Legend holds that the first Dayne followed a falling star to an island where the Torrentine River rushes into the sea.
There, he found a meteorite imbued with magic. On that very spot, he raised a castle—the Starfall of today—and established his dominion.
His descendants ruled the western mountains of Dorne as the Kings of the Torrentine.
Times changed, and the title of King of the Torrentine faded into history when House Dayne bent the knee to House Martell, becoming their vassals. Yet, the magical meteorite remained, forged into a greatsword pale as milkglass: Dawn.
Along with the sword, a title was passed down through the generations to the Dayne who wielded it: The Sword of the Morning.
Every Sword of the Morning was a warrior of peerless skill. But beyond martial prowess, they were required to embody the virtues of courage, temperance, justice, and diligence.
When House Dayne lacked a warrior of such skill and character, Dawn would rest in the high White Stone Tower of Starfall, waiting for a master worthy to wield it.
---
"Look! That's Starfall!"
Jimmy, wearing only a thin tunic and sweating freely under the blazing sun, pointed excitedly at the soaring White Stone Tower.
"We finally made it to Starfall!"
Every boy in the Seven Kingdoms who dreamed of knighthood wished he had been born a Dayne, for only then would he have the chance to wield Dawn and become the Sword of the Morning.
Seeing their destination in sight, the crew, weary from the long voyage, adjusted the sails and pulled hard on the oars, steering toward the island.
Before long, the three ships navigated past the reefs and islets, fighting the strong current of the Torrentine to enter the port town on the southern side of the island: Starfall Port.
The island of Starfall stood like a stubborn boulder in the center of the river mouth, forcing the Torrentine to split and flow around it into the Summer Sea.
Between the southern side of the main island and a smaller islet lay a sheltered cove where the water was calm and the banks low—perfect for docking ships. This was where Starfall Port lay.
---
"Please rest a while at the port, My Lord. I will go and inform Lady Allyria immediately."
After Arthur identified himself to the harbor guards and showed the signet ring of House Dayne, a guard was dispatched to the castle.
Arthur instructed his captain and first mate to distribute coin to the sailors, crew, and the various recruits from Braavos. He told them to disembark, rest, and enjoy themselves, while he gathered his core retinue.
His inner circle consisted of only three men: "Ledger" Pate, the Summer Islander Jal Bhar, and Wick.
They were all dressed for the heat. Jal Bhar was bare-chested, wearing only a cloak of bright, multicolored feathers typical of the Summer Isles.
"Ledger" Pate reported first. "The cash we brought to Starfall amounts to ten thousand Golden Dragons. The rest of our wealth is in the cargo holds of the three ships."
Pate handed his ledger to Arthur. "We spent twenty thousand Dragons purchasing these goods in Pentos, along with the provisions stocked in Braavos."
"My Lord," Wick chimed in, "we will likely rest here for a week or so, then sail south to Oldtown and Lannisport to sell the cargo. If the voyage goes smoothly, and accounting for the purchase of local goods to refill the holds, we should net forty thousand Dragons."
Arthur asked, "After deducting the crew's wages and the cost of ship repairs, how much will be left?"
Pate flipped through his pages and made a quick calculation. "Roughly thirty-two thousand Dragons."
"Ocean voyages are hard work; I know that well. Let's round it up," Arthur said without hesitation. "Wick, tell the crew: when we return to Starfall, there will be a bonus of one thousand Dragons. And another thousand when we get back to Braavos."
Wick looked grateful. "On behalf of the crew, I thank you, My Lord."
Arthur patted him on the shoulder encouragingly, then turned to Pate and Jal Bhar. "Who will be staying with me here at Starfall?"
Pate checked his meticulously kept records. "From my group, five men who can read and write both the Common Tongue and Braavosi."
"Of the thirty-odd sellswords—the Braavosi Bravos and the Black Mambas—hired to protect the fleet, more than ten have approached me privately, hoping to stay for long-term employment."
