The castle stood like a sturdy iron nail driven into a gap between the hills.
Suleiman's army had besieged it for three days. They had made no assault, waiting like a pack of patient wolves.
At his makeshift command post in the open air, Suleiman gazed at the little stone castle. It belonged to an old knight, a wealthy vassal of House Legg.
He had not ordered an assault. He had merely cut off the water supply and waited. The castle was sheltering a great many commoners, and it was obvious that its food stores couldn't possibly sustain them all. Now all they had to do was wait. Waiting was the cheapest weapon in war.
But as Suleiman looked at the little castle, the corner of his eye twitched. "This is ridiculous."
"Why is everyone's castle better built than that foul keep?"
Several riders were galloping toward them in the distance. As they drew near, Olivier leaped down from his horse.
He clutched a thick ledger in his hands. The weariness on his face had given way to delighted excitement. Though he had not supported plundering House Legg's property, he couldn't help feeling pleased with what they had gained.
His voice was hoarse, yet filled with restrained delight. "My lord!"
"The accounts from Willow Town have all been tallied!"
Suleiman turned and gestured for him to sit and rest.
Olivier remained standing. He opened the ledger, his finger flying across the pages.
"Gold and silver goods, jewelry, and other valuables come to around three thousand gold dragons."
"One thousand five hundred and twenty-seven spears, and eight hundred and sixty-four swords and other weapons."
"Six hundred and nine suits of mail, and... plate armor. Between the knights who surrendered at Willow Town and the spoils from the fighting that followed, we've