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[Dunstan Tullison]

This is not the main event of the offseason for Dunstan, but it is something I agreed with Reader. Main event comes when we polish up a few more things, mainly with Corrine and Daveth.


Lady Moraine was left as a steward of Tullison lands, a duty that likely came with a heavy toll for her, given her illness. Dunstan didn't strut around and greet everyone upon arrival, much to great amazement to the castle's general population. Instead he first settled the maester in his quarters and showed him around. Mountain's Reach wasn't the most luxurious of castles, but it was impressive in it's own way - chiseled into a rock and overlooking the valleys from the mountain top.
Than he sat down and started writing.

With help from the maester, he sent out multiple letters. They were addressed to multiple castles, and dealt in a single subject - getting the Lord of the said estate to send a healer over to Mountain's Reach - so they could try and cure Lady Moraine. After sending out letters all the way from the Twins to Saltpans, and to the Runestone to the East, he took out a quill and wrote a last one - to Daveth Coldbrook. Having witnessed his healing prowess on a field of battle, Dunstan hoped he is able to deal with the kind of illnes Lady Moraine suffers from too.

Than he remembered all the stories smallfolk said at times about miracle workers that came from the lower levels of society, healers and witches. Now, he didn't exactly believe that completely like he likely would in the past, but still felt the need to find out if there is anyone similar in the vicinity, and bring him or her over to take a look at his poor mother. Walking around he did his best to ask around, especially around the hamlet of

[url=Knowledge (Streetwise)][/url]: 3d6 10

Next, he did the same tour with the Mooton squire as he did with the maester. Giving him a nice cozy room with a fireplace of his own and a warm thick rug in the floor, he hoped he made the boy feel at home. They visited Ren Alyard together too, and had him fitted for a suit of armor. The boy was still young, and Dunstan intended to make a proper young man of him, a fine knight and more importantly, a decent human being.

Than came the shock.

Of course, the young Lord visited Marei at the end of the first day back home. It was in Dunstan's room in the castle she said, simply for she was not the one for long dramatic speaches, even in life-changing matters such is this one:

"
Dunstan, I carry a baby. Our baby."


To that Dunstan smiled. He knew good and well the repercussions of having a little bastard, but to hell with it, it was his son - his and Marei's. He pressed his hands to her stomach, but still felt nothing, for it were only days.

"
We will call him Ben, little Ben Rivers"
he said calmly and kissed her.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[Apologies. Forgot about this.]

A couple of months after the return to Hartshorn, Lady Corrine pays a visit to Mountain's Reach, bringing with her a friend, Lady Aofie Royce. Corrine's letter had arrived several weeks prior, announcing her intent to visit, and introduce Aofie to Dunstan as a potential match.

[Theomore Tullison]

[And in Dunstan absence: Though I'm not sure if I can do much follow up RP, he'd primarily want to converse with Aofie either way.]

The honor guard that rode out to meet them arrived further away from Mountain's Reach than one might expect, more splendid than the Tullisons usually could offer, that too. Ser Theomore at the head, twenty horsemen with streamers and colorful livery behind. Dunstan's fist, or so the smallfolk dubbed them. Theomore himself wasn't quite agreeing, another company of archers would be considerably more prudent given the terrain dominating the Tullison lands.

But they did look splendid, and as far as honor guards went, twenty men dressed up as birds from the summer islands that could ride in formation did the job admirably. If a replacement for Ser Ulbert could be found, might be they could have something to contribute with when clad in steel?

"
My lady Marsten! My lady Aofie! I bid you welcome."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Ser Theomore, greetings!"
Corrine calls, cheerily, over the slightly high wind.

Lady Aofie smiles shyly and gives Theo a respectful nod.

"
Hello, Ser."


Corrine smiles at Aofie, then looks back to Theo;


"
What an impressive honour guard! How fare you, Ser?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I have no cause to complain, my lady, and I have had the luxury of a proper night's sleep since our last meet."
Theomore cheeriness certainly rivals Corrine's, but it usually rivals just about anyone. "
It is an honor to meet again, my lady Aofie, but I would not fault you for not remembering, I think you were six years old or near enough as makes no matter at the time."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
One cannot beat a good rest,"
Corrine nods agreeably.

