After arranging the garrison and administration for Beacon Tower, Arthur took stock of the casualties within his own ranks.
There were seven wounded, mostly from arrows; one of them was his squire, Jimmy Sunderland.
There were three dead: two cavalrymen shot in the lightly armored neck by arrows, and one footman whose skull was crushed by a stone thrown from the battlements.
Arthur ordered their bodies collected, intending to bring them back to Starfall for the Silent Sisters to prepare, so they could have a proper funeral.
The troops ate, drank, and rested at Beacon Tower, and the wounded received simple field dressings.
When the blazing noon sun of Dorne began to descend, Arthur led his column out of the castle to begin the return journey.
Unlike the rapid march to the battle, there was no need for such haste on the way back.
The wounded and the bodies of the fallen were placed in wagons. The guards marched on foot, escorting the prisoners from the Maester's list and the two men destined for the Wall.
Arthur deployed mounted scouts around the column to watch for any unexpected trouble.
Arthur rode to the rear of the column, alongside the wagons carrying the wounded. "How are your wounds feeling? Does anyone feel swelling or heat?"
Jimmy Sunderland, his left shoulder wrapped in clean linen, answered first. "No, My Lord."
The other wounded shook their heads.
Arthur nodded and instructed, "Make sure you change the bandages regularly. Use only the ones boiled in water. Do you hear me?"
In truth, Arthur had soaked the bandages they used in [Wine].
[Wine]: When manifested and drunk, it tempers the spirit. When applied topically, it accelerates the healing of external cuts and bruises.
Although Arthur didn't know if the [Wine] could prevent infection, it had to be far better than wrapping wounds in dirty rags as they were accustomed to doing.
A cavalryman who had taken an arrow to the knee said, "Yes, My Lord. You are so brave; listening to you can't be wrong."
Arthur laughed and scolded him, "This has nothing to do with my bravery. If you don't want to become a one-legged cavalryman, do as I say."
After chatting with the wounded and the guards for a while, seeing their spirits were high, Arthur spurred Shadow and rode up and down the length of the column.
The troops were brimming with the joy of victory. Every cavalryman and guard looked at him with awe and respect.
Riding at the front, Ser Barton saw Arthur approach and sighed with emotion. "Arthur, I didn't expect it to go so smoothly. Departing at midnight, arriving at dawn, launching a surprise attack, and taking the castle in one stroke."
Arthur: "Mainly because Adric never expected us to be so decisive and move so quickly. He had no time to be warned or to react."
Arthur knew very well that this kind of long-range raid relied entirely on speed and surprise.
If the target had been prepared, it would have been an incredibly risky maneuver.
Obviously, even in the Seven Hells, Adric wouldn't have guessed that while Starfall was mustering bannermen to fight the Vulture King, they would suddenly turn and strike him.
It was enough to make a man lose his head in confusion—literally.
Ser Barton lamented, "Adric went to sleep last night a lord, and woke up this morning to lose his head. But given his deeds, he certainly deserved it."
"My Lord, that beheading stroke was clean and handsome! Can you teach me?" Wick chimed in from the side, mimicking a chopping motion.
"Much handsomer than the throat-slitting we saw in Pentos."
Arthur rapped Wick on the head. "Your thoughts are dangerous. Have some reverence for life."
Wick clutched his head and immediately changed the subject. "My Lord, do you think when we return to Starfall, Edric and the others will think we are coming back in defeat?"
Vic added, "I bet most of them will think exactly that."
Arthur smirked. Following Vic's lead, he said, "Why don't we bet on it? I wager they won't."
This little betting game attracted many participants, though the stakes were small.
---
Starfall, The Sept
Several candles burned before the statue of the Warrior, one of the Seven, illuminating the faces of those praying.
Allyria knelt on a cushion, hands clasped together, praying to the Warrior for Arthur's safety.
Beside her, Edric, who hadn't slept well the night before, was sound asleep.
Nearby, Septon Arles held a censer burning with incense. He was so sleepy he kept yawning, his head nodding down slowly before jerking back up.
Thump, thump, thump—
The sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the Sept.
Edric woke up, rubbing his eyes groggily. He saw Keller, the steward's son, running in from the door.
He shouted as he ran, "Lady Allyria..."
"Keller!" Allyria interrupted him angrily. "Did I not say not to disturb me while I am praying?"
Keller, who had run in full of excitement, shrank back at her tone. "It... it was Maester Oswell who sent me to find you."
Allyria demanded, her face dark, "What could be more important right now than praying to the Seven for Arthur's safe return?"
Keller braced himself. "A raven arrived from Beacon Tower. It is a letter written by Lord Arthur. The letter says they have already taken Beacon Tower, and Ser Bard captured the Lord of Beacon Tower, Ser Adric.
"By the time on the letter, they are already on their way back."
Allyria looked at Keller blankly. "Wh... what did you say?"
Keller had no choice but to repeat himself.
Allyria turned to look at the candle she had lit personally that morning before the Warrior. It hadn't even burned out yet. Then she looked at the sky outside the window.
Allyria let out a deep breath and said to Keller, "Take me to Maester Oswell. Keller, if you dare lie to me, I will whip you myself."
Allyria tried to stand, but her legs were numb from kneeling so long. Fortunately, Edric, now fully awake, supported her.
Edric: "Aunt Allyria, if Keller dares to lie to you, you don't need to do it. I'll whip him for you."
Keller grimaced. "How would I dare lie about such a thing?"
Allyria glared at him sideways but said nothing. With Edric's help, she limped to the small council chamber in the main keep.
Only Maester Oswell was in the room.
Allyria sat in the chair nearest the door. "Is what Keller said true?"
"I am not entirely sure." Maester Oswell looked puzzled as he handed the letter to Allyria.
"This is indeed Arthur's handwriting, and it was indeed sent from Beacon Tower. But I am unsure... this is... too fast."
Allyria read the letter. The content matched what Keller had said. It was Arthur's hand.
It detailed the entire process of Arthur's judgment of Ser Adric, and the sentence he passed.
Seeing the Maester's suspicious expression, Allyria thought to herself:
Of course it's fast. I haven't even finished my prayers, the candle is still warm, and Arthur has not only fought the battle but finished the trial as well.
Edric scanned the letter, stumbling over some words he didn't know. "Should we go to the city gates to welcome them?"
Allyria: "We must go."
Maester Oswell added, "And summon the bannermen currently in the castle to join us."