Starpost Keep, the Eagle's Nest.
"Ser, how are your injuries healing?" Arthur asked with concern as he watched Norbert limp in, supported by Pagg. "Perhaps you should recuperate at Starpost for a few more days?"
Norbert was about to answer when his gaze was drawn to the massive form of the vulture, Sharpwing, perched beside Arthur. Both he and Pagg involuntarily took a half-step back, the sudden movement pulling at Norbert's wounds and causing him to suck in a breath of cold air.
"Thank you for your concern, My Lord." He dismissed his squire, steadied himself, and forced a smile, his eyes darting between Sharpwing and Arthur.
"Thanks to the maester's treatment, the wounds have scabbed over. If I delay my return to the Arbor, and the injuries heal completely, I won't be able to win Lord Paxter's sympathy."
"You make a valid point. It's truly a hardship for you." Arthur nodded in agreement. "In that case, once I've given you the intelligence to relay, you and your squire may depart."
Norbert bowed with difficulty, his movements awkward due to the pain in his buttocks. "My Lord, please speak. I will convey every word exactly as you say."
Arthur paused for a moment, as if in deep thought. "When you return, tell Paxter that I was thoroughly enraged by his demand for an apology. Tell him I swore to take revenge on the Arbor."
"However, separated by the straits and faced with the Redwyne Fleet, I am helpless to strike him directly. Therefore, I have no choice but to vent my fury on the other lords of the Reach."
"Where does My Lord intend to attack?" Norbert's voice trembled slightly, whether from pain or nervousness.
"Just report to him that I have gathered the elite forces of Starfall and am preparing to strike the lords bordering my lands in retaliation, leaving the defenses of Starfall's own territory empty." Arthur's violet eyes bore into Norbert.
"You don't need to know more than that. And do not speak more than necessary. Too many words lead to errors."
Norbert nodded hurriedly, sweat dripping from his forehead onto his bushy eyebrows. "My Lord teaches wisdom."
He lowered his head to hide the glint in his eyes.
He carefully mulled over Arthur's words, connecting them with the information about the chains he had gleaned from Pagg. He instantly understood Arthur's "true" intention.
Arthur wanted to make Starfall's territory appear defenseless to lure Lord Paxter into leading the Redwyne Fleet up the Torrentine River. Then, he would raise the chains to blockade the river, catching the fleet like a turtle in a jar.
The thought made Norbert's heart race. This man, who had risen from a Snow to become the Sword of the Morning and master of Starfall, was cunning indeed!
If their ambush succeeded, the Redwyne Fleet entering the Torrentine could be completely annihilated. They might even use the captured ships to launch a counter-invasion of the Arbor!
Thinking of this, he secretly rejoiced: The Seven be praised, I discovered this plot.
Arthur made a timely promise. "Do as I say. If this succeeds, I will reward you with land, manors, and gold."
"I will..." Norbert instinctively started to kneel but hissed in pain as his wounds stretched. "I will convey your words to Paxter Redwyne exactly."
After Norbert hobbled away with his squire's help, Nymeria walked out from the inner room. She came to the railing and watched Norbert being helped into his carriage in the courtyard below, puzzled.
"Arthur, I think your plan to catch the turtle in the jar is viable. Why... why abandon it?"
Arthur walked to her side, and they looked out the window together.
In the distance, the Torrentine River shimmered with golden light under the morning sun, flowing like a dragon winding its way into the Summer Sea.
"Time is too short," he said softly. "Forging a river-spanning chain and building the necessary boom towers and winches in such a short time would be immensely difficult and costly. Especially now, when most of our manpower is busy with the harvest."
Nymeria frowned. "But it's a golden opportunity. If we could capture or destroy the Redwyne Fleet..."
"Secondly," Arthur interrupted her, his fingers tapping lightly on the stone sill, "the Redwyne Fleet isn't a fish on a chopping block. I don't want to turn the heartland of Starfall into a battlefield where they fight like cornered beasts, destroying everything in a desperate struggle."
Nymeria nodded thoughtfully, a lock of black hair slipping from her bun. "So, you sent this knight from the Isle of Pigs back to prevent the Redwyne Fleet from invading up the Torrentine."
Then she asked, puzzled, "Aren't you afraid this pig-headed knight won't figure it out? or will see through your deception?"
A faint, enigmatic smile touched Arthur's lips. "I had him beaten so he couldn't move, forcing him to rely on his squire for information.
"Then I arranged for his squire to see and hear exactly what I wanted—a mix of truth and lies."
A look of reminiscence flashed in his eyes. "People tend to believe the conclusions they deduce themselves. I learned that from Desmond Redwyne at the tourney."
"Oh?"
"I suffered a small loss back then," Arthur said, not dwelling on it. "After this, we won't be constrained by the Redwyne Fleet. In fact, the fiercer we fight elsewhere in the Reach, and the bigger our movements..."
"The more Paxter will believe we are baiting him into a trap, and the less he will dare to act rashly."
Nymeria nodded. "True. The men of the Reach grow up in the green lands; they lack the resolve to fight to the death.
"Knowing that Starfall has a means to destroy them, they won't dare gamble on whether it's true or false by invading the Torrentine. Your goal is achieved."
"We must play the part to the end." Arthur waved to Sharpwing. "Norbert is on his way. I must lead my troops to the Red Mountains."
Actually, Arthur had considered a counter-espionage plot involving House Florent and House Tarly.
He had thought about letting Norbert or his squire "accidentally" discover a plan where he conspired with the Tarlys and Florents to march from Blackmont straight to Highgarden. This would sow discord between the Tyrells, Florents, and Tarlys.
However, Arthur abandoned the idea after some thought. The feasibility was too low, and the risk too high.
Moreover, even if it succeeded, it would yield no substantial benefit to Starfall, so he dropped it.
---
Norbert endured the bumpy carriage ride, traveling non-stop and daring not to delay for a moment, even though his wounds tore open and bled several times.
He returned to the Arbor in almost the same time it took him to arrive.
When he met Paxter in Vintner's Keep, Norbert, baring his scarred buttocks and weeping with emotion, recounted his entire experience at Starpost Keep and all the intelligence he had gathered.
Paxter stroked his beard, a look of gravity in his eyes. He had expected Snow not to yield easily.
But he hadn't expected Snow to show absolutely no intention of reconciliation, and instead plan a trap to fight him to the bitter end—a mutual destruction.
What a madman, Paxter cursed silently.
Snow clearly hadn't received a proper lord's education. This posture of risking everything and leaving no room for retreat at the slightest provocation was unbecoming of a ruler.
Fortunately, he had learned of Snow's plot in advance. He wouldn't risk his life fighting a madman. The best strategy was to hold his ground and maintain the blockade.
"Ser Norbert, I did not misjudge you. You have done well," Paxter nodded with satisfaction, handing over the prepared commission personally.
"Heal well. I keep my promises."
"Thank you, My Lord. The Isle of Pigs will remain loyal to House Redwyne forever."