Chapter 254: Giving So Warnings
Chapter 254: Giving So Warnings
Winterfell, Stark Lands
POV of Doric Bolton
"Jon Arryn was most likely killed," Doric said.
"What?"
"WHAT!!!"
Said the King and Lord Stark at the sa ti. In contrast to Lord Stark’s silent surprise, the King suddenly jumped to his feet and shouted.
-Knock, Knock, Knock
"Is everything alright, your grace?" Ser Barristan’s voice ca from behind the door.
"There’s nothing to worry about. Don’t disturb us until I call. And Barristan, I don’t want anyone within 20 ters of the door. Take care of it." King replied loudly to Ser Barristan.
"As you wish, your grace." Ser Barristan said, and after a mont, the sound of walking n could be heard from behind the door. Then silence fell.
"Are you sure of what you said, Lord Bolton? And how do you know that?" Lord Stark spoke this ti. He seed to have gotten over his surprise.
"I’m pretty sure. Lord Jon Arryn was most likely poisoned with Tears of Lys. But as I said, I have no proof. As for how I know this information, I have my own sources, though not as extensive as Lord Varys’." Doric said.
"Tears of Lys... Clear, tasteless, odorless, and leaves no trace. But why would anyone want to kill Jon?" said Lord Stark.
King listened with bated breath to the conversation between Lord Stark and Doric. He seed to be weighing whether to believe Doric’s words.
"According to information I’ve gathered, Jon Arryn was investigating sothing before he died. Sothing that would cause chaos in the realm and cause so heads to fall. That ans he’s made so enemies. People who don’t want this information to get out." Said Doric.
"Pycelle said Jon died of fever," King said, finally entering the conversation.
"No one dies so quickly from fever, your grace. Even if a high fever kills, it is quite simple to delay death by wetting and cooling the body. But Lord Arryn quickly collapsed and died. I believe that on his deathbed, Lord Arryn shared so of the information he had gained from his research with Grandmaester Pycelle, and Grandmaester Pycelle made Lord Arryn’s death appear natural so that this information would not be known."
"These are serious accusations, Lord Bolton," Lord Stark said.
"I’m not accusing anyone, Lord Stark. As I said, I have no proof. I’m simply saying this because I think you should know. And unfortunately, that’s not all I have to say." Doric said.
"What else?" King asked.
Doric turned to Lord Stark and said, "I advise you not to place too much trust in any news from the Eyrie and Lysa Arryn from now on, Lord Stark."
"Why exactly?" Lord Stark asked, his face crumpled.
"I know you don’t want to hear this, but it seems Lysa Arryn is closer than she should be to Petyr Baelish, the Master of Coin. She visits him frequently and even visited him shortly before Lord Arryn died. It’s possible that Lysa Arryn was even involved in Lord Arryn’s death. It seems she is now a puppet in Petyr Baelish’s hands. I expect you’ll receive a letter from the Eyrie soon, Lord Stark. It’s likely blaming the Lannisters or soone else for Jon Arryn’s death. But rest assured, while Lysa Arryn may have written the words, they will be coming from Petyr Baelish’s mouth." Doric said.
"Nonsense. Lysa would never betray Jon, let alone help kill him. And why would Petyr Baelish want to kill Jon?" Lord Stark said.
"For chaos," Doric said.
"Chaos? Why would he want chaos?" Lord Stark snapped.
"Because for so, Lord Stark, chaos presents a golden opportunity. In tis of peace, it isn’t easy to rise above others. But in chaos, even soone from the smallfolk might beco a Lord." Doric said.
"And why is this the first ti I’ve heard of this? If what you’re saying were true, wouldn’t Varys have told
about it long ago?" King asked.
"Ah. About Lord Varys... Have you heard the Targaryen siblings are currently in Pentos, staying at the ho of Magister Illyrio Mopatis, your grace? Also, Daenerys Targaryen will soon be marrying Khal Drago. A Khal with 100,000 horsen."
"What!" The King was surprised.
"I suppose you didn’t know. But I’m sure you’ll find out soon, your grace. Or rather, after Khal Drago marries Daenerys Targaryen. Lord Varys may be able to deliver much news to you, your grace. But he certainly hasn’t delivered it all. As for the reason... I’m not sure."
The King and Lord Stark were silent for a mont. And then Lord Stark asked, "Why do you ntion all this, Lord Bolton? What is your purpose?"
"I simply do not wish the realm to beco worse than it is, Lord Stark. King’s Landing holds more danger than it seems, your grace. You must be far more careful than you are now. Many seek to plunge things into chaos, and with the White Walkers upon our doorstep, a descent into chaos will only put the North in a difficult position." Doric said.
"So, you’re saying I’m in danger?" King asked.
"I’m sorry if I’m being presumptuous. If Prince Joffrey ascends the throne today, do you think he will succeed, your grace?" Doric asked.
King glanced sideways at Lord Stark before answering, choosing his words carefully. "The lad is not ready yet."
Lord Stark’s face fell even further after that. He knew his friend quite well, and judging by King Robert’s deanor, Prince Joffrey was no good.
And yet, Robert had betrothed this son to Sansa.
"And knowing this, for many, the easiest way to plunge the realm into chaos would be to hand it over to soone unready. That is why you must be ever more vigilant, your grace." Doric said.
"Damn it, Ned. You were supposed to accept being my Hand. Why are you so stubborn? There’s no one in those damned lands I can trust." The King said, turning to Lord Stark.
"Robert... I..." Lord Stark didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to leave his friend alone, but with the White Walkers and Winter on the way, he couldn’t leave the North and go South.
"Frankly, I don’t think Lord Stark could last a month in the South, your grace. Lord Stark is too honorable for those lands. The people of King’s Landing do not play fair. I think your brother Stannis Baratheon would be better off as Hand of the King." Doric said.
"Stannis is too strict," the King said.
"Perhaps, your grace. But at least he’ll have your back. And given the current state of the realm, soone more stern would be better. If you choose him as your Hand, it would be wise to ask him to check the Master of Coin’s books. When a vault is failing, its keeper’s hands are often not clean." Doric said.
The King thought for a while and then replied dismissively, "I’ll think about it."
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Ch.255: Sansa and Doric
Ch.256: Sansa Takes Off Her Mask
Ch.257: Jealous Ygritte
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