Maegors Holdfast, Council Chamber.
Cersei Lannister looked with satisfaction at the four letters personally written by Sansa Stark, and instructed Varys to seal them with Duke Eddard's Direwolf seal.
The recipients of the four letters were: Sansa's mother, Lady of Winterfell, Catelyn Tully; Sansa's elder brother, heir to Winterfell, Robb Stark; Sansa's aunt, Lady of Eyrie, Lysa Tully; and Sansa's grandfather, Duke of Riverrun, Hoster Tully.
… … … …
"Pour me some wine."
The Queen Dowager Cersei took the wine glass from the maid, and the upturned corners of her lips revealed her triumph and pleasure at that moment.
She sipped summer red and said, "My Sansa has truly worked hard."
Varys sealed the letters, and he said with a smile, "The pure little girl can be said to have saved her father…"
As he spoke, he glanced at the Queen Dowager Cersei and continued, "She even hopes to marry our King Joffrey at the Great Sept of Baelor, and let the entire King's Landing witness her beautiful marriage."
The Queen Dowager Cersei's lips merely curved in a sneer; she did not speak.
Maester Pycelle's voice contained a hint of worry: "For the sake of family ties, I hope they make a wise choice, come to King's Landing to attend the coronation ceremony, and swear allegiance to King Joffrey."
Varys clasped his hands together, seemingly very confident: "They will soon know that Sansa is being well taken care of by us, and that everything is safe and sound… They will certainly be very grateful for Her Majesty the Queen Dowager's benevolence…"
After a pause, Varys rose and nodded towards Cersei, his voice filled with excitement.
"Your esteemed Majesty, you have not only quelled the rebels, but now… with just a few sheets of paper and a pen, you will soon stabilize the chaos after Robert I's passing. Your wisdom truly is… admirable."
As Varys finished speaking, the decrepit Maester Pycelle glanced at the smiling Varys and quickly rose and nodded.
The Queen Dowager Cersei raised her chin, her expression arrogant: "Some victories are won with longswords and spears, while others rely on paper and ravens."
This was Duke Tywin's teaching to his children when he was in Casterly Rock, when Cersei was still a young girl.
… … … …
The Queen Dowager Cersei's eyes moved, and she said, "Has the Direwolf in the Black Cells woken up?"
Varys said, "He has woken up. It is said his condition is not good. The jailer said he has not touched his food, or perhaps those things are simply too difficult to swallow."
The Queen Dowager Cersei sneered, mocking, "Is he repenting to the gods?"
After a pause, she coldly added, "Let the Direwolf taste what it's like to be hungry. Just send him water every day, as long as he doesn't die there."
Varys nodded: "As you command, Queen Dowager Cersei."
Maester Pycelle chimed in from the side, "Your Majesty, that's a good idea. A weak Direwolf is always harmless."
The Queen Dowager Cersei's eyes trembled slightly; she recalled Duke Eddard's ferocity and knew she absolutely could not let him live comfortably.
"Tell the jailer, one cup of water a day."
Varys nodded in assent once more.
After a moment of silence, the Queen Dowager Cersei said thoughtfully, "After Joffrey's coronation ceremony, it would be best to publicly try Duke Stark for treason."
Maester Pycelle pondered, then slowly said, "It would be best for Duke Stark to publicly confess his treason. This will help establish the new king's prestige."
The Queen Dowager Cersei frowned slightly, paused, and said, "Stark is a stubborn fellow. Sansa might not be able to help with this."
Pycelle's cloudy eyes moved, and he said, "Your Majesty, perhaps the little girl could meet her father. We should always give him a chance to reform… If we promise him the opportunity to take the black, I think the good daughter will persuade her father."
The Queen Dowager Cersei was somewhat tempted, thinking Pycelle's suggestion sounded good.
Varys, however, voiced his objection: "Queen Dowager Cersei, letting the little girl meet her father is truly too risky."
The Queen Dowager Cersei and Maester Pycelle both looked at Varys.
"We cannot ignore the stubbornness of the Northmen. If we let the father and daughter meet, I truly worry… will they do something we don't expect? For example… a farewell to the dead… For honor, Duke Stark would never value his life."
After a pause, Varys added, "At that point, we would be in a difficult position."
Pycelle said, "Your Majesty, I hear Duke Stark values his family greatly."
