Following the mysterious death of King Robert’s Baratheon’s hand, Jon Arryn, the king rides north and recruits his long-time friend Lord Eddard Stark to replace him. Upon Lord Eddard’s arrival in the capital city of King’s Landing, he is immediately sent to meet with King Robert’s small council, who are made up of four other members aside from his new position as Hand of the King: Lord Varys, the Master of Whisperers; Renly Baratheon, the Master of Laws and the youngest of King Robert's two brothers; Grand Maester Pycelle, the king’s personal maester and advisor; and Lord Petyr Baelish, known as "Littlefinger", the realm’s Master of Coin. The meeting is convened, to Eddard’s surprise. It is customary for the king to attend such meetings, however, Robert’s brother Renly informs Eddard that the king never takes part in the meetings, as Varys then, more politely, says that Robert has many burdens but allows his small council to take care of the "small matters" of the realm. Littlefinger notes that they are the "lords of small matters". Renly passes a proclamation from Robert to Eddard, reporting that the king has ordered the realm to stage a tournament in honor of Lord Stark's appointment. After discussing the realm’s debt against the expense of such an event, Eddard informs the council that there will be no tournament. He apologizes for his tone, explaining that he is still weary from his travels. Varys insists to him they serve at his pleasure.

Later on, Lord Eddard’s wife, Catelyn Stark, arrives in King's Landing following a failed attempt that was made on the life of their young son Bran Stark at their home of Winterfell. She is taken to meet Littlefinger at a brothel he owns, where Lord Varys is also waiting. Varys explains that one of his 'little birds' told him of her arrival. Catelyn asks Littlefinger for aid in finding the people who tried to have her son killed with an elaborate dagger that she’s brought with her. Lord Baelish answers this quickly stating that the unique dagger wielded by the assassin used to be his, but he lost it in a gamble with Tyrion Lannister, the brother of Queen Cersei Lannister.

Some days later, during a meeting of the small council, Lord Eddard learns that the forthcoming tournament to celebrate his appointment is seeing the city swell with visitors, and has already resulted in a tavern riot, a brothel fire, three stabbings and a drunken horse race. He tells Littlefinger that money will have to be found to strengthen the city guards, as well as lending twenty of his own men to Janos Slynt's command, until the tournament is over.

Days later, Eddard Stark is visited by Lord Varys in his chambers, who closes the door to ensure they cannot be overheard. He enquires about his son Bran's health and Eddard replies that he will never walk again following his fall from Winterfell’s tower, which now after a second attempt on the boy’s life leaves Eddard to believe House Lannister is behind this. Varys then tells him that King Robert is a fool and will soon be dead unless Eddard can save him. Ned wants to know why Varys is telling him this now. Varys tells him he had to be sure Ned could be trusted. He calls Eddard an honorable and true man, maybe the only one in the city. He also confirms that Jon Arryn was assassinated with a poison called the Tears of Lys because he "started asking questions". Afterwards, Eddard’s youngest daughter, Arya Stark, chases a cat into the dungeons underneath the Red Keep, where she finds the great dragon skulls of the Targaryens in storage. She overhears two men talking: Varys and Magister Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos. Varys states that events have been set in motion and the “lion and the wolf” will soon be at each other's throats. War is almost upon the Seven Kingdoms, as they planned, but it has come too soon. Khal Drogo will not invade Westeros until his son is born and pronounced healthy, which is still many months away. Illyrio suggests assassinating Eddard to forestall the war, but Varys refuses. After they leave, Arya escapes through a stairway leading downwards into the bowels of the keep.

Afterwards, Varys finds Lord Baelish in the Great Hall staring at the Iron Throne. After discussing his brothel, Littlefinger takes a jab at Varys, asking him what has happened to his testicles and if they are kept in a box somewhere. Varys quips back, stating that he doesn't know and that it’s a shame since they were once so close. Varys then reveals that he knows about Littlefinger's assistance in Eddard's investigation of Jon Arryn's death and reminds Littlefinger of the consequences that may befall him should the Lannisters discover his involvement. In response, Littlefinger reveals that he already knows about Varys having met with both Eddard and Magister Illyrio just earlier that day, implying he knows of Varys' allegiances across the Narrow Sea. Their conversation is interrupted by Lord Renly, who informs them that Robert will be joining them at their small council meeting.

At the meeting of the small council, King Robert tells Eddard that Daenerys Targaryen is pregnant and her son will have a claim to the throne. He wants her and her brother Viserys Targaryen dead as soon as possible. Eddard states that this act would be dishonorable and beneath their dignity. Robert explodes in fury, telling Eddard that he has seven kingdoms to rule and honor does not come into it. Eddard asserts that this makes them no better than the “Mad King” Aerys Targaryen, infuriating Robert even more. He asks the council to speak their advice to Eddard. However, the other members of the council:  Pycelle, Renly, Littlefinger and Varys, all concur that Daenerys must die for the good of the realm. Eddard urges to Robert that he will not support this, explaining that he followed Robert into war twice with no doubts or hesitation, but he will not follow him into this. Robert angrily snaps that Eddard is the King's Hand; he will do as commanded or Robert will find another. At that, Eddard removes his badge of office and leaves it on the table. A furious Robert orders him to leave and go back to Winterfell before he takes his head as a traitor. As Ned is packing, Littlefinger arrives and offers to take Ned to the last place Jon Arryn went before he "fell ill". Eddard agrees.

