The army moved at a breakneck pace, dust billowing beneath the horses' hooves and the soldiers' feet.
The gray towers of Deddings Castle appeared on the distant horizon. Suleiman reined in his horse, and the troops behind him came to a halt.
His pact with Lymond Lychester, and the bold words the Madman and the Little Madman had spoken as they wagered their two houses, echoed in his ears. This was no longer about hiding in the mountains to protect themselves. It was a gamble that could stir up a storm across the Riverlands.
He turned and called out. His voice was not loud, but it cut through the noise of the marching troops. "Lushen!"
Lushen rode up beside him, dust covering his face.
"Take twenty veteran soldiers from Lion's Den and leave the army at once. Return to Lion's Den."
Suleiman kept his eyes on the castle in the distance. Lushen looked utterly stunned. He would much rather stay with Lord Suleiman.
"Tell Evelyn to strengthen the defenses of every military fort immediately and recall everyone who's away. You and Roslyn will defend Lion's Den together."
"Order all the people living on the plains to retreat into the mountains at once. They should take everything they can carry."
He issued his orders one after another, clear and cold.
Lushen opened his mouth, his eyes reddening, but no words came. After a long moment, he wiped away his tears. "My lord, what about you?"
Suleiman turned to look at his most loyal subordinate. There was not the slightest hesitation in his eyes. "I'm not going back, Lushen."
His voice was calm, yet carried the resolve of a man who had cut off his own retreat.
"Lion's Den is easy to defend and hard to attack. With you there, two hundred