Chapter 125: New Maester of Coins
Artos is going towards a room in a meeting, He has a smile on his face , a genuine smile. He is enjoying himself in this game, The game of thrones. And Now a New meeting, a new game awaits him. He likes making men cower in fear without even his sword, with just his words he is as ferocious he once was.
The meeting with Tyrion took place in one of the quieter rooms of the Red Keep.
Tyrion Lannister arrived with the same uneven stride and the same half-amused expression he wore when he expected trouble and enjoyed it anyway.
Artos stood by the table when he entered.
Tyrion gave him a small bow. " Greetings Lord Hand. I am suprised you called me so early. I thought you would wait before calling your favor given the situation."
Artos glanced at him and smirks. "Oh this situation makes a perfect in my opinion. And this situation is perfect to check if Lannister really pay thier debts or not. Besides it's a matter to benefit you, so I am really doing this for your sake." He said teasing Tyrion.
Tyrion's mouth twitched. "You don't strike me as generous type."
"Oh I'm wounded Tyrion." Artos said smirking
"Good, I guess I will get credit for making DemonWolf hurt. I guess pretty believable that Artos , the great warrior is wounded by a dwarf. A really believable story, won't you say the same , My Lord." Tyrion said japing
Artos laughed at that " Well that will make you the only Lannister go hurt now or in future."
Tyrion sat, one hand resting on the armrest, fingers loose, watchful.
For a moment neither man spoke.
Then Artos said, "You owe me a favor and you are here now for a meeting. But Trust me when I say this, this meeting will change your life forever from this point on."
Tyrion sighed through his nose. "That's seems excessive." He said nervously but he knew Artos is not a man to speak light words.
"That's for you to judge, ."
Artos almost smiled. "Do you remember the tourney?"
Tyrion leaned back. "Unfortunately, yes. I don't think any one who has watched it won't forget quite easily what they have seen."
Artos smiles "Oh yes, but that's was quite a thing. You know I paid for it. The whole thing. It was quite expensive around one hundred thousand."
Tyrion looks at weirdly" It sure was, My Lord. But you a rich Lord, I am sure you can afford it. I don't think it's much of a prob..."
Artos continues not letting Tyrion complete" Oh that is not the worry Lord Tyrion. But the real worry is that Crown doesn't have ven this much without taking a loan."
Tyrion laughed " That's isn't a suprise. The life style of Robert is quite open in the realm. So that doesn't really suprise me."
Artos laughed "Of course" but got serious immediately" But the suprise isn't that Crown is in debt but the Crown is debt for 9 fucking million is the real suprise."
Tyrion spitted his wine and is suprised by the information" How in the world?" Really confused.
Artos smiles but that was a smile of regret " I wish I knew but I don't. Well i don't know yet. But still there is time and i will appreciate your help. So that's why" Artos held his gaze a moment longer than necessary, then said, "I'm offering you a position."
Tyrion blinked. "That's a "
"Master of Coin." Artos said without Tyrion completing
Silence.
Then Tyrion laughed.
Not loudly. Not even truly amused. But enough to show he thought the offer was absurd.
"You've got a cruel sense of humor, Lord Stark."
"I'm serious."
"Well That makes it worse. I got no clue how to make coins. I know how to spend it ," he shook his head down " and spend it a lot. I can tell Crown how to spend it" he said japing
Artos folded his arms. "But You know coin better than most in realm, You are a Lannister aren't they the richest. You understand the concept, you are wise and you are smart to figure out numbers, taxes and most importantly people.."
"Like i said My Lord I understand how to spend it," Tyrion said. "That is not the same thing as making it appear, not even close."
" You know for most men including Lords in the realm, they would cower spending or just earning a Million Dragons. Do you think I look the type of merchant but I earned my coins through it. So I truly think you are just as capable and you don't have to be alone, I and my Men will help you with it. Think about it."
Tyrion think about it and smiled about it. After all though it is a good opportunity but it will look bad for his family, Although he hates the most the members but still he is a Lannister.
Tyrion couldn't just stab them in the back. Especially with Artos who is known enemy of his father. It's like spitting on his father.
Tyrion laughed internally, Although he knows that Artos is genuinely trying to get him in the council but one of the reasons is that it will anger and irritate his father and that is a thing Artos will enjoy.
" I am flattered, My Lord. Really but I think I will have to refuse. But thanks for your generous offer."
Artos studied him for a moment. Tyrion was still amused, but the amusement had begun to thin around the edges. He knew a trap when he saw one, and he also knew that a man like Artos did not offer seats without reasons.
