[D7, MA] Forming The Treaty (Open)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Lady Corrine Marsten summons the investigators to the war tent of the Marsten pavilion, to discuss the content of the peace treaty, and the punishments for the guilty.

She stands at the head of the long table, waiting for the invitees to arrive, palms resting flat on its dark surface. She us clad in inky black, bolted through at the wide sleeves and skirts with sky blue, silver thread picking out a motif of Marsten lightning bolts, intertwining in a geometric pattern over the bodice. Her black hair has been elegantly styled up in thick braids, pinned in place with opal-set barettes, framing her noble, heart-shaped face, her outfit bringing out the bright blue of her eyes. Around her shoulders, protecting her from the cold, is her new cloak of black wool, emblazoned with her House sigil, and lined with the fur of the silver shadowcat she had felled herself. Around her neck is a simple, yet striking necklace of silver, and pale blue glass beads, punctuated with five shadowcat claws.

There are platters of bread and fruit laid out, and cup-bearers stand ready with wine and water. In front of Corrine, on the table, lie several blank scrolls, an inkwell, and some quills.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren comes in dressed plainly, in his armor and without any adornment. As he sees Corrine standing he says:

"
Good afternoon, Corrine."
Before he asks her: "
Should we stand or are we allowed to sit during these proceedings? Ever getting this behemoth of metal"
he points to himself: "
was a big mistake... However, it might prove useful with all the brigands roaming about."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Welcome, Yoren. Please, be seated. I merely stand to greet all who attend,"
Corrine replies, politely.

[Ser Walton Dulver]

Ser Walton Dulver arrived in escort of Dulver guards, with Ser Garred Mountfort leading them. But only heir of Dulvers entered pavilion, with all others left outside. Ser Walton obviously didn't spend much time to prepare for this event. His armour was finally clean, but it didn't add much to it's general look- it was simply old and with many traces of use. His high riding boots were cleaned from mud, so only dust was covering them. New addition to his clothing was cloak in color of copper, with black hammer in it's middle. Face of young knight was still covered in stubble and deep furrows, so he looked much older than his real 19 years old. But his walk was still full of energy and decisive.

"
Lord Yoren."
He nodded with respect, then moved towards host and bowed with intention of kissing her hand "
Lady Corrine."

[Yoren longshore]

"
Good day Walton"
Yoren smiles at the young knight. Yoren then proceeds to sit down, his seat creaking under the extra weight.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine gives Lord Walton the same small curtsey as she gave Lord Yoren, though does not offer her hand, her expression briefly belying a frown that Yoren was greeted first. She manages to recover her restrained smile of greeting, though she wonders if it was an accidental faux pas, or a deliberate slight. Given the disrespect Terren Dulver and Septon Arlyn had shown previously, she suspects the latter.

"
It is customary to greet your host first, my lord Walton,"
she instructs, quietly, politely, but with a telltale hint of terseness.

[Ser Walton Dulver]

Walton, whose courtesy was rejected, straightened up without pointing it out, only smiled innocently while answering "
I had no intention to offend You, just sight of familiar face rejoiced my heart"
Walton nodded towards Yoren, and took place on chair next to him, sitting comfortably. Also this chair creaked under impressive size of young knight. He clasped his hands in front of him before adressing Yoren, pointing his clothing "
I see that not only I am still on look out for brigands roaming those lands?"

[Davain Bartheld]

Davain was the next to arrive. Dressed in a leather jerkin embodied with the Bartheld crest upon the left breast and his greatsword slung upon his back. Giving a deep bow to the lady first he greeted her with a simply but courteous "
Lady Corrine"
Taking a seat opposite the two armored men, Davain unslung his sword and leaned it against the table giving the two men nods of acknowledgement. "
Lord Yoren, Ser Walton, I'm surprised to see you two so heavily armed. If I knew we were preparing for war over the terms of these treaties I would have dressed the part."
He said with a slight grin upon his face.

[Ser Walton Dulver]

Ser Walton slightly nodded with his head "
Better to be prepared for nothing, than unprepared for something, Ser... And last days showed, that times and place aren't the calmest. But I can also see, that You have interesting ceremonial weapon, to walk with for occasions like this?"
Walton nodded towards Davain's greatsword.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Could you please move that away from the table, my lord Davain?"
Corrine asks. "
We are here to discuss peace terms, not to show off our big weapons."


She smirks a little at the apt euphemism.

[Yoren longshore]

"
Is Nathaniel coming too?"

Yoren asks Davain. Then he turns to Corrine:
"
Who exactly is coming?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Is Nathaniel coming too?"

Yoren asks Davain. Then he turns to Corrine:
"
Who exactly is coming?"

"
The wording of my summons was that only one member of each investigating House may cast votes on the proposed wording of the treaty, but that they may bring other House members, within reason, in an advisory capacity."

[Ser Walton Dulver]

"
Man should never leave his weapon out of reach."
Walton jerked copper cloak from his left hip and took part of his bastard sword out, to show the steel, then hid it back. After that, he carefully put cloak back to it's previous position, covering the blade. "
I believe that presence of weapon doesn't offend anyone, even if it's two-handed sword. It's men's thing to bear the steel. By the way, it's great to see someone other man with that weapon"
Walton smiled and gave Davain little bow, in appreciation.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Ser Walton, I don't know what they taught you back home, but coming to a peaceful gathering armed and armoured is a breach of etiquette. I would rather not argue the point, because frankly, life is too short, but your House has already disrespected me in the past twenty-four hours, so I'd strongly advise against acting like you can just act as you please in my presence. You are under my roof, so show some respect. If yourself and Lord Davain want to congratulate eachother on how big your weapons are, then go do it outside, and let those who are serious about this treaty assemble to do the real work. If you want to stay and contribute to the negotiations, you will put your weapons over there, where Ser Jaime and Ser Alun will ably look after them until you leave, and remember that, in civilised society, we do not saunter into a host's lodgings, dressed for the battlefield."

