He refused the queen's offer for him to stay at the royal infirmary for his wounds to be tended.
"I can manage on my own, your grace" were his final words as he bowed and left the court. He wanted no favours from them.
His back hurt like hell as he put on his clothes and exited, the first thing on his mind was to find a place to stay and buy things he needed to tend to his wounds.
"That was impressive"
He turned with a frown on his face as he recognized the voice.
"Thought you were at Casterly Rock?" he asked
The last time he had seen Tyrion Lannister was during the battle of battle of the blackwater seven years ago.
Arya, who had followed Sandor outside the palace, listened to their conversation with interest. She remembered Tyrion was the one Lannister that supported Daenerys when she returned to Westeros. The queen had offered him to rule as lord of Casterly Rock, but strangely he had refused and asked the queen to give the position to his brother Jaime, who had been pardoned.
Apparently Tyrion had a job proposition and Sandor, who had no other plans, was willing to listen.
"I am a merchant now" he explained "And business is going well"
For a moment he stared back at the palace and added with a smirk
"Peace and stability are good for making money and the new queen is doing a great job"
Sandor smirked at him
"If you say so"
Tyrion wasted no more time
"Here is my proposal; I need someone like you to be in charge for the security of my caravans"
Sandor thought about it
"What of him?" he asked as he looked past Tyrion to where Bronn stood
"He is my bodyguard and is in charge only of my personal safety….I will pay you well if you accept"
They talked for about 15 minutes on the details. Sandor was at first a bit reluctant to accept, but finally agreed to work for him, thinking on the irony that he was once again working for a Lannister. At least he was on a job that suited him.
"For the moment, let's take you to a doctor" Tyrion said.
A Week later they left King's landing once Tyrion finished his pending business. Arya was pleasantly surprised when she found out that the journey would eventually take them to Winterfell but first they would go to the Eyre and the Riverlands
Sandor, who normally rode ahead of the caravan, would cast quick glances around him as he often felt he was being watched.
One Night, as they rested on a small town, Arya decided to see Gendry and her brothers. She barely contained her laughter at Gendry's expression when she appeared next to him.
"By the gods, Arya, You will be the death of me"
She told them all that has happened; Her visit to Jon at the wall, finding out Mycah was alive, the trial and punishment of Sandor and his painful memories.
"Do you plan to talk to him?" bram asked at one point
"I am not sure" she answered
Hours passed and when she was about to leave, they made her promise that she would visit more often
Her brother's question was on her mind as she considered if she should reveal her presence to Sandor or Tyrion. Sandor probably wouldn't recognize her as it had been years since the last time he had seen her, when she left him under that tree.
She made her decision when she appeared in a darkened room and found him completely drunk.
Sandor almost dropped the bottle when he heard a woman's voice behind him
"That is a disgusting habit"