Seven Gods above, you run faster than a dog chasing a bone!
If anyone else had shouted that in public, Aegor would definitely have taken offense, but now…
"I ran fast because I missed you. Seeing that your ability to offend people the moment you open your mouth hasn't dulled at all, I'm truly relieved." He retorted with a bitter smile, accepting the rather crude comparison. "I have to say, at least fewer people dare resent you for it now, right?"
As retaliation, he gave the dwarf a strong hug, relying on his arms and chest armor to squeeze the other man until he was nearly breathless, his feet lifting off the ground, before finally letting go.
"Huff... I take that back! Really, don't ever do that again." Tyrion rubbed his chest with one hand, gasping for air while waving the other in surrender. "But you have to promise, you'll tell me properly later how you convinced the Northmen to support Daenerys, and how you managed to get from Twin River City to Golden Tooth in just a few days."
Tyrion's surprise was not feigned. More than a week ago, he had received Aegor's declaration of conquest along with a private letter sent from Twin River City. Thinking the other party was still hundreds of miles away, with the entire Riverlands yet to choose sides, he had lingered in Lannisport for several days, attending to both major and minor affairs before departing by carriage. He had just arrived at Golden Tooth after a few days' travel and was betting with his attendant on how long he'd have to wait, when he unexpectedly heard from the garrison that the allied army led by Aegor had arrived a day earlier, already set up camp, and was requesting envoys from the city.
To spend just eight days cutting through the entire Riverlands from Twin River City and reaching the gates of the Westerlands?
Tyrion knew the Riverlords weren't famed for their combat prowess, but Aegor's seemingly lightning-fast speed still exceeded all expectations. Had he not proactively announced his marching route in advance, the Golden Tooth garrison might not have realized his arrival until he was already at their doorstep.
"No problem, we have a whole day, we can talk slowly." Aegor readily agreed. "Coincidentally, I'm also a bit curious about your legendary feat of establishing the first large bank in the Westerlands. Please, come in."
Most of the delegation was left outside the camp's perimeter. Guided by Aegor, Tyrion walked toward the center of the main camp with two personal guards. As he identified the types and numbers of banners among the allied forces and observed the soldiers' morale and equipment, deep in thought, they quickly reached the central tent. Everyone else remained outside as only the two of them entered, beginning what seemed like a reunion of old friends, but was in truth a secret negotiation between Daenerys's faction and the Westerlands.
…
The two hadn't seen each other for many years since parting ways in King's Landing. Each had a mountain of tales to tell. After spending quite some time catching up, Tyrion finally crossed his legs and steered the conversation to the main topic.
"Most of the nobles and officials in Lannisport have already heard about the declaration of conquest you sent. Honestly, many of them thought you were bluffing and trying to intimidate people." The dwarf said with a grin. "But once word spreads about how you cut through and subdued the entire Riverlands in a week, I doubt anyone will think that anymore. Since Daenerys sent you instead of coming with a dragon, she must have secretly given you a list of conditions for the Westerlands to submit... There's no need for pretense between us. Just tell me everything so I can go back and report to my father and uncle."
Aegor looked at Tyrion with a smile, but didn't speak immediately. Instead, he simply sat there, exchanging a meaningful, silent gaze until, after a few seconds, the dwarf scratched his itchy scalp. At last, Aegor spoke, giving an answer that wasn't what was asked.
"Tyrion, you know, the days I spent with you in King's Landing working on the Night's Watch Bonds and the Industrial Park were the happiest times I've had on this strange continent."
Damn it, Tyrion rubbed his forehead in frustration. They had already been reminiscing for over an hour, wasn't that enough? The Targaryen dynasty was on the brink of restoration, and the Westerlands faced an unprecedented crisis. He was eager to get down to business. He had no interest in reminiscing about past glories with Aegor.
"Back then, there was no pressure, no burdens. I just wanted to make a name for myself with all my might. How could I not be happy?" Tyrion sighed with a hint of sorrow. "But now, I'm the founder and head of the Lannister Bank, one of Lord Tywin's arms. And you've climbed to the position of Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, becoming Daenerys's confidant. Everyone has careers and responsibilities. Things can't go back to how they were."
"Careers and responsibilities?" Aegor curled his lip. "Tyrion, that doesn't sound like the you I know. Are you really satisfied with just being the founder of the Lannister Bank, your father's arm?"
Tyrion gave him a blunt eye-roll. Yes, he used to be cynical, jaded, drifting through life, but that was because back then he was a cripple in his father's eyes, scorned by the world, a useless dwarf.
But now?
He had family status, life purpose, social and professional dignity. Wearing a fine pair of shoes, how could he still act as carefree as when he was barefoot?
"Laugh all you want. I'll stay like this, live to eighty, drink all the wine I want, find a young woman, and die with my lifeblood in her mouth in a warm bed. I'll have no regrets." Tyrion said casually, shaking his leg. "If you think that's not enough, then tell me, what else should I be doing?"
"Tch..." Aegor didn't bother hiding his disdain. He chuckled, then straightened his face and said seriously, "Not just not enough. It's far from enough. Have you ever heard this saying—everyone dies twice. The first time is when they stop breathing. The second time is when their name is spoken for the last time. We're all flesh and blood, we can't avoid the first death, but when it comes to the second, shouldn't we at least strive for immortality? How many people do you think will remember you, and for how long, as the 'founder of the Lannister Bank'? We should work together and do something even bigger!"
Tyrion stared at Aegor like he was crazy, and suddenly recalled the scene of their first meeting. Back then, this guy had claimed to be an adventurer from "my hometown", undertaking a journey around the world to prove the world was round, and that his homeland had unimaginably advanced technology...
Didn't he think it was all nonsense back then? But somehow, he still got completely hooked.
He tapped his thigh a few times with his fingers. The dwarf finally sighed helplessly. "You really are a devil. You always know how to hook people. Fine, I admit I'm tempted. So, what's this bigger thing? Tell me."
Aegor raised his right arm and waved it in the air. "Establish an unprecedentedly vast empire. Upgrade the Lannister Bank into the Westeros Bank, and even a pan-continental bank. Extend military and financial hegemony to every corner of the known world, and have your name recorded in every chronicle and history textbook for generations to come... Is that big enough?"
(To be continued.)