Some time later, Eddard continues to investigate the mystery surrounding Jon Arryn’s murder only to discovery that Prince Joffrey, along with his two younger siblings, are the product of incest between Queen Cersei and her twin brother Ser Jaime Lannister. With King Robert away on a hunting trip, Eddard confronts Cersei with his discovery, informing her that this is the secret Jon Arryn died over. The queen coolly admits that her children are not Robert’s indeed, as Eddard urges her to flee from the capital before he informs the king. However, shortly after, King Robert is mortally wounded while on the boar hunt. Wishing him a peaceful death, Eddard withholds his discovery. Robert has Eddard write his will, naming Eddard Protector of the Realm to rule until Joffrey comes of age. Eddard, however, doesn’t name Joffrey specifically and instead refers to Robert's successor as his “rightful heir”. Following this, Eddard is summoned to the throne room by "King Joffrey," confirming Robert’s death and further Lannister control. Outside he arrives to find Varys and Littlefinger waiting for him. Varys informs him that Renly Baratheon has fled the city in fear of his own life. Upon entering the throne room, Joffrey smugly sits on the Iron Throne. He immediately demands oaths of fealty from his councilors and subjects. Instead, Eddard gives Ser Barristan Selmy the proclamation naming him as Lord Protector of the Realm. To Barristan's shock, Queen Cersei takes the "paper shield" and tears it up. Instead, she suggests that Eddard bend the knee and swear allegiance and in return he will be allowed to safely return to Winterfell. Eddard responds that Joffrey has no claim to the throne and commands Janos Slynt to take the queen and her son into custody. Instead, the City Watch immediately kill Eddard's bodyguards and Littlefinger sneaks up behind Eddard and holds a knife to his throat, saying, "I did warn you not to trust me".

Within the following days, Varys visits Lord Eddard in the Black Cells of the Red Keep. He is incredulous that Eddard warned Cersei Lannister of his discovery and intention. Eddard says he wanted to extend mercy to Cersei's children, whom Robert would have killed if he'd known the truth. Varys bluntly tells Eddard that his mercy is what killed King Robert, and also informs that his wife Catelyn no longer holds Tyrion Lannister as her prisoner, meaning House Stark has nothing to barter with for his life. When Eddard suggests they should just kill him, Varys says "Not today, my lord." As he departs, Eddard asks Varys who he truly serves: Varys, in a rare display of honesty, replies "The realm, my lord. Someone must." Meanwhile, the Lannister guards couldn’t locate Arya Stark, who has now fled the Red Keep, however, they were able to apprehend Eddard’s eldest daughter Sansa Stark. Following her arrest, Queen Regent Cersei and the remainder of the small council, comprised of Varys, Pycelle and Littlefinger, summon the young Stark girl to inform her that her father has been arrested for treason. They manipulate Sansa into writing a letter to her older brother Robb Stark, asking him to bend the knee peacefully to King Joffrey. They add that Eddard's fate may depend on what his son and the other Northern lords do. Sansa agrees to write the letter that eventually is flown to Winterfell and springs Robb into action, heading south for war.

Afterwards, King Joffrey holds court in the Red Keep. Janos Slynt, commander of the City Watch, is to be made Lord of Harrenhal as a reward for his loyal service. Cersei then dismisses Ser Barristan Selmy as head of the Kingsguard, noting that the time has come for an honorable retirement. Selmy is confused, pointing out that Kingsguards serve for life, but Joffrey angrily says that Selmy is too old, and wasn't able to protect his father, King Robert. Selmy's disgrace is only compounded when he learns his post as Lord Commander is to be given to Jaime Lannister, much to his disgust. Varys announces that Selmy is to be given a castle and land in recognition of his years of service, but the old knight, insulted by what he sees as being offered "a hall to die in and men to bury me," takes off his armor, throws his sword at Joffrey's feet and storms out, stating that he could still kill all five of the other Kingsguard present with ease. Sansa then approaches and begs Joffrey for her father's life, claiming that the medicine he was taking for his injured leg was responsible for his treasonous talk. Joffrey says that her sweet words have moved him and he will spare Eddard, only if he bends the knee to him and acknowledges him as king. Sansa assures him in front of the royal court that her father will do so.

Some time later, Varys visits Lord Eddard again in the Black Cells underneath the Red Keep. When Eddard quips that Varys seems to be his last friend, Varys informs him that he is still loved by many and his daughter Sansa begged for his life before the entire court. He also informs Eddard that his son Robb is leading an army from the North. In addition, Varys also states that Queen Regent Cersei is more concerned over the intentions of the late King Robert's brother Stannis Baratheon. He is a proven battle commander known to be without mercy and will now be campaigning to take the throne for himself now that the rumors of her incestuous offspring and Joffrey’s false claim as king have been circulating the Seven Kingdoms. For the sake of his daughter's life, Lord Varys urges Eddard to confess to the treasonous charge against him. In return, Cersei will let him take the black and join the Night’s Watch at the Wall, alongside his younger brother Benjen Stark and bastard son Jon Snow. Lord Eddard is angered by the suggestion that he would trade his honesty and honor for his life. He irately refuses to serve the queen who killed his king, butchered his men and crippled his son. Varys matches his intensity and urges him to serve the realm. Eddard then appears to have second thoughts when Varys insinuates that Sansa would also pay the price for his defiance.

