[Day 7]EA - Details over launch

[Athelstan]

Athelstan and Elize picked a nice spot close to a stream of water, under a tall tree to give some shade and you can still see the grass beginning to grow here and there as spring is now setting in.

A big blue blanket enough to accommodate four people is set on the floor and a basket with lemon and strawberry pies, accompanied by candied almonds and some fresh baked breads. While some cider and wine sits next to it, with glasses for all.

Athelstan nods to Elize "
You are pretty good at this, Elize and now let's wait for our guests, do you want some apple cider or wine?"


Elize nods and they both sit down looking for their picnic companions.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

After taking a little time to find their bearings, Corrine and Ben approach, hand-in-hand.

"
Good afternoon,"
Corrine greets the pair with a curtsey.

[Athelstan]

Before Athelstan can say a word

"
Good Afternoon"
she jumps to her feet and gives a lady like bow, while Athelstan is getting up still having a tingle in his shield arm "
Hello and good afternoon, glad you could make it and happy to see you made it in time Ser"
obvious happy look and glad Ben survived.

"
Can I offer you some refreshments?"
Elize asks while fetching cups to poor apple cider or wine.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Thank you,"
Corrine replies politely. "
That would be very nice."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben bows to the Lady Elize. Giving Athlestan a nod. "
Yes. I do apologize for having to change our breakfast plans. This seems it may be very nice though."
He loosks around at the beautiful spot the two had picked.

He extends his hands to help Lady Corrine onto the blanket. "
I will have wine please, my lady."

[Athelstan]

While Elize pours the drinks for the four of them, Athelstan helps her sit and sit next to her "
I'm glad everything went well this morning, Ser Benedict and hope you found everything was ok"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
For Dunstan's party all went well. Not so much for Ser Lionel and his men. All but a few died... from injuries."
Ben tries to skirt the details with the two Ladies present.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I'm sure all will rest easier, knowing the menace is dealt with,"
Corrine says quietly, happy to keep the conversation away from gory details.

[Athelstan]

"
Glad that is over, but I'm afraid it's not the last"
changing the subject quickly and looking at both of them "
I don't expect an invitation to the wedding, but seems you to are doing quite well, are you getting married by the Old Gods or the seven first? Another question Ser Benedict, how re you a knight, I thought that you had to worship the seven for that honor or something of that sort"

[Benedict Marsten]

He gives a small laugh. "
As for the details you must ask, my Lady."
He puts his open hand to his mouth in mock secrecy. "
They do spend most of their lives preplanning such things."


Leaning back onto his hip and propping himself on his elbow, he smiles. "
House Blackthorne has given the seven their due sense its creation. We are after all bannerman to house Arryn. But we are also descended of the first men and will never forget that. Many houses do much the same but put more stock in the seven and much less in the Old gods. My words were spoken both in the Sept publicly and the Godswood privately."
He laughs again, glancing to Corrine. "
Perhaps that is why I am doubly blessed."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine similarly sits on her flank, propped up on one hand, and gives Ben a shining smile as she listens, sipping her wine.

"
I expect you and your kin will have long moved on by the time the wedding is held, as we will remain here after the tourney, awaiting Lord Arryn's permission for us to marry,"
she tells Athelstan, as tactfully as she can. "
And, along with that, it will only be a small ceremony."


It does not require saying that it wouldn't be appropriate.

[Athelstan]

"
Yes, that is a thing ladies like to do"
he chuckles with Ben and as he is about to say something, understanding Corrine's words and the obviousness of him not being included in such wedding.

Elize cuts in "
Small weddings can be equally important as people will notice the details even more, so you have to do better than a grand wedding, I have seen some big weddings and all they do is show some big expensive things and then the rest is fancy decor, but nothing really to amaze, but smaller weddings is all fine details lady Corrine and it can be costly"
speaking with expertise in the matter.

"
Yes Elize, you are probably right"
and turning back to Ser Benedict "
While they speak wedding speech, did you at least get were Darry mounts or should I say mounted his operations from? I doubt he was wondering around he had to had a place to gather men but more importantly financial backing to a some point"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Ser Jorah interrogated one of Lionels's men yesterday and may have gotten more information then we did today. I believe he did have force size and base of operation details."
Ben sips at his wine. Then looks quizzically at Athlestan.

"
If you don't mind me asking. Why are you so interested in Greenlander problems?"

[Athelstan]

"
We may be ironborn, but we live among greenlanders Ser Benedict so it cannot be helped that I'm interested. Specially if its religious fanatics with a armed force that may also target us for obvious reasons, so if you come by where are they hiding I will gladly pay them a visit after the tourney with some forces of our own"
drinking some apple cider for a change and a some bread that he shares with Elize "
That is why I am interested in the subject, not the details of how the battle with Lionel went"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
We see no need for extravagance,"
Corrine replied, politely avoiding doing something so vulgar as discussing finances with a stranger. "
If our close friends and family would be so shallow as to judge us on appearances, then that would be their problem, not ours. I would rather a less fancy wedding and a stable House than a destitute House for the sake of a huge wedding."


