DAGGERS TO THE HEART Part 2 - CLASH OF THE KINGS

Arya III

Jon had spent the rest of the day and night either brooding or warging into Ghost to watch over Sansa. At first, Arya understood his concern. Despite being a little shaken and bruised, Sansa insisted she was fine. But Jon remained unconvinced. Sansa urged Jon to stop warging into Ghost and return to King's Landing to rest and continue the mission to rescue Shireen. Though at first Jon was stubborn, he reluctantly obeyed Sansa's request.

Meanwhile, Arya had hoped to enlist Jon's help in meeting with Lady Olenna, recognizing his superior political acumen. How else could she persuade Olenna to switch allegiances? Arya's strength lay in her swordsmanship, not her diplomacy. Despite his initial reluctance, Jon had agreed to the meeting with Olenna. However, after Arya's small council meeting everything changed.

With Tyrion now serving as Master of Coin and residing in King's Landing, both Jon and Arya realised the risk of Tyrion recognizing Jon. Furthermore, news of the arrangement Tywin was orchestrating for Jaime meant Jon would face great danger if identified. They urgently needed a plan. Adding to their concerns, that morning, the Queen of Thorns had dispatched a message instructing Littlefinger to bring her some unspecified gifts she had requested from Essos. This left both Jon and Arya puzzled about what these gifts were.

"Why don't we consult Sansa?" Jon proposed, his gaze shifting to the crow perched nearby, observing them.

"Unless Bran is already at Queenscrown, we're limited to listening in on conversations. We can't participate or ask questions," Arya explained. "We'll have to deduce it ourselves. And we only have two hours."

"No pressure, then," was Jon's wry reply. "Let us think about it for a moment. What might Olenna want from Littlefinger?"

"Well, they killed Joffrey," Arya shrugged. "Perhaps that's why they're meeting."

"In broad daylight, in the middle of the Red Keep?" Jon was incredulous at the suggestion.

"Wouldn't it be more conspicuous if Lady Olenna were seen at Littlefinger's brothel?" Arya countered.

"Alright, let's assume you're correct. What was used to murder Joffrey?" Jon lowered his voice.

"Sansa described how Joffrey looked, showing that Littlefinger used the Strangler. It's almost tasteless and easy to conceal when one knows how. Only a little is needed to be lethal," Arya explained. "It was disguised as an amethyst hairnet, which Sansa wore."

"Can you procure or make some?" Jon inquired.

Arya rolled her eyes. "I trained at the House of Black and White, remember? I know where and how to buy, and how to make these poisons. That's not the issue. It's the method of delivery that concerns me. Last time, Sansa wore a hairnet with what looked like amethyst crystals attached. The strangler resembles dark amethysts."

"We need to get hold of an amethyst hairnet within the next two hours," Jon sighed.

Arya shook her head as she paced the room. "Sansa isn't here, so the plans will be different. Someone else will wear the amethysts, but how? A hairnet? A necklace? Could Joffrey be the one to wear them?" Suddenly, Arya's face brightened with an idea. "Littlefinger can give it to him," she declared with a wide grin.

Jon watched with concern. "How? We need to leave before then."

"I'll depart later than you. I have to go to Gulltown and then to the Eyrie. Well, Littlefinger does," Arya clarified.

Jon furrowed his brow. "Why?"

"To secure the support of the Vale, we need Lysa's agreement. And she only listens to Littlefinger. Plus, I want to investigate Littlefinger's business dealings in Gulltown. The more leverage we have against him, the better. I suspect the rest of his business dealings will be there," Arya explained.