Re: The First of the heavens. (D1 LM)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
That is kind of you to say, Athelstan,"
Corrine replies, politely, moving on quickly. "
And yes, I do think Aofie and Dunstan are a good match. She is a kind and gentle soul. She will take good care of him. With Lord Kellan and Lady Clayre, they are both pious and honourable people, and now, Lord Kriegar can try to have more heirs, to rebuild his house's legacy. I am sorry that your lands were less defended from the Mallisters because your house aided us."

[Athelstan]

"
It was fine, it came down to a duel to the death with lord Mallister, but I think he never expect to lose and have to yield. I doubt he would have accepted my plead like I did his, which I think humiliated him more to be honest"
shrugging his shoulders "
If the Longshores would march on them under the same claims the entire Riverlands would be in an uproar against us, but we shall endure, what else is there to do"


"
I'm unfamiliar with lord Kriegar, some banner man of yours I presume if I recall correctly, since I never met him is not easy for me to remember"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Yes, he's one of House Marsten's strongest bannermen. He and my mother were on poor terms, after a decision she made led to the death of his only son. I have been working hard to mend our relationship with him. So, what is the state of affairs between Longshore and Mallister now? Truce or blood feud?"

[Athelstan]

"
Blood Feud from the Mallisters, but we forced them to a two years peace, we wanted a lasting one by marriage, but Ser Jaime all but almost spat in our face, if it weren't because his father laid broken and almost dead by my feat when we negotiated, I'm sure I would have ended the Mallister line that day if he did"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I take it you already know that, on the second anniversary of that battle, they will turn up in force at your doors,"
Corrine replies.

[Athelstan]

"
Regretfully, but who are we to turn, the Tully's"
he laughs hard and mockingly "
They'll be happy to remove the last ironborn house from the Riverlands before doing what is right and put a stop to the Mallisters. The Greyjoy's will tell us to grow a backbone and break the eagle's wings more likely, so as you can see all we can do is endure, and now here we are, to investigate crimes between two Houses. Ironic to some point if you ask me"


Looking at the garden and calming down "
It was a horrid sight as we rode here and we were just looking in passing, oddly House Longshore is the only neutral House doing the investigation, or at least that can't immediately be dismissed as siding to one or the other do to past links between them"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I like to think that House Marsten is also neutral,"
Corrine responds. "
We have links to both houses, but are raking great care to divide our attention equally. We are also residing in neautral territory, so as not to show favour to a particular house. We are interested purely in justice and peace. I will not allow politics to sway my judgement."

[Athelstan]

Athelstan thinks long and hard before answering and just when he is about to no words come out of his mouth and thinks for an extra moment "
It's good you think so, but the Brackens won't see it that way that Lord Benedict Marsten is not here, but with the Tullison's at the Blackwoods, if Dunstan remains as p...stubborn about things, I'll be surprise if he sends someone, but it's not the same however you paint it, so at least from my point of view, whatever they dig up is tainted evidence in their fervor to help the Blackwoods, as for Lord Benedict we shall see what's stronger his hate and relation with Dunstan or the Marsten name, besides most lord will think of hims as the real head of House"
noting he made have made a mistake and extending his arms as if to stop a bull from charging into him "
I mean no disrespect, I know you are the head of House Marsten, but to most men they'll look at Ben before you, it's just how the world is"
he shrugs again "
Hope to have averted that slight mistake before she goes from lady to monster Corrine in a blink of my eye smiling as honestly as he can "
My presence doesn't do much either but to be an eyesore for most, whatever I uncover I'll probably have to give it to Yoren so people won't just cast off what I say, specially if it's not to their liking, but I'm not here to make friends and kiss lordly or royal asses like some, I'm here to do the King's justice nothing more, and hope no one crosses me while I try to do my job or find someone covering for either side"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I'm not sure why you think Ben hates the Brackens. He doesn't. He doesn't hate anyone,"
Corrine replies, raising an eyebrow. "
And I went to see Lord Bracken myself, while Ben went to meet with House Blackwood's regent. We arranged it thus to demonstrate our neutrality. The Tullisons going to Raventree Hall is unrelated to his presence there. He was simply better suited to that part of the task than I. I will be visiting Raventree Hall in person very soon. If others want to gossip about our intentions on such a flimsy basis, I care not. If people want to demean me and my authority because I'm a woman, then they are in for a shock. I know, and House Marsten knows, that what matters is that justice is done, and I intend to sign the death warrant of this feud with my own hand."


