Chapter 63: The Visit

Starfall.

On the eastern side of the Starfall docks, Samwell finished wandering through a bustling market before entering a small wooden cabin.

Inside, Natalie stood by the window, remaining completely still as a young artist, covered in various dyes, worked intently on a canvas before her.

"Is it finished yet?"

"Almost! Just a little longer, if you could bear with me."

Samwell walked over to stand behind the artist, examining the portrait with a critical eye.

Well... it was decent.

The painting lacked any real spirit, but it at least captured the likeness.

For a local artist plucked from the market, it wasn't a bad effort. Samwell could only expect so much.

Once the artist added the finishing touches, Samwell tossed him a silver stag.

"Is it done? Let me see!" Natalie massaged her sore back and then hurried over to admire the painting.

The young girl, in contrast, was quite taken. This was likely her first time seeing an oil painting, and that it was her own portrait only made her more captivated. She couldn't tear her eyes away.

But before she could fully enjoy it, Samwell snatched the painting from her.

"Hey! I wasn't finished looking at it!"

"If you want to see yourself, look in a mirror. I need this painting."

"What do you need my painting for?" Natalie seemed to suddenly catch on, eyeing him with suspicion.

"That's grown-up business. Children shouldn't ask too many questions." Samwell deflected as he headed out.

Natalie let out a little huff and quickly followed him.

Outside, Samwell signaled to two guards, then turned to Natalie and said,

"They'll accompany you while you continue exploring the market. I have some business to take care of, but I'll be back shortly."

"Where are you going?" Natalie's face tightened with alarm. "I want to come with you!"

Samwell pointed toward the towering castle in the distance.

"I'm going to pay a visit to House Dayne. You wait here."

"Why can't I come with you?" Natalie suddenly looked very hurt.

"Next time." Samwell started off with a wave, not turning back. "Next time, for sure."

---

"Ser Ulrick, thank you for your hospitality," Samwell said as he finished eating a small piece of bread with salt and gave a courteous bow.

"Welcome to Starfall, Ser Caesar." Ulrick Sand replied with a forced smile.

He made little effort to mask his dislike.

Samwell wasn't bothered by Ulrick's demeanor. Given the centuries-old enmity between the Reach and Dorne, the fact that Starfall's acting lord remained polite at all was, if anything, a display of restraint.

They entered the castle and took seats in the drawing room.

Maids brought coffee and sweet treats before quietly leaving.

"Ser Caesar, what brings you to Starfall?" Ulrick asked.

Samwell took a sip of coffee, smiling pleasantly.

"Oh, nothing in particular. I just thought it might be nice to meet the neighbors. As you know, I'm establishing a new holding on Eagle's Nest."

Ulrick interrupted rudely,

"Well, you'd best hurry up and finish your castle, then. Until it's completed, Eagle's Nest isn't truly your land."

"Soon, soon." Samwell paid no mind to the jab. "About two years from now, the castle should be complete."

"Two years…" Ulrick took mental note of the timeline. "Not bad. Quite a decent pace."

Samwell immediately launched into a mock complaint.

"Sigh, if only those wildlings didn't slack off so much, it'd go even faster. And the land on Eagle's Nest is so poor and rocky that it's impossible to grow anything. I have to import everything, and it's costing me a fortune…"

Ulrick, uninterested in the complaining, cut him off.

"I heard you found a silver mine on Eagle's Nest?"

"Yes. But it's barely enough to support so many people." Samwell wore a troubled expression. "I've had no choice but to start brewing liquor for sale. Ser Ulrick, would you like to buy some?"

Intrigued, Ulrick recalled what he had heard from those ships investigating Eagle's Nest and asked,

"What kind of liquor are you brewing?"

"It's made from wild grapes. I call it brandy. I even brought some along this time, so you can try it yourself."

With that, Samwell gestured to Kartu, who brought out a flask of brandy and poured Ulrick a glass.

The strong aroma quickly drew Ulrick's interest.

He took a sip and downed the whole glass in one go.

Dornish people often enjoyed adding spices to their wine, so this distilled spirit with its potent flavor was an instant hit.

"It's excellent!" Ulrick couldn't help but compliment the drink.

Samwell seized the opportunity to propose,

"If you think it would sell well in Dorne, perhaps we could partner up. I supply the brandy, and you handle sales."

Ulrick's eyes narrowed as he cautiously asked,

"What's your selling price?"

"Ten silver stags per gallon. That's the standard rate I offer the Tyrells, the Hightowers, and House Redwyne."

"You're already working with those three houses?"

"Yes, indeed. But in Dorne, you would be my first partner and perhaps the only one."

Ulrick turned the glass in his hands, deep in thought.

He noticed that Samwell kept saying "partner with me" instead of "partner with House Dayne."

This meant that any profits from selling the brandy would go directly to his own pockets.

As Starfall's acting lord, he knew that collaborating with a Reachman, especially one building a holding near the Torrentine's estuary, was controversial at best.

But Ulrick was tempted nonetheless.

As a bastard, he knew that no matter how long he served as acting lord or how well he managed, Starfall would never truly be his.

However, the profits from brandy sales would be.

Besides, Ulrick was aware that once the rightful heir, Lord Edric Dayne, came of age, his role as acting lord would end.

Given that, why not make a little profit before the power slipped from his hands?

As for Eagle's Nest as a potential threat, well, the castle wouldn't be done for two years. Let Edric deal with it when the time came.

With that thought, Ulrick's demeanor softened, and a genuine smile emerged.

"Very well, Ser Caesar. I'd be pleased to partner with you."

Samwell relaxed slightly, knowing that the immediate danger to his holding was now temporarily averted.

They sealed the deal with a contract, agreeing on the details of the brandy supply. Then Samwell casually changed the subject.

"Oh, by the way, Ser Ulrick, on my way here, I happened to see a portrait at the market. The woman in it had chestnut hair and violet eyes—looked quite like someone from House Dayne. Would you happen to know her?"

Samwell signaled Kartu to bring out Natalie's portrait.

Ulrick glanced at it, then smiled,

"It must be Lady Ashara Dayne in her youth. Where did you find this painting?"

"From a trader who passed through Eagle's Nest." Samwell replied, a hopeful glint in his eye. "Is Lady Ashara married?"

Ulrick gave him a knowing look, seeming to guess his intentions, then shook his head.

"I'm afraid, Ser Caesar, that Lady Ashara sadly died at sea over a decade ago."

Samwell adopted a disappointed expression.

Ulrick chuckled, "Ser Caesar, the last eligible lady of House Dayne's main line married into Blackmont. If you're interested, I could introduce you to a few ladies of our cadet branches."

"No need for that." Samwell laughed it off and quickly changed the subject.

Inwardly, he was now certain of the true identity of the mysterious chieftain of the Crow's Tribe.

(End of Chapter)