chapter 97 part 2
In Pentos, Varys befriended a thief named Illyrio Mopatis, and the two started a new business.
Varys would steal things from smaller thieves, and Illyrio would return them to their owners for a reward.
Varys soon realized that information was worth far more than gold and jewels. He bought some orphans and began training a team specializing in gathering intelligence.
The collection of intelligence caused the wealth of Varys and Illyrio to multiply, and Varys's fame spread far and wide—or perhaps it was infamy.
Word of Varys's special talent crossed the Narrow Sea to the ears of the King of Westeros at the time, a king who happened to trust no one.
Thus, Varys came to serve as the spymaster in the Red Keep of Aerys II (the Mad King).
After the War of the Usurper, Varys switched his service to King Robert, continuing his role as the Master of Whisperers on the small council.
...
Varys said with a slight smile, "Lord Glynn, with the abilities you've demonstrated, three years is more than enough time."
Glyn's eyebrows rose. "Lord Varys, I am more suited for the battlefield. When it comes to finding people, everyone knows that no one is better at it than you."
Varys bowed his head slightly. "That is precisely why we are meeting."
"Oh?"
Faced with Glyn's doubt, Varys first made a gentle gesture for Glyn to sit down before speaking. "They should be in Pentos right now."
Varys's expression was grave, and he lowered his voice as he spoke.
As a transmigrator, Glyn was the natural counter to the spymaster Varys. His seemingly true yet false intelligence could not sway Glyn.
Glyn naturally chose to maintain his advantage.
Glyn also lowered his voice and said, "Lord Varys, you are truly a key minister of the crown. But I would like to ask, I noticed you used the word 'should.' Do you mean to imply something?"
A faint smile reappeared on Varys's face. He nodded slightly and said, "Lord Glynn, you are sharp enough. That Queen Cersei trusts you... she has ample reason. It is naturally good news that I was able to find a trace of the young dragons just as you took on this important task."
Glyn spread his hands. "Good news is surely accompanied by bad news. Lord Varys, I must ask you to tell me the truth."
Varys was slightly taken aback, then chuckled for a moment before saying, "It seems the springs of wisdom on Crackclaw Point have a fondness for you. Perhaps my knowledge is insufficient, but you are a rare, wise man."
Faced with Varys's continuous praise, Glyn expressed his thanks with a humble look.
Varys's smile faded somewhat, and he suddenly said, "They are now living in a manse provided by the Magister of Pentos, and they are under his protection."
Glyn frowned slightly. "The Magister?"
Varys nodded. "The Magister of Pentos, Illyrio Mopatis. I once shared a friendship with him, but it has been over a decade since I came to Westeros..."
As he spoke, Varys shook his head, sighed, and continued, "The current situation is very difficult. If it were me, I could only wait for the young dragons to leave their place of sanctuary on their own accord. After all, that is a Free City."
Glyn rubbed his chin and consoled him, "Lord Varys, rest assured that everyone understands your predicament. They simply aren't adept at expressing it. Myself included."
Glyn's words deepened the smile on Varys's face.
After a pause, Glyn asked, "How many soldiers does Pentos have?"
Seeing Glyn's eager look, Varys's smile froze for an instant.
Varys asked tentatively, "Lord Glynn, what are you...?"
Glyn's eyes were shining. "Lord Varys, His Grace the King has given me enough gold dragons. If you can get me a map, with my soldiers, I am confident a raid would succeed."
A direct military action? Varys observed him covertly; the man wasn't joking.
Although Varys was surprised by Glyn's response, his mind was steady enough not to show any abnormality.
Varys even found himself thinking that perhaps this was why Queen Cersei liked Glyn.
The original plan would need a slight adjustment... Varys was a man who lived and breathed conspiracy and power plays. He had already silently prepared his countermeasures.
Varys sighed with emotion. "I have to admire the King and the Hand's judgment in men. Their vision has always been sharp. You are worthy of their trust."
Glyn silently thought, *but...*
Varys's tone was sincere. "But, I still want to be selfish for once and consider you first, putting your safety above all else. I believe in the fighting strength of your soldiers, and your plan is very likely to succeed."
Glyn looked puzzled. "Lord Varys, I've actually been meaning to ask. I can feel your goodwill. Although I am grateful, it also confuses me."
"Seeing you always reminds me of that great war over a decade ago... Prince Rhaegar had already fallen in battle. The first to bend the knee and surrender were those who owed the Prince the greatest debt, followed swiftly by everyone else."
"Only the silent and taciturn men of Crackclaw Point were still unwilling to surrender, fighting to the last man, to the last moment. They protected their loyalty. Loyalty is honor."
"I also failed to fulfill my duty. I advised His Grace Aerys (the Mad King) that the Lannisters could not be trusted, that he should not open the city gates to them. As for the result... everyone is now very clear on what happened."
"This is now the Baratheon Dynasty. We are all loyal to His Grace Robert. I merely have my regrets. This isn't about right or wrong, nor about allegiance. It's that I have always felt sympathy for loyal old retainers, admiring their character. And sympathy is not the same as pity."
"You are their descendant. I naturally see you in a different light. Where I am able, I am willing to release what little goodwill I have left, and I ask for nothing in return."
Glyn's lips moved. His eyes filled with gratitude as he stared at Varys for a moment.
Finally, Glyn lowered his gaze with a heavy expression and let out a deep sigh.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy for a time.
After a pause, Glyn composed himself and placed a hand on his chest in thanks to Varys. "Lord Varys, thank you for your kind heart. Loyalty without fear. House Clegane will never forget."
Varys smiled and inclined his head. "Why is it that in the game of thrones played by the great lords, it is always the smallfolk who suffer the most? Lord Glynn, if you raid the Magister of Pentos, even if you succeed, the great lords will sacrifice you mercilessly for the sake of the so-called 'greater good.' Their reasons will be more than sufficient. Your actions are tantamount to an undeclared war."
After hearing Varys's words, Glyn remained silent, the expression on his face seemingly still a little unwilling.
*Could this be the real Glyn?*
Varys was also making his own judgment. Based on the intelligence he had gathered, Glyn was not an impulsive man.
*Which one is the real Glyn?*
Varys was in no hurry to judge a man. He dealt with all sorts of intelligence every day and understood very well not to subjectively define a person beforehand, as that would truly affect his judgment.
The human heart is unpredictable. All things change. Nothing remains fixed forever.
...
Glyn's tone was helpless. "Lord Varys, I can't think of any other good way for now. I thought three years would be enough. I must admit I oversimplified matters."
Varys said patiently, "Lord Glynn, you have actually overlooked the most crucial issue."
Glyn raised an eyebrow. "Please, speak plainly."
Varys slowly rose, walked to the window and the doorway, and very naturally surveyed the surroundings.
After sitting down again, Varys looked straight at Glyn and said, "Have you ever considered that this is a mission that can never be completed?"
Glyn frowned, seemingly pondering the meaning behind Varys's words.
Varys leaned forward, his tone grave. "Let us assume the Targaryen orphans appear before you. Are you certain the sword in your hand could pierce their chests?"
Glyn was stunned. He opened his mouth, his expression a complex mask as he lowered his gaze.
The corner of Varys's mouth twitched for an instant as he looked at Glyn and said, "I can feel your hesitation."
Glyn stood up. "Lord Varys, thank you for this meeting, and thank you even more for your sound advice."
After speaking, Glyn bowed his head to Varys in farewell, turned, and strode away.
Varys clasped his hands, nodded slightly, and watched Glyn's departing back.
(end of chapter)