The Iron Throne of Ice and Fire

Varys did not refute, he nodded calmly: "Duke Ed, you know that child very well. He has indeed never harmed an innocent person."

Ed Stark's gray eyes trembled slightly: "..., this is the character that a knight should have, but now it has become a praiseworthy part."

A meaningful smile appeared on Varys's face.

Varys sighed: "When I was a child... to be precise, before I was mutilated. At that time, I followed the troupe all day long touring the Free Trade City. They taught me one thing, that is, everyone You have your own role to play, both inside and outside the play. Later, when I came here to serve as intelligence chief, I discovered..."

After a pause, he continued: "The same is true in the Red Keep. The Minister of Justice needs to be ruthless, the Marshal needs to be ruthless, the Chancellor of the Exchequer needs to be thrifty, the Captain of the Kingsguard needs to be brave, and the Chief of Intelligence needs to be brave. …Of course he should be cunning and good at flattering, but he should also be pervasive.”

Duke Ed said coldly: "Varys, you have found a good excuse for staying out of the matter."

Varys didn't seem to understand the sarcasm in Lord Eddard's words.

He smiled and said: "Duke Ed, a courageous intelligence chief is as useless as a cowardly knight."

Duke Ed frowned. He didn't like Varys's word play. No matter how nice he said it, it couldn't change Varys' hypocrisy.

He took a sip of wine and said, "Varys, are you going to slit my throat for Cersei?"

Wallis's smile froze and he shook his head: "I can't do such a thing."

Duke Ed's voice contained sarcasm: "It can't be just to let me go, can it?"

Varys shook his head again. He seemed to be regretting: "Maybe I could have done it before, but Petyr Baelish suddenly disappeared from the heavily guarded dark prison not long ago. Now... here... The supervision has become very strict, not to mention you who are the most important to the Queen Mother."

Duke Eddard paused with the hand holding the wine bag and said, "Littlefinger escaped?"

Wallis nodded slightly: "Duke Ed, I am very sure that although eunuchs have no honor, there is no need for me to deceive you."

After a moment of silence, Duke Eddard said: "Forget it, I can't do anything now."

He added: "It's rare for you to tell the truth...Varys, please just tell me your purpose of meeting me."

"Your Majesty the Duke, I come for peace."

Varys nodded, held his hands together, and said seriously: "If there is anyone in King's Landing who sincerely wants to save Robert Baratheon's life, it is me."

Duke Ed: "..."

Varys showed a helpless smile, sighed, and continued: "For fifteen years, I have tried my best to protect Robert I from his enemies, but in the end he was inevitably harmed by his old friends..."

He looked directly at Duke Eddard: "What crazy thoughts are in your mind that made you run to tell Queen Cersei that you knew those three children were not of royal blood... and gave Lannister enough Time to arrange for Robert I to suffer the so-called accident?”

Lord Eddard seemed to be laughing at himself: "Crazy idea of ​​mercy."

"There is only one answer... Duke Ed, you are a man of noble character. I often forget this because I rarely meet people like you in my life."

He looked around the dark and damp cell, and continued: "After I saw what kind of consequences kindness and honor brought to you, I finally understood why."

Lord Eddard asked: "Did Robert find out anything about the wine he drank?"

"I have investigated secretly. The strong wine was given to Lancel by Queen Cersei. She had planned this day long ago... Lancel was praised by King Robert. He may like to get drunk. It feels like hunting drunkenly is inherently dangerous, and accidents will happen sooner or later, which is what Queen Cersei hopes for."

Varys's eyes flickered, and he looked at Duke Eddard, whose face was slightly lowered.

He added: "Without your stimulation, Queen Cersei might have continued to wait for a while... Alas, even if the pig did not kill Robert, he would have fallen off his horse and seriously injured him... or a missed shot. An arrow, or a poisonous snake that suddenly bites... That hunting ground is already full of traps, just waiting for the drunk king to jump. Therefore, it was not the wine that killed Robert I, but your kindness and honor. ."

Duke Eddard closed his eyes in pain: "Gods forgive me."

