Upon receiving news of the massive wildling gathering at Vulture's Roost, Maester Oswell immediately advised Allyria, acting as Castellan of Starfall, to convene a war council.
In the Lord's Hall of Starfall, Arthur attended the council, seated to the right of the high seat—a place traditionally reserved for the Master-at-Arms, Ser Clegg.
Maester Oswell opened the proceedings:
"According to intelligence sent by Ser Craig, the Lord of Vulture's Roost, he estimates at least four thousand wildlings have gathered in the Red Mountains near his castle."
"The villages and manors on the west bank of the Torrentine have either been raided or occupied by them."
"Ser Clegg, who is stationed in the middle reaches training the levies, has also sent word. His river patrols report wildling activity on the opposite bank. They are felling trees and constructing rafts."
After Maester Oswell finished reading the letters and summarizing the intelligence, the room fell into a heavy silence.
Arthur scanned the table. Most of the gathered lords were looking at him. The vassal lords of Starfall, in particular, eyed him with a wariness they struggled to hide.
Arthur knew why: he had beheaded Ser Adric and stripped him of his lands and titles.
Although Arthur had ample justification, witnesses, and material evidence—making his actions both legal and reasonable—it inevitably gave the other vassals a sense of "the fox mourning the death of the hare."
Even Lady Alerie of Broken Arm, who had been wronged by Ser Adric, seemed distant.
Though she openly thanked Arthur for his actions and her etiquette was impeccable, Arthur could feel the cool detachment behind her polished manners.
Courtesy is a lady's armor.
Seeing everyone remain silent, Allyria, seated on the high seat, spoke up. "My Lords, please share your thoughts."
Ser Wayne, the Lord of Sandstone Keep, asked a question seemingly unrelated to the Vulture King. "Maester Oswell, is there any news from Nightfall Hall?"
Sandstone Keep lay on the Dornish trade routes, at the transition between forest and desert, bordering the lands of Nightfall Hall.
Maester Oswell replied, "Yesterday, we received a raven from Nightfall Hall. Ser Avery claims the bandits who raid caravans in his lands have resurfaced. He says they were the ones who killed Starfall's messenger."
"Ser Avery writes that he has mustered his levies and is currently hunting down these bandits. Once they are dealt with, he will march immediately to join us at Starfall."
Ser Wayne shook his head. "Ser Avery has been 'hunting' those bandits for four or five years. It seems we will not be seeing him."
Lady Alerie suddenly asked, "Lord Arthur, what is your view on this?"
Arthur shrugged. "Perhaps Ser Avery truly faces difficulties. Perhaps the bandits have indeed become such a threat that they must be dealt with?"
"After all, not every anointed knight is like Ser Adric—openly refusing a feudal summons and trampling on his sworn vows."
In Arthur's eyes, dealing with Adric had already achieved his goal: demonstrating Starfall's strength and awing the vassals.
With the formidable enemy of the Vulture King at their gates, pushing the vassals too hard would be counterproductive. Overcorrection is as bad as inaction.
Sure enough, as Arthur signaled he had no intention of moving against Nightfall Hall, the atmosphere at the table relaxed visibly.
"My Lords, let us speak of the Vulture King." Maester Oswell steered the discussion back to the main topic. "How shall we respond to this crisis?"
The attendees began to voice their opinions freely.
Some radicals believed that since the wildlings had inferior weapons and roughly equal numbers, they should muster their full strength, march out, and fight a decisive pitched battle.
Those who voiced such thoughts were mostly landless knights and hedge knights who had answered the call. They came partly to answer their liege's summons, but mostly to win glory, honor, and rewards on the battlefield through martial prowess.
Others advocated seeking aid from House Blackmont of Blackmont, located upstream on the Torrentine.
Still others believed they should maintain the status quo, holding the line at the Torrentine and waiting for instructions or aid from Prince Doran Martell.
After listening to the round of suggestions and debates, Allyria leaned toward Arthur, who had remained mostly silent, and whispered, "What should we do?"
Arthur whispered back his counsel. "Every lord's suggestion has merit. We can send those who wish to seek aid to Blackmont."
"Arrange for those who wish to maintain the defense to remain at Starfall or garrison the watchtowers along the Torrentine."
"And those who yearn for battle... let them march with the army."
Allyria whispered with Maester Oswell for a moment, then announced:
"My Lords, I thank you for your counsel."
"Now, I, Allyria Dayne, acting Castellan of Starfall and Guardian of the Torrentine, command:"
"Lady Alerie, you shall proceed to Blackmont. Carry Starfall's greetings and seek the aid of Lady Larra Blackmont. I will assign five knights to protect you."
Lady Alerie rose and curtsied. "It is my honor to serve House Dayne and share your burden, My Lady."
Allyria nodded to her, then turned to Ser Wayne. "Ser Wayne, you will lead the levies of Sandstone Keep and your own men to relieve Ser Clegg. Hold the watchtowers along the Torrentine and patrol the banks.
"I will have the requisitioned ships coordinate with you. You must ensure the wildlings do not cross the river."
Ser Wayne struck his chest. "My Lady, I promise. I swear on my honor as a knight, as long as I live, they shall not cross."
Finally, Allyria looked at Arthur and announced to the assembly:
"I appoint my nephew, Arthur Snow, as the Supreme Commander of Starfall's forces. I trust you are all aware of his talents in war."
"Please remember the oaths of loyalty you swore to Starfall. Obey my nephew Arthur's commands.
"When the war is won, Starfall will not be stingy in rewarding those who have served with distinction."
Under the gazes of the gathered lords—who looked as if they had expected this—Arthur stood and bowed to Allyria first. "Aunt Allyria, I will not fail your expectations, nor will I tarnish the name of Starfall."
Arthur then turned to the vassals around the table. "My Lords, I will always be open to your counsel. I ask that you follow my commands, so that we may shoot down this Vulture King without delay."
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the vassals, they withdrew from the hall to prepare for their respective tasks.
Soon, only Allyria, Edric, and Arthur remained in the hall.
Allyria's eyes were slightly red. She looked at Arthur with deep concern. "Arthur, you must prioritize your own safety. Promise me you won't be the first to charge again."
Feeling the warmth of her gaze, Arthur comforted her. "Aunt Allyria, with you praying to the Seven for me, I will surely return safely and victorious."
Edric added very seriously, "Cousin, I will pray for you too. And this time, I swear I won't fall asleep."
Resisting the urge to pinch Edric's round cheek, Arthur smiled and nodded, then left the Lord's Hall to return to his room and prepare for the campaign.
Calling for Wick, Vic, and Zach Stone to help him pack, Arthur checked the arrow wound on Jimmy Sunderland's shoulder.
"Recovering well." Arthur unwrapped the bandages soaked in [Wine]. There was no sign of infection or pus, and the edges of the wound were already scabbing over.
"My Lord, can I come with you to fight the Vulture King?" Jimmy moved his right shoulder to demonstrate. "This little scratch is nothing."
"No. You stay in Starfall and heal." Arthur poured more [Wine] from his skin onto the wound and re-bandaged it.
"Starfall has not reached the point where we need to send the wounded to battle."
Jimmy wanted to plead, but Arthur silenced him with a glare. He lowered his head and said no more.
Wick looked at Jimmy with envy and asked, "My Lord, if we are wounded, will you treat us like this too?"
Arthur: "You are my squires. If you are hurt fighting to protect me, naturally I will tend to you myself."