Magister Illyrio mansion.
Viserys·Targaryen was not interested. "Who else can it be? No matter who it is, you should deal with it quickly! This is a critical moment, an important moment that future historians will write down to remember, and I don't want any accidents to happen!"
Illyrio said bluntly, "My lord, this man has an army."
Viserys pouted. "Since you are being driven around by Usurper, you are a small noble. When I take back Iron Throne, I will hang all these Usurper lackeys."
Illyrio replied respectfully, "This is most appropriate. The betrayer should be punished, but..."
Illyrio continued cheerfully, "This family has never betrayed. They fought hard with Prince Rhaegar. Even though Prince Rhaegar was martyred and everyone knelt down and surrendered, they still fought until the end, until the last person was killed."
Illyrio glanced at the excited Viserys, sighed, and added, "After Usurper robbed Iron Throne, because his family only had one posthumous son, they ostensibly pardoned the loyal Dragon House old ministers, but they have been suppressing them for more than ten years. You can imagine how difficult their situation is."
Viserys's lavender eyes flashed with anger. "Illyrio, the assassins hired by the Snatchers have been keeping an eye on me. I can guarantee you this. I am the last True Dragon Heir. As long as I am still alive, Usurper will have trouble sleeping and eating.
So what if they were loyal? In the end, they didn't become Usurper's lackeys. It's a pity. If they could hold on for a while longer and wait for me to take back Iron Throne, they would still be able to get compensation from me. Now..."
As he said that, Viserys sneered, "What is his name? I will not pardon his family."
Illyrio replied, "Gryn·Crabb, the Whispers Earl, the actual controller of Crackclaw Point, the first military noble of Crownlands."
After Illyrio finished speaking, Viserys, who was leaning on the chair, suddenly sat up straight and asked hurriedly, "Crownlands's first military noble? How many soldiers does he have?"
Illyrio smiled slightly, "Although Crackclaw Point is barren, everyone there is qualified the Warrior. If you get Lord Gryn's loyalty, you will have tens of thousands of the Warrior. When you lead thousands of troops to fight back to Westeros, he will be a very good internal response person."
Viserys only pays attention to the number of troops. As long as he can get 10,000 soldiers, he can immediately raise troops to take back Iron Throne.
Viserys said in a panic, "Don't kill him! Where is he now? The descendant of the loyal family deserves to be received by me personally. I want to see him immediately!"
Without waiting for Illyrio's answer, Viserys stood up and walked back and forth excitedly, muttering to himself: Army, army, tens of thousands of troops!
A hint of helplessness flashed across Illyrio's face, and he remained silent.
Viserys suddenly stopped walking, turned his head and stared at Illyrio, and said, "My Master of Coin, why didn't you reply?"
"My Majesty, Lord Gryn is on the ship coming to Pentos. Also, I have to remind you that I heard that the nobles of Crackclaw Point have unique traditions?"
Viserys frowned and said in an impatient tone, "What tradition? Is it some strange tradition?"
Viserys replied patiently, "Your Majesty, I heard that Crackclaw Point has a tradition of direct allegiance to Queen."
In this regard, Viserys only had some vague memories. "It seems... yes, it is indeed like that, so what's going on? Do I have to conjure up a Queen now to conquer the Whispers Earl? Then..."
After a pause, Viserys said excitedly, "Dany! I still have Dany!"
Illyrio sighed secretly, feeling a little tired. "Your Majesty, Daenerys is not a female branch daughter. Her value is much higher than this. She can exchange you for ten thousand Dothraki cavalry."
Viserys said angrily, "Do you think I'm a fool? I only need ten thousand soldiers to take back Iron Throne, why should I give my future Queen to the barbarians?"
I will order Daenerys to obtain the loyalty of the Whispers on my behalf, even if... this is better than serving a stinky barbarian, right? Haha, Half-Wildling is better than a barbarian!"
Viserys then remembered that the nobles of Crackclaw Point were called Half-Wildling nobles. He didn't care about Wildling or Half-Wildling, he only cared about being able to recapture Iron Throne's army.
"Beggar King" Viserys has nothing in hand now. Can he rely on his personal charm to make a military noble opposite Narrow Sea surrender? Varys's information said that Lord Gryn's life was not bad... Therefore, Illyrio has no extravagant hopes about this.
Then what is the reason why Illyrio brought up Crackclaw Point's tradition of allegiance to Queen and secretly brought the topic to Daenerys?
Illyrio and Varys are planning for the two of them, because in addition to the Targaryen on the surface, they also hide another "Targaryen".
Under the conspiracy between him and Varys, Viserys's "high profile" and "crazy" are enough to attract everyone's attention, which is one of his important values.
The corners of Illyrio's lips curled up imperceptibly. Daenerys was indeed one of the alternatives for Queen.
