Lately, the disciples of the Red God could be seen preaching all over King's Landing.
They proselytized in the plazas, down by the docks, among the nobility, and even before the start of the mummer's shows.
It seemed as if those red robes were everywhere.
Unfortunately, the intensity of their sermons didn't yield the desired results. In fact, because Stannis was employing Red Priests and Pyromancers, rumors in the pot shops and brothels claimed he was the "Mad King Reborn."
But a stalled religious conversion was just one of Stannis's many headaches. Though he no longer had to pay back the Lannisters, the Crown was still over three million Gold Dragons in debt.
He needed to reward his bannermen, rebuild the Royal Fleet, and repair the castles... all of which required coin.
During the Small Council meeting, Varys brought more bad tidings—or rather, a growing number of rumors claiming that dragons had been sighted in the East.
"I thought she would settle down after her savage husband died. Now she has dragons?" Alester Florent, still acting as Hand of the King, snapped irritably.
As Hand, he had far too much on his plate already.
"Dragons have been gone for nearly two hundred years. It is likely just tavern talk," Davos said. Though he didn't truly dismiss it, the realm had too many immediate problems to chase shadows.
"I recall we placed a spy by her side, did we not?" Pycelle asked, pinching the pale, loose rolls of fat on his neck.
"We lost contact with that bird long ago. Who knows if he has returned to the embrace of the Seven," Varys said, glancing at Stannis. He had firmly established himself in this new court.
Just then, an acolyte approached Pycelle. The Grand Maester opened the scroll tube, read the message, and a smile broke across his face. He stood up, trembling with excitement, and addressed the gloomy Stannis.
"Your Grace, congratulations! Our Lord of Casterly Rock has proven himself worthy of the title."
Pycelle handed the letter to Stannis. The King read it two or three times in succession. Beside him, Alester and Davos hurried to confirm the news with Pycelle.
When they learned that Jon had taken Casterly Rock in just over two months, they looked incredulous. But the letter had come via the Citadel's fastest ravens; it could not be a mistake.
Stannis remained silent for a long time. He had been to Casterly Rock; he had seen it. A single glance was enough to kill any desire to attack it.
He read Jon's battle report again, admiring the boy's "ingenious thinking" in warfare, while simultaneously feeling grateful that Mace Tyrell hadn't known this trick back in the day.
But then he reasoned, Storm's End wasn't built on a mountain; there were plenty of ways to get water there.
Thoughts raced through his mind. Stannis was a bit overwhelmed, but regardless, this was one of the few pieces of good news lately.
"It seems only the Iron Islands remain. It looks like our realm is truly returning to the right path, just as Lord Jon predicted," Varys said, offering a pleasantry.
Although Stannis didn't allow him to weigh in on policy, he permitted a bit of flattery.
Seeing Stannis's expression remain unchanged, Varys turned his gaze to the old Grand Maester Pycelle.
Sensing the Spider's cue, Pycelle spoke up, albeit reluctantly. "Your Grace, now that Lord Jon has conquered Casterly Rock, the gold mines of the West belong to us. Perhaps we should take direct control of the mines and use the West's gold to strengthen the Crown."
"Your Grace, Lord Jon has just won a great victory. Perhaps it is better to delay the matter of the mines," Varys said, taking a calculated risk to play the other side.
Stannis shot a cold look at Varys, who immediately retreated into silence.
"Mining requires significant cost and effort. It might be better to leave that to Jon," Alester interrupted, looking at Stannis. "But, Your Grace, the Lannisters must have hoarded a vast amount of gold. We could order Jon to turn over the treasury of Casterly Rock. Wouldn't that solve the realm's urgent financial crisis? We supported Jon's campaign; we filled his ranks. It is only right he offers something in return."
Listening to Alester's suggestion, Stannis nodded slightly.
Pycelle then asked, "Your Grace, since Jon has taken the Rock, when do you require him to return to King's Landing?"
"No need," Stannis said. "Is he not to wed Margaery soon? I will send the Queen to offer congratulations. Let Jon and his wife come to King's Landing after the wedding."
Sending the Queen herself to a bannerman's wedding... that was giving him enough "face" to cover a mountain.
