Chapter 71: Chapter 071 – A Simple Truth

[295 AC]

Taking a deep breath, Varys decided that there was no need to skirt around the truth when talking to the god before him and so he replied: “I came to inquire about Daenerys Targaryen, the rightful heir to the Iron Throne and Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.”

“The Realm needs a better ruler, the people need a better ruler. I am sure you understand this, considering what you have done for the people of the Blessed Cities and Phoenix Bay, my Lord.”, Varys ended.

Turning around again, fully this time, Phenex gazed at the spymaster with purple eyes, as he replied: “There is a great difference between what I have achieved for the betterment of the lands I rule and what you aim to do for the Seven Kingdoms.”

“What difference?”, the eunuch asked calmly.

"I incited change that led to peace and stability, something that allowed these lands to become more prosperous than any other place in the known world. You, Varys, on the other hand, have worked towards death, destruction, and chaos since you stepped foot into the Seven Kingdoms.", Phenex answered as he continued.

“You say you want what's best for the Realm, but wasn't it you that fed the Mad King's madness and paranoia, causing him to even turn against his own son? Rhaegar might not have been the perfect example of a King, but he was sure to make a vastly better ruler than his father or Robert Baratheon.”

"And even now, instead of truly working for the good of the Realm under Robert Baratheon, you still try and incite conflict and chaos. Blood and death follow your schemes, Spider. And yet your goals and ambitions are neither noble nor of sound logic.", Phenex ended.

Listening to these words, Varys was at a loss for words momentarily, as the being in front of him spoke the truth, and the things the Spider had done to further his plans also did weigh on his conscience somewhat.

In the end though, the spymaster had long since resolved himself to walk down the path he had chosen, no matter the sacrifices, and so he replied: "The Blessed Cities and Phoenix Bay may be ruled by the Red Temple, but it is you, my Lord, they unite under. It is you the people see as their ruler and protector. The Seven Kingdoms need a King or Queen like that, someone they want to follow and unite under, someone that will lead them into better times."

“And while Rhaegar Targaryen might have had the necessary charm to draw people in, he had been born with a troubled heart and his actions at the tourney of Harrenhall had proven that he did not have the best of the Realm in mind.”

"That however does not change the fact that the Targaryen name still holds a special place in the people's hearts. If the girl under your protection has the makings of a great Queen, she may be what is needed to truly unite the Seven Kingdoms again and bring lasting peace and stability.", Varys stated with mild zeal, making it clear that he truly believed every word he spoke.

“The right blood does not make a good ruler. How many Targaryens sat on the Iron Throne as absolute tyrants and how many of them were good rulers? Daenerys is a smart and kind girl, and while she might make a good Queen, what about her children, and their children.”, Phenex stated, “Westeros doesn't need one good ruler, followed by generations of tyrants. It needs a way to ensure that those in power will be competent and just. If even an intelligent man like you does not understand this, then what good did all those books you read about history, do you?”

Once again Varys wasn't quite sure how to answer, as what the Red God said was the truth and a fact. What did it matter if the realm was ruled by a competent and good ruler for a few decades, if the following centuries nothing but fools, tyrants, and madmen were going to sit on the throne?

Phenex next words dragged the spymaster out of his contemplation, as he said: "Peace, prosperity, and justice. I have brought those to the Blessed Cities and Phoenix Bay not by being a good ruler, but by being wise enough to see my own shortcomings."

"I may be capable of wreaking destruction upon all of Essos with nothing but a snap of my fingers, but that does not make me qualified to rule the cities like they deserve to be ruled, which is something I know very well. I have however the power to enable others to do so."

“It is what I have chosen do to with my power and you, Varys, will likewise have to decide what you want to do with yours.”, Phenex stated, giving the spymaster before him a deep look, as he continued.

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"Do you want to scheme and plan in the hopes that you might see someone kind on the Iron Throne, who may be a good ruler for the Seven Kingdoms for a few years, or do you want to help create something that might lead to lasting peace and prosperity?"

Hearing these words, as they smashed into his heart and mind, Varys felt his resolve crack.

So much he had experienced in his long life as a slave raised by a group of mummers, before being sold to a sorcerer and having his manhood cut off and burnt. Surviving as a thief, beggar, and prostitute, he had eventually gained power and wealth, along with a goal to strive for.

Even with the blood of countless innocents on his hands, his determination had held strong, but being confronted with such truths and facts, the Spider felt at a loss. There was no argument to be made, no quips or remarks that could refute the simple truth in the divine being's words.

And so the broken spymaster asked the man in front of him quietly: “Have I wasted my life then, on something that was doomed to be a failure from the start? What path do I have left now?”

“It was perspective you lacked before, but that doesn't mean that you have wasted your time and effort.”, Phenex responded in a clear voice, “And there still exists a path, which can help you to truly achieve what you seek at heart, Varys.”

Light seemed to return to the spymaster's eyes, as he looked at the divine being with a conflicted expression. Intelligent as he was, he understood what Phenex implied with his words.

“You want me to serve you?”, Varys asked, as he tried to keep his tone neutral.

The spymaster's prejudice against magic and any who were connected to the subject, made him antagonistic towards the Red God, even though he now realized that the being in front of him was also one of great wisdom and insight.

Still, it was hard for the Spider to adapt to these new impressions he had of Phenex, so he was still guarded against him.

“Who else would you serve? The Realm?”, Phenex answered, “If you want to serve the Realm, then tell me, Spider, do you still think you can achieve that by having someone placed on the Iron Throne you think would be a good ruler?"

"Power and authority always lead to the corruption of mortal men and women. It is something inevitable. Like a circle or wheel that has been drawn and re-drawn, it inevitably leads to the same fate. It is under this wheel that the lives, the freedom, and the joy of the common people are crushed and extinguished."

“And it will be different under your rule?”, Varys questioned, his tone heavy and dark.

"It already is.", the Red God responded calmly, "I am no mortal man, and neither do I crave power and authority. My own power is immeasurable as it is already. I rule with purpose, not with desire and greed. I don't expect to gain anything more than the knowledge that I have created something that will last, something that is good and just."

“And now it is time that you make your choice, Varys.”, Phenex demanded after a short pause.

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