"Renfred Stonefen could very well be to blame for The Hand of The Queens incessant belching, Tyrion tried to hide it behind his hand however none were bemused unlike Renfred, Tyrion and himself. Renfred of Fen Point had joined their army in Pentos, swearing allegiance to the rightful heir of the Seven Kingdoms and pledging... Six swords including his own to the current cause. Of those six swords were Holden, a Fisherman's son, Old Dick, an almost ancient stable hand, Thomas Snow, his bastard nephew in fellowship with Holden, Brown Wylis, whose occupation in the port town of Fen Point was a cook in their only ale house and the last but not least was Tenney of Oldcastle, quite a large man who spoke enough bastard Valyrian to guarantee them all a reprieve from certain death due to the fact most of the Unsullied had difficulties with the common tongue, spoken by Northerners made the task of understanding a near impossible one. House Stonefen were vassals of House Locke of Oldcastle who in themselves were vassals of House Stark. With House Stark extinguished and their last survivor married off to a Bolton Bastard, Renfred, heir to Stonefen Keep which lay in the centre of Fen Point, had decided to pledge the few men he could spare to the rightful heir. Valon believed his tale to be that, believable. Tyrion had vouched for the honour of Northmen whilst Daenerys had seemed both bemused and annoyed that only a vassals vassal had been the only Westerosi to join them in Pentos, a mere stones throw away from the shores of Westeros. Renfred soon became a favourite of Tyrion's for his surprisingly vast quantity of Oldcastle ale. Brown Wylis had already been found dusting in the barely kept distillery within Dragonstone, having Tyrion's permission to outsource help from the surrounding island's villages. Through Tyrion, Valon and Renfred had soon become quick friends. Renfred's skill at arms with a morningstar provided Valon with much needed help and experience in the wars to come.
"Queen Daenerys Stormborn casted a mockingly distasteful gaze at us all, silencing us with one look. Renfred was here on tonight's council to collaborate his information of the goings on in the North with Lord Varys'. Valon had wondered if the bald headed eunuch would remember him, he had not been in the capital long enough to be recruited by Varys in other matters yet after his order to squire for Lord Tywin, Varys had given numerous commands, codes and all sorts for any inside knowledge to the mind of the prideful lion of the rock. Lord Varys recruited many.
"Allow Varys to enter, we are ready." Daenerys commanded in Valyrian to the guards. She was barely heard due to the storms outside, the open balcony seemed quite a discomfort to Lady Missandei, Valon imagined the Queen felt the cold too despite her imperious black dress. She betrayed nothing as Lord Varys entered, he seemed to float across the floor towards us, covered in robes. His eyes slowly crossed the room noting each individual, staying perhaps a second longer on Renfred and a small measure of delight found in spotting Tyrion by the Queens side, Valon standing a step behind them both.
"My Queen you have the strength of Visenya and beauty of Rhaenys and dare I say it seems you have the mind of Aegon, a true and rightful Targaryen if there ever were one." Varys bowed, smiling at the Queen who betrayed nothing in her gaze.
"Spare me the pleasantries Varys, I seek your knowledge on what is happening within my lands." Varys to be true to him beamed at the Queen, his attitude changing not once. He cast a glance at Valon and Renfred.
"At once your grace, perhaps Lord Commander Vhagar can finally report on Casterly Rock, your news may possibly be quite long over due. I am sure Renfred of Stonefen can and will be surprised at what I have recently heard from his homelands." Valon had smirked at Varys in recognition, his cheery sarcasm and at Renfred's not so silent outburst of how he knew who he bloody was.
"In the North King Stannis fights with The Warden of The North Roose Bolton, their latest skirmish left Stannis bloodied and battered yet the stubborn Baratheon remains. Roose Bolton's hold on the North is tenuous as the Ironborn lead raids against the west coast as well as there being many lords in rebellion such as House Reed. These oulaw's clearly being funded by other noble houses who remember fondly of the Starks rather than Boltons of Winterfell. One could draw parallel to the Harpies of Mereen, such a situation could favour us.
