The Red Mountains were a vast and continuous range, spanning across the borders of Dorne, the Stormlands, and the Reach.
In a hidden oasis within the mountains, located between the Torrentine lands of Dorne and Old Oak in the Reach, a massive vulture circled in the sky.
On the clearing beside the oasis stood many tents. Inside the largest pavilion, a burly man wearing a crown forged of red copper and iron sat upon the high seat. His eyes were milky white, devoid of pupils.
Only when the giant vulture descended from the sky and flew into the tent did the man's eyes return to normal.
The crowned man announced, "The Sand-Stone Tribe has arrived. We can begin discussing whose lands to attack."
Everyone else in the tent looked with fear at the giant vulture perched on a wooden stand. Its feathers were brown, its head and tail white, and its beak, feet, and irises were a bright, piercing yellow.
Its toes were short, but tipped with hooked talons as sharp as daggers.
They had all witnessed with their own eyes how this great bird used those dagger-like talons to tear into human flesh, shattering bone and rending muscle with a single strike.
Over the past year, anyone who dared challenge the Vulture King's position or defy his will had either had their bones crushed by the vulture or their throats slit and bellies opened.
Even hardened wildling chieftains, accustomed to violence, were terrified by such bloody spectacles.
An old man wearing a moth-eaten bearskin unrolled a crude map of the Red Mountains onto the long council table.
"Look, everyone. The nearest great lords to us are House Oakheart of Old Oak to the west in the Reach, and House Dayne of the Torrentine lands in Dorne to the east."
The Vulture King leaned back in his chair. "Starfall of the Daynes or Old Oak of the Oakhearts. Pick one. Which do you think is better?"
The chieftain of the Stone-Goat Tribe, who wore two large ram's horns at his waist, spoke up.
"For the past year, we have raided and harried everywhere. The Lord of House Dayne is but a child. They have essentially abandoned Violet Canyon west of the Torrentine. The canyon is lush with water and grass; it is already our best pasture."
"But the raids on Old Oak have not gone smoothly. Lord Arwyn Oakheart is in his prime, and while I haven't seen it, they say the Reach lords are well-armed. More importantly, the Reach is populous, their villages have watchtowers, and their knights respond quickly. We haven't gained much from them."
The Stone-Goat chieftain concluded, "I think targeting Starfall and House Dayne is more suitable."
His words drew nods of agreement from many tribal leaders. When hunting, one naturally chooses the easier prey.
Amidst the murmurs of assent, the chieftain of the Crow-Men Tribe spoke in a high, thin voice.
"But their castle is on an island. We have no ships to land on it. Even crossing the Torrentine is a struggle."
Someone suggested, "Just fell trees and make rafts to cross."
"Even if we cross safely, what if we need to retreat? Do we all get back on rafts one by one?"
"This won't work, that won't work—so what do you suggest, you Crow-Man whore?"
There were no fewer than a dozen tribal chieftains in the tent. Arguments, agreements, curses, and the slamming of tables merged into a chaotic symphony.
Even after the Sand-Stone chieftain entered the tent, they hadn't reached a conclusion.
The cacophony didn't stop until the giant vulture let out a piercing screech.
The Vulture King looked stern. "I didn't gather you here to bicker. Since you can't decide what to do, listen to my command."
The Vulture King pointed to a spot on the map. "Attack here!"
The chieftains looked where his finger pointed. It was a location in the middle reaches of the Torrentine, marked as Vulture's Roost.
Vulture's Roost was situated west of the Torrentine, directly across the river from High Hermitage. A stone arch bridge spanned the river between the two castles.
The Vulture King pointed at Vulture's Roost with certainty.
"This is the only solid bridge spanning both banks on the Torrentine. If we occupy Vulture's Roost, we can greatly strengthen our control over the lands west of the lower and middle river. We could even cross the bridge to attack High Hermitage."
The Crow-Man chieftain did not use his high voice to object this time. "It is close to the Red Mountains. If things go wrong, we can retreat safely."
The other chieftains had no objections and voiced their agreement one after another.
---
Council Chamber, Starfall
Maester Oswell's face turned pale upon hearing the name Vulture King. "Barton, Bard, are you certain this is true?"
"The motives and behavior of that group of wildlings match what the woman said. And she had no reason to lie to us with her life in our hands."
Ser Barton wiped the sweat from his forehead continuously. The relentless riding had pushed his stamina and spirit to their limits.
The old Master-at-Arms, Ser Clegg, spoke gravely. "If this is true, it means war. We should immediately summon our bannermen and send a raven to inform Prince Doran Martell."
Sitting on the high seat with Edric, Allyria felt a surge of panic at the word war. War brought back too many bad memories.
Her brother, Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, had died in a war.
Allyria asked anxiously, "Is Arthur still at that manor? We must call him back quickly."
Ser Clegg agreed. "We must recall him at once. War is imminent; we need someone with leadership. We must also strengthen patrols along the Torrentine, and those captured wildlings must be brought back to Starfall."
By the end, the old Master-at-Arms was so anxious he vented his frustration with curses. "Damn wildlings. Damn Vulture King. Damn war."
Bang, bang, bang. Maester Oswell recovered from his shock and rapped his knuckles on the table.
"My Lords, please, do not panic. Fortunately, we still have time to prepare."
"My Lady, please write the letters and seal them with the signet to summon the vassals. Once written, I will go to the rookery to send them."
Maester Oswell's voice was old but firm, steadying the hearts of those present.
"Clegg, tell the Captain of the Guard to immediately increase manpower and strengthen Starfall's defenses. I entrust the conscription and training of the smallfolk to you."
"Barton, before you sleep, find Fat Karen. Tell him to use eighty percent of the coin in Starfall's treasury to buy grain, weapons, and horses."
"Bard, rest well. Tomorrow morning, go to Starfall Port. Requisition every ship there. When war starts, we will need ships, whether for transport or other purposes."
Quickly and methodically, Maester Oswell assigned tasks to everyone present.
Edric watched the figures bustling about or leaving to carry out orders and couldn't help asking, "Maester Oswell, what about me? What should I do?"
"When receiving the bannermen, act like a Lord. Can you do that?"
"I can!" Edric patted his chest, then asked in a small voice, "But Maester, what does a Lord act like?"
Maester Oswell was silent for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Just act like your cousin Arthur."