Outside the tavern, Greene Kleber mounted his horse and looked towards a corner not far away, surrounded by Gold Cloaks. They were still interrogating a boy, ten Red Cloaks, and twelve horses.
"Let's go," Greene withdrew his gaze and lightly kicked the horse's belly.
...
Podrick Payne blinked in confusion when the Gold Cloaks, who had just been fiercely questioning them, suddenly left. But then he realized something... his pupils constricted, and he immediately ran towards the tavern.
Podrick bumped into Tyrion, who had just walked out of the tavern. He stammered, "My... Lord, are... you... alright?"
Podrick stammered even more when he was anxious. Tyrion grinned and mimicked the boy, "I'm... alright."
Although Tyrion knew that Greene was not a bloodthirsty person, seeing his attendant alive and well still made him feel much better.
Podrick didn't understand Tyrion's humor. The boy still looked restless, his face full of remorse and shame.
The Dwarf Tyrion was very sensitive. He looked at his timid and cowardly attendant and began to wonder if his Uncle Kevan had deliberately chosen a useless little boy to be his attendant, thereby humiliating his Dwarf nephew.
Tyrion quickly suppressed his sensitive emotions. He patted his new attendant with some sympathy; strictly speaking, the little boy was also a victim.
"Cheer up, stand tall, don't forget you are a Lion's attendant."
"Sorry, my Lord," Podrick apologized first, then immediately complied.
Tyrion pursed his lips, suppressing a laugh, and said seriously, "Pod, what happened?"
Podrick reported everything in detail; simply put, they were suddenly surrounded by dozens of Gold Cloaks.
Tyrion pouted, "Only dozens of people got you? I was surrounded by a hundred just now."
Tyrion added in his mind, 'Hmm, one Greene is worth a hundred people.'
Podrick was even more ashamed. As an attendant, he failed to protect his Lord during danger. He was truly useless. Fortunately, there was no danger, thank the Gods!
"My Lord, I... I... I'll get revenge for you!" Podrick tightly gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist.
Tyrion scrutinized his little attendant, his gaze filled with scrutiny... The little boy didn't seem to be acting? Both timid and brave?
Tyrion felt that the little boy might not just be a little "toy" for amusement; he seemed to be somewhat trustworthy.
"Podrick Payne, only a hundred people, don't forget the Lannister's family craft. One roar from the Lion, and all enemies flee, peeing themselves as they run."
As he spoke, Tyrion reached out and patted the little attendant's arm, sighing, "Why do you think dozens of Gold Cloaks would just slip away on their own? I saved you!"
The Red Cloaks behind him: "..."
Podrick was very admiring: "My... Lord, you are truly amazing. Thank you for saving me. I... am very ashamed."
Tyrion was very pleased with Podrick's reaction. He kindly pulled Podrick closer, deciding to reward this lovely attendant.
"Pod, tonight I'll take you to taste the flavor of ****... Hmm? What kind of look is that? Are you going to refuse my kindness? Aren't you afraid of the Lion's roar?"
...
...
In the evening, on the way to the Red Keep, Greene stopped his horse. He signaled his guards to wait in place and led a tall, strong Clan Soldier carrying a greatsword of ice towards another location.
Greene arrived at a relatively secluded house. The area was sparsely populated, and the view was open.
...
Seeing Greene push the door open, Varys smiled widely. Greene and he exchanged greetings.
After sitting down, Varys personally poured a glass of wine and placed it on Greene's table.
"Count Greene, smokeberry brown ale from Myr."
After speaking, Varys first picked up his own glass and took a sip. He squinted slightly, seemingly enjoying the taste of the fine wine.
Greene raised his glass and took a sip; it was smooth and not astringent.
Varys smiled and said, "How is it?"
Greene's lips curved slightly as he praised, "Moderately sweet, with a moderate aftertaste. Lord Varys, your new hobby is enviable."
Varys chuckled, as if trying to hide his barely concealed smugness with laughter: "With a new hobby, it feels like trying a new life. I never dreamed that my little birds, which people found annoying, would finally have a new use."