Later on, the missing Arya Stark walks around the streets of the city far from the Red Keep, unwashed and starving. In hungered desperation she attempts to capture a pigeon. Suddenly, she notices a commotion of smallfolk hurrying along and then follows the crowd to the Great Sept of Baelor. Unable to see the steps of the Sept, she climbs onto the pedestal of a statue of Baelor Targaryen and sees her father Eddard being brought in chains to the steps of the temple. Amidst the commotion, he spots his youngest daughter on the statue, and while he is dragged through the crowd Eddard passes Yoren of the Night's Watch, an acquaintance of his. He looks in the direction of the statue and simply says "Baelor" to Yoren. The Black Brother quickly understands and then moves toward the statue where Arya is. On the steps, where Varys stands amongst the royal party, Eddard is given a chance to confess his "crimes." He weighs his choices as he sees both Arya and Sansa present, and chooses to save them by making a false confession. He then declares that Joffrey is the true king in order to appease the young ruler. King Joffrey then informs that he could be merciful and send Eddard to the Night's Watch as his mother suggested and as Sansa has begged. He instead acknowledges that as women they are "soft" and treason must never go unpunished. The sadistic king then commands Ser Ilyn Payne to bring him Eddard’s head. The crowd goes into an uproar. Arya tries to make her way through the crowd, drawing her sword to save her father, but Yoren grabs and stops her, shielding her from seeing her father's death. A screaming Sansa is restrained by guards, while a visibly horrified Cersei frantically tries to persuade her son to reconsider, as does Varys, but there is no time. Ser Ilyn draws Eddard's own sword and cuts his head off with a single blow.

Some days following Eddard’s execution, Varys and Littlefinger speak in front of the Iron Throne. Varys asks how Littlefinger envisions himself sitting on the Iron Throne. When Littlefinger flips the question and asks this of Varys, Varys assures that he must be one of the few people in the city who doesn't want to be king. Littlefinger quips that he is one of the few men in the city who isn't a man, referring to him being a eunuch. Baelish then proceeds to ask if they took both the "pillar" as well as the "stones." Varys retorts by asking him if he spends a lot of time wondering what is between his legs. Their banter continues as Baelish pictures that it looks like a “gash,” similar to a woman, as Varys then sarcastically states that he’s flattered to be pictured at all. Their swipes, however, then turn to an admission of mutual admiration. They are interrupted by King Joffrey’s arrival, as they all then head to a small council meeting.

Some weeks later, Cersei Lannister continues to govern from King's Landing as the Queen Regent to her son, King Joffrey Baratheon. The small council is in session to discuss the Conclave's announcement that the long summer has ended. Lord Varys states that a long summer typically means an even longer winter. Facing an imminent winter, Cersei orders the city gates barred to prevent further refugees from entering the city. She is perturbed by the arrival of her brother Tyrion Lannister, who has returned to the capital and has been named acting Hand of the King by their father Lord Tywin. Varys is handed the decree by Tyrion and confirms his new position as Hand until Tywin’s return. Cersei orders the council to exit the room in frustration, fearing that her brother is scheming to usurp her power. After Varys and the rest of the council exit, Tyrion proudly informs Cersei that since she failed to prevent the death of Eddard Stark, she has been viewed as the disappointing child by Tywin and is blamed for the execution and the resulting rebellion in the North. Tyrion then wins her temporary acceptance when he pledges to free their brother Ser Jaime from Robb Stark’s captivity in the Riverlands. However, he insists that they need to find the missing Arya Stark in order to facilitate a prisoner exchange.

Some days later, Tyrion enters his bedchamber to find his lover Shae laughing with Lord Varys. She informs Tyrion that he made her wait and Varys was keeping her company, adding that she has told Varys about how they met. Varys pointedly asserts that Tyrion was lucky to find such a lovely creature working in his father Lord Tywin’s kitchens, and that the story almost beggars belief. Tyrion says that strange things do happen and offers that Varys should taste Shae's fish pie. Shae says that she doubts that Varys likes fish pie. Varys wonders how she knows and she giggles and says that she can always tell. Varys informs that he is glad Tyrion's “new friend” could accompany him and how unfortunate that Tywin did not agree, insinuating his understanding that Tywin forbade his son to bring a prostitute back to the capital with him. Varys offers reassurance that he’s very good at keeping secrets. Tyrion moves to the door to block Varys' exit, stating that he doesn’t like being threatened and unlike Eddard Stark he understands how the game is played. Varys says that Eddard was a man of honor. Tyrion says that he is not and Varys will be thrown into the sea if he threatens him again. Varys assures that Tyrion might be disappointed with the results as: “storms come and go, the big fish eat the little fish… and I keep on paddling.” Afterwards, Cersei reads Robb Stark's peace terms aloud to the small council before tearing them up. Tyrion tells her that she has perfected the art of tearing up papers and suggests that they at least return Eddard Stark's remains as a gesture of good faith. Cersei asks her cousin Alton Lannister to deliver their reply and he accepts. Cersei also asks him to tell her brother Jaime that he has not been forgotten, to the consternation of the other council members. Grand Maester Pycelle reports a messenger-raven from Castle Black, as Lord Varys then interjects that the wildlings are becoming increasingly troublesome. Lord Baelish is sarcastically dismissive though Varys adds that the wildlings are organizing behind their King Beyond the Wall named Mance Rayder. Cersei jokes that she now has lost track of the number of kings. Tyrion says that the message is from the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, Jeor Mormont, and that he is asking for more recruits. Cersei says that they cannot spare any because they are fighting their own war. Tyrion reads a troubling passage: “the cold winds are rising, and the dead rise with them.” Pycelle dismisses it as northern superstition as Tyrion relays Jeor's encounter with a wight and asserts his reliability. Cersei mocks Tyrion as having become gullible after one trip to the Wall. He reminds Cersei that the Night's Watch is the only thing that separates them from what lies beyond the Wall.

