The Gods Have Already Appointed You

In Rosso Brune's tent, the charcoal in the brazier burned red-hot.

Yet the chill brought by the House Staedmon knight's words seemed to freeze the entire tent.

Rosso Brune looked at Awode Halton beside him, as well as the other two Riverlands lords.

"Should we split our forces?"

He spoke, his voice carrying a trace of uncertainty.

"Send a force to relieve House Staedmon."

Awode Halton raised his eyelids and glanced at Rosso Brune, pondering for a moment.

He shook his head. "No."

Rosso Brune frowned and waited for him to continue.

Awode Halton slowly wiped his gauntlet, his voice even.

"These Dornish Poor Fellows can be considered our allies."

"Attacking them would be helping our enemies weaken our own strength."

"That would please our enemies, and it is not something we should do."

He looked up, sweeping his gaze over the other two lords present.

"Besides, the Stormlands being slaughtered is a good thing for us, not a bad one."

Rosso Brune sighed, but his body still unconsciously settled back into his chair. "Lord Awode, Lord Suleiman's orders to us were—"

"So long as a lord is willing to open his gates and surrender, become a prisoner, and show a willingness to cooperate—"

"We are to grant them protection and never harm their lives."

"House Staedmon is willing to surrender. We should accept it and grant them shelter."

Awode Halton gave a soft laugh and shook his head.

He rose and walked to the sand table, running a finger across the territories of the Crownlands and the Stormlands.

"This war has reached a point unlike any war before it."

"Either they die, or we die."

"Lord Suleiman's actions have been far too weak."

The air in the tent instantly congealed.

The other two Riverlands lords exchanged a glance, then