Varys sighed, "Fine wine, delicious food, all sorts of fine wines, all sorts of delicious foods. I never thought these things I usually didn't pay attention to could allow me to sleep peacefully."
Greene's eyes trembled slightly. He raised his glass in a gesture, saying, "Lord Varys, congratulations."
Varys smiled and shook his head. He changed the subject; their private meeting was not for sharing small hobbies.
"Count Greene, my little birds just happened to hear an interesting piece of news."
Greene raised an eyebrow. He put down his wine glass and turned his gaze to Varys.
"Bastard."
After speaking, Varys watched Greene motionlessly, the smile on his plump face deepening.
Greene murmured, "Bastard..."
He paused, then whispered, "Joffrey?"
As Greene's words fell, Varys was momentarily stunned. The next moment, the smile on his face vanished. He glanced left and right, leaned forward, and whispered, "You know?"
Greene shrugged slightly, "Lord Varys, there's no smoke without fire."
Varys exhaled, saying, "Count Greene, rumors are just rumors. You mustn't take them seriously; it's too dangerous."
"I understand. We are allies, so I haven't hidden my suspicions from you, Lord Varys."
Varys nodded slightly, showing a benevolent expression.
He paused, then suddenly said, "I'm talking about the Bastard from the North."
Greene frowned, "Duke Ned's Bastard, Jon Snow?"
Varys's eyes lit up, "Greene, with your wisdom, have you never suspected that Bastard?"
Greene asked in confusion, "Just a Bastard, what's so..."
He paused for a moment, his eyes shifting, and his voice became more serious: "Did you hear something?"
The two looked at each other for a while. Varys smiled faintly, "That child left King's Landing this morning. His destination is Essos, across the Narrow Sea."
Greene nodded, "I know about that. That was Duke Ned's arrangement; he thought it would be safer there."
He sighed and continued, "Jon's swordsmanship is excellent. I originally wanted to take him as my attendant, what a pity."
Varys cupped his broad sleeve with one hand and picked up the golden wine pot with the other.
As he poured the wine, he said, "They are protecting you."
Greene took the wine pot Varys handed him and asked, "Lord Varys, why do you say that?"
Varys made a gesture to invite him to speak, and slowly said, "That child did something very strange before leaving."
He took a small sip of wine and continued, "That child kept inquiring about old stories in various taverns. He is very smart, but his experience is a bit lacking. My little birds soon discovered his abnormality."
"Essos's..."
Greene stopped speaking, denying this possibility himself. He looked at Varys, "If that were truly the case, you wouldn't call it abnormal."
Varys smiled, "Count Greene, you are very clever. My little birds would certainly not be attracted by such a thing."
He paused, his voice seemingly mixed with emotion, and continued, "He specifically sought out older, drunken people, and he generously paid for their wine. That child was like someone looking for parents lost since childhood, truly heartbreaking."
Greene's eyes flickered, "Jon is looking for his birth mother?"
He thought for a while, then added, "Could it be... his mother was a noble lady?"
Varys's eyes observed Greene's every expression and movement: "That child is very clever. The person he truly wanted to inquire about was hidden among many names, but two names were simply too conspicuous."
"Whose names?"
"One is Lyanna Stark. The other is..."
Varys met Greene's gaze and said, word by word, "Rhaegar Targaryen."
As Varys's words fell, Greene seemed to suddenly connect something, murmuring to himself, "How is that possible..."
Varys averted his gaze from Greene. He stared at the wine in his glass, sighing, "Yes, it's truly unexpected..."
Greene looked at the round window in the room. The lingering glow of the setting sun cast a faint golden hue upon it.
Greene spoke, "Lyanna, Rhaegar, Bastard."
Varys interjected, "False Spring, Tower of Joy in Dorne, a Bastard."
Greene turned his gaze to Varys, "Without your hint, even if these clues were laid out before me, I would very likely not connect the dots. Your wisdom is truly admirable."
Greene placed his hand on his chest, "And... thank you very much for your candor with me, Lord Varys."
"Just a little trick in intelligence gathering..."
Varys nodded slightly, revealing a benevolent smile, "We are allies; naturally, we should watch out for each other."
