From the Ashes (ASOIAF) (Sandor Clegane x OC)

Chapter 14: Tyrion

     Tyrion looked down at the letter in his hand and sighed. It had arrived by raven earlier that morning. He'd read it at least a dozen times since then. He wasn't exactly sure what he was expecting. That somehow the words would change? That he would magically find a solution that didn't include him having to face the thing he was most anxious to forget? The content of the letter was simple enough. The lords of the Westerlands wanted a steward to be chosen for Casterly Rock. While his families gold mines had gone dry, their holdings were still the greatest in Westeros and with Tyrion in Kings Landing it was important to have a vassal in place to run the day to day business. The lords had several names to put forth but in the end it came down to the Lord of Casterly Rock to make the appointment. The Lord of Casterly Rock, Tyrion knew his father must be turning over in his grave at the thought of Tyrion being addressed as such. There were few things in life that Tywin Lannister had been passionate about, but the idea that Tyrion would never inherit the family seat was one of them. Jokes on you father, Tyrion thought.

     In truth, Tyrion had no interest in returning to the Rock. He hadn't been there in years, and in that time he had murdered his own Lord father, which he was sure had not won him any extra favor with his subjects. He couldn't even imagine going there as Lord, but in the end he knew it was inevitable. Better to get it out of the way now and get things set up the way he liked so he could put a good long span of time between this visit, and the next. He put the letter down on his desk and hopped down from his chair. He could tell by the angle of the sun that it was creeping towards noon, and he had somewhere to be. He walked across the room and out into the hallway. He had only walked down two corridors before he bumped into Davos.

"Davos my old friend! You're back!" He said cheerfully. Davos had taken a trip to inspect the newly made ships for the armada and on his way back, stopped to spend some time at home with his wife.

"Only just." The older man said, "It seems I've returned just in time for quite a spectacle."

'I see you've been filled in on today's events." Said Tyrion as they continued walking.

"Gendry explained." Said Davos, "he said it was her idea from the start. Is that true?"

"It is." Tyrion confirmed.

"That girl...." Davos said, shaking his head, "she's got more brazenness in her than most men I know. It's a wonder she hasn't gotten in worse trouble." The way Davos spoke of Tess was always so familial, as if she was his wild an impulsive daughter.

"Bronn seems to think this whole thing may spawn from desire the two of them are hesitant to admit to." Tyrion said.

"Don't know about that. But I can't say it's the most far fetched idea I've heard." Davos answered.

      They had reached the giant front entry doors to the Red Keep. Brienne, Podrick, Gendry, and Bronn were already there.

"About time!" Said Brienne, "We were about to leave without you."

"Calm down it's not as if they'd start fighting without us. The spectacle is half the fun." He said to her, "I'm somewhat surprised to see you joining in." He added towards Bronn.

"I don't see why." Bronn answered, "I love a good fight as much as the next man. I especially like watching women fight. Admittedly I'd prefer watching her fight another woman, but if I get the chance to see Clegane get his ass handed to him by a woman."

"Again." Brienne interjected with a smile.

"Again," Bronn repeated, "then that's all the better."

     They made their way out the gate, but instead of turning left as they usually did to head to Tess's in, they turned right making their way towards Rhaenys' Hill and the husk that was the remains of the dragon pit. As they walked into the arena Tyrion's eyes found Tess. She was wearing the armor that was consistent with what he'd seen on Dornish warriors. A full breast plate of woven leather, thick enough to protect from a sword, but light enough to not inhibit her movement, and she was certainly moving now. It was uncanny to Tyrion how much she reminded him of Oberyn Martell, when Tyrion had watched him battle the Mountain. She had a spear very similar to the one he had fought with, a long wooden handle ending in a deadly jagged tip. As he watched Tess spun it in circles through the air with deadly precision bringing it behind her back, to each of her sides and over her head so quickly it was a blur. She spun and flipped, moving so fluidly at times it seemed as if she were almost floating. Tyrion admitted to himself there had been times in the past when he'd wondered if she was overplaying her skill level, but seeing her now he knew he'd been wrong. She was just as deadly as she claimed to be.