After spending three days completing the first assessment and the division of regular and reserve forces for the Mountain Corps, Arthur arranged for Ser Bard and a commander promoted from the Black Mamba swordsmen to oversee subsequent training. He then set out for his other territory, Beacon Tower.
A year ago, Arthur had appointed "Ledger" Pate as the Steward and acting Castellan of Beacon Tower to help him govern the land.
He had also spent four days using four [Oath of the Peach Garden] strategy cards in the orchards of Beacon Tower, which originally grew lemons and figs.
He instructed the orchardists to plant the peach pits he had saved after eating peaches, establishing a new peach orchard.
[Oath of the Peach Garden]: Ensures the survival of peach trees within a designated half-league radius and accelerates their growth. (The harsher the environment, the slower the growth.)
A year had passed. When Arthur arrived at the orchards outside Beacon Tower again, row upon row of peach trees filled his vision.
Large, meticulously planned areas were full of carefully pruned peach trees. Even in the hot environment of Dorne, the first batch of trees had grown quickly and were already blooming and bearing fruit.
Apiaries set up by beekeepers were scattered among the trees. Not only did they produce honey and beeswax, but they also made the entire orchard more fertile.
"Besides flavoring, honey can be mixed with water and fermented to make mead," Pate explained as he led Arthur's group through the orchard.
"Beeswax can be made into candles, sealing wax, wax tablets for writing, and molds."
Arthur took a clay pot of freshly harvested honey from a beekeeper. The honey was a light amber color.
He tasted a mouthful. Besides the sweetness of honey, there was a faint fragrance of peach blossoms.
Arthur handed the clay pot to Edric, who was eyeing it eagerly nearby. "Children shouldn't eat too much sweets. Here, share it with the others."
"I am not a child." Edric hugged the clay pot and ran off to play with some children in the orchard.
Arthur signaled Wick and Vic to follow him and let Edric be.
Arthur smacked his lips, savoring the lingering taste of honey. "How is the fruit wine?"
Pate pointed ahead. "Follow me, My Lord. The winery is just ahead of the orchard."
Arthur rarely visited Beacon Tower, spending most of his time overseeing the big picture at Starstation. The planning and construction of the orchard had been left to Pate.
After a ten-minute walk through the peach grove, they arrived at the edge of the orchard and the winery.
The winery consisted of a complex of over twenty stone buildings.
Even before entering, just standing on the perimeter, Arthur could smell the aroma of peaches and other fruits.
Pate pointed to the first few buildings. "These are the fermentation rooms, where raw materials are mixed, boiled, and prepared for fermentation."
"This is the well house, built to ensure a clean water source. The brewmaster we hired says this is crucial for brewing."
"Over there is the warehouse for storing other ingredients, and here is the wine cellar."
Listening to Pate's introduction, Arthur entered the underground wine cellar.
The cellar was cool, dry, and extensive, with many barrels placed on racks dug into the walls.
Here, the wine in the barrels fermented and aged, developing the desired flavor and quality.
After touring the facilities, Arthur arrived at the winery's great hall.
Guests and merchants could taste wines of different flavors here and discuss purchases.
"My Lord, these are the winery's three flagship products: Summerwine, Peach Wine, and Amber Peach Nectar." The brewmaster managing the winery had servants bring three flagons.
"Summerwine is priced at one Silver Stag per flagon. Peach Wine at three Silver Stags. Amber Peach Nectar at ten Silver Stags."
Arthur tasted them one by one.
The Summerwine had a faint peach sweetness added to the usual taste Arthur drank in Dorne; otherwise, there was little difference.
The Peach Wine was better than what he had brewed in the Winterfell orchard. It went down smoothly without any astringency, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth. The flavor was unique.
This brewmaster knows his stuff. At least he's better than a half-baked amateur like me, Arthur praised silently while savoring the Peach Wine he hadn't tasted in a long time.
The third wine, the most expensive Amber Peach Nectar, was described by the brewmaster as a fermented blend of honey, water, peaches, and other fruits.
