Bab 76: Chapter 76: Submission
"Mother? Where are you going?"
Watching her mother walk toward the Dornishmen, Natalie felt a sudden panic.
She didn't understand what was happening, but a terrible feeling swept over her, as if her mother had suddenly become a stranger—someone who might leave her forever.
Samwell reached out, gently stopping her. "Don't worry," he reassured her. "Your mother is just returning to where she came from."
"Where she came from? What do you mean?"
"Your mother is from Starfall. She is a noblewoman of House Dayne," Samwell explained, tousling Natalie's soft hair. "And you, too, are part of House Dayne."
Natalie's violet eyes widened in shock as she tried to absorb this news.
Thoughts raced through her mind so quickly she felt completely at a loss for words, frozen in place.
Meanwhile, Ashara had reached the Dornishmen and approached an older knight, asking, "Sir Moutar, do you remember me?"
"Lady Ashara…it's really you!" The old knight's voice trembled with disbelief. "But…but weren't you…"
"Yes," Ashara replied, "I did try to throw myself into the Summer Sea many years ago. But the gods had other plans for me; they did not let me drown."
"Praise the Seven!" The old knight traced a seven-pointed star on his chest, his face filled with joy.
In that moment, he realized that Ashara's return would end any dispute over the lordship of Starfall. No longer would schemers plot to take it for themselves. As Lady Ashara Dayne, she was now the rightful heir to Starfall and its title!
Ashara smiled slightly and turned to greet the other knights of House Dayne, addressing each by name.
She even recognized some of the older soldiers from the house, calling each one by name as well.
At this, the Dornishmen were left with no doubt as to her identity.
And with things so uncertain for them, Ashara's return seemed like a beacon of hope to the Dornish soldiers.
With a few of the knights leading the way, the Dornishmen knelt before Ashara, raising their swords above their heads in salute, and proclaimed loudly:
"Honored Lady Ashara Dayne, we pledge ourselves to your service. From this day forward, we—"
Ashara, however, gently shook her head, interrupting their oath.
The men looked up, bewildered. "Lady Ashara, why won't you accept our oaths? Surely, you understand that House Dayne needs you to return to Starfall to claim its title!"
"No. The day I jumped from the White Stone Tower, Ashara Dayne ceased to be. Now, I am Nara, servant of the Old Gods and chieftain of the Crow Clan, and so I cannot return to rule Starfall."
Before anyone could object, she continued, "However, my daughter can go with you."
"You have a daughter?" The Dornishmen looked on, startled, but then hope rekindled in their eyes.
"Yes." Ashara turned and beckoned her daughter over.
Natalie, seeing her mother's gesture, hurried over.
Samwell watched, thoughtful, as the scene unfolded.
"Mother!" Natalie grasped her mother's hand, shrinking back a bit behind her.
Ashara gently pulled Natalie forward and addressed the Dornishmen.
"This is my daughter, Natalie Dayne."
One of the Dornish knights hesitated before asking, "And…who is Natalie's father?"
"Of course, he was my husband, the former chieftain of the Crow Clan, Ruen."
The knights exchanged uncertain looks.
Ashara had emphasized the word "husband," making it clear that Natalie was a legitimate child, a true Dayne, and not an illegitimate "Sand."
Still, they couldn't ignore the fact that she was part wildling, bearing the blood of the clans beyond the Dornish lands. In terms of lineage, her noble blood was less pure than even that of some bastards of Starfall.
In the face of their silent hesitation, Natalie shrank further, her small form trembling slightly.
At this, Samwell stepped forward, addressing the young squire from earlier.
"Hughes, your former lord is gone. The gods have given you a new choice, so make the most of it."
Realizing Samwell's meaning, Hughes quickly knelt before Natalie, proclaiming loudly:
"Honored Lady Natalie Dayne, I, Hughes Dayne, pledge my service to you. From this day forward, my sword is yours alone!"
Natalie seemed overwhelmed, unsure how to respond until Samwell gave her a gentle nudge. She finally managed, "I…accept your service."
Hughes rose and turned to his fellow Dornishmen, urging, "What are you waiting for? Will you refuse to swear fealty to Starfall's rightful heir? Have you forgotten your oaths?"
The other Dornishmen exchanged uncertain glances, but seeing Samwell and his soldiers watching them closely, they eventually knelt one by one, pledging their loyalty to Natalie.
After all, they knew better than to push the issue of Natalie's heritage with Samwell Caesar's massive war hammer looming nearby.
Even Samwell was somewhat surprised that Ashara had chosen not to reclaim Starfall, instead entrusting it to her daughter.
But this arrangement actually worked out in his favor.
Ashara was seasoned and shrewd; as the Lady of Starfall, she would surely prevent him from gaining too much power and would insist on consulting him in all matters. Natalie, however, was still young and impressionable. If he didn't drain Starfall of its resources, he'd be showing a lot of restraint…
Additionally, because of her mixed heritage, Natalie would need the support of an outsider like Samwell to keep any dissenting factions in Starfall under control.
In short, this setup made it much easier for Samwell to wield influence over Starfall from behind the scenes.
Whether Ashara had considered this or simply trusted Samwell, he couldn't say.
"Excellent!" Samwell clapped his hands, smiling broadly. "Lady Natalie, now that you're the new ruler of Starfall, we'll need to discuss reparations for this war."
Natalie blinked, then looked to her mother for guidance. But Ashara simply smiled and said, "From now on, you'll have to make such decisions on your own."
Left with no choice, Natalie turned to Hughes and the other Dornishmen for help.
But Samwell cleared his throat, and the men instantly averted their gazes, suddenly fascinated by the ground beneath their feet.
Natalie pouted slightly and said, "Alright, Sir Caesar…What reparations are you seeking?"
Samwell's grin widened, his teeth gleaming. "Don't worry, Natalie. I'll be fair. I just need appropriate compensation. Let's start with the injured and the fallen among my soldiers. You'd agree they deserve some form of reparation?"
"Uh…yes. How much?"
"Ten coppers for minor injuries, five silver stags for severe injuries, and three gold dragons for each death." He rattled off the figures swiftly and, before Natalie could process them, continued, "And then there's the cost of repairing the damage to our buildings from the battle. You'd cover that, right?"
"I…yes, I suppose."
"And those barrels of brandy! You know how expensive that is, and they were all destroyed in this conflict. My heart is bleeding. But I won't overcharge you—twenty silver stags per gallon sounds fair, right?"
"Uh…"
"Then there's the castle! You saw the damage to the outer walls, and the cost of repairs…plus the delays in construction. I think Starfall should not only cover the expenses but also send craftsmen to assist. Doesn't that sound reasonable?"
"…"
"Then there's the matter of the elderly and children in the charity home. They were all relocated because of the war, unsettled and worried. A little compensation for their suffering seems fair, wouldn't you say?"
"…"
Natalie, overwhelmed by all these unfamiliar terms, rubbed her forehead in frustration and finally said, "Alright, Sir Caesar. Just give me the final total when you're done. I don't even know if I can afford it… And, am I truly the new Lady of Starfall?"
"Of course you are! You're the rightful heir to House Dayne now!" Samwell replied, beaming. "As for the money, don't worry—I'm a generous man. I'll allow you to pay in installments."
"What's 'installments'?"
"It means you can repay the debt gradually if you can't cover it all at once."
"Oh! Thank you, Sir Caesar. That's very kind of you."
"No thanks needed—it's what any gentleman would do."
Ashara watched from a distance, suddenly doubting her choice of placing Natalie in charge of Starfall. Perhaps, she thought, this might not have been the wisest decision…
(End of Chapter)
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