The Kingdom's Fate, The Master Slayer's Honor

Duskendale, Brownfort.

Inside the Lord's Hall, firelight flickered in the hearth.

This should have been the first royal council meeting after the restoration of Viserys's dynasty.

Yet it was not held in the Red Keep of King's Landing, but in this castle belonging to House Leek.

Even the king himself was still drifting somewhere out at sea.

Adrian Celtigar sat upon the raised dais, in the lord's seat that symbolized power.

He could not sit still, feeling every part of the chair stabbing into his bones.

What abysmal luck.

Suleiman sat in a newly established side seat below. Though his position was off to one side, it was like the center of a spider's web.

Everyone's gaze, intentionally or otherwise, fell upon him.

A travel-worn soldier stood below, rapidly reporting the latest military intelligence.

"Ser Rosso Brune has led his army to Stonedance."

The soldier's voice echoed through the silent hall, every word reeking of blood.

"Everyone in the city... every noble, regardless of gender or age, was... was slaughtered."

"All their clothes were stripped off and taken away, while House Massey's castle treasury was completely looted."

The soldier paused, as though finding it difficult to speak.

"The noblewomen in the city... were all violated before their deaths."

"Even the infants were all impaled on spears..."

A wave of stifled gasps rose in the hall.

Adrian Celtigar took a deep breath, as though a massive boulder weighed upon his chest.

He turned his head, directing his clouded gaze at the young man who was so quiet he seemed almost nonexistent.

"Ser Suleiman, what do you think happened?"

His voice was dry and restrained, carrying a trace of accusation.

Suleiman did not answer immediately.

He remained motionless, one hand stroking the armrest of his seat, his expression grim.

Everyone in the