In Westeros, in both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, the Master of Whispers’ position is essentially the royal spymaster, responsible for gathering intelligence and managing espionage for the ruling monarch. After the Hand of the King, it is one of the most strategic roles in the kingdom, one that can cost the King – or Queen – a lot.

Unlike the other functions in the Small Council of the Crown, it is not normally a noble from an important house who usually holds the position, because precisely to be broad in its coverage requires a network of common people to be more extensive than the powerful, as this is how it discovers the most crucial secrets that the nobility wants to hide.

The tradition, therefore, remained of being a person of the people, except for Aegon II’s period, who in House of the Dragon, features Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) as Master of Whispers.

In the War between Green and Black, we will have the clash of two Intelligence leaders, both ruthless and cunning: Larys Strong and Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), directly and indirectly, responsible for some of the bloodiest acts in the entire history of the Targaryens saga. It’s important to remember them.

The most famous and dangerous Master of Whispers is yet another: an old friend in Game of Thrones

Mysaria and Varys technically predate what is considered the most infamous and possibly the most dangerous Master of Whispers of all time: Lord Varys (Conleth Hill), also known as “The Spider”.

Varys’ vast network of spies, known as his “little birds,” allowed him to gather secrets from across the Seven Kingdoms and even into Essos and beyond. His ability to manipulate information and people made him a formidable figure on the political scene in Westeros.

Some characteristics make it the most dangerous:

Extensive Network: Varys’s network of informants was unparalleled. With spies everywhere, from the royal courts to the streets, he was always well-informed about what was happening in the kingdom.

Perhaps the only secret he didn’t know – the most important one, we know – was the true identity of Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and the merit of this is due to Ned Stark’s (Sean Bean) commitment to fulfilling the promise he made to his sister when she was dying, as a consequence of childbirth. If it weren’t for Bran Stark’s acquired ability as the Three-Eyed Raven to travel through time, no one would associate the document seen by Sam in the Citadel.

Unfortunately, the secret in the series was only useful for driving Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) crazy without having been explored to the expected potential. Let’s not even start talking about that, right?

Another “quality” of Varys was his manipulative abilities, since he was able to influence events and decisions according to his objectives. He often plays multiple sides against each other to achieve his goals.

Varys was also an expert at keeping his own secrets while discovering those of others, and in the book, more than in the series, he often disguised himself to go unnoticed and collect information directly. It would have been cool to have seen it on Game of Thrones.

But perhaps his greatest quality was his Political Neutrality. Unlike many other characters, Varys always made it clear that he served the kingdom and not any particular house or Steward. Obviously, this was only declared after Tywin Lannister’s death, as Varys knew that not only were Cersei’s (Lena Heady) children bastards, but to make matters worse, Joffrey was crazy and Tommen was weak. From that moment on, he declared himself a supporter of the Targaryen restoration.

“Serving the Kingdom” has given Varys a unique position where his loyalty is not easily questioned, making him even more dangerous as his true motives remain unclear. Added to this, he always had a long-term vision and did not play for immediate results, but maintained a long-term vision for the stability and prosperity of the kingdom. This made his actions more calculated and far-reaching, like supporting Daenerys.

Varys worked behind the scenes to support the Mother of Dragons’ claim to the throne, believing she could bring stability to Westeros. But he was also the first to act against her when he noticed a change in her behavior. Because of Tyrion, who told him Jon Snow’s secret and then ratted out Varys when he started acting out, the Master of Whispers was executed for Treason.

As a fan favorite, his death was deeply felt. And he warned us: he was right about Danny.

In House of the Dragon, Mysaria and Larys’ violent and silent duel

So far, Mysaria and Larys Strong have not crossed paths on screen, but they certainly know about each other. From the second season onwards, one will try to overcome the other.

We were introduced to Mysaria, also known as Lady Misery and White Worm, because she was the lover of Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), who wanted to marry her.

She was her main confidant and is known for her resourcefulness and ability to gather and use information, operating in the shadows, using her network of spies and informants to stay ahead of her enemies and manipulate events to her benefit. Her expertise lies in intelligence gathering and espionage.

