chapter 141 part 1
Chapter 141: The Hunter and the Prey 2
Red Keep, Grand Maester's chambers.
By candlelight, Glynn first patiently read the confession Pycelle had written. Then, he took out several of Pycelle's previous handwritten documents and compared the penmanship.
Glynn revealed a satisfied smile and said, "Grand Maester Pycelle, you should know the gravity of your crimes. This isn't just a matter of whether the Hand of the King can forgive you; I doubt even the gods can pardon you."
As he spoke, he collected the parchment.
Glynn continued, "Because of this, I'm willing to intercede with Lord Eddard on your behalf and help you earn a chance to atone for your crimes."
Pycelle suddenly raised his head, his voice filled with disbelief, "Truly... truly?"
After speaking, Pycelle looked at the stern Lord Eddard, his gaze filled with pleading.
Lord Eddard's brow furrowed.
The Starks had the blood of the First Men flowing in their veins; they followed ancient traditions. A lord would listen to a condemned man's final words and personally carry out the execution.
In his heart, Pycelle was a criminal who deserved immediate execution.
To suppress the anger in his heart, Lord Eddard closed his eyes. He reminded himself again that this was not the North, and he had made an agreement with Glynn: if Pycelle was not the direct killer, he would be given a chance to take the black.
He nodded with difficulty. Pycelle wept with bitter remorse and gratitude.
Glynn raised an eyebrow and said, "So... when can I see that poor man?"
Pycelle wiped his tears and said, "Lord Glynn, tomorrow... at the latest, the day after tomorrow. I will bring him to you."
Glynn continued to ask, "Will others know about this?"
Pycelle hastily shook his head. "I promise to hide it from everyone. I can certainly do it, I swear to the gods."
Glynn shook his head and said, "No, Lord Varys will know."
...
Lord Eddard looked up at the sky. The bright full moon illuminated the quiet night, full of mystery and beauty, enchanting all who beheld it... At this moment, he longed for Catelyn's embrace, for the sound of his children practicing their swordplay in the training yard, for the North's cool days and crisp, cold nights.
Glynn stood with Lord Eddard for a while, then said softly, "Lord Eddard, you can think of this as a hunt. We cannot scare away the prey, and we must avoid any unfavorable interference. Before we find the real prey, we can only choose to be cautious and patient."
Lord Eddard retracted his gaze and sighed, "My boy, I understand the principle. I just feel that I might truly not be suited for the South."
Glynn joked, "I imagine King Robert would be furious if he heard that, wishing he could tie you up."
Lord Eddard smiled helplessly. He clapped Glynn on the shoulder and said, "Let's go inside."
"I expect Lord Varys is already waiting for us."
Lord Eddard's gray eyes shifted to Glynn. After a pause, he nodded in approval.
...
*Tap, tap, tap...* The empty corridor echoed with the sound of footsteps on stone.
Varys met them at the door, bowing slightly. "Good evening, Lord Hand, Lord Glynn."
Glynn placed a hand over his chest and said, "Good evening, Lord Varys. Please forgive our intrusion."
Lord Eddard looked down at Varys's smooth, bald head and said, "Varys, you seem to have known I would come looking for you."
Varys clasped his hands together and said respectfully, "Lord Hand, that is not hard to guess. I am the Master of Whisperers. You would have sought me out sooner or later. As for now... my little birds just happened to spot you, and in my joy, I couldn't help but come out to greet you."
*Such a coincidence?* Lord Eddard's sharp gaze swept over the smiling Varys.
"Let's go inside and talk."
...
After they were seated, Lord Eddard went straight to the point. "Varys, tell me the cause of Lord Jon's death."
Varys looked hesitant. "Actually, quite a few important ministers in the Red Keep have noticed there was a problem, yet we dared not speak out."
He sighed lightly, then continued, "Lord Hand, now that you have arrived, I dare reveal everything to you."
Lord Eddard's tone carried a sharp edge of anger. "Since you knew there was a problem, why did you not say a word? Though I have only been here a few days, if you had truly wanted to, you had ample opportunity to tell me."
The smile on Varys's face vanished instantly. He looked directly at Lord Eddard and said, "You ask me why I didn't report to you beforehand. My answer is... because I did not trust you, Lord Hand."
Glynn's brown eyes shifted. Varys was trying to gain Lord Eddard's favor. Watching Varys's current actions and gestures, he felt a strange sense of familiarity... Well, players of the game were good at acting out all kinds of roles, and he was no exception.
Lord Eddard said coolly, "Varys, you didn't trust me?"
"Before tonight."
Varys nodded, his tone sincere. "Lord Hand, there are only two kinds of people in the Red Keep: those loyal to the realm, and those loyal to themselves. I am a timid man. I dared not easily judge which kind you belonged to... Now..."
Varys showed a joyful smile and continued, "Now I know clearly. I am ashamed for having doubted your honor. My eyes were clouded by cowardice; it is truly lamentable."
Lord Eddard frowned and asked, "Varys, who administered the poison?"
Varys shook his head. "It was obviously someone close to Lord Jon, someone who often dined with him. There are too many suspects!"
He adopted a bitter expression and continued, "I urged him several times. I begged Lord Jon to have someone taste his food before he ate, but he refused. He even told me... only a creature not fit to be called human would think of such a thing."
Glynn glanced at the silent Lord Eddard and said, "Lord Varys, although there are many suspects, you are the Master of Whisperers; you must have many clues. Do you have anyone in mind? Lord Eddard needs your intelligence and your honesty."
Varys nodded lightly.
"After Lord Jon passed, when Lady Lysa left King's Landing, she took with her everyone close to her husband, including Lord Jon's maester, steward, and captain of the guard, as well as his knights and squires."
He paused, then continued, "Lady Lysa took most of them, but not all. A few remained. A kitchen maid with a swollen belly hurriedly married one of Lord Renly's stable hands, a stable boy became a Gold Cloak, and a young serving boy was driven out for stealing. The only other who remained was one of Lord Jon's squires."
Lord Eddard's eyes twitched. "Squire Hugh?"
Varys paused, then a faint smile appeared on his face. "It seems you've already made some progress tonight."
Lord Eddard looked at Glynn.
Glynn shrugged and said in a relaxed tone, "Lord Eddard, everyone is well aware of Lord Varys's skills. He would have discovered the source of our information sooner or later."
Glynn turned to Varys. "Lord Varys, Grand Maester Pycelle also expressed suspicion about the former Hand's squire, Hugh."
Varys nodded slightly. "Everything Hugh had was given to him by Lord Jon, but when Lady Lysa returned to the Eyrie with her household, he chose to remain in King's Landing. My little birds tell me he has recently become a regular at Chataya's brothel, and he even prepared a brand new, gleaming suit of armor for the tourney."