Flexing the muscles of his new position as Hand of the King, Tyrion later tests the loyalty of the small council by feeding them each a different plan for a marriage alliance involving his niece Myrcella Baratheon. He first meets with Pycelle and compliments his knowledge before then asking him to keep a confidence. He tells him that he is hoping to arrange a marriage alliance with House Martell in Dorne by offering Myrcella's hand to their heir Trystane Martell. He then has a similar meeting with Lord Varys but claims that he wants to marry Myrcella to Theon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands. Afterwards he then offers a third variation to Lord Baelish, this time saying that he will wed Myrcella to Robin Arryn of the Vale. Baelish ponders Tyrion's motivation given his fractious relationship with Lysa Arryn, but Tyrion claims that he is rising above their past dealings. Baelish asks what is in it for him and Tyrion says that he will award him Harrenhal for brokering the arrangement. Afterwards, Cersei implodes on Tyrion for arranging her daughter to be sent to Dorne. As Pycelle is now exposed as Cersei’s secret informant, Tyrion has him arrested. Following the arrest, Tyrion meets with Varys who reports that Shae is settling into her new role as Sansa Stark’s handmaiden. Varys then congratulates Tyrion on his clever ploy. Varys tells Tyrion a riddle, using it to illustrate that power is an illusion maintained by rulers. He states that “a very small man can cast a very large shadow.”

Some weeks later, as rivaling king Stannis Baratheon is days away from arriving with his army, Tyrion turns to books for insight into siege defense tactics, notably Archmaester Ch'Vyalthan's  ‘An History of the Great Sieges of Westeros.’ However, a sellsword named Bronn warns that the grim realities of a siege cannot be understood from reading, elucidating that starvation is the great killer of a siege and that food becomes the most valuable commodity. He says that if things are bad enough the poor will turn to cannibalism, while the rich will give away their most valued possessions in exchange for simple provisions. He says that the thieves prosper most in a siege. Lord Varys agrees that extreme measures are warranted under the circumstances. Tyrion reaches for a map and says that Stannis knows King’s Landing. He predicts that Stannis will use his insight to find their weak point and chooses the Mud Gate as the likely point that Stannis will attack. Tyrion says that it will be desirable to Stannis because it is weak to battering rams and only fifty yards from the shore. Varys asks what they plan to do to defend the weak spot as Bronn jokes that they could throw books at Stannis’ men. Varys then asserts that they do not have that many books as Bronn retorts that they don’t have many men either. Varys asks Tyrion what they do have and Tyrion responds “pig shit,” alluding to a secret stash of wildfire that has been prepared for the impending attack.

The following day, King Joffrey marches up to the walls of his capital berating Varys on his lack of intelligence from the North and wishes to attack Robb Stark's forces now that Winterfell has fallen to the Ironborn, but Tyrion advises against it, due to Stannis' attack on King's Landing. After Joffrey leaves, Tyrion leads Varys to the edge of the sea wall. Varys commends Tyrion on his ability as Hand, explaining that he is superior to the good and honorable Jon Arryn and Eddard Stark because he enjoys playing the game while they disdained it. Tyrion agrees that he enjoys it, noting that it was the last thing he expected. Varys adds that Tyrion plays it well as Tyrion admits that he would like to keep on playing it. He then warns that if Stannis breaches the gates then the game is over. Varys then reveals hearing a rumor from across the Narrow Sea that Daenerys Targaryen has hatched three dragons. Tyrion is dismissive of the threat she poses given their current circumstances. Varys predicts that it will be years before the dragons are fully grown but warns that they will then have nowhere to hide. Tyrion urges him to focus on one game at a time.

Days later, with Stannis Baratheon’s army hours away from arrival, Varys meets Tyrion in his chambers and unfurls a map of the tunnel network beneath the city, as Tyrion’s squire Podrick Payne dresses him in his armor. Tyrion looks down at the map and estimates that it shows twenty miles of tunnels. Varys corrects him, saying that there are fifty and elucidating that the Targaryens built the city to withstand a siege but wanted to be able to escape if necessary. Tyrion says that he is not planning to escape and likens himself to a captain of a ship; willing to go down with it if it sinks. Varys then reveals reports that Stannis has converted to the Lord of Light through his association with a Red Priestess named Melisandre, adding that people believe in what they have seen and what those they trust have seen. Varys extrapolates that Tyrion probably does not entirely trust him as Tyrion replies not to take it personally, explaining that he does not entirely trust himself. Varys goes on to say that he’s seen and heard things that Tyrion hasn’t, promising to tell the story of his castration someday. Varys then informs Tyrion that he is all that stands between them and defeat, as Podrick offers Tyrion a battle axe. Tyrion looks at it and grips it firmly in his hand before looking back at Varys.

