[D6, LE]Diplomacy[Closed]

[Theomore Tullison]

The good thing about having a Marsten honor guard was that they knew exactly who to ask to find the right Marsten, and it was about time Theomore delivered the reports the lady had demanded, Haelis had handled the updates for the past two days, but Haelis did not know everything Theomore knew. And there were several new developments that needed to reach Marsten ears, one in particular that Theomore wanted to bring to their attention himself. Though he did not ask for the lady, there is a risk she might well have to sit on her hands not to slap him repeatedly in the face and that would be far from ideal. Instead, he went looking for Ben on the hunch that saying the words that were needed to be said would be easier in his presence. If the Lady was there he would have to deal with that, she would learn of what he had to say regardless, though caution dictated that it might be better if it was filtered through the mouth of another.

[Benedict Marsten]

Theomore's escort leads him deep into the pavilions of House Marsten. Ben leans upon a barrel outside a smaller tent. The house's new maester, Ronnel, stands adjacent his Lord. His hands flail as he relates some bit of Oldtown wisdom. Between the two men Lady Ellien sits upon an upturned bucket, shaking her freckled face at the Maester's words.

The maester finishes his words before the entourage draws near. Ellie is first among the trio to spot them. She gestures to the accused and his escort. Ronnel turns bowing formally to the much respected Ser Theomore. Ben remains at rest, but nods to Theo. Ellie rises and cutsies. Then informally drops back to her seat. The brother and sister appear weary and worn. The maester a bit nervous.

"
Ser Theomore, what brings you to House Marsten? I would pray not grave news, but I fear it would be none other."
Ben moves to stand, stretching as he does so.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Well, I do bring news, Lord Benedict."
Theomore was never one to cut out his theatrics completely when the atmosphere might need some loosening up. "
Their shade would depend on the one receiving it."


"
I have some investigation results to report on, and I imagine House Marsten might be interested in the first hand account of prince Aemond's actions this morning, but I shall start with the most recent, and perhaps most urgent matter. Lady Corrine's selection of tribunal has split the investigative houses, Yoren brought the matter to Ironrod and the master of laws decreed that legal precedence and the need for unity among the houses that are to agree upon the administration of the king's justice dictates that accusations brought against members of the investigation should not be tried by us, and that these cases, meaning Baelon's and mine, shall be presented to Lord Gormon at Riverrun. Opposing the decree will carry a cost, going against the will of Lord Jasper is not a thing done lightly."


"
It may be worth it as far as Baelon goes, he is your ally after all, and Lord Gormon is likely to delight at the prospect of issuing him a fine. And I suspect he would react rather negatively should Lady Marsten choose not to protest. Though I fear Yoren would see this as proof that the lady is rigging the tribunal to have Baelon exonerated if she does, driving him into the open arms of the friends of the queen. The lady ought to be aware of the consequences of her options, but I shall not presume to think that my opinion will be asked about which consequences might be preferable."


"
But when it comes to myself, I have enough of an interest in the subject to give it anyway, my lord. Marsten and Tullison should be allies, having my accusations brought before Lord Tully will ensure that this remains possible. I will be able to defend myself against Coldbrook accusations and continue to ensure that my lord nephew does not get involved at Riverrun, not so with the tribunal Lady Corrine has set I fear. Lord Dunstan does yet harbor resentment regarding the son he had to send away, I do fully agree that it was the best choice by far, but the lingering disappointment over it colors everything Lady Corrine does in his eyes. My Lord may wish to talk with him about that, without the lady present. That foolishness over Ser Kevan's duel came out of it, and gods knows what else might follow. Give it time and lady Aofie will make him mature, but until then, a degree of caution would be wise."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben's look sours further at Theo's mention of Lord Wylde's interference. Then at the mention of Baelon as an ally, Ben looks at Theo curiously.

"
Is house Tullison no longer our Ally? At this point Baelon may prefer any one but Lady Marsten judging him. Even Gorman. He doesn't feel she has the power."
The problems between Drakeson and Marsten were, by now, well known.

