บท 422: Chapter 423: The Spider
"What's going on?"
Tyrion reined in his horse and turned to ask.
"It seems someone's causing trouble…"
Tyrion spotted a group of soldiers chasing after two girls and immediately understood.
"Who dares make trouble in the city!" he barked. "Bring those soldiers to me. Let's see whose men they are!"
"Yes, my lord!"
As the Gold Cloaks hurried to confront the pursuing soldiers, Sansa felt no relief. Instead, she stood frozen in fear.
Arya recognized Tyrion as well and quickly lowered her head.
Rumors had long been spreading through King's Landing about the "imp" of House Lannister preparing to marry a "Sansa Stark." The sisters, of course, knew that this "Sansa" was an imposter.
But if their real identities were discovered, the consequences could be disastrous.
Sansa's heart raced at the thought of being forced to marry this hideous dwarf. Tears welled in her eyes.
Nearby, Tyrion had the troublesome soldiers subdued and was interrogating them. After hearing the story, he sneered:
"You're from House Farman, aren't you?"
The soldiers nodded hesitantly.
"Report back to your commander and take ten lashes each. Then get out of the city and back to camp!"
With the situation resolved, Tyrion turned to the two girls. Seeing their heads bowed and their bodies trembling, he assumed they were terrified of the soldiers.
"There's no need to be afraid," he said gently. "They won't bother you anymore."
Sansa mumbled a quiet acknowledgment, keeping her head down.
Arya, however, glared up at him and complained, "But they spilled all our oysters!"
Sansa paled, gripping Arya's arm tightly as if she might gag her on the spot.
Tyrion, though, was unperturbed.
"How much were they worth? I'll compensate you."
Arya frowned, unable to calculate the amount.
Seeing her hesitation, Tyrion pulled out three silver coins from his purse.
"Will this be enough?"
"Yes, yes, it's more than enough," Sansa quickly answered, snatching the coins. "Thank you, my lord."
Tyrion studied the sisters for a moment. There was something oddly familiar about them, and he was about to ask further when Varys, standing nearby, interjected:
"Take the money and go."
Grateful for the reprieve, the sisters bolted without another word.
"Lord Tyrion," Varys remarked, "these soldiers need to be kept in check. Even on leave, they shouldn't be allowed into the city. It only leads to trouble."
Tyrion nodded, his attention now diverted.
"You're right. King's Landing is chaotic enough as it is. I'll advise my father to issue an order banning soldiers from entering the city."
---
Meanwhile, the Stark sisters hurried away, finally slowing their pace when they felt safely out of sight.
As their nerves settled, Sansa began scolding Arya for her recklessness, while Arya teased Sansa for her cowardice.
The bickering continued until they reached their hiding place. But as they approached, Sansa suddenly froze in her tracks.
"What is it?" Arya asked, puzzled.
Sansa pointed ahead, her voice trembling.
Standing by the door to their small, hidden dwelling was a familiar, rotund figure.
It was none other than Varys, the Master of Whisperers known as the "Spider."
Arya's sharp eyes darted toward him, and she whispered, "Don't panic. He might not have recognized us. Just act normal."
Though fear churned in her chest, Sansa forced herself to follow Arya's lead, walking steadily toward the house.
As they drew near, Arya put on an innocent smile and asked, "Is there something we can do for you, my lord?"
Varys returned her smile, his tone light and pleasant.
"Aren't you going to invite me in for a chat?"
"Our place is filthy and cramped, my lord. I'm afraid you wouldn't find it to your liking," Arya replied with practiced ease.
"I don't mind," Varys said, his gaze unwavering.
Sansa's body began to tremble uncontrollably. She was certain now—Varys had recognized them.
What should they do?
Running was impossible; this was King's Landing, and there was no escape.
Arya, on the other hand, showed no hint of panic. She calmly opened the door.
"Please, come in, my lord," she said.
Varys bowed slightly, a gesture of exaggerated politeness.
"After you, ladies."
Sansa wanted to turn and flee, but Arya pulled her along, dragging her inside.
---
Madame Sha'taya, their benefactor, greeted them with her usual warmth.
"Back so early today?" she asked.
But her smile vanished the moment she spotted Varys entering behind them.
"Madame Sha'taya," Varys said with a cheerful tone, "it's been a while. Why did you sell your brothel?"
Sha'taya forced a nervous laugh. "Lord Varys… I… I just wanted a change of business…"
"Selling oysters now, are we?" Varys smirked. "Not nearly as profitable as running a brothel, I'd wager."
Sha'taya froze, unsure how to respond.
Sensing her discomfort, Varys waved a hand dismissively.
"Relax. If I wanted to expose you, I'd have done so already. The Lannisters know nothing, I assure you."
Sansa, recalling their earlier encounter, realized that Varys had indeed been covering for them. Her panic subsided slightly.
Arya, however, cut straight to the point.
"So what do you want from us?"
"Just a small favor." Varys reached into his voluminous sleeve and produced a letter, handing it to Sha'taya.
"Deliver this to His Majesty Caesar."
Sha'taya immediately recoiled. "Lord Varys, we… we have no contact with him anymore. Truly, I swear! I even sold his brothel…"
Varys chuckled.
"And yet, you've kept the Stark girls here, haven't you?"
"I… I only took them in out of pity…" Sha'taya stammered.
"No need to deny it," Varys said, shaking his head. "I know you still have ravens that can reach him."
Sha'taya hesitated, her hands trembling, unwilling to accept the letter.
Arya stepped in again.
"Don't you have your own spies? Why use our ravens?"
"Because yours are safer," Varys explained with a smile. "And it sends a clear message to King Samwell that I've found you two."
Arya glared at him. "If you think you can threaten him, you're wrong! When he takes King's Landing, you'll be the first to suffer for helping the Lannisters!"
Varys feigned a wounded expression.
"My dear girl, you misunderstand me. I have no love for the Lannisters. I've always supported King Samwell. This is merely a way to reach out to an old friend."
Arya squinted suspiciously.
"Really?"
"Absolutely," Varys said, placing the letter in Sha'taya's hands. "It's just a simple letter. Deliver it to him, and he'll understand my intentions."
With that, Varys turned and left, disappearing into the streets.
The three women exchanged uneasy glances.
"We should open it," Arya suggested.
"That doesn't seem right…" Sha'taya hesitated.
"There's no seal," Arya pointed out. "No one will know we read it. And if it's a trap, we'll know in advance."
For once, Sansa agreed. "Let's see what it says."
Reluctantly, Sha'taya unfolded the letter.
Arya leaned in eagerly, only to frown in confusion.
"There's nothing written."
"Except… a spider," Sansa added.
Indeed, the parchment was blank except for a detailed drawing of a spider with eight legs.
"What does it mean?"
Sha'taya shook her head, folding the letter again.
"We can't figure out Varys's intentions, but His Grace might. Let him decide."
(End of Chapter)
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