The brewmaster boasted, "I aim for this Amber Peach Nectar to rival the Arbor Gold of House Redwyne."
Arthur pursed his lips. Doubt first, believe later. He felt the brewmaster might be exaggerating. The status of Arbor Gold in Westeros, and even across the Narrow Sea, was legendary.
In the world of wines, it was the "Maotai" of Westeros.
In his previous life, there were many liquors, but none could truly rival Maotai.
With a mindset of "maybe I'll get lucky," Arthur waved for the servant to pour.
When the servant poured the Amber Peach Nectar into a glass goblet, Arthur couldn't help but praise its appearance.
The liquid was a rich, textured amber. As soon as it was poured, a fragrant aroma assailed his nose.
Arthur took a sip. The mouthfeel was mellow and sweet, rich with the aroma of various fruits.
Arthur put down the goblet. Did I really hit the jackpot?
He had drunk Arbor Gold at the Sealord's Palace before. While the flavors differed, this Amber Peach Nectar truly had its own merits to stand alongside it.
"Excellent."
Arthur nodded in satisfaction. He then tried seven or eight other wines brewed by the master. Although none were as good as the Amber Peach Nectar...
Each had a unique flavor: spicy, refreshing, rounded, sweet aftertaste, slightly bitter.
Though he only drank one cup of each, paired with biscuits and snacks, Arthur drank to his heart's content.
After the tasting, they left the winery.
"This brewmaster is a talent." Arthur's face was slightly flushed. In his tipsy state, he instructed Pate:
"You must keep him at Beacon Tower forever. Also, the brewing process for Amber Peach Nectar must be kept strictly confidential."
Pate: "I gave him a very high salary, signed a long-term employment contract, and arranged housing for him. His wife and children now live in Beacon Tower."
"As for the workers in the winery, I recruited local smallfolk."
Arthur nodded. "I trust your handling of affairs."
Although the unique flavor of Amber Peach Nectar largely depended on the key raw materials—peaches and honey from the orchard...
Controlling the key raw materials meant controlling the production of Amber Peach Nectar, so he wasn't afraid of others imitating it.
But undoubtedly, keeping a good brewmaster and preventing the leakage of processes and techniques was also a necessary way to deepen his "moat."
Arthur valued the prospects of Amber Peach Nectar highly.
House Redwyne of the Arbor maintained a massive fleet—rivaling the Iron Fleet of the Iron Islands and the Royal Fleet of the King—solely by selling Arbor Gold and other fine wines.
Back in the main keep of Beacon Tower, Arthur and Pate discussed the sales channels for the winery.
Pate: "Peach Wine and Amber Peach Nectar are unknown in Dorne right now. The price isn't something ordinary smallfolk can afford."
"I estimate that initially, most of the stock will have to be pushed to our fleet and the Braavosi captains to sell abroad."
Good wine needs no bush, as the saying goes, but to open up the market quickly, some effort was required.
Arthur thought for a moment. "Let's promote it within Starfall and among our vassal lords first. Transport this batch of Peach Wine to Starfall."
"Isn't Edric's sixth name day coming up soon? We'll hold a feast at Starfall then and promote it."
"Besides that, I'll contact the traveling merchants at Starstation and sell some to them at a low price, letting them sell it to other lords in Dorne."
Knock, knock, knock.
Just as the two were discussing the promotion plan and specific details, there was a knock on the door.
Pate frowned. "Didn't I say not to disturb us while I'm discussing matters with Lord Arthur?"
A slightly immature voice spoke through the door. "My Lord, the Maester says there is an urgent matter. He needs to see Lord Arthur."
Arthur: "Come in."
The Maester entered, panting, holding a letter. "My Lord, an urgent message from Starfall summoning you back."
Arthur frowned, a flash of excitement in his eyes. Could it be another Vulture King in the Red Mountains? Or trouble with the wildling tribes?
Or is House Blackmont pulling some stunt again?
If it were any of these, given the strength Starfall had accumulated and the updated weaponry, they could truly have a hearty fight.