Aofie smiles reservedly at Theomore;


"
I am glad you do not take offence. I don't remember much of being that small. Still nothing to stop us getting better acquainted. I may become family soon, after all."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I would be hard pressed to argue even if I wanted to, my lady."
As tempting as it might be, Theomore does not turn on his charm, falling back on the courtesies thought him in his youth, at Runestone interestingly enough. At least some wisdom came to him with the years, he needed to be on his best behavior and he had work to do. Chief among it deciding on what advice he should give his nephew on this particular marriage.

And that would be hard to do without building up some measure of trust and make her feel comfortable enough to give him an idea of what was behind the facade.

"
If I might be slightly selfish in pursuing that which interests me the most as far as news from Runestone goes, my lady, how fares my sister Casserdre?"


[OOC: Background for those that can't see internal Tullison stuff:
Casserdre Tullison (now Royce), married http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Yorbert_Royce in 101 or 102, Theomore's extended (and thus private) backstory establishes her as the stepmother of Rhea Royce, and she'd be about 40 now. Lord Yorbert didn't live past 105 to fit into the plot. Since Rhea became lady of runestone, Casserdre cannot have given birth to a son, which would make the successor of Rhea either a sister (which possibly could be Casserdre's daughter) or an uncle/aunt (or a descendant). Canon does suggest that it likely wasn't an obvious claimant, and possible more than one. In my mind, I sort of picture Casserdre not having children, with Yorbert being "
too old to perform"
, having children would provide an incentive for her to stay though, as she might otherwise return to Mountain's Reach and possibly be married again.]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
She fares well enough, Ser,"
Aeofie replies. "
She sends her love."


Corrine moves her horse forward a little.

"
Shall we ride on, Ser? The clouds are beginning to threaten,"
she asks, amicably.

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan awaited the guests in the castle yard. It was not a particularly lavish yard, being filled with miners and carts filled with coal, but he at least tried to decorate it a bit by placing guards dressed in pristine dark blue armor in front of the entrance. He could see them as they rode through Lordsport so he gestured toward the cooks to get ready for a feast.

"
Lady Marsten!"
he greeted them

"
Lady Royce"
he bowed.

"
Welcome to Mountain's Reach!"
his face was shimmering with honest joy. Stable boys and servants started approaching the delegation, ready to take their horses to the stables and show the guest rooms for guests of lesser prominence. Two Ladies, however, will be escorted by Dunstan personally.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Dunstan! It's lovely to see you again!"
Corrine exclaims happily, as she and Aofie are helped down from their horses. She sweeps over to him gracefully, with her friend a step behind.

"
My Lord, allow me to present Lady Aofie Royce, whom I mentioned in my letter,"
Corrine beams, and Aofie steps forward, giving Dunstan a deep curtsey and a shy smile. Her long, fair hair flows over her red-cloaked shoulders, and her green eyes regard him with quiet approval.

"
It's a pleasure to meet you at last, My Lord. Lady Corrine has told me so much about you,"
Aofie greets him politely.

[Theomore Tullison]

During the ride, Theomore seemed very much intent on including Aofie in the conversation of the road, his skill at making a girl feel comfortable around him, if perhaps honed through unknightly pursuits, did serve well in this. Anyone experienced at court would probably rightly suspect that the occasional serious question hidden among more casual ones had a pattern to it, as if Theomore wanted to take the measure of the girl.

[url=awareness(empathy)][/url]: 5d6k4 16

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

During the ride, Theomore seemed very much intent on including Aofie in the conversation of the road, his skill at making a girl feel comfortable around him, if perhaps honed through unknightly pursuits, did serve well in this. Anyone experienced at court would probably rightly suspect that the occasional serious question hidden among more casual ones had a pattern to it, as if Theomore wanted to take the measure of the girl.

[url=awareness(empathy)][/url]: 5d6k4 16

Aofie answers politely, her tone light and friendly, though her answers are of few words. It seems the lady's shyness is not a coquettish front. Her eyes bely a small measure of anxiety, perhaps about meeting her potential future husband. Despite her reserved manner, she seems genuinely eager to please.

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
My Lady"
Dunstan bows and smiles just a tad bit shyly.

"
Every friend of Lady Corrine is a friend of mine. Please, come inside, it can be chilly here on the mountains."
Dunstan leads the way to the Keep. Inside the feast is already set. Servant bring bread and salt first as is the custom, and offer it to all the members of the delegation.

