Suleiman's finger stopped on the western side of the map, on the lands of the West Riverlands.
His voice was low, like a whisper. "Here."
Brynden leaned closer, following Suleiman's finger with his gaze.
There was a trace of confusion in his voice. "My lord, the West Riverlands?"
Suleiman nodded. "Pick a few of your most reliable brothers and send them there."
His finger lightly tapped a place name on the map.
"What that place lacks least right now is refugees. No one will notice a few more."
Brynden frowned, not immediately understanding.
Suleiman's finger kept tapping against the map. "Have them blend in with those roving bandits."
Brynden's breath caught for an instant. He understood at once.
Suleiman lifted his gaze from the map and looked Brynden directly in the eye.
"Your men against bandits made up of refugees would be like lions entering a sheepfold."
"Give them money. Give them weapons. Have them lead those desperadoes."
"Then wait."
Suleiman spoke the name calmly.
"Wait for Brynden Tully."
"Wait for my orders."
Brynden sucked in a breath, instantly grasping his lord's plan. Killing Brynden Tully now would be far too obvious.
As the bandits in the West Riverlands grew more and more troublesome, someone would have to put them down. The answer was self-evident.
In all the Riverlands, when it came to leading troops into battle, no one but Lord Suleiman could match the Blackfish.
An assassination in Riverrun would be harder than climbing to the heavens, but amid the chaos of the West Riverlands, during some seemingly ordinary campaign to suppress bandits, no one could guard against an arrow shot from the shadows by a bandit.
Brynden nodded heavily and turned to leave. "I'll make the arrangements right away."
Suleiman called after him. "Wait."
Brynden stopped and looked