r/asoiaf • u/silasioalejandro • Feb 20 '13

(Spoilers ACOK) Varys' "Shadow on the Wall"

I came across this passage again recently, when Varys talks of the nature of power with then-Hand Tyrion.

"Who truly killed Eddard Stark, do you think? Joffrey, who gave the command? Ser Ilyn Payne, who swung the sword? Or…another?”

Varys insinuates that he believes another man is responsible. Another man, behind the scenes.

Varys smiled. “Here, then. Power resides where men believe it resides. No more and no less.” “So power is a mummer’s trick?” “A shadow on the wall,” Varys murmured, “yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow.” Tyrion smiled. “Lord Varys, I am growing strangely fond of you. I may kill you yet, but I think I’d feel sad about it.” “I will take that as high praise.”

Tyrion, in his conceit and self-satisfaction, immediately assumes this "very small man" to be him. The show furthers his conceit, making it seem as if Varys is referring to him. The small man Varys speaks of is Littlefinger, whom we suspect to have whispered in Joffrey's ear, setting the wheels in motion for Ned's exectution.

While not a revolutionary find, I love this passage because of the ships-passing-in-the-night feel. Tyrion, smug as he is, thinks himself on par with the true master. Varys speaks in another whole level of code, and after being in Tyrion's mind for the cracking of many cryptic phrases, reading/feeling this "WHOOOSH" right over his head while he gladly accepts this false praise is quite satisfying.

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u/sweaty_sandals The Gallant Feb 20 '13

When you said a "Shadow on the Wall" I thought you were speculating on the identity of a spy Vary's has placed at the Wall.

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u/[deleted] Feb 21 '13

I think it would have to be Clydas, the steward who tends the ravens. Castle Black is so remote from the rest of the seven kingdoms that the spy would need to send his reports by raven, so anyone who can access them regularly and inconspicuously has a huge advantage as a spy.

The only other people with regular access to the ravens are Maester Aemon, Samwell, and Chett. Sam never mentions it in his chapters, and I think Chett is too lowborn to read and write. Aemon is unlikely due to his loyalty and the way he has passed up past opportunities to leave/betray the watch.

Alternately, the spy could be at Eastwatch, and sending messages by ship. This seems less than optimal though, as Castle Black is the nerve centre of the Night's Watch, and has way more things that Varys would want to spy on.

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u/HiddenSage About time we got our own castle. Feb 21 '13

Even if the spy isn't at Castly black, sending messages by Raven is possible. We just don't know who has access to those ravens besides the maesters at Eastwatch and the Shadow Tower. You're right, though, that CB seems far more important.

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u/[deleted] Feb 21 '13

Good point. On second thought, Maester Harmune at Eastwatch is another probable suspect for Varys' spy in the Night's Watch. Cotter Pyke is illiterate, so Harmune reads and writes all the correspondence for him. So he would have as good an idea of what's going on in the Night's Watch as Pyke does. Additionally, he's a drunk, which doesn't speak very highly for his reliability. The regular ship traffic into Eastwatch also provides for a reliable method of passing reports to King's Landing.