Tyrion I.
The golden coast of the Westerlands was vibrant with a deep blue color and an ever-busy route of trade and commercial. The city of Lannisport as ever was filled with merchant ships from all across Westereos and the free cities of Essos included. A precious hub of lucrative trading. Anything worth gold or silver made its way to the port and was soon sold off to the market which in turn filled up the coffers which would be transported to highly secured chambers from which House Lannister could use to further enrich themselves. Other than the gold mines that has made them the wealthiest family in the seven Kingdoms the ports came in second as their most valuable investments. But recent news may soon change the status quo and the Old Lion will not allow himself to be left behind nor his family to be overtaken so easily.
XxXxX
The loud banging against hardwood begrudgingly awoke the youngest of the Lannisters siblings. Resting in a bed of smooth scarlet silk and pillows filled with the softest feathers Tyrion groaned in protest as the banging on the door increased with pace. The last thing he wanted was to so rudely awakened from this splendid slumber of his and to also be departed from this gorgeous young naked woman sleeping to his side.
"Go away." He commanded, ignoring the damn noise as best he could.
His young maiden snuggled herself closer to him, her large breasts rubbing themselves against his body, much to his pleasure. Tyrion very much enjoyed his life of sex and wine and right now he just wanted to sleep for an extra few hours. Whomever it was knocking on the other side of that door was in clear opposition to that sweet dream of his unfortunately.
The knocking stopped, but only momentarily as the door was forced open and a pair of Lannister guards entered the room. "Lord Tyrion your presence is required at the keep per your father's orders."
Tyrion rolled his eyes all the while his lady friend began to dress herself up and leave immediately, "Joy..."
Lannisport was busy as usual. Many merchant ships entering and leaving the harbor. Precious and invaluable Lannister gold making it all happen, Tywin Lannister having single-handedly brought great power and fortune to the family. Tyrion didn't really care about the history lessons, but he sure was going to benefit from his House's wealth for as long as he lived. Being carried on his personal palanquin by Lannister soldiers who would rather be cleaning the outhouses than be seen as the dwarf's carriers, Tyrion drank from his bottle of wine, admiring all the young maidens he could lay his eyes on. The trip wouldn't be that far now. Lord Tywin was currently at the Keep conducting business with representatives of the free cities. Which cities? Well, Tyiron could care less.
It annoyed the youngest Lannister that his father would always allocate his office at the highest point in the buildings he would reside in. It almost seemed on purpose in a way. Force the rest of the Westeros to climb their way upon his mighty glory. Tyrion scoffed at the plausible idea, his father was an extremely proud man and in his eyes everyone else was a lesser man that could never live up to his standards. Especially yours truly.
XxXxX
"You are late." Tyrion had barely stepped in, and his father's stern tone had already sullied his already meager mood.
"I do apologize. The streets were so full of life it was hard to stay focus and not get distracted by this beautiful city of ours." Tyrion walked forward to the table where Tywin was standing by. The Old Lion's stone-cold demeanor never breaking and those blue eyes, devoid of warmth following Tyrion's every step.
Taking their seats, both Lannisters said nothing at first. Tywin was busy writing a letter while Tyrion simply sat there, waiting. There was a large glass wine decanter with a pair of cups just whispering his name. Unfortunately, it was too far from his reach, curse his stature. "I doubt you will die so easily if deprived of that liquor for a few minutes." Tywin finished writing the letter and placed it in a folder, pressing the Lannister wax sigil on it.
"Have you heard of the ongoings around the seven kingdoms? Most specifically the Riverlands?"
Tyrion made a humorous face, deciding to guess, "Well...Lord Hoster Tully will be hosting the upcoming Tourney that Robert Baratheon has chosen to raise. Fifth one this year by the way." Tywin let out a small gruff of acknowledgement to that last part. "Hmm...the Blackwoods and Brackens are still feuding over something that someone did to another person many decades ago and as far as I'm aware Aunt Genna and her husband are idling about over at the Twins with the humble Lord Walder Frey watching over them."
Tywin gave him a pointed look before standing from his seat, "At least you do pay attention, Jaime and Cersei lack that about you, unfortunately."
Tyrion raised an eyebrow at the rare compliment, "I do try my best to live up to your extraordinary standards father."
