D1: Divine Retribution (Closed)

[Nathaniel Mason]

It was late, very late, and Ben was preparing to retire. It had been an excessively long day and tomorrow was shaping up to be even longer. He was just about to bank the fire when he heard a noise behind him. He whirled around, poker in hand to meet whatever threat had presented itself, but thoughts of threat were quickly forgotten, not only because of the man, but because of his condition.

"
My apologies for my late visit, my unorthodox entrance and my condition, Lord Marsten. I needed to speak with you and I did not think your guards would allow me quiet entrance given my current state."


Ben glanced at the window. How Nathaniel had gotten through such a small opening so quietly was a mystery even with his small frame. Ben's rooms were also on the third floor.

Even more striking was the young man's appearance. Nathan usually presented himself with immaculate elegance. In the months he had stayed in the Vale, Ben doubted he'd ever seen him with a hair out of place even in the direst of circumstances. The man now looked more like a wayward boy who had made his way home after running away in a thunderstorm. His clothes were ripped, he was covered in mud, he was dripping wet, briars were knotted in his hair, and he shivered with obvious cold and fatigue despite a concerted effort on his part to appear otherwise.

The usual soft smile was there, though, as if he got the joke of his current state even if no-one else did.

"
Sorry about your rug."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben lowered the makeshift weapon, but stood a moment perplexed at the situation. Briefly fearing he may have lost his mind. He took in the drenched and dirty figure before him. Even in his current state the boy exuded a raw magnetism.

Fearing he must look a fool standing with his mouth agape, he quickly replies. "
No need for apologies. Though we probably shouldn't make this a habit."
Ben lends the jest a crooked smile.

He gestures for Nathan to come closer. "
Come to the fire and get warm. I have clothes it you would like to change?"
Ben then thinks of the awkwardness of his statement, but continues. "
They may be a little big, but are dry."


Ben moves to a chest and begins rummaging around. "
I take it this is about something important."

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan takes a seat on the hearthstone with visible relief, not wishing to soil any of the furniture.

"
I have spent most of the afternoon and night shlogging through the woods. Normally I pay others who are much better and enjoy it far more than I, but sometimes you simply have to do things yourself to ensure you are getting the truth of things.

I determined fairly early that the destruction of the Bracken Sept was not done by Blackwood men, but by a group of bandits in the area. Whether they did so of their own initiative or whether they were paid by another party I cannot say... yet, but I have managed to locate them and their camp, due far more to luck than skill, I assure you.

When dawn breaks, Ser Jon and his men will be moving to crush them like the bugs they are. While I have complete faith in Jon and his abilities, I am also cautious and careful. You have a number of House Marsten men with you, and as your House is taking the lead in the investigations around these incidents, I thought it would be prudent to inform you of what's going on and give you an opportunity to join Jon if you wish. The more men that go, the more bandits that may survive and be questioned. If they are more than just opportunists I would like very much to find out."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben listens intently. Hiding a smile at Nathan's evident dislike of the wilderness. Grabbing a pair of plain riding breeches and tunic he makes his way to the hearth as Nathan finishes his story.

"
The simple answer is yes."
he hands the clothes to Nathan.

"
House Marsten and my trust are yours Nathan you have earned them, but is there anything I should know going into this?"

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan accepts the clothes and pulls off a boot with a sigh of pleasure, and a somewhat disturbing sucking sound.

"
About the bandits? I've told you all I know. I'll go into more detail about numbers and strengths in the morning.

About everything else? Probably you need to know a great deal more. We all do. I sent a letter to your good Lady wife about everything I have managed to confirm thus far. I don't have much more to offer beyond that at the moment.

To be honest, my chief concern is the new Lord Blackwood. The boy is a lamb and the wolves are already circling. He is the reason I am here and not at House Bracken. Green or not, I am no friend of Lord Bracken. It's obvious that whoever assassinated Lord Blackwood had inside help and that could mean internal power grab as much as external enemy. I have every eye I can trust in the area watching the boy. In the short term he should be kept from being used to further others' agendas. In the long term he could mean the end of this feud that has gone on so long and caused so much suffering. He is too young to have been taught to hate yet.

Regardless, the boy is in terrible danger, from some of his friends as much as his enemies. A Regent will have to be chosen, and the sooner the better. You will probably have a great deal of influence in that regard if you press the issue if Benjicot is your page. Can Lords be pages? Anyway, I suggest you pick someone ruthless since his enemies most certainly are."


Nathan pulled off his leather tunic, looking with great disgust at the light scratches on his hands and arms. Temporary flaws on otherwise perfect skin.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben gives a sympathetic shiver when he hears the noise of Nathan's boots.

"
I would assume his duties as my page ended with his new title."
Ben chuckles before becoming more serious.

"
I will make it a priority to access those around him and help support the regent I find to be in Benj's best interest. He is a good boy. Though my direct involvement may not be prudent with house Marsten's given duties."
His concern for the boy is readily evident. Less so the frustration at being hampered with political duties.

Ben stares plainly for a moment before noticing Nathan's disgust. He smiles at the impeccably handsome young man.

"
They will heal and you will be none-the-less charming I assure you. Take it from someone who has numerous permenate ... scratches."

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan smiled at Ben's reassurances and continued to undress.

"
Perhaps you are right."
said Nathan thoughtfully. "
House Marten needs to look a-political at this moment. There are those who will be sniffing for bias at every turn. Although it would take a mean and petty mind to construe caring for the wellfare of a six year old as a sign of political endorsement. However there are several mean and petty minds in both camps, and many others who would use it as political leverage.

Whoever killed Lord Blackwood will probably not view the boy as a threat, and they may even be the ones planning on using him to their advantage, so the boy's life may be safe for the moment. However, if the bread and salt ceremony is any indication, his childhood his over."
By Nathan's tone, it was clear he knew exactly what that was like.

Pulling on the clean clothes, large on his slim frame, he looked in the mirror critically, unconsciously adjusting them to their best advantage. "
It's been a long time I've been dressed like this. I kind of like it. Very 'innocent peasant farmboy'.

Nathan moved in bare feet back to the window. "
I best go out the way I came in. A half naked male prostitute dressed in your clothes leaving your room in the middle of the night would do little for your reputation. After you and Jon deal with the bandits in the morning we are planning on going to Blackbuckle. The reports I am getting are so horrific, I have to see for myself. If there is anything you need there, let me or Jon know before we go."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben opens his eyes wide in mock surprise then scowls. "
Yes. It seems gossip and rumor are more deadly than enemy armies to me now."


Approaching the fire he begins to resume stoking, but then looks to Nathan. "
Will we be needing men, or shall I come alone? I have a trusted man in Ser Kevan if we should need a small amount of assistance."

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
I think a contingent of Marsten men would be prudent. Admittedly it was dark and I was trying hard to remain unseen, so getting an accurate head count was impossible, but I would put their strength at well over a hundred. Perhaps closer to two. Even if they weren't guilty of the the Sept attack, a bandit force that size would have to be dealt with."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Then I will have Her Lady's Lance ready to ride tomorrow."
Ben rises from the fire, stretching and stifling a yawn.

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
Thank you, Lord Marsten. You're tired, and we shall both need our sleep, so I will take my leave."


With a twist of his shoulders, Nathan disappeared through the narrow window into the darkness.

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