Tidbits from GRRM at the Guadalajara International Book Fair

From what I recall Varys says that the gods alone only know what Littlefinger wants or something like that right? So yeah I suppose we've known since the start that Varys has had trouble anticipating what LF is doing/going to do. Or at least he's said that as LF himself also said that nothing happens in King's Landing without Varys hearing of it. Which seems like they're at the stalemate that most envision.

But still, GRRM confirming that LF is essentially outplaying Varys at his own game seems big to me. They both know massive secrets about the other, but LF knows more. The question then becomes what does LF know then. Because at least on paper, we ourselves know both LF and Varys' plans. LF has taken nominal control of the riverlands and Vale, and he's planning on retaking the north through Sansa. Varys wants Aegon to take the Iron Throne. I guess then the question is, does LF know about Aegon? Does he know that Aegon is a fake if he is?

Plus then the second question that arises is that if LF is doing better than Varys and Varys isn't really sure of LF's plan, then that seems like that the above Sansa plot is a misdirection. Varys already knows that LF was made Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, that LF was allowed to marry Lysa which gave him the Vale, and it seems rather impossible that he wouldn't know that it was LF who spirited Sansa out of King's Landing which gives him the key to the north. It should seem rather obvious here that LF has been accumulating power, but if Varys can't even figure out the real plan, then I'd have to say that the real plan is definitely not that LF is going to march north. Oh he might one day do it, but that's not his plan.



Wouldn't that be a sight to see eh?



They do sure, but that doesn't mean that we should also simply ignore some of the things also stated that might seem like someone is simply dismissing her because she's a woman. I mentioned Hyle Hunt gives her her proper due, but Randyll Tarly does as well.

Now that might seem odd to some as he's a complete asshole to her in Maidenpool and while he admits she's strong and better than most, he also dismisses Hyle's claim that Brienne is fast, and instead says that's simply because she's wielding VS. He's not wrong. Randyll Tarly has been wielding VS, and a massive piece of it to boot, for decades. He knows that he himself is much faster wielding Heartsbane than if he were to be wielding a regular greatsword. That's just a simple fact. VS does make its user, and therefore Brienne, faster than she should be. Which Randyll actually has evidence for because he watched her fight at Bitterbridge. If Hyle's suddenly saying she's quite fast, something Randyll had no cause to note at Bitterbridge, after she just got a VS sword, then Randyll knows what's up here. Brienne isn't fast, the sword is. Exactly like he says.

People do under estimate her, but people in the novel are also giving her her proper due. She's good, but not great. Hence the reason why Randyll tells her to stay away from the Riverlands if Sandor Clegane actually is raiding there. He'd kick her ass and Randyll knows that.



He'd have thrashed her under normal circumstances.



Egg was actually the first thing that came to mind after hearing this. Egg had such unpopular reforms, and was desperate for dragons because then they'd have to accept them. Dany's policies aren't going to be much more accepted if she takes power, and thus her dragons are necessary