Eddard. Stark fell into rare silence.
The air in the study seemed to freeze, and the flame in the fireplace danced and crackled slightly, but it could not dispel this moment of silence.
He did not speak immediately, nor did he use his own principles of life to accuse, refute, or demand the young man in front of him.
Eddard. Stark stood up, stepped on the stone floor with heavy steps, and walked to the window of the study.
Outside the window is the vast land of Riverrun, with Tumblestone and Red Fork flowing at the foot of the castle, winding to the end of the distant field of vision.
His eyes crossed the city wall and cast into the distance. His voice was very soft, with a hoarse tone that had been tempered by time. "Suleiman."
"I know your father and brothers died at the hands of Ironborn, and you hate them."
"I used to be the same."
Eddard. Stark's vision had no focus, as if it penetrated the scenery in front of him and saw the blood and fire of nine years ago.
"I was the same as you when I learned that Mad King killed my father and my brother."
"I hate them and want to kill everyone in House Targaryen, regardless of age or sex."
There was no anger in his voice, only a deep exhaustion, like the pain of being forcibly fished out of the deep well of memory.
"But when I saw the civilians in King's Landing who were slaughtered by Lannister family, their bodies were piled on the street, and the blood stained the cobblestones under their feet."
"When I saw Rhaegar. Targaryen's wife Elia, and his two young children, were brutally murdered, wrapped in red blankets, and their bodies were laid out under Iron Throne...
Eddard. Stark closed his eyes, as if he couldn't bear to look at that picture anymore.
"I know clearly that they are innocent."
He turned around, his gray eyes reflected the skylight outside the window, and also reflected the figure of Suleiman.
"We fight for justice, not to become butchers."
"We overthrew the tyranny of Aerys, not to turn ourselves into another Aerys."
He looked at Suleiman, as if he was speaking to him, and as if he was reaffirming a vow that had already been engraved in his bones.
"I tell myself this all the time."
"May my kindness outweigh my anger."
Suleiman seems to have some realization and understand in his heart, so that's it.
It turns out that Eddard. Stark was so surprisingly friendly to me, that he looked at him like a younger brother, that he didn't give him any strong criticism for his extreme behavior, this was the origin of this.
He believed that he and he had the same problem, and the same experience created two souls that were eaten by hatred.
Unfortunately, he thought wrong.
Suleiman's hatred towards Ironborn is more out of cold political calculation.
He knows what will happen in the future better than the "good guy" in front of him.
Eddard. Stark and Robert. Baratheon's kindness to Ironborn did not receive gratitude and reward from Ironborn.
Balon. Greyjoy's sneak attack was like a sharp knife, accurately piercing the North's back. It can be said that a chain reaction directly led to the defeat of Robb. Stark, and the disintegration and displacement of the entire House Stark.
In the original history, the North was the main force that defeated Ironborn.
But now, having replaced the North, he has become Ironborn's mortal enemy and future target of revenge.
However, the difference is that he is not Eddard. Stark. He will never show any mercy to potential enemies. He will only completely cripple them and nip future dangers in the cradle.
He will never give Ironborn any chance to accumulate strength to counterattack him.
A look of sadness appeared on Suleiman's face at the right time, as if he was really infected by Eddard. Stark, thinking of his father and brother who died on the battlefield of Ironborn, with their bodies unable to be saved in the capital.
He lowered his head and his voice became deeper. "Lord Eddard, thank you for your understanding."
The two fell into silence together.
Eddard. Stark lowered his head slightly and moved his lips, as if he was praying for Suleiman's family members who died and for all the innocent people who died in the war.
Suleiman raised his head and looked at him quietly.
This is a truly good man, too good to be understood.
He doesn't look like a the North person at all. The North people's living habits are not completely divorced from the original First Men people. They still have the wildness in their bones, but they are just a little better than their Wildlings relatives.
In the eyes of southerners, they are synonymous with barbarism, revenge, cruelty, and bloodshed. These primitive habits still flow in their blood.
Many people believe that Eddard. Stark is the representative of the North national character.
But in Suleiman's view, it's just the opposite.
