The Sept of Starfall
After finishing her prayers to the seven holy statues, Allyria addressed the Septon standing nearby, censer in hand.
"Septon Arles, my nephew Arthur has written to say he is willing to build a sept to the Seven in his new lands, and to endow it with a large tract of farmland and forest."
"However, Arthur says he lacks a Septon with sufficient seniority and unwavering faith to oversee the construction and subsequent management of the sept."
"Would you be willing to dedicate yourself to the Seven and go to his lands to preside over the construction and management of this new sept?"
Septon Arles asked in confusion, "My Lady, does Arthur not follow the Old Gods? Why would he be willing to build a sept to the Seven?"
"Haven't you always longed for my nephew to convert to the Faith?" Allyria replied. "He may be considering conversion. Septon Arles, this is a rare opportunity."
Septon Arles thought for a moment and saw the logic. "My Lady, you know I am a devout servant of the Seven. For the glory of the Seven, I am willing to take on this heavy responsibility."
Allyria nodded with satisfaction. "Very well. Pious Septon Arles, pack your things today. Tomorrow, go to the Dawn Market to recruit workers for the construction, and then proceed to Violet Canyon."
"Certainly, I will pack immediately and go to Beacon Tow—" Septon Arles bowed as he turned to leave, but suddenly stopped, his face draining of color. "My Lady, where did you say? Did you not mean Beacon Tower?"
Allyria blinked and corrected him. "Not Beacon Tower. Violet Canyon. The place bordering the Red Mountains, formerly occupied by wildlings."
"Arthur specifically emphasized in his letter that he needs a Septon of firm and unwavering faith, because he intends to spread the Faith of the Seven to the wildlings later."
Spread the Faith to the wildlings? Septon Arles' face turned even paler. He opened his mouth to speak.
Allyria pointed to the statue of the Warrior, where a freshly lit candle burned brightly. "Septon, for the sake of the Seven, surely you do not wish to renege on your word?"
"Th... this..." Septon Arles squeezed out a smile uglier than crying. "It is my honor. To spread the gospel of the Seven... there is no greater calling."
Septon Arles returned to his room in a daze, packing his luggage and his courage.
He planned to go back to Lady Allyria and ask if there was any chance he didn't have to go. If she refused, he intended to slip away halfway through the journey.
However, when he walked out of his door, he found a crowd waiting outside. They were all familiar faces from the castle. Even the elderly Maester Oswell stood to one side, supported by an acolyte.
The Stable Master spoke first. "Septon Arles, I never knew that a man afraid to ride a horse possessed such courage! To volunteer to go to Violet Canyon, build a sept, and spread the gospel to the wildlings of the Red Mountains!"
A laundry maid chimed in, "Septon, please forgive me for suspecting you of stealing women's clothes before. I didn't know you had such bravery. May the Seven protect you."
Many people came up one by one, speaking to him with reverence and bidding him farewell.
Septon Arles stared blankly at the familiar faces. He opened his mouth but couldn't say a word. Hot tears streamed from the corners of his eyes.
Finally, Maester Oswell spoke, a look of gratification on his aged face.
"Child, the road ahead is hard. You have proven yourself a servant truly dedicated to the Seven. I will await your good news here in Starfall."
"Wildlings are short-tempered and lack manners. Do not be too aggressive when preaching. Put your safety first."
"Maester Oswell... I..."
Maester Oswell interrupted, "Rest assured. I will send Ser Barton to protect you, along with Arthur's squires. They will accompany you to Starfall Port and the Dawn Market to recruit those willing to go to Violet Canyon to build the new sept."
Septon Arles forced a smile. "Thank you for everything you have done for me, and for everyone coming to see me off. May the Seven bless you all."
After bidding farewell to the crowd, Septon Arles was escorted out of the city by Ser Barton, Jimmy, and several guards.
---
Four-Story Watchtower, The Torrentine
Arthur warmly received Septon Arles and the more than 150 devout men and women he had mobilized from Starfall Port and the Dawn Market, all willing to go to Violet Canyon.
"Septon Arles, I heard everything. I didn't expect you to volunteer." Arthur grasped Arles' hand the moment they met. "I was worried the conditions in Violet Canyon would be too harsh and no Septon would be willing to come."
Septon Arles looked solemn. "To spread the gospel of the Seven, as a servant of the gods, it is my duty."
Saying this, Arles turned and shouted to the crowd he had gathered. "The harder the conditions, the more it proves the firmness of our faith! The Seven protect the pious!"
Almost everyone in the crowd looked at Septon Arles with eyes full of respect, many responding enthusiastically.
Septon Arles: "The suffering we endure is due to our sins. Faith in the Seven and spreading their gospel can wash away these sins."
"All suffering will pass, and a bright tomorrow awaits."
"The Father is just, the Mother is merciful. The toil we bear now is the blessing we shall enjoy in the future."
Arthur didn't interrupt Arles' interaction with his flock. He just watched the Septon execute a silky smooth PUA (Pick-Up Artist/Manipulation) combo, nodding repeatedly.
The clergy really have a way with brainwashing.
For governance and territory development, especially in a desolate wasteland, religious appeal and the low cost of administration were truly god-sent advantages.
No wonder medieval lords loved endowing churches on their lands. It not only expressed piety and left a good reputation but also attracted population and increased tax revenue.
And when times got really tough, there was always emergency grain stored in the septs.
After Arthur assured Arles that he would fulfill his promise—providing funds and materials for the sept's construction, and signing a charter granting the new sept rights to the attached lands and forests—Arles led his band of devout followers onto the boats bound for Violet Canyon.
In addition to Septon Arles, Arthur also received hundreds of craftsmen and farmers recruited by Maester Hubert, the acting Castellan of Beacon Tower, from Beacon Tower and its surrounding lands.
As the Lord of Beacon Tower, Arthur promised them certain tax exemptions, guaranteed three meals a day while working in Violet Canyon, and a generous monthly salary paid at the end of each month.
Faced with such generous terms, the lead craftsman asked in disbelief, "My Lord, what you say... is it all true?"
After receiving Arthur's affirmative answer, the lead craftsman and the hundreds behind him knelt in unison.
"My Lord, thank you for your benevolence. We will serve you with all our strength."
"May the Old Gods and the New bless you with a long life."
Arthur was very satisfied with the crowd's reaction to his benevolence. He helped the lead craftsman up. "As the Lord of Beacon Tower, I will not mistreat loyal subjects who answer their lord's call."
"In the future, you will discover not only my benevolence but also other noble qualities, just like the Sword of the Morning before me."
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