Solomon chewed on the hard black bread, eyes moving between Luden and Rosslyn.
He was pushing them hard for a reason.
His plans went far beyond the present.
He needed both men to be able to stand on their own in the future.
He was a Westerosi noble, but his house was too small and too new.
It had no ancient roots, no old alliances, no powerful friends among the great families.
He would never win their support through the usual channels.
So he would have to build something different.
The three of them ate in silence until a Deddings guard approached their table and stopped in front of Solomon.
“Ser Solomon,” the man said with a respectful bow.
“Lady Roslyn requests your presence.” Solomon forced down the dry bread and stood.
Luden and Rosslyn rose immediately and fell in behind him.
They followed the guard through the winding stone corridors of the castle.
Deddings banners hung on the walls.
Guards stood at attention outside the great hall.
The heavy doors swung open.
Inside, soldiers lined both sides of the hall.
The fire in the hearth still burned, but it did nothing to warm the cold, formal atmosphere.
Lady Roslyn sat in the lord’s seat, no trace of yesterday’s gentle pity on her face.
Maester Walder stood at her side.
One look at the scene and Solomon knew his hopes of easy charity were dead.
This was not a meeting about grain.
He walked forward and gave a small bow, keeping his expression neutral.
“Ser Solomon,” Lady Roslyn said.
Her voice was cool and businesslike.
She raised a hand.
“Deddings castle now faces a serious threat.” “The mountain clans have come down from the heights.” “They have broken through our defenses and are burning, killing, and looting across our lands.” Solomon frowned.
The name stirred something in his memory — something about the clans of the Moon Mountains.
Black Ears, Burned Men, Stone Crows… Maester Walder spoke next.
“According to the ravens, several clans have joined together — Black Ears, Burned Men, and Stone Crows among them.
Their numbers are at least a thousand.
Possibly more.” Solomon’s left eyelid twitched.
Why were they telling him this?
Lady Roslyn continued, eyes fixed on him.
“Deddings castle currently has fewer than four hundred fighting men.
They cannot leave the walls.” “And there are no other landed knights currently in the castle who can lead troops.” Solomon broke the silence.
He lifted his head and met her gaze.
“My lady did not summon me simply to share bad news.” Lady Roslyn’s eyes showed a flicker of approval.
She rose from the seat and walked down the steps toward him.
“You are correct, Ser Solomon.
I need someone who can lead men.
But there are no other landed knights available.” Solomon gave a bitter smile.
And I’m the only one left, aren’t I, my lady?
Lady Roslyn looked at him and actually smiled.
“Deddings castle has just finished an emergency levy.
Roughly three hundred men — mostly farmers and townsfolk.
The great majority of them have never held a sword.
None have seen real battle.” Solomon’s face twitched.
Three hundred untrained levies against a thousand or more mountain clansmen.
And she wanted him to lead them?
He tried to keep his voice steady.
“Three hundred new recruits, my lady.
Against more than a thousand mountain clansmen.
Are you certain?” Lady Roslyn knew exactly what she was asking.
Her voice dropped.
“I know it is difficult, Ser Solomon.
I know the odds are poor.” “That is why I am not asking you to attack the wildlings head-on.” “I am asking you to take this force and deliver it safely into Deepvale.” Solomon tried one last play.
He let his eyes grow wet.
“My lady, you know my situation.
My family has only me left—” Lady Roslyn cut him off.
“I know what happened to your family.
I know the state of your lands.
I know all of it.” “But this is not the time to speak of those things.” Solomon fell silent.
Lady Roslyn studied him for a moment, then spoke again, slower this time.
“If you accept this task, I will make you certain promises.” “Everything you capture during this campaign — goods, weapons, captives — will belong to you.” “I will also expand your lands.” Solomon’s eyes sharpened.
The right to keep all loot was valuable.
For a house that needed to rebuild from nothing, that kind of wealth could be decisive.
But the risk was still enormous.
Lady Roslyn’s expression hardened with resolve.
“Furthermore,” she said, “for the duration of the war against the mountain clans, I grant you the authority to levy whatever soldiers you need from anywhere in Deddings territory — villages and towns alike.” Solomon’s head snapped up.
That changed everything.
During the campaign, all loot was his.
That meant rapid wealth.
And the right to levy men across another lord’s lands meant he could openly expand his own power — take in refugees, recruit fighters, and grow stronger without anyone being able to object.
He was quiet for several seconds, weighing the danger against the opportunity.
A thousand wildlings.
Three hundred untrained farmers.
Plus whatever men he could raise himself.
The odds were still terrible.
But Lady Roslyn was watching him with clear desperation and hope.
Solomon met her eyes.
“I accept your terms, my lady.” Lady Roslyn visibly exhaled in relief.
“Thank you, young Solomon.
May the Seven watch over you.” “House Deddings will not forget this loyalty.” “I will also send a shipment of grain to Stinkfort to help your people through the winter.” Solomon bowed.
“I must begin preparations immediately.
I need to see the men, assess their equipment, and organize supplies.” “Of course,” Lady Roslyn said.
“Ask me or Maester Walder for whatever you require.
The formal writs authorizing your levies will be prepared and given to you shortly.” “Then, with your permission, I will take my leave.” Solomon turned and walked out of the great hall with Luden and Rosslyn at his back.
As they moved through the corridors, Luden and Rosslyn stayed silent, matching his pace.
Solomon walked steadily, but inside his blood was roaring.
This was it.
This was the real chance he had been waiting for.
Loot rights.
The power to raise troops across another lord’s lands.
He had to use this chaos to grow as fast and as hard as he could.
He was not going to waste it.