Some time following the victorious battle against Stannis Baratheon, a heavily-wounded Tyrion awakens to find Pycelle looming over him. The reinstated Grand Maester gloatingly informs Tyrion that with the return of his father Lord Tywin he has been relieved as Acting Hand and moved to new chambers. Meanwhile, Varys attends court as King Joffrey names his grandfather Tywin ‘Savior of the City’ for turning the tide of the battle with the late arrival of his army. Littlefinger is then rewarded with Harrenhal for brokering an alliance between House Lannister and House Tyrell, whose large army secured their victory. As his reward, Ser Loras Tyrell asks that King Joffrey wed his sister Margaery Tyrell in order to unite their houses. This is quickly agreed upon once Cersei makes a point to the royal court that his arranged betrothal to Sansa should be set aside due to the “treachery” of House Stark. Afterwards, Varys visits a recuperating Tyrion and sadly informs him that his father is being given all of the credit for the victory, despite the last-minute arrival and Tyrion’s wise defensive strategies throughout the battle. Varys then suggests that Cersei was the one who ordered House Lannister knight, Mandon Moore, to attack Tyrion during the battle in retaliation for sending her daughter Myrcella away to marry the heir of Dorne. Varys offers a small consolation, as he’s brought Tyrion’s lover Shae to see him. Before Varys exits, he regretfully informs Tyrion that although his leadership was key to saving the city, he will not be recognized by King Joffrey. He confidently states, however, that the city itself will not forget.

Meanwhile, a prostitute named Ros has returned to Littlefinger’s brothel following her recent captivity at the hands of Cersei, who falsely assumed that she is Tyrion’s lover their father forbade from the capital. Ros solemnly applies makeup to cover the bruises inflicted on her. A client then enters and she invites him to make themselves comfortable. The hooded figure perches on the edge of the bed as Ros turns on her charm, asserting that he does not look comfortable and offering to show him how to relax. The figure pulls back his hood and reveals himself as Lord Varys. He insists that there is no need for her to disrobe, adding that he is not like most men, insinuating no interest in any sexual gratification. After reaching for his crotch, only to find nothing there, Ros realizes who he is. Noting her fear, Varys informs her that there is nothing dangerous “down there.” Varys eventually gets Ros to admit she's afraid of Lord Baelish, and informs her that unlike her current employer, he protects those who work for him, also reminding her of the abuse she has suffered from the Lannister guards. He adds that while she should be afraid of Littlefinger, everyone has their weaknesses.

Some weeks later, Lord Tywin Lannister calls the first meeting of the small council since he arrived in the city and assumed his position as Hand of the King. Tywin is upset with his three advisors, Lord Varys, Littlefinger and Pycelle, as none of them can locate his son Ser Jaime Lannister, even though the entire Northern army has heard of his escape from Robb Stark’s camp. Varys then makes a jab at Littlefinger's recent, titular promotion as Lord of Harrenhal and impending betrothal to the eccentric Lysa Arryn. Tywin states that this will cement support from the Vale of Arryn, which has been neutral in the war up to now. Tyrion Lannister points out that if Lord Baelish departs for the Vale that leaves a vacancy on the small council, and Tywin reveals that he has appointed Tyrion as the new Master of Coin to replace him. Tyrion quickly points out that he has no prior experience in finance. With backhanded compliments, Cersei Lannister makes it clear that this promotion is really intended to give him an opportunity to make mistakes that he’ll ultimately be blamed for.

Some days later, Tyrion Lannister meets with Lord Varys, who is in the middle of prying open a large wooden crate. He asks Varys to help him confirm who sent Ser Mandon Moore to kill him during the Battle of the Blackwater. Varys says he cannot confirm who gave the order, as the most he has are whispers that it was his sister Cersei. Tyrion wants to know with certainty so that he can take revenge. Varys uses this opportunity to finish a conversation they were having on the eve of the battle, in which Varys promised to reveal how he was castrated. Varys begins with informing Tyrion that he used to be a slave in the Free Cities, but once when he was in Myr he was sold to a sorcerer who gave him a potion that temporarily paralyzed him and then he cut his genitals off, root and stem. The sorcerer needed his genitals as a sacrifice for a spell, and he burned Varys' genitals in a brazier of fire. Varys explains that he’s had recurring nightmares to this day; not of the sorcerer, or the knife, or the pain... but of when the sorcerer prayed to the blue flames during his ceremony, in which a voice clearly answered him back. Whether it was a god or a demon or simply parlor tricks, Varys never knew. Once thrown out on the streets to die his determination to live was fueled by revenge. This led Varys to do whatever it took to claw his way up into a position of influence in the world: beg, steal or sell himself sexually with the parts of his body he still had left. He then discovered that stealing men's secrets was far more profitable than anything physical as he worked his way up from the slums. Varys explains this is why he hates those who claim to wield magical powers, citing Stannis Baratheon’s use of the Red Priestess Melisandre. Varys then pries the last nail out of a crate in the room and opens it. To Tyrion's astonishment, it contains the elderly sorcerer, alive and gagged, who was shipped to Varys in the crate. Using his own life as an example, Varys thus urges Tyrion to be patient, and his revenge will come to him in time.

Afterwards, Lord Varys visits Ros, who has been secretly spying on Littlefinger for him. He is surprised to hear her report from the other prostitutes in the brothel on the prodigious activities of Tyrion’s young squire, Podrick Payne. Varys is perplexed as to what exactly happened; Ros says the girls told her he wasn't particularly large or anything, so much as what he did, but when she repeatedly asked them what exactly that was, the most they could say is that it was "hard to describe." She then reports on how frequently Littlefinger has visited Sansa Stark, and says she thinks he is obsessed with her, and wants to smuggle her out of the city. She then presents a stolen copy of the ship's manifest for the boat that will take Littlefinger to the Vale of Arryn. Varys is surprised that Ros is literate and asks what obvious point it is that he doesn't see. She points out that there will be two feather beds, and Varys realizes Littlefinger would only pay the extra money for someone other than Littlefinger if it was Sansa.

