Asio Copin
It all began long ago, in a small house in a poor neighborhood on the outskirts of Pentos.
There, in a sparsely furnished room with nothing but a homemade charpoy, a rickety table stained with fish oil, and a couple of plain chairs, he was born. His father was a hereditary sailor who dreamed that one day he would grow rich and be able to buy his own schooner.
When Asio turned seven, an autumn storm shattered his father's dreams—and claimed his life as well.
His mother did not live long after that—just over a year—and died of a strange, mysterious disease from the East.
As the years passed, Asio grew increasingly suspicious that his mother had begun selling her body to make ends meet, and that this was how she had contracted the illness. He did not remember her face very well, but for some reason her hands—worn and calloused, the hands of a fisherwoman and a poor, unhappy woman—still appeared before his eyes.
After his mother's death, life became truly harsh. There was no money, but he needed to eat. With a child's mind, Asio thought it over and decided to enter voluntary slavery, which officially did not exist in Pentos.
It was at that moment in his life that Varys and his friend Illyrio Mopatis appeared. Illyrio was tall, slender, broad-shouldered, swift in his movements, and quick to act. He looked confident and bold, and his weapon of choice was a narrow, bluish blade that he never parted with. But most importantly—what captured the hearts and eyes of children—he was Bravo, the youngest and one of the most famous in Pentos. Every boy dreamed of becoming like him: independent, arrogant, dressed in brightly colored clothes. Someone who took fate into his own hands and to whom the law did not apply.
But Varys, quiet and seemingly inconspicuous, was completely different. He spoke little but did much, knew how to appear out of nowhere, and disappear just as suddenly.
Varys and Illyrio were only a few years older than Asio, but at the time he thought them grown men—fully independent.
And Varys gathered children for himself, explaining what was required of them. He was like a bird catcher who found little fledglings, fed and watered them, and then helped them take flight by tossing them into the air.
Over time, his fledglings scattered throughout all the Free Cities. And then they went even farther.
Varys collected secrets and sold them. And Asio became his right-hand man—or rather, one of his right-hand men, for Varys had countless assistants and never singled anyone out in particular.
Asio spent the next five years in Pentos. Then, on Varys's orders, his service began to take him elsewhere. And where hadn't he been! He managed to visit every city along both shores of the Narrow Sea, all the Free Cities, and even reached the distant isle of Leng, from which it is but a short step to ancient Asshai, shrouded in mystery. Yes, Asshai itself remained unknown to him—but perhaps that was for the best. Sailors told that all who had seen the Shadow Lands with their own eyes returned changed.
In time, King Aerys heard of Varys and his "birds" and invited him to serve as Master of Whisperers. Illyrio remained in Pentos, but Asio went to Westeros with his patron.
Over the course of several years, he managed to visit many lands in Westeros—from the cold, icy winds of Winterfell to the scorching heat of Sunspear.
And everywhere he went, he gathered secrets: finding interesting people, loosening their tongues with wine, gold, threats, blackmail, or clever words, and turning them into tools for Varys.
Yes, back then he was loyal and faithful. No seditious or treacherous thoughts crossed his mind.
Time does not stand still. Tomorrow it can do what seems impossible today. And as for how it can change people—Asio knew that all too well.
With the years came experience. With it came wisdom. Then followed doubts and discontent. This became especially apparent in the last year of King Robert Baratheon's reign.
Asio still remained "one of the many." Varys had countless people at his disposal, and Copin increasingly asked himself: who was he in the Spider's plans? What was his role? And what was his place? How long would all of this continue without change?
The service became a burden. He was supposed to be a close assistant—but how close? Varys trusted him, yes. But how much? And how much did he trust his other people?
Asio had long since realized that Varys was anything but simple and was playing his own game. And his doubts allowed him to begin asking questions—slowly, carefully peeling back the layers to reveal the true face of the Master of Whisperers.
It turned out to be difficult, but quite possible—especially for someone like him, with his connections and his people. Varys supported the surviving Targaryens. He wanted to restore the dynasty to the Iron Throne. He also had a backup plan—a young lad who, too, had dragon blood running through his veins. But the boy was closely watched by Illyrio Mopatis, and for now it was not yet possible to find out anything more.
(End of Chapter)
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