บท 42: Chapter 42: Arbor Island
After spending three days in Sunhouse, watching ships loaded with food and supplies set sail towards Eagle's Beak, Samwell finally felt a bit relieved and formally bid farewell to Viscount Brandon Cuy.
Thus, amid Brandon's warm send-off and Alice's disappointed gaze, Samwell and his entourage boarded a ship bound for Arbor Island and set sail.
The journey was smooth, and just six days later, their ship crossed the Redwyne Straits and reached Arbor Island.
The island is famous for its vineyards, producing the coveted Arbor Gold, a wine prized by the Seven Kingdoms' nobility and known for its premium price—earning the title of "liquid gold."
But it wasn't wine alone that made House Redwyne one of the Reach's most influential families; it was the Arbor Fleet. This fleet, alongside the Royal Fleet and the Iron Fleet, is among the top three naval forces in Westeros, capable of influencing the Seven Kingdoms' politics.
Under the afternoon sun, Samwell walked off the gangplank at a measured pace.
The bustling docks were filled with laborers hauling bags of goods onto merchant ships, shouting their work songs loudly as they loaded cargo.
Watching the scene, Samwell's guards couldn't help but show nostalgia. Just half a year ago, they had been like those laborers, working tirelessly with heavy cargo and barely earning enough to eat. Now, their fates had changed entirely.
Thinking of this, the guards looked at their lord with admiration and loyalty.
Samwell's arrival, however, did not cause a stir. Although Todd Flower had sent a letter ahead explaining the purpose of their visit, Samwell's current reputation wasn't enough to earn a grand welcome from House Redwyne.
In fact, no family members came to greet them at all; they only sent a servant.
This treatment was a bit of a slight.
Even after Samwell entered the castle and spent half a day drinking tea in the reception hall, he still hadn't met Lord Paxter Redwyne.
By now, even Todd Florent looked deeply offended. However, Samwell still appeared calm and indifferent.
In truth, Samwell had expected this cold reception. Given that, according to Lady Olenna's original plans, Eagle's Nest was technically meant to be his but was supposed to be under House Redwyne's control.
Now that he had defied their arrangement, it wasn't surprising Paxter Redwyne would show him a bit of attitude.
But he was in no rush.
Having secured a supply agreement with Sunhouse's Viscount Cuy, the immediate food shortage in his lands was addressed, so he wasn't as dependent on Redwyne's support as before.
As for the brandy, he wasn't desperate for Redwyne's help in selling it.
Of course, the Redwynes would have been an ideal partner; they had well-established distribution channels and could swiftly bring brandy to the tables of Westerosi nobility. Marketing it under the Arbor Island name would also make it easier to build a reputation for brandy.
But if House Redwyne didn't want to cooperate, there were always alternatives.
With this in mind, Samwell felt no urgency and watched calmly to see what Paxter Redwyne might do next.
Only as the sun began to set did someone finally enter the reception hall.
"Oh, so dark in here! Someone bring some candles!"
"Apologies, apologies, Samwell, for making you wait so long."
The visitors were Paxter's twin sons, Horas and Hobber Redwyne.
The brothers looked nearly identical—square faces, orange hair, and freckled cheeks.
However, they were easy to tell apart.
The elder, Horas, was taller with a sharp, aggressive gaze that seemed to challenge everyone. The younger, Hobber, spoke with a slur, as if his mouth was perpetually full of water.
"No worries; the journey was long, so we've had time to rest up," Samwell replied with a light smile.
Horas stared at Samwell for a while and said, "Samwell, you've changed a lot over the years."
Hobber nodded in agreement, "Yeah, lost a lot of weight. Have you not been eating well lately?"
Horas immediately added, "In a desolate place like the Red Mountains, I imagine it's hard to get a decent meal, haha…"
As they laughed, Samwell watched the two brothers with an indifferent smile, as if he were watching a couple of fools.
Fragments of memories belonging to the original Samwell surfaced, reminding him that he actually had some history with the Redwyne twins.
Back when Lord Randyll Tarly hadn't entirely given up on his eldest son, he had taken Samwell to Arbor Island, hoping to arrange a marriage between Samwell and Paxter's daughter, Desmera Redwyne.
But unfortunately, young Samwell didn't live up to expectations, failing to win Lord Paxter's favor and crying miserably after Horas and Hobber ridiculed him. It had been a humiliating memory.
"It's true; it's easy to go hungry there," Samwell answered without taking their mockery to heart. "That's why I came to Arbor Island, hoping to secure House Redwyne's support in providing food and supplies for Eagle's eyrie."
Although he already had a supply agreement with Sunhouse, Samwell wouldn't mind a second supplier.
After all, relying solely on House Cuy could be risky. If Lord Brandon decided to break the deal one day or insisted on pressing the marriage with Alice, what then?
"Well…" Horas smiled slyly, "let's wait for my father to discuss that."
"Is Lord Redwyne not on the island?"
"Oh, he's here, but he's off touring the lands right now."
"When will he return?"
"It's hard to say; it could be tomorrow or next week… Arbor Island is so large, I'm not sure where he is at the moment."
Listening to this, Samwell kept his smile but mentally cursed them.
"In that case, we won't intrude. We have other matters and will likely leave tomorrow."
"You're leaving tomorrow?" Horas seemed taken aback by Samwell's declaration.
"Yes." Samwell smiled. "I still need to visit Oldtown."
"Will you be stopping by Arbor Island on your way back?" Hobber quickly asked.
"Depends on how things go," Samwell replied, showing a hint of indifference, "perhaps if we have time. I do hope Lord Paxter is available then."
Horas's expression shifted, and after a pause, he forced a smile.
"Well then, I'll have rooms prepared for you to rest."
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
Samwell strode confidently out of the room, causing the Redwyne twins to exchange surprised glances.
But soon, they shared a wordless look and sped up to walk alongside Samwell.
The hallway doors were narrow, barely allowing two to pass shoulder-to-shoulder. But the twins didn't step aside, instead moving in unison to crowd him—
Thunk!
With one powerful motion, Samwell stepped out the door, leaving the two brothers stumbling, nearly falling over.
"Oh! I'm so sorry; are you two alright?" Samwell feigned surprise, turning back.
Horas, gritting his teeth against the pain and shock, forced a grin.
"No worries. We… just tripped."
"Ah, so it was." Samwell nodded with understanding. "I thought maybe you two hadn't eaten enough."
Ignoring their reddening faces, he strode ahead without looking back.
(End of Chapter)
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