After his meeting with Ros, Varys then approaches Olenna Tyrell, the revered matriarch of House Tyrell and grandmother of Lady Margaery, who is to be married to King Joffrey in the coming months. Together they walk through the gardens and while Olenna remains relatively polite, she instantly sees through Varys' pleasantries. Varys is verbally outmatched, for once, and she simply asks him to get to the point. He informs Olenna that he is extremely worried that Littlefinger is going to try and take control of Sansa Stark. With Robb Stark's younger brothers presumed dead at Winterfell and the missing Arya Stark has also been presumed dead, Sansa is Robb's only heir. As the War of the Five Kings is not going well for the Starks now, if Robb were to be defeated and die, the man who controls Sansa controls the North. Varys then states that while he enjoys sparring with Lord Baelish, he is truly horrified by the man. While they are all engaged in the intrigues and murders of court politics, Littlefinger has utterly no limits on what he will do to achieve power: he would burn the entire realm down if it meant he could be king of the ashes. Olenna confidently states that you don’t have to be clever to figure the solution. It’s later revealed that Sansa is now arranged to marry her grandson, Ser Loras Tyrell. However, a distrusting Cersei asks Baelish to spy on the Tyrells and once she reports the new arrangement to her father Tywin, he then moves to gain the upper-hand by enforcing Tyrion to marry Sansa instead. In addition, he commands Cersei to marry Ser Loras and, with both marriage arrangements, this should place the North and the Reach under Lannister control.

Some time later, Varys finds Lord Baelish in the throne room. The pair discuss the Iron Throne with regards to the pageantry and propaganda that creates nations and cements dynasties. Varys asserts that he serves the realm, but Lord Baelish scoffs that "the realm" is an invention of Aegon the Conqueror. Littlefinger then informs Varys that he is aware of the arrangement he had with Ros acting as spy for him, and that as result he has given her to "a friend" who is eager for a new experience. Baelish maniacally revels in the chaos that he has caused, likening chaos to a ladder for those brave enough to climb, rather than a pit to be lost in, as Varys and everyone else sees it. Meanwhile, the “friend” Littlefinger has implied to Varys is none other than King Joffrey, who coldly sits in his chamber with his crossbow. He stares at Ros’ lifeless and bloodied corpse that has been tied to his bed and is filled with arrows. Afterwards, looking out on Blackwater Bay, a distraught Sansa heavily weeps as she watches Littlefinger's ship depart without her. Her plan to escape King's Landing is now in tatters.

After a few weeks, Tyrion and Sansa’s wedding has been fast-tracked and Varys is in attendance of the ceremony inside the Great Sept of Baelor. That evening, Varys also attends the wedding feast with the rest of the royal court where Tyrion spends his time getting deeply drunk and making light of his father Tywin’s insistence that his inebriated state will render him unfit to impregnate Sansa. Tyrion, drunkenly proclaiming himself "the god of tits and wine," reminds his father that Tywin has long called him "a drunken little lust-filled beast," so doing his duty in the marriage bed will not pose a problem. Meanwhile, an increasingly drunk King Joffrey then taunts Sansa in private, stating that she's still found a way to marry a Lannister. He then reflects that it doesn't matter which Lannister gets her pregnant, and openly says he might want to rape her after Tyrion’s done with her. The sadistic king then declares it time for the bedding ceremony, however, Tyrion angrily insists there won’t be one. When Joffrey keeps pushing the matter, a furious Tyrion slams his dagger into the table and threatens Joffrey. As the court stands in shocked silence, Joffrey seethes with outrage as Tywin defuses the situation by agreeing that there will be no bedding ceremony, and placates Joffrey by claiming Tyrion's outburst is merely the result of his being extremely drunk. Tyrion swallows his anger and begins to act far more drunk than he actually is and escorts Sansa to their bedchamber.

Some further weeks later, in Tywin Lannister's chambers, Tyrion joins King Joffrey and the small council as an important development in the War of the Five Kings has occurred. Grand Maester Pycelle hands Tyrion a message from Lord Walder Frey informing the crown that Robb and Catelyn Stark have both been killed during a large massacre where the Stark army has also been slaughtered. Tyrion is visibly startled by the news, already foreseeing the long-term problems that the incident will cause, but Joffrey brushes him off and gleefully states that he intends to serve Robb's severed head to Sansa at his wedding feast. None of the small council are able to mask how distasteful they find the concept, as Varys then points out that Sansa is Joffrey's aunt by marriage now, and it would be unseemly not to give her the basic respect that accords. A deeply embarrassed Cersei insists that Joffrey was only joking, as Tyrion tells Joffrey that Sansa isn't his to torment anymore. Joffrey angrily proclaims that he is the king and everyone is his to torment. Tywin then counters that any man who has to remind his subjects that he is king, is no true king. With this, Joffrey attempts to fight his grandfather, deriding Tywin as a coward who hid under the Lannister home of Casterly Rock while his "father" King Robert won the real war that overthrew the Targaryens. Tywin calmly declares that the king is tired and advises Cersei to see him to bed. Tywin then dismisses the rest of the council to speak with Tyrion in private.