Eddard. Stark is an alien among the North, an alien who puts honor and mercy above survival.
Suleiman sighed lightly, gathered his thoughts, and performed a standard noble etiquette to Eddard. Stark.
"Sir, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave first."
He turned around and prepared to leave.
But when he reached the door and his hand was already holding the cold handle of the door, he stopped.
Suleiman turned his head and looked at the man standing by the window again.
Eddard. Stark noticed his pause and looked over strangely, with a trace of questioning in his eyes.
Suleiman's face remained normal, but his eyes seemed to penetrate Eddard. Stark's soul.
His voice was calm, but with a strange penetrating power. "Lord Eddard."
"I believe that a man who swears to be kind in all matters will be doomed."
"Because he is among many unkind people."
Eddard. Stark's brows wrinkled slightly, as if he was lost in thought.
Suleiman After finishing speaking, he opened the door, and the cold corridor wind rushed in, blowing the hem of his robe, and a sound was heard.
"Lord Eddard, I wish you."
Just before he stepped out of the threshold, he turned his head again and left his last words.
"It brings good luck."
He lowered his head slightly as a final greeting, then turned around and disappeared outside the door without looking back.
Riverrun The heavy city gate slowly opened, and Suleiman walked out slowly.
The air outside the city is moist from the river, mixed with the scent of the people and horses in the camp.
Rosso. Bryn are already waiting.
He stepped forward quickly, with a hint of urgency on his face. "Master Suleiman, Master Patrick. Master Morrison is here from Harrenhal."
Suleiman nodded.
Patrick. Morrison's father and brother died in the previous battle. He is now the leader of the House Morrison clan and the lord of that land.
Suleiman saw him in front of his tent.
Patrick. Morrison and Suleiman are similar in age, but their faces are flushed at this moment, as if there is a ball of anger burning in their chests.
As soon as he saw Suleiman, he strode forward and grabbed Suleiman's arm. "Master Suleiman!"
His voice was urgent and loud.
"Did you know! Stannis. Baratheon proposes to punish you!"
Suleiman's complexion did not change at all.
But Patrick. Morrison's excited words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples in an instant.
Weapons were being wiped down in the surrounding camps, and the knights feeding the horses stopped what they were doing.
Their eyes all turned towards him.
Punish Master Suleiman.
This word was like a hook, attracting everyone's attention, and people began to gather slowly.
Suleiman still showed no emotion on his face. He just asked calmly, "What's going on?"
His calmness seemed to have a strange power, which also made Patrick. Morrison, who was almost overwhelmed by anger, calm down a little.
On the way from Harrenhal, his anger almost caused him to fall off his horse several times.
Patrick. Morrison snorted heavily and said to Suleiman, "Master Suleiman!"
"The news has spread!"
"He said you have no right to deal with Iron Islands's noble prisoners!"
"If you would deliver those Ironborn scum to the king, the war would be over by now!"
"Balon. Greyjoy's head has been placed in front of the king!"
"The king will use the law to judge those traitors fairly!"
"And your actions have prolonged this war indefinitely!"
The more he spoke, the more excited he became, and his voice became louder and louder.
"Every day of the kingdom's Gold Dragon is wasted because of your decisions!"
The surrounding knights instantly exploded.
"How dare he!"
A Riverlands knight with a full beard roared angrily.
"Stannis. Baratheon What do you know?!"
"Punishment? What qualifications does he have to say punishment?!!"
"Pointing fingers at Warrior who fought bravely for the kingdom!!!"
Suddenly, shouts and curses broke out one after another, and the atmosphere in the camp became full of gunpowder.
But Suleiman still looked calm.
He knew in his heart that Patrick. Morrison came to tell him this matter in person, instead of Lymond. Lychester sending House Lychester's messenger, which showed that the situation was not serious.
Patrick. Morrison looked at Suleiman's motionless expression and stamped his feet anxiously. "Master Suleiman, why are you not in a hurry at all?"
Suleiman just said lightly, "What else?"
Patrick. Morrison snorted again, "Stannis. Baratheon said that for your treatment, you must first have a public trial, then punish, and then reward you based on your merits."
