Several merchant ships loading and unloading cargo were moored at the docks outside Sunhouse.
A pale purple banner hung from the mast of one of them, bearing a crossed sword and falling star—
The sigil of House Dayne, lords of Starfall.
"Boss, there's a lord down below looking for you!"
Captain Gilmore stumbled out of his cabin reeking of alcohol and bellowed impatiently:
"Which lord?"
"Don't know. He didn't say."
"If he didn't say, can't you use your own eyes? Damn idiot!"
"But he isn't wearing any family sigil. How am I supposed to tell?"
Gilmore frowned and muttered a few curses under his breath, but still staggered down from the ship.
Then he saw the "lord" the sailor had mentioned—a lean, handsome middle-aged man with an elegant bearing and a small tuft of beard on his chin.
Though the man indeed bore no family sigil, sharp-eyed Gilmore would have bet his entire fortune that he was a noble lord.
Gilmore stepped forward, his face already wreathed in smiles. "My lord, how may I serve you?"
Petyr Baelish casually tossed him a Silver Stag and asked before Gilmore could thank him:
"Is this ship headed for Starfall?"
"Yes, my lord. Are you going to Starfall as well?"
"No. I'm going to Eagle's Beak."
"Eagle's Beak?" Gilmore scratched his bald head in confusion. "Forgive me, my lord, but I don't think I've heard of that place."
"It lies south of the Torrentine River's mouth, across a bay from Starfall. You'll pass it on your way there from here, though you'll need to alter your course slightly. If possible, I'd like passage aboard your ship. The cost is no concern."
"That does sound vaguely familiar..." Gilmore seemed to recall something. "But, my lord, I remember that place being nothing but barren mountains.