Nice summary of Varys' plans

http://www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/1h27vq/spoilers_all_reconciling_varys_and_illyrios/caq5a1e

Tinfoil

This will be my post of "tinfoil" theories.  Here are my crack-pot ideas .. I do not necessarily have any evidence to back these up :)

• Marwyn VS Victarion
• At the end of ADWD, both Marwyn and Victarion are on their way to Dany.  I think they will meet each other.  Marwyn will successfully prevent Victarion from binding Dany's dragons.
• Krakens ... real krakens will appear more frequently.

I KNEW IT

This will be my "I KNEW IT" evidence.  Here I will write out what I think will happen in hopes that when everything is said and done, I can look back at this post and either say, "I KNEW IT!" or "I was completely and utterly wrong about that!"

• Dany will circum-navigate the world in order to get to Westeros.  
• Dany will make land-fall north of the Wall.
• Dany will meet Jon Snow.  They will fall in love.

BONUS

• Dunk and Egg will uncover a plot to hatch dragons at Summerhall.  They did not intend to hatch dragons themselves.
• Dunk and Egg will die heroically, attempting to save people from those who plotted to hatch dragons.

A Dance With Dragons: Unanswered Questions

Why have Varys/Illyrio supported Aegon for several years but also back Viserys?

Varys/Illyrio have been plotting to put Aegon on the throne.  The evidence in ADWD implies that Varys/Illyrio have been grooming Aegon since he was spirited away from King's Landing during the sack.  If they wanted him on the throne, why did the back Viserys?  Viserys has the better claim to the throne, the son of the murdered king.  Aegon would only be heir if Viserys died.

The Golden Company complains about Illyrio's ever-changing plans.  The first plan they were aware of was to meet up with Viserys and his 50k Dothraki screamers.  It sounds like the plan was Viserys on the throne, not Aegon.

But if that was the plan, why groom Aegon for leadership for so many years?  I don't get it.

Internet suggests that they backed Viserys to draw attention away from Aegon.  The Lannisters would be distracted with news of Targs across the sea.  They would continue to not think twice about Rhaegar's kids.  If Viserys landed in Westeros with an army, the kingdom would be in shambles, where Aegon would "rescue" it.

Nice analysis of Aegon/Blackfyre theory here.

A Clash of Kings: Unanswered Questions

What book did Roose Bolton burn?

What was Jaqen's mission?

A Game of Thrones: Unanswered Questions

List of unanswered questions that came up in my re-read of A Game of Thrones.  These questions may be answered in subsequent books (I will update the post if so) or have still yet to be addressed.

Who poisoned Jon Arryn?

• (GoT) Varys and Illyrio's secret conversation could imply that Varys poisoned Jon.
• (CoK) Lysa first accuses Cersei, but is then quick to blame Tyrion.  
• (CoK) Cersei tells Tyrion that she has no idea who killed him.  Tyrion (and I) are inclined to believe her because she readily admitted to giving Robert strong wine and confesses that she couldn't control Joffrey when he had Ned beheaded.  Pycelle admits to sending away Maester Coleman, who was properly treating Jon, and lets him die, but insists he did not poison him.

Why did Illyrio wed Dany to Drogo?

• (GoT) The Dothraki don't want to travel over sea and have no interest in ruling the Seven Kingdoms.

Who ordered the hit on Bran?

• (GoT) Petyr says the knife belonged to Tyrion.  Tyrion finds out the Petyr lied but doesn't understand why.

What exactly were Varys and Illyrio talking about in secret?  Who are the "two players"?  What is the connection between Varys and Illyrio?

Varys: ... found one bastard ... The rest will come soon.  A day, two days, a fortnight ...
Illyrio: And when he learns the truth, what will he do?
Varys: The gods alone know.  The fools tried to kill his son, and what's worse, they made a mummer's farce of it.  He's not a man to put that aside.  I warn you, the wolf and lion will soon be at each other's throats, whether we will it or no.
Illyrio: Too soon, too soon.  What good is war now?  We are not ready.  Delay.
Varys: As well bid me to stop time.  Do you take me for a wizard?
Illyrio: No less.
Varys: What would you have me do?
If one Hand can die, why not a second? ... You have danced the dance before, my friend.
Varys: Before is not now, and this Hand is not the other.
Illyrio: Perhaps so.  Nonetheless, we must have time.  The princess is with child.  The khal will not bestir himself until his son is born.  You know how they are, these savages.
Varys: If he does not bestir himself soon, it may be too late.  This is no longer a game for two players, if ever it was.  Stannis Baratheon and Lysa Arryn have fled beyond my reach, and the whispers say they are gathering swords around them.  The Knight of Flowers writes to Highgarden, urging his lord father to send his sister to court.  The girl is a maid of fourteen, sweet and beautiful and tractable, and Lord Renly and Ser Loras intend that Robert should bed her, wed her, and make a new queen.  Littlefinger ... the gods only know what game Littlefinger is playing.  Yet Lord Stark's the one who troubles my sleep.  He has the bastard, he has the book, and soon enough he'll have the truth.  And now his wife has abducted Tyrion Lannister, thanks to Littlefinger's meddling.  Lord Tywin will take that for an outrage, and Jaime has a queer affection for the Imp.  If the Lannisters move north, tha will bring the Tullys in as well.  Delay, you say.  Make haste, I reply.  Even the finest of jugglers cannot keep a hundred balls in the air forever.

• (GoT) Varys doesn't understand Littlefinger's motives.
• (GoT) Perhaps the two players are Varys and Littlefinger?

Where is Benjen Stark?

• (GoT) The tree marks Benjen had been leaving stopped abruptly at the stoney highlands of the northwest.
• (CoK) Craster tells Mormont that he hasn't seen Benjen in 3 years.
• (CoK) The cache of dragonglass and the horn was wrapped in a cloak of the Nights Watch.  Could this have been left at the Fist of the First Men by Benjen, knowing Mormont would eventually come that way?

What does Bran's green dreams mean?

• 
  

Why did Maester Aemon call Tyrion a giant?

Why did the direwolves attack Tyrion?

• (GoT) The direwolves seem ready to attack Tyrion at the slightest physical/emotional provocation.  

Who is Jon Snow's mother?

Why didn't Howland Reed come to pledge fealty and/or go to war with Robb?

How did Lyanna die?

What did Lyanna make Ned promise?

Who is Varys?

What does the red comet signify?

First Post

Hello!  Thanks for coming; I wasn't expecting visitors.  This blog is primarily a dumping ground for my notes on my favorite fantasy book series "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R. R. Martin.  Come share my bread and hearth; you're safe here.  Promise.  OH.  Except, there are spoilers.  All kinds.  If you are not up-to-date with the series, tread with caution.

Ok, well, I mentioned bread, didn't I?  Here's some photos of my cooking from A Feast of Ice and Fire by the wonderful people at the Inn at the Crossroads: