Zarin

Hours went by as Pycelle tended to Robert, who'd mutter and groan yet seemed stable enough. The dagger had just reached his liver but it was only a grazing wound at the least. The Grand Maester did well to stitch up the wound after clearing out old blood and bile, a messy process considering. After the proper disinfectants and painkillers were added, stitching were done to steal up the stab wound, leaving a large mark behind. Once bandaged up, Pycelle gave a tired sigh as he'd move away from the bed, a visibly tired look in his eyes as he'd take off the bloodied gloves and set the tools back on the table.

"Been years since…since I'd done such a prolonged procedure." He muttered. "While the wound may be mended, blood loss and internal stress may be too much for the King."

"Agreed." Jason simply remarked as the Maester washed his hands from a large bowl of water. "I remember at a university I visited in the past, they had been working on blood transfusions."

"Transfusions? The Citadel was doing experiments on such things. Study supply of pain-numbing mixtures and such. Required very specialized tools and was…questioned to more conservative circles. I had left by the time the research on the matter was struggling to be maintained."

"They still aren't successful."

"Err…shame…quite the shame…" Pycelle finished cleaning himself off along with the tools. "While an interesting subject, all we can do now is wait and hope our efforts are enough for the King." Packing away the tools, the Grand Maester shuffled for the door out. "I'll leave Lord Barratheon's under your watchful care, Ser Jason."

The old man left the room, the door slamming heavily against the frame before Jason gave a worn sigh. He'd glance to where Ned sat, the northerner rested back in his seat, eyes closed in a light sleep. Just approaching him woke Eddard up, eyes alert for a moment before realizing it was The Surgebinder. Quickly his gaze shifted to Robert, seeing the fresh bandages over his wounded side.

"He lives?"

"For now." Jason calmly stated. "If his body isn't what it used to be, but he's far tougher then he looks."

Ned smirked at the remark yet it was short-lived. "He was known for his endurance back when we were young. Guess a bit of that remains." Standing up, he'd move to the bedside and look at Robert, the sleeping King's face more peaceful than before. "Despite how often we disagree and argue, we're still friends, he and I." Sighing, he'd shake his head a bit. "I wonder…maybe if I had been at his side after the Rebellion…things could have been different."

"What is done is done." Jason simply stated. "We can predict what could have happened, only figure out the best course ahead. His gaze did shift to Trant who stood on guard, although there was a bored look on the knight's face.

Ned glanced at the knight as well, knowing they had to be careful over what they said with him close by. "You don't have to remain here. If anything I need you to work with Ser Barristan and the King's Guard to learn everything about the attack." Ned muttered in a low voice.

"I bet the Lord Commander already has sent men back to the King's Wood to gather the bodies and look for clues. Doubt they will learn much…corpses don't often tell many secrets."

"Which is why you should be involved, because you can see details others cannot."

"Robert may need my attention…both for his injury and his protection."

"I don't disagree. However the longer you're distracted the chances of finding proof become slimmer. Leave Robert's protection to me and the King's Guard…at least…those I hope we can trust." Ned whispered the last few words, again giving a wary glance to Trant.

Jason thought over Eddard's words, feeling that leaving King unguarded was a risk. "You are right though…" He'd mutter back. "As Hand, authority is in your favour with the King injured like this. Use what resources and influence you can to ensure he's safe."

"I plan to."

"One detail to explain, his treatment." The Surgebinder moved to the nearby table were the mixed medicine was set by. "Make sure that he is given the proper doses. Small cup every six to eight hours to dull the pain. Ensure he has plenty of water as well. Besides that, call me here if he wakes up so I can talk to him over what happened."

"Simple instructions to follow. I'll remember them well and share them with any other caretakers."

"Good. Again, be mindful of the dosage." He'd turn to leave, giving a small nod for Ser Trant. As he reached the door though, Ned spoke up.

"Tell Arya and Sansa I'll be busy for the next few days. Also…please watch them closely."

Jason simply nodded back before leaving the room, making sure to shut the door behind him. Yet before he even could take another step, his sharp ears heard a shuffling down the nearby corner of the hallway, making him glance over to see the colourful robes of Varys.

"Keeping an eye on your King?" The Surgebinder calmly asked.

"Partly. I was waiting for you really, although if I had known you'd be in there for so long I'd gotten myself a chair." The chubby spymaster answered back, voice soft and formal yet having a sarcastic hint.

Jason didn't show a hint of amusement at the jest. "So what do you want to talk about?"