...
Outside the door, Greene looked up at the sky. The clouds on the horizon were dyed in rich warm colors—golden, orange-red, deep purple—like an exquisite canvas.
Greene nodded slightly to the sword-carrying Clan Soldier standing beside him, then began to walk.
Since the last riot in King's Landing, Varys had naturally acquired a new hobby: tasting fine wines from all over the world.
When Varys met him privately, he was happy to share the new wines he had collected; each time was different.
Not counting today, Greene had already tasted three wines from Essos at Varys's: the first was Ghiscari yellow wine, the second was Meereenese apricot wine, and the third was Volantene sweet wine.
Varys was subtly and imperceptibly creating that moment of relaxation, and also getting him imperceptibly accustomed to that moment of ease... Would the wine in the cup be replaced by poison one day?
Greene looked around. The evening breeze brushed his cheek, carrying a hint of coolness... The corners of his mouth curved slightly... One day, this would be a good place to bury someone.
...
By the time Greene returned to the group and mounted his horse, the sky's color had gradually deepened, with scattered stars dotting the deep blue night sky.
"Depart."
Greene sat on his horse and looked at the faint outline of the Red Keep in the distance... Since Varys's little birds had already set their sights on Jon, it would be difficult for him to escape the Spider's grasp.
Are the four Targaryen descendants going to gather? Thinking of this, Greene's brown eyes trembled.
Greene pulled the reins, adjusting the horse's direction... The food crisis in King's Landing was worsening. In a while, it would likely only be possible to maintain order through suppression.
King's Landing... Essos... Targaryen... The Vale...
Lord Green missed Robert I immensely. His loyalty remained unchanged; he dared not forget the important task the former king had left him.
...
...
The Vale, Eyrie.
When Catelyn Tully arrived at the Eyrie, the sun was already high in the sky.
Scholar Kemon, who was thin, uneasy, with too little hair, and too long a neck, helped Catelyn out of the sky cell.
Scholar Kemon wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and said, "Lady Catelyn, your arrival is truly a pleasant surprise. Your sister was very happy to hear of your visit."
Catelyn looked back at the sky cell and said, "I never thought I'd climb a mountain with a turnip one day."
She looked at Scholar Kemon and continued, "Scholar Kemon, where is my sister Lysa, whom you said was so eager to see me?"
Scholar Kemon's face grew tense. He respectfully said, "Lady Catelyn, I have already delivered your message to your sister. She instructed me to wake her as soon as you arrived."
Catelyn tightened her brown cloak around her, saying, "She must have slept very soundly last night."
...
Catelyn and Scholar Kemon left the winch room that operated the sky cell, stopping as they approached the spiral staircase.
Upon seeing the figure, Catelyn blinked in disbelief, wanting to confirm if it was an illusion.
She saw Petyr Baelish, impeccably dressed, standing with his hands behind his back, his face gentle.
"Littlefinger?"
Petyr waved to Scholar Kemon, his voice both hoarse and elegant, "Scholar Kemon, I'll take it from here."
Hearing this, Scholar Kemon looked at Catelyn. Seeing no objection from her, he bowed slightly and left.
Petyr took a step, approaching Catelyn, who stood in place.
"Cat, it's been a long time since we last met. How many years, do you reckon?"
Catelyn looked at Petyr in front of her. In her memory, Petyr used to be a scrawny boy; now he had become a scrawny man. He was even a bit shorter than her. He had a bit of beard on his chin, and a few silver strands in his black hair, but his appearance was as sharp as she remembered, and he still had those smiling grey-green eyes.
Catelyn ignored the intimacy in Petyr's words: "Why are you here?"
"I am Lady Lysa's reinforcement..."
Petyr casually answered Catelyn first, then asked with concern, "You look unwell. You need rest."
Petyr gazed at his beloved Cat. Her eyes were like clear blue seawater. She had become beautiful, elegant, and even more charming.
Petyr's hand slowly reached towards Catelyn's cheek. She frowned and stepped back. His hand stopped in mid-air, trembling almost imperceptibly.
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