That praise was like a switch.
Brynden's expression turned serious, and his tone grew solemn. "You've won the war against House Legg, a miraculous victory."
"But in the end, you're still a vassal of House Deddings."
"Riverrun must find an outcome that both sides can accept."
He paused and looked Suleiman straight in the eye.
Suleiman nodded and gave him a polite smile, but said nothing.
The Blackfish seemed surprised by his attitude and continued, "Let me give you some advice, young man."
"When it comes to the negotiations with House Legg, it would be best to negotiate with them in the name of House Deddings and House Tully."
"Have your lord, Lord Balon Deddings, handle it. He'll be more than happy to take credit for this victory and its spoils, and to make demands of House Legg on behalf of both you and himself."
As the Blackfish spoke, his hands began to move. Carefully, he started rolling up the enormous map from one end.
His movements were so natural, so matter-of-fact, as if he weren't taking someone else's property but simply putting away something he'd brought himself.
Suleiman: ""
He could only maintain his polite smile as he watched Brynden roll up the map and hug it tightly to his chest.
Holding the map, Brynden turned to leave. At the door, he stopped and looked back at Suleiman one last time, his thoughts unreadable. The night wind stirred his gray hair.
Then he turned and left the hall, his footsteps fading into the distance.
Inside the hall, Suleiman's smile faded. His gaze fell on the empty space on the table where the map had been. Why did the old man have absolutely no sense of boundaries?
The night was as dark as ink, swallowing Willow Town whole.
There was