Maegor's Holdfast, Council Chamber.
Cersei·Lannister looked at the four letters written by Sansa·Stark with satisfaction, and ordered Varys to stamp Lord Eddard's Direwolf seal.
The recipients of the four letters are: Sansa's mother, Lady of Winterfell, Catelyn·Tully; Sansa's brother, Winterfell's heir, Robb·Stark; Sansa's aunt, Mrs. Eyrie, Lysa·Tully; Sansa's grandfather, Riverrun Duke, Hoster·Tully.
"Pour me some wine."
Queen Regent Cersei took the wine glass handed by the maid, and the corners of her lips raised revealed her pride and pleasure at the moment.
She took a sip of Summer Wine and said, "It's really hard on my Sansa."
Varys stamped the seal and said with a smile, "The pure little girl has saved her father..."
While speaking, he glanced at Queen Regent Cersei and continued, "She is still looking forward to getting married to our King Joffrey in Great Sept of Baelor, so that the whole King's Landing can witness her wonderful marriage."
Queen Regent Cersei just curved the corners of his mouth in contempt and did not make a sound.
There was some worry in Grand Maester Pycelle's voice. "For the sake of family ties, I hope they will make a wise decision and come to King's Landing to attend the coronation ceremony and swear allegiance to King Joffrey."
Varys held hands together, and he seemed relieved. "They will soon know that Sansa is under our good care and everything is safe and sound... They will definitely be very grateful to Queen Regent for their kindness..."
After a pause, Varys stood up and nodded towards Cersei, his voice full of excitement.
"Honorable Queen Regent, you not only put down the rebels, but now... with a few pieces of paper and a pen, you can quickly stabilize the chaos after the death of Robert I. Your wisdom is really... I can't help but admire you."
After Varys finished speaking, the old Grand Maester Pycelle glanced at Varys who was smiling, and quickly stood up and nodded.
Queen Regent Cersei raised his chin with a proud expression. "Some victories are won with swords and spears, and some victories are won with pen and paper and crows."
This is what Lord Tywin taught his children when he was Casterly Rock. At that time, Cersei was still the Maiden.
Queen Regent Cersei's eyes moved and he said, "Is Direwolf in Black Cells awake?"
Varys said, "I woke up, and it is said that he is not in good condition. The jailer said that he has not touched the food. It may be that the food is really difficult to swallow."
Queen Regent Cersei sneered and said mockingly, "Is he confessing to the Gods?"
After a pause, she said coldly, "Let Direwolf taste what it's like to be hungry. Just give him some water every day, as long as he doesn't die there."
Varys nodded. "Yes, Queen Regent Cersei."
Grand Maester Pycelle echoed from the side, "Queen Regent, this is a good idea. A weak Direwolf is always harmless."
Queen Regent Cersei's eyes trembled slightly, and she remembered Lord Eddard's cruelty, and she would never let him live comfortably.
"Tell the jailer to have a glass of water every day."
Varys nodded again.
After a moment of silence, Queen Regent Cersei said thoughtfully, "After Joffrey's coronation ceremony is over, it would be best to have a public trial for Lord Stark's rebellion."
Grand Maester Pycelle pondered, and he slowly said, "It is best to have Lord Stark take the initiative to admit the crime of rebellion in public. This will help establish the reputation of the new king."
Queen Regent Cersei frowned slightly, paused, and said, "Stark is a guy who accepts death. This kind of thing Sansa may not work."
Pycelle's cloudy eyes moved, and he said, "Queen Regent, maybe let the little girl meet her father, and give her a chance to change... If we promise Take the Black the chance, I think the good daughter will convince her father."
Queen Regent Cersei was a little moved after hearing this. She thought Pycelle's suggestion sounded good.
Varys objected. "Queen Regent Cersei, it is really too risky to let the little girl meet her father."
Queen Regent Cersei and Grand Maester Pycelle looked at Varys at the same time.
"We can't ignore the stubbornness of the North people. If father and daughter are allowed to meet, I'm really worried... Will they do anything unexpected? For example... Say goodbye... For the sake of honor, Lord Stark will never sacrifice his life."
After a pause, Varys said again, "When that time comes, we will be in trouble."
Pycelle said, "Queen Regent, I heard that Lord Stark values his family very much."