Varys glanced at Pycelle and said, "Queen Dowager Cersei, both the father and daughter are in our hands. There's no need to gamble."
The Queen Dowager Cersei thought for a moment and said, "Varys, tell me your plan."
Varys's plump face bore a slight smile: "That little girl should continue to maintain her innocence. Let's not let her witness a terrible scene… otherwise, it would be too cruel to her."
After speaking, Varys even shivered as if in fear.
The Queen Dowager Cersei said impatiently, "Enough. Get to the point."
Varys shrank his neck and quickly said, "Queen Dowager Cersei, you can leave this matter to me. I guarantee I will make Duke Stark confess obediently."
Pycelle's expression showed slight displeasure: "Lord Varys, didn't you just say Duke Stark is stubborn? Don't forget how he viewed us when he was Prime Minister…"
Saying this, Maester Pycelle looked at the Queen Dowager Cersei and continued, "Your Majesty, Duke Stark at least cares about his daughter's safety."
Varys shook his head and said, "Maester Pycelle, that is precisely what I intend to exploit."
Varys turned to the Queen Dowager Cersei, his smile deepening: "The charm of fear is precisely the unknown, isn't it? A good father, for a good daughter… will eventually compromise."
Sunlight streamed into the room, and the Queen Dowager Cersei's beautiful hair was like sunlight. Her smile held a hint of mockery.
"Varys, I will trust your tongue this once."
Varys smiled broadly: "Queen Dowager Cersei, thank you for your trust."
Maester Pycelle resumed his sleepy-eyed look, quietly saying no more.
… … … …
The Queen Dowager Cersei nodded slightly, took a sip of wine, and then suddenly hummed lightly, saying, "Varys, Pycelle, my deceased husband's two brothers have not yet submitted…"
With a thud, the Queen Dowager Cersei set down her wine glass and continued, "Their ambitions are not small at all. Those two are our biggest enemies."
Varys's smile remained unchanged: "Your Majesty, at least those two will not ally. That is something everyone knows."
The "deep" affection between the Baratheon brothers was acknowledged by the Queen Dowager Cersei.
The Queen Dowager Cersei's beautiful eyes slanted towards Varys: "Varys, you are truly clever."
Varys bowed slightly and respectfully: "Queen Dowager Cersei, I am merely basking in a bit of your brilliant light. It is a great honor."
Facing Varys's flattery, the Queen Dowager Cersei accepted it calmly. To her, Varys was merely stating the truth, and it was not worth her feeling happy about.
The Queen Dowager Cersei's emerald eyes moved slightly, looking at Pycelle: "Pycelle, arrange for these letters to be sent out as soon as possible."
Pycelle walked over tremblingly and began to collect the letters on the table.
Seeing the letter addressed to Eyrie, Pycelle's movements paused, and his cloudy eyes looked at the Queen Dowager Cersei.
"Your Majesty, should we perhaps temporarily hold back the letter for Eyrie? I hear the Vale is not peaceful right now."
The Queen Dowager Cersei frowned slightly, and she looked at Varys.
Varys said respectfully, "Queen Dowager Cersei, my little birds tell me that because Lady Lysa harmed Prime Minister Jon, the nobles of the Vale have formed the Alliance of the Righteous. They claim they will use all necessary means to ensure the culprit receives due judgment."
Pycelle nodded, then added, "I think they will soon seek support from the Red Keep, which will be beneficial to us."
"What a ridiculous name."
The Queen Dowager Cersei first mocked, then paused and said, "Pycelle, then let's not bother with Eyrie for now. We'll wait for them to come to us."
Cersei rose and added, "Varys, keep a close eye on Stannis and Renly."
After speaking, she left the council chamber, surrounded by maids and Kingsguard.
… … … …
… … … …
A week later, Red Keep Black Cells.
Because he could see nothing, not even make marks on the wall, and there was no difference between opening and closing his eyes, Duke Eddard didn't know how long he had been lying there.
Duke Eddard slept and woke, woke and slept. He didn't know which was more painful, sleeping or waking.
When he slept, he dreamt, dark and disturbing dreams… filled with bloodshed and broken vows.
When he was awake, there was nothing to do but think, yet what he thought of was more terrifying than any nightmare.
Thinking of his wife, Catelyn, was as painful as lying on a bed woven from nettles… Duke Eddard fantasized about where she was at this moment, what she was doing… but he didn't know if he would ever be reunited with her in this life.
