Will Cersei Hire the Faceless Men to Kill Daenerys?

Recently, fans have been speculating whether Cersei Lannister might hire the Faceless Men to eliminate Daenerys Targaryen. But is this feasible?

Why Cersei Won't Hire the Faceless Men

Firstly, Cersei would face several obstacles if she were to hire the Faceless Men. Unlike Arya Stark, who has dealt with the Faceless Men in the past, Cersei has no prior experience with their methods or knowledge about the overall process.

Let's recap a critical moment from A Song of Ice and Fire where Arya interacts with the Faceless Man, Jaqen H'ghar. During this interaction, Arya asks Jaqen how long it would take to kill someone following the giving of a name. Jaqen's response, 'Death is certain, the time is not,' highlights the unpredictability and complexity of the Faceless Men's work.

Cersei wants Daenerys dead quickly. However, as Jaqen explains to Arya, ‘This a man cannot do.’ The Faceless Men do not work within deadlines, a crucial factor considering Cersei's urgency.

The Exorbitant Cost of Hiring the Faceless Men

Another significant barrier for Cersei is the financial aspect. The Faceless Men are notoriously expensive, with their services often being the most luxurious and exclusive in the realm.

According to George R.R. Martin, author of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, the process of negotiating with the Faceless Men involves clearly defining the target:

"The Faceless Men don't post a list of prices on their door. The way it works is you go to them and tell them who you want killed and then they negotiate the price. The more prominent the victim, the more difficult to get to, the more dangerous for the assassin and the guild, the higher the price."

Tyrion Lannister once fantasized about hiring a Faceless Man to eliminate Cersei. However, the cost of such an assassination, especially with the added complexity of working with a Lannister (Daenerys), would be astronomical. Even with a smaller target like Tywin Lannister, the cost and difficulty of negotiation would be significant.

Moreover, the potential backlash Cersei would face from her own army and political allies would be immense. The People's Martyr, Daenerys, carries a strong emotional attachment for many, and any conspiracy or attempt to kill her could spell disaster for Cersei's already tenuous position.

Conclusion

Considering both the practical and financial constraints, it is highly unlikely that Cersei Lannister would hire the Faceless Men to kill Daenerys Targaryen. The unpredictability of the Faceless Men, the exorbitant cost, and the political risks make such an action a non-starter for Cersei in her current strategic context.

The same rationale applies to Arya Stark, who also met with the Faceless Men during her journey. The lessons she learned make it clear that quick and guaranteed results are not available from the Faceless Men, no matter how valuable the target might be.