Varys glanced at Pycelle and said, "Queen Regent Cersei, both father and daughter are in our hands, there is no need to gamble."
Queen Regent Cersei thought for a while and said, "Varys, tell me your method."
Varys had a slight smile on his fat face, "That little girl should continue to maintain her innocence. Don't let her see terrible scenes... otherwise, it would be too cruel to her."
After saying that, Varys shook his body as if afraid.
Queen Regent Cersei said impatiently, "That's enough, let's get straight to the point."
Varys shrank his neck and said quickly, "Queen Regent Cersei, you can leave this matter to me, and I promise to make Lord Stark plead guilty."
Pycelle's face was slightly dissatisfied. "Master Varys, didn't you just say that Lord Stark is a deadbeat? Don't forget how he viewed us when he was Hand of the King..."
With that said, Grand Maester Pycelle looked at Queen Regent Cersei, and then said, "Queen Regent, Lord Stark will at least care about the safety of their daughters."
Varys shook his head and said, "Grand Maester Pycelle, this is exactly what I want to take advantage of."
Varys turned to Queen Regent Cersei, and his smile gradually deepened, "Isn't the charm of fear the unknown? A good father will eventually compromise for the sake of his good daughter."
The sun shone into the room, Queen Regent Cersei's hair was like sunshine, and her smile was mocking.
"Varys, I trust your tongue for once."
Varys smiled all over his face, "Queen Regent Cersei, thank you for your trust."
Grand Maester Pycelle returned to his sleepy eyes and quietly stopped talking.
Queen Regent Cersei tapped her chin, took a sip of wine, and suddenly snorted softly, saying, "Varys, Pycelle, my late husband's two younger brothers haven't surrendered yet..."
With a bang, Queen Regent Cersei put down his glass and continued, "Their ambitions are not small at all. Those two are our biggest enemies."
The smile on Varys's face remained unchanged, "Queen Regent, at least those two people will not form an alliance. This is something everyone knows."
The relationship between Baratheon brothers is "deep", and Varys's words were recognized by Queen Regent Cersei.
Queen Regent Cersei glanced sideways at Varys: "Varys, you are really smart."
Varys nodded respectfully and slightly. "Queen Regent Cersei, I just got a little bit of your dazzling light. This is a great honor."
Facing Varys's sweet words, Queen Regent Cersei accepted it calmly. For her, Varys was just telling the truth and was not worthy of making her happy.
Queen Regent Cersei's green eyes moved slightly and looked at Pycelle: "Pycelle, arrange for people to send these letters out as soon as possible."
Pycelle walked over tremblingly and began to put away the letters on the table.
Seeing the letter addressed to the Eyrie, Pycelle paused and looked at Queen Regent Cersei with cloudy eyes.
"Queen Regent, should we keep the Eyrie's letter temporarily? I heard that Vale is not calm right now."
Queen Regent Cersei frowned slightly and looked at Varys.
Varys said respectfully, "Queen Regent Cersei, my Little Bird told me that because Lady Lysa harmed Hand Jon Arryn, the nobles of Vale formed Declaration of Lords Declarant. They said they would use all necessary means to let the murderer get the justice he deserved."
Pycelle nodded and continued, "I think they will seek support from Red Keep soon, which will be beneficial to us."
"What a ridiculous name."
Queen Regent Cersei first sneered, paused, and said, "Pycelle, then don't worry about Eyrie now, let's wait for them to come over."
Cersei stood up and said, "Varys, keep an eye on Stannis and Renly."
After saying that, she left Council Chamber surrounded by the maid and Kingsguard.
A week later, Red Keep Black Cells.
Because I couldn't see anything, I couldn't even make a mark on the wall. It made no difference whether my eyes were open or closed. Lord Eddard didn't know how long he had been lying there.
Lord Eddard I fell asleep and woke up again, and woke up and fell asleep again. I don't know which one is more painful, falling asleep or waking up.
When you sleep, you will have dreams, dark and disturbing dreams... filled with blood and promises that cannot be kept.
When he woke up, there was nothing to do except think, but what he was thinking was more terrifying than a nightmare.
Thinking of his wife Catelyn was as painful as lying on a bed made of nettles...Lord Eddard imagined where she was and what she was doing at this moment... but he didn't know if he could see her again in this life.
