Three days had passed since the capture of the giant vulture. In those three days, no wildlings had crossed the river to raid or harass the east bank.
Meanwhile, Ser Craig, the Lord of Vulture's Roost, sent word that the Vulture King had intensified his assault on the castle. Wildlings had breached the battlements several times.
He also observed the wildlings constructing siege engines—a crude battering ram on wheels.
Besides reporting the situation, Ser Craig very tactfully expressed his need for support, hoping Arthur's forces would cross the river soon for a decisive battle, and promising that he would lead his garrison out to join the fight rather than sitting idly by.
Arthur could read between the lines: Ser Craig was subtly accusing his allies of standing by while he was in peril.
That morning, in addition to Ser Craig's plea, the Maester of High Hermitage finally received the long-awaited letter from Blackmont.
Captain of the Guard: "Lord Arthur, the Maester received a raven from Blackmont this morning. It is a letter from Lady Alerie."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "What does it say?"
The Captain smiled. "Lady Alerie writes that Lady Larra Blackmont has agreed to send troops to aid us. Upon receiving Starfall's message about the Vulture King in the Red Mountains, Blackmont began summoning its bannermen and mustering levies immediately."
"The Blackmont army will arrive at High Hermitage to join us in three days at the latest."
Arthur looked at the Captain, waiting for more. When the Captain remained silent, he asked, "And?"
The Captain looked confused. "And what?"
Arthur: "Did Lady Alerie mention her own situation? Did she say if she has already departed to return, or if she is traveling with the Blackmont army?"
The Captain shook his head. "Uh... the letter doesn't mention that. I brought it with me. Would you like to see?"
The Captain handed the letter to Arthur.
"She didn't mention it?"
Arthur scanned the letter. As the Captain said, it was very brief.
Arthur held the letter, deep in thought. After a moment, he stood up and ordered, "Notify the lords in the castle. I am convening a war council. We attack the Vulture King immediately."
"We aren't waiting for the Blackmont army?"
"No."
After the Captain left to convey the order, Arthur read Lady Alerie's letter carefully again.
Aside from not mentioning her own safety, the few lines revealed that Lady Alerie's mission had gone too smoothly.
It seemed she had barely arrived before the agreement was struck. Furthermore, House Blackmont had asked for nothing in return.
House Dayne of Starfall and House Blackmont of Blackmont were both vassals of Prince Doran Martell. Their status was equal—both were major houses of Dorne. There was no feudal obligation for one to answer the other's call to arms without orders from Sunspear.
Arthur found it hard to believe that House Blackmont would be so kind-hearted as to rush into a war for no reason.
When things are abnormal, demons are afoot. Given the murky connection between House Blackmont and the Vulture King, Arthur couldn't help but be suspicious.
However, Arthur couldn't stop the Blackmont army from coming. Starfall had sent an envoy to request aid; telling them to turn back after they agreed would be a grave insult.
So, Arthur decided to finish the job before the Blackmont army arrived.
When Arthur finished the meal Wick brought him and arrived at the council chamber, the key figures of the army were already assembled.
The atmosphere in the room was remarkably relaxed.
Before Arthur could explain why he wanted to attack immediately without waiting for the Blackmonts, Viscount Dimitri spoke up happily.
"Arthur, I saw the giant vulture you brought back yesterday. It's enormous. Since it was controlled by the Vulture King, and now we've captured it, I imagine we can capture the Vulture King himself in one battle."
The old Master-at-Arms, Ser Clegg, stroked his beard. "Without the vulture, the Vulture King can no longer know our every move as before."
"Arthur, I think your plan is sound. If we wait for the Blackmont army, the Vulture King might see the disadvantage and retreat into the Red Mountains with his wildlings. That would make things difficult."
"My Lord, the soldiers saw the giant vulture you captured yesterday. They all believe it is a sign from the Seven, foretelling our victory." Ser Williams drew the longsword at his waist.
"My Lord, give the order. Let us go and wipe out those savages."
Even the Captain of the Guard, who had previously harbored doubts, spoke earnestly. "Lord Arthur, I was too cautious before. I questioned your decisions, and I was wrong."
"I was dissatisfied when you ordered the cavalry to disperse, causing injuries. But facts have proven your wisdom—you captured the vulture in one stroke."
Hearing everyone speak, Arthur opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.
Before coming to the hall, he had prepared several arguments to persuade them. He hadn't expected them to be clamoring for him to give the order before he even spoke.
It felt like winding up for a punch only to hit cotton.
Arthur scanned the room and gave the command: "Muster the army. We cross the river past noon to hunt the falcon!"
With Arthur's order, everyone in High Hermitage sprang into action.
Knights donned leather and chainmail with the help of their squires.
The Stable Master shouted at the stable boys to feed the horses well.
Guards oiled their swords and spears, rushing to the smiths to repair any damaged armor.
Archers checked their bows and arrows, discarding damaged shafts.
Levies gulped down soft white bread and peppery vegetable-meat stew from the kitchens, memorizing their commanders' basic orders: forward, backward, left, right, raise spears, thrust, recover.
Septons in the crowded sept responded to the prayers of the faithful, boosting morale in the name of the Seven.
Soon, the noon sun passed its zenith. An army of over 3,700 men stood ready.
Before setting out, Arthur selected seven wildlings from the fifteen captives—those known to have committed murder and arson—and brought them to the training yard.
Before the assembled host, Arthur read out their crimes against the people of Starfall's lands. Then, one by one, he beheaded them as a sacrifice to the gods and to boost morale.
Each time Arthur swung the Valyrian steel sword , the soldiers below shouted in unison.
"Long live the Seven!"
"Long live Starfall!"
"Long live the Falcon Catcher!"
With the seventh swing and the fall of the final head, the army began to march out of High Hermitage.
The army was divided into three parts as before: the Left Wing of 2,200 men commanded by Ser Clegg, the Right Wing of 1,200 men commanded by Ser Williams, and the Cavalry of 350 leather and mail-clad riders commanded by Arthur himself.
Arthur assigned over thirty cavalrymen skilled in mounted archery and scouting to Ser Bard, tasking them with reconnaissance and screening for the main force.
He appointed Zach Stone as his standard-bearer, carrying his banner by his side.
Wick and Vic served as messengers to convey his orders.
As they crossed the stone bridge:
Wick asked, "My Lord, what do you think Jimmy Sunderland will say when I tell him about us killing enemies on the battlefield and capturing the vulture?"
Vic replied, "He'll be mad with envy. He wants to be a knight so badly."
Wick chuckled. "Can only blame his bad luck for catching an arrow."
Hearing their lighthearted banter, Arthur could tell they were actually very nervous.
Arthur rapped on Wick's helmet. "You'd better pray you don't catch an arrow, or I'll be down one brave squire."
Wick straightened his helmet, still stubborn. "I never just act brave. I stormed Beacon Tower with My Lord and killed men."
Arthur: "Killing men isn't something to brag about. But killing enemies on the battlefield... that is indeed worth boasting of."