Varys I

The news of Eddards death had reached him quicker than some would have expected, but due to his many little birds all over Westeros and Essos, wherever he was, news came quickly. They had been at his friend's Illyrio's for 3 weeks now and had only now had some of his plans bore fruit. His death was unfortunate but necessary; he was the strong arm that was advising Renly on the most just course of action, managing to keep the kingdoms together by pleasing them all. Sure his death may have created a Martyr for the other kingdoms to unite around but unite against the Iron Born who they believed killed him, not the faceless assassins whom actually did. Westeros was still 2 strong for an invasion yet, even with the wars the 7 Kingdoms still had a large army.

He may have secured the golden company, but it was too early in the game to use them. If Renly or another lord found out that Deanarys had the Golden company, they would immediately send assassins to kill her and now there would be no Honourable Eddard Stark to argue against that course of action.

He also had make sure Deanery's did not know of their other dragon in play, she needed to believe they were supporting her and her alone. For that sake he had secured her at least 1 sellsword company that would accompany her to Westeros and to Dorne if they welcomed her. The company was the Stormcrows, a well-known and long running company but they had fallen on hard time, because of the cruelty of one of their captains, because of this they had been planning to journey to Slavers bay to see if the cities would hire them there, as none of the Free Cities would. They consisted of 500 armoured cavalry and were now led by Daario Naharis.

He had originally approached them when they had 3 captains on of the being Daario, but they had rejected the offer so he had been surprised when Daario had come to find him 3 days later saying the Stormcrows wished to take his generous offer. Although other larger companies had offered their services, he had chosen the Stormcrows for 3 reasons. One, Daario did not seem like the normal greedy, disloyal Company leaders and secondly he had killed his 2 superiors so he could take this contract, it obviously meant something, it wasn't just about the money. Finally if they were to go to Dorne with a large army, it might seem like an invasion and they would have trouble keeping ti a secret from the rest of Westeros, where a small force would show some strength and power and provide protection it could also be kept hidden in a region as sparse and desolate as Dorne.

He was on his way now to a meeting which had come as a surprise to them all and an unexpected answer to the letter he had sent via one of his little birds weeks ago. A reply from Dorne but not in the method they had predicted. As he walked into the entrance hall, Deanerys stood with Ser Jorah, Strong Belwas and her new protector Daario one side and her 3 blood riders the other. He saw Daario and Ser Jorah looking at Daenerys in her beautifully elegant dress with an expression of both Craving and lust.

He was excellent at reading people, he had known about Ser Jorah's love for her, for a while but Daario's came as something of a supervise, but at least now he knew the reason why he had killed his captains to take this contract. Desire!

Three people whom he recognised one of, were escorted into the room by Magister Illyrio and 4 guards.

"Queen Deanerys, the True Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, may I present Prince Quentyn Martell, Son of Prince Doran Martell. Ser Gerris of House Drinkwater and Ser Archibald of House Yronwood," announced his old friend Illyrio as they approached where Deanerys was standing. The 3 men bowed as the stopped at the steps leading to her.

"Step forward Prince Quentyn, What I owe the pleasure of such a visit, we were not expecting you. We sent a message to your Lord Father asking for a possibility of support to restore me to the my rightful throne, have you come baring an answer?" Deanerys asked, speaking with a sense of authority and confidence. Illyrio had told him how much she had changed since being married to Khal Drogo and her brother dying. He said she left a timid shy girl but came back as a strong and commanding woman, but who lacked experience in making careful decisions due to her age and relied on advice from others.

"I am afraid I know not of what letter you speak of, but I may bring an answer to your question, my father sent me months ago, to see you as soon as we heard of your arrival in Qarth and your dragons," he gestured behind her, where her 3 dragons perched themselves on stands looking vicious and bloodcurdling, they were now about the size of large dogs. He continued, "My companions and I journeyed from Yronwood, posing as merchants and traders to board a ship from The Tor heading to Volantis, but we were attacked by corsairs, while passing through the Stepstones. Many of the crew died defending against them plus 3 of my companions, one was the heir of Yronwood. By the time we reached Volantis and were searching for a ship to Qarth, when news reached the city that you had already left, rumoured to be heading for the Free Cities." He paused for a moment and was about to continue with his story when Deanerys stopped him.

"Enough, I am sorry for the death of your companions, but why is it that you have come here?" she demanded.

"Yes of course, I have come here as ordered to by my Father, because of a pact made when you and I were only babies," Quentyn, handed out a piece of parchment and he stepped down to take it and see it was authentic.

"The pact was signed by my Uncle, Prince Oberyn Martell and your old carer Ser Willem Darry with the Sealord of Braavos as witness. It was an agreement to the betrothals of my older sister Adrianne to your older brother Viserys, in return for the support of Dorne in taking back the Iron Throne," explained Quentyn.

"It is authentic, your grace, I recognise the seal of the Sealord of Braavos," he confirmed to Deanerys

"It seems what you say is true but my brother is dead!"

"We know your grace, instead My Lord Father requests that you and I marry instead, in return you are most welcome to come to Dorne, it is a sparse area plenty of places for you to stay where your dragons can grow."

"I have just lost one husband and I don't know if I am ready to take another, let me think about it. I am sure it is okay with Magister Illyrio if you stay here."

Things had taken an interesting turn, he wondered how his little birds had not come by this information before, he was pretty sure Viserys had had no knowledge of it either. This turn if Denaerys accepted would change the play, she would no longer be able to marry their other dragon, and when they revealed the young dragon, there would be in fights over who would sit on the throne. Would Deanerys even believe it was her nephew?

It might not come to that though, he had seen the way Deanerys looked at Daario, it was longing, desire, and she had not looked at Prince Quentyn with those eyes. Sure he seemed a decent lad, sober, sensible, dutiful … but not the sort to make a young girl's heart beat faster.

Even if Dorne supported Deanerys and they kept her hidden along with her dragons long enough, would they be able to the defeat the might of the other 6 kingdoms, even if they had help from the Golden Company. All he knew that even with Lord Eddard Starks death, the kingdom were still too strong to defeat, he would need to deal with that, he would be leaving tonight.

He was heading to his chambers to right some letters, one to the Griffin and others to the Golden Company and many other people who were all in play, but as he approached he saw Ser Jorah waiting outside.

"I thought you would have come seen me sooner?" he tittered smirking.

"Don't laugh Varys, you and I have both done something we regret."

"You may have but I have not, it was all part of the game of thrones, risks you must take. I suspected to would save her if warned."

"Shut up, you will not reveal anything to her, of my part in feeding information to you. I did it so I could return home, but I realised home is not there for anymore. I chose to help her," he sighed.

"Why, what made you lose your lust for home."

"She has a good claim: a title, a birth right. But she has something more than that: she may cover it up and deny it, but she has a gentle heart. She would not only be respected and feared, she would be loved. She is someone who can rule and should rule. Centuries come and go without a person like that coming into the world. There are times when I look at her, and I still can't believe she's real," Ser Jorah explained devotedly.

"Aye, she sure is that." He agreed, and left into his chambers.