Rosso Brune lifted the tent flap and walked into Suleiman's command tent, weary and covered in dust.
The wind followed him in, making the candle flames flicker and casting the rivers and mountains on the map into shifting, distorted shapes.
He bowed to Suleiman, a hint of confusion on his tired face. "Lord Suleiman."
Suleiman looked up from the map and fixed his gaze on him. His voice was so even that it betrayed no emotion. "Any news?"
These past few days, Rosso had frequently traveled between Deddings Castle and the allied camp on orders. He was responsible not only for relaying intelligence and coordinating supplies, but also for two more important tasks: spreading an intentionally exaggerated rumor in both places that there were as many as three thousand Ironborn outside the castle, and that they were savage beyond compare.
He was also supposed to keep a close watch on news from Seaguard. Though he couldn't quite understand why his lord was so concerned about a city a thousand miles away. What did the storms there have to do with them? Would the Ironborn really attack Seaguard? What could they possibly want with it...
Rosso thought it over briefly, then answered honestly. "My lord, there's still been no particular news from Seaguard."
He paused, then offered a piece of news he thought would lift his lord's spirits.
"But there is some good news! We've kept the Ironborn tied down, and the reinforcements from Riverrun are nearly here! They say they'll arrive in two days!"
Suleiman didn't show the joy Rosso had expected. Instead, he looked troubled, as if wondering why they hadn't fallen yet. His brow furrowed slightly, and for a moment the air in the tent seemed to grow still.
No news from Seaguard? How could there be no