The premise is that Daenerys has a corresponding value, and everything is subject to her final "price".
Therefore, Crackclaw Point's troops should not be controlled by Viserys, but by Daenerys who is easily controlled by him.
Illyrio and Varys have complete plans.
"My Majesty, you must first have your own army, instead of relying directly on the private army of the nobles. The army of the Whispers first loyal to House Crabb.
Please forgive me for my presumptuous advice. It has only been more than ten years since the Battle of the Seizer. As wise as you are, you need to guard against the ambitions of your subordinates. This is what I say from the bottom of my heart."
Viserys thought he could go to Westeros in a few days, but Illyrio still listened to Illyrio's patient persuasion.
Viserys couldn't hide his disappointment. "Illyrio, of course I understand this truth. It's a pity to have so many soldiers and horses just as internal agents. Then let's keep him for now and wait until I raise my troops."
Illyrio shrugged his broad shoulders. "According to my men, this time Usurper used a conspiracy to force Lord Gryn to accept the task. That's why I said Usurper was too stupid. This is equivalent to ensuring your safety in disguise."
Viserys raised his eyebrows and said, "How do you say that?"
"Your Majesty, Daenerys is your Queen candidate. According to the Whispers's hundreds of years of tradition, this identity is enough to gain the Whispers's loyalty."
Viserys frowned. "Dany will soon marry Khalasar's Khal? What will happen after that?"
"After Daenerys is married, you can legitimately control the Whispers on her behalf. House Crabb is a Crownlands noble. If they are used by you, they will not only act as internal agents."
Red Keep, Tower of the Hand.
Inside Hand's Study, Jon·Arryn asked the attendant to leave, leaving only him and Varys.
Varys glanced at the closed door, nodded and said, "Lord Jon, it is my honor to serve you. I am at your disposal."
Hand Jon Arryn coughed a few times and said in a kind tone, "Varys, please sit down. I do have some things that I need you to help me deal with."
Varys thanked him first and then gently sat on the chair.
"Varys, a few days ago...Cersei Queen recommended Lord Mace as an alternative to Hand of the King. You were also there... ahem."
Before he finished speaking, Hand Jon Arryn couldn't help but cough.
While covering his mouth and coughing, Hand Jon Arryn stopped Varys who was about to get up.
Under Varys's worried eyes, Hand Jon Arryn finally stopped coughing.
Hand Jon Arryn's face flushed. "Ahem, Varys I need you to find out about the Reach and Westerlands."
Varys nodded without hesitation at first, then hesitated and said, "Lord Jon, are you suspecting something?"
Lord Jon stared at Varys and said, "It happened so suddenly that I have to be suspicious. I hope you can investigate it secretly. I want to know... whether House Lannister and House Tyrell are planning something famous."
Varys said in a solemn tone, "Lord Jon, my Little Bird will help you get the information you need. Please also pay attention to your health. The kingdom cannot do without you."
"Varys, thank you for your concern."
Hand Jon Arryn shook his head slightly and continued, "The kingdom can be without me, but it cannot be unstable. I may be really old, I always feel that the kingdom will be in chaos again."
Hand Jon Arryn leaned on the back of the chair and said, "Varys, I hope you can do your best. We must always prevent the possibility of unrest."
Varys said respectfully, "Sir Jon, don't worry, I won't let go of any clues!"
Hand Jon Arryn nodded slightly, showing a satisfied look.
After a pause, Hand Jon Arryn said, "Varys, one more thing, what do you think of Crackclaw Point's Lord Crabb."
Varys held hands together, slightly surprised. "Lord Gryn is a nice young man?"
Regarding Varys's answer, Hand Jon Arryn nodded in agreement.
"You are still very stable at a young age, which is rare."
Varys then followed up with praise, "Yes, it is indeed rare, and he is also very conscientious."
Hand Jon Arryn smiled and said in a kind tone, "He is an interesting young man."
Hand Jon Arryn's tone suddenly became serious. "Actually, what I am worried about is Cersei Queen. We must be wary of her willfulness. Lord Gryn is her Chief Steward, and Crackclaw Point has always been loyal to Queen."
"Sir Jon, do you want me to monitor Lord Gryn?"
Jon Earl shook his head slightly and said, "What I want you to monitor is the Whispers's army."
Although Gryn has been transferred away from Westeros by him, the Whispers's army still remains in Crackclaw Point.
Lord Jon is just in case.
Once Royal Bloodline's investigation is exposed, Cersei Queen at that time will not be willful, but crazy.
Crackclaw Point is located at Crownlands, and Hand Jon Arryn has to be on guard.
This matter was too big to be honest with Varys, so Hand Jon Arryn made a half-truth and half-false excuse.
"Varys, maintaining the stability of the kingdom is the highest honor of our imperial ministers. Lord Gryn is young and easily deceived by the remnants of Targaryen, and Crackclaw Point is special. Let's just think of it as the suspicion of an old man."