"
I hope the journey was pleasant enough. Now that you are here, please treat the castle as you would your own home."
the young Lord tries his best to be pleasant and courteous.

He hoped Yve and the maester were around too, since halls and dinners were where they excelled. House Royce is one of the most prominent ones in the Vale, and this visit was important.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
My Lady"
Dunstan bows and smiles just a tad bit shyly.

"
Every friend of Lady Corrine is a friend of mine. Please, come inside, it can be chilly here on the mountains."
Dunstan leads the way to the Keep. Inside the feast is already set. Servant bring bread and salt first as is the custom, and offer it to all the members of the delegation.

"
I hope the journey was pleasant enough. Now that you are here, please treat the castle as you would your own home."
the young Lord tries his best to be pleasant and courteous.

He hoped Yve and the maester were around too, since halls and dinners were where they excelled. House Royce is one of the most prominent ones in the Vale, and this visit was important.

"
Thank you, my lord,"
Aofie replies, as the group partakes of the bread and salt. "
You are a gracious host. And this feast looks wonderful. One feels very welcome already."

[Yve Tullison]

Yve joined them as the bread was broken, never one to miss casting her eye over someone that her beloved brother was thinking on marrying.

"
Lady Marsden."
She greeted courteously, then looked at Aofie. "
I am sorry, I am afraid I do not know you."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Yve joined them as the bread was broken, never one to miss casting her eye over someone that her beloved brother was thinking on marrying.

"
Lady Marsden."
She greeted courteously, then looked at Aofie. "
I am sorry, I am afraid I do not know you."

"
A pleasure to see you again, Lady Yve,"
Corrine greets Dunstan's sister politely. "
I present to you Lady Aofie Royce."


Aofie curtsies respectfully;


"
Lady Yve, I'm delighted to make your acquaintance."

[Yve Tullison]

Yve studied the other woman for a moment.

"
Charmed."
She said. "
I hope that your journey here was not to arduous. I would hate for anyone to struggle too much for a visit."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Not at all,"
Aofie replies, her eyes growing a little more anxious at the cold scrutiny. "
It was rather pleasant, in fact. Mountain's Reach is quite breath-takingly beautiful. And, well, of course I have been excited to meet Lord Dunstan and his family."

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
Any news from Harthshorn, my Lady? Is everything well? How is Ben?"
Dunstan asks and pours a cup of wine.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Any news from Harthshorn, my Lady? Is everything well? How is Ben?"
Dunstan asks and pours a cup of wine.

"
Ben is very well,"
Corrine replies, cheerily. "
Learning the ways of a Lord quickly. We began construction of our new watchtower, but it will not be completed for several years. We have begun planting a godswood too. Ellie is at Sword Hall just now, though she will return soon, with Gillian Kriegar. They have become fast friends, I understand. Ben's parents will be visiting soon too, which is exciting, though a little daunting. And, some particularly happy news, we have recently found that we are expecting a child."

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
That's great news!"
Dunstan is overjoyed.

"
You two will make exceptional parents, I am certain!"
he says.

"
Marei is pregnant too, and i will name the child Ben, I've decided!"
Dusntan speaks, impulsive as he is, without thinking how expecting a bastard might look in Aofie's eyes.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
That's great news!"
Dunstan is overjoyed.

"
You two will make exceptional parents, I am certain!"
he says.

"
Marei is pregnant too, and i will name the child Ben, I've decided!"
Dusntan speaks, impulsive as he is, without thinking how expecting a bastard might look in Aofie's eyes.

"
Oh! That's... I'm sure Ben will take that as a compliment,"
Corrine replies, glancing awkwardly between Dunstan and Aofie.

"
Oh, is that the girl I heard about that you helped rescue from the Faith Militant at the tourney? That was very brave,"
Aofie asks Dunstan, genuinely oblivious, not noticing Corrine briefly putting a hand over her face in dismay at Dunstan's faux pas.

[Theomore Tullison]

Now this should be interesting, Theomore's head turns to follow the voices to conceal that he only cares for Aofie's reaction to what Dunstan was revealing.

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
Yes! They considered it a sin we spent some time together, not being married! Well sinner or no sinner, at least I'm not dead like they are!"
he laughed boisterously and poured more wine.

[Dunstan Tullison]

To break the silence, Dunstan asks a question

"
So, Lady Aofie - how did you and Corrine meet?"

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