Thinking of his children, he just wanted to cry out loud, but the tears wouldn't fall… Even in this predicament, he was still a Stark of Winterfell; his sorrow and fury were frozen within him.
… … … …
Time flowed, days passed one after another, at least that's how Duke Eddard felt.
The only sound in this place was his own breathing. To keep himself from going mad, he began to make plans, building castles of hope in the darkness.
Robert's two brothers, Stannis and Renly, should be assembling their forces at Dragonstone and Storm's End respectively… Lord Beric and Ser Gladden, once they dealt with the old Mountain's men, would lead their soldiers back to King's Landing… If nothing went wrong with Green, he must be lurking outside, waiting for an opportunity… Once Catelyn received news from here, she would call upon the Northern vassals to march south, and the Riverlands and the Vale… the Vale… he hadn't had time to try Lysa Tully for poisoning Jon.
… … … …
Whenever the jailer brought him water, Duke Eddard told himself another day had passed… At first, he asked the man to tell him news from outside, but the rat-faced jailer never paid him any mind. He thought the man might be tongueless.
After an unknown number of days, Duke Eddard's stomach cramped with hunger. He thought… perhaps the Lannister were planning to starve him to death.
He denied this possibility himself. If Cersei wanted him dead, he would have been cut down in the Throne Room with his guards long ago… That woman wanted him alive, no matter how weak, how despairing, she wanted to keep him alive.
… … … …
Clang, clang, the sound of chains clashing came from outside the cell. The cell door suddenly opened, and the bright torchlight stung Duke Eddard's eyes, making him squint.
It took a while for Duke Eddard to adjust to the light. He noticed a large head, bald as an egg.
Duke Eddard murmured hoarsely, "Varys…"
Varys smiled faintly and greeted him, "Good day, Duke Eddard. It's been many days."
Duke Eddard leaned weakly against the wall. He murmured again, "Is it daytime now…?"
Varys's expression showed concern, and he offered a wineskin: "Drink quickly, Duke Eddard."
Duke Eddard took the wineskin with some effort, and gulped… taking several big swallows. Red wine trickled down the corners of his mouth.
It was summer red… Duke Eddard had never liked the sweetness of summer red, but today it tasted exceptionally good.
Duke Eddard began to feel a bit dizzy, and it took a while for him to recover.
"It seems there's no Tears of Lys in there."
Duke Eddard's words seemed to hurt Varys: "My lord, poisoning a Duke… I don't have that kind of courage. I am but a small person."
Duke Eddard took another large gulp of summer red. He was feeling much better now.
"I am merely a prisoner now."
Varys comforted him, "Duke Eddard, your North still looks to you for leadership."
Duke Eddard was actually eager to ask some questions, but he had now learned to be cautious with those he didn't trust, and Varys was one of them.
Duke Eddard exhaled and said, "How is Sansa?"
Varys did not hide anything: "Queen Dowager Cersei has kept Lady Sansa by her side. She pleaded with the Queen Dowager to save you a few days ago… It's a pity you weren't there, otherwise you would have been greatly moved."
Duke Eddard's eyes trembled slightly. After a pause, he said, "And Arya?"
Varys shook his head: "Your youngest daughter escaped. My little birds still haven't found her, and neither have the Lannister. That is somewhat the gods' mercy, I suppose."
Duke Eddard felt relieved. There should have been no accident with Green.
"The gods are merciful…"
Duke Eddard muttered and then took a gulp of wine, secretly celebrating the good news.
"What about my bastard son?"
"My Lord Duke, no one would be so bored as to pay attention to a low-born bastard."
Duke Eddard said calmly, "What about Green?"
Varys's eyes shifted slightly, and he said, "Count Green is deeply trusted by Queen Dowager Cersei. He has been appointed Commander of the Gold Cloaks by Queen Dowager Cersei."
Varys secretly watched Duke Eddard's face, then continued, "That half-wildling noble has King's Landing in a state of panic. It is said King's Landing is almost dyed red by him."
Varys was merely exaggerating. Count Green was forced to have many executions within the barracks to rectify the corruption within the Gold Cloaks.
After Green became the Commander of the Gold Cloaks, Varys's relationship with him became somewhat delicate, and his vigilance greatly increased.
Duke Eddard did not easily believe Varys's words. He said coldly, "Guilty people should naturally be killed."