Jal Bhar spoke next. "On my end, we have eight smith's apprentices and three master smiths. Also, some top-notch craftsmen: carpenters, masons, shipwrights, and goldsmiths—seven in total. Counting their apprentices, that makes sixteen. Oh... and three men who claim to be expert prospectors."
"Let everyone rest well for a few days. Find a place to settle down first," Arthur instructed, rubbing the stubble on his chin. "After that, Jal Bhar, scout for a suitable location to build a smithy district. Let me know when you find one."
"Pate, arrange for men to gather basic information and rumors about the area. Have the translators continue teaching the Common Tongue to the craftsmen and swordsmen."
---
After everyone had left the room, Arthur prepared to go ashore to find an inn, eat a good meal, and rest. Just then, Wick found him on the deck.
"My Lord, the guards from Starfall have returned. They say they are under orders to invite you to the castle."
Arthur looked toward the pier. Jimmy was already there holding the reins of Shadow, his horse. Zach and Wick were holding several other horses.
Standing beside them were two knights clad in light scale armor and half-helms wrapped in desert cloth. One of them held the banner of House Dayne: a white sword and a falling star on a lavender field.
Wick asked, "Shall I call some swordsmen to escort you?"
"No need." Arthur exhaled deeply. "Let's go. Bring my gifts."
After exchanging names, Arthur learned that the two knights were the son and nephew of Starfall's Master-at-Arms, Ser Clegg Orys: Ser Barton Orys and Ser Bard Orys.
Both were true knights, anointed with the seven oils and having stood their vigil in the Sept.
Arthur and Jimmy mounted up and followed the two knights north. Jimmy, fascinated by Starfall, had begged to come along, and Arthur had agreed. As for the chests of gifts, Arthur had Wick hire a wagon in town to transport them to the castle.
"Arthur Snow, your eyes are truly like your mother's," Ser Barton said as they rode. Seeing that Arthur and Jimmy could keep pace on horseback, he flipped up his visor. "Those violet eyes... one look and a man never forgets them."
Arthur hadn't ridden in a long time. Now, urging Shadow into a gallop, feeling the wind mess his hair and watching the scenery fly by, he felt incredibly at ease despite the heat.
Hearing Ser Barton mention his mother, he steadied his mind and asked, "Ser, you knew my mother?"
"Of course. The Orys family has served House Dayne for generations. Our seat is Meteor Keep, not far from here," Barton explained as they rode. "I am of an age with Arthur, and I grew up following my father around Starfall."
Realizing the ambiguity, Barton added, "Oh, by Arthur, I mean your uncle, Ser Arthur Dayne."
"Before your mother, Lady Ashara, went to King's Landing as a lady-in-waiting to Princess Elia Martell, I often saw her in the castle. She was gentle to everyone, and closest to your uncle."
"Ser," Jimmy interjected, "you knew the Sword of the Morning, Ser Arthur Dayne?"
A flicker of nostalgia passed through Barton's eyes. "Certainly. My brother and I fought him often when we were boys."
Ser Bard, the standard-bearer who had been silent until now, spoke up. "The two of us together couldn't beat him. He was agile, skilled, and seemed to have endless strength. He always found a way to knock us—and the other boys—into the dirt."
Bard pointed the banner toward the looming White Stone Tower. "Back then, your mother Ashara would stand atop that tower and cheer for him."
"I heard a rumor," Barton said, a shadow of resentment crossing his face, "that during the skirmish at the Tower of Joy, Lord Eddard Stark killed Arthur in single combat."
"I mean no disrespect to Lord Stark; he is a man of honor. But that rumor..."
"Lies! Utter lies!" his brother Bard shouted with sudden passion. "No man in this world could kill the Sword of the Morning in single combat! Anyone who ever saw Arthur fight would know that!"
"Forgive my brother's outburst. It is his nature; I hope he didn't startle you," Ser Barton apologized. "He has knocked out the teeth of several singers and bards for singing that song."