South in the Riverlands the House of Frey also has a tenuous hold on their newly become vassals, so much so that lords are held hostage on threat of murder. A sizeable Lannister host led by Warden of the West Jaimie Lannister has only just departed for Kings landing after securing Riverrun for Ser Emmon Frey, husband to Genna Lannister. House Darry is also held by the Lannisters, whilst very few name Jonothor Rivers as the rightful heir to the Darry Castle and lands. House Darry, as you know my Queen, have always been fervent supporters of House Targaryen. Jonothor Rivers sought my help in seeking an audience with you, he is on the island as we speak.
The Vale is held in regency by the Lady Lysa Arryn and her new husband Lord Peter Baelish, Warden of the Riverlands and Lord of Harrenhal. Whilst the Knights of the Vale have kept quiet during these previous battles Littlefinger still finds himself in control of a well armed force of men. Discounts in the tax of trade enacted by the late King Robert have ensured that the Vale remains well provisioned for the Wars to come. A powerful ally, but I must warn you my Queen, Peter Baelish is the most dangerous man in Westeros. He must be dealt with or treated with utmost suspicion, I fear he would rather see the Seven Kingdoms crumble if he could rule what remains.
The Westerlands, Crownlands and the Stormlands are under fierce control by the Lannisters, the most unfortunate news I can bring to you is the death of King Tommen Waters, Regent Kevan Lannister and Grand Maester Pycelle all have suddenly died. Queen Margaery Tyrell has been executed by the once again risen Faith, Mace Tyrell once Hand of the King has been absolved of his position by the new Queen Cersei, Lord Tyrell has left for Highgarden. His son Loras Tyrell recently named to the Kingsguard of King Tommen was severely injured during the Siege of Storms End. Storms End is garrisoned by a token force loyal to King Stannis, that being his only stronghold south of the Wall. Aurane Waters, the Bastard of Driftmark has absconded with the majority of the Royal Ships after being named Master of Ships by Regent Cersei, now Queen, Aurane is another enemy in her eyes. He was last spotted in the Stepstones, his fleet at the ready.
In the Reach and Westerlands the Ironborn raid once more, Euron Greyjoy declares himself King of all. A man made mad by the seas, he ravages the lands and divides the Tyrell army in two, however with Lord Tyrell and Lord Tarly arriving in the reach I fear King Greyjoy will reign for as long as it takes for the Redwyne Fleet to trap him. With her granddaughters de-facto murderer sitting on the iron throne, the Lady Olenna is here with me and seeks Fire and Blood upon her enemies.
So too does Dorne, they can not bear to see a Lannister in a position to rule above them all. Prince Doran has mobilized his forces along the Stone Way and Prince's Pass. His daughter Princess Arianne Martell is here on this island, she is the Prince's representative as his health is failing... My little birds tell me of the false Princess Myrcella Waters being escorted to Kings Landing by Dornish Spears and a Bastard Daughter of the Prince Doran's brother. "
All this new information was taken in silence, Missandei helping Grey Worm to move pieces aboard Aegon the Conquerors painted table. Daenerys stood there resplendent as ever, she slowly drew closer to the table, observing every minute detail with sharp eyes. Valon found it hard to take his eyes off of her, the gleam of intelligence behind those eyes made breathing difficult for him to maintain, he forcibly moved his head with great reluctance to observe Tyrion staring out at the storm.
"On a night like this you came into this world." Daenerys looked up at Tyrion before looking out at the storm, trying to see what Tyrion saw amongst the darkness. She moved to stand by the balcony too, searching the darkness for the right path ahead.
"I remember that storm, all the dogs in King's Landing howled through the night." As soon as Varys spoke Valon could see the Queen stiffen, Grey Worm also noticing it with a frown. She turned sharply towards Varys.
"I wish I could remember it, I had thought this to be my home, I do not feel at home in these storms."
"We will not be staying on Dragonstone for too long I hope, there is a distinct lack of good wine and sunshine here for my likings." Tyrion alleviated the tension slightly drawing a smirk from Renfred and a mere eye roll from the Queen. She focused once more at the board, pointing a dainty finger at a cluster of figurines upon it.
"There are less Lions as we are seemingly told there are."
"Cersei controls fewer than half the Seven Kingdoms, the Lords of Westeros despise her and the legitimacy of her rule. Even before your arrival they plotted against her, now-" Varys was silenced by the Queen.
