The chamber of the Small Council was quiet, save for the crackle of the fire in the hearth. Jon Arryn sat at the head of the table, his brow furrowed as he listened to Varys, the Master of Whisperers, who stood at the far end of the room. Varys' voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a hint of unease that made even the normally unflappable Jon Arryn take notice.
"The envoys from Eden have arrived in King's Landing," Varys began, his tone measured. "I must admit, my lords, they are... unsettling."
"How so?" Petyr Baelish, lounging in his chair, raised an eyebrow. "Are they dangerous?"
Varys gave a small, uncharacteristic shiver. "It is not what they say, Lord Baelish, but rather how they look. Imagine statues, carved from the finest marble, come to life. They are... perfect. Too perfect. They seem unnatural, as though crafted by the gods themselves. It sets my little birds on edge. And, my lords, when I am unsettled, it is worth noting."
Pycelle harrumphed from his seat, stroking his long white beard. "And what of their dealings? Surely their appearance is not the only matter that concerns you."
Varys' eyes flickered to Pycelle before continuing. "Indeed. My little birds have heard whispers from the North—Eden is building a fortress on the island of Skagos. A large force of Seekers, their elite soldiers, is establishing a stronghold there, after striking a deal with House Stark for a supply of grain."
Jon Arryn's brow knitted further as he considered the implications. "Skagos? That island is far, desolate, and known for its wild inhabitants. Why would Eden seek to build a fortress there?"
Varys leaned forward slightly. "It is not just the fortress, my lord. Eden is moving. Slowly, yes, but it is gaining influence. The Free Cities are terrified of them."
"Terrified?" Baelish smirked. "Eden's wealth and perfection are hardly terrifying."
"It is not wealth alone that scares them," Varys said softly. "Eden is staunchly anti-slavery, something the Free Cities are built upon. They see Eden as a threat to their very way of life. A new Andal invasion, if you will, only this time it is not knights and warriors sweeping in, but something... more refined. Subtler, but perhaps just as dangerous."
Pycelle waved his hand dismissively. "They oppose slavery? Bah! We have long opposed the slave trade ourselves. The Free Cities are naturally afraid of anyone who disrupts their vile commerce."
"Nonetheless," Varys continued, "Eden's rise is alarming, and their presence here is something we must be wary of. Their diplomats have already made strides in the North, and now they are in our city. They claim to wish only for trade and good relations, but my instincts tell me there is more at play."
Jon Arryn, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke. "I understand your concerns, Varys. But I have spoken with these diplomats myself. They have offered to help the crown in reducing our debts, and they have even managed to force the Iron Bank into a more favorable agreement regarding our loans. That is no small feat."
Baelish leaned forward, intrigued. "Reducing debts, you say?"
"Yes," Jon Arryn confirmed. "The crown's debts have become a burden, as we all know. These envoys from Eden have offered a solution, and it would be foolish not to at least consider it. I believe their intentions may not be as sinister as you suggest, Varys."
Varys bowed his head slightly. "I hope you are right, Lord Arryn. But caution is still advised."
The conversation shifted, but the shadow of Eden lingered in the room, as Varys' words echoed in their minds.
---
Meanwhile, in the fertile lands of Highgarden, the Tyrell family gathered in their private solar, the sun casting a warm glow over the rich tapestries and abundant flowers that adorned the walls. Mace Tyrell sat at the head of the table, flanked by his mother Olenna and his daughter Margaery. The mood was tense, as they reviewed the latest reports from the Reach's trade networks.
"The grain trade with the North is dwindling," Olenna Tyrell said sharply, tapping her fingers on the table. "The Starks have always been reliable, but now our profits are drying up. It seems they've found a new source of grain."
Mace shifted uncomfortably. "Who could be undercutting us? The Reach is the breadbasket of Westeros!"
"Eden," Margaery said, her voice calm but laced with intrigue. "The King of Cities, as its people like to call it. They've been trading grain with the North at such a low price that we can't hope to compete."
Mace blinked in surprise. "Eden? The city from Essos? How could they possibly offer such low prices?"
Olenna, always sharp, narrowed her eyes. "Eden is no ordinary city. They have their own strange ways, and their influence is growing. It's not just grain—word has it their merchants are dealing in goods of unparalleled quality, and their trade is expanding rapidly."
Margaery nodded. "We need to befriend them. Their Minister of Commerce is said to be a man from the Reach, and if we can make an alliance, it would be beneficial for both parties."
Olenna raised an eyebrow. "Befriend them, hmm? Well, if anyone can charm their way into Eden's inner circles, it's you, my dear."
Margaery smiled, a glint of ambition in her eyes. "I've heard Garth, their Minister of Commerce, is quite influential. If we can secure a good trade deal with Eden, we could ensure our position remains strong, even as their influence grows."
Olenna leaned back in her chair, pondering. "Eden is powerful, and they seem to have a taste for perfection and beauty. If we play our cards right, we might not just secure trade—we might secure an alliance that could reshape our fortunes."
Mace, still somewhat bewildered, looked between his mother and daughter. "So... we're going to court Eden?"
Olenna rolled her eyes. "Yes, Mace, we're going to court Eden. Or rather, Margaery is. We'll see just how much power lies behind that perfect façade."
As the discussion in Highgarden unfolded, the Tyrells began to scheme. Eden was no longer just a distant city—its influence was reaching across the narrow sea and into the very heart of Westeros. And while some, like Jon Arryn, saw opportunity in Eden's arrival, others, like Varys and the Tyrells, saw the beginnings of a new game of power. A game that could change the very balance of the Seven Kingdoms.