10 Chapter 10

POV Change- Varys:

The King had personally called for the Small Council meeting, and I was making my way there, I already knew why the meeting had been called I would be surprised if anyone did not have an inkling as to why the King was going to be joining our meeting after years of absence. After all there was probably only one person in the world that could have Robert Baratheon stop drinking and whoring because due to their actions and act anything resembling a King and that was the first-born Prince and true heir. Alexander Baratheon.

Walking into the small Council chambers I saw that Lord Arryn, Hand of the King was already present and seated along with the Lord of Dragon Stone, Stannis Baratheon. The two seemed to be whispering and I saw the faintest of smiles on the usually stoic Baratheon.

I quietly made my way to my seat, and we sat in comfortable silence until the rest of the council members filled in and then the King came in last and just as we were about to start the meeting the Queen walked in followed by the Crown Prince.

'This should be rather interesting' I thought to myself.

No one said anything about the intrusion by the Queen and her son and soon the meeting was underway after the two new additions had found seats for themselves. I kept my silence as the meeting began starting with the Master of Laws and then the Grand Maester each reported on their specific duties and the marked improvement or on the decline.

Finally, it was the turn of the Master of Coin, Petyr Baelish one of the most dangerous men in Westeros and somewhat of a rival of mine. When he began recounting on how the finances of the throne were on the rise and that the coffers were filling up as well as that he managed to pay all debts, I knew I had to interject before he stole all the Young Stags credit.

"Actually, my lords and Graces the marked influx of wealth the realm has received as of late is due to our young Prince across the Narrow Sea. It would seem he has conquered and now rules three cities in Essos, namely Myr, Tyrosh and Lys."

After I gave this small and outdated piece of information, I saw the attitudes of the lords and Royalty shift, there was understanding in the eyes of Lord Arryn and Stannis Baratheon while Renly Baratheon did not seem surprised at all, well that was not a surprise as he had gone to see his nephew once in the past along with his friends from the Reach. Lord Baelish seemed peeved at the revelation and the Royalty were shocked and angry, most of the anger coming from the Queen and her son while there was a hint of pride in the eyes of the King.

Quite frankly even I was surprised when my birds had sung songs of the prince's deeds in Essos, the boy had proven to be the perfect warrior and commander of that there was no doubt but ruling and managing cities was something that I did not think he was capable of. But here we are the prince has proven himself time and again that he should not be underestimated, what a shame he was stripped of his title as Crown Prince and was removed from the line of succession for the Iron Throne.

Seeing as everyone had calmed down and regained their composure I waited to be asked for more information and I did not have to wait long as the Lord Hand spoke next.

"Lord Varys, please tell us what you know of all he has accomplished and clear up any misunderstandings we may have."

"From what songs are being sung by my birds in the East, the Prince has firmly established himself from his sells word company that has never failed a contract to his cities that have become a paradise for merchants. He has paid of all the Crown's debt to the Iron Bank and secured trade deals with Braavos for us and has instructed his merchant fleet some 700 ships to trade with Westeros as well. Then there is the fact that he has sent 300 ships to the North and has increased their food production by 80% and is currently building roads all over the North and has sent enough glass to construct some 2,000 glass houses for farming. He has done the same for the Vale, Dorne, Stormlands and Reach as well. That is to say that the prince has increased food production by at least 3-fold all over the Seven Kingdoms."

I watched as the news of the prince's actions shocked them all and left some speechless, the Lord Hand mumbled something about how he finally knew who sent the ships and farmers to his lands and the same was said by the youngest of the Baratheon brothers. It would seem the prince's men had not said who sent them when they started improving the realm. Truly an interesting one that Prince.

"What about the Westerlands!?"

The queen shouted and demanded an answer, her anger was pulpable and she looked as though she was ready to strangle someone. Bowing my head in her direction I told her of what I knew.

"My Queen, it would seem as though the new farming techniques were already given to your Lord father while the prince was a page all those years ago. That is to say, there's nothing to improve on in the Westerlands."

She visibly calmed down when she heard that her family was already prospering and had more than enough years to fully act on the prince's gift to their benefit, but all her praise was to her father and not her son who had come up with the new methods in the first place. I truly did pity the poor prince.

"But I must regretfully inform the council that Lord Tywin has recently sent the prince a letter that has seemed to anger him as my birds tell me that he has recalled his Iron Legion and is preparing his war fleet nearly 1,000 ships in total. It would seem he plans to sail to Casterly Rock."

That piece of news threw everyone present into a panic, all except the king. The Grand Maester spoke of how the King should strip the prince of all he owns, the only problem with that was how exactly are we going to take three cities in Essos from the Prince and who would govern them not that it would be possible. The prince was seen as a saviour to the people and his men are loyal to him and him alone.

"That ungrateful upstart does he have any idea what he is doing, does he think that just because he has one or two cities that he can rebel against the throne. Does he not know who he should be grateful to for all he has, all he has become? Is this how he repays kindness by threatening his own family."

I watched as the Queen raged on and I truly wondered what she meant when she said 'ungrateful' does she not know that the silk used for her dresses and even the one she is wearing now were gifts sent by the prince. What should he even be grateful for? Everything he has he has earned and taken with his own strength and his own men, the Crown offered no assistance and even then, he still paid our debts for us. It is his gold that now flows into the crown's coffers.

"Send a letter to the boy, tell him he and his men are not to return until I give him leave to." And with those last words the King stood up and left the Council chambers. Watching him walk away I wondered if there was any love in the man's heart for his first-born son.