You don't know me, Elize. The scale of my wedding is none of your business. If you have the same lack of tact as Athelstan, you're going to have problems.

She starts to eat delicately from the spread on offer.

"
We are looking forward to it. We're very happy. Do you have wedding plans yourself?"

[Athelstan]

"
Most weddings that are small tend to be rather fancier with all the nicer details as you can truly appreciate the effort since there is only so few"
she blushes "
No, I have no wedding plans yet"
Elize smiles courtly back.

"
Marsten a highly influential noble House so it would be normal to assume a big wedding. Ironborn do simple ceremonies accompanied by some sort of feast, which is were the actual expenses are, but it's not unheard of to be married on a beach with friends and family only, yet it is also rare.

[ooc]Well she was just answering to your it's their problem not ours so she was just threading safely, but I'll rephrase the post my apologies[/ooc]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Well, I do hope that, whatever form it takes, it goes well,"
Corrine says with a smile and a little shrug. "
I shall be satisfied with a simple affair that is, hopefully, not too stressful. The Septon here is a pleasant man. I'm sure he will do the ceremony great justice."


She gives Ben a sweet smile when he comments on his thirst.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
We may be ironborn, but we live among greenlanders Ser Benedict so it cannot be helped that I'm interested. Specially if its religious fanatics with a armed force that may also target us for obvious reasons, so if you come by where are they hiding I will gladly pay them a visit after the tourney with some forces of our own"
drinking some apple cider for a change and a some bread that he shares with Elize "
That is why I am interested in the subject, not the details of how the battle with Lionel went"

An expression of realization blankets Ben. "
Ah, I see. Yes I would imagine you like followers of the old Gods have need to track Darry's movements."
He ponders for a short moment. His hand absently scratching his stubble. "
Lord Tully may like that offer. Especially since it is double sided for him. You defeat the zealots and he can claim that it was a good thing he spared you. If you do not ... well its no loss for him and he can point out your failure. Be careful with that one."


He downs the rest of his wine. "
It appears the return ride"
He smiles at Corrine. "
has given me a thirst."

[Athelstan]

"
He would probably charge me coin to give me such honor"
Athelstan chuckles "
But any information you can gather would be good to have, and of tactical advantage, that is if I survive the melee"

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben nods. "
If hunting outlaws is your intention, then anything I find out I will relay to you. Be sure to get Lord Tully's permission before riding armed across the Riverlands though."


He sits up a bit stretching his hands out to his boots. "
The melee is going to be difficult. There are many great fighters present. And the melee is chaos."

[Athelstan]

"
Yes, I am almost certain the Mallister's will come for me in the melee, I'll settle with beating lord Mallister in the melee"
thinking for a moment "
You know how those bad family relations go, they are just tradition at this point more than anything"
he chuckles, and with a worried face "
So Lionel the zealot pawn fell, how many pawns do you think will be in the melee?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine had not given the melée any thought, but the talk of meeting enemies in it gives her a chilling thought.

Ben will have to be wary of the Brackens, though perhaps also the Blackwoods. He's married into one of their enemy Houses, after all.

"
Ben, I hope this is merely an unfounded concern, but do you think that, given your future House, the Blackwoods might consider you an enemy, as well as the Brackens?"
she asked, tentatively.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Yes, I am almost certain the Mallister's will come for me in the melee, I'll settle with beating lord Mallister in the melee"
thinking for a moment "
You know how those bad family relations go, they are just tradition at this point more than anything"
he chuckles, and with a worried face "
So Lionel the zealot pawn fell, how many pawns do you think will be in the melee?"

His give Athlestan a serious look. "
Many and more. Every man is somebodies pawn. Some are pawns of the Queen, some the Princess, some the Gods, some the highest bidder."

Corrine had not given the melée any thought, but the talk of meeting enemies in it gives her a chilling thought.

Ben will have to be wary of the Brackens, though perhaps also the Blackwoods. He's married into one of their enemy Houses, after all.

"
Ben, I hope this is merely an unfounded concern, but do you think that, given your future House, the Blackwoods might consider you an enemy, as well as the Brackens?"
she asked, tentatively.

Turning to Corrine, he gives her a reassuring smile. "
I would think the Blackwood's more than likely to want me to sway House Marsten to their aid then wish me ill. As for the Brackens they will not want to harm the husband to be of an ally. Fear not, my lady."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine nods in acceptance.

"
I am glad to hear your reasoning and reassurance. Thank you. I suppose I need not worry. The Warrior is clearly smiling on you these days. I'm sure you will do well. Whose team will you be fighting for?"

[Athelstan]

Changing the subject of the complication that would entail choosing between Blackwoods and Brackens for House Marsten "
A toast for peace, and that the Brackens don't try to butcher you like the Mallisters will try with me"
raising a cup, Elize joining in for the toast. "
I will talk to lord Tully about getting rid of that pest for the sake of my people and the rest of the riverlands, it's only matter of time before they come to be a problem for our lands and I rather cut them short while they just lost their leader"
Athelstan shudders at the thought of two Mallisters trying to beat him "
Them Mallisters will have me eating out of a straw at the end of the melee if I'm not careful"

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