It was the early morning of the second day when Arthur led the mustered host out of Starfall.
When surprise was not required, it was naturally best to march by day.
The column carried a heavy baggage train, so their pace was slow. It took a full day to reach the levy training camp and rendezvous with the old Master-at-Arms, Ser Clegg.
Inside the Command Tent at the Levy Camp
"We just received word. The wildlings have tried to scale the walls of Vulture's Roost several times at night recently, but were repelled by the garrison and archers." Arthur listened as Ser Clegg reported the latest intelligence from High Hermitage.
"Now they are building siege engines. It seems they truly intend to take Vulture's Roost and occupy the entire western bank of the Torrentine."
A landed knight with a spear painted on his breastplate spoke up. "We should march as soon as possible and force a decisive battle with the Vulture King."
Many in the tent nodded in agreement, eager for a swift resolution.
Because their army relied on peasant levies, a prolonged war would drain supplies they could ill afford. Furthermore, leaving fields and orchards untended for too long would impact the coming harvest.
Thus, when the balance of power wasn't vastly disparate and one side held the advantage, the goal was always to end the war as quickly as possible.
Arthur asked the old Master-at-Arms, "Ser Clegg, what are your thoughts?"
Ser Clegg asked, "Arthur, have you heard the song The Hammer and the Anvil?"
Arthur knew the song. It celebrated the tactic executed by Prince Baelor Breakspear and Prince Maekar during the Battle of the Redgrass Field.
Facing the fierce charge of the Blackfyre rebels led by Aegor "Bittersteel" Rivers, Prince Maekar commanded a shield wall of men-at-arms and spearmen, acting as the unyielding anvil.
Prince Baelor Breakspear led the cavalry charge, acting as the hammer.
The Blackfyre rebels failed to break the anvil's defense and were instead hammered repeatedly from the rear flank, crushed between the two forces.
It was through the Battle of the Redgrass Field that House Targaryen crushed the first—and most dangerous—Blackfyre Rebellion.
Daemon Blackfyre himself died in that battle.
Seeing Arthur nod, the old knight continued, "Vulture's Roost is the anvil, and we are the hammer.
"If we can strike when the Vulture King's attack on Vulture's Roost is stalled, our chances of victory will be great."
Arthur nodded inwardly. The old Master-at-Arms was indeed a veteran tempered by war; his suggestion was highly feasible.
After discussing some details and exchanging opinions with the gathered commanders, Arthur made adjustments to the personnel and appointments.
Arthur divided the army into four parts: the Left Wing, the Right Wing, the Cavalry, and the Baggage Train.
The Left Wing: Composed mostly of troops from Starfall's direct lands—household guards, archers, spearmen, and levies. Total strength: 2,000 men.
Arthur appointed Ser Clegg as commander of the Left Wing. Considering his age, Arthur assigned his son, Ser Barton, to assist him.
The Right Wing: Composed of levies from Starfall's vassal lords. Their equipment and numbers were inferior to the Left Wing. Total strength: 1,300 men.
Arthur appointed Ser Williams as commander, based on the vassals' recommendation.
Ser Williams was the landed knight with the spear sigil on his breastplate—a tall man with an imposing presence.
The Cavalry: Arthur personally commanded the 300-strong cavalry unit. He assigned Ser Bard to lead the outriders and scouts.
The Baggage Train: Fat Karen, the steward, was in charge of logistics—transporting and distributing supplies—and commanding the rear guard. The rear guard consisted of a few Starfall guards for management and mostly levies.
After restructuring the army's organization and finalizing the appointments, Arthur could feel a distinct improvement in the force's cohesion.
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The army marched in good order and arrived at High Hermitage.
The Lord of High Hermitage, Viscount Dimitri Dayne, rode out personally to welcome them. After the standard-bearers exchanged names, he eagerly invited them into the castle.
After partaking of bread and salt offered by the servants, Arthur and his party followed Viscount Dimitri into the main keep.
"Seven preserve us, I have been waiting for you," Viscount Dimitri said as they walked. "The wildlings gathered by the Vulture King are camped at Vulture's Roost. Lately, they've been sending small raiding parties across the river to harass us."
Ser Williams asked, perplexed, "We didn't see any sign of wildlings on the road, though we did see some burned houses. Why didn't you garrison the stone bridge?"
The Captain of the Guard of High Hermitage explained, "We are outnumbered. The stone bridge is some distance from High Hermitage. We dare not engage them in a war of attrition there, so we rely on cavalry for rapid response."
Viscount Dimitri added, "There is another thing that puzzles and troubles us. Every time we receive intelligence and send knights to hunt them down, we either find empty air or get ambushed halfway. It's very eerie."
Captain of the Guard: "It's as if they know our every move. We've even investigated the castle for spies."
Arthur observed the layout of High Hermitage. It was almost identical to Starfall, except it lacked the soaring Palestone Sword Tower. "And the result?"
The Captain shook his head. "We whipped a few suspicious servants and locked them up, but it hasn't helped."
Ser Clegg frowned. "If it's truly as eerie as you say, the Hammer and Anvil tactic we discussed yesterday might be useless."
Talking as they went, they arrived at the long hall of the main keep. Servants had already prepared food and wine on the tables.
Exhausted from a day's march, Arthur cut a slice of nut-bread, smeared it with cream, and began to eat.
Viscount Dimitri sat at the high seat and had a servant pour him a cup of Summerwine. "What Hammer and Anvil? Are we to hear a singer perform?"
Ser Clegg waved his hand and explained the Battle of the Redgrass Field to him.
The Captain of the Guard shook his head after listening. "It definitely won't work. I reckon the moment we march, they will receive word. By the time we cross the river, they'll either be formed up waiting for us or retreated back to their camp."
Ser Williams: "Then we have no choice but a frontal confrontation. May the Seven protect us."
Arthur washed down the bread with Summerwine. "If the tactic won't work, we change the tactic. Knowing they can anticipate our movements makes surprise attacks useless. We'll have to rely on military discipline and formation."
The Captain worried, "But they won't fight us openly. Like the raiders before, they'll just loot and run. Since you are here, we could camp at the stone bridge to prevent them from crossing and raiding again."
"No. Everything proceeds as before," Arthur shook his head immediately.
"To prevent them from running away, not only will we not camp at the stone bridge, but we will also rest in High Hermitage for a few days. Let Vulture's Roost appear to be teetering on the brink of collapse."
"Exactly!" Viscount Dimitri laughed heartily. "Once the savages of the Red Mountains have taken off a beauty's tunic, how could they stop before taking off her breeches? Even if the beauty is made of stone."
Once people have invested too much cost into something, even if they realize it might fail, they are often unwilling to stop. Sunk cost fallacy.
"But..."
The Captain wanted to argue, but his lord interrupted him.
"Arthur, I support you fully. I will have the Captain lead the men of High Hermitage under your command. Drive the Vulture King away soon, so we can all have some peace."
"The smallfolk can farm and pick fruit in peace, the shepherds can tend their flocks, and I can go back to being the Lord of High Hermitage in peace."
With that, the Viscount waved to the singer in the corner. "Start with The Hammer and the Anvil. Let us wish the warriors victory in the coming battle."
Arthur frowned slightly as he watched the Lord of High Hermitage, who seemed so eager to hand over power and enjoy himself. For a moment, he couldn't tell if Viscount Dimitri was truly incompetent or merely pretending to be.
Although High Hermitage was a vassal of Starfall, its lands spanned the middle reaches of the Torrentine, making it a power in its own right, unique among Starfall's bannermen.