Then came the crude curses of a group of soldiers.
Ser Gyles Legg was brought in. After the city gate had been breached and he found himself surrounded by the army, he had surrendered to protect his family.
But he had killed many of Suleiman's soldiers in battle, so they showed him no kindness.
Now, his face ashen and his lips sealed, he stood protectively in front of his equally terrified wife and three children.
His two older daughters hid behind their mother, while she held their youngest son in her arms. He stared at this unfamiliar world with bewildered eyes.
Suleiman looked at the man who had fought bravely beneath the city gate, but offered neither mockery nor comfort.
He turned to the guards and ordered, "Take Ser Gyles and his family away as well. Give them a room of their own and post guards to watch them. Make sure they have food and are kept safe."
Gyles looked up at Suleiman, his expression complicated. In the end, he followed the guards away in silence.
The hall fell quiet, save for the crackling torches. Suleiman climbed the steps again and sat in the chair that belonged to Roger Legg.
He laced his fingers together and rested them before him.
Could Roger Legg's wife and brother be of use to him?
A gust of wind swept in. Suleiman looked up to see Lushen stride into the hall they had commandeered.
The strap of his helmet hung loose, and his armor was smeared with grime, but his face was alight with something close to excitement.
"Lord Suleiman!" His voice rang through the hall, drowning out the scattered sounds of soldiers clearing the battlefield outside.
Suleiman smiled at him. This had to be good news. "Finished counting?"
Lushen strode to the foot