~Varys~
Sweat trickled under the smoldering sun as I watched Elena train with the sand snakes, teeth gnashing as Obara sliced her thigh with her spearhead, a laugh falling from the older girl's lips. Renewed with rage, Elena threw down her knife and launched herself at her sand sister, a wild scream on her lips.
"She is filled with fire, that one." Oberyn Martell chuckled as he walked up, feet silent in the sand. He regarded her with a whimsical expression, fingers playing with his beard.
"She needs discipline. Control. Not fire." I returned, brow furrowing as Ellaria grabbed a thrashing Elena by the waist, whispering in her ear.
"When you came to me, with news of an orphaned child, I did not ask questions. When you insisted I take her in. I did not ask questions. Now, I am asking you. Who is she Varys? Dark fire like that is not born in normal girls."
"Varys, are you listening to me?" I blinked from my stupor to find Tyrion glaring at me, arms folded, foot tapping impatiently.
"You were saying?" I sighed, hand rubbing my face tiredly as I tried to pay attention, though my shoulders sagged with exhaustion.
"What are we going to do?" There were hundreds of problems on the table, and I tried to remember what he had been talking about. Sensing my confusion, he growled with impatience before explaining again.
"About the queen flying off on that beast, or about the fact that there is great unrest in the city. About the fact that Elena is lying in a sleep she won't wake up from." I should never have called upon her. I thought sullenly, picturing her splayed in the dirt, body unmoving, blood pooling about her. What happened? Tyrion recounted watching her drag her body through the dirt to get to them. Of standing, then a scream. What did I miss?
"As hand, you are now acting leader. We'll call a council. Someone will have to search for the queen. As for Elena. Time will tell." I need to talk to the scholars. Something is wrong here.
"Do you think it would be safe to see her?" Tyrion asked suddenly, hands wringing as he looked up at me. She could kill him. It's not safe. But-
"Keep your wits about you. Whatever is happening with our dear Elena, is not something we are prepared for." He nodded, turning to leave, head raised in determination. Please Gods, don't let her kill him.