[D8, LE] Mourning Candles (Closed)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

After speaking with Kevan, Corrine seeks out Lady Isobel, eventually finding her in the sept. She quietly approaches, only the swishing of her dress upon the stone floor making a sound.

"
Mother?"
she greets Isobel softly. "
May I join you?"

[Reader]

Lady Isobel nods, but remains silent with her hands clasped in front of a statue of the Warrior - an unfamiliar object of veneration for the so-called "
Ice Queen"
of House Marsten.

Her dress is filthy from being pressed against the cold floor of the sept - it is clear she has been at prayer for some time and did not take the time to change after the tragedy of the melee.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Ah, the Warrior. Of course.

Corrine kneels beside her mother, giving a short silent prayer of her own, in thanks for Ben's safety, despite suspecting that Isobel may have been demanding to know why the Warrior did not save Jon Cobb.

After a few moments of silent contemplation, she spoke, her tone still gentle.

"
I know you are hurting, mother. It's alright. He was dear to you, and it was a tragic accident. You can talk to me. Please don't keep it all inside."

[Reader]

"
He was a war hero. Senseless that he should fall to some mystery knight on a muddy field."


Isobel's eyes remain fixed forward, but her tone is soft.

"
He was more gentle than many knew. I saw another side to him."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I know you did,"
Corrine replies softly. "
And I know he had affection for you. It was a sad way to go, after all he had endured."


"
Is there anything I can do to help you?"
she asks, after a pause.

[Reader]

[OOC: Ah, but you know more than that. Deception against Lady Isobel's passive awareness of 16. Your rolls has +3 as she is distracted and upset. Critical failure and she gets suspicious, normal failure and she'll only think it odd later.]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[url=Deception +3][/url]: 2d6+3 12

[Reader]

Lies did not come easily to Corrine, but here she acted from kindness. Lady Isobel would not suspect a thing, at least not now, and perhaps not ever.

"
Your mother is weary child. Respects have been paid - do you think it would be uncouth of me to retire for the night, as my knight has retired form this world? The champions' feast is over and it has been a most trying day."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I think that would be completely understandable to anyone with a heart,"
Corrine replies kindly, taking her mother's arm and helping her up. "
Allow me to escort you back to your tent. I'll have some chamomile tea made for you. It will help you rest."

[Reader]

"
You have a kind heart Corrine. Hide from the world beyond your family, lest your kind heart fail you."


She takes Corrine's arm.

"
He was the first man in years to speak to me as Isobel, as a woman, not just Lady Marsten. Now I shall not even be Lady Marsten."


"
I think I am ready for that cup of tea."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine leads her mother out of the Sept, and towards the Marsten pavilion.

"
You have not been able to be yourself for some time, mother. You have had to live up to an image, always putting others first. Now you can be your own woman, do things that make you happy. And besides, you are still very valuable. Especially to me. As an advisor and as my mother, whom I love and respect."

[Reader]

Isobel pats her daughter on the hand as they approach their camp.

"
A kind sentiment my daughter, but you must temper you kindness with steel, lest the world break my sweet, wilful daughter."


The last words are not unfamiliar to Corrine, but have never been uttered with kindess before, always reproach.

They cross the threshold in to Isobel's pavilion.

"
A cup of tea and an early night is prudent Corrine. Should any ask, lunch did not sit well with me. Anyone who has eaten what passes for lordly fare in Gorman Tully's domain will understand."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I am working on the steel, mother. Fret not. Between you and father, I must have some steel in me somewhere. I will find it. And I am sure people will understand the food not agreeing with you. I will say no different."


She safely ensconces Isobel in her tent, and has a servant fetch chamomile tea. When it arrives, she insists on delivering it herself, giving her the opportunity to stir in the rest of the sweetsleep Nathan had given her, along with her mothers usual spoonful of honey.

Placing the cup on the desk, she helps Isobel ready for bed, then gives her the tea.

"
I believe I shall retire soon too. You are wise to take an early night, I think."

[Reader]

Isobel takes the doctored brew gratefully.

"
Quite so, sweet dreams my Corrine, sweet dreams."


Lady Isobel could not have forseen the havoc that was to visit Riverrun that night in both dreams and the waking world...

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