"My Lord, he's dead." Ser Carlo pushed Truitt aside, crouched down, checked the pulse at Erwin's neck, and looked up to announce the news.
When Erwin suddenly collapsed, Arthur had assumed he had merely fainted from the shock. He hadn't expected the man to skip the fainting stage entirely and proceed directly to dying.
Death extinguishes a man like a candle flame. Arthur waved his hand, feeling a bit anticlimactic. "Inform Lady Larra of the death, then give him a proper burial in the crypts of Blackmont."
Erwin's squire, Truitt, wiped his tear-filled eyes and said sorrowfully, "My Lord, House Blackmont does not use crypts. When our lords die, they are given a sky burial. Their souls return to the Red Mountains."
"Then let it be done according to your customs."
Moved by Truitt's loyalty, Arthur nodded in approval.
Meanwhile, on the training grounds, the two hundred exhausted Blackmont soldiers who had retreated into the castle laid down their arms under the orders of their Lady, Larra Blackmont. Above them, the Mountain Corps watched from the battlements, crossbows loaded and ready.
This marked the end of the conflict that began with the Vulture Tribe's rebellion and had lasted for months. It ended in a decisive and total victory for Starfall.
Following the traditions of House Blackmont, after Erwin was fed to the carrion crows and vultures of the Red Mountains, Arthur fulfilled his promise.
He facilitated the marriage between Ser Carlo and Lady Larra, the Countess of Blackmont, appointing Ser Carlo as the Acting Castellan of Blackmont.
Carlo wasted no time organizing the wedding and the feast.
The atmosphere in Blackmont changed overnight. The gloom of defeat and death was replaced by lanterns and colored ribbons.
With Arthur's support, Ser Carlo's wedding was a lavish affair, deliberately designed to use festivity to mask the pain of the recent war.
Arthur stood on a high balcony of the castle, looking down at the bustling courtyard.
Servants moved back and forth like weavers at a loom, carrying casks of wine and platters of food. Musicians tuned their instruments, sending melodious tunes drifting through the early spring air.
Even the soldiers of both sides, who had been at each other's throats just days ago, now sat around long tables, raising cups and drinking together as if the bloodshed had never happened.
"My Lord, I can never repay your kindness in this lifetime."
Carlo's voice came from behind, dripping with sycophancy.
Arthur turned to see the new Acting Castellan kneeling on both knees, looking as if he wanted to kiss Arthur's boots.
As the groom, Carlo wore a brand-new doublet of deep blue velvet, with the falcon sigil of House Blackmont pinned to his chest.
"Blackmont needs a ruler with a clear understanding of himself." Arthur reached out and pulled him up. "Remember how you got to where you are, Carlo."
Carlo nodded vigorously, sweat beading on his forehead. "Rest assured, My Lord. Everything I have was bestowed by you. The will of Starfall is my will."
Arthur patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction. He had given Carlo such generous terms for two reasons: first, to honor his prior agreement, and second, because Carlo's position was precarious—much like Stone Drum of the Stone Sheep Tribe.
This was exactly the effect Arthur wanted. Carlo had gained the high honor and position of Acting Castellan at the price of betraying House Blackmont.
He had no choice but to be fiercely loyal; only Starfall's support could keep him in power.
A proxy who relies entirely on you to keep his seat is the best kind of proxy.
But Arthur never put all his eggs in one basket.
Before the wedding, he had taken Lady Larra's eldest son, Penrose, and eldest daughter, Jynessa, as his squire and handmaiden.
According to Dornish law, which practiced equal primogeniture, the heir to Blackmont was the older sister, Jynessa.
This move served as a check on both Carlo and House Blackmont. If Carlo's ambition grew too large, Arthur, holding the true heir, could easily support Jynessa to remove him.
Conversely, if House Blackmont wanted to overthrow the proxy he had installed, they would have to consider the hostages in Arthur's hands.
The game of thrones always required a double insurance policy.
The wedding feast lasted late into the night. Amidst the clinking of cups, Arthur announced the rewards for his meritorious subjects.
Lothor Brune, the hedge knight who had led the cavalry with such distinction, received the richest prize.
Arthur personally knighted him and granted him a fertile manor carved from the lands ceded by House Blackmont.
"A toast to Ser Lothor Brune!"
