295 AC
"Spider man, Spider man, does whatever a Spider can..." he heard a voice behind him sing.
It was a rare indeed occasion that he was caught unawares like this, so he quickly turned around to see the speaker. It was a woman, mayhaps aged twenty or a bit more. She was clearly of Essosi origin due to her Tyroshi accent. She had tanned skin, shoulder-length black hair and dark-brown eyes. Her clothing hadn't told him much, only that it was best suited for a ship captain instead of a noble lady. She held a silver dagger to his throat the moment he turned.
"Who-" he wanted to ask, but she continued singing as if he hasn't spoken.
"Spins a web, any size, catches secrets just like flies. Look out, here comes the Spider man," she finished and flashed him a nasty smile. Varys immediately decided that he would need to proceed with caution. This could be a woman with a very troubled mind.
"Interesting song, my lady. Your own writing?" He asked, trying to steer the conversation.
"I am the first one to sing it, yes," she answered, though he noted that it appeared she did not actually write it.
"How may I help you? I dare say that the blade at my throat speaks volumes already, but I am curious."
At this, she withdrew the dagger.
"Fear not, Lord Varys. I am not here as an enemy, but actually a potential ally. It all depends on what happens, you see," she explained.
Interesting, but...
"It depends indeed. I am sworn to the King, so I would have to decline if your plans were a danger to the realm," he countered and wondered how many of his little birds were listening on the conversation.
"Oh, I wouldn't wish to reveal too many details, but I must tell you a servant of mine is currently on his way to one cheese-monger in Pentos."
Varys stilled. So that's how it was. Who was this woman? Who sent her? How did they find out?
"Your skills at concealing surprise are commendable, Lord Spider. But this is all unnecessary right now. I am here to continue my late father's work and I need to know if you'll stand in my way or be a helping hand."
"And who was your father?" He dared to ask, already forming some guesses in his mind.
At this, her smile became even more cruel if it even was possible.
"You see, I am well aware that beneath the gold is the bitter steel. But, Lord Varys, you forget that behind the plot is the silver tongue."
Adarys? Now that was interesting, if true.
"I see indeed, your Tyroshi accent cannot be mistaken," he replied.
"Maybe, maybe not. In any case, I need to know if you're an obstacle or not," she repeated.
"An obstacle for what?"
"Why, taking over the world, of course," she stated matter-of-factly.
Varys arched his eyebrow as if he didn't quite believe what he had just heard.
"Truly?" He asked.
At that she laughed. "No, just a special part of it. More close to home," she explained and gave him a wink.
"That sounds like a massive undertaking, requiring quite the army," he countered.
She nodded and slowly took out a rolled up piece of parchment from a pocket in her captain's jacket.
"Which is why I am here and giving you this. Go ahead, read it. I'll wait."
He carefully took the offered parchment, unrolled it and began reading.
To Robert Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm and my cousin.
I, Viserys of House Targaryen hereby renounce all claims and rights for the Iron Throne of Westeros and any power which comes with it. Neither me nor my descendants shall ever have any claim for the Iron Throne.
I do swear that I shall not step upon the soil of the Seven Kingdoms uninvited and will remain in the lands of Essos until further notice.
I ask for naught in return, except the recognition of House Targaryen as an Essosi House instead of a Westerosi one.
Signed,
Viserys of House Targaryen.
So the young dragon was alive. What of his sister? This was new information that needed to be treated with delicate hands. Facts must be separated from falsehoods and their usefulness must be determined with great care. When the woman noticed Varys has finished reading, she flashed him a toothy smile.
"Quite the surprise, isn't it? After I killed Darry and sank his ship, it took me years to remove any notions of revenge on Baratheons from Viserys' mind . All it took was a simple truth," she explained.
"What truth would be that, my dear Princess Adarys?" He asked, finally naming her out loud.
"Why bother with Seven Kingdoms when you can have Nine? Also, please, call me Saelyna. We're to be great friends after all," she spread her hands wide as if speaking to a brother or long-lost kin.
Outwardly, he nodded with a friendly smile to her. Inside however, he was busy calculating new pathways to take and their outcomes. Time would tell what would come out of this alliance. Aegon was still young, but if Viserys was indeed really alive and planning to take the Free Cities for himself then it could serve as a great boon.
Ultimately, this would play into his hands, as it always had.
288 AC
"You're dead men walking," she said to the gathered group. She kept her distance and had two armed guards standing at each side. Mist clouded visibility from all sides of the ship.
There was no reply, for the people she spoke to already knew she spoke the truth. Fifteen of them there was, all in varying stages of corruption. Some with only blackened fingers, others with clear signs on their faces. Greyscale, a horrifying affliction to acquire. Incurable in adults in nearly all cases, even Qyburn was hesitant to experiment with it.
However, these men and women in front of Saelyna were not a threat to her. Indeed, they were in her employ. Well, at least they would be for a little while. The ship they were all standing on would soon approach its destination and then the unfortunate mission would begin. It would for all intents and purposes a terrible crime. Something to be despised for.
"As agreed, your families and loved ones have already been given gold and comfortable places to live. They will live long and healthy lives, even if you can not," she continued and saw relief on some of their faces. At least those faces which could still show anything.
"Thank you, Silvertongue," one of the afflicted replied. It was a teenage boy from Volantis. Saelyna recalled that his younger siblings were spared the disease. They currently worked under Melisandre.
The mists cleared slightly and as if on cue, land became visible in the distance. They have arrived at Pyke.
"Prepare yourselves. Use the paste we gave you to conceal your corrupted skin. Remember that what you're doing will prevent a terrible war," she urged.
The Ironborn may use the word 'thrall,' but she knew that if you force someone to work against their will then there is only one way to describe it. Of course, this was just another reason she gave to herself as an excuse to do what was about to happen. Westeros did not have true biological warfare. Not yet anyway. It was about to see some. May whatever god, demon or spirit responsible for birthing her into this world forgive her.
Lysero stirred at her side.
"Saelyna, are you sure that what we're about to do is just?" He asked.
She shook her head. "No, it is not. But it is necessary, believe me," she replied and then addressed the infected once more.
"Touch anyone you can, pretend to be whores, farmers, sailors, it does not matter. This accursed place must know fear," she urged.
As these people she was sending to a sure death looked at her with resolve in their eyes, she felt utter shame. Then, she felt something else. Something terrifying. It was as if someone or something clawed at her very essence. She quickly turned around to see what it was and sure enough she saw a lone raven sitting on a wooden railing behind her.
"Took you long enough," she muttered. It wouldn't change anything. He could not interfere.
She walked up to the raven and began humming a sad melody.
"Stone men like violence, will break the Silence," she sang. The raven croaked loudly, clearly dissatisfied. She cared not.
There will be no charnel pits for you, Crow's Eye.