Rushmarsh The air is getting thicker and thicker, like a swamp before a heavy rain.
Every guard's tense jaw and every maid's hurried footsteps betrayed suppressed tension.
Time passed silently in the firelight of the fireplace, day after day.
Suleiman was sitting in the study, the firelight casting changing light and shadow on his face.
The raven of Raymun. Darry never arrived.
Five letters from Hand of the King have arrived, and more letters are definitely on the way.
Jon. Arryn's wording became more and more severe, and every word was full of threats.
Suleiman can easily infer that King's Landing and even the kingdom's situation is getting out of control, and Riverlands's stance will determine the tilt of the balance.
The stupid old man was forced into a desperate situation, and someone kept whispering in his ear, stimulating him with House Lychester threats.
If they don't have enough strength and can only endure, House Arryn will definitely pay the price for their arrogance.
He had already prepared for the worst.
Perhaps, Raymun. Darry has already made his plans and will never reveal any information.
East Riverlands is really ready to launch an army.
Suleiman looked at the Westeros map spread out on the table, and slowly passed his finger between Rushmarsh and Harrenhal.
"My lord!"
An attendant rushed in, his voice urgent.
"Raymun. Darry-sama is here!"
Suleiman turned around and looked at the attendant.
"He came in person?"
The attendant quickly bowed respectfully.
"Yes, my lord, he himself is outside the city and asks to see you immediately."
Suleiman stood up, and the firelight of the fireplace stretched his shadow extremely long.
"Let him in."
When Raymun. Darry walked into the study, he was filled with dust and cold air.
His cloak was stained with morning dew, and he looked exhausted.
But those eyes were astonishingly bright.
Suleiman waved his hand to the attendant to step back, picked up the jug himself, and poured him a glass of hot wine.
Raymun. Darry did not reach out to pick it up.
His voice was low, filled with irrepressible excitement, and he got straight to the point.
"East Riverlands is ready to raise troops."
Suleiman placed the warm wine glass on the table in front of him.
"Why not use a raven?"
"You came here in person and wasted too much time.
Raymun. Darry looked into Suleiman's eyes with burning eyes.
"Because I stand here today as a friend, not as a vassal of House Lychester."
"That's why I told you the news personally, Suleiman."
"Join us, my friend."
These words made the air in the room freeze instantly.
The wood in the fireplace made a crisp crackle.
Suleiman sat back on the chair, leaned back, and his whole body fell into the shadows.
After a long time, he spoke in a low voice.
"Do you really think you can win?"
Raymun. Darry had a smile on his face, and there was fanaticism in that smile.
"Usurper Robert. Baratheon, his notoriety has already spread throughout Seven Kingdoms."
"His rule disgusts everyone."
"The common people hated his excessive taxation, the monks despised his debauchery, and even the nobles could not stand his stupid rule."
He leaned forward and his voice was low but full of strength.
"The noble armies of Crownlands and Stormlands followed Usurper to show off their power to Iron Islands."
"King's Landing is a ghost town now!"
"As long as we lead our troops into King's Landing and welcome back the Targaryen royal family, Seven Kingdoms Lords will definitely respond!"
Suleiman's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, making a dull sound.
"Have you cooperated with the church?"
Raymun. Darry shook his head.
"We have never cooperated with the church."
He looked directly at Suleiman, his eyes full of expectation.
"Sir He An said we will enter King's Landing in the name of House Lychester."
"But I still want you to make a choice, as a friend."
"Suleiman, House Lychester must join us."
"This is for Riverlands, for Seven Kingdoms."
Suleiman stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the endless howling wind outside.
"Master Raymun, have you ever thought about it?"
"Religious wars and wars between nobles are two completely different things."
"Once this fire is ignited, millions of people will die, and the intensity of the war will exceed Westeros any war in history.
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He turned around, his eyes turning cold.
Raymun. Darry's expression changed.
He didn't understand why Suleiman would say such things.
Millions of people died? How is this possible?
He wanted to say something, but found that he had nothing to say.
Suleiman didn't give him another chance.
He shouted orders to the door.
"Guards!"
Two heavily armed Long Retainer Guard immediately pushed the door open and entered, their armors making a clanging sound.
Suleiman pointed at Raymun. Darry who looked stunned.
"Master Raymun, you are under arrest."
