Editing Varys (section)

===Free Cities===
[[File:Pojypojy_young_Illyrio_&_Varys.jpg|thumb|350px|right‎‎|[[Illyrio Mopatis]] and Varys in [[Pentos]], by Pojypojy ©]]
According to Grand Maester [[Pycelle]], Varys was born as a [[slave]] in [[Lys]].{{Ref|AGOT|25}}

Varys says he was apprenticed as an orphan to a troupe of [[mummers]] who worked the [[Free Cities]], [[Oldtown]], and occasionally [[King's Landing]]. During their stay in [[Myr]], [[a certain man]] offered a large sum of money for Varys, an offer his master found too tempting to refuse. The man gave Varys a potion that made him powerless to move or speak, but did nothing to dull his senses as his manhood was cut off at the stem, then burnt in a brazier in a [[blood magic]] ritual. Years later Varys would recall a voice in a language he didn't understand emerged from the flames. The man had no further use for Varys and tossed him out on the streets alone to die, Varys out of spite for the sorcerer vowed to live. Varys claims to have held a hatred for all things [[magic]]al ever since. He resorted to begging, [[prostitution]],{{Ref|ACOK|44}} and thievery, eventually becoming the best thief in Myr, until a rival forced him out and he fled to [[Pentos]].{{Ref|ACOK|44}}{{Ref|ADWD|5}}

Impoverished and despised in Pentos, Varys made an agreement with a poor [[bravo]], [[Illyrio Mopatis]]. Varys would steal objects from lesser thieves and Illyrio would get the objects back for their original owners for a small fee. Soon, everyone in Pentos who ever had valuables stolen from them knew who to ask to get their belongings back, and the thieves knew who to sell the stolen goods items. Varys and Illyrio quickly grew rich. Realizing the value of information, Varys began training his spy network to acquire the information, letters, ledgers and charts of the wealthy and powerful.  The [[little mice]] were agile orphans purchased by Varys.{{Ref|ADWD|5}}