"They cry out for their true Queen? They stitch dragon banners and drink secret toasts to my health? Those same tales were told to my brother and he was stupid enough to believe in them." Daenerys walked closer to Varys, picking one of the carved dragon figurines.
"My brother would have burned all of his bannermen if he had the dragons I do."
"Thankfully you are wise to conquer Westeros without needless bloodshed, becoming Queen of the ashes is not in your character, with the Tyrells, Dorne and a foothold in to the Riverland's the game can easily be won without turning our liberators into invaders." Tyrion spoke with neither joke nor malice. The Queen deigned not to look back at her Hand, almost glaring at Varys the entire time.
"I have not properly thanked you for your machinations."
"They will soon join our cause once they bear witness to your excellence, my Queen." Varys bowed towards her. Daenerys paid no heed to his flattering ways. That was clear to every one in the room who knew her longest, Valon felt like an outsider seeing Missandei and Grey Worm smirk at what was coming next, Renfred quite ignorant to the underlying tension whilst Tyrion was looking intendedly at them both.
"You served my Father, the Mad King they call him, did you not Lord Varys?" Lord Varys indeed. He rose to the occasion, straightening his back and facing the Dragon before him. Admirable, despite the lack of balls none could deny him a lack of spine.
"I did."
"And then? Serving the Lord who sought to destroy the Targaryens. Whether on the field or in the nursery, I dare say he would not hesitate to have snatched a babe from a mother's teat!" Daenerys glared at him in full disdain for what she believed then what Varys was, in reflection Valon could not help himself from holding the pommel of his sword slightly tighter as she spoke.
"I had the choice as many did your Grace, serve Robert Baratheon or face the executioner for they surely would not have me spinning webs at the wall."
"Yet you did not serve him long. What exactly endears you to my cause?" Daenerys asked with a smirk, Tyrion later told Valon that this bluntness is often not found in the courts of Westeros, when discussing word plays, Renfred however disagreed. Tyrion and Renfred had jested after about the differences in civility between the courts of the North and South, Valon, an almost Essosi raised Valyrian could only laugh at the both of their bickering
"Robert was an improvement on your father to be sure, there have been few crueller kings in the histories such as the Mad King, Robert was neither mad nor cruel. He simply had no interest in being a King, he craved the position yet would drink away the responsibility. He left it for other men, Jon Arryn, his brother and I to do what had to be done for the Realm. Quite similar to Prince Rhaegar." Daenerys seemed absolutely blind to the perceived implication, confusion reigned over the anger Valon surely knew she felt. Valon knew that Ser Barristan preached on what a Prince Rhaegar was and surely the King who he could have been. Valon too remembered how fond he was to see the Prince, there was never a greater shock than hearing Rhaegar and his uncles had fell during the battle of the Trident. Suddenly he was heir to the seat of Ashbourne and the monarchs his family had served were but a small coddled child younger than he on Dragonstone.
"What is this you speak of? How could the usurper ever compare to my brother!"
"Forgive me your Grace for there is little comparison between the two cousins. Prince Rhaegar recognised the problem that your father caused to the realm, he sought to overthrow him the same as Robert did. However Rhaegar did not want the crown as Robert did, they both knew they were not cut of the same cloth as just monarchs are. Rhaegar intended to abdicate in favour of his own child Prince Aegon. Rhaegar believed him to be the Prince that was promised, a destined hero to fight the Westerosi Long Night fable. Hence why he was struck by Lyanna Stark's beauty, he had read of course of the pact of Ice and Fire, a marriage pact never fulfilled between the Starks and Targaryens. He wished for his son Aegon to have a Visenya, Elia Martell had already provided Rhaenys yet the Princess Martell could not provide more children for she was deathly frail and sickly. Rhaegar cared not for betrothals nor for the stability of the realm, he was mad and blind in his desire for the destined child he created a rebellion in his actions. All for naught. Rhaegar had commanded Oswell Whent to slay the girl should he fall in combat." Daenerys was left speechless at Varys' empowered speech in defence of his outlook. Valon himself was slightly struck by the revelations, he had not known of Lyanna's death nor a command to murder her, nor of a pact of Ice and Fire, nor of Rhaegar's obsession with destiny, nor of Rhaegar's plan to overthrow the Mad King. Would Prince Rhaegar have condemned himself as a kin slayer, to kill ones father would be an even more heinous crime than to kill ones brother. Daenerys too seemed to be divulging this information judging by her distraught features. Tyrion tried to come to the rescue with slight jest breaking Daenerys out of her spell.
