Compared to the massive procession that traveled to Sunspear for the tourney, this group was much smaller, numbering barely a dozen people.
It included Gerold, Jimmy, Arthur's two squires Penrose and Zack, Septon Alester, a few cavalry guards led by Lothor Brune, along with cooks and servants.
While Ser Williams trained the levies at Starpost Keep, he hadn't neglected the construction of the road from Starpost to the Boneway.
The road was paved smoothly with stone slabs. Hooves clattered crisply on the surface, significantly speeding up the progress of Arthur's small party.
Arthur arrived at Yronwood nearly five days earlier than planned.
The Dornish side of the Boneway was guarded by the garrison of Yronwood. Yronwood castle marked the beginning of the Boneway, which extended north past Wyl, ending at Summerhall in the Dornish Marches.
"Ser Arthur, you are truly worthy of the name Sword of the Morning."
Lord Anders Yronwood and Prince Quentyn personally welcomed him at the gates, praising his victory in the Reach.
Afterward, Lord Anders enthusiastically arranged a welcome banquet, preparing a feast of rich food and wine to host them.
The banquet was held in the castle's Great Hall.
Under the candlelight, silver cutlery gleamed, and the aroma of roasted meat filled the air.
During the feast, Arthur saw Ynys Yronwood, now a married woman. She appeared to be pregnant, her swollen belly visible under her loose gown.
Her husband, Ser Ryon Allyrion, stayed by her side constantly, pouring her wine and serving her food. They looked like a loving couple.
Ynys was the heir to Yronwood, and Ser Ryon was the heir to Godsgrace. Although there was an age gap, their statuses were indeed a match made in heaven.
"Ser Arthur, could you tell me about your bold feat of crossing the Red Mountains to seize Ring?"
Prince Quentyn seemed to have accepted the reality that his beloved was now another man's wife. He sat beside Arthur, chatting calmly as Arthur ate.
Arthur briefly recounted the capture of Ring between bites: using wildling raids to lure out the Roxton cavalry, ambushing and destroying them, capturing Earl Quentyn Roxton, and finally besieging Ring to crush the Roxton vassals and levies one by one, taking the castle almost bloodlessly.
Of course, Arthur omitted the part about Sharpwing.
Even so, Quentyn and his close friend, Ser Cletus Yronwood—Lord Anders' eldest son—listened in awe.
They thought the battlefield was like the tourney grounds: two armies lining up to fight it out, a contest of valor and courage. They hadn't expected so many twists and turns.
The banquet lasted from noon until nightfall.
Arthur stood on the castle's gallery bridge. The night at Yronwood was cool, and the mountain air was fresh and sweet.
Looking out from there, he could see a river not far from the castle, flowing east into the Sea of Dorne. The water shimmered under the moonlight like a pulsating silver ribbon.
The lands around the castle were fertile, the forests dense and lush as far as the eye could see.
It was well known that Yronwood's domains were rich in iron, tin, and silver deposits.
Arthur sighed. This was truly a prime territory. No wonder House Yronwood was the most powerful bannerman under House Martell.
"Ser Arthur, sorry to keep you waiting." Lord Anders' voice came from the side.
"The scenery here is pleasant and rare in Dorne. I didn't feel like I waited long." Arthur turned to see Lord Anders walking from the other side of the gallery.
"Lord Anders, why did you ask to meet me alone?"
"Just call me Anders." He stood beside Arthur. "Arthur, what do you think of my daughter?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Lady Ynys and Ser Ryon seem very happy in their marriage."
"I meant my youngest daughter, Gwyneth."
During the feast, Arthur had seen Gwyneth sitting next to Anders. She was a small, thin girl with dark eyes and brown hair, making her stand out among the blue-eyed, blond Yronwoods.
"Please speak plainly," Arthur said.
"I intend to betroth Gwyneth to Edric Dayne," Lord Anders said.
"You are heading to King's Landing to face an inquiry. This is precisely when Starfall needs allies the most. If you are willing, we can announce the betrothal between our two houses immediately."
Proposing a marriage alliance at this time was indeed a timely help, full of sincerity.
Arthur was silent for a moment before shaking his head. "Anders, I appreciate your kindness very much, but I must refuse this marriage proposal."
Anders was surprised and frowned. "May I ask why?"
"I want Edric to decide his own marriage and life," Arthur said, quoting the Red Viper. "He can marry whomever he wants. Or not marry at all, and find his own happiness. There is little enough happiness in this world."
A strange look crossed Anders' eyes. He shook his head and said, "Countless examples tell us that nobles who pursue freedom in marriage usually don't end well.
"I can give you time to consider. You can tell me if you change your mind before you leave Yronwood."
Ultimately, when Arthur and Prince Quentyn left Yronwood, he had not changed his mind.
Upon leaving Yronwood, the size of the group had doubled to about thirty people.
They traveled north along the Boneway, stopping by Wyl along the way. Finally, as they were about to exit the Boneway and reach the Dornish Marches, they were intercepted by a squad of cavalry.
Ser Cletus Yronwood's hand went to his sword hilt, his expression alert. "Careful. That's the lightning banner of House Dondarrion of Blackhaven."
Blackhaven, the seat of House Dondarrion, was located north of Wyl, near the Dornish border. It was a military stronghold guarding the Boneway against Dornish invasions and a key center for suppressing mountain bandits.
Arthur raised a hand to signal calm. "No need to be nervous. They are not hostile."
The lead knight rode up, his armor gleaming in the sun. "Is this the party of Ser Arthur Snow, the Sword of the Morning?"
Upon receiving confirmation, the knight said, "My liege, Lord Beric, has prepared a feast at Blackhaven. Please, follow me."
"My aunt, Allyria Dayne, is a guest at Blackhaven," Arthur explained to Quentyn and the others. "I notified her in advance of our arrival."
Quentyn nodded. "Resting in a castle is naturally excellent."
Blackhaven had walls of black basalt and a dry moat rumored to be bottomless.
Compared to the great castles of the Seven Kingdoms, it was small and austere, but it had withstood countless invasions from Red Mountain wildlings and Dornishmen.
Withdrawing his gaze from the purple lightning on black banner fluttering atop Blackhaven's tower, Arthur suddenly realized that his Kingdoms system panel, which had been silent for a long time, had unlocked a new card.