Varys removed Barry from the KG but didn't direct him to Aegon, why ?

[Winterfell is Burning]

. Infact, I'd say Varys would've probably thought Barristan would retire given his age/the state of the realm.

Not really. Renly is certainly not a better judge of character than Varys, but he didn't think it would happen either.

[Ser Dragon]

The last time Barristan Selmy saw the Golden Company he cut a bloody swathe through them and killed their Captain General. I doubt he'd be willing to, or could, just walk up to them with a jaunty wave and a "Hi Sers, Remember me?" without some kind of monumental aggro.

[Lord Damian]

Barristan was an honorable man whom Varys probably sensed was having misgivings about turning his back on Ned and letting Cersei userp the Regency and protector of the realm. Also, Aegon/Young Griff's army is the Golden Company, Barristan and them have a "not so happy history together".

[Fire Eater]

So Varys influences Joff to dismiss Barristan, As we know Varys wants Aegon (of fAegon) to take the throne, and having Barristan on Aegon's side would be huge plus for Aegon. But Barristan, who did not know Aegon was alive went out to seek Dany. Varys with his network of spies could have easily directed Barristan to the GC and have Barristan meet Aegon and join him but didn't.

So the question is why did Varys miss an opprotunity ?

Because Barristan was simply supposed to bring Dany to Pentos to marry Aegon where both he and Dany would meet him shortly. Varys didn't expect Dany to make a detour in SB. Sending Barristan would have been proof to Dany of Illyrio's loyalty after losing contact.

[Queen‍‍‍‍‍‍ Alysanne‍‍™]

I think this is probably the best answer. I think Selmy, who probably doesn't trust the Spider much anyway, would be very suspicious of Young Griff, and he would recognize Griff (JonCon) right off the bat, add in that he knows how the Golden Company was founded and its history and I'd say Barristan would have a lot of questions. They send him to Dany because she is without question Aerys' daughter and he'll serve her without wondering if she's really a Targaryen

Agreed

And I'll also add that it works as a political ploy for Illyrio to give Dany another one of his gifts so she'll feel she is indebted to him.

[fuelpagan_tw]

Because Barristan was simply supposed to bring Dany to Pentos to marry Aegon where both he and Dany would meet him shortly. Varys didn't expect Dany to make a detour in SB. Sending Barristan would have been proof to Dany of Illyrio's loyalty after losign contact.

Glad I'm not the only one who sees this.

[Winterfell is Burning]

Because Barristan was simply supposed to bring Dany to Pentos to marry Aegon where both he and Dany would meet him shortly. Varys didn't expect Dany to make a detour in SB. Sending Barristan would have been proof to Dany of Illyrio's loyalty after losign contact.

Yes. And Varys didn't count on Barristan hiding his identity as well.

[Pod The Impaler]

Barristan was for Aegon. Strong Belwas and Barristan were supposed to return to Pentos with Dany and her Dragons. Not stay with her and take over Slavers Bay.

Varys couldn't risk someone noticing Barristan anywhere near Aegon.

:agree: Indeed, who's to say Varys' plans all work out as intended ?

[No Song so Sweet]

Why do you think that Varys could "send" Barristan anywhere? I don't think Barristan would trust Varys for anything. Varys probably wanted him away from Joffrey and assumed that he would go to Daenerys but that's it. Varys wouldn't reveal Aegon to Barristan or send him to Daenerys but he could be able to foresee the knight's actions, maybe.

[In A Coat of Gold]

Dany needed guidance more. Aegon already had Connington.

[Hangover of the Morning]

Because Daenerys's first strike on Westeros also needs to be effective and believable, hence why she also needs competent supporters. (But not too much)

The last time Barristan Selmy saw the Golden Company he cut a bloody swathe through them and killed their Captain General. I doubt he'd be willing to, or could, just walk up to them with a jaunty wave and a "Hi Sers, Remember me?" without some kind of monumental aggro.

Because Barristan was simply supposed to bring Dany to Pentos to marry Aegon where both he and Dany would meet him shortly. Varys didn't expect Dany to make a detour in SB. Sending Barristan would have been proof to Dany of Illyrio's loyalty after losing contact.

All these combined IMO.

[BRANDON GREYSTARK]

Dany needs him more besides he would look at anybody associated with the Gold Company with a jaundice eye. And besides he is aware of Dany, he thinks Aegon is dead.

[JamesOfHouseMurphy]

If Varys had gone to Ser Barristan and told him of Aegon and that he would be dismissed SB's honour would of forced him to tell Cersei and Joffrey regardless. Varys would have known this.

[Lord_Tyrell]

Barristan fought against the Blackfyres in the War of the Ninepenny Kings. Maybe Varys thought Barristan wouldn't fall for an Aegon pretender, especially as no one could prove that he was indeed Rhaegar's son.

That's the best I can come up with. It really doesn't make much sense why he wouldn't have had Barristan support "Rhaegar's son".

[Stannisaurus2]

So all these years, they've gone to ridiculous lengths keeping Aegon secret (and at the time of Barristan's dismissal they are nowhere near ready for his unveiling).

Now Varys should go to a man who seamlessly switched sides to Robert, and stood ready to pledge fealty to Robert's successor, and say "hey, I realize these people really want all Targs dead, but guess what, we've got a secret one hidden in Essos and we'd love to have you on board!"???

Right.

Agree, Varys would be really stupid to risk his whole plan like that.

[Arakan]

Because Barristan was simply supposed to bring Dany to Pentos to marry Aegon where both he and Dany would meet him shortly. Varys didn't expect Dany to make a detour in SB. Sending Barristan would have been proof to Dany of Illyrio's loyalty after losing contact.

Best and most logic answer :).

Barristan had a simple "mission". Escort Dany and her dragons back to Pentos and make sure she doesnt get killed. Really not that complicated.

Who could have known that Dany is such a troublesome child :D

[The Kinkslayer]

Does anybody knows how Selmy got from disguising himself as a begger in Kingslanding to serve as Illyrio's messenger?

After killing some goldcloaks to escape Joffrey Selmy wouldn't trust Varys to smuggle him to Dany, after all Varys voted for killing her. But as Selmy never went to Stannis somebody ought to have contacted him in Kingslanding and directed him to Pentos.

Are we sure Varys is not really a wizard?

[Wavey Sauce]

I think Varys just wants (f)Aegon to remain low key as possible, and being seen with Selmy the bold there is way way way too many people who know him and who he is. Varys and his partners want everything low key with people around that other people wouldnt not know his face, then the word spreads, and some of the underground status they want will be blown

[Hippocras]

IMO why Barristan was not sent to Aegon:

1. He is hated by the Golden Company for killing Maelys and several of their members.

2. He knows Lemore and would cause problems because of it. This is not dependent on one particular theory for Lemore: she might be Ashara or she might be the septa Barristan rescued from the Kingswood Brotherhood along with Jeyne Swann. Either way, Barristan would cause problems because he knows her.

Their hope of course would have been that Barristan would eventually help sway Dany to Aegon's cause.

[Ghosts Lunch]

Barristan fought against the Blackfyres in the War of the Ninepenny Kings. Maybe Varys thought Barristan wouldn't fall for an Aegon pretender, especially as no one could prove that he was indeed Rhaegar's son.

This plus if Ser Barristan goes to Dany it brings KL attention to Dany which means they exert pressure

On the other hand if they learn via a spy network other than Varys that he has gone to Aegon then attention is focused that way

There is also the fact that the boat crew are a very tight knit team and each know their role, having Barristan there steps on a griffs toes as well as duck field and can cause tension.