Lady Wilher turned around. They clearly had nothing more to say to each other. With elegant, resolute steps, she left the hall.
In Willow Town's makeshift command hall, the air was thick with the aroma of food and a quiet silence.
The breakfast Lady Wilher had left behind was almost untouched. Suleiman sat quietly at the head of the table, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the oak armrest,
his gaze resting on the exquisite food that had been rejected.
The prospect of using family ties as leverage had not worked on this woman as well as he'd expected. It seemed he could only resort to his second plan.
After a moment's thought, Suleiman calmly said to the guard beside him, "It seems Lady Wilher has no appetite."
"Go and fetch Ser Gyles Legg. It would be a shame to waste such fine food."
The guard bowed and withdrew, his footsteps echoing through the empty hall.
A short while later, Gyles Legg was brought in. He was leaner than his elder brother Roger, around thirty years old, and his build was sturdy and muscular rather than fat like his brother's.
Outside Willow Town, he had killed many peasant soldiers. Though his equipment had played a part, it had still proved him a warrior. Now he watched Suleiman with wariness and suspicion.
Gyles Legg glanced at the lavish breakfast on the table, then turned his gaze toward Suleiman across from him.
He said nothing. His feet seemed rooted to the floor as he refused to sit.
Suleiman didn't mind. He picked up the wine jug himself and filled the empty cup in front of Gyles. The wine poured with a clear, ringing sound.
Suleiman got straight to the point. He pushed the cup toward Gyles, his voice so steady it betrayed not