It was the same song and dance between them. Tywin doing everything in his power to humiliate his youngest child with words of subtle resentment and actions that undermine all personal achievements and Tyrion gladly jousting back with that quick-thinking, silver-tongue of his. Their relationship would never arise from where it was at, it could only ever descend into deeper hate, one that both held for the other.
"There have been reports from the Riverlands that I received last night. House Frey came under attack from a group of sellswords that had been accompanying representatives of House Manderly." Tywin poured wine into a bronze cup which Tyrion accepted.
"Are they alright? Is Aunt Genna safe?" Tyrion fears reveled themselves.
"My sister was residing in the opposite tower when the attacks occurred thankfully." Tywin eased his fears away. "It was the Frey's poor or better yet lack of political understanding that caught him in this avoidable skirmish. No he isn't dead."
"No one in the seven kingdoms ever said that old Walder Frey was a charming man to converse with. Those sellswords were probably in the right to take a swing at the cryptic old man." Tyrion drank from his cup.
"Perhaps." Tywin did not disagree with his son's assessment, but he had more to say on the matter, "The reports sent by our agents was far more...intriguing, almost sounded too fictional to be considered true.
Tyrion wondered what was so interesting about the matter of the River Lords, especially one as mediocre as the Freys. But when father spoke one would listen. Every word spoken from the Old Lion was cold, calculating and above all else meaningful. Yes, he could see the machinations of a future plan coming to life on his father's neutral countenance. House Lannister was in the early stages of a good old scheme.
"I do like gossip, so please carry on. What else happened?"
Tywin glared at his nuisance attitude, but then again that's how he looked at everyone around him, "Our agents reported that these four sellswords had escaped The Twins and taken the heir hostage. Around a dozen men were massacred inside the walls of their keep. All of them killed not by sword nor arrow, but something else, something entirely new and highly lethal."
Well, that was interesting. Tyrion who still drinking out of his cup gave his father a quizzing look. "What type of weapons are we talking here?"
"Ones that appear as simple iron clubs but that can unleash a volley of fire and death. Not even the fastest archer could possibly compete with them." Both Lannisters pondered on the implications of said weapons.
"Well... that's interesting." Tyrion quipped.
If these reports were not being exaggerated then this was indeed a matter to further pursue. Even if he was more interested in drinks and whores, Tyrion could still take notice of a unique opportunity when presented. Was Lord Tywin hoping to hire these men and aquire these strange weapons?
'Quite an endeavor.' the imp thought.
"I see that quick mind of yours already at work." Tywin looked at Tyrion, "We must find these men and learn more about them. I suspect the Tullys are already on the move, if not they have already given them shelter."
"Did they not take the Frey's heir hostage? I doubt the Lord Paramount would allow them to live after that debacle." Tyrion pointed out.
A messanger entered the room and handed Lord Tywin a sealed letter. Tyrion drank some more wine as his father read the letter. His expression hardened if that was even humanly possible.
"Bad news?" the smugness in his voice unmistakable, "Did Jamie piss-off a high noble again or did our sweet Cersie finally snap and murdered everyone at the Red Keep?"
Tywin appeared to hold his tongue for a second. Still eyeing the letter in hand he walked towards Tyrion, "It appears that the Tullys have indeed established an agreement with these men. About three days ago they aided in the extermination of a large bandit camp by the ruins of Oldstones. Furthermore, they've been pardoned and allowed to operate in the land, under strict supervision."
Tyrion drank some more wine, delicious taste, all the way from Dorne. Even though he enjoyed watching his father infuriated over political and business affairs, he had to admit that this sort of union could pose against their their closest neighbors, House Lannister.
"Has the crowned been informed of this?"
"Jon Arryn may be getting old by the years but he has been an effective Hand while Robert wastes away in the Iron Throne. He must be well aware." Tywin added.
"Why are you telling me all of this?" Tyrion finally asked. It was a question that had been burning in his mind since this conversation began. Tywin regarded him with a look of absolute contempt. Ah, there was that well familiar stare that he was accustomed to.
"You're a Lannister. It's time for you to pull your worth." Tyrion eyed his father with a hint of suspicion. What was the Old Lion planning?
Sorry for the pause. In the mean time please read and follow A Song of the Wild East by HarshSingh. Same crossover with steady updates and great story.