The harsh greens and brown were a stark contrast to the sunlit beauty of Dorne. Such contrast was clear in the eyes of those departing the ship, tied by thick rope and bearing the weight of such restriction. Littlefinger knew them to make the best slaves. It was those who held a little defiance that interested him most. His brothels were known to be filled with beautiful men and women but his prized possessions were those who held wit and just enough bite. It would be a good day of trading.
They were all bid to stand in a line, their shuffling and fumbling as they tried to adjust to solid land made them all the more endearing to him. The coins were heavy in his hand. He never traded in cash but he found bribery in the hands of the traders made the process all the more favourable. Already there was a steady stream of buyers. The usual regime of checking teeth took place in turn for each of the men and women awaiting their fate. Thankfully no one decided to bite and within the hour bids had been placed and Littlefinger was arranging their transportation. He was pleasantly surprised by the standard this morning and congratulated himself on his purchases.
That was until a commotion took place on the boards of the ship. A young man resisted the hands trying to hold him. He twisted this way and that and Littlefinger could feel his mouth fall open. The money he could make with that one.
"Now, now, one ought not to be greedy."
Whipping his head around he was confused for a moment.
"I must say I am unsurprised to find you here, Littlefinger. Surely your brothels are overflowing by now?"
He bristled as Littlefinger followed a line down past his navel with his eyes.
"Indeed. Though I am surprised to find you here."
"Well a little bird told me there may be something of interest on this particular ship."
He smiled.
"I believe I have found it," he replied before motioning the tradesman over. He came eagerly, knowing that Littlefinger tipped well.
"How much for the boy," he gestured to the youth that had now given up, limp and weary and pulled along by the guards for his inspection. The price quoted was high but the return would be even higher. He paid the handsome sum and admired his handsome prize.
"A very worthy purchase," Varys commented smoothly. "What a shame to put such grace to waste in a brothel."
"He will earn a high price. I do not call that a waste."
Varys nodded.
"I imagine, however, that such a pretty young thing would make a generous gift. I find gifts a wonderful way to earn favour where money may otherwise appear...cheap."
Littlefinger paused in his inspection of the boy's teeth, taken aback by the lilac eyes.
"Why would I need to curry favour?"
Varys merely shrugged and turned away.
"At some stage in our lives we are all in need of a little help. Perhaps it is best to have a few indebted to us, especially those that repay them."
With that he disappeared into the busy crowd, no doubt to round up his little spies and find whatever it was he had thought valuable. Littlefinger gathered up his purchases and prepared to head back, the boy remaining silent and sullen at his side.