"Your Grace, when I was ready to drink myself into a small golden coffin, Lord Varys told me of a Queen in the east who-"
"Before I came to power you favoured my brother. All your spies... Your little bird's... Did they tell you Viserys was cruel, stupid and weak? Would those qualities have made for a good King in your learned opinion?" Valon was stunned, would she now find Varys wanting and execute him for his past? Tyrion tried to butt in to the situation with a pathetic sounding Your Grace, yet the Queen could not be stopped in her anger.
"Who gave the order to kill me?"
"King Robert."
"Who then hired the assassins? Who sent word to Essos to murder Daenerys Targaryen?" The Queen ambled directly in front of Varys, her anger and her steps completely silenced the storm raging outside. She controlled the room, everyone waited on baited breath. Even Varys whose spine bore steel earlier seemed to falter before her wroth.
"Your Grace I did what had to be-"
"To keep yourself alive!" The Queen snarled at him. Tyrion stepped in to save his friend, Valon bore no such action even thinking to keep Tyrion from the two.
"Your Grace, Lord Varys has proven himself your loyal servant, he-"
"Proven himself loyal? Quite the opposite if he dislikes one monarch he conspires to crown the next one, what kind of servant is this?" Daenerys bore her teeth, she could have cowered even The conqueror then.
"The kind the realm needs! Incompetence should not be rewarded with blind loyalty! As long as I have my eyes and wit I shall use them! I was not born into a great house. I came from nothing! I was sold as a slave, bartered for like an animal and carved up as one! When I was a child I lived in alleys, gutters and abandoned buildings. You wish to know where my true loyalties lie? Not with any false king or evil queen but with the people! The people who suffer under despots and prosper under just rule! The people whose hearts you aim to win! If you demand of me blind allegiance then you may let your dragons devour me but if you let me serve you then I will serve you well. I will dedicate myself to seeing you upon the Iron Throne for I choose you! I know the people have no better chance than the peace you can bring and have brought to the lands from where I was born!"
Varys stood shaking, in fear, anger and uncertainty as to how his words would be perceived. Valon and the others thought he had laid himself bare for the Queen, even Renfred had gripped the table leaning towards the action. Daenerys gazed at him with newfound respect, she showed love to his mission with an appraising look.
"Swear this to me Varys. If you ever think I am failing the people you will not conspire behind my back. You will look me in the eye as you have done today and tell me how I am failing them." Varys bowed before her once more, we all believed this to be sincere.
"I swear it, my Queen." Daenerys drew even closer as if to kiss the Eunuch, how Valon longed for her to be lit by candle light and that close to him.
"And I swear this. If you ever betray me... I'll burn you alive." She spoke softly, Valon barely heard it. How amazing she looked there with her lips slightly parted and a playful yet wicked gleam in her eye. A thousand esteemed ladies could not compare to her and all that ever were and could be could not to her beauty and wonder in that moment. Varys the eunuch blushed like a lady, smiling impishly as he said,
"I would expect nothing less from the Mother of Dragons." They both shared a smile of understanding.
"Good, we shall confer with the Lady Tyrell and Jonothor Rivers on the morrow. Prince Doran's allegiances seem unclear we shall let his representative wait. Do you have any suggestions?" She aired that question to Tyrion and the room. Tyrion first to answer said:
"I recommend bluntness with the Lady Olenna, perhaps Varys and I can be of help for she has certainly earned the moniker of Queen of Thorns... And have Figs ready."
"Figs?"
"Yes, the lady ha-" Rakharo, her other Queensguard had entered the room harshly speaking in Dothraki to the Queen who merely raised her brow at him. Missandei sidled up next to those in the room who could not speak Dothraki, she translated,
"A witch in red who claims to be born of the shadow lands requests an immediate audience, khaleesi. She can bend flames and Aggo fears for his hair." Daenerys turned to us, brow remaining arched.
"I see the council is ready despite the late hour, shall we see what this witch has to say?"