JON CONNINGTON

VARYS

Varys the Master of Whispers, a former slave, a former actor with a troop, and a Eunuch, not by choice. Varys had led a life of ups and downs and faced death in the form a dagger or hunger and thirst. During the hard times he developed a hatred for the Noble and rich and came to love commoners and children, for they were the ones who often suffered at the hands of arrogant nobles. He was born on Free City of Lys in Essos. An island city off the southern coast of the disputed lands.

Varys never knew his parents, but he was raised and trained by a troop of actors. They taught him how to do voices, act, and disguise himself. And Varys was the best. At the age of eleven the troop was traveling through the city of Myr. They stayed for three weeks entertaining the people of Myr. Then as they were packing to leave a man came to Varys' master and offered him a lot of gold for Varys. His Master took the offer and Varys feared that the man was one of those men who took pleasure in having their way with boys.

It was not as he feared to his relief. The man was a practitioner of the dark arts. He gave Varys a potion that rendered him unable to move. Then he took a heated knife and cut off his balls and shaft. The man threw his parts into a brazier and he began chanting. A voice answered the man from the fire. When the ritual was done Varys was thrown into the streets to die.

A woman a whore by trade, she was beholden to no one took pity on Varys when she saw him in the street. She nursed him back to health and said to him; "You have two choices before you…You can either become bitter and blame the world and the gods for your current state or you can pick yourself up and make something of yourself. You have talent, you are an actor play a part…Lie cheat steal, but survive. My father was a bastard and after my mother died he told me and my sisters that it was our job to fulfill his needs…"

"What did you do?" Varys asked.

"After a few years me and my sisters had enough. We poisoned the bastard and ran away. I sold my body for money to eat, but I was the master of my own fate. My sister Lara became a healer and my other sister Jorda became a tavern cook and eventually owned her own business…"

The woman got Varys a client who liked Eunuchs for his pleasure. The first time Varys was sick, but he had gold to feed himself. After two more times he took account of his skills and started creating a character. He sold his body until he was sixteen and then used his acting skills to get a rich noble to invest a fake business. He ran off with the man's money to Volantis. He used his acting skills to get into the east side of the city of Volantis as visitors are not allowed in the walled section of the east side.

He became a good thief and after a few jobs he left for Elyria. It was in Elyria that he became a courier. Varys learned peoples' secrets and blackmailed them to keep those secrets. He was always able to change his voice and appearance to become a totally different person. It was in the city of Tolas that he met the man who would become his best friend and ally. A young man who like himself came from nothing. Ilyrio was a thief like Varys and together they amassed a fortune as they traveled across Essos. During their time together Varys taught Ilyrio how to disguise himself.

Eventually Ilyrio became, Ilyrio Mopatis, a merchant in cheese, spice, fish, and other goods. He amassed great wealth and became Magister of Pentos. He wanted Varys at his side, but Varys had other interests. And even though the two men went their separate ways, they remained the best of friends. Varys created the greatest spy network across Essos and Westeros and eventually became Master of Whispers to King Aerys Targaryen before he became the Mad King.

Now he serves King Robert protecting Targaryen interests. Upon awakening Varys finds a letter that had been shoved under his door. During the Iron Born Rebellion the Martells were able to install spies in the Capital that work with him.

The true heir to the Iron Throne needs a Mentor…Find Jon Connington he still lives…You can find him in Braavos…Hurry before the Golden Company recruits him

With Regards

Princess Elia Targaryen nee Martell

After reading the message Varys burns it and sends for one of his agents. He breaks his fast, meets with his little birds, reads messages, and then attends a meeting of the small council.

JON CONNINGTON – BRAAVOS

Jon Connington was a man of wealth and Nobility. His family rules Griffin's Roost. Jon himself was a close and personal friend of Prince Rhaegar's. Eventually he became Hand of the King. Jon was raised to believe in the Faith of the Seven, though he rarely prayed to the gods. So when his friend told him of the prophecy of the Prince that was Promised, Jon had his doubts. He was a man who believed in what he could see with his own eyes.

Jon was also a man of honor and it was his honor that got him dismissed from Court. Jon would not sack the Step Stones and faced Robert Baratheon in single combat fighting him to a standstill. Then Eddard Stark showed up with reinforcements and Jon was stripped of his titles and rank:

without Rhaegar there to protect him from the Mad King, he had to flee for his life. Eventually Jon wound up in Braavos. He took a few jobs guarding merchant ships, but secretly he blamed himself for his failure to kill Robert Baratheon. Now he spends his days drinking his regrets away. Jon had been approached by several mercenary armies to join them and had refused them all.

Jon would work for a while on the merchant ships build up his money and then spend it drinking. It is in the middle of the day and he is sitting outside a tavern eating and drinking. "Good afternoon my friend…May I join you?"

"Not interested."
"Not even in redeeming yourself?"

This catches Jon's attention, "Who are you?"

"My name is Jamar. I serve the Spider Varys. I serve those who are still loyal to House Targaryen."