The guard stepped forward without hesitation and held Raymun. Darry's arms on the left and right.
Raymun. Darry struggled hard, with a look of disbelief on his face.
"I am your friend! Suleiman!"
Suleiman walked to the desk, picked up the pen, and wrote quickly on the parchment.
"It is precisely because you are my friend that I want to save your life."
"I will write to the king and Jon. Arryn immediately."
"Tell them that House Lychester will personally lead the army to suppress the rebellion of King's Landing."
Raymun. Darry stopped struggling.
He looked at Suleiman's back and suddenly laughed.
That laughter was full of sadness.
"You can't do it, Suleiman."
Long Retainer Guard dragged him outside, his voice echoing in the corridor.
"You can't do it."
"You have no choice but to join us, my friend."
"House Lychester, even if you recruit the troops of Mallister and House Deddings."
"There are only seven thousand people."
"And we have gathered an army of 20,000 at East Riverlands."
The study door was closed again.
Raymun. Darry The fading sounds in the corridor were completely isolated.
Suleiman There is no looking back.
He stood quietly by the window, looking at the gray sky outside.
The sky in Riverlands seems to never clear up.
He originally wanted to use construction and systems to accumulate strength and place his own pieces for the future chess game.
It's a pity that someone chose him and made him the first pawn to be pushed out on the chessboard.
He acted in the name of Seven, originally to build support for himself, but instead he was seized of the opportunity and put in the spotlight.
"Call Bachelor Rooney to come over."
He ordered the guards outside the door without any wavering in his voice.
Soon, there was a sound of slight footsteps.
Rooney Bachelor came in.
He was wearing a gray academic robe, with confusion on his young face, but he still remained polite.
"Sir, are you looking for me?"
Suleiman turned around and motioned for him to sit down on the chair by the fireplace.
"Yes, Maester."
Rooney Bachelor's body stiffened for a moment and quickly regained his composure.
He personally said that he would leave, but he did not leave because Lymond. Lychester was approaching his age and he wanted to accompany the old man on his last journey in life.
The young bachelor nodded and said nothing.
Suleiman said, "Do you plan to leave here after Master Lymond passes away?"
Rooney Bachelor is a little surprised.
He thought that Master Suleiman hated him, a bachelor who had repeatedly failed to understand his interests.
He answered calmly, "Yes, sir."
"Master Lymond is my only concern in Riverlands. I plan to accompany him on his final journey."
Suleiman's voice is very soft, but it carries an irresistible power.
"Stay, Maester."
Rooney Bachelor raised his head, confusion flashed in his eyes.
He didn't understand why the controller of the governor's territory suddenly retained him.
"Sir, I...
"I will stay until Master Lymond passes away before leaving."
He made a promise.
Suleiman stood up, walked to the fireplace, picked up the iron tongs and poked at the burning firewood, causing sparks to fly.
"Bachelor."
"I hope you give up your vow to Citadel."
These words made Bachelor Rooney stand up suddenly, his face full of shock.
Giving up the oath is the biggest betrayal to Citadel.
Suleiman didn't look back, his voice seemed erratic amid the crackling of the flames.
"If in the future,"
"I mean what if, something happens."
"I will arrange for a fast ship and a large sum of Gold Dragon."
"Take Master Lymond, leave Westeros, and go to Pentos, or Myr."
"Hide your name anonymously, find a place where no one knows you, and spend your remaining years with Mr. Lymond.
Rooney Bachelor was completely stunned.
He has not participated in the governor's cabinet meeting for a long time and knows very little about the changes in the outside world.
But he is not a fool.
He smelled an aura of danger from Suleiman's words.
He spoke with difficulty, "Sir...
"Is something going to happen?"
Suleiman did not answer.
He added another log to the fireplace, and the flames rose higher, casting his shadow on the wall.
He did not speak, but slowly nodded with a simple movement, like a dagger, piercing the heart of Bachelor Rooney.
There was a long silence in the room.
There was only the sound of burning firewood and the whistle of the wind blowing through the tower outside the window.
Rooney Bachelor's face changed again and again, from shock to panic to struggle.
In the end, all the emotions collapsed into a heavy sadness.
He regards Master Lymond. Lychester as his father, and Master Lymond. Lychester also regards him as his son.
Lymond is old and can no longer experience any storms.
A long time.
