chapter 142 part 2
Lord Eddard said coldly, "That was the Small Council, not a common tavern."
Petyr shrugged, his smile a little helpless. "The Small Council meetings you preside over are far too serious. Everyone needs time to adjust. I am merely a jester, offering my services willingly."
Lord Eddard stared for a moment at Petyr's sincere face and said, "Petyr, you have no reason to do this. You should know full well that I do not like you."
Petyr's smile turned bitter. "Because I am a sentimental fool. I worry that Catelyn... my lady... would grow to resent me for not helping her husband. Please, keep this matter of mine a secret. All these years in the Red Keep, I have gone to great lengths to make others think I am a wicked and cruel man. I would hate for them to see through my facade."
Lord Eddard didn't believe a single word of it, but he didn't let it show. Lord Glyn's detailed analysis had convinced him: anyone could be Jon's killer. A hunting direwolf is exceedingly patient.
Lord Eddard said calmly, "Petyr, perhaps your intentions are good, but I do not like your methods. And I do not trust you."
A flicker of light danced in Petyr's eyes, but he showed no change in expression at Lord Eddard's words.
"My Lord Hand, you adapt quickly here. It is right not to trust me. In the Red Keep, you can trust no one, not even your own eyes."
Lord Eddard knitted his brows. He loathed their ambiguous words. The Red Keep was like a den of foxes.
Petyr turned slightly to the side and pointed to the spot where he had been standing. "My Lord Hand, if you would be so kind as to step over here."
Seeing the puzzled look on Lord Eddard's face, Petyr let out a soft laugh. "Come now, I'll show you something interesting."
Lord Eddard frowned but strode over.
Petyr stood nonchalantly beside Lord Eddard, his gaze shifting to the view outside the window.
"There, past the square, at the armory door. Do you see that young man squatting on the stairs, sharpening a knife?"
Lord Eddard followed Petyr's gaze. "What of him?"
"He is one of Varys's spies. Lord Spider is very interested in your every move."
Lord Eddard said with contempt, "The eunuch's lackeys are everywhere. That is common knowledge."
Petyr shifted by the window. "Now look at the castle wall. To the west, the furthest point, above the stables. Do you see that guard leaning against the wall?"
"Is this man also one of the eunuch's lackeys?"
Petyr shook his head slightly. "No, this one belongs to Queen Cersei. Please note, his line of sight falls directly on the door of this tower. He sees clearly who comes and who goes. And those two are far from all of them. There are many even I don't know about. Everyone knows there are no secrets in the Red Keep."
A flash of anger burned in Lord Eddard. "Is every single person in this damned Red Keep someone else's spy?"
Petyr nodded. Ticking off on his fingers, he said, "Alas, let me count... they have to watch you, your children, your guards, your servants... including anyone you come into contact with."
Finally, he joked, "Being a spy is hard work, you see."
Lord Eddard said angrily, "Sooner or later, I will clean this place out!"
Petyr turned to Lord Eddard and smiled. "I admire your resolve and decisiveness, but I must tell you, the Red Keep can never be clean. It would be easier to make the Others dance for you."
Lord Eddard said grimly, "Petyr, not everyone is willing to be another man's dog."
Petyr met Lord Eddard's sharp gaze. "Every man has his price. It is only the number of Gold Dragons required to move him that differs."
He spread his hands and continued leisurely, "This morning, a strange young man approached me. He took a few Gold Dragons from my pocket, and in return, I learned that last night our Lord Hand, accompanied by the Queen's chief steward, paid a visit to Pycelle and Varys. Mmm... your movements are quite valuable now, second only to His Grace, Robert."
"Damn it all!"
Lord Eddard couldn't help but curse. Was this Robert's Red Keep? The movements of the Hand of the King had become something for filthy people to sell for Gold Dragons.
Petyr resumed his elegant smile. "There are no secrets in the Red Keep. Those are the rules of the game here. I hope you adapt to them soon, my Lord Hand."
Lord Eddard took a shallow breath, paused, and then said in a low voice, "Petyr, thank you for the special warning, but I will absolutely not submit to the rotten rules of the game in the Red Keep."
Petyr shrugged. "My Lord Hand, you Starks are as stubborn as the stories say. I daresay you will come crashing down with a loud crack one day, and I believe it won't be long before we hear the sound of that first fracture."
He shook his head and sighed. "I suppose you intend to have your men visit the brothels? Do you know how many brothels there are in King's Landing? And by now, you must understand how much attention your movements attract..."
Petyr hadn't finished speaking when Lord Eddard's large hand suddenly seized his shoulder, and the next moment, his back slammed against the wall.
Lord Eddard drew a dagger and pointed it at Petyr's sharp, bearded chin. He said coldly, "Littlefinger, it seems you have your eyes on me as well, and so openly, standing right before me. You should know what crime that is."
Petyr glanced down at the cold gleam of the dagger and mocked, "Stark, you are not the only one investigating the death of Lord Hand Jon. Do not forget, I was once his chief administrator. It was Lord Hand Jon who promoted me to Small Council Member... Hiss..."
Lord Eddard tightened his grip on Petyr's shoulder, making him cry out in pain.
"How did you know I was going to investigate the brothels?"
"Heh~ Your men are moving with such fanfare. Do you take everyone else for blind men and fools? Besides, I too have been investigating this matter in secret. It is not so difficult to guess, is it?"
Lord Eddard lowered the dagger. "You have other leads?"
Petyr first straightened his clothes before speaking. "My Lord Hand, impulsiveness solves nothing. For Cat's sake, I thought to assist you as best I could... Though only a fool would do so. I'm starting to regret coming to you at all!"
Lord Eddard sheathed his dagger, hesitated, and said, "My apologies."
"Hahaha~ You sound so utterly insincere."
Petyr shook his head with a look of helplessness, then continued, "A man of mine will guide your men. He'll take them to the very brothel Lord Jon Arryn visited."
He smoothed his hair again. "Stark, don't ask me why I didn't report my suspicions about Lord Hand Jon's death to King Robert. I am just a minor noble from The Fingers. My words carry little weight. What's more, I have no proof at all. I can only investigate and gather evidence in the shadows."
Eddard's expression remained stern. "I am grateful for your considerable help. Perhaps I should trust you."
"No. Never trust anyone. In the Red Keep, you can trust no one, not even your own eyes."
Petyr's smile was elegant as he added, "I cannot linger long. I was just passing by today, as it happens. I am on my way to a supper hosted by Lady Tanda. She has a mind to marry her younger daughter to me, so the food is always quite lavish... To be honest, I'd rather marry a pig. Mmm... but don't tell her that. I am genuinely fond of her House's Trout Pie."
With that, Petyr gave a slight nod and turned to leave.
(end of chapter)