Seeing Duke Eddard immersed in grief, Varys consoled him: "Duke Eddard, if there are gods in the world, I don't think they will blame you harshly. When you were in Winterfell, Queen Cersei was already hiding. Get rid of Robert I’s murderous intention.”

Duke Eddard suddenly opened his eyes, and the running wolf's gaze became as sharp as that day in the bloody battle in the throne room.

"Varys, you are deliberately disturbing my mood."

Varys took a step back, acting both scared and innocent.

"Duke Ed, you can't misunderstand the kindness of a small person."

Duke Eddard stared at Varys: "Tell me your true purpose. I don't want to hear any more nonsense."

Varys raised his hand to wipe the non-existent cold sweat on his forehead.

"Duke Eddard, actually I came here today to tell you that Queen Cersei will be visiting you soon."

Duke Ed said coldly: "Why did she see me?"

Varys glanced at the prison door and whispered: "Queen Cersei is afraid of you."

Duke Ed showed an impatient look: "Varys, I have not forgotten that I am a prisoner. She can execute me at any time."

Varys quickly explained: "Maybe I didn't express it accurately enough. It should be said that she is afraid of the power behind you, the soldiers of the Stark family and the Tully family."

"Have troops been raised in the north?"

Varys nodded first, then shook his head, and then said: "Your wife and eldest son are summoning the vassals of the Stark family in Winterfell. It is said that your wife has sent a letter to Riverrun and the Eagle's Nest. The message in the letter The content is not difficult to guess.”

After a pause, Duke Eddard asked: "Is there no movement in Casterly Rock?"

Varys shrugged his shoulders: "I heard that the Duke of Metz in Highgarden gathered 20,000 troops at the border of the Reach and the West in the name of catching bandits, and was holding a banquet there with his vassals. To the east The Reach, plus the Riverlands to the north, I think Lord Tywin will find it very difficult now."

"Dorn in the Frontier... The Martell family still holds a grudge against the death of Princess Elia and her children. As long as there is an opportunity for revenge, they will never let it go."

"What makes Queen Cersei uneasy are Robert I's two younger brothers. Especially Stannis's inheritance is justifiable, and he is a good warrior. What will Stannis do on Dragonstone during this time? I bet , he is gathering troops, not shells... He controls the royal fleet, when will he attack King's Landing? Everyone knows that Lord Stannis is by no means a soft-hearted person. "

Varys finally said with emotion: "The King's Territory and the Western Territory have to face too many enemies."

Duke Eddard wondered why Varys told him the outside information, which was not beneficial to Cersei.

"Varys, who do you work for?"

Varys smiled lightly, his eyes sincere: "Duke Ed, I work for the peace of the kingdom, and I swear on my lost lifeblood. All my efforts have only one purpose, and that is to avoid war and maintain peace in the kingdom. .”

Duke Eddard did not believe what Wallis said. This was not because of his prejudice against eunuchs, but because of Running Wolf's intuition... He felt that Wallis must have hidden other ulterior motives.

Duke Eddard closed his eyes, he was a little drunk.

Duke Eddard's honor was unwavering. He said bluntly: "Varys, I will not support Cersei's child. Stannis is Robert's true heir. I welcome him to sit on the Iron Throne."

"oops!"

Varys first exclaimed, then approached Duke Eddard.

"Duke Eddard, I promise you, Queen Cersei doesn't want to hear these words. If you don't mind your tongue, even if Stannis wins the Iron Throne, I'm afraid he will have to use a rotten I turned around to welcome him."

Duke Eddard said solemnly: "Varys, I am not afraid of death."

"but……"

Varys seemed to be pleading with Lord Eddard: "Have you forgotten your innocent and good daughter? Sansa tried so hard to plead for you, but you...she is so pitiful."

A chill surged in Duke Ed's heart, and he opened his eyes suddenly: "Don't involve my daughter, Sansa is just a child."

Varys couldn't bear it and said softly: "Duke Ed, who cares if she is a child except you? In the eyes of Queen Cersei, Sansa is a bargaining chip against you... She knows how to be tame. The wolf is much more useful than a dead wolf, so Sansa is still alive."