"What know you of House Targaryen?"

"I know Princess Elia and her daughter survived. I know Princess Daenarys Stormborn is alive. And I also know that Prince Rhaegar's son by Lyanna Stark is alive."

He grabs Jamar, by the collar, "Rhaegar had a son…With Lyanna!"

"Keep your voice down…" He says fixing his collar.

"Where is he?"

"In Winterfell with his Stark relations…His mother named him Aegon, but that name is known to only a few. He is known as Jon Stark…Lord Stark's bastard. Princess Elia has secured an alliance with the Tyrells."

Jon snarls at the mention of the name, "The Tyrells…Bah! If not for that fool Mace we would have won the war."

"Let us not dwell on the past. Princess Elia and her daughter are the ones who set things in motion to seek you out. Prince Aegon needs a mentor. Only you can help guide him to the path of the Iron Throne. Will you accept?"

Two weeks later Jon was on a ship heading for White Harbor. Jamar had stayed with him until he left for Westeros. As he traveled Jon found a new purpose in life. He had failed his friend, but he would do all he can to aid his friend's son. As he traveled, Jon came up with ideas for House Targaryen. After a week at sea the ship reaches White Harbor.

He immediately hires a guide to lead him and his men to Winterfell and set out at sunset. Jon's group travels through the night and stops to rest and eat at sunrise. Two hours later they are on the move again. They follow the White Knife River and as a they travel a hawk follows them.. Jon notices the bird but doesn't say anything. After a week of traveling by horse they finally reach Winterfell.

Jon had never seen Winterfell before and is very impressed by the ancient castle. He rides through Winter Town towards the main gate. Upon entering the main courtyard Eddard Stark is waiting for him with his guards. "Lord Connington, welcome to Winterfell…Receive the protection and hospitality of my House."

"Thank you Lord Stark. Before I get settled, I was wondering if I could see him first."

"He awaits you in the godswood. I will escort you myself."

Jon had heard of the godswood and heart trees, but he had never seen them until now. "Aegon…Jon Connington is here."

"Thank you Uncle."

As Eddard Stark leaves Aegon turns to face him. Aegon looks more like his mother, but the eyes and the smile are definitely Rhaegar. "My Prince." Jon says taking a knee, "I have come to ask your forgiveness for the horrible way I have failed your father. My friend. And if you will have me, I swear my sword is yours, your council I will keep and if I must I will give my life for yours. And I will do all in my power to see you on the throne of your forebearers."

"I accept your oath Jon Connington. You will always have a place at my table and I will ask no service that will dishonor you…Arise as my Hand." He stands up, "Hold out your arm." Jon obeys, then Aego's eyes turn white and a hawk flies out of the tree and lands on his arm.

"By the gods." He exclaims shocked at the bird's appearance.

"Magic exists friend of my father." Aegon says in a hypnotic voice. "It exists in me…For I am the Prince that was promised born of Fire and Ice…"

"My King." Aegon's eyes return to normal and then he leads Jon to his room.

"Only My Uncle, his wife Lady Catelyn, and Maester Luwin know my true identity. So only refer to me as Aegon in their presence. Get settled in and we will talk and make plans soon." Jon bathes and changes his clothes, then he requests to see Lord Stark who takes him on a tour of Winterfell and he meets with the household leaders and the servants. At evening meal Jon is introduced to the rest of the Stark Family.

For the first few days Jon observes Aegon's daily routines before implementing his own lessons. Once he has an idea of schedule and skills with a sword, Jon meets with Lord Stark, Lady Catelyn, Maester Luwin, and Aegon. "I think after his sword training Prince Aegon and I can meet in the godswood for his lessons."

They all agree, "The next thing we need to discuss is a treasury for the King. I think each of our allies can donate a sum for that."

"Actually I won't need any of the Houses to donate any gold to my treasury…Your first task as My Hand Lord Connington is to gather stones from hand size to about the size of a man's head."

"Stones my King?"

"Yes Jon stones…You saw what I did with the Hawk."

Everyone exchanges looks and Maester Aemon speaks, "Are you going to turn stone into gold?"

Aegon smiles, "That is exactly what I intend to do." Then he looks at his Uncle Ned, "Uncle we need to go hunting."

The next day after his regular lessons Aegon and Jon or Connor as he is known to the servants, head to godswood. "Tell me about my father."

He smiles thinking about Rhaegar, "Your father…" He sighs, "…Was a good man. A good friend . He was very talented. Rhaegar could sing like a god. He could draw…"

"I can draw!" Aegon blurts out. He had bought some of things to show Jon. Aegon has drawings of his Stark and Targaryen family members.

When Jon sees a picture of Rhaegar he freezes. "How did you…"

"I see him in the flames. When I stare into a fire I can see the past the present and the future or different versions of the future…Things that may happen."

"Your father told me about the old Targaryen legends. But I am a man who must see in order to believe." They spend the entire time talking about Rhaegar, so much so that the servants bring the food for evening meal to them.