Hello! Aerys Targaryen!

Red Keep, Tower of the Hand.

The rain still fell outside the window, pattering against the stained glass with an irritating sound.

Suleiman sat behind a heavy oak desk, several freshly delivered parchment military reports piled at one corner.

But he did not look at them. His gaze rested solely on the face of the young officer before him.

The young man was only in his early twenties, his face still carrying traces of boyishness.

Tam.

The young man stood ramrod straight like a javelin, but the faint tremble of his fingers pressed against his thighs exposed the tension within him.

One of his former subjects, of sound background and dependable character, promoted in the heat of battle.

"One thousand men."

Suleiman's voice was calm, without the slightest ripple.

"You will take these thousand men north at once and garrison Harford City."

"Of course, there will also be some civilian militia and citizen militia."

He extended one finger and lightly tapped the tabletop.

"That is the choke point north of King's Landing. If the West Riverlands army and the Vale men want to march south, they must seize that place. Otherwise, they will not dare advance south with peace of mind."

Tam swallowed, his throat bobbing.

Suleiman raised two fingers. "Hold for two days."

"No matter how many men they have, no matter how they attack, you must hold firm inside the city."

"If the outer city cannot be held, retreat to the inner city and defend it to the death."

Suleiman paused, his gaze growing profound.

"At dawn on the third day, I will lead the main army to reinforce you."

Tam abruptly lifted his head, his eyes bright and his youthful face filled with determination.

He clenched his right hand into a fist and slammed it heavily against