ASOFAI : House of God

The meeting couldn't have gone worse. Oh, the spider knew, and how much he regrets not interfering, but alas what was done can't be undone.

Not even now, almost six moons after Stannis returned from Volantis, could Varys understand what was in Jon Arryn's head when he ordered the younger Baratheon to annul the betrothal between Konrad Arryn and Talisa Maegyr. Not only did Stannis failed, but from what Tyrion Lannister told everyone, the boy was willing to go to war with the Seven Kingdoms just to keep the betrothal intact, something that other than Jon Arryn, everyone saw as a possible threat if not befriend or controlled, alas the last part was mostly from the Old Lion and his daughter.

Even today, moons after the incident, the hand of the king wouldn't shut up about how his son had become a disgrace that deserve no right to be the future lord of the Vale, something that many a noble of the Vale had argued against.

It was quite clear which nobles were winning this internal strife for power, and which were in a sinking boat. Not even the birth of a new son for Lord Hand, change the balance in the old falcon's favor, instead, the moment they heard of the sickly and small babe, even more nobles abandoned him, choosing to side with a future lord paramour that at least would get to live past his ten and eight name day.

With a heavy sigh, Varys put back is usual face and walked inside the chamber of the small council, where like always, he would be the first one to reach and wait for the others from the shadows until it was time to start the meeting.

Minutes pass by and soon the first members walked inside. To Varys surprise, the Baratheon brothers were the first ones to arrive, and while it was not out of the ordinary for Stannis, it certainly surprised Varys to see Renly beside his older brother.

Yet the spider didn't move from the shadows, and instead he choose to wait for a little longer, and how good of a decision that was.

"Tell me brother, it is really true what the rumors say? Did you actually lose a sword fight against a kid?" Renly asked with a smug face, almost as if he was enjoying the thought of his older brother being beaten by a kid.

However, Stannis did not react in an angry way, instead he explained to his brother how despite being only a kid, Konrad Arryn was unlike anything he had ever seen, and mayhaps not even Robert could have bested the kid if he were to be the same age as the boy.

"Renly, you know I am not one to make excuses or flatter my enemies. But I must admit, that boy is a prodigy with a sword. He moves like a cat, strikes like a viper, and parries like a steel wall. He has the grace of a water dancer, the strength of a bull, and the cunning of a fox. In my eyes, he is not just a kid, he is a warrior born." Stannis said in a serious tone, his eyes reflecting respect, something that Renly had rarely ever seen in his older brother's eyes.

It didn't come as a surprise when Renly was shocked by his brother's words. After all, he had never heard Stannis praise anyone so highly, not even Robert, whom Stannis always considered the best fighter in the realm. Renly knew his older brother was a man of honor and truth, and he would not lie about such a matter, and that beg the question, how could a boy, barely ten name days be so good that he could defeat seasoned men in battle.

Meanwhile, Varys, who was listening from the shadows, was also surprised by Stannis' confession. He had the songs from his little birds about the duel between Stannis and Konrad, but he had not believe them, after all this didn't made any sense, no matter how formidable the boy were to be. However, he had not expected Stannis to confirm them, and to speak so highly of the young lord of the Vale.

Regardless of the truth, one thing was for sure, Konrad Arryn had entered the game and he was not someone to be easily sway.

Soon the rest of the members of the small council arrived and right on point, Varys walked out of the shadows greeting everyone before they all sit down in their chairs, waiting for the King to arrive.

After a few more minutes of idle talk between them, Jon Arryn decided that they had waited enough and that the king would not join them today, and so, he cleared his throat before addressing the small council.

"My lords, I apologize for the king's absence, but he has more pressing matters to attend to. He trusts us to handle the affairs of the realm in his name. So let us begin our meeting, starting with the biggest crisis King's Landing is facing: the lack of trade coming from Essos."

The council members nodded and turned their attention to Jon Arryn, who looked weary and troubled. "As you all know, the trade routes across the Narrow Sea haven't been disrupted by pirates or storms, and yet none of our merchants had any luck trading with any of the free cities. The goods and resources that we rely on from Essos, such as spices, silk, wine, and gold, have become scarce and expensive to the point that even the crown had to lower the usage of some of them. This has caused inflation, poverty, and unrest among the people of King's Landing and the Crownlands. We must find a way to restore the trade and secure our economy, or else we will face a famine and a revolt."

All of them knew the situation was dire, but in reality, they had no easy solution. Some suggested to send more ships, but others argued that it would be too costly and risky. Surprisingly enough Kevan Lannister, the new master of coin, proposed to seek new allies and markets in Essos using marriages as a guarantee, but he was quickly shut down by Renly and Jon Arryn.