Larys, who has physical defects that earned her the code name “Clubfoot”, would have everything to support Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), after all, Larys was the son of Lord Lyonel Strong, who was the Hand of the King, and brother of Ser Harwin, father of the Queen’s first three children. But he chose to ally with Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke).

Like Mysaria, Larys is skilled in the art of espionage and manipulation, cunning and ruthless, using her intelligence and strategic mind to navigate the treacherous political landscape of the Targaryen court. He had his father and brother killed and will be pivotal in defining Rhaenyra’s fate.

Both characters are adept at their work, but their methods and motivations are different. Mysaria is more of a free agent, using her abilities mainly for personal gain and to support Prince Daemon. Larys, on the other hand, operates within the political structure of the Targaryen court, using his position and influence to achieve her goals.

The methods they adopt also differentiate us: Mysaria uses seduction and personal relationships to act, and her influence is more personal and emotional. Larys Strong, on the other hand, relies on intelligence and cruelty, adept at acts of extreme violence and betrayal to achieve his goals, such as orchestrating the fire that killed his own family members and enabling Otto Hightower’s return to Power. Not that Lady Mysery is far behind. Pay attention to Blood and Cheese, hired by her.

Who is Mysaria

According to Blood and Fire, Mysaria was born in Lys, one of the Free Cities, and from an early age began as a dancer and later became the lover and confidant of Prince Daemon Targaryen. She was a double agent: we also saw that she kept Otto informed, but Daemon doesn’t suspect that.

Because Daemon is a strong supporter of Rhaenyra during the Dance of the Dragons (and the Greens had her killed at the end of the first season), Mysaria indirectly supports Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne. The problem is that, like Varys, Mysaria wants the good of the People before the reign of one or the other, which means that her support may be more pragmatic than ideological, and her loyalty is not absolute.

Because she has risen from an inferior position to a place of relative influence, Mysaria’s primary intention is often to ensure her own survival and well-being.

When she is elevated to spy for the Blacks, the White Worm will seek to gain power and influence in a world where she has few traditional means to do so.

Many question whether she is sincere with Daemon because, although there are elements of loyalty and personal affection, her interests are also linked to the benefits she obtains from being around such a powerful and ambitious figure. In the book, she will win Rhaenyra’s ear and accelerate the deterioration of the Queen’s marriage with her uncle.

Given their past experiences and the hardships they have overcome, Mysaria may harbor resentment against those who have wronged them or those in traditional positions of power. This can manifest in actions designed to undermine or manipulate those she sees as enemies or oppressors. She adds depth and intrigue to the narrative, showing the multifaceted nature of the individuals who navigate the treacherous political landscape of Westeros.

Why Larys chose the Greens

Larys Strong was the youngest of the Strongs, without a prominent position or title heir. In a single card, she reversed the scenario and “helped” Alicent, creating debt and an intimate (and strange) relationship with the Green Queen.

He is opportunistic and lethal, a viper reminiscent of Littlefinger. He supports the Greens primarily due to a combination of personal ambition, opportunism, and political maneuvering, thus important to Aegon II’s claim to the Iron Throne over Rhaenyra.

Here are several reasons why Larys Strong might align with the Greens:

Political Ambition: Larys Strong is a master of court intrigue and seeks to advance his position and influence within the kingdom. By aligning himself with the Greens, he finds an opportunity to gain favor and power within the faction, which, at the time, appears to have a strong claim to the throne.

Opportunism: Larys is known for his cunning and opportunistic nature. Supporting the Greens allows him to leverage his skills in espionage and manipulation to secure a prominent role in the new regime, should they succeed.

Strategic Alliances: The Greens are supported by powerful houses and individuals, including Queen Alicent Hightower and Ser Otto Hightower. By supporting the Greens, Larys connects with influential allies who can help him achieve his own goals.

Personal Gain: By supporting the Greens, Larys can potentially secure titles, land, and other rewards that come with being on the winning side of a civil war. His support is not necessarily ideological but a calculated move to personally benefit from the outcome.

By supporting the Greens, he is in a position where he can continue to exercise his capabilities of deception and influence, using his cunning to benefit from the turmoil he causes. Rhaenyra, unfortunately, will learn this the hard way…

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