Chapter 148

The moment Tyrion entered, the entire Night's Watch office seemed to carry an air of authority. Aegor immediately felt a weight lifted from his shoulders, as if he finally had someone reliable to lean on. When it came to maneuvering in political battles, neither his scientific knowledge nor forward-thinking ideas held any advantage. In this arena, it was Tyrion, a man born into privilege and steeped in this world of intrigue since childhood, who truly excelled.

While the plan of action was beginning to take shape, Aegor still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. As he filled out a blank bond, he paused in thought and finally pinpointed the issue. "Wait a minute. Robert’s returning to King’s Landing within the next few days. If you use your connections to deal with Slynt now, won’t it look like the Lannisters are trying to seize control of the City Watch?"

"I’m not the one directly confronting him…" Tyrion replied, though even he hesitated slightly. Military matters were sensitive everywhere, and Westeros was no exception. With multiple complications colliding, this was no straightforward issue.

"Why didn’t you close the door?" Arya’s voice floated into the office. Always punctual for her sword lessons, the young Stark burst in and immediately spotted the dwarf. With a cheerful grin, she said, "Tyrion! Long time no see. What brings you here so early?"

"Robert’s coming back to King’s Landing?" Tyrion ignored her greeting and turned toward Aegor, his unease clear. "Where did you hear this, and how reliable is the source?"

"I heard it yesterday while chatting with one of the King’s messengers," Aegor replied with a frown. "It should be accurate. Are you sure you don’t want to return to Casterly Rock and leave Slynt to us?"

"Are we talking about the King?" Arya asked. Unbothered by being ignored, she strolled to the desk and sat beside Tyrion, treating the Night’s Watch office like a second home. "He’s already back. Last night, he was in my father’s office talking about something, and later, we even had dinner together in the Tower of the Hand."

Aegor froze, taking a sharp breath. "The King is already back? Don’t joke around!"

"Why would I lie? He had dinner with my father, and they talked for a long time afterward. When I went to bed, he still hadn’t left."
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Aegor and Tyrion exchanged a tense glance as the atmosphere in the office grew heavy. Robert had returned from his triumphant campaign in the Vale without fanfare or celebration, bypassing even his wife and children to head straight for the Tower of the Hand. There, he dined with Eddard Stark and spoke with him late into the night. What could this mean?

"This doesn’t bode well," Aegor said gravely. "Tyrion, you should consider returning to Casterly Rock. We can handle things here."

Arya looked puzzled. "Why should Tyrion go back to Casterly Rock?"

Tyrion, sensing the gravity of the situation, asked Arya, "Did anything happen at the Red Keep this morning?"

"Nothing I know of. Should something have happened?"

Nina chimed in, "If something serious had happened, Lord Stark probably wouldn’t have let Arya leave the Red Keep."

"Good point," Tyrion said with some relief. "If Robert planned to act against the Lannisters, he wouldn’t waste time. By now, the Gold Cloaks wouldn’t just be harassing my workshop; they’d be coming for my head. The fact that nothing drastic has happened means Robert hasn’t fully bought into the rumors… yet."

"But things could change at any moment," Aegor said sternly. "Don’t forget, even you’ve admitted that your siblings’ closeness is suspicious. And your sister isn’t exactly known for her sound judgment. If something goes wrong—"

"If I leave now, can you and Nina manage the Night’s Watch business on your own?" Tyrion interrupted, shaking his head. "You’re struggling to handle this mess with Slynt. Let me clean this up first, and then I’ll leave."

"You’re gambling with your life!" Aegor said in frustration.

"I’m not afraid. Why are you so worried?" Tyrion’s tone was firm. "The Night’s Watch business is like my child. If someone’s targeting it, and I run away over some baseless rumor, what kind of father would I be? I might as well die here."

"What are you all talking about? Who’s targeting Tyrion’s child?" Arya exclaimed, exasperated by the cryptic conversation. "Will someone explain?"

"Fine, fine," Aegor said with a sigh. "We’re discussing how to deal with that annoying Janos Slynt."

"Really? I’m all for it!" Arya grinned, always eager for chaos. "But what does that have to do with Tyrion going back to Casterly Rock?"

"It doesn’t," Tyrion said, waving her off. "Let’s finish this quickly. Aegor, have you signed the bond yet? If so, give it to me, and I’ll take it to Slynt."

"Do you need me to go with you?"

"No, it’s better if I handle this alone. This time, let me represent the Night’s Watch business." With that, Tyrion jumped off his chair, grabbed the bond, and called for his bodyguard, Morris. Together, they headed toward the City Watch barracks just across the street from the office—thankfully saving them some trouble.
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"You’re hiding something from me," Arya said, narrowing her eyes. "How could someone like Slynt make Tyrion run back to Casterly Rock? What’s really going on?"

"Slynt controls two thousand Gold Cloaks. If he gets desperate, he’s dangerous," Aegor said as he stood and patted Arya on the shoulder. "Let’s not worry about that now. Tyrion will handle Slynt, and we’ll go practice your swordplay."

"Don’t change the subject!" Arya shook off his hand. "If you don’t tell me, I’m not training today!"

"Then go home. This is the Night’s Watch office, not a playground for kids." Aegor’s tone hardened as he grabbed her arm and dragged her to the courtyard. Tossing her a practice sword, he began her reluctant lesson.
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The Night’s Watch swordsmanship Aegor taught focused on defense, waiting for the opponent to expose a weakness before striking. It relied on physical strength and endurance, favoring the stronger and better-armed fighter.

In contrast, the Braavosi Water Dance emphasized agility and unpredictability. It avoided direct confrontation, relying on feints, evasion, and redirection to turn an opponent’s strength against them.

While the Water Dance might seem to counter a defensive style, its complexity made it difficult to master. Arya, still an inexperienced beginner, found herself overpowered by Aegor’s brute force and straightforward techniques.

Despite this, Arya was learning. She began improvising, combining basic movements into new sequences. Though her attempts were clumsy and full of openings, Aegor patiently played the role of sparring partner, guiding her efforts.
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After deflecting another of Arya’s experimental combos, Aegor decided to test the waters. "Arya, did you overhear anything when the King was speaking with your father last night?"

"That’s a state secret!" Arya huffed, waving her wooden sword. "I won’t tell you unless you tell me why Tyrion might go back to Casterly Rock."

He smirked. So she knew it was a secret, after all. Despite her impulsive nature, Arya was loyal and careful with her words—a rare combination. Deciding a small concession wouldn’t hurt, Aegor said, "It’s about the rumors surrounding the Queen and her brother. Have you heard about them?"

"You mean the ones about her sleeping with Jaime?"

"Exactly. Do you believe them?"

"I don’t know. Why does it matter?"

It matters a lot, Aegor thought, amused by her indifference. The legitimacy of Joffrey—her sister’s betrothed—hung in the balance. "Whether you believe it or not, what matters is how the King sees it. And Tyrion is the Queen’s brother."

"Oh, I get it now!" Arya’s eyes lit up with understanding. Her distraction cost her, and Aegor landed a light hit on her arm with his practice sword.

"Ow!" she yelped.

"Now, tell me what the King and your father discussed," Aegor said, lowering his weapon. "This could be about Tyrion’s life, so leave nothing out—and don’t repeat it to anyone, understand?"
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