"
What exactly are these ... Coldbrook accusations? Lady Corrine brought up your charges. Or are you referring to the incident from Riverrun?"
Ben gives an uncertain look. "
As for Yoren, has he inclined to you that he believes we may have rigged the tribunal? You say proof as if he already believes so. He has, become quite friendly with Lord Haig and the Prince already. It would be a short drive, to the green shore, I am afraid."


"
Is Dunstan truly upset. Perhaps I shall speak with him promptly. One of the tribunal is the man who knighted him. Surely he would see your innocence is in good hands."
Ben stands up right with a look of real concern.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Well, perhaps it would be more constructive to speak of it as maintenance and nurturing of our alliance?"
Theomore allows a smile at this. "
I know not what exactly the Coldbrooks are going to present, honestly, I am not entirely certain if the accusations against me comes from them, but I am aware of enough to strongly suspect."
Theomore finds somewhere to sit down. "
Considering the mess that is surrounding Pennytree, I have little trouble imagining that many conclusions might be drawn, I am too close for comfort to far too many pieces of that puzzle, and Daveth spent a considerable amount of time at Riverrun trying to find something he could use against me, motivated by his grief for his brother I suspect. Has he laid this in the past? I don't know, and I am no gambler."


"
Yoren and I have had lengthy discussions, on the subject of his desire for peace with the Mallisters among other things, and Lady Corrine's tribunal, the selection seems tailored to favor Baelon, and he has reacted on that, as have others. I for my part, I do not question the lady's intentions, but her choices..."
Theomore sighs, well, no way to put this easy. "
I shall speak plainly my lord, and I mean no offense, Lady Corrine has selected three honorable and well respected knights, I have met each of them, though I will make no claim as to more than a passing acquaintance, however, I do consider myself a decent judge of person, and my instincts tells me that these men has been placed in a position they have never been in before. These are knights who serve their lieges with honor and ability, as protectors against bodily harm. If presented with the full truth, all the facts, they will serve well. But if presented with half-truths, lies, conjecture, suspicions. I would not trust their judgement. And whatever judgement they were to pass would seem to come from Lady Marsten."


"
We can say many things of Lord Gormon, he is a grasping and ambitious man, obviously having higher priorities than keeping the king's peace among his bannermen."
Theomore almost sounds mocking, almost. Silly old fool. "
But he is the lord paramount of the Riverlands, and has been so for some time. Though aside from this experience, it is the presence of the lady by his side that appeals to me. Nobody here has the skill to deliver falsehood or present suspicion as fact without she catching on to it. Maybe the accusations against me turns out to be nothing but a suspicion to be dispelled, maybe I am simply dreading the worst when there is no cause for alarm? But since nobody cared to approach myself, or anyone else in House Tullison for that matter, to discuss it, I will rather take the risk of overreacting than to learn that assuming the worst was the right course of action."


"
If I am to fight against charges, then it will be best that House Marsten remains a neutral party, or my lord nephew is like to see it as another act of antagonism if a Marsten tribunal decides to take the word of others over that of Tullison, gods knows the headaches we have trying to make him see that sending Marei and the babe to Heartshorn was an act of kindness by Lady Corrine rather than to twist his arm. Everything we do here is politics, whether we like it or not, and that goes double for Lady Marsten."


"
In Lord Tully's court, I can fight anything that may be thrown against me without consequence for House Tullison or it's relations with others, relations worth protecting. In front of a Marsten tribunal, this is not so, and only exoneration against whatever charges to be presented will prevent damage. My lord nephew knows what I have been doing, and he will feel much more strongly about false accusations than I do, having a Tullison convicted on false accusations, that is a rage I think we would not wish upon House Marsten. Directed against Riverrun, well, Lord Gormon will not live forever, and it should not be too hard to point out the obvious to my lord nephew, the supporters of the queen have a chance to get one over at the supporters of the black, why would they not take it?"

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben knew better than to take Theomore's words at face value, but also that untangling them was more than likely beyond him. So he listens.

"
Maintenace, yes."
A quick quizzical look, unaware of how far Daveth's displeasure went. "
Daveth has made no mention of you crimes or person, but from what you say may be working through intermediaries."