Afterwards, in the gardens of the Red Keep, Varys meets with Tyrion’s secret lover Shae. He informs her of his appreciation on the positive affect she’s had on Tyrion, who used to drink and whore around daily. Varys then tells Shae that he knows she’s genuinely in love with Tyrion - and that is the reason why she should take the diamonds he is now offering her and leave immediately for Essos in order to build a new, lavish life for herself. Varys is convinced that Tyrion is the last hope for the Seven Kingdoms' current regime, therefore Shae is a weakness that Tyrion, and thus the realm, cannot afford. He asserts that her presence is “a complication” for Tyrion’s progression. Shae confirms that she is in love with Tyrion and that she cares deeply for Sansa as well, having been her handmaiden for several months now. Shae then states, however, that in spite of her pain at seeing Tyrion and Sansa together and the dangers involved with her staying in the capital, she will not leave until or unless Tyrion asks her to. She throws the diamonds to the ground before walking away from Varys.

Some weeks later, on the morning of King Joffrey and Lady Margaery’s wedding, Tyrion finds Lord Varys on his way to a breakfast celebration. Varys divulges that Shae has been spotted leaving Tyrion’s chambers and that his sister Cersei has been notified of their relationship from another handmaiden named Bernadette. Varys further states that there is nothing he can do to protect Shae any longer in fear of Lord Tywin or Cersei finding out that he has been lying to them. He urges to Tyrion that he has friends across the Narrow Sea that can help Shae. A frustrated Tyrion, however, tells Varys that Shae will not leave, as he’s told her so many times in the past how dangerous her presence is in the capital that she no longer believes it. Before Varys leaves, he forcefully tells Tyrion that Tywin has threatened to hang the next whore he is seen with and then asks: “have you ever known your father to make an idle threat?” Understanding the gravity of the situation, Tyrion then meets with Shae and coldly informs her that there is a ship waiting for her bound for Pentos and that their "friendship" is at an end. Realizing that Shae will defiantly refuse to flee in the face of danger, he concludes the only way to convince her to leave is to brutally reject her, as he then tells her that she is only a whore and he cannot love her. A brokenhearted Shae is then escorted to the docks by Ser Bronn.

That afternoon, King Joffrey and Queen Margaery's wedding ceremony takes place in the Great Sept of Baelor conducted by the High Septon and they are wed in front of gods and men. After the ceremony, Varys and the rest of the royal court gather outside the Red Keep for a lavish wedding feast in celebration of the union of House Lannister and House Tyrell. Along the royal banquet table, Margaery then rises to announce the leftovers of the large feast are to be given to the poorest in the city, which is applauded by the court. Cersei, playing her part through gritted teeth, informs Queen Margaery that she is an example to them all. King Joffrey then speaks to the crowd about contemplating history as five dwarves ride out of a large golden lion, dressed as and representing Joffrey, Renly Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon, Robb Stark, and Balon Greyjoy, each of the five kings in the War of the Five Kings. The dwarves put on a performance, jousting and making crude sexual acts which entertains Joffrey, though is found too confronting by most of the court, including Margaery who watches her king with disdain. Once finished, Joffrey expresses his delight with the play and prepares to give the champion dwarf a purse but then mockingly suggests that Tyrion fight him as well. Tyrion cleverly counters this jape by suggesting that Joffrey should fight instead and show the same bravery he displayed at the Battle of Blackwater, cautioning his nephew to be careful as the champion dwarf is "clearly mad with lust" and it would be a tragedy for the king to lose his virtue hours before his wedding night. Enraged and humiliated in front of his wedding guests, Joffrey pours wine over Tyrion's head and orders him to be his cupbearer. Sansa and Tyrion later attempt to leave the feast, while Margaery serves Joffrey a piece of pie. Joffrey commands Tyrion to serve him wine to wash down the pie. Tyrion hands the goblet to Joffrey and he quickly drinks all of it. Joffrey then tries to speak, but begins coughing. He grabs his throat and then collapses face down, vomiting and convulsing in excruciating pain. Cersei and Ser Jaime rush in and turn Joffrey over on his back. Joffrey points an accusatory finger in Tyrion's direction, as he examines the wine goblet. Joffrey's eyes then turn red, blood runs from his nose and he then suddenly dies in his mother’s arms. Cersei sobs with grief and orders the Kingsguard to seize Tyrion for the poisoning of her son. In the middle of the chaos, Dontos Hollard, a former knight turned court fool, suddenly approaches Sansa from behind and urges her to come with him, as they then flee from the city together. Cersei quickly notices Sansa’s disappearance and Lord Tywin commands the Kingsguard to bar the city gates and seize any ships attempting to leave the capital.

Some weeks after Tyrion’s imprisonment and Sansa’s escape from King’s Landing, Varys is present during Tommen Baratheon’s coronation and bows to the new king himself along with Pycelle and other lords and ladies. In the days to follow, the small council convenes on the morning of Tyrion’s trial. Varys informs the council about Sandor Clegane, the former bodyguard to the late King Joffrey, being spotted in the Riverlands killing Lannister men. Tywin asks what could they do to make a common soldier kill “the Hound,” as Varys suggests paying them silver. Varys also informs the council of Daenerys Targaryen’s conquest of Meereen, as Tywin decides to take measures to prevent her from launching an invasion on Westeros. Afterwards, Varys is approached by the new small council member, Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne. Varys asks him if he’s spent time in Essos as Oberyn confirms that he spent five years there, as he believes that it is a “big and beautiful world” and more people should take advantage of it. Oberyn grows tiresome of the conversation based on Varys’ lack of interest, until Varys explains his distrust for people. Oberyn then invites him to the brothel to share his story with someone, falsely assuming that before his castration Varys was attracted to men. When Varys corrects him in saying that he was never attracted to women either, he asserts that his absence of desire allows him to pursue other things, as he gazes towards the Iron Throne.

