The army rested for a day after the battle to tend to the wounded.
In the long hall of High Hermitage, Arthur, Viscount Dimitri, the Maester, and the assembled commanders were verifying the lists of the fallen and injured, as well as recording merits earned on the battlefield. They were preparing reports for pensions and rewards.
The atmosphere in the hall was joyous, and smiles lit up every face.
Arthur's smile was especially bright. As the supreme commander of Starfall's forces who had led from the front, the honor and merit he gained were the greatest.
Now, Arthur was only waiting for the Blackmont army to withdraw. Then he could return to Starfall to receive his reward. Whatever happened, he should at least earn a fief of his own.
"Arthur! The Blackmont army refuses to withdraw!"
Just as Arthur was envisioning the construction of his future fief, Ser Bard ran in, panting, followed by a cavalry messenger.
"Upon learning that the Vulture King is destroyed, not only do they refuse to retreat, but they are also raiding villages and manors along their route!"
Viscount Dimitri, who had been beaming with joy over solving the Vulture King problem, saw his smile vanish instantly. He cursed loudly.
"We kill one vulture, and a flock of vultures arrives! The Blackmont sigil is a damn vulture too! I just want to be a lord in peace—why is it so difficult?"
Although Arthur had long suspected House Blackmont was up to no good, their blatant actions still shocked him. "On what grounds?"
Ser Clegg sighed. "What grounds do they need? They likely feel that whatever they can grab is theirs. They don't want to leave empty-handed without getting a piece of the pie."
Ser Bard's next words confirmed his uncle's guess.
"The Blackmont commander, Ser Elwyn, says he will withdraw immediately if given fifty thousand Gold Dragons. Otherwise, he claims he cannot control or restrain the Blackmont warriors who have gained nothing from this march."
Viscount Dimitri was furious. "Fifty thousand Gold Dragons! May the Others take them! They should change their sigil from a vulture to a lion!"
"Where is Lady Alerie?" Arthur asked the messenger beside Ser Bard. "What does she say? Is this fifty thousand Dragons an agreement she made with them?"
"Lady Alerie is not with them," the messenger replied. "Ser Elwyn says she was attacked by wildlings on the way there and was wounded. She is currently recovering at Blackmont."
Ser Barton, his right forearm heavily bandaged, asked, "What about the other knights protecting Lady Alerie? Did none return?"
"None returned," the messenger shook his head. "Ser Elwyn first said he didn't notice them, then finally told me they might be staying at Blackmont to accompany Lady Alerie."
Ser Clegg didn't hesitate. "It seems House Blackmont has detained Lady Alerie and her escort as hostages."
Ser Williams, nursing his leg injury, was red-faced with anger. "Detaining an envoy! Holding a woman hostage! House Blackmont has no honor at all! How are they any different from the wildlings?"
Viscount Dimitri complained, "The ransom for a noble knight is usually no more than three hundred Dragons. Are they holding over a hundred Lady Aleries?"
Bang, bang. After listening to everyone's anger, Arthur rapped his knuckles on the table and looked at the messenger.
"Tell Ser Elwyn: Starfall never signed a mercenary contract with him for fifty thousand Dragons. We do not need to, nor will we, pay him fifty thousand Dragons."
"If he cannot control his own army, the five thousand soldiers of Starfall would be happy to help him do it."
"Finally, tell him: We have already killed one vulture that trespassed against us. We do not mind killing a second one."
"Yes, My Lord." The messenger took the order and left.
After the messenger departed, Arthur swept his violet eyes over the room. "It seems our victory feast will be delayed a few days. Prepare for battle assembly."
The commanders acknowledged the order and filed out one by one.
After everyone had left, Ser Clegg leaned in and whispered to Arthur.
"We just fought a battle. Even counting the levies garrisoning the watchtowers in the middle reaches, we have at most two thousand five hundred combat-ready men."
In fact, Ser Clegg was being generous. Arthur knew they didn't have five thousand men. Deducting the soldiers guarding the wildling captives, they barely had over two thousand.
But when reporting numbers to the outside, one always exaggerated.
Arthur: "The Blackmonts don't know our true strength. Inflating the numbers might scare them off."
Ser Clegg shook his head. "The chance of them retreating voluntarily is slim."
Arthur feigned ease. "Alright, Ser Clegg, go and prepare. If this battle cannot be avoided, it will be a hard fight."
With that, Arthur walked out of the long hall.
To be honest, Arthur really didn't want to conflict with House Blackmont, especially not when the Starfall army was in such a state.
The messenger had reported that the Blackmont army numbered around three thousand. They were far better equipped than the wildlings, and even their levies with spears would be tough opponents.
But Arthur understood that facing the probing of a strong enemy, showing even a hint of weakness or cowardice would not buy mercy or peace—only fiercer attacks.
Just as High Hermitage began frantically preparing for war again, something unexpected happened. An envoy from Prince Doran arrived at High Hermitage before the messenger returned.
When Arthur received the news, dozens of riders had already entered the castle. Leading them was a slender woman like a willow branch.
When Arthur arrived at the long hall, Viscount Dimitri was already entertaining the envoy.
"Arthur, allow me to introduce this beautiful lady," Viscount Dimitri presented her. "Nymeria Sand, daughter of Prince Oberyn."
Arthur bowed. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Nymeria."
Nymeria Sand had straight black hair braided into a long plait tied with red-gold wire. She had dark eyes, high cheekbones, and full lips.
Nymeria Sand looked Arthur up and down. "It seems I am late after all. The Vulture King is dead, and the wildlings destroyed."
"The Fowler twins were too hospitable. I should have come straight from Skyreach the moment I received my uncle and father's letters."
House Fowler was the Lord of the Prince's Pass and Warden of the Prince's Pass, with their seat at Skyreach.
High Hermitage wasn't too far from Skyreach, but there was no direct road connecting them, requiring travel through rugged hills and forests.
"Not too late, My Lady."
Arthur then truthfully informed Nymeria Sand about House Blackmont's actions.
He omitted the connection between the Vulture King and the Blackmonts, as that was merely his conjecture without tangible proof.
Nymeria Sand frowned upon hearing that the Blackmonts had detained an envoy, looted villages, and demanded fifty thousand Dragons. "What do you want?"
Arthur: "Justice, My Lady. Specifically, the safe release of Starfall's envoy, Lady Alerie, and for the Blackmont army to cease raiding and withdraw from the lands of Starfall and its vassals."
Nymeria Sand nodded. "A reasonable request."
Nymeria thought for a moment and said, "Come with me. We will go and speak with the Blackmont commander, Ser Elwyn."
Viscount Dimitri immediately warned, "House Blackmont has a precedent of detaining envoys. To be honest, I don't trust them."
"Let Me Soar!" Nymeria first quoted the words of House Fowler, then smiled with a hint of disdain.
"They wouldn't dare detain Prince Doran's envoy and Prince Oberyn's daughter."
Then Nymeria looked scrutinizingly at Arthur. "But I'm not sure if the Blackmonts dare to detain you. Dare to come with me, Snow?"
Arthur thought for a moment. "Justice cannot only be waited for; it must be sought. I would be happy to accompany you, My Lady."