"Lady Allyria and the young Lord Edric are both in the Great Hall, hearing the petitions of the smallfolk. Follow me."
Ser Barton exchanged a quick word with the gate guards before leading Arthur into Starfall.
Before dismounting, Arthur instructed Jimmy to take good care of Shadow and not to cause any trouble, and to wait for Wick and the wagon bearing the gifts.
As they walked toward the main keep, Arthur took in the sights of the castle.
There were courtyards planted with chili peppers and lemon trees; young squires sparring in the yard wearing only thin tunics; children playing and sweating in the sun; and the rhythmic clang-clang of the smithy.
And above it all, the most striking feature was the soaring White Stone Tower—the Palestone Sword Tower. It wasn't as colossal as the Titan of Braavos, Arthur mused, but it was certainly twice the height of the Broken Tower at Winterfell.
Noticing Arthur's interest, Ser Barton asked, "How does Starfall compare to Winterfell?"
"Starfall is smaller than Winterfell, but taller," Arthur said, glancing up at the tower again.
"The architecture is different, too. The towers here are domed, and almost everything is stone; there's very little timber. And one more thing," Arthur added with a smirk, "even though I haven't stepped inside yet, I know I won't find a single hearth for heating in Starfall."
Ser Barton laughed heartily, taking off his helm to wipe the sweat from his brow.
"True enough, you'll find no hearths here. We sit amidst the Red Mountains. The hills to the east shield us from the worst of the sands blowing from the deep desert, but nothing stops the blazing sun."
Chatting as they went, Arthur followed Ser Barton into the Lord's Hall. There were no fewer than thirty people gathered inside.
Arthur's eyes went immediately to the dais, where Allyria Dayne sat upon the high seat carved of white stone. Beside her sat the Lord of Starfall, Edric Dayne.
His aunt, Allyria, was tall and slender with dark hair. Her skin, visible where her silk gown left it bare, was not the olive tone typical of the Dornish, but fair and pale.
His cousin, Edric, had a round face and hair the color of pale silver. He wore a Dornish silk robe, embroidered on the chest with silver thread in the sigil of House Dayne: a sword and a falling star.
Arthur noticed that Edric looked anxious, his small hand gripping the hem of his aunt's gown tightly.
"My Lord, My Lady," a shepherd stood in the center of the hall, twisting an old felt hat in his hands. He was hunched over as he spoke. "I... I beg you to punish the wild men... who raided my flock."
Allyria frowned. "Did I not tell you last time not to cross the river? To stay away from the pastures near Violet Canyon? Why were you raided again?"
"I... I did not go," the shepherd's hands tightened around his hat nervously. "My... My Lady, I followed your command. Since the last time, I have not crossed the river. But the wild men... they crossed the river to us."
"What?" Allyria's eyes flashed with panic. Her brow furrowed, and for a moment she looked less like a ruling lady and more like a bewildered noblewoman. "Um... this..."
Seeing this, the Maester sitting nearby leaned in and whispered a few words in her ear.
"We will send knights to verify the situation," Allyria said, composing herself to play the part of the ruler again. "If it is true, you will have justice. Those raiders will be punished. As for your loss... I will grant you two ewes, a ram, and a flock of lambs."
"Thank you, My Lady." The shepherd bowed, relieved and overjoyed. "May the Seven bless you and the little Lord, and bless Starfall."
After the shepherd, a stream of petitioners came forward.
Several merchants complained that their caravans had been raided by bandits within Dayne lands.
An elderly landed knight reported that his neighbor had encroached on his land, wounded his smallfolk, and ridden horses through his vegetable fields.
Then came the commoners seeking the Maester's healing or the Lord's justice.
A caught thief, a smuggler, a woman accused of murder, a husband whose wife was in labor, dock workers struck down by heatstroke, farmers with their grievances.
At first, Allyria managed to handle the cases with the whispered guidance of the Maester and Ser Clegg Orys—Ser Barton's father and the Master-at-Arms—who sat on the other side.
But as the list went on, the endless disputes and petitions wore down her patience. Eventually, she sat there like a stone statue, silent.
The remaining duties fell to the Maester and the Master-at-Arms, who dispensed justice and settled the disputes on behalf of the Lord.
Throughout it all, the six-year-old Lord of Starfall, Arthur's cousin Edric, looked thoroughly uncomfortable. Like a shy little boy, he tried to hide behind his aunt.
To be Lord of Starfall is too heavy a burden for a boy of six, Arthur sighed inwardly. Ruling is never an easy task.
"Arthur Snow, My Lady is calling for you."
Ser Barton nudged him, breaking his reverie. Arthur realized that everyone in the hall was looking at him.
Arthur nodded his thanks to Barton and walked to the center of the hall. "It is a pleasure to meet you all—My Ladies, Sers, and good masters."
"Arthur, my nephew," Allyria beckoned him. "Come up to the dais. Let Edric and me have a good look at you."
Arthur hesitated a moment, then ascended the steps.
Allyria rose from her seat. Her gaze swept over him, finally resting on his violet eyes.
"Your eyes are truly just like my sister's. Welcome home, Arthur. There will always be a place for you at Starfall."
Edric peeked out from behind Allyria, his head half-hidden, and stammered, "H... Hello... C... Cousin."
Having spoken, Edric's round face flushed bright red.
Arthur was surprised; it was the first time he had heard the boy speak since entering the hall.
He gave them a warm, friendly smile. "My thanks, Aunt Allyria. And hello to you, little Cousin."
"Arthur, we have prepared a welcome feast for you tonight," Allyria said, taking his hand enthusiastically. "We used all the lemons in the castle to bake a giant lemon cake just for you."
A giant lemon cake?
Arthur was slightly taken aback but felt the genuine kindness and care his aunt was showing him. He bowed again.
"Aunt Allyria, Cousin Edric, I am very grateful for your hospitality and the feast."
"My Lords, ladies and sers, the audience is concluded for today," Allyria announced to the room. "Please, go and dress in your finest for the banquet tonight."
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After the hall had emptied, Allyria took Edric and personally led Arthur to his chambers, introducing him to the key members of the household along the way.