Stannis thought this would balance out the guilt of seizing the gold from Casterly Rock.
Deep down, Stannis felt he was demanding too much from Jon. There were whispers that his crown was practically charity from the boy, which stung his pride. But given the situation, he had no better options.
It is a pity, Stannis mused. If Shireen were a normal girl and Jon wasn't a bastard, I wouldn't mind letting Jon marry her.
That way, even if I never have a son, I could safely place Shireen on the Iron Throne.
---
After the Small Council meeting, Pycelle cornered Varys.
"Lord Varys, I said what needed to be said, as you requested. Are you...?"
"Of course, Grand Maester. It was a trifling matter. The 'little kitten' is already in your chambers."
"Heh, many thanks, Lord Varys." Pycelle let out a lewd, senile chuckle and hurried toward his quarters with impatient steps.
Watching the brown-robed figure scurry away, disdain filled Varys's pale lilac eyes.
Since Stannis took the Red Keep, he had banned whoring, which was torture for the lecherous old man. And as Grand Maester, Pycelle couldn't exactly sneak out to a brothel without ruining his reputation.
So, Varys struck a deal: Pycelle would say the things Varys couldn't say in the council, and Varys would handle this "small matter" for him.
However, having Pycelle suggest taking over the gold mines wasn't Varys's true goal.
In his plan, if Stannis accepted the suggestion, it would plant a seed of division between the King and Jon.
Varys saw clearly that Jon was a sophisticated schemer. He wouldn't happily hand over the gold mines he had fought so hard to win.
Varys could then write to Jon in advance, warning him, thereby pulling Jon closer to himself and solidifying their secret "alliance."
But the current outcome wasn't bad either. Stannis agreed to Alester's suggestion to empty Casterly Rock's vaults. That would leave Jon financially strapped.
In Varys's view, Stannis took loyalty for granted. He placed too much weight on his title as King, believing that just because he gave Jon the Stark name, Jon should stand by him unconditionally forever.
It was the same logic he applied to Davos—making him a Lord and chopping off his fingers, yet expecting undying loyalty.
But that method didn't work on everyone.
Varys's thoughts drifted to Jon taking Casterly Rock.
He had been pondering how the war in the West would end. He had predicted a split: Jon taking the Golden Tooth and half the lands, with the Lannisters keeping the Rock and the port.
"Perhaps I can help Jon when he rebuilds the West," Varys mused, sketching a new future in his mind. "In the future, we could arrange a marriage between his daughter with Margaery and Little Aegon's son. Let Jon's daughter be the Queen."
If the future Crown had a father-in-law as capable as Jon, it would ensure at least thirty years of peace. No one would dare oppose Little Aegon's reign.
More importantly, during that time, they might be able to hatch dragon eggs, just like Daenerys.
Once they had dragons, the Blackfyre line would effectively replace the Targaryens completely. The great work they had planned for decades would be complete.
The thought made Varys tremble with excitement.
Since the Blackfyre Rebellions, over a century of plotting was finally about to become reality.
Varys realized he didn't need to focus on draining the strength of the West and Highgarden anymore. Jon was ambitious; he could be bought with the right price.
The Tyrells were staunch Targaryen loyalists. When the silver-haired Aegon stood before them, they would make the same choice their ancestors did.
Add in Dorne in the south...
For a moment, Varys felt success was within arm's reach.
Suppressing his ecstasy, Varys returned to the practical problems at hand.
The priority was to get closer to Jon. He needed to send gifts.
Pity Illyrio gave all three dragon eggs to Daenerys as a wedding gift, Varys thought. If we had kept one, that would have been a gift of true 'face' and sincerity.
He decided to write to Jon first, tipping him off that he should perhaps move some of the gold from Casterly Rock before the King's order arrived. It was a favor that cost him nothing but proved his value.
After finishing the letter to the West, Varys started a second one, this time bound for the Free Cities.
He had to tell Illyrio that Casterly Rock had changed hands. Tyrion was still hiding with the Magister, after all.
With Jon conquering the West so quickly, their plans needed to accelerate.
They needed to set sail for Slaver's Bay immediately and make contact with the Dragon Queen.