ROLLAND

   After hiring Dario Forel, Rolland takes Tytos and a few men-at-arms and rides across his house's domain. He tries to discover some evidence of the bandits, but is unsuccessful. During the ride, Tytos insists they should ignore Lord Wesley -- who is clearly abetting the bandits -- and go into the Whispering Wood to find them. Rolland disagrees with his brother and explains that such an action would only lead to bloodshed and strife between the houses. Returning to Moonwatch, he is informed by Maester Lyonce that there appears to be no extraneous substance in the wine presented by Lord Wesley. Unconvinced, Rolland has one of the keep's pigs fed with an apple soaked in the beverage. Hours later, the animal is still fine and any lingering suspicions are laid to rest. Rolland takes the bottle to his father and both drink of it as they go over the situation and call it a day.
   Early the next morning, Rolland is informed by Dario of the mysterious riders that left the keep the night before. Having noticed the Tytos' absence during breakfast, the Sylver heir quickly concludes that his brother has taken justice in his own hands. He summons Dario and a few men-at-arms and rides towards Silvercrossing. They do not find Tytos at the village, but recruit a hunter, Thomas Longfoot, to help find him. The group travels 12 miles upriver to the Silver Ford, where the hnunter find the tracks of Tytos' riders. Rolland, Dario and Thomas cross over to the Burlingtons'lands, riding fast to the Whispering Wood. There, they follow the tracks deep into the forest until they find a spot where there was a fight. Thomas believes Tytos and his companions were ambushed and taken captive. Unable to do anything at the moment, the group heads back to the ford.
   By this time, Rolland is feeling extremely unwell, with heavy breathing and profuse sweating. The symptoms bring back his earlier suspicion of the wine being poisoned. This becomes a certainty when the group returns to Moonwatch and he is informed that Lord Willem has fallen ill. Rolland finds his Lady Merian at his father’s chambers and she tells him, amid tears, that she is pregnant.
   Forced to rest by Maester Lyonce, Rolland finds out that Dario has identified the poison used as a rare toxic substance, fulmilia, found only in the forests of Qohor. Just before falling asleep, thanks to a cup of dreamwine, Rolland orders Lyonce to send a raven to the Gates of the Moon informing Lord Nestor Royce about the developments and another one to Lord Wesley, setting up a meet between the two for the next day, at noon on the Stony Bridge.