chapter 166 part 2
Queen Cersei's cerulean eyes moved slightly, looking at Pycelle. "Pycelle, arrange for someone to send these letters out as soon as possible."
Pycelle walked over unsteadily and began to collect the letters from the table.
Seeing the letter addressed to the Eyrie, Pycelle's movements paused, and his cloudy eyes looked toward Queen Cersei.
"Your Grace, should we perhaps hold onto the letter for the Eyrie for the time being? I hear the Vale is not at peace right now."
Queen Cersei frowned slightly and looked at Varys.
Varys said respectfully, "Queen Cersei, my little birds tell me that because Lady Lysa harmed Lord Jon Arryn, the nobles of the Vale have formed an Alliance of the Righteous. They claim they will use all necessary means to bring the murderer to justice."
Pycelle nodded and added, "I believe they will soon seek the support of the Red Keep. This would be to our advantage."
"What a ridiculous name."
Queen Cersei first scoffed, then paused and said, "Pycelle, then don't worry about the Eyrie for now. We will wait for them to come to us."
Cersei rose and added, "Varys, keep a close watch on Stannis and Renly."
With that, she left the council chambers, surrounded by her handmaidens and the Kingsguard.
...
...
A week later, in the black cells of the Red Keep.
Because he could see nothing, not even make marks on the wall, whether his eyes were open or closed, everything was indistinct. Lord Eddard didn't know how long he had been lying there.
Lord Eddard slept and woke, woke and slept, unsure which was more painful.
When he slept, he had dark and disturbing dreams... filled with the gleam of blood and broken vows.
When he woke, there was nothing to do but think, and what he thought of was more terrifying than any nightmare.
Thinking of his wife, Catelyn, was as painful as lying on a bed woven from nettles... Lord Eddard fantasized about where she might be at this very moment, what she might be doing... but he didn't know if he would ever see her again in this life.
When he thought of his children, he only wanted to cry out in pain, but his tears refused to fall... Even in this desperate situation, he was still a Stark of Winterfell. His sorrow and rage were frozen within him.
...
Time passed, and the days went by one by one, at least that's how Lord Eddard felt.
The only sound in this place was his own breathing. To prevent himself from going mad, he began to devise plans, building castles of hope in the darkness.
Robert's two brothers, Stannis and Renly, should be mustering their armies at Dragonstone and Storm's End respectively... Once Lord Beric and Ser Gladden finish dealing with the Mountain's Men, they will lead their soldiers back to King's Landing... If nothing unexpected had happened to Glyn, he would certainly be biding his time outside... Once Catelyn received word from here, she would surely call upon the Northern lords to march south, and the Riverlands and the Vale... The Vale... he still hadn't had a chance to judge Lysa Tully for poisoning Jon Arryn.
...
Every time the gaoler brought him water, Lord Eddard told himself another day had passed... At first, he even begged the man, asking him for news of the outside world, but the gaoler, with a face like a rat's, never paid him any mind. He thought the man might not have a tongue.
He didn't know how many days had passed. Lord Eddard's stomach ached with hunger cramps. He thought... perhaps House Lannister intended to starve him to death.
He himself denied this possibility. If Cersei had wanted him dead, he and his guards would have already been cut down in the Throne Room... That woman wanted him alive; no matter how weak, no matter how despairing, he had to be kept alive.
...
With a clang, the sound of an iron chain striking the ground came from outside. The cell door suddenly opened, and the strong glare of a torch stung Lord Eddard's eyes, making him squint.
After a while, Lord Eddard finally adjusted to the bright light. He saw a head as smooth and shiny as an egg.
Lord Eddard croaked in a hoarse voice, "Varys..."
Varys, with a shallow smile, bowed respectfully. "Good day, Lord Eddard. It's been a few days."
Lord Eddard leaned weakly against the wall. He mumbled again, "Is it daytime...?"
Varys's expression showed concern. He offered a wineskin. "Drink, Lord Eddard."
Lord Eddard laboriously took the wineskin and gulped down several mouthfuls, the red liquid spilling from the corners of his mouth.
It was summerwine... Lord Eddard had never liked its sweet taste, but today, it tasted exceptionally good.
Lord Eddard began to feel dizzy, and it took him a while to regain his senses.
"It seems there were no Tears of Lys in it."
Lord Eddard's words seemed to deeply wound Varys. "My lord, poisoning a lord... I simply do not have such courage. I am but a small creature."
Lord Eddard took another large gulp of summerwine. His condition was much better now.
"I am now just a prisoner."
Varys comforted him, "Lord Eddard, your North still looks to you as its leader."
Lord Eddard was actually eager to ask some questions, but he had now learned to remain wary of those he distrusted, and Varys was one of them.
Lord Eddard sighed and said, "How is Sansa?"
Varys did not hide anything. "Queen Cersei has kept Lady Sansa by her side. A few days ago, she pleaded with the Queen to save you... It's only a pity you weren't present, or you would surely have been greatly moved."
Lord Eddard's eyes twitched. He paused, then asked, "And Arya?"
Varys shook his head. "Your youngest daughter escaped. My little birds haven't been able to find her even now, nor have the Lannisters' men. This, at least, is the gods' mercy."
Lord Eddard sighed with relief. Nothing unexpected should have happened with Glyn.
"The gods are merciful..."
After mumbling the words, Lord Eddard poured down another gulp of wine, secretly celebrating the good news.
"What about my bastard?"
"My lord, no one would be so bored as to concern themselves with a bastard of humble birth."
Lord Eddard said impassively, "What about Glyn?"
Varys's eyes twitched slightly. He said, "Lord Glyn is deeply trusted by Queen Cersei. He was appointed by the Queen Regent as the Commander of the Gold Cloaks."
Varys secretly watched Lord Eddard's face, then continued, "That nobleman of half-wildling stock has King's Landing in a panic. They say the city has almost been dyed red by him."
Varys was merely exaggerating. Lord Glyn had to make heads roll within the barracks to clean up the corruption within the Gold Cloaks.
After Lord Glyn became the Commander of the Gold Cloaks, Varys's relationship with him became somewhat delicate, and his wariness greatly increased.
Lord Eddard did not readily believe Varys's words. He said coldly, "Those who are guilty deserve to be killed."
(end of chapter)