Opportunity

Suleiman chewed on the dry, hard black bread, his gaze sweeping over Lushen and Roslyn.

He was so eager to change Lushen and Roslyn because his vision extended beyond the present; he was building the foundation for his own future.

He needed both of them to be capable of standing on their own two feet in the days to come.

Although he was a nobleman of Westeros, his status was too low and his family lacked any real heritage.

There was absolutely no way to gain the support of those noble houses with deep historical roots in Westeros, but perhaps he could attempt a different path!

Just as the three were eating in silence, a guard from Deddings Town hurried over and walked straight up to Suleiman.

"Ser Suleiman. Lady Roslin summons you." The guard bowed, his tone filled with respect.

Suleiman swallowed the black bread in his mouth with difficulty, fantasizing—could it be that Lady Roslin was finally going to open her purse strings?

He stood up, and Lushen and Roslyn immediately followed behind him as the three followed the attendant toward the interior of the castle.

The corridors inside the castle were narrow and winding, with the banners of House Deddings hanging on both sides of the walls.

Guards stood on either side of the doors to the Great Hall, and the heavy doors were slowly pushed open.

Rows of soldiers stood on both sides of the Great Hall, and while the firewood in the hearth was still burning, it could not dispel the solemn atmosphere of the room.

Lady Roslin sat high upon the lord's seat, devoid of yesterday's affection, with Maester Walder standing by her side.

The moment Suleiman saw this scene, he knew he was finished; something this formal and this serious was definitely not about opening a purse!

Suleiman could only bite the bullet and step forward, bowing slightly. He was completely at a loss.

"Ser Suleiman." Lady Roslin gestured with her hand, her voice no longer as gentle as it had been the day before.

"Deddings Town is currently facing a massive threat."

"The Wildlings of the Mountain Clans—they have descended from the mountains."

"They have broken through the mountain defenses and are burning, killing, and looting all the way across my family's lands!"

"The Mountain Clans?" Suleiman frowned. He had some impression of the name; it sounded like a plot point involving the Imp...

Maester Walder, standing nearby, spoke up immediately: "According to raven reports, the Black Ears, the Burned Men, and the Stone Crows have united. Their numbers may exceed one thousand, perhaps even more."

Over a thousand, maybe more. Suleiman's left eyelid twitched violently. Why tell him this? He had a very ominous premonition.

Lady Roslin continued, looking at Suleiman:

"Deddings Town currently has only four hundred soldiers, and they absolutely cannot leave the town!"

"There are no other nobles left in the city capable of leading troops."

Suleiman broke the silence, looking up at Lady Roslin:

"Lady, you summoned me here, surely not just to inform me of this bad news."

Rather than fleeing from fear, it was better to face it head-on.

A flicker of appreciation flashed in Lady Roslin's eyes.

Lady Roslin rose from her seat, stood straight, and walked down the steps:

"Indeed, Ser Suleiman."

"I need someone who can lead troops, but there are no noble commanders left in the city."

Suleiman gave a bitter smile:

There is still one person left, isn't there, my Lady? Me?

Lady Roslin looked at him and smiled.

"Deddings Town has just urgently conscripted a group of farmers and townsfolk, about three hundred in total."

"The vast majority of them have never touched a sword, nor have they ever participated in a battle."

Suleiman's face twitched. Three hundred raw recruits with no military experience to fight a thousand or more Wildlings—he was the one going?

He frantically searched his memory, wondering if he had offended Lady Roslin somewhere.

Suleiman tried to keep his tone calm:

"Three hundred recruits, my Lady."

"To face over a thousand, perhaps even more, Wildlings from the Mountain Clans—are you certain?"

Lady Roslin certainly understood what this meant; her voice was low:

"I know, Ser Suleiman, I know it is difficult."

"That is why I only need you to do one thing—I am not asking you to go and attack those damned Wildlings!"

"I need you to escort this force into Valleydeep Town."

Suleiman attempted to decline with a bit of acting, his eyes instantly moistening: "You know, my Lady, my family has only one bloodline left..."

Lady Roslin interrupted him:

"Your family has suffered misfortune, and your lands are in ruins. I know—I know it all."

"But now is not the time to discuss these matters."

Suleiman: ...

She watched as Suleiman gradually fell silent.

After a pause, she seemed to be organizing her thoughts:

"If you are willing to accept this arduous task, I am prepared to make a promise."

"During this period, all your spoils of war shall belong to you, whether they be wealth or captives!"

"I will also expand your territory!"

Suleiman's eyes flickered slightly. Keeping the spoils for himself was a very favorable condition; for someone needing to rebuild a family's influence, this wealth was undoubtedly a crucial accumulation.

Yet the problem remained: the cost and the price might be higher than he could afford.

"Furthermore." Lady Roslin's eyes seemed to harden with resolve!

"I authorize you to temporarily conscript the soldiers you need from across the lands of House Deddings, whether from villages or towns."

"As long as you deem it necessary, you may proceed with the conscription."

Suleiman looked up at Lady Roslin in shock; he truly could not remain calm now! This condition was far too generous!

As long as the war with the Mountain Clans lasted, keeping the spoils meant rapid short-term wealth accumulation, while the right to conscript in another's territory meant he could openly expand his own forces, take in refugees, and recruit soldiers.

He pondered for a moment, his gaze falling upon Lady Roslin and Maester Walder.

A thousand or even more Wildlings, over three hundred untrained farmers, plus the soldiers he could conscript. The task remained daunting, and the risk of death was extremely high.

But!

He looked at Lady Roslin, her face etched with anxiety and expectation.

"I accept your terms, my Lady." Suleiman finally spoke. Screw it!

Lady Roslin was visibly relieved:

"Thank you, young Suleiman. May the Seven bless you."

"House Deddings will never forget this loyalty!"

"I will also allocate a shipment of grain to be sent to Foulkeep to help your family through these difficult times."

Suleiman bowed respectfully:

"I must begin preparations immediately to understand the situation, equipment, and logistics of these three hundred men!"

"Of course, young Suleiman!" Lady Roslin said with a smile.

"Whatever you need, do not hesitate to ask me or Maester Walder. I will have the conscription documents prepared and delivered to you shortly."

"Then, my Lady, please allow me to take my leave." Suleiman bowed once more.

Suleiman turned and left the Great Hall with Lushen and Roslyn.

Walking back, Lushen and Roslyn followed closely in silence. Suleiman walked in front with a steady gait, yet his heart was surging with excitement! His blood was boiling!

This was an opportunity! He knew that from this moment on, his goals had truly entered a new phase!

Spoils for himself, the right to conscript soldiers—he had to seize this chance to strengthen himself to the maximum during this chaos!