Varys gestured down the hall though, not answering at first. "It is best we speak on the move. I'd rather not stay here any longer."

The Surgebinder didn't argue as he'd follow the spymaster along, heading down a long corridor. "So what is happening outside and within the Keep?"

"Worry really. The commoners fear for the wellbeing of their King while the nobility wonder who will be in line for the throne."

"They assume Joffrey won't claim it immediately?"

"The prince is still young and inexperienced. If Lord Baratheon does die he'd no doubt place Lord Stark as Lord Regent until the boy is of proper age and temperament…unless deemed otherwise."

"Such as the truth of his real parentage? I wonder…how long have you known? You're the one who pressured me to follow Lord Arryn's trail, so you must have done a little snooping yourself."

"A bit, yet only to confirm my suspicions."

"So then why rely on me and Lord Stark to find the truth? If you've known for months already why haven't you told the King?"

"Because you know very well the crisis that breaks out if he accepted the truth. It is the Rebellion all over again…" He'd pause, gaze shifting as he seemed to think back to those troubling years. "You know that they won't stop. Those who planned the attack on the King will keep trying and they will succeed."

"You are that certain?" He said that more by the reaction since even he knew Cersei's persistent and ambitious nature was reason enough.

"We all must be mindful for Lord Baratheon's safety now, considering the leader of those mercenaries you faced. Your survival is quite astounding really."

Jason had shared the details about the robed man he had seen to Barristan, who had no doubt informed others as well. "Care to explain who exactly I faced?"

"A wanted criminal from the Rebellion years, a rogue alchemist by the name of Zarin. He was the Alchemist Guild's most innovative student who had mastered Wild Fire within just his first year and had begun work on new creations." Varys calmly explained. "Explosives, poisons and drugs. His constant experimenting was considered extreme by the elder members of the guild, yet Aery's was always fascinated by his work. Late in the war, Zarin wished to create a unit of the battle alchemist to bombard infantry, sabotage structures and poison resources. Nothing was out of bounds to him, so long as it leads to victory or furthering his work."

"He'd fit right in with a friend of mine. A lot of their inventors are just as ruthless." Jason remarked. "The bomb he used against me was more powerful than anything I've created. Yet I wonder…surely his work would have turned the war around in Aerys favour."

"Which I agree, however, the tide of war was too swift and soon Lord Baratheon was besieging King's Landing. I do know that Zarin was working alongside the grandmaster of the alchemists, Rossart, on some secret weapon. Whatever it was though it was never used or lost when Ser Jaime killed the grandmaster along with Aerys."

"Yet Zarin avoided death or imprisonment"

"The man knew Lord Tywin was going to betray Aerys and that his ties with the former king would be the end of him. Ever since his disappearance, a notable bounty has been placed on his head, yet no one has ever claimed it." Pacing slightly, Varys had a thoughtful look crossed his face. "For years I thought he felt to Essos to further his studies and hideaway, yet it seems he has returned, although for how long I'm not certain."

"You're saying this man is cunning enough to elude even you?"

Varys gaze narrowed slightly at the remark. "My network is vast yet it's not omnipotent. Zarin never leaves any loose ends as you have seen personally."

"I take you to have plans on capturing him?"

"Beyond simply renewing his bounty and notifying my informants. I doubt he will make another attempt on the King's life although you'd best watch yourself…that man will never forget someone like you foiling his plans."

"Not a first for me. Still, I'll be careful." Jason paused for the moment. "Right now it matters how we will deal with the enemies before us. More importantly…what do you plan to do?"

For a moment the spymaster didn't speak, giving a soft smile on his face. "To act when it's best suited."

Jason sighed, tired of hearing that phrase especially from spies like Varys. "So that means no promises then."

"My strong suit is in the shadows, not out in the open like you or Lord Stark. When the time comes you will learn the value of this." The chubby man slipped both hands into his robe sleeves before giving a small bow. "Yet now I feel I've taken enough of your time. You no doubt have other matters to attend to." With that said, Varys turned to leave further down the corridor, disappearing out of sight as he turned one corner.

For a moment Jason stood there, a tense look in his eyes before he'd give a small sigh. He wishes he knew for certain Varys could be trusted, yet so far the Master of Whispers has been more helpful than a hindrance. Still, his experience with spies had him on guard, knowing very well how such trust could quickly turn against you.

"Let's hope you don't end dead," Jason muttered to himself before turning down a side passage, feeling it was best he'd check up on Ned's daughters and tell them about what was going on.