"
Mallisters. Interesting like you yourself feel, this may have been handled better had he come to us. I walked by his side for the past two days. A shame.

Yes this may be above simple knights heads. Perhaps the soon newly truced Lords of House Blackwood and Bracken along side Darry would be better? If these house are to make a fresh start, let them governor their lands together."
Ben smiles wryly.

"
This will save Lord Gorman any further ... distress. Though I admit I had not known the Lady was so talented. Riverrun may be best for you and worst for Baelon. Greatest for Yoren.

I do wish it had been brought to you first as well. Surely you could have righted any misunderstanding. Instead house Marsten was put in an uncomfortable position. The accusations have been made and Dunstan will have already formed his opinion on us for them. The judgement garnered by whomever will likely fall back to House Marsten, depending on which side you stand. When your innocence is proven, ser, it is no loss to anyone, but the greens."
Ben again smiles, his eyes looking off to the stray stars peeking out from behind cloud cover.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
How am I to conclude, my lord?"
Theomore asks without waiting for an answer. "
When one evening, Lady Corrine seems sympathetic, and the morning after she speaks of accusations on the tampering of evidence and nothing more, nobody approaches anyone in House Tullison about any of it. And I have to learn about House Coldbrook spiriting away witnesses from Pennytree through great effort on the part of my friends?"


"
Coupled with a few observation of faces during that assembly, had they instead decided to confront me with their suspicions, this fight could perhaps have been avoided. I believe the Coldbrooks learned that I spoke with Lord Haig and appealed to his sense of honor to do the job of collecting evidence at Warrior's Seat for us. I imagine they have learned of the sellswords and my association with them. Quite possibly they learned, as I did last night, that the evidence Lord Haig collected disappeared, only to be found by the Longshores as they drove the sellswords away, though I am beginning to believe that the second raid was merely to make us come find them them, why else would twenty men flee from five?"


"
The cleanest and most expedient way in my eyes, unless the charges are dropped of course, is to allow House Marsten to distance itself from the mess and have Lord and Lady Tully take care of it. I don't think there is much room for compromise with Ironrod on this, the lady might attempt to defy his decree or she might choose not to. Though should she consider the former, it might be wise to take into account that House Marsten is only first among equals, and it just so happens that three delegation heads are good friends of mine, and a fourth is my nephew. I would not find the costs to House Marsten worth whatever gain it might see in making this your fight, but the lady is not the cold cynic that I am, the Coldbrooks might not like it, but Marsten can do just fine without Coldbrook, not so the other way around."


"
Lady Corrine need not worry about such a coalition making what will happen tomorrow into a mummer's show as there are really only two matters these four are in agreement on as far as I am aware, one is that it is best for everyone involved that Lord Gormon will sit in judgement on any charges a representative under the king's banner brings against another. And the second is the one issue that Lord Dunstan finds the most important to be addressed, it also happens to be the reason as to why I am so deeply involved in the investigation of Pennytree."


"
He did mention his concerns about the signal the treaty might send to foreign merchants should it state that the caravan attacked was Dornish?"
Theomore had at least suggested that Dunstan ought to make that request himself, but one could never be too certain, and it seemed an opportune moment to bring it up. "
Aside from such allies of House Tullison that expects us to show that we are able to make our support to those we are bound through oaths and blood count...those concerns I shall not burden House Marsten with, that is a fight in which Lady Corrine wants to remain neutral in and this we will respect. But as far as Pennytree goes, I hope that my Lord Nephew can have the support of House Marsten in resolving that to his liking, and to the satisfaction of powerful men that will make their displeasure felt should he fail to deliver...not exactly the words used, but the meaning was clear enough. I believe I have made sufficient arrangements to make this happen, mentioning the petition to Ironrod while I was at it, because that is what I do. The cynic in me would suggest that House Marsten has little to loose supporting us regarding Pennytree and the Dornish, and the restoration of Lord Tullison's confidence to gain."


