Game of Thrones: King of Magic

Chapter 70

Eddard Stark. King's Landing.

I was in the Small Council Chamber with Lord Baelish, Grand Maester Pycelle, Renly, Stannis, and an irritated Robert. And his irritation was understandable, for the sun had only just risen and we were gathered before breakfast.

- "Selmy's all right, but where's Varys?" Robert asked, looking at me, unhappily, "According to you, he asked to meet with some very important shit, and he hasn't shown up yet!"

- "He is the Master of Whispers, Your Majesty. We cannot take his words lightly," I shook my head.

- "Wise words, Lord Hand," the Grand Maester seconded me, and Renly and Stannis nodded in agreement, "Your Majesty, I think we should wait for Lord Varys. He wouldn't bother us for nothing."

- "Then where is he!" Robert pounded on the table, "Did he forget that I'm the bloody king! And what did he even want to tell me!"

- "Something to do with the Targaryen girl, I daresay, Your Majesty," Lord Baelish said with his usual polite smile, and Robert was silent almost immediately, his fingers clenched tightly into fists, "Otherwise he would not have disturbed you as he did Lord Hand."

- "I hope so," Robert growled.

I sighed tiredly as I watched, for I understood him a little. I, too, had business to attend to that had caused me a sleepless night.

Through Harold, the Red Men had reported that the Queen was paying too much attention to Sansa and Arya. But if in Arya's case, she had the Sand Snakes covering for her, which I didn't really like, then Sansa's situation made me apprehensive. Yes, she has learned a lot from Lady Kinvara and Solomon, but what if Sansa gets too caught up in the game?

Also, I've gotten reports that High Septon has been acting strangely. I had met him before, even before his appointment as Hand, and I could say with certainty that he had no honor. Corrupt and greedy, but unfortunately a necessary man.

That was then, but now he was happily donating his gold and silver to the kingdom's treasury and to the development of Steel Street, where the workshops and forges were located. All that would be fine, but he also began to often go out to preach in person, repeating to people about getting ready for something. This whole situation seemed very strange to me, as did the High Septon's goals unknown to anyone, but the reports didn't end there.

Lord Oberyn was preparing for something and started leaving the Red Keep very often, and Stannis called in more ships from Dragonstone for some unknown reason. Also, the Red Men sent word of Euron Greyjoy sailing near Oldtown with his fleet. And as much as I wanted to take action against him, there were enough problems here. That is, I didn't want another war, putting Winterfell and the North at risk in the first place.

Lord Tyrion and his inexplicable caution were also an oddity. On the surface it was almost invisible, or rather, I didn't notice anything, but that's what the Red Men said, and they gave me no reason to doubt themselves.

And as if that wasn't enough, I received a raven, not received directly of course, but through my men here from Winterfell, sent by Kat. In the letter she asked me to be very careful with Lord Baelish, but I still couldn't figure out why.

Besides, I never managed to change Robert's mind about not killing the Targaryen girl. Halon informed me that Daenerys Targaryen's goals were unknown to him, but she was being trained by Solomon, which I already knew. And now no one knows what she has in mind except the Dothraki Khalasar with whom she is moving to Vaes Dothrak.

I would hate to jump to conclusions, but knowing Solomon's training, it could be anything... Even a return here to Westeros, where Robert is sure to kill her.