[Ser Walton Dulver]

Ser Walton only snorted with contempt when Corrine mentioned her knights, then raised his voice "
Garred!"
. Old Captain of Dulvers' Guard limped into pavillion. Walton unattached his scabbard and handed it to old man "
Don't go too far, Ser."
Garred only nodded in response and left pavillion with Walton's sword. "
Anger detracts from beauty, my Lady. Save Your breath, please- we will spend much time here, let's not make it any harder than it already is."
Walton's face was expressionless.

[Davain Bartheld]

Davain glanced at his sword before glancing at the armored men sitting across from him. Turning his attention back to Lady Corrine "
I meant no offense M'Lady. I simply had the sword due to the increased hostilities from the locals. My placing of the sword against the table was simply an assumption that having arms and armor present was acceptable due to the dress of those already present. Please do not see it as a sign of deliberate disrespect or mistrust in those attending or in House Marsten's ability to protect us. But since we are under your roof it is your rules."
Davain rose and took his sword over to the Knights. Return to his seat, he answered Yoren question. “No, I am afraid Nathaniel is too preoccupied to attend."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine's voice and expression were like ice.

"
You mistake authority for anger, Ser. And I do not exist to be beautiful for you, so I care not what you think detracts from it. I will thank you not to patronise me further. Now, unless you adjust your manner to one becoming of an anointed knight, and show myself, my House, and my hospitality the respect we are due, you will not be here for much time at all."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine gave Davain a small nod, and her tone softens slightly;


"
Your apology is accepted, Lord Davain. No, arms and armour at the negotiating table are not acceptable. I had hoped that would go without saying. However, I believe you when you say it was an oversight, so I shall forgive it on this occasion. In future, I hope that the customary bread and salt will suffice to assure you of your safety under my roof."

[Ser Walton Dulver]

Walton's face and voice didn't change, were expressionless as before. Young knight seemed bored. "
Please don't try to intimidate us. We all came here in duty on Good King's order. Sooner we deal with it, sooner we'll go away from each others sight- to our own lands and our own problems."
As Corrine responded to Davain, Walton added "
But we can't not agree with concern about locals: few days of horse ride from this place, not much else You can see than burnt lands and fallen corpses. Did You participate in any of battles, Ser? Pardon my lack of knowledge, as I spent last few days in the field."
Walton nodded kindly to Davain.

[Davain Bartheld]

"
I am afraid I did not Ser Walton. I was busy dealing with matters pertaining to my house and by the time word reach me, the situation had already been defused. But I heard that my house’s own Ser Jon handle himself with valor in my absence.”

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I have no need to intimidate anyone, unlike yourself. If it was only being assaulted on the road that concerned you, you had ample opportunity to remove your armour and dress properly once you were within the borders of the pavilion. Do you trust your guards so little to defend you? Choosing to stay as you are is either a gross faux pas or a deliberate insult. Now, cease your needling, or I will have to assume it is the latter, and have you ejected. Do not test me, Dulver. You are impressing no-one."

[Ser Walton Dulver]

Walton noticed Terren, but did not pay attention to him.

Walton was openly bored and most of his attention was given to Davain, so he shortly replied "
Whatever You say, Lady."
and turned back to Bartheld.

Young Dulvers' heir sighed with disappointment on words of Davain, but was still kind towards Bartheld "
Everybody showed great courage and skill that day, You may be sure of it. Enemy was without chance. At first we took care of their most prominent fighters, then we broke their main forces. It went so well, that it's shame they didn't have twice as much men!"
Walton laughed. "
It's waste of men and resources anyway, if You ask me... I don't think that those lands have seen so much bloodshed in whole generation of Brackens and Blackwoods... Shame of all those fallen on both sides. And smallfolk of course- those never participate, but always meet the worst fate..."
Walton's face saddened a little, but only for short while, after which cheerful sparkles came back to his eyes. "
Hopefully they will finally find some peace now..."

[Theomore Tullison]

Theomore wandered in after his nephew, wearing a sturdy surcoat well fit for travel in troubled times, sturdy enough that it may conceal chain links below, closer inspection would be needed to ascertain this or not. One quick glance at the weaponry someone had brought makes him stop to hand his own longsword to a squire as Dunstan makes the Tullison greetings, symbols of power are pretty, but by the looks of it, he would be better served by relinquish it without anyone asking, silent or otherwise.

And arriving to just the right sort of conversation to get his nephew excited at the wrong time...why couldn't the king, or whoever wrote his edict appoint someone else than boys and girls to this party? And here he had hoped to attract as little attention as he could manage....well, it wouldn't hurt if he were attracting it by helping "
My lords, surely such talk is best suited for after, when we can have a drink in hand? Stories are always better after a few tankards."
Hopefully, Dunstan would take the bait and invite everyone, he was not like to need much encouragement in this.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[placeholder, until we determine whether or not Walton is choosing to get himself thrown out.]

[Kevan Lyras]

Ser Kevan entered as well, following the Tullison delegation. While he had no vote in the treaty, he could at least support his liege lady during the discussions. He wore his black tunic with the embroided Lyras sun on his chest as well as the red cape designating him as one of the investigators. He nodded to the present nobles as well as Lady Corrine. "
My Lady and Lords, fellow knights!"

He made his way to the chair next to Lady Corrine's and took a seat.

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