The next morning, when Samwell encountered Nathalie in the hallway, her face turned as red as a ripe apple. He was about to greet her, but she quickly curtsied and then darted away like a startled rabbit, leaving Samwell watching her retreat with a bemused expression.
They hadn't even done anything significant the previous evening—a kiss was all Nathalie had been brave enough to give before running off.
At breakfast, Samwell found her already seated, diligently focusing on her plate of pie, refusing to meet his gaze. He walked over, ruffling her hair to get a rise out of her, which earned him a playful protest that eventually eased the tension between them—at least on the surface.
After breakfast, they strolled around the castle grounds, chatting as they had before. Later, they headed to the knights' hall together, where the gathering of House Dayne's vassals was already underway. Among them was a woman who caught Samwell's eye: Oberyn Martell's illegitimate daughter, Nymeria Sand, known as the "Sand Snake."
Named after the legendary warrior queen of the Rhoynar, Nymeria had dark eyes and brown hair, with skin as fair as ivory and a slim, willow-like frame. Despite her delicate appearance, her belt was lined with several knives, suggesting she was as dangerous as she was cunning.
Standing at the head of the hall, Nathalie glanced toward Samwell and her mother, Ashara, gathering courage from their presence.
"Everyone, thank you for coming. I have an important announcement," Natalie's voice rang out clearly through the hall. "The Iron Throne has declared war on House Martell, after 'the Red Viper' was accused of murdering three members of the council and refused to face trial—"
"Hold on a moment," came an abrupt interruption.
Samwell turned toward the voice and saw it was Nymeria Sand.
"Lady Nymeria, interrupting the countess is highly improper," said Lord Hughes Dayne coldly.
"I apologize," Nymeria replied insincerely. Then, without missing a beat, she continued, "But I cannot stand by and let Lady Nathalie slander my father."
Samwell immediately countered, "If Oberyn is innocent, then why did he flee King's Landing instead of facing trial?"
"Because he knew he wouldn't receive a fair trial," Nymeria retorted. "He found the true culprit behind Jon Arryn's death, but certain parties tried to frame him instead, forcing him to flee."
"That's just your side of the story," Samwell said.
Nymeria shot him a sly smile. "Lord Samwell, if you were accused of murder, would you submit to a trial?"
"Me?" Samwell pretended to consider, a glint of understanding in his eye. "If it weren't a baseless accusation…"
"Excellent!" Nymeria seized upon his response with a triumphant look. "Several knights of House Dayne accuse you of murdering the previous Count, Edric Dayne, and his daughter, Alerie."
Several knights stepped forward in agreement, and Samwell met them with a scornful laugh. "And here we are with yet another baseless accusation. Lord Edric and Lady Alerie died in Blackport, a place I have never set foot."
"You hired assassins," Nymeria countered. "There are witnesses who saw you holding a portrait of Lady Alerie here in Starfall. And you settled on Eagle Point, clearly as part of your scheme to take over Starfall. With Edric and Alerie dead, you could install some unknown girl as the new countess."
"Who are you calling 'unknown'?" Lady Ashara Dayne rose, her tone like steel.
Nymeria faltered momentarily. She knew Ashara was a legitimate Dayne by blood, a fact even her father would not dispute, but Nathalie…
"My apologies, Lady Ashara. I don't question your heritage, but your daughter… she's still the child of a wildling…"
Samwell cut her off, bored with her insinuations. "Lady Nathalie has already been acknowledged by Prince Oberyn. Or are you saying your father's word is worthless?"
Nymeria's confidence wavered, and she hastily redirected the conversation. "I'm not challenging Lady Nathalie's legitimacy. My point is only to establish that you had motive for this murder. Now, Lord Samwell, will you stand trial?"
"This is groundless slander!" Nathalie interjected. "Do you have any evidence at all?"
Nymeria shrugged. "Without a definitive answer, we cannot settle the matter here. So, I propose we allow the Seven to judge through trial by combat. Lord Samwell, do you dare to accept?"
A smirk played across Samwell's face. Did she not realize what she was getting into? He was practically invincible with the greatsword Dawn.
"Who do you propose to fight me?" he asked.
"I will!" A stern, broad-shouldered knight stepped forward. "Ser Theodor Dayne, here to avenge Lord Edric and Lady Alerie."
Nymeria looked back at Samwell, taunting him. "Well, Lord Samwell? Do you dare?"
"Why not?" Samwell stepped forward, relaxed. "I'm no coward like the Red Viper."
Nymeria forced a smile through gritted teeth. "Very well! Prepare yourselves for combat!"
"I don't need armor," Samwell said, letting a slight smile play on his lips. "The truth is my shield. But Ser Theodor, feel free to wear your armor if it gives you confidence."
"Justice isn't decided by bravado!" shouted Theodor, calling over a squire to help him don his armor.
Nathalie, worried, approached Samwell. "Sam, please reconsider—wear armor, at least."
"No need," he replied gently.
"He's the champion of the tourney in King's Landing, after all," Nymeria sneered, "Why would he need armor?"
Ignoring her, Samwell watched as his opponent finished preparing. When Theodor finally stepped forward, sword in hand, Samwell unsheathed Dawn, the ancient sword of House Dayne.
The moment Dawn left its scabbard, its pale, white blade shimmered with intricate patterns of fiery red and gold, like a strip of molten sunlight. Its brilliance filled the hall, stealing the breath of every spectator.
At that moment, everyone in the room felt the weight of history. Dawn had once been wielded by the greatest warriors of House Dayne—this was no ordinary blade but the legendary Sword of the Morning.
The red glow of Dawn's blade shimmered as if the first light of dawn had pierced through darkness itself. In an instant, the hall was bathed in the ethereal glow, silencing the entire crowd.
Theodor felt his resolve crumble as he stared into the blazing radiance of the blade.
In that moment, he understood. He was the one on the wrong side of justice.
A single thought flickered through his mind as he gave in to the inevitable: The gods have spoken.
Samwell's sword sliced cleanly through Theodor's armor, cleaving him in two from chest to hip. Dawn's searing edge instantly cauterized the wound, sparing the crowd from witnessing a bloody mess.
Holding the blazing sword aloft, Samwell proclaimed, "The Seven have declared my innocence!"
"INNOCENT!" shouted the knights in the hall, as they took up the chant. "INNOCENT!"
Even those knights who had been wary of Samwell, or possibly even swayed by Nymeria, joined in the refrain. The hall echoed with their shouts, as they declared his victory.
Nymeria, standing apart, was stricken with horror. Her attempt to rally Starfall's knights against Samwell had backfired spectacularly, and they were now chanting his innocence with fervor.
When Samwell sheathed Dawn, the hall gradually fell silent, and Nathalie stepped forward to deliver her proclamation:
"I, Nathalie Dayne, Countess of Starfall, hereby renounce the summons from Prince Doran Martell until he agrees to put Oberyn Martell on trial for his actions!"
"Justice for the Red Viper!" Samwell shouted, setting off a new round of cheers.
"Justice for the Red Viper!" echoed the knights of House Dayne.
Only Nymeria stood silently, lowering her gaze as the hall resounded with the chorus. She realized she had failed—House Dayne would not be heeding Sunspear's summons.
She looked across the hall to find Samwell's gaze fixed upon her. For a brief moment, she imagined she saw fire burning within his eyes.
(End of Chapter)