"Are you sure Lord Tyrion. Though I would suggest you listen to all the information i have." Artos said quite confident
Then Tyrion's mouth twisted. "Ah. There it is."
Artos did not look away. "Your Father and I already spoke a few days ago"
Tyrion's brows lifted. "And?"
" Well we discussed a few things and made some deals that would help Crown debt problem And we decided that Casterly Rock will not be inherited by you." Artos said directly dropping the bombshell
For a heartbeat, Tyrion said nothing. He is silent saying nothing
Artos gave a slight nod. "Your father never intended to name you heir but I guess you know it better than me."
"Yes I did know ," Tyrion agreed softly. "He never intended to do anything kind with me. But it still hurts."
The words were said lightly, but the room changed with them. The mockery remained, but something harder moved under it.
Artos stepped a little closer to the table. "Then stop pretending you need his approval."
Tyrion looked up at him, eyes sharp now. "You think I'm pretending for his approval?"
"I think you're capable of better than waiting around for a father who clearly hates you."
Tyrion's expression did not soften, but it did sharpen in a way Artos recognized.
Wounded men listened differently when they were spoken to plainly.
"And your solution," Tyrion said, "is to make me Master of Coin. Maybe to lessen to your guilt or just annoy my father. What's in it for you."
Artos laughed " OH i don't feel any guilt. Though It is true what you speculate , both of the things. Yes I have a part in that decision even I led the discussion of your inheritance. But you know I don't agree with your father a lot of times. But one thing he and I will agree on is Being a Strong Lord and man gives you a right to decide your life decisions. You weren't strong enough to hold your right and it will be stolen but I am giving you a opportunity to reclaim it. "
Tyrion stared at him for a moment, then folded his hands together. "Let me guess. It's just a way for you to get back at my father"
"It is, for sure. "
A silence found itself in the room.
"I see."
He looked down for a moment, then up again, his expression less amused and More careful.
"So this is not really an offer," he said. "That I can refuse but still."
Artos " Call me what you want or think what you want about me. But I will be honest with you You're not getting Tywin's love, Tyrion. You're not getting Casterly Rock even if I didn't do this."
Tyrion gave a small, bitter laugh. " And now My position it's like a consolation prize."
"In your case, it might be a promotion. It's not like you had any real position before this."
That earned a brief snort from Tyrion, though it did not fully break the tension.
He rubbed at one side of his face, thinking.
"What exactly does my father get from this?"
"A cleaner path to Tommen," Artos said. "A quieter succession. A reason to tell himself he made the practical choice."
"And what do you get?"
"Two million gold dragons erased from the Crown's debt."
Tyrion's eyes widened slightly. "That much?"
Artos shrugged. "Let's call it charm of current situation."
Tyrion gave him a long, thoughtful look.
The two men were quiet for a time. Outside the chamber, the city went on as if nothing had changed, though both of them knew small decisions made in rooms like this could twist the shape of kingdoms.
At last Tyrion said, "If I accept, what happens to Littlefinger?"
Artos' eyes flicked toward him. "You're already know. 9 million Dragons is way too much of a debt. I have already suspicion and evidence. He will get his 'rewards' for being 'loyal'. Let's just say that"
Tyrion's expression shifted, thoughtful now. "You know that my father will object this right?"
"Oh He will object, infact i am counting on it" Artos said. "It would be quite a fun for me."
Tyrion let out a slow breath, the beginnings of a smile returning to one side of his mouth.
"You really do enjoy making him angry."
Artos' answer came without hesitation. "A little."
That drew a real laugh from Tyrion this time, brief and dry.
"So Do you accept?" Artos asked.
Tyrion glanced toward the window, toward the city beyond it, then back at Artos.
Tyrion looked away first, then exhaled through his nose. "Very well."
Artos waited.
Tyrion lifted one shoulder in a faint shrug. "I'll take your seat. For now."
"For now?"
"For now," Tyrion repeated.
Artos' mouth curved slightly. "I thought you'd like that part where your father is angry at you."
Tyrion rose from his chair, smoothing a hand over his tunic. "Yes, it is exciting"
Artos watched him go, his expression unreadable once more.
He had gotten what he wanted.
A new Master of Coin.
A useful thorn for Petyr Baelish.
A useful tool to piss Tywin
And, perhaps most importantly, another piece moved into place exactly where Artos needed it.
Outside, the Red Keep kept its secrets.
Inside, the game had shifted again.
---
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