@dornad @GrossMargin
I mean, all the elements in the backstory are there, so It didn't come out of nowhere, but I agree that it could not pop up and not be missed. (I didn't see any of these things before a second read.)
While on the subject, a friend wrote a pretty solid essay that covers the possibility that Aegon is real and has been part of Vary's plan from the first book.
https://alexissomethingrose.wordpress.com/2022/01/30/varys-and-why-he-serves-the-realm/
@ZagTheRaccoon
Like, the first 20 episodes or so of Radio Westeros are all character deep dives.
@howler