Varys nodded slightly and said in a solemn tone, "Master Jon, I understand your worries. You are also doing this for the stability of the kingdom. I will make arrangements immediately. If I find anything unusual, I will report it to you immediately."
Varys lowered his head slightly, but his eyes trembled slightly.
Varys had noticed something was wrong, and he felt that Hand Jon Arryn seemed to be hiding something.
Since the secret passage in Hand's Study was discovered by Gryn, Varys cannot directly obtain the information of Hand Jon Arryn as before.
After all, Hand's Study is the important place of the kingdom, and his Little Bird has no other option for the time being.
But this cannot stop Varys. If Hand Jon Arryn is indeed planning something famous secretly, it will definitely leave traces. As long as he can find out these, he will be able to guess Hand Jon Arryn's true purpose.
Related to Cersei Queen...Varys's heart moved, could it be that the matter was exposed?
Daenerys leaned against the window and looked at the bay. Here she could hear Red Priest singing and praying when lighting the night fire, as well as the laughter and noise of children playing outside the high wall.
She is now like an object waiting to be taken by her brother in exchange for him to take back Iron Throne's troops.
Even though he was wearing tattered clothes, Daenerys wished he could play barefoot with them outside.
Daenerys had a sad expression on his face, and his lavender eyes were dull.
On the other side of the setting sun Narrow Sea, there is a place with green hills, plains of flowers, and deep rivers. There are huge black stone towers towering among the magnificent gray and blue peaks, and there are armored warriors rushing to the battlefield holding bright flags high.
In Free Cities, people call it Westeros or Sunset Kingdom.
Brother Viserys has a simpler way of saying it, he calls it our land.
In the past, Viserys often promised her, "My good sister, one day we will definitely regain our homeland and take back Iron Throne that belongs to us."
Now Viserys's words have changed, that promise is no longer about us, but about himself.
Daenerys's eyes were red and swollen, and the corners of his mouth were trembling slightly.
Daenerys pieced together the past scenes in his mind by listening to stories from Viserys.
Her eldest brother Rhaegar fought the Usurper on the bloody Trident and lost his life for the woman he loved.
The tribesmen of Lannister and House Stark looted their King's Landing.
Dorne's Princess Elia begged, but watched helplessly as her and Rhaegar's biological flesh and blood were forcibly taken away, and the baby who was still sucking breasts died a bloody death.
Those polished skulls of Last Dragon hanging on the high wall behind Throne Room watched with blind, empty eyes as Kingslayer picked up the golden sword and slit his father's throat.
She only vaguely remembered Sir William·Darry, who called her little princess. At that time, they lived in Braavos, a house with a red door, which was the home in her memory.
After Ser William died, they began their wandering years. He always said that the assassins sent by the Usurper were chasing after them, but Daenerys had never seen even half of the assassins.
At first, the governors, princes, and wealthy merchants who ruled the Free Cities were happy to receive the Targaryen descendants. However, as the days passed and the usurpers became more and more secure on the Iron Throne, their lives became increasingly difficult.
They pawned all their jewelry and even their mother's crown was sold.
People gave my brother the nickname Beggar King, Daenerys. I couldn't imagine what they would call her.
"You're standing there again."
Suddenly hearing Viserys's voice made Daenerys's body tremble as if instinctively, interrupting her memories.
Daenerys quickly wiped away the tears that had not yet fallen with the back of his hand, for fear of being discovered by Viserys.
Viserys stood next to Daenerys, looked out the window and said, "My sister, don't worry, over there..."
Viserys pointed at the Narrow Sea: "I will get my land back soon."
Daenerys said timidly, "Brother, what will I do if I am alone when you go there? You are my only relative and I don't want to leave you."
Viserys looked at Daenerys and said with a faint smile, "Dany, I will never forget your contribution, and I will reward you with jewelry that you will never be able to spend."
When she accidentally wakes up Wake the Dragon, her brother will bully her, but Daenerys is more afraid of being abandoned by her brother.
Daenerys's eyes were full of pleading. "Brother, I will never resist you again. I just ask you not to leave me. Please, I... I am really scared!"
The smile on Viserys's face disappeared instantly, and his tone was sharp. "Aren't you resisting me now? What can I give you in exchange for the army if I take you away? Do you want to wake up Wake the Dragon again?"
Daenerys whispered with tears in her eyes, "I don't dare, I don't want to."
"Very good!"
Viserys smiled and stroked Daenerys's hair lovingly, "I want you to do something. If something goes wrong, I will let you see the real Wake the Dragon!"
Daenerys misunderstood the meaning of Viserys's words. She thought her brother had changed his mind and would not marry her to a barbarian.
Daenerys couldn't help but be happy and burst into laughter. "Brother, I promise you, I will never let you down!"