He paused and gritted his teeth to say the last sentence.
"He said that this can demonstrate the majesty of the kingdom's laws."
There was finally an invisible movement at the corner of Suleiman's mouth.
He spoke, his voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly. "How to punish me, beat me or chop off a few fingers?"
The many knights standing around were stunned for a moment, and then burst into laughter.
Laughter dispelled the tense atmosphere and was filled with ruthless ridicule of Stannis. Baratheon's proposal.
Patrick. Morrison couldn't laugh at this cold joke, and the worry on his face did not diminish at all.
Suleiman turned his eyes to him and asked, "So, what about the king's performance?"
Patrick. Morrison was stunned for a moment. As expected of Mr. Suleiman, he always asks directly to the core of the problem.
He quickly let out a sigh of relief, "The most important thing is that Stannis. Baratheon's letter is still urging the king to land on the island as soon as possible to end the war."
"The king was furious when he received the letter, but he just laughed it off."
"However, Jon. Arryn Hand of the King's letter also came from King's Landing, also urging the king to quickly land on the island and end this war completely."
"The king was completely angered when he learned that it was Stannis. Baratheon who wrote to King's Landing, prompting Hand of the King to urge him."
Patrick. Morrison took a deep breath and continued.
"Originally, His Majesty the King has suspended preparations for Tourney and is considering landing on Iron Islands first, and then returning to Harrenhal to hold Tourney after the war is completely over."
"As a result, now, he has publicly declared that no one can stop him from convening Tourney now."
"Business as usual."
"As for you, it seems as if the king has completely forgotten about you."
Suleiman breathed out gently.
Discuss the crime first and then the merit. This is indeed what Stannis. Baratheon will do.
In his opinion, many people think that as ministers, Stannis. Baratheon and Eddard. Stark will be good leaders.
In fact, it's quite the opposite.
Those who are truly suitable to be leaders are Robert. Baratheon.
He defends his shortcomings and is never lenient in giving rewards, and he does not hold grudges as long as he is not a life-or-death enemy.
Robert. Baratheon can laugh off many things. Maybe yesterday you were enemies on the battlefield, but today he can drag you to drink together.
As long as you and he stand on the same goal, no matter whether the means you use to achieve your goal are cruel or despicable, he will not hold you accountable.
As for Eddard. Stark, if you are a lord who does not seek advancement but only seeks a stable life, then he is indeed a good leader.
Jorah. Mormont was selling slaves, so Eddard. Stark mobilized an army to go to Bear Island to bring him to justice.
Even if you escape, you will be hunted down and sentenced to death.
Talking about qualifications and merit does not work here.
And because of his integrity, kindness and honor, he will never listen to any cunning plan that is beneficial to him. If you use it without his consent, he will definitely punish you and never give up.
And Stannis. Baratheon is even better. Although he is Suleiman and few people appreciate him except High Sparrow. He is almost not a living person, upright and true pure iron, but he will never want to work under him.
Because as long as what you do is not within the authority and creed he has given you, your life will be difficult.
Onion Knight Davos. Seaworth risked his death to deliver food to Storm's End, saving the lives of the entire castle, and could even be said to have affected the development of the entire war situation to a certain extent.
Stannis. Baratheon must also first accuse the person of smuggling, chop off the knuckles of the four fingers of the other person's left hand, and then give him a reward.
It can be said that he just happened to meet Onion Knight Davos. Seaworth, an alien, is loyal to him. If it were anyone else, he would definitely have more resentment than kindness towards him.
Such an approach will only make people who are guilty or risk committing crimes in the future and want to help them think carefully about whether their losses will be greater than their gains before lending a helping hand.
He always thinks that you must give me as much as I give to you. This kind of thinking will only make the person he is giving favor to think that this is an exchange rather than a favor.
This is where the complexity of affairs lies. If you are a Westeros commoner, it is best for you to live under the rule of Stannis. Baratheon. He strictly enforces the law and treats everyone equally, whether you are a commoner or a noble, with clear rewards and punishments. This has surpassed most Westeros rulers.
Stannis. Baratheon will definitely be a good ruler.
And Robert. Baratheon, obviously not.