Boaz
Happy Easter!
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2005
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In Tyrion’s third chapter of ASOS, the Small Council dispenses many lands to Mace Tyrell and his bannermen. When Lord Redwyne wanted to stop the meeting and toast each other, Cersei in exasperation butts in …
“It’s swords Joff needs, not toasts,” she snapped. “His realm is still plagued with would-be usurpers and self-styled kings.”
“But not for long, I think,” said Varys unctuously.
“A few more items remain, my lords.” Ser Kevan consulted his papers. “Ser Addam has…”
I find it slightly alarming that Varys smugly, smoothly, confidently states that those claiming the Iron Throne or claiming freedom from it will not be around for long. What does he know? Did he know about the Faceless Man going for Balon? Did he know about Walder’s upcoming treachery?
Even more alarming is Kevan’s immediate dismissal of Varys’ comment. Kevan was Tywin’s man through and through. On page 259 of my US paperback, Tyrion thinks…
Ser Kevan was his brother’s vanguard in council, Tyrion knew from long experience; he never had a thought that Lord Tywin had not had first.
If anyone is privy to Tywin’s plans, it is Kevan. I think Kevan was trying to keep the others from questioning Varys and exposing Tywin’s plans.
But what if Varys was not referring to Balon or Robb? What if Varys was speaking of Littlefinger’s and Olenna’s plot to poison Joffrey? I wonder if he was threatening Littlefinger, warning Tywin, or making a private joke.
Just after that exchange, on page263 Varys gives his report. He starts with the unbelievable, moves to the boring, and follows up with the ridiculous.
“A kraken has been seen off the Fingers.” He giggled. “Not a Greyjoy, mind you, a true kraken. It attacked an Ibbenese whaler and pulled it under. There is fighting on the Stepstones, and a new war between Tyrosh and Lys seems likely. Both hope to win Myr as an ally. Sailors back from the Jade Sea report that a three-headed dragon has hatched in Qarth, and is the wonder of that city—“
Varys’ report was cut short by Tywin. But the point is that he already had Jorah’s reports! He could have given the Small Council the whole truth. No, he presented it as outlandish barbarian rumors. Just in case it came back to try and bite him, Varys covered himself with a version of the truth.
I think Varys knew two specific secrets and chose to reveal them neither to the Hand nor the Regent. He obviously does not serve the Lannisters. If he knew of Joffrey’s impending death, then Varys is decidedly against the Lannisters. Since Varys covered up Dany’s dragons, he must be pro-Targaryen.
In AGOT, Varys and Illyrio discuss plots under the Red Keep that are overheard by Arya. Varys seems to be either an ally or servant of Illyrio. Remember Varys asked Illyrio for more little birds? We don’t know who they are or where they spy from. But they must be part of Varys’ network.
Varys told both Eddard and Tyrion that he serves the realm. He appeared earnest to both of them, but how can he be for the realm when he’s pro-Targaryen? The best thing for the realm would be to kill the dragons before they grow…
I wonder how extensive the pro-Targaryen network extends? Doran and Oberyn are pro-Targaryen. Marwyn? House Dayne and others in Dorne? Littlefinger.
This secret network may be more cohesive than we know. If Illyrio is it’s head, then I think I’ll call them the Illyrionati… or mayhaps the Targaryenati.
How extensive do you think the network is?
“It’s swords Joff needs, not toasts,” she snapped. “His realm is still plagued with would-be usurpers and self-styled kings.”
“But not for long, I think,” said Varys unctuously.
“A few more items remain, my lords.” Ser Kevan consulted his papers. “Ser Addam has…”
I find it slightly alarming that Varys smugly, smoothly, confidently states that those claiming the Iron Throne or claiming freedom from it will not be around for long. What does he know? Did he know about the Faceless Man going for Balon? Did he know about Walder’s upcoming treachery?
Even more alarming is Kevan’s immediate dismissal of Varys’ comment. Kevan was Tywin’s man through and through. On page 259 of my US paperback, Tyrion thinks…
Ser Kevan was his brother’s vanguard in council, Tyrion knew from long experience; he never had a thought that Lord Tywin had not had first.
If anyone is privy to Tywin’s plans, it is Kevan. I think Kevan was trying to keep the others from questioning Varys and exposing Tywin’s plans.
But what if Varys was not referring to Balon or Robb? What if Varys was speaking of Littlefinger’s and Olenna’s plot to poison Joffrey? I wonder if he was threatening Littlefinger, warning Tywin, or making a private joke.
Just after that exchange, on page263 Varys gives his report. He starts with the unbelievable, moves to the boring, and follows up with the ridiculous.
“A kraken has been seen off the Fingers.” He giggled. “Not a Greyjoy, mind you, a true kraken. It attacked an Ibbenese whaler and pulled it under. There is fighting on the Stepstones, and a new war between Tyrosh and Lys seems likely. Both hope to win Myr as an ally. Sailors back from the Jade Sea report that a three-headed dragon has hatched in Qarth, and is the wonder of that city—“
Varys’ report was cut short by Tywin. But the point is that he already had Jorah’s reports! He could have given the Small Council the whole truth. No, he presented it as outlandish barbarian rumors. Just in case it came back to try and bite him, Varys covered himself with a version of the truth.
I think Varys knew two specific secrets and chose to reveal them neither to the Hand nor the Regent. He obviously does not serve the Lannisters. If he knew of Joffrey’s impending death, then Varys is decidedly against the Lannisters. Since Varys covered up Dany’s dragons, he must be pro-Targaryen.
In AGOT, Varys and Illyrio discuss plots under the Red Keep that are overheard by Arya. Varys seems to be either an ally or servant of Illyrio. Remember Varys asked Illyrio for more little birds? We don’t know who they are or where they spy from. But they must be part of Varys’ network.
Varys told both Eddard and Tyrion that he serves the realm. He appeared earnest to both of them, but how can he be for the realm when he’s pro-Targaryen? The best thing for the realm would be to kill the dragons before they grow…
I wonder how extensive the pro-Targaryen network extends? Doran and Oberyn are pro-Targaryen. Marwyn? House Dayne and others in Dorne? Littlefinger.
This secret network may be more cohesive than we know. If Illyrio is it’s head, then I think I’ll call them the Illyrionati… or mayhaps the Targaryenati.
How extensive do you think the network is?