The next morning, Lushen began organizing the army in preparation for an assault,
but the castle gates opened on their own. An elderly knight came out with dozens of dejected defenders and more than a hundred civilians, and they laid down their weapons.
Under their officers' supervision, Suleiman's soldiers marched into the castle. Just as promised, there was no killing or abuse. If there was money to be made,
there was nothing they couldn't restrain themselves from doing.
They were as excited as a swarm of well-trained ants, silently and efficiently carrying everything in the castle outside and piling it up.
Outside the little castle, the crates were opened one by one in full view of everyone. The soldiers panted as they craned their necks, each trying to see what was inside.
Gold and silver coins, silverware, fine wine goblets, even the bedclothes, stored ale and smoked meat. The possessions of civilians hiding in the castle were confiscated too, then sorted into separate piles.
Suleiman kept his promise. Olivier held the register while Lushen and several soldiers stood beside the crates, calculating everything at market value in Silver Stags.
Every soldier who had taken part in the siege came forward to collect his share according to the register. Suleiman even valued every civilian in the castle at one Silver Stag.
Officers got the largest shares, veterans came next, and recruits got the least.
The soldiers' faces shone with satisfaction and delight.
They rubbed the cold silver and copper coins between their fingers, then tied the heavy purses around their waists. An almost frenzied happiness hung in the air.
"Did you hear? There's another knight's castle to the south."
"Is it bigger than this one? There must be more money inside, right?"
"Will they divide it up again?"
"To hell with