Hearing them describe it this way, Lancelot also felt that the matter was not as simple as he had thought.
"I'll go find Melisandre and Thoros. You guys go find a few others who also dreamed of that deep-sea monster, and we'll meet up together later," Lancelot said.
He made a trip back to the Red Keep and saw Joffrey and the others still practicing Water Dancing.
However, their instructor, Syrio, was acting strangely.
He seemed listless and low-spirited.
"What's wrong, Syrio?" Lancelot approached and asked.
"Oh, Lancelot, it's you! I just had a nightmare! Dreamed of something terrible!" Syrio forced a smile.
"You had a nightmare? Dreamed of something terrible? You were the First Sword to the Sealord of Braavos! What could possibly terrify you?" Lancelot asked.
"Something far more terrifying than the Titan of Braavos. Deep under the sea, in the lifeless depths where not even fish venture," Syrio said.
"Oh! It seems you and many others in King's Landing have caught the same ailment: thalassophobia!" Lancelot said.
"I've heard of this condition. Many sailors in Braavos suffer from it. Most are left with deep psychological scars from things they saw while at sea," Syrio remarked.
"Later, I'm taking Melisandre and Thoros to see some people who suffer from this same condition. Do you want to come along and take a look?" Lancelot asked.
"Alright!" Syrio agreed.
He announced to Joffrey and the others that today's training was over.
Joffrey stretched his arms and legs and came over to Lancelot.
"Syrio has been acting very weird lately. Is something wrong with him?"
"He's fine, just didn't sleep well. He'll be better in a few days!" Lancelot assured him.
"By the way, someone arrived from Dragonstone, claiming to bring a secret letter from Uncle Stannis, for Father's eyes only," Joffrey said.
"Where is this person? Who is it?" Lancelot asked.
"The Onion Knight, Ser Davos Seaworth. You know him, the one who had four fingers cut off. But the Great Council is still in heated debate; they won't pause the meeting to see him. He'll have to wait until today's session is adjourned," Joffrey explained.
Lancelot nodded and immediately returned to his room. He prepared some items, then went to the entrance of the Great Council hall, where he saw the Onion Knight waiting.
With his status, Lancelot could naturally enter, but seeing the hall packed with nobles, lords, and knights, he backed out again.
Lancelot walked towards Davos. The Onion Knight saw Lancelot coming and tried to avoid him, but Lancelot grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Ser Davos, what brings you to King's Landing? Where is Lord Stannis?" Lancelot asked.
"He is still on Dragonstone," Davos replied.
"I heard you have a letter for King Robert? Can I deliver it for you?" Lancelot offered.
"No. Stannis instructed me to hand it to Robert personally and ensure he reads it."
"Is that so! Well then! The council sessions last a long time, arguing back and forth every day. I was thinking of inviting you for a drink!"
Lancelot made to leave.
Davos's throat bobbed; he was indeed very thirsty. A drink right now would be wonderful.
"Ser Lancelot, is Summerwine expensive?" he asked.
"Not expensive, not expensive at all! Especially when someone else is treating! Let's go, Onion Knight!"
Lancelot took him to a tavern and ordered two cups of the finest wine. Then, Lancelot secretly slipped some sleeping powder into Davos's drink.
The Onion Knight soon passed out drunk.
Lancelot took him to a brothel, ordered a girl for him, and paid the bill. Then he found the unopened letter.
In the letter, Stannis detailed the affair between Cersei and Jaime, claimed the three royal children were not Robert's, and suggested Jon Arryn's death was likely a Lannister plot.
"It seems Stannis is behind on his information! Does he even know about the White Walkers?" Lancelot mused.
"This letter is evidence. Burning it would be easy, but the Onion Knight will definitely notice something's wrong when he wakes up. What to do?" Lancelot thought.
Finally, he decided to forge a letter from Stannis, seal it in the original envelope, and place it back on the Onion Knight exactly as he found it.
So Lancelot went to see Grand Maester Pycelle. Pycelle was familiar with the handwriting and writing habits of everyone on the Small Council.
Plus, Grand Maester Pycelle was a die-hard fan of Tywin Lannister; he would certainly help.
When Lancelot arrived at Pycelle's quarters, he found another guest present.
The man also wore grey robes like a maester, but he had no chain around his neck.
"Ser Lancelot, a distinguished guest indeed! Hahaha! Quick, bring Ser Lancelot a cup of milk tea," Pycelle ordered his young maid.
"And this is?" Lancelot looked at the chainless maester.
"Maester Qyburn. Although he has been stripped of his chain by the Citadel," Pycelle explained.
"So he is Qyburn!" Lancelot realized.
"Why was Maester Qyburn expelled from the Citadel?" Lancelot asked.
"I conducted some research forbidden by the Citadel. Research concerning the living and the dead," Qyburn said.
"That is indeed taboo. Forbidden by both the Faith and the Crown," Lancelot noted.
"However, if I could research how to control the resurrection of the dead, or perhaps prevent it, it might be helpful for the coming war," Qyburn suggested.
Lancelot nodded. Qyburn had a point. He then checked Qyburn's stats.
Name: Qyburn
Identity: Commoner
Class: Former Maester
Strength: 9
Speed: 8
Intelligence: 48
Magic: 16
Spirit: 36
Talent: Thirst for Knowledge. Seeks truth, attempting to unravel the mysteries of the world, including the many secrets of life and death.
"Qyburn's intelligence is even higher than Tyrion's. He's definitely a talent!" Lancelot thought.
Lancelot chatted with the two of them in Pycelle's tower for a long time. He mentioned thalassophobia and the sufferers of the condition.
This piqued Qyburn's interest, and he decided to go check it out with Lancelot.
Lancelot told him to go back and prepare first, then he would take him along.
After Qyburn left, Lancelot told Grand Maester Pycelle about forging a letter in Stannis's handwriting.
"Is this Lord Tywin's wish?" Pycelle asked.
Lancelot nodded and said, "Naturally. Just write that Stannis says he has discovered a lost treasure deep in the sea and is taking the Royal Fleet to hunt for it. He won't be returning to Westeros for a while."