Chapter 130

The two leaned against the railing and continued chatting for a while, with Aegor recounting his experiences in the allied army’s camp over the past two months. He began by describing Robert’s seemingly impressive but ultimately fruitless assault on the Bloody Gate, then moved on to the grand matchmaking affair among the six kingdoms’ nobles. Naturally, he mentioned securing several investment prospects and reminded Tyrion to have all departments prepared for upcoming receptions.

Finally, Aegor revealed his greatest achievement: earning Robert’s favor and being granted two rewards of his choice, a development he saved as a surprise for the end.

It was a modest contribution compared to Tyrion’s accomplishments, but at least it was worth mentioning.
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“Tax exemption?!” Tyrion, who had been surprised multiple times that day, was finally rendered speechless. His expression was one of pure disbelief, his mouth agape as though he had seen a ghost. “Robert... has he gone mad?”

“If he’d toured the facilities himself, he might not have made such a rash decision. But what’s done is done—no use dwelling on hypotheticals,” Aegor said with a chuckle. “Let’s not even mention the two-percent goods tax we’ll save—that alone isn’t a small sum.”

“Not small at all… You know how much effort I put into building a relationship with Eddard’s newly appointed Master of Coin? How many dinners I hosted, how many tax officials I wined, dined, and... entertained? All wasted!”

Tyrion had worked tirelessly to establish connections and lay the groundwork for tax evasion. Yet now, the Night’s Watch industries were suddenly exempt from taxes. It was a mix of joy and frustration he rarely experienced.

“If you’re upset, we can always keep paying taxes,” Aegor quipped. “I doubt Robert would return the money if we offered it.”

“If I’m not happy now, I’ll never be,” Tyrion replied, flashing Aegor an obscene gesture. “You’ve got to teach me how to sweet-talk people like you do. Anyway, I’ve got a tax officer with no work now—he’ll report to your office tomorrow. Train him as a receptionist. When your clients come calling, you can personally handle the important ones, let Nina entertain the big fish, and leave the small fry to the rest of the staff. You’re a man of standing now, even if you aren’t a noble. Don’t cheapen yourself.”

“Fine, I’ll handle it your way. But one receptionist might not be enough; we’ll probably need to hire more.”

“That’s up to you. Our assets far exceed our liabilities now, or as you’d say, our cash flow is exceptionally stable. Go ahead and experiment as much as you like.”
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Tyrion glanced westward, the setting sun casting his not-so-handsome face in a warm, golden-red light. The sun had begun to dip below the horizon, its rays softening into hues of orange and gold, making the two men appear as though they were bathed in molten light.

Though the day was ending, Tyrion was brimming with ambition. He was about to invite Aegor to stay for the evening—drink, eat, and continue plotting the future—when a sudden realization struck him. “Seven hells! Arya has to be back at the Red Keep before dark, or she’ll be locked out of the city. Take her back now, and we’ll catch up later—you’ll love the new residence I’ve arranged for you.”

“A new residence?” Aegor raised an eyebrow. “Now I’m curious.” He had nearly forgotten Arya’s parents wouldn’t take kindly to their daughter being kept out all night. It was time to head back. “Alright, we’ll talk more later.”
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Descending the tower, the two men parted ways. Aegor set off with Arya, Nina, and Kacey. At the gates, they encountered Hael, Arya’s ever-watchful escort, who had been waiting for his charge. As the last rays of the sun cast a golden glow over the group, they made their way back to King’s Landing.

“What did you and Tyrion talk about in private?” Arya demanded, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Why did it take so long?”

“We were discussing whether to open a brothel in the industrial park. Interested? Want to invest some pocket money? I’ll even give you dividends,” Aegor teased.

“Ugh, if you don’t want to tell me, just say so! Don’t treat me like a child—I’m not stupid!” Arya huffed. Then, with renewed excitement, she asked, “So, did anything fun happen while you were at the Vale? Tell me everything!”

Fun? Aegor thought for a moment. “Well, your brother Robb has a wife now. Her name’s Roslin Frey—actually, it’s Roslin Stark now. Robb picked her himself and even sought the king’s blessing for the marriage. Since he didn’t want to face your father’s wrath, he took his new bride straight back to Winterfell.”

“Robb’s married?! He chose her himself and got the king’s approval? That’s amazing!” Arya’s eyes lit up with admiration, her excitement eclipsing any concern about the Freys’ reputation. “How old is she? Is she pretty? Does she like horseback riding or archery?”

“She’s about fifteen or sixteen, and yes, she’s considered a beauty. As for her hobbies, you’ll have to ask her yourself when you meet her.”

“How did they meet? Who courted whom? Did you see them kiss? Wait—are you saying they’ve already shared a bed? Did they argue first? What happened? Tell me everything!”
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“Stop, stop!” Aegor interrupted, holding up a hand to ward off her barrage of questions. “That’s enough—I don’t know all the details. It wasn’t me getting married to your sister-in-law!”

To stave off further interrogation, Aegor quickly turned to Nina. “Nina, your mentor was singing your praises earlier. Let’s see if you’re as capable as he claims. I have some tasks for you.”

Her composure restored after the earlier awkwardness, Nina nodded, though she still avoided Aegor’s gaze briefly. “Please, give your orders.”

“Oversee the construction of the dormitory bed frames and the medical facility I mentioned earlier. Also, find someone literate and skilled in teaching to educate the Night’s Watch security recruits. The lessons will be voluntary, held during breaks in training, and fully funded by me. Tell the recruits this: in the future, anyone aspiring to rank above sergeant in the Night’s Watch Security Division must be literate and numerate.”

“Yes, sir,” Nina replied without hesitation.

Satisfied, Aegor turned to Kacey. “As for you, starting tomorrow, you’ll join the daily training sessions with the security division. I’ll draft a set of regulations for the Night’s Watch Security Forces, and you’ll be the first inspector. Your job is to supervise training, inspect internal affairs, and report directly to me on the enforcement of my standards.”

“Inspector? Reporting directly to you?” Kacey’s eyes lit up. “Does that mean I don’t answer to anyone else?”

“Exactly. Anyone who fails to meet standards will be warned first, then penalized, and, if necessary, dismissed. Remember, the more the recruits dislike you, the better you’re doing your job. And if you need help, you can recruit assistants—but no hooligans. Inspectors must follow the same rules they enforce. Set an example, and your authority will be respected.”

Kacey straightened his back, full of confidence. “Understood!”

...

As they reached King’s Landing’s gates, half-closed but still allowing passage, the group passed through without issue. The guards recognized Hael and did not impede their return.

Once inside, Nina began briefing Aegor on recent developments at the office, including the opening of a second branch on the city’s west side to streamline recruitment. While the day was too late to visit, Aegor resolved to check it out another time.

Finally, they reached the new residence Tyrion had mentioned—a large house rented to serve as a more appropriate and economical base for the Night’s Watch office staff and management.