Perhaps out of a fondness for Pate that extended to his apprentice, Arthur intended for Jerry, who had been tutored by Pate, to eventually succeed him as the Castellan of Beaconwatch.
However, considering Jerry was still young and lacked authority, Arthur tasked him first with overseeing the restoration of the peach orchards. This would allow him to build a reputation through tangible achievements.
As for the position of Acting Castellan of Beaconwatch, Arthur called upon the old Master-at-Arms to come out of retirement and serve as a transitional leader, guiding Jerry until he was ready.
At the same time, Arthur ordered Lothor Brune to garrison his cavalry at Beaconwatch to assist Ser Barton in organizing the coastal defenses.
After securing the coastal defenses of Starfall's domains and settling affairs at Beaconwatch and the orchards, Arthur began to prepare his counterattack against House Redwyne.
In the solar of Beaconwatch, candlelight flickered against the stone walls.
Maester Hubert adjusted the spectacles on his nose and read aloud from the drafted letter:
"...Earl Paxter Redwyne, leading the Redwyne Fleet, disguised his men as Ironborn reavers to launch a surprise attack on the coastal lands of Starfall, engaging in arson, pillage, and murder.
"They not only burned septs of the Seven and murdered septons, but also slaughtered children, women, and the elderly, committing heinous crimes in an attempt to sow discord between the Iron Islands, Dorne, and even the Iron Throne.
"I urge the coastal lords of Dorne to prepare their defenses and not be deceived by the conspiracies of Earl Paxter Redwyne.
"—Signed, Warden of the Torrentine, Acting Castellan of Starfall, Ser Arthur Snow, the Sword of the Morning."
Arthur listened to the end and nodded with satisfaction. "Send it out just like that. Ensure that the major lords of the Iron Islands, Dorne, and the Reach, as well as the Iron Throne and the Faith in King's Landing, all receive a copy."
Maester Hubert's Adam's apple bobbed nervously. "My Lord... sending this out... won't it be too damaging to Earl Paxter's reputation? It is a grave accusation."
"You think so too?" Arthur smiled suddenly, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. He waved a hand dismissively. "That's perfect then. Send it."
With the orchards destroyed, Arthur and Starfall were indeed powerless to retaliate directly against the Redwyne Fleet, especially since the Redwynes had operated under the guise of pirates.
Since he couldn't solve the problem with the means at hand, why not escalate it? When a problem becomes big enough—when it becomes everyone's problem—it sometimes becomes easier to solve.
Even if the problem remained unresolved, Arthur refused to swallow the loss of his orchards in silence. He would not suffer this blow quietly in the dark!
After Maester Hubert left with the letter, Nymeria, who had been toying with a dagger bearing a snowflake sigil, spoke with interest.
"Arthur, you always have a way. I thought you were going to gather an army and fight the Redwynes head-on?"
"I am always cautious about war," Arthur explained. "Besides, House Redwyne hasn't openly admitted to the attack. If I attack them first, Starfall will be the one in the wrong."
Nymeria sheathed the dagger. Her beautiful face couldn't hide her admiration for Arthur's move, and a glint of pride shone in her dark eyes.
"Sometimes a raven and a quill are more effective than a sword and armor. This is indeed a wise move."
Arthur leaned back in his chair, his expression calm. "This isn't over. Writing letters is only the first step."
Nymeria was surprised. "You have other plans?"
Arthur's eyes hardened. "I've been stabbed in the back. Do you think I'll be satisfied with just shouting a few curses from a distance?"
Nymeria shook her head. She sensed his intent to wage war on the Redwynes. "You'd best banish that thought. You have no ships. You can't cross the straits."
"True," Arthur sighed, then a meaningful smile curled his lips. "I have no ships to cross the sea, but I have legs to climb the mountains!"
Arthur wasn't sure what role the Tyrells of Highgarden played in the attack on the orchards, but Paxter's wife was Mina Tyrell, and his aunt was the Queen of Thorns, Olenna Tyrell. The two houses were deeply bound by blood and marriage.
The Queen of Thorns, Olenna, had used marriages to ally the Tyrells with other major houses of the Reach like Hightower, Rowan, and Fossoway.
Although the Tyrells were originally just stewards who gained the position of Lord Paramount of the Reach and Warden of the South by surrendering to the Targaryens—and though Mace Tyrell was mocked as the "Pufferfish Lord"—their grip on the Reach was currently very secure.
"You intend to attack other parts of the Reach?" Nymeria was shocked. She advised quickly, "This is no small matter. You must think this through. If it goes wrong, it could spark a war between Dorne and the Reach!"
"What does a wildling invasion from the Red Mountains have to do with Dorne or Starfall?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"If Redwyne can disguise himself as a pirate to raid me, I can drive the wildlings of the Red Mountains to invade the Reach."
Nymeria breathed a sigh of relief. "Do you plan to attack the north or the west?"
Before Dorne joined the Seven Kingdoms, back when the Targaryens still had dragons, the Martells had secretly supported wave after wave of Vulture Kings in the Red Mountains to harass the Iron Throne.
Currently, the Reach territories bordering Starfall were Horn Hill to the north of Blackmont, ruled by Lord Randyll Tarly, and Old Oak and Ring to the west of the Violet Gorge, separated by the "natural barrier" of the Red Mountains, ruled by Lord Quentyn Oakheart and Lord Roxton respectively.
Arthur stated the target he had decided upon during his journey to Beaconwatch. "I plan to attack the west—Ring, held by House Roxton."
This was the result of careful deliberation. To the north, Lord Randyll Tarly of Horn Hill was one of the finest generals in the Seven Kingdoms, with a distinguished battle record and widespread fame.
Beyond Randyll's own military prowess, his wife was from House Florent, another major house of the Reach.
The Florents had never accepted the Tyrells' rule over the Reach, claiming their bloodline was closer to House Gardener than their liege lords. They believed they had a better claim to Highgarden and often questioned the Tyrells' supremacy.
House Roxton of the Ring, however, could not compare to House Tarly. They had even lost their ancestral Valyrian steel sword, Orphan-Maker.
The separating Red Mountains were no longer a formidable barrier to Arthur, who possessed the [Mountain Raider Tactics] card. Instead, the mountains were his comfort zone, enhancing his combat strength and providing cover.
If the Redwynes held the Redwyne Fleet and controlled the sea, then Arthur held the wildling tribes and the Mountain Corps, controlling the mountains. He had the advantage of terrain.
"Will you need me to inform Sunspear of this?" Nymeria asked, resting her hand gently on his arm.
Arthur nodded. "The war I'm about to stir up with the wildlings won't be small. It's better if your father and Prince Doran know in advance so they can prepare."