Three days had passed since the curtain fell on the tourney. Nobles from all over the realm had begun their journeys home, and the crowds that had flooded Starfall's lands receded like the tide.
The clamor faded, replaced by the familiar tranquility of the Torrentine, broken only by the occasional clatter of hooves.
Starfall Sept.
Blue smoke curled from incense burners, dancing in the shafts of sunlight.
Arthur, dressed in a violet doublet embroidered with silver thread, stood solemnly before the statues of the Seven, Dawn strapped to his back.
Kneeling before him was Jimmy Sunderland, back straight, his new armor gleaming.
Arthur slowly drew Dawn. The milk-glass blade refracted the morning light into a spectrum of colors.
He laid the flat of the blade gently on Jimmy's shoulder. Steel met steel with a crisp ring.
"Jimmy Sunderland of the Three Sisters," Arthur's voice echoed under the vaulted ceiling, solemn and clear.
"In the name of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave."
The pale blade moved from the right shoulder to the left in a graceful arc, humming softly as it cut the air.
"In the name of the Father, I charge you to be just."
Arthur's gaze was sharp as a sword point, looking straight into the young knight's eyes.
He saw the determination and anticipation shining in Jimmy's eyes—just like his own back in Sunspear.
As he recited the vows, the sept was so quiet one could hear the faint crackle of burning candles.
When the final syllable fell, Arthur sheathed the sword. The friction of metal against leather made a satisfying sound.
"Arise, Ser Jimmy Sunderland."
Arthur stepped forward and embraced the new knight firmly. He felt the young man's tense muscles and slightly trembling shoulders.
"You were an excellent squire. You will be an excellent knight."
Jimmy fastened his sword belt, his fingers unsteady with emotion. Tears glistened in his eyes like morning dew.
"Thank you, my lord." His voice was choked. "This means everything to me."
Arthur patted his shoulder and retreated to the viewing area, standing beside Allyria.
His aunt wore a silver-grey gown today, her hair adorned with amethyst pins.
"You're leaving this afternoon too?" Arthur asked in a low voice, his eyes still on Jimmy, who was being congratulated by the crowd. "Such a rush?"
Allyria had told him yesterday about accepting Lord Beric's invitation to visit Blackhaven.
A smile played on Allyria's lips. "I originally planned to stay in Starfall a bit longer."
She glanced at Edric, who was circling Jimmy excitedly.
"But since Edric is leaving with Lord Selwyn for Tarth this afternoon to begin his squiring... I thought I'd travel with him part of the way. We can look out for each other."
"Alright." Arthur watched Edric enviously congratulating Jimmy.
"I'll invite Maester Oswell and the old master-at-arms for lunch. Consider it a farewell meal for you both."
After Jimmy's knighting ceremony, Arthur plunged into tedious accounting work with Karen the Fat Steward and the other administrators.
They needed to organize the expenses of the tourney, inspect the warehouses, and reconcile bills.
Arthur carefully read through the parchment scroll summarizing the expenses and let out a long breath.
The main costs were as Karen had predicted: the prize money took the lion's share, followed by the renovation of the tourney grounds and the expansion of the Dawn Market and Star Station's auxiliary villages.
Thinking of this, the corner of Arthur's mouth twitched upward. He had won the jousting prize (the largest purse), and Jimmy had won the archery prize. It was keeping the gold within the family, so to speak.
Arthur stood at the edge of the tourney grounds, looking at the sun-drenched field.
The ribbons on the wooden stands hadn't been fully removed yet, fluttering gently in the breeze.
"Don't let the tourney grounds go to waste," he told Karen, his finger tracing an arc in the air as if drawing a blueprint for the future.
"Continue to improve it. Transform it into a knightly training ground and archery range, open to the public."
Karen's round face crumpled in confusion, eyebrows squeezing together. "Open to the public?"
Arthur nodded, scanning the hoof prints deep and shallow on the field.
"Make it available to the common folk for a small fee. Let them train in riding and archery here."
"Hold small-scale jousting and archery contests regularly. The prizes don't need to be high."
He paused, then added, "Later, when we recruit hedge knights and archers, use them as instructors here. We can also establish a training camp for cavalry and archers on this site."
Karen hurried to jot down the orders in his notebook, his quill scratching furiously. "As you command, my lord."