He sat back on the chair, as if he had exhausted all his strength.
He looked at Suleiman's back and nodded heavily.
Suleiman turned around, looked at him, and smiled.
Rooney Bachelor left with a heavy heart.
Suleiman called his cabinet manager again, Olivier.
Olivier walked into the study quietly, like a shadow.
"It seems that you and your lady will continue to wander, my friend."
Suleiman spoke, but there was no emotion in his tone.
Olivier was silent and just stood quietly.
Suleiman continued to speak in an orderly manner.
"To thank you for your help, I will give you a large sum of Gold Dragon."
"Arrange another ship."
"If the situation changes, you will leave Westeros."
Olivier's lips moved, wanting to say something, but in the end he remained silent.
Suleiman turned his head and looked at the flames devouring the wood in the fireplace.
"Do you know what I'm thinking? Olivier."
Olivier remains silent.
"Those who use conspiracy will eventually be repaid by conspiracy."
Suleiman turned around and his eyes fell on Olivier, his expression calm.
"The Gold Dragon I gave you before has been used for 30,000 yuan, and there is still 30,000 yuan left."
"Take out the thirty thousand Gold Dragon and give me twenty thousand."
"Distribute them all to all the civilians in the governor's territory."
Olivier's pupils shrank suddenly.
He finally couldn't remain silent. "Sir, this is...
Suleiman interrupted him.
"If the situation changes."
"Let them take the money and run away."
"We can no longer stay in Riverlands, this place will soon turn into a hell on earth."
"It doesn't matter where you go, just live on."
"Find a way out for yourself."
Olivier's heart sank.
He understood, Lord Suleiman planned to fight to the death.
Olivier Shortly after retreating, the door to the study room was pushed open violently.
Lymond. Lychester rushed in, unable to even take off his rain-stained cloak.
The old man looked shocked, his gray hair was disheveled, and his breathing was rapid.
"You asked Rooney to take me away from Westeros?"
"What about you! Suleiman! Then what should you do!"
Suleiman looked at him, stepped forward, and pressed his hands on the old man's trembling shoulders.
"Don't worry, I won't step into the road of death just before I see it."
His voice was gentle and had soothing power.
"When the time comes, I will also go to Free Cities and plan a counterattack there."
"Nothing can bring me down."
Lymond. Lychester grabbed his arm, his skinny fingers turned white from the exertion.
"Is the situation really that dangerous?"
"I can go to King's Landing! I can go and be a hostage!"
Suleiman shook his head.
"Jon. Arryn won't believe it."
"He would not believe that I, an ambitious adopted son, would give up a long-prepared rebellion for the sake of an adoptive father."
Suleiman Another thought flashed through his mind.
Go to Iron Islands alone to meet Robert. Baratheon.
Betting on that king's generous character, maybe not only would he not kill him, but he might even invite him to drink.
But he won't gamble.
In his hometown, countless histories have warned future generations how foolish it is to leave one's life to the mercy of the other party.
That is to kill someone at the slightest sign, and only make the world laugh at you.
Lymond. Lychester Gritting his teeth, he turned around sharply and looked at the huge Westeros map on the wall.
His eyes wandered around Riverlands, then turned back sharply.
"If there is a rebellion, is there really no hope at all?"
Suleiman followed his gaze and looked at the map, his voice calm.
"Yes."
"But there is little hope."
Two short words made the air in the room feel cold again.
The light in Lymond. Lychester's eyes completely dimmed.
Deep sadness emanated from him, like a layer of mist that could not be dissolved.
"Come with me, Suleiman."
He said in an almost pleading tone.
"Let's go to Free Cities together. We don't need anything."
"With your ability, there will be a way out wherever you go."
Suleiman looked at the old man's sad face and the muddy tears in his eyes.
He was silent for a long time.
Then, he let out a chuckle, with a cold mockery in it.
"Whoever wants to take advantage of me."
"He underestimated me.
Lymond. Lychester's eyes widened.
He saw Suleiman, his eyes hidden under the dim candlelight, reflecting his clear-cut and sharp face.
In those deep eyes, there seemed to be a dormant beast, always ready to break out of its cage and bite all the flesh and blood in front of it.
Suleiman word by word, the sound was not loud, but it made the whole room tremble.
"If I have no way out."
"I will pull millions of people, tens of millions of people."
"Bury me with you."