Arthur raised his silver goblet, the metal gleaming white in the candlelight.
"To Lord Arthur!" The hall erupted in a thunderous response.
When Lothor knelt to receive his knighthood, his scarred, plain face was filled with emotion and gratitude.
Gerold Dayne, Jimmy, Bear Di, Anguy, and other distinguished soldiers also came forward to receive their rewards. Each man received gold and honors commensurate with his deeds.
After the feast, Arthur stayed in Blackmont for another week.
During that week, he handled endless administrative tasks: calculating ransoms for the captives, arranging land swaps for his vassals, demarcating new borders, distributing spoils of war, and more.
Every document required Arthur's personal review. Sometimes he worked late into the night, burning through candle after candle until his eyes were so sore he could barely open them.
Truth be told, Arthur felt that the post-war distribution of rewards and logistics was more exhausting than the fighting itself.
But he knew he couldn't delegate this. This was the exercise of a lord's power. Handling it well would earn the trust and loyalty of his vassals. Handling it poorly would sow discord and plant mines for his future rule.
When he finally finished all the arrangements and looked at the neatly listed items on the parchment, a sense of satisfaction washed over him.
Besides that, the audit of the week brought a pleasant surprise. Arthur discovered that the number of troops he could levy was approaching ten thousand.
With the pacification of the Red Mountains, the combined forces of the tribes—plus the wildlings captured at the Vulture's Nest—totaled over two thousand men.
The surrender of House Blackmont, the Battle of High Hermitage, and the roundup of routed soldiers had yielded another two thousand five hundred captives. Most had been ransomed back by House Blackmont, but the numbers spoke for themselves.
Adding Starfall's original forces, once he had time to rest and recuperate, heal the wounded, and fully integrate the wildling captives...
If he, the Warden of the Torrentine, truly decided to call his full banners, he could legitimately field an army of ten thousand strong.
As time passed and the rewarded vassals returned to their lands, Blackmont slowly returned to its normal rhythm.
In the solar of the Great Keep of Blackmont.
Arthur was currently discussing the details of building a road from Starpost Keep to the Prince's Pass with Ser Williams.
"My Lord, there is a lady here to see you." His new squire, Penrose Blackmont, knocked and poked his head in.
Penrose was eight years old, Lady Larra's only son. Though not the heir, he had always been favored by his mother. His personality reminded Arthur of Edric Dayne—shy and a bit timid.
"A lady?" Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Let her in."
"Arthur, you've certainly caused quite a stir."
A bright, familiar female voice entered the room before the person did.
Nymeria Sand strode in. She wore the same light, gauzy gown she had worn when they parted ways, her straight black hair braided into a long plait tied with red-gold cord.
She still carried that same martial air, though her figure seemed even more mature than before.
Arthur was taken aback. "Nymeria? What are you doing here?"
Nymeria didn't answer immediately. Instead, she glanced at Ser Williams and Penrose, who were still standing nearby.
Ser Williams understood at once. He stood up and rolled the map. "My Lord, I will proceed as discussed, starting construction from both ends simultaneously."
Arthur nodded. "Good. I will have Kallen and Quentyn coordinate with you to push the road construction forward."
Once the two had left, Nymeria sat down opposite Arthur. She picked up a peach from the fruit bowl on the table and took a bite.
"You two houses made such a huge commotion. Did you think Sunspear—my uncle, Prince Doran—wouldn't know about it?"
"It couldn't be helped. House Blackmont launched an unprovoked invasion. House Dayne was forced to counterattack to protect our lands," Arthur shrugged. "The fact that the main battle took place beneath the walls of High Hermitage proves that."
Nymeria looked at him with a half-smile, her eyes as dark as the Long Night, filled with a look that said I know you too well.
She elegantly crossed her legs and tapped her fingers on the table.
"Uncle sent me to understand the situation. You know that while Dorne tolerates minor skirmishes between houses, he will not permit the annexation of major noble houses like Blackmont by Dayne..."
"House Dayne never intended to annex House Blackmont. I will be leading my troops out of Blackmont within days." Arthur put on an innocent expression. "Lady Larra and I will be submitting a joint report to Prince Doran, detailing the causes and outcomes of the conflict."
Nymeria tossed the peach pit with precision into a waste bin in the corner and clapped her hands. "As long as you understand that."