As Corrine speaks more ardently, she seems almost to grow taller as her surety of purpose becomes stronger, and there is genuine hope &
conviction in her face.

[Athelstan]

Athelstan stretches his hand "
No secrets, and let us work together then, show no favor for either side"
an honest smile "
This will be hard work, remaining neutral for your House even harder"


"
As lord Benedict, it's mostly do to his close ties to House Tullison most people will look at it that way. Which is nice to be a Longshore for once, no one knows what to think of us, other than we are ironborn scum by default, but also doing the King's justice"
makes him chuckle "
It might have been glorious to see their faces when they read Longshore as one of the Houses executing the King's justice"
last words with a mocking tone as he raises his hand with a finger pointed to the sky.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
As I said to Yoren, I will gladly share any information that will further the causes of justice and peace. Your House has done right by mine."

[Athelstan]

"
That's good news, I'm staying at the Inn"
an evident sting in his face "
They are robbing me at that place I swear, they are charging a lot, but it's better in some ways"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She nods slowly in understanding;


"
It is expensive,"
she agrees, sympathetically. "
But, for my part, I felt it was s necessary cost to be as neutral as possible. I did not want to show favour to either House, if I could help it. It's a pleasant place though. I don't grudge it overly much. The past year has been good to House Marsten. We will not starve for our principles."


She gives Athelstan a tight smile.

Why are you still so awkward around him? He clearly doesn't care anymore.

Because I still see that horrible eye sometimes, when I sleep. The tears of blood. I still feel the shame of letting my judgement be clouded by the thrill of being desired. The shame of almost disgracing my family name.

You saw sense in time. That's what matters. And you know you'll always scandalise people. It's the price of being ahead of your time. If he's not taking you to task anymore, you should just forget it.

...Unless you still get a flutter to look at him? Is that it?

No. My heart belongs to Ben.

I was talking about your eyes, not your heart.

"
Do you have an idea of what you wish to investigate first? I have seen several investigators scatter off in various directions."

[Athelstan]

Tempting question, and yes do not mind me if I do

Athelstan coffs best he can to hide his face covering it for a moment to hide his lascivious momentary thought and look that crossed his eye, not sure if Corrine caught it or not, but still taking a step closer to Corrine "
I think, I'll check Blackbuckle Village for now, should take a long time to figure it out, but right now I have all I wanted to see for now. This is a beautiful sight after all, worth taking"
taking Corrine's hand and giving it a light kiss "
My lady, duty does call after all, but you know were to find me and you can always call upon me for anything"
the sentence cut of short and the last words that could have been are left to the imagination of Corrine's mind, for in Athelstan it was very clear which one he hoped for.

She may never be my wife, but I'm ironborn. You need more than one woman to keep you company, and to warm the bed, but I'll always want her.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine is surprised when Athelstan takes and kisses her hand. The unexpected gentleness a tiny hint of what he'd shown her when they first met. She offers him a more gentle smile, though still reserved;


"
Of course. We all have much to do,"
she nods, withdrawing her hand slowly. "
It is good to see you well, Athelstan. I hope your investigations lead you to the truth."

[Athelstan]

"
Oh, I do hope so"
a giant grin on his face "
It was my pleasure as always to see you Corrine"
stopping for a final look at Corrine and then diverting it to the rest of the garden "
Beautiful"
letting her question it for a moment, but she knows he speaks of her before he leaves.

[/scene?]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine makes her way to her room, lost in thought.

Looks like you were wrong about him not caring.

Lots of men look at me like that.

Should we tell Ben? That went so well before.

No. That was a mistake. We must not cause a diplomatic incident. We need to focus on the task.

Lying by omission. I see.

Keeping the peace.

[/scene]

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