It took another three months for Arthur to arrange everything regarding his businesses in Braavos.
Pate and Kojja Mo also completed the recruitment of personnel for Starfall and the handover of their duties.
Taking over Pate's role in managing Braavos's finances was the servant who had previously helped Sabel Kaffi communicate internally and externally, named Locke.
According to Locke's own introduction, he was originally an orphan abandoned at the Temple of the Red Hands, and Sabel Kaffi adopted him.
Because he was efficient, Kaffi gave him a nickname, the same as his beloved dog: 'Claw' Locke.
However, Arthur learned from other servants in the mansion that Locke was only telling half the truth.
It was true that he was efficient, but the main reason Kaffi nicknamed him 'Claw' was actually because the skin on his face was loose and saggy, and his cheeks were huge, bearing a striking resemblance to the dog Claw.
Rather than calling him 'Claw' Locke, other servants preferred to call him 'Dogleg' Locke.
After Arthur's assessment and observation, Locke's ability passed the test. As for loyalty, Locke said he had seen Claw's head and begged Arthur to give him a new nickname.
Let's call you 'Fang' Locke then, Arthur had thought carefully before giving him this nickname. Sharp teeth and sharp claws go together.
As for the Braavos smithy affairs, Kojja Mo handed them over to a young smith capable of forging Black Mamba swords.
This smith had started as a furnace-tending apprentice and gradually grew within the 'Snow & Peach' smithy into a smith mastering the craft of forging Black Mamba swords.
This smith named Ben was also the only one in the 'Snow & Peach' smithy who went from apprentice to master in a short time.
At the Ragman's Harbor, Arthur stood on the deck of the Ice & Peach, watching the people who came to see him off, the porters loading goods onto the ship, and people of all kinds.
His personal belongings were carried onto the ship by four squires.
Actually, four people weren't needed. Zack Stone alone carried a large chest onto the ship.
Jimmy Sunderland led his horse, [Shadow], onto the ship.
Jimmy Sunderland loved [Shadow] very much. Not only did he brush its coat every day and feed it oats and apples personally, but sometimes he would even sleep in the stable just to spend more time with [Shadow].
Vicwu and Vicliu were saying goodbye to their parents.
After settling [Shadow], Jimmy Sunderland ran over and asked, "My Lord, why is this ship called the Ice & Peach? Why not the Snow & Peach?"
"Maybe because snow melts easily in water, so we called it that." Arthur bought several portions of spicy oysters from a vendor on the shore, kept one for himself, and shoved the rest to Jimmy, instructing:
"After you two finish eating, remember to tidy up my room and bed."
"Right away, my Lord." Jimmy took the oysters and laughed. "But these aren't enough for my rice-bucket brother alone."
"Every place has its own specialty food that you can't get elsewhere. If you're really hungry, go eat bread and blood sausage; that fills the stomach."
Jimmy added with a laugh, "And salted beef. Hard as a rock, could break your teeth biting it, but that's my rice-bucket brother's favorite."
Arthur finished the oysters. The spicy flavor mixed with the briny taste of the oysters was indeed nice.
Arthur threw the leftover shells into the water. Zaren, Weiss, and Victar came over from the boats on either side of the Ice & Peach.
Zaren: "My Lord, the personnel and cargo on the Black Mamba Sword and the Pioneer have all been tallied."
The Black Mamba Sword and the Ice & Peach were two large single-masted cogs, modified from the two relatively intact large ships captured from the pirates.
The Pioneer was a medium-sized three-banked galley, the ship Victarion used to open routes and map sea charts and currents.
Arthur nodded and patted Zaren on the shoulder. "I entrust the affairs in Braavos to you."
After many words of encouragement and farewell, until the wind picked up, everyone said goodbye to each other, and the three ships unfurled their sails and left the harbor.
Among everyone, Arthur was most reluctant to part with 'Shorty' Weiss. Weiss had previously done the work of a squire, and after getting along for more than a year, their relationship was the closest.
But establishing the Swordsman Guild required someone with superb swordsmanship and trustworthiness to oversee it. Arthur originally wanted to invite Weiss's master, Syrio Forel, to do the job and keep Weiss by his side.
But Syrio was now the First Sword of the Sealord. He couldn't be hired; absolutely couldn't be hired.
While Arthur was feeling emotional, the three ships quickly passed the Titan and sailed out of Braavos.
Soon, the vast island group of Braavos was hidden in thick fog, and Arthur could only see the firelight in the eyes of the Titan high above.
Returning to his room, Arthur saw Vicwu and Vicliu inside, setting up a Cyvasse board.
The room had been cleaned, and the bed made.
Vicwu placed a piece shaped like a heavy cavalryman. "My Lord, Father said sailing is boring, so we prepared Cyvasse for your amusement."
Vicliu helped take out the pieces. "According to the route, our next stop is the Free City of Pentos. If the wind is favorable, it is estimated to take about three to five days. If against the wind, it will take double the time."
Arthur picked up a dragon-shaped piece and examined it. It was carved from oak and looked quite decent. "I don't know how to play Cyvasse. You guys play. Where are Jimmy and Zack?"
"Jimmy is probably with your [Shadow] right now. As for Zack, he should have gone to the kitchen to find something to eat." Seeing Arthur didn't want to play, Vicwu started putting the Cyvasse pieces back one by one.
"Before they left, they tidied up your room and bed."
Arthur stopped him. "You guys play, I'll watch."
Afterward, Arthur watched them play a few games. While playing, they also explained the rules of Cyvasse to him.
After a few games, Arthur found that Cyvasse was like a peculiar version of Stratego and Jungle Chess.
The board had ten types of pieces with different characteristics and powers.
At the beginning, both sides secretly set up their formations, including the arrangement of each square and the placement of terrain. This made every game full of unknown factors, testing the player's thinking.
Vicwu: "Have you been to Pentos, my Lord?"
Arthur shook his head. "No. In the Free Cities of Essos, I've only been to Braavos."
Vicwu: "We haven't been either, but Father and my brothers tell us interesting stories from all over the world and bring us gifts."
Saying this, Vicwu showed off the bone flute around his neck. "This is dragonbone. My brother brought it back for me last time he went to Pentos."
Vicliu also showed off the flute around his neck, his face full of happiness.
Vicwu and Vicliu were older than him. Seeing them, Arthur subconsciously touched the mermaid pendant on his chest and sighed, "You have a good family."
Arthur recalled the whereabouts of the gifts Jon, Robb, Sansa, and Arya gave him when he left Winterfell.
The wool cloak with a squirrel-skin collar that Jon personally hunted, skinned, and made for him was bitten to tatters by moths in the damp environment of Braavos.
The silver-inlaid dagger Robb gave him was given to Victar as a token.
Sansa's handkerchief and Arya's cloth were lost somewhere unknown.
Seeing Arthur remaining silent, Vicwu said, "My Lord, would you like to hear about an interesting tradition in Pentos?
"My brother told me. He is the captain of the Pioneer ahead."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Let's hear it."
Vicwu and Vicliu looked at each other and said in unison: "My Lord, Pentoshi people sometimes... sometimes push their Prince onto the execution block and slit his throat!"