Some hours later, Tyrion is brought into the throne room in chains. His trial begins with the newly-crowned King Tommen recusing himself. Instead, a group of three judges are appointed to oversee the trial: Lord Tywin, Lord Mace Tyrell and Prince Oberyn. With the trial quickly underway, Cersei has organized several witnesses to testify against Tyrion on the stand, such as Ser Meryn Trant and Grand Maester Pycelle, who exhibits a poisoned necklace Dontos Hollard gave to Sansa Stark prior to the wedding, which at some point had been found after he assisted in her escape from the capital. Everyone, including Cersei herself, provides strong, yet circumstantial, evidence of Tyrion's guilt. Then to Tyrion’s surprise, Lord Varys testifies against him, citing a heated threat Tyrion had made to Joffrey in front of the small council. Tyrion seems particularly hurt by Varys' betrayal, so much that he asks the spymaster in front of the court whether he remembered what he had told Tyrion about his heroic efforts after the Battle of the Blackwater. Varys solemnly tells Tyrion that he never forgets anything, insinuating that his testimony against him was not by choice. After a recess, Tywin then orders a surprise witness to the stand: Shae. Her appearance astounds Tyrion, who had assumed she had been safely sailed off to Pentos. Shae cruelly testifies that Tyrion and Sansa planned Joffrey’s murder together, claiming that Sansa wanted vengeance for her family. She also tells the judges of Tyrion's sexual desires, embarrassing him in front of the crowd. When Tyrion pleads for her to stop she turns to look at him and bitterly says “I am a whore, remember?” Before she can continue however, Tyrion, enraged beyond sense, angrily demands that he be allowed to confess his crimes. He angrily roars about how he saved King's Landing but should have let Stannis Baratheon kill everyone in the capital, much to the horror and disgust of the people in the court. Tyrion then claims to be guilty for being a dwarf, as Tywin states that he isn’t on trial for being a dwarf. Tyrion angrily insists that he’s been on trial for that his entire life and then reveals his true feelings about Joffrey, denying the murder but saying he wished to have killed Joffrey himself. He then roars to the court that he wishes to be the monster they think he is and would gladly give his life to watch everyone die from drinking poison. This enrages everyone in the court, as Tywin then orders Ser Meryn to escort Tyrion back to the dungeons. Before he can be escorted out, Tyrion bellows that he will not lose his life for a crime he didn’t commit and, knowing that he will get no justice from the court, demands a trial-by-combat. Feeling there is nothing left to lose, Tyrion locks eyes with his father and cracks a subtle smirk.

Some weeks later, Lord Varys attends Tyrion’s trial-by-combat outside of the Red Keep. Seeking his own revenge against the past crimes of House Lannister, Prince Oberyn enters the arena as Tyrion’s highly-skilled fighting champion. Cersei’s chosen champion fighting for House Lannister is Ser Gregor Clegane, the mountainous knight who brutally raped and murdered Oberyn’s sister, Elia Martell, several years ago. Oberyn, after impressing the crowd with a display of acrobatic spear maneuvers, goes on the attack, stabbing out at Gregor and constantly moving out of the knight's reach, forcing Gregor to tire himself out chasing his opponent. As he evades Gregor, Oberyn repeatedly taunts Gregor by constantly mentioning his part in the murder of Oberyn’s sister and her children, and demanding a confession, only enraging Clegane further. As Oberyn starts winning, Tyrion exchanges a few hopeful looks with his brother Jaime and is elated when Oberyn pins Ser Gregor to the ground with his spear. His hopes, however, are quickly shattered in the moment when Clegane knocks Oberyn down and crushes his head, sealing Tyrion's fate. As Tyrion is struck with horror, Lord Tywin states that the gods have made their will known and Tyrion is sentenced to death. As Tyrion stares in catatonic astonishment at Oberyn's skull-crushed corpse, his sisrer Cersei smirks in vindication of his sentencing.

Weeks later, Tyrion is surprised when his brother Ser Jaime frees him from his cell in the middle of the night and leads him through a secret passageway within the castle. He informs Tyrion that he will meet with Lord Varys, who has arranged for him to escape to the Free Cities. Instead of proceeding directly to Varys, however, Tyrion first enters Lord Tywin’s chambers where he finds a woman in his father's bed. He is shocked to discover that it is Shae, moaning Tywin's name and calling our for her "lion," what she used to call Tyrion. When Shae spots him, she grabs a paring knife and tries to stab him. As they both struggle, Tyrion eventually strangles her to death with Tywin's gold chain she is wearing and is immediately distraught once he fully realizes what he’s done. After apologizing to Shae's corpse, he confronts his father with a crossbow while Tywin is on the privy. Tyrion forces his father to admit to his many wrongdoings against him. Tywin tries to placate Tyrion, saying he admires Tyrion's will to survive but when he refers to Shae as a "whore" once too often, Tyrion kills his shocked father with two bolts to the chest. He then proceeds to the chamber of Lord Varys, who then stows him away within a crate upon a ship. Just before the ship departs, fearing for his safety in aiding Tyrion’s escape, Varys decides to join him on the journey across the Narrow Sea.