's younger brother, and current Lord of Dragonstone, one of the 'Three Princes' in Viserys's eyes.
"What has Stannis discovered? Why isn't he reporting to the King, but instead going to the Hand?" Illyrio felt a headache coming on. "We can't have a war break out before we're ready. We don't know what the King and the Dornishmen are thinking; their steps may not be as we hope. And with the old Hand still alive, the stag, eagle, wolf, and fish are fighting the lion, which may very well make King Robert's rule more secure. Can you stall?"
"It's more like asking me to stop time. Do you think I'm a wizard?" The situation was complex, and Varys also felt the pressure.
Illyrio chuckled, "I thought your abilities were definitely no less than a wizard's."
Varys said, "Didn't I just miss something on the Beggar King's intelligence?"
Illyrio: "Everyone makes mistakes. But I've always believed you were capable of anything."
They passed through a vast chamber where the skeletons of dragons were stored, reaching a thick wooden door. Varys pulled on the heavy iron ring, and after a moment of resistance, the door slowly creaked open, the sound terrifying. They continued along the passage.
"The situation in the Seven Kingdoms is very complicated," Varys began, enumerating the circumstances he faced. "The old Hand wanted to give his child to Stannis as a foster child, and before he died, he wanted to pass the responsibility of the Lord of the East to Stannis. But the King had other plans; he wanted to give the Hand's child to Tywin Lannister as a foster child, and then have Jaime Lannister remove his white cloak and become the Lord of the East."
"Is your king mad?" Illyrio asked incredulously. "He's handing over the power of the Eastern and Western Kingdoms to the Lannisters. Why does he trust the Queen's family so much?"
"Alas, the King simply dislikes his own brother more," Varys said. "His other brother isn't idle either. Renly and the Knight of Flowers intend to persuade House Tyrell to send Margaery to court. She is a fourteen-year-old virgin, both beautiful and obedient. They plan for Robert to favor her, and then marry her, establishing a new queen."
Varys continued, "What makes me especially uneasy are the recent actions of the Master of Ships. I suspect he has discovered the secret of the Lannister siblings, and he is in contact with the Hand."
Varys worriedly said, "And now, you come to me, telling me that the Dornish and that King of yours are plotting without my knowledge. Do you know that the King has already asked me if I've heard any news from across the Narrow Sea?"
Illyrio finally spoke, "What did he sense?"
Varys sighed, "He just can't stand not hearing news about the dragon's remnants. Someone let him hear the name 'Usurper' again, and the king hates hearing that. I was wondering if I should let him in on the whispers from Dorne."
Illyrio said, "How can you even consider that?"
Varys composed himself, "I am the Master of Whisperers. If there's no news, wouldn't that make me useless? Being useless would make it impossible for me to operate in King's Landing."
Illyrio said, "That would be accelerating the war, and we're not ready. Dorne is a potential ally."
Varys led him into another passage, "You told me to stall, but I'm telling you to speed things up. When will the plan be ready? Even the best juggler can't keep so many balls in the air forever."
"Old friend, you're not just a juggler; you're a true magician. I'm just asking you to perform a few more tricks."
Varys changed the subject, "You need to get information from the king on your side as soon as possible, even if you can't. You must be prepared. He said there are wildfire pots beneath the Seven Kingdoms, and that's no lie."
Illyrio's problems, brought across the Narrow Sea, had returned to him: "But the king doesn't intend to do anything. He's waiting for the old Hand to die."
"He's in your hands," Varys replied.
Illyrio suddenly said, "When he tried to win me over, he said he wanted me to collect Dragon Bones for him, dragon eggs."
"He wants to hatch dragons?" Anyone who heard this would have the same thought.
Illyrio said, "He is, after all, a Targaryen."
"The blood of Aegon V," Varys warned. "We shouldn't give fire to children who will play with it and burn themselves."
Aegon V was Viserys's great-grandfather, the fifteenth king in the history of the Targaryen dynasty, also known as "Egg," "the king who should not have been king."
During his reign, dragons had become extinct. In his later years, he was fascinated by the legends and information about dragons, even sending people to Asshai to collect dragon data. When his great-grandson, Rhaegar, was born, he gathered relatives and friends to celebrate at Summerhall. At the same time, he also brought in pyromancers to try and hatch dragons. The attempt to hatch dragons ultimately turned into a great fire, and the king himself, his eldest son Prince Duncan, and his Kingsguard commander, "Tall" Duncan, died together in the fire, a tragedy known as the "Tragedy of Summerhall."
Then the throne passed to Viserys's grandfather, Jaehaerys II, and then to Viserys's father, Aerys II—the "Mad King."
Illyrio agreed wholeheartedly: "I wouldn't want my courtyard to become like that king's Summerhall."
The passageway finally reached its end, a chamber that looked like a secret room.
Varys handed several sheets of paper, obviously newly compiled intelligence reports, to Illyrio: "This is the information on Mellario of Norvos, and this is on Quentyn Martell. In recent years, Quentyn Martell has been to Norvos twice, both times claiming to be visiting his mother. Once he went via Pentos, passing through the Stepstones, and once via Tyrosh. The exact details still need to be clarified by the Little Birds in the East, but it's best not to have too many expectations. Information that has been ignored is usually no longer the truth when you try to retrieve it."
Norvos is one of the nine Free Cities. Lady Mellario comes from a wealthy merchant family in Norvos.
....
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