The white tower of the Eyrie stood bathed in the dawn light.
In the Gates of the Moon, Lord Nestor Royce, High Steward of the Vale—a large man with a thick chest and a balding head—stood around a carved oak table with several knights sworn to House Arryn.
A parchment bearing the falcon-and-moon seal lay open before them.
"Jon Arryn has replied," Nestor Royce's voice echoed in the hall. "He has written to Lord Hoster Tully of Riverrun and Baron Deddings."
He paused, scanning the faces of his vassals.
"Lord Arryn proposes that this... 'Black Lion,' Solomon of Mirekeep—yes, the boy everyone is talking about—lead an army into the Mountains of the Moon."
"We will organize a force from the Vale. He will enter from the Riverlands. We will pincer the clans."
"The goal is to end the threat of the Mountain Clans once and for all. Exterminate them or force them to bend the knee."
An older knight frowned. "End the threat? The clans have held those mountains for thousands of years. Kings of the Vale have failed to root them out. It is their home, their fortress."
Nestor Royce ignored the doubt. He served House Arryn faithfully.
"The letter states: if Solomon succeeds, Lord Jon Arryn will personally knight him and grant him lands within the mountains as his family seat."
"Lord Arryn commands us to issue a call to arms across the Vale. Second sons with no inheritance, bastards, hedge knights seeking glory..."
"Anyone willing to risk their lives for wealth and honor may go to Mirekeep Castle and join Solomon's banner."
"Those who follow him into the mountains and return will be rewarded!"
"Draft the letters immediately. Send riders to every holdfast."
Lady Rona curled up on her cold bed, shivering.
Her husband and father-in-law were dead. She had no family in this castle. Solomon's rejection had left her feeling suffocated.
The only person she trusted, old Hoover the steward, had been found dead this morning in his room, along with his wife and two sons.
"My Lady, you must eat," a maid urged, offering a bowl of gruel.
Rona pushed it away. "Where is Ser Rick and the others?"
The maid lowered her head and shook it.
Rona trembled, tears threatening to spill.
The three remaining knights of Deepden were now watching her like vultures. They were former hedge knights raised up by her father-in-law. With him gone, their loyalty had vanished, replaced by greed.
She felt their eyes on her, calculating. Waiting for her to break. Waiting for her to accept one of their proposals and hand over the castle.
Even worse, the grain reserves her father-in-law had gathered were suddenly "gone," according to the knights.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside. Shouting, cursing.
"What is happening?" Rona gasped.
The maid ran out and returned, face pale. "My Lady! The soldiers! They are looting the storehouse!"
"What?" Rona stood up, a flush of humiliation rising. That was her property.
She ran out into the courtyard. Soldiers were pushing and shoving.
"Stop! What... are... you... doing!" Rona screamed, her voice shaking and weak. "I... I will... kill you all!"
She looked at the knights standing nearby. They just watched, arms crossed.
"My Lady!" a soldier with a scarred face shouted, though somewhat respectfully. "Old Hoover is dead! No one is feeding us! We haven't eaten in two days!"
"We opened the granary! It's empty!!"
"Impossible!" Rona whispered. She looked at the knights again. They looked away.
It was them. They stole it.
"But this is my family's storehouse!" Rona cried, face red. "You cannot..."
"Cannot what!!" Voices shouted from the back, inciting the mob. "We bled for your family! Do you want us to starve?!"
Someone kicked the door open. A few men rushed in. Then the mob followed.
"Stop... please... stop!" Rona begged, her voice lost in the chaos.
A drunken soldier reached out with a dirty hand to touch her face. "My Lady, don't you see who runs this place now? Lord Lover is with the Seven."
"How... dare you!" Rona backed away. "I... will... have you... killed!"
"Kill me?!" The soldier laughed, throwing his sword at her feet. "Do it! Kill me then!"
The soldiers laughed. The knights watched, smirking, hoping this would break her enough to accept their "protection."
Despair swallowed her. The world spun.
Suddenly, a flash of white steel.
Slash.
The drunk soldier's head flew off his shoulders, blood spraying in a crimson arc.
More screams followed as several laughing soldiers were cut down instantly.
It was Lushen and Solomon's men.
Blood splattered onto Rona's dress and face.
"Ahhh!!" She screamed and fainted, falling backward.
Strong arms caught her. Solomon scooped her up.
He looked around the courtyard. The soldiers were silent now, terrified.
Bronn and Lauchlan were already moving, dragging the Deepden knights away by their shoulders. Their protests were silenced by cold steel.
"Put everything back," Solomon said calmly.
"Lushen. Anyone who disobeys dies."
"You want food? I will give it to you."
The soldiers scrambled to return the looted goods.
Solomon carried the unconscious Lady Rona through the courtyard, walking straight toward the Lord's chambers.
70+ chapters are available now and daily updates! @patreon.com/AgentTwilight