"
I imagine Lady Corrine won't like the way I did this, but I do what I must to protect my lord nephew and my lady niece. Whatever the cost, I will bear it because I can, I'm just the uncle after all. Let her be angry at me if she wants, all I ask is that House Marsten does not let it's opinion of my methods impact it's decision, our intention has always been to make the rounds among the houses on this matter."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
The cleanest and most expedient way in my eyes, unless the charges are dropped of course, is to allow House Marsten to distance itself from the mess and have Lord and Lady Tully take care of it. I don't think there is much room for compromise with Ironrod on this, the lady might attempt to defy his decree or she might choose not to. Though should she consider the former, it might be wise to take into account that House Marsten is only first among equals, and it just so happens that three delegation heads are good friends of mine, and a fourth is my nephew. I would not find the costs to House Marsten worth whatever gain it might see in making this your fight, but the lady is not the cold cynic that I am, the Coldbrooks might not like it, but Marsten can do just fine without Coldbrook, not so the other way around."

Ben followed Theo's words with a sympathetic look right up until these threats veiled in helpful advice began.

"
Lady Corrine need not worry about such a coalition making what will happen tomorrow into a mummer's show as there are really only two matters these four are in agreement on as far as I am aware, one is that it is best for everyone involved that Lord Gormon will sit in judgement on any charges a representative under the king's banner brings against another. And the second is the one issue that Lord Dunstan finds the most important to be addressed, it also happens to be the reason as to why I am so deeply involved in the investigation of Pennytree."


"
He did mention his concerns about the signal the treaty might send to foreign merchants should it state that the caravan attacked was Dornish?"
Theomore had at least suggested that Dunstan ought to make that request himself, but one could never be too certain, and it seemed an opportune moment to bring it up. "
Aside from such allies of House Tullison that expects us to show that we are able to make our support to those we are bound through oaths and blood count...those concerns I shall not burden House Marsten with, that is a fight in which Lady Corrine wants to remain neutral in and this we will respect. But as far as Pennytree goes, I hope that my Lord Nephew can have the support of House Marsten in resolving that to his liking, and to the satisfaction of powerful men that will make their displeasure felt should he fail to deliver...not exactly the words used, but the meaning was clear enough. I believe I have made sufficient arrangements to make this happen, mentioning the petition to Ironrod while I was at it, because that is what I do. The cynic in me would suggest that House Marsten has little to loose supporting us regarding Pennytree and the Dornish, and the restoration of Lord Tullison's confidence to gain."


"
I imagine Lady Corrine won't like the way I did this, but I do what I must to protect my lord nephew and my lady niece. Whatever the cost, I will bear it because I can, I'm just the uncle after all. Let her be angry at me if she wants, all I ask is that House Marsten does not let it's opinion of my methods impact it's decision, our intention has always been to make the rounds among the houses on this matter."

Ellie moves to speak, but a quick look from Ben silences her. She fumes by his side.

"
Ser Theomore, until a day ago I would have stood as your champion myself. Earlier today word reached me of some things that shook that support, but your words strike me. The one thing that bothers me most, is if they are meant to do so, that I might act according to your true wishes.

We have spoken with Ironrod and we know he sees the flaw in moving the trial. I hope Dunstan will see offering you a fair trial which ever way it goes is all we intended.
As for Dorne it is a shame someone has pressured you, unfortunately I now know that feeling. I hope those powerful men are not friends or family to House Tullison, because it makes that pressure all the more hard to bare."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Friends or family?"
Theomore gives a dismissive wave of his hand. "
Not family, no. And there are many words I could use to describe such men that makes threats against my house to have us act according to their wishes, friends are not among them."


He doesn't seem surprised of Ben's mention of recent words. "
What words would these be, if I may ask, my lord?"

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben rises, his body language indicating this conversation has neared it's end. "
It seems you have gained an enemy at Warrior's seat or an accomplise, turned rat. Rumor has it you are the local hand steering the second attack at Pennytree. As this is, on my part, conjecture, I will say no more on it."

[Theomore Tullison]

Theomore sighs "
Somebody has seen fit to act upon that rumor, or the suspicions behind it, giving me little choice but to respond as I always do to potential threats."


"
I imagine that whoever it is lacks the interest to reach out and work with me to discover the masked player behind this game."

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