Starfall, Main Keep
Ser Barton found Arthur checking the list of supplies with Fat Karen, the steward. "Arthur, adding the levies from our vassals, we have a total of three hundred and three cavalry, and the two hundred household guards are mustered and ready."
Arthur nodded. "Ser Barton, tell every man we will eat at midnight. After the meal, we march immediately. We aim to reach Beacon Tower before dawn."
Ser Barton raised an objection. "The cavalry can certainly make it, but the guards have no horses. Even if they run all the way there, they will be too exhausted to do anything else."
Arthur pointed at Fat Karen. "I told the steward to prepare twenty wagons for us before departure. The guards will ride in the wagons."
"But how will we transport the supplies?" Fat Karen wiped the sweat from his forehead. "My Lord, aren't those wagons meant for the provisions?"
Arthur replied, "If we take Beacon Tower quickly, what need will we have for supplies? Steward, go and prepare them at once!"
"If we use wagons, it is feasible," Ser Barton nodded first, then hesitated, offering a word of caution.
"But this is a great risk. If we fail to seize control of Beacon Tower in one stroke, without supplies, we will have no choice but to retreat to Starfall."
Arthur's expression remained calm and unchanged. "Ser, we live by the sword; there is no such thing as a risk-free venture. Once you have given the orders, go and get some rest."
---
Night, Arthur's Chambers
Arthur's four squires were helping him don his rattan armor, padding, and helm.
Arthur stood with his arms outstretched, motionless. Seeing Jimmy's hands trembling as he tied the greaves, Arthur asked, "Are you nervous?"
Jimmy Sunderland's voice shook with excitement. "My Lord, it is not fear, but thrill. A knight can only win honor in the tourney lists or on the battlefield."
Zach Stone grinned as he fastened the padded coif and half-helm on Arthur. "I only get nervous when I'm hungry. And I ate my fill in the kitchen just now."
Wick and Vic, who were strapping on Arthur's gauntlets, answered in unison, "Not nervous, My Lord."
Looking at his three squires feigning calm (and one genuinely oblivious one), Arthur couldn't help but find it amusing. Who wouldn't be nervous putting their life on the line for the first time? Truth be told, he was nervous too.
Perhaps Zach Stone, simple soul that he was, truly felt no fear. Arthur sensed no tension from him at all—he was exactly as he always was.
Arthur didn't call them out. Instead, he instructed them to stay close behind him once the fighting started.
At midnight, when Arthur appeared in the courtyard fully armored, the troops were assembled. The sight of the knights, squires, and guards—men who trained constantly and knew their trade—gave him a sense of reassurance.
It calmed the anxiety in Arthur's heart.
Under the watchful gaze of Allyria, Edric, and Maester Oswell from the battlements, Arthur led the force of five hundred men out through the East Gate.
The column crossed the arch bridge, passed through the Dawn Market, and headed south.
On the road, Ser Barton and Ser Bard rode beside Arthur. "We proceed according to the plan?"
Arthur nodded. "Exactly as planned."
Before setting out, they had devised a simple strategy: upon reaching Beacon Tower, they would charge directly under the banner of Starfall, seize the gatehouse, secure the stables, and then storm the main keep.
Ser Bard offered, "Arthur, let me lead the men to seize the gate. You follow after."
Arthur shook his head, refusing Ser Bard's kindness. "Thank you, Ser, but this task must be mine. There is no room for debate."
There was a world of difference between the morale boost soldiers got from hearing "Charge with me!" versus "Charge for me!"
Besides, Arthur needed to earn merit and honor. Breaching the castle first would undoubtedly prove his courage.
---
Beacon Tower
Beacon Tower lay south of Starfall, bordering the Summer Sea, directly across the water from Sunhouse of the Reach to the west.
The fleet that brought Arthur to Starfall had passed this way before reaching the port, but it had been daylight then, so the beacon fire had not been obvious.
When the silhouette of Beacon Tower came into view, Arthur drew Zhan Lu from his waist and took up a shield painted with a peach sigil in his other hand.
Arthur raised his sword and roared, "Long Live Starfall! Charge with me!"
Behind him, Ser Barton and Ser Bard drew their swords and echoed, "Long Live Starfall!"
Doooo-doooo-doooo!
A trumpeter blew the charge. The entire cavalry troop shouted their battle cries and spurred their horses into a full gallop. Behind them, the guards leaped from the wagons and ran to follow.
Arthur led the charge. Shadow ran like the wind, a streak of black lightning in the night.
Moments later, Arthur could see the expressions on the faces of the guards at the gate—surprise, confusion, and finally a trace of fear as they fumbled for the swords at their waists.
Arthur didn't hesitate. Borrowing the momentum of his horse, he leaned out and swung his sword at a guard just drawing his blade.
Zhan Lu cut through him like tofu, shearing off half his shoulder in a single stroke.
Ignoring the guard's scream, Arthur clamped his legs around the horse and charged into the castle. Two more guards rushed at him, and figures began to move in the towers above.
Arthur yanked the reins with his left hand, steering Shadow to the left, while thrusting his sword rapidly to the right at the two guards. Without checking if he hit, he continued his charge deeper into the castle.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The urgent tolling of alarm bells rang out from the battlements.
Arthur had no time to heed them. He heard the twang of bowstrings from the gatehouse and the dull thud of arrows striking his rattan armor.
Arthur used his shield—painted with snow and a peach—to block a knight's downward chop, then slashed back, severing the man's neck before he could don his gorget.
Looking around, he saw that Ser Barton had led the cavalry inside. Following the plan, they were securing the stables.
Ser Bard had also breached the walls with the infantry, his spearmen suppressing the remaining resistance.
Arthur reined in his horse and raised his blood-stained sword high. "Long Live Starfall! Surrender and Live!"
Beside him, Jimmy Sunderland echoed the cry, "Long Live Starfall! Surrender and Live!"
Jimmy's white tunic was filthy with blood, and an arrow protruded from his left shoulder, rendering the arm useless and limp. Yet he mimicked Arthur, raising the sword in his right hand.
Zach Stone, wielding a warhammer, stood beside Arthur on foot—his horse having run off somewhere. His hammer was plastered with colorful bits of human tissue.
Wick and Vic were in similar states. Though protected by armor and seemingly uninjured, their chests heaved as they gasped for breath.
"Long Live Starfall! Surrender and Live!"
Following Arthur's repeated shouts, everyone who had stormed the castle joined the chant.
The defenders inside, confused and frightened, heard the attackers shouting the slogans of Starfall. Most dropped their weapons and abandoned resistance.
As the shouts of "Starfall" grew louder, fewer and fewer men continued to fight. Finally, seeing the situation was hopeless, those hiding in the main keep began to emerge and lay down their arms to surrender.