Varys, who was listening carefully to the debate, had a different suspicion. He wondered if the lack of trade from Essos was not a natural or accidental occurrence, but a deliberate and calculated move. After all, he could think of a certain someone who had the power and influence to stir the waters in Essos to such a degree that it would be virtually impossible for anyone to do anything without his approval. It didn't took to be a spymaster to knew that Konrad Arryn had a strong connection to Essos, through his betrothed Talisa Maegyr, who was the daughter of the Triarch of Volantis. That and the fact that Dorne, The North and the faction belonging to Bronze Yohn where the only ones that still traded with Essos, made him realize that this was indeed the hand of the young falcon. A way for him to get his revenge on his father for what he had done.

Yet, while this was not a known rumor, Varys had heard that strange men and women, preaching a new religion had started to spread around the capital and help the poor and sick, providing them with almost anything they needed for little in return, something that the faith of the seven didn't wanted to happen.

In the end, Varys decided to share his thoughts with the council, but in a subtle and discreet way. No point antagonizing a rising lord. "My lords, I have a question. Have you considered the possibility that the lack of trade from Essos is not a coincidence, but a conspiracy? That someone is orchestrating this crisis, for their own benefit and agenda? That someone who has a vested interest in Essos, and a grudge against the crown? We all know that three of the kingdoms still trade with Essos and yet, none of our messages had earned the crown anything good in return when we tried to contact those merchants."

Like always the old fool didn't realize the hidden meaning behind the words Varys just said, and instead he complained like a kid.

"That's unacceptable! "Jon slammed his fist on the table, making most of the members of the council turn their heads towards him. "Whoever is behind this, will pay for putting the iron throne under such suffering."

Once again, Varys didn't know if he should be happy the current hand was such a fool, or sad that despite all clues being present to him, the current hand still hadn't realized who's fault it was. Yes, he could outright tell everyone what's going on, but that will leave him without the ability to play which card is slowly being revealed and which is buried deep inside the darkest corner.

Renly, who was sitting next to Jon, tried to calm him down. "Jon, there is no need to get so angry. Perhaps this is just a temporary setback, and the trade will resume soon. Maybe the Essosi merchants are busy with some festival, or worse a plague. You know how unpredictable they are."

Pycelle, who was on the other side of the table, nodded sagely. "Indeed, Lord Renly, you may be right. I have heard rumors that there is a new disease spreading in Essos, called the bloody flux. It causes the afflicted to bleed from every orifice, and die in agony. Perhaps that is why they are not answering our messages. They are too busy dying."

Varys closed his eyes and sighed inwardly. He knew that Renly and Pycelle were both making up nonsense, and that they had no clue about the real situation. One was a young fool, wanting to prove himself smart, while the other one was an old fool with too many desires for his old age.

"Interesting theories, my lords," Varys said, opening his eyes and smiling politely. "But how do you explain the fact that Dorne, the North, and the Vale are still trading with Essos, while the rest of the realm is not? Are they immune to the bloody flux? Or do they have some secret agreement with the Essosi merchants, that we do not know of?"

Renly shrugged. "Maybe they have better relations with the Essosi than we do. After all, Dorne has a lot of blood ties with the Rhoynar, who came from Essos long ago. And the North and the Vale have a common enemy in the Iron Islands, who often raid their shores. Maybe they have formed some kind of alliance with the Essosi to protect themselves from the Ironborn."

Varys closed his eyes again and shook his head. It wasn't hard to see that Renly was talking nonsense, and that they had no evidence for his claims.

"Forgive me, my lord, but your explanation is rather fanciful and improbable," he said, opening his eyes and frowning slightly. "Do you have any proof for your assertions?"

"Uh, well, I… I don't have any… any proof, per se, but… but it makes sense, doesn't it? I mean, why else would they… they trade with Essos, if not for… for some reason?" he said, trying to sound confident, but failing miserably.

"Enough, Varys. You have made your point. Now, tell us, do you know anything about this supposed conspiracy? Do you have any evidence, or are you just speculating as well?"

Varys turned his attention to Jon, and gave him a slight smile. He appreciated Jon's attempt to save Renly from his embarrassment, though in the end, he got what he wanted.

"My lord Hand, I do not claim to know everything, but I have some sources that tell me things. Things that may interest you, and the council. Things that may shed some light on this mystery. Things that may reveal the identity of the person behind this scheme. If you would allow me, I would like to share them with you. In private, of course." Varys said, lowering his voice and looking around the room.

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