A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

the door creaked open, Ned put a hand to the damp wall and pushed himself toward the light. The glare of a torch made him squint. “Food,” he croaked.
    â€œWine,” a voice answered. It was not the rat-faced man; this gaoler was stouter, shorter, though he wore the same leather half cape and spiked steel cap. “Drink, Lord Eddard.” He thrust a wineskin into Ned’s hands.
    The voice was strangely familiar, yet it took Ned Stark a moment to place it.
“Varys?”
he said groggily when it came. He touched the man’s face. “I’m not … not dreaming this. You’re here.” The eunuch’s plump cheeks were covered with a dark stubble of beard. Ned felt the coarse hair with his fingers. Varys had transformed himself into a grizzled turnkey, reeking of sweat and sour wine. “How did you … what sort of magician are you?”
    â€œA thirsty one,” Varys said. “Drink, my lord.”
    Ned’s hands fumbled at the skin. “Is this the same poison they gave Robert?”
    â€œYou wrong me,” Varys said sadly. “Truly, no one loves a eunuch. Give me the skin.” He drank, a trickle of red leaking from the corner of his plump mouth. “Not the equal of the vintage you offered me the night of the tourney, but no more poisonous than most,” he concluded, wiping his lips. “Here.”
    Ned tried a swallow. “Dregs.” He felt as though he were about to bring the wine back up.
    â€œAll men must swallow the sour with the sweet. High lords and eunuchs alike. Your hour has come, my lord.”
    â€œMy daughters …”
    â€œThe younger girl escaped Ser Meryn and fled,” Varys told him. “I have not been able to find her. Nor have the Lannisters. A kindness, there. Our new king loves her not. Your older girl is still betrothed to Joffrey. Cersei keeps her close. She came to court a few days ago to plead that you be spared. A pity you couldn’t have been there, you would have been touched.” He leaned forward intently. “I trust you realize that you are a dead man, Lord Eddard?”
    â€œThe queen will not kill me,” Ned said. His head swam; the wine was strong, and it had been too long since he’d eaten. “Cat … Cat holds her brother …”
    â€œThe
wrong
brother,” Varys sighed. “And lost to her, in any case. She let the Imp slip through her fingers. I expect he is dead by now, somewhere in the Mountains of the Moon.”
    â€œIf that is true, slit my throat and have done with it.” He was dizzy from the wine, tired and heartsick.
    â€œYour blood is the last thing I desire.”
    Ned frowned. “When they slaughtered my guard, you stood beside the queen and watched, and said not a word.”
    â€œAnd would again. I seem to recall that I was unarmed, unarmored, and surrounded by Lannister swords.” The eunuch looked at him curiously, tilting his head. “When I was a young boy, before I was cut, I traveled with a troupe of mummers through the Free Cities. They taught me that each man has a role to play, in life as well as mummery. So it is at court. The King’s Justice must be fearsome, the master of coin must be frugal, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard must be valiant … and the master of whisperers must be sly and obsequious and without scruple. A courageous informer would be as useless as a cowardly knight.” He took the wineskin back and drank.
    Ned studied the eunuch’s face, searching for truth beneath the mummer’s scars and false stubble. He tried some more wine. This time it went down easier. “Can you free me from this pit?”
    â€œI could … but
will
I? No. Questions would be asked, and the answers would lead back to me.”
    Ned had expected no more. “You are blunt.”
    â€œA eunuch has no honor, and a spider does not enjoy the luxury of scruples, my lord.”
    â€œWould you at least consent to carry a message out for me?”
    â€œThat would depend on the message. I will gladly provide you with paper and ink, if you like. And when you have written what you will, I will take the letter and read it, and deliver it or not, as best serves my own ends.”
    â€œYour own ends. What ends are those, Lord Varys?”
    â€œPeace,” Varys replied without hesitation. “If therewas one soul in King’s Landing who was truly