Chapter 163

“Lysa Tully herself is sharp-tongued and ungenerous, little able to command loyalty. Added to that is her sickly, fretful simpleton of a son; her standing among the lords of the Vale has fallen to the very bottom of the ice. Lord Yohn Royce of Runestone once joined with other Vale bannermen in pressing hard for aid to the Riverlands and the renewal of the old alliance of trout, wolf and falcon. Lysa Tully insisted upon remaining idle and taking no part. That decision drove a deep wedge between her and her principal vassals. Several of the greater lords of the Vale, with Bronze Yohn at their head, have long since ceased to heed the commands of the Eyrie. Should the highlanders fall upon the lands of the Eyrie, those same lords would be far more likely to gather and watch the spectacle than to ride to its defence.” Varys smiled his usual sweet smile.

Lord Wendel pulled a face, clearly persuaded by the damned eunuch. “Lord Varys, I must say your schemes are truly insidious.”

“Lord Wendel, may I take that as a compliment?” Varys answered with a smile that invited a slap.