While Arthur plotted to give the Reach something big to worry about, the reaction in the Arbor was already unfolding.
In the council chamber of Vintner's Keep, Paxter Redwyne stared with a grim expression at the accusation letter—a mix of truth and fabrication carefully crafted under Arthur's direction.
"Maester!" Paxter crumpled the letter into a ball. "Write a reply immediately to refute this Snow's lies!
"State that Snow is making baseless accusations to smear the honor of House Redwyne.
"Emphasize that Snow is doing this to cover up his own failure to fulfill his duties as a lord. He failed to protect his lands, leading to the burning of septs and the slaughter of his people. He is fabricating facts to shift the blame."
The Maester bent down to pick up the crumpled ball of paper and carefully smoothed it out. "As you command, My Lord."
He dipped his quill into the inkpot. "I will make sure to highlight his status as a bastard in the letter..."
"Yes!" Paxter slammed his hand onto the oak table, making the wine goblets rattle. "Let everyone know that a bastard's words are as untrustworthy as his birth!"
The Maester nodded. "Yes, My Lord. As everyone knows, bastards are born of lust and lies. Treachery flows in their veins."
Mina Tyrell gently stroked her husband's tense arm, a flicker of worry in her eyes. "Pat, Snow has torn off the mask with this move.
"Now the conflict between us and Starfall is known to all. There is no room for turning back."
"True."
Paxter exhaled a long breath, the fire in his chest subsiding slightly.
He walked to the window and looked out at the harbor where the Redwyne Fleet was anchored. "Since that is the case..."
He turned around, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Didn't Starfall claim they were attacked by pirates? House Redwyne always repays malice with virtue.
"Desmond! Take half the fleet and 'help' Starfall guard their coastline."
A cold sneer curled his lips. "Inspect every merchant ship heading for Starfall's territory. Check carefully for 'pirates' in disguise!"
Desmond responded eagerly, "Yes, My Lord!"
Excitement flashed in his eyes. Whether a merchant ship had pirates on board or not was entirely up to him. This was undoubtedly a lucrative assignment.
Mina took a sip of golden wine and added, "Pat, we must also send an envoy."
She set down her goblet and tapped her finger on the table. "Demand that Snow retract his accusations and apologize to the Arbor. At the same time... we must report the truth of what happened to my mother."
Paxter frowned. "Sending an envoy is reasonable, but telling the truth to..."
He understood why Mina wanted to send an envoy.
The envoy could act as a spy, bringing back news of Starfall's deployments and intelligence.
If Snow wanted to back down, the envoy provided a channel for negotiation.
If Snow angrily killed the envoy or did something irrational, that would be excellent too—it would prove his base character.
"Arthur Snow may be a bastard," Lady Mina said softly but firmly, "but he rose step by step in Starfall to become the Sword of the Morning and the Acting Castellan. He is no ordinary man. We must be fully prepared.
"And now that he has openly broken with us, he will surely have follow-up moves. We must handle this carefully. That is why we must tell my mother the truth."
"Though Mother often has a sharp tongue for her family, she is a staunch defender of our interests."
Paxter sighed and held his wife's hand. "Then I must trouble you to make the trip yourself, my dear."
Before, the situation had been urgent, and the opportunity presented by Beaconwatch's weak defenses was fleeting.
Fearing that ravens might leak the secret, he had launched the attack on the orchards without informing the Queen of Thorns. Mina had known and supported this decision.
When facing a competitor who threatened the very foundation of House Redwyne, ruthless measures were necessary. He had no choice.
---
The Reach, Highgarden.
In the rose gardens, morning dew refracted seven-colored light on the petals.
Inside a gazebo, Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns, asked, "What do you make of this letter?"
"It seems to be a mix of truth and lies," Margaery said, placing a copy of the letter sent from Beaconwatch on the table.
"When Arthur signed franchise agreements with the other three lords at the tourney instead of cooperating with Lord Paxter, this conflict became inevitable."
"Lord Paxter's fleet cannot blockade the overland transport of Amber Peach Nectar. The only way to effectively curb its distribution and sales was to destroy the source of production."
"Lord Paxter holds the Redwyne Fleet, so he has little fear of retaliation from Starfall. From the perspective of House Redwyne's interests, it was a well-considered move."
Olenna nodded with satisfaction and gestured to her twin guards outside the gazebo. "Left, Right. Go fetch the painter and the singer."
After giving the order, she turned to her granddaughter, speaking in her usual sharp tone. "Pat does have a clever head on his shoulders. He thought it through. The straits separate the Arbor from Starfall, so they can't touch him.
"But the Reach borders Starfall by land. Rumor has it that not only House Blackmont, but even the wildlings of the Red Mountains—who claim they never kneel—have been subdued by Arthur Snow.
"Is he truly the Warrior reborn, as the bards claim?"
"He has tamed a giant vulture. His skill in beast-taming is remarkable," Margaery said. A flash of alertness crossed her eyes as she keenly grasped Olenna's implication.
"Grandmother, do you mean that Arthur might attack the Reach in retaliation?"
Just then, the singer and the painter arrived outside the garden. The singer, carrying a harp and dressed entirely in blue which stood out against the roses, was none other than the Blue Bard, who had won the competition of song at Starfall.
Behind the Blue Bard followed a white-haired painter from Lys, his violet-blue eyes scanning the surroundings with curiosity.
"If he had the brain of our 'Lord Pufferfish,' he might do that. But I estimate he will likely drive the wildlings to harass the Marches relentlessly," the Queen of Thorns said.
"Eventually, the marcher lords will tire of the harassment and beg their liege lord, our 'Lord Pufferfish,' for aid. And our Lord Pufferfish will certainly not pass up the glory and honor of conquering the Red Mountains."
Margaery's eyes showed a trace of anxiety, knowing her father would do exactly as her grandmother predicted. "Then what should we do?"
The Queen of Thorns did not answer immediately. Instead, she instructed the painter, "Painter, paint a portrait of my granddaughter. If I am satisfied with your work, you will become the court painter of Highgarden."
The painter set up his easel and bowed. "To paint Lady Margaery is a great honor, whether I become the court painter or not."
"Hmph. I hope your skill with the brush is as good as your skill with words," Olenna retorted.
Beside them, the Blue Bard strummed his harp. "My Ladies, what song would you like to hear?"
"The Bear and the Maiden Fair," Margaery answered absently, her thoughts still on her grandmother's warning.
As the melodious tune began, Olenna leaned close to her granddaughter's ear and whispered:
"Lord Renly will return to the Stormlands soon. When he does, I will have our 'Lord Pufferfish' take you to meet him. Give him your portrait and ask him to present it to the King."
Margaery's eyes lit up. "Grandmother, you mean..."
"Compared to conquering wildlings in the Red Mountains," Olenna smiled meaningfully, "making you the Queen will capture our 'Lord Pufferfish's' attention far more effectively."