Taking the letter from the Maester, Arthur broke the wax seal and read it. With a hint of regret, he announced:
"Prince Doran, to celebrate the twentieth name day of his heir, Princess Arianne Martell, is holding a tourney at Sunspear. He has invited all his vassals and knights to attend."
"Aunt Allyria and Maester Oswell want me to represent Starfall and take Edric to Sunspear for the tourney."
Pate's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "My Lord, it seems we must change our plans."
Arthur instantly understood his meaning. Use the tourney and feast at Sunspear to make Peach Wine and Amber Peach Nectar famous throughout Dorne.
The Maester reminded them, "Traveling overland on horseback from Starfall to Sunspear takes nearly a month, provided we don't encounter sandstorms."
"My Lord, we must prepare to depart as soon as possible to avoid missing the tourney."
"There's no time to lose. Prepare the wagons immediately." Arthur nodded, then turned to Pate. "Pack up the entire first batch of Peach Wine and Amber Peach Nectar from the winery."
"Maester, send Jimmy to the orchard to call Edric back. We aim to depart after the midday meal."
Pate's efficiency was needless to say. By past noon, the personnel and caravan were ready, and two guides experienced in traveling the Dornish interior had been hired.
There were over a dozen wagons carrying wine barrels, each covered with hides to prevent direct sunlight.
Hearing they were going to Sunspear for a tourney, Jimmy Sunderland was thrilled.
Along the way, he transformed into a bard, chattering endlessly to Edric and the others about the deeds and stories of legendary knights. When they mentioned the Sword of the Morning, Arthur suddenly recalled the five conditions Maester Oswell had given him to claim the title.
Now, it seemed only the first condition remained unfulfilled: To become a knight, and the knight who dubs him must be the most prestigious and respected knight in Dorne.
This trip to Sunspear now had an additional purpose besides promoting the wines.
Arthur pondered privately: Have Prince Oberyn "The Red Viper" Martell dub me a knight. If I can win the jousting championship at this tourney, I will petition Prince Doran.
When the caravan from Beacon Tower arrived at Starstation, it was already midnight. The contingent from Starfall had arrived long before, led by Ser Barton.
The next morning, in the dining hall of the main keep at Starstation.
"Arthur, I never expected you could make peach trees survive in the scorching heat of Dorne." Ser Barton was astonished after tasting the Amber Peach Nectar.
"And to brew such delicious wine... Honestly, it's not much worse than the Arbor Gold from the Arbor."
Fat Karen, the steward, sipped the Amber Peach Nectar and was amazed beyond measure by its unique flavor.
A year ago, he had heard rumors of peach planting at Beacon Tower and had been skeptical. This is Dorne, not the Reach.
Fat Karen sighed. "Lord Arthur, do you know magic? How else can you explain your ability to always succeed where others fail?"
Arthur: "I know no magic. It is all just sweat and effort."
Upon learning that a flagon of Amber Peach Nectar would sell for ten Silver Stags, Ser Barton stopped talking and didn't stop pouring.
Cup after cup of Amber Peach Nectar went down with flatbread and olives.
Arthur chewed a purple olive and watched Ser Barton burying his head in his drink. "Is Ser Clegg not going to the tourney at Sunspear?"
Ser Barton reluctantly put down the flagon. "My father says he is old. He won't go to Sunspear to join the fun and steal honor from the young."
Arthur then asked the others at the table for their opinions on the Peach Wine and Amber Peach Nectar.
Receiving positive feedback, Arthur was relieved.
After breakfast, without delay, the caravan departed from Starstation as planned, following the road to High Hermitage.
Fat Karen and the guides had planned the route: first to High Hermitage, then east to the Prince's Pass, then along the Sandstone Road to the Scourge, and finally along the Greenblood to Sunspear.
Arthur looked forward to this overland journey to Sunspear.
Compared to the monotonous blue sea and sky, and the seasickness caused by waves, the feeling of wind on his face while galloping on solid ground, and encountering different people and scenery along the way, made him happier.
Whenever the caravan camped to rest, Arthur would take Sharpwing, Edric, and his squires into the nearby forests to hunt and hawk.
Sharpwing was the giant vulture.
After more than a year of taming and practice, Arthur had established a bond with Sharpwing. Like a skinchanger, he could enter Sharpwing's consciousness, control it, and observe things through its eyes.
For single targets in relatively open terrain, a swoop from Sharpwing was enough.
If there were many targets, Arthur used the aerial reconnaissance provided by Sharpwing to shoot them with the [Qilin Bow]. Their hunting trips were always fruitful.
During the journey, with each hunt, Arthur's control over Sharpwing became more adept.
As the Starfall caravan traveled through the Torrentine lands, many landed knights and vassals who wished to attend the tourney at Sunspear joined the procession along the way.
Arthur was familiar with Ser Wayne of Sandstone Keep, who had answered the call to guard the four-story watchtower, and Ser Williams, who had been granted lands near Nightfall Hall for his valor in commanding the Right Wing.
Perhaps because of the many knights and retainers in their party, the journey was smooth. Apart from sand and scorching sun, they encountered no trouble.
Even when passing the Prince's Pass and the Bone Way, several camel caravans requested to follow behind them, offering payment for protection.
After Fat Karen confirmed they were genuine merchants and not bandit scouts, Arthur granted the request.
As the caravan followed the plan along the Sandstone Road toward the Scourge, Ser Wayne rode back from the front.
"Lord Arthur, there is a large encampment on the side of the road ahead."
"Judging by the banners, it should be the hooded hawk of House Fowler."
House Fowler was the Lord of the Prince's Pass, bordering Starfall's Torrentine lands, with their seat at Skyreach.
Previously, Lady Nym had borrowed troops from House Fowler to mediate the conflict with House Blackmont.
"It seems our speed is not slow." Arthur adjusted the silk scarf wrapped around his face. "We've caught up with the Fowler party heading to Sunspear for the tourney."
"It appears so. Ser Bard has gone ahead with the standard-bearer to negotiate." Ser Wayne lifted his visor and took several gulps from the water skin at his waist.
Beside him, Fat Karen suggested, "My Lord, it is getting late. Let us camp near them."
Arthur nodded in agreement.