"My lord, that was many years ago. Viserys was just a child then. I haven't seen him since he took Rhaenys Targaryen to Dragonstone thirteen years ago. But I still remember those eyes of his..." Varys recalled as he spoke.
"What eyes?" Tyrion asked with some curiosity.
"Those eyes of his didn't look like a child's," Varys said softly. "Even though he hid it well, I still felt as if he could see right through you. Regardless, I could never see through him."
Tyrion was silent for a moment, then he smiled.
"Interesting, a child that even you, The Spider, can't see through." He turned and spoke directly, "Last time I sent someone to negotiate with him, he wouldn't even meet them. So, this time I want you to help me send a message to Viserys. Tell him the Lannister dwarf wants to see him."
Varys's eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke, "My lord, are you sure you want me to deliver this message?"
"Don't play that game with me," Tyrion said. "Don't tell me there's no contact between you and Viserys."
Varys's smile stiffened for an instant but quickly recovered. "My lord, you worry too much."
"Is that so? Perhaps. Varys, I don't actually care who you're in contact with behind the scenes," Tyrion said, looking back at the distance without turning his head.
Varys fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Very well, my lord. I will try my best to arrange it."
After Varys left, Tyrion began inspecting the city defenses again to soothe the newly conscripted soldiers.
He first went up to the section of the wall at the Kings Gate. Looking out from the battlements, he could see the dense clusters of tents and banners outside the city—it was Viserys's army. Those banners of the three-headed dragon fluttering in the wind put a lot of pressure on Tyrion, like some kind of silent declaration of war.
Tyrion watched them with a solemn expression, saying nothing. He stood there, his small figure appearing exceptionally lonely on the city wall.
Although he had spoken so lightheartedly with Varys just now, in truth, even without the dragons, the army outside the city was enough to give them a headache.
Continuing forward, he saw more guards on the wall. Their hands trembled as they gripped their weapons, and their eyes were filled with terror.
After a long time, he turned to the City Watch commander who had been following him and said, "Go and gather everyone. I have something to say to them."
Half an hour later, the areas above and below the wall were packed with people. There were Gold Cloaks, Lannister soldiers, and even more newly conscripted militia brought in just to make up the numbers.
They were all huddled together, whispering to one another, wondering what Tyrion wanted to do. Once everyone had arrived, Tyrion stood on a wooden crate so he could be seen by the others.
He cleared his throat and began, "I know what some of you are thinking. A dwarf thinking he can command you—it's a joke."
At these words, a few rare snickers came from the crowd that had been filled with tension and fear.
Hearing someone laugh, Tyrion also showed a hint of joy and continued, "But I tell you, this dwarf knows that Targaryen out there and those dragons better than any of you."
He paused, checked the crowd's reaction, and went on, "I've read everything about dragons in books. I know how they fly, how they breathe fire, and how they kill. I also know they aren't invincible. The Dornish once hunted down a dragon about the same size as that big black one."
He raised his voice and continued, "You all know of Harrenhal. Aegon's Dragonfire burned for a day and a night until the walls melted. But do you know why Harrenhal finally fell? It was because they were isolated and had no reinforcements. But we are different. We have reinforcements. My father, Lord Tywin's army, is on its way from the The Riverlands, and Renly Baratheon's fifty thousand men are also closing in on King's Landing. As long as we can hold out for a few days, the Targaryen will be caught in a pincer movement and left with no place to be buried."
A heated discussion broke out among the crowd.
Tyrion waited for the noise to subside before continuing, "I know many of you are on a battlefield for the first time. But that doesn't matter. I can tell you that winning a war isn't about who has experience, it's about who is less afraid to die."
"A Lannister always pays his debts. That is our family motto, and I'm sure many of you have heard it. I can promise you, if you fight for King's Landing, the Lannisters will give you a bounty. Win this war, and every man will receive a year's pay, along with land, women, and everything you desire."
At this, the crowd erupted into a massive cheer. The soldiers seemed to temporarily forget the threat of the dragons and the army outside.
Seeing that morale had been temporarily restored, Tyrion jumped down from the wooden crate and said to the commander, "Quickly, arrange for men to bring back those scorpion crossbows sent for repairs. Also, gather all the blacksmiths in the city and have them work day and night to forge arrows. Be quick about it."
Throughout that day, Tyrion went back and forth between the eight city gates, giving speeches and painting a picture of future rewards to boost the morale of King's Landing.
By the time he finally had a moment to eat dinner and prepare for a good rest, there was a knock at his door.
"Come in," Tyrion said weakly toward the door.
The door opened, and Varys walked in. A smile still hung on his face, but there was something more in his eyes. He looked at Tyrion and said, "My lord, the news you wanted has arrived."
Tyrion looked up immediately and asked, "Is that so? What did Viserys say?"
Varys pulled a letter from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and said, "He says he is willing to talk with you."
Tyrion was somewhat hesitant and said, "He agreed?"
"Yes," Varys said. "But he will only allow you to go alone, and the time is tonight. He won't wait if you're late."
Tyrion was silent for a moment, then he smiled and said, "He certainly thinks highly of me. Is he afraid I might do something to harm him?"
Varys looked at him with curiosity in his eyes and asked, "My lord, do you still intend to go?"
Tyrion nodded and said, "I'm going. Why wouldn't I? If I can bring about a truce between both sides using nothing but my tongue, that would be for the best."
Varys looked at Tyrion seriously, his smile fading as he said respectfully, "My lord, do you know? You are the bravest Lannister I have ever met."
Tyrion laughed, a laugh filled with self-deprecation. "Brave? Eunuch, everything I do, just like you, is only to stay alive."
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