Duke Eddard's voice was full of anger: "If Cersei dares to hurt Sansa, the Stark family and the Tully family will never let her go!"

Varys sighed: "Queen Cersei is not a rational woman. This is something everyone knows."

Duke Eddard could not hide his concern for his daughter, and he was at a loss.

Varys glanced at Duke Eddard, and then said: "Prince Rhaegar's daughter...isn't Princess Rhaenys a child too? She is a lovely little baby, younger than your two daughters. Can you You know, she has a little black cat named Balerion. Princess Rhaenys likes to think of it as the real Black Death Balerion... But, I want to break into her room in Lannister On the day of the door, they must have quickly taught her the difference between a kitten and a dragon."

Varys seemed to be trapped in sad memories.

After a pause, Varys sighed tiredly: "The Archbishop once told me that we suffer because of our sins. If this is true... Duke Ed, please tell me... why do you, the great nobles, do this to me?" In the game of power, it’s the innocent people who always suffer the most?”

"Peace is actually very simple. You only need to promise to the Queen Mother that she is willing to confess her crimes of rebellion, make Winterfell honor Joffrey Baratheon as king, and promise not to tell her secret until she dies. Then I believe her. I will agree that you put on black clothes, and Sansa will not be harmed...The most important thing is to avoid a big war, and the people can continue to live a stable life."

Varys walked to the prison door, turned around and nodded slightly towards the silent Duke Eddard.

"If you wish, think carefully before Queen Cersei arrives... Lord Eddard, I advise you not to overestimate her patience."

After speaking, Wallis reached out and knocked on the door.

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The Capital Guard (Golden Robes) are the garrison and law enforcers of King's Landing. They have two military camps in the city. The eastern military camp is near the Dragon Gate, and the western military camp is near Shoemaker's Square.

Jinpaozi's east military camp, the commander-in-chief's tent.

Green was sitting at the table, and on the table was a detailed map of King's Landing.

Green looked away from the map and said, "Leiden, go and take a rest."

It was already dawn, and Green and his little butler had been busy all night. He missed Maester Al and Samwell who were far away in Whispering City.

Layton raised his head from the pile of documents, his eyes were dark circles.

"My master, there is not much left. I estimate it will be completed this morning."

After saying that, Layton couldn't help but blew a whistle, and he quickly covered his mouth.

Green showed a smile: "The corruption within the Golden Robe is too serious, but it still gives us a good excuse... Leiden, thank you for your work."

Layton scratched his head sheepishly.

After a while, he put away a letter and said: "Sir, Steward Russell has made an appointment with the merchants of King's Landing. They are waiting for your reception tonight."

Green tapped his chin. Layton was referring to the businessmen who had cooperated with Green during the hunting in King's Landing last year.

"Lord Green, Ser Lancel Lannister wishes to see you." The voice of the messenger suddenly came from outside the door.

Green raised his eyebrows. Has Lancel been canonized as a knight?

…………

Lancel stood in front with a proud expression, and Green rubbed his hair. This child must have had problems with PUA.

"Earl Green, Her Majesty the Queen Mother Regent has ordered me..."

Lancel's words were interrupted by Green: "Kneel down and speak."

Lancel looked at Greene in disbelief.

"I represent……"

With a whoosh, Greene's long sword almost flew past Lancel's cheek, and was finally inserted into the wooden pillar of the tent, where the sword handle swayed.

Lancel was so frightened that he knelt down on the spot.

"you you……"

Green tilted his head, his tone filled with confusion: "Lancel, have you forgotten my warning?"

Lancel blushed: "I am a knight!"

Green stood up from the chair, walked over, and lowered his figure in front of Lancel, and the two looked at each other.

"Tell me, what does my warning have to do with whether you are a knight or not?"

Lancel's handsome face twisted: "Don't forget, you have no evidence!"

With a bang, Lancel curled up on the ground in pain.

Green had already stood up, and he said leisurely: "Why do you think you need evidence? Have you ever thought about what the consequences will be if Joffrey knows about this?"