In the council chamber of Deddings Town, Lady Roslin unfolded Suleiman's letter.
Neat yet forceful handwriting leaped from the page. She read it more carefully, unconsciously voicing the words aloud.
"...Give half the spoils to Lady Lorna to help her through this difficult time..."
"...Everything obtained from your lands, my lady, shall be returned to you in full. I will not take a single coin..."
"...Hand over the people who were moved onto his lands..."
As she reached this part, the admiration and emotion in her eyes deepened. She knew the number would not be small; it could greatly strengthen House Deddings. She had not expected Suleiman to be willing to give them to her. "Little Suleiman knows his place."
Old Walder lowered his eyes. His grizzled brows twitched, but he said nothing.
"I will keep my promise." Lady Roslin set down the letter and looked at the map. "The plain east of his lands is fertile. Grant that area to his house."
Lady Roslin reached out, preparing to mark the map.
Old Walder's deep voice finally spoke. "My lady, please reconsider."
Lady Roslin's hand paused in midair. "Maester Walder, he accomplished an impossible task. He deserves a reward. I promised him one."
She had never expected Suleiman to complete the task. It was a miracle.
"My lady, you promised him land, did you not?" Old Walder stepped forward, his withered finger tapping another spot on the map—a disputed region involving several houses.
"I cannot give him that." Lady Roslin frowned. "This is a highly contested region."
"My lady, do you know why some houses must remain poor?" Old Walder lowered his voice further, watching as Lady Roslin's gaze was drawn to him.
"Some houses must remain poor because only through poverty, only through dependence, will they bind their own