Arthur's goal was clear: to raise the overall martial quality and spirit of Starfall's populace. By giving commoners access to bows and horses in peacetime, the quality of Starfall's levies in wartime would far surpass that of other regions.
By the time Arthur finished inspecting the grounds and warehouses, the sun was high overhead.
Lunchtime arrived quickly. The smell of roasted meat wafted through the small dining hall.
Servants laid out a sumptuous feast: honey-glazed ham, lemon salmon, creamy mushroom soup, gull egg omelets with chili flakes, and of course, Amber Peach Wine.
"Edric." During the meal, Arthur took out a long, slender sandalwood box and pushed it toward his cousin sitting next to him.
"A gift for becoming a squire." He smiled. "I forged it myself. Use it with caution."
Edric abandoned his food and opened the box eagerly.
Seeing the contents, he gasped. "A sword!"
The boy jumped up in excitement, nearly knocking over his goblet.
He carefully drew the sword. The dark blade bore patterns like flowing water, and the snowflake-and-peach mark on the hilt glittered in the sun.
"Is... is this really for me?"
receiving confirmation, Edric stroked the blade lovingly, tracing the patterns with his fingers. "Cousin, I will treasure it."
This sword was the female blade of the [Twin Swords of Liu Bei]. The male blade had been melted into Zhanlu. Considering Edric's somewhat rebellious streak, Arthur had added this as an insurance policy.
> [Twin Swords of Liu Bei]: The male sword can sense the location of the female sword. (Effective only for the host)
"I have written to the Citadel, asking them to send a maester to take over my duties." Maester Oswell's thin figure looked exceptionally frail at the other end of the table.
His aged face, covered in wrinkles and liver spots, wore an expression of relief, looking peaceful and serene.
"House Dayne is truly favored by the gods," Oswell's voice was raspy but warm. "They have granted House Dayne another 'Sword of the Morning named Arthur Dayne'."
Arthur felt a pang of sadness. "House Dayne is favored by the gods not because of the Sword of the Morning, but because we have loyal and dedicated servants like you and the master-at-arms."
Oswell's resignation was expected. Arthur could see the old maester was too old; for the past six months, he spent more time sleeping than awake.
With his lifelong wish fulfilled, the fire keeping him going was fading. He had entered the final countdown of his life.
At this moment, the old master-at-arms also stood up. "Please allow me to resign as the Master-at-Arms of Starfall."
He coughed lightly. "I was wounded in the battle against the Vulture King, and my body feels worse by the day. I think it is time to return to High Hermitage to live out my remaining years in peace."
Arthur nodded and raised his glass. "Thank you for your loyal service, ser. I will appoint Ser Bard to succeed you as the new Master-at-Arms of Starfall."
Edric, who had been in high spirits just a moment ago, raised his glass with red-rimmed eyes.
The lunch ended in an atmosphere of sadness and parting.
The afternoon sun dyed the stone walls of Starfall's East Gate gold.
The party heading for Tarth was ready. Horses and mules pulling wagons stood snorting in place.
Naturally, Arthur wouldn't let Edric go to Tarth alone.
Besides seven fully armed guards, he had arranged for Vic Five and Vic Six to accompany his cousin.
Lord Selwyn had not only taken Edric as a squire but also signed a contract with Arthur to integrate Tarth into the Braavosi port warehouse logistics system.
Now, this network—spanning White Harbor, the Three Sisters, the Paps, Braavos, Pentos, Tarth, and Starfall—formed a complete trade route.
Sending Vic Five and Vic Six with Edric was also to help set up the warehouse framework on Tarth, preparing for the sale of Amber Peach Wine.
Allyria sat on a silver-grey mare, waving goodbye to Arthur. Lord Beric rode beside her, waving as well.
Edric excitedly showed off his new sword to Vic Five and Vic Six.
Arthur stood at the gate, watching the column bearing the banners of Starfall, Blackhaven, and Tarth slowly move away.
The sound of hooves faded into the wind, and the banners eventually became small dots on the horizon.
A sudden feeling that things change and people change washed over him, leaving a mix of emotions in his heart.
The sun was still warm, the wind still gentle, but the castle suddenly felt much emptier.
The captain of the guard walked up to him and asked softly, "My lord, shall we close the gate?"
Arthur took a deep breath and shook his head. "Wait a little longer."
He couldn't help but recall his arrival at Starfall, and for a moment, the sand and wind stung his eyes.