Thinking of the children, he just wanted to cry loudly, but the tears couldn't fall... Even at this stage, he was still Winterfell's Stark, with his sadness and rage frozen in his body.
Time passes, days pass by, Lord Eddard at least feels like this.
The only sound in this place was his own breathing. In order to prevent himself from going crazy, he began to make plans and build a castle of hope in the darkness.
Robert's two younger brothers, Stannis and Renly, should be ready to go at Dragonstone and Storm's End respectively...Lord Beric and Ser Gladden will lead their soldiers back to King's Landing once they finish dealing with the old Moshan tribe...Gryn If they don't show up An accident must be waiting for an opportunity outside... Once Catelyn receives the news here, he will call on the North vassals to raise troops south, and Riverlands and Vale...Vale... He hasn't had time to judge Lysa·Tully who poisoned Jon.
Whenever the jailer brought him water to drink, Lord Eddard told himself that another day had passed... At first, he asked someone to come and tell him the news from the outside, but the jailer with a rat face never paid attention to him. He thought that this person might have no tongue.
I don't know how many days later, Lord Eddard's stomach cramped with hunger. He thought... maybe Lannister's family planned to starve him to death.
He himself denied this possibility. If Cersei wanted to put him to death, he would have been chopped down together with his guards in Throne Room... That woman wanted him to live, no matter how weak or desperate she was, she would leave him alive.
With a bang, the sound of chains clashing came from outside the cell, the prison door suddenly opened, and the bright light from the torch made Lord Eddard squint his eyes.
After a while, Lord Eddard got used to the bright light, and he discovered a big head as smooth as an egg.
Lord Eddard murmured hoarsely, "Varys..."
Varys smiled slightly and said politely, "Good day, Lord Eddard, I haven't seen you for a few days."
Lord Eddard leaned against the wall weakly, and murmured again, "Is it daytime now..."
Varys's expression showed concern, and he handed over a wine bag. "Drink quickly, Lord Eddard."
Lord Eddard took the wine bag with some difficulty, gulped, gulped... and took several sips, with red wine flowing from the corners of his mouth.
It's Summer Wine...Lord Eddard I have never liked the sweetness of Summer Wine, but today it tastes particularly delicious.
Lord Eddard started to feel dizzy, and it took a while to calm down.
"It seems there is no Tears of Lys in it."
The content of Lord Eddard's words seemed to hurt Varys: "My lord, poison a duke... I don't have the guts, I'm just a nobody."
Lord Eddard took another big gulp of Summer Wine, and his condition is much better now.
"I'm just a prisoner now."
Varys consoled him. "Lord Eddard, your the North still respects your leadership."
Lord Eddard actually couldn't wait to ask some questions, but he has now learned to be wary of people he doesn't trust, and Varys is one of them.
Lord Eddard took a breath and said, "How is Sansa?"
Varys did not hide anything. "Queen Regent Cersei kept Miss Sansa by her side. She pleaded with the Queen Mother a few days ago to save you... It's a pity that you were not there, otherwise she would have been greatly moved."
Lord Eddard's eyes trembled slightly, paused, and said, "Where is Arya?"
Varys shook his head. "Your little daughter escaped. My Little Bird has not been able to find her until now, and Lannister's people have not found her either. This is more or less the Gods's mercy."
Lord Eddard felt relieved, Gryn There should be no accidents there.
"The Gods kind..."
Lord Eddard murmured, took a sip of wine, and secretly celebrated the good news.
"Where is my illegitimate child?"
"My Lord Duke, no one would be bored to pay attention to a lowly illegitimate child."
Lord Eddard said quietly, "Where is Gryn?"
Varys's eyes moved slightly and said, "Lord Gryn is deeply trusted by Queen Regent Cersei, and he was appointed as Commander of the Gold Cloaks by Queen Regent Cersei."
Varys quietly stared at Lord Eddard's face and continued, "That Half-Wildling nobleman made King's Landing panic. It is said that King's Landing was almost dyed red by him."
Varys is just an exaggeration. Lord Gryn had to rectify the corruption within Gold Cloaks and had to kill people in the military camp.
After Gryn became Commander of the Gold Cloaks, the relationship between Varys and him became a little subtle, and his vigilance increased greatly.
Lord Eddard did not believe Varys's words. He said coldly, "The guilty person deserves to be killed."