Every family has that one crazy Uncle

[Benedict Marsten]

Upon arrival at Market town Ben visits with Dunstan. Word of little Ben, Dunstan's bastard, was the two Lords main topic of conversation. Of course they touch on the current predicament. After a few drinks and good laughs, Ben bids his cheerful cousin farewell.

Now for the business end of this visit.

Dunstan was a good man and becoming a fine Lord, but one man had more experience and still held good bit of sway over house Tullison. Just the reasons for this visit. Ben nods to the guard, a man he did not recognize. "
Lord Marsten to see Ser Theomore."

[Theomore Tullison]

Theomore's pavilion had been erected next to Dunstan's, but the camp seemed somewhat divided, the mess tent had been set up on Theomore's side to not make it obvious, fewer men had come from the Tower of Falling Stars than from Mountain's Reach, but it was not too hard to spot who are from where. And it was not just that the livery of Theomore's men had the shade of blue seen at the Twins rather than the one used at Mountain's Reach, no. Few of Dunstan's men could be much more than twenty, and they all seemed to have the jovial and cheery disposition that the young Lord so treasures among his drinking buddies. Theomore, on the other hand, had brought men ten years older than that on average, these having settled into routines Ben recognizes that most veterans of war do when on a campaign, and not one of those he sees are without marks of battle. And while both Theomore and Dunstan was likely to want their men to socialize, that did not seem to be happening.

"
My Lord Benedict! Do come in."
Theomore's pavilion had not changed much at all, the man rising from his chair, however, seemed rather different from the one encountered a year ago, more like the person Ben used to know before that. Theomore gestures for the chair that his squire just had hurriedly brought forth, a new squire, perhaps three and ten years of age, having an orange doublet with three castles embroidered upon it in black thread "
Perhaps his lordship would do me the honor of trying my mead and tell me what he thinks? Ser Benjen used to sell his honey to the twins and other places, though more coin can be made by making good drink of it and sell that instead. The recipe could use some work, however."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Ser(still correct?)Theomore, good day."
Ben could not help but smile genuinely. Taking note of the re-emergence of Theo's old self. A man redeemed or happy husband, either way a positive man was an inspiring sight. After a small bow he lowers into the offered chair.

"
Of course I will try your mead. Ever thinking farther and further ahead of most. Exactly the reason for my visit, aside from making sure marriage has not withered you. It appears it may have renewed you."

[Theomore Tullison]

[Still ser, yeah.]

"
Truthfully, my lord, I have mostly good fortune in this than foresight, it appears that Ser Benjen had a steward with the skill to keep the lands I now hold in Lord Forrest's name well attended, despite a lack of interest from my predecessor in his work beyond the coin to pay for his..ahem..activities of leisure"
It would be disrespectful of a dead man to be more specific, the Furious Frey had been a hedonistic fiend, taking pleasure in hurting others. Theomore had no respect for the man, but nor should he spit upon his grave. "
I have endeavored to make Ser Albett my new best friend."
With a touch of fake disappointment, he adds the second part. "
And I believe I have succeeded, only your friends will speak against your own ideas, claiming that with Lord Ereth bringing samples of his cider all over the Riverlands, I should stick with selling more candles instead, and the man is probably right as usual. But no guest of mine shall be leaving my halls without a taste of something of my own making that will make him want to return."


At the subject of marriage, he seems to lighten up. "
It strengthens you to have one at home eagerly awaiting your return, soon there will be two. I should hope that the Riverlands decides to be quiet for a while longer so that I do not miss that moment."
But knowing the Riverlands...such luck was rather much to pray for, but Theomore pushes that thought to go and hide in the corner with the rest of the unpleasant ones. Waiting for the time when he could share them with the septon and toss a wooden symbol for each on the fire to burn away and be forgotten. "
But wither away? This I cannot allow."
He had come too far for that, for reasons he could do just fine without and for reasons worth fighting for. "
There is simply too much to do. And here we are again, as if we are the personal pieces of six powerful players in a grand game only they understand the purpose of."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben had skirted mention of Ser Benjen for much the same reason, that and you just never knew with Theo. Words spoken now may come to haunt Ben later. Best to keep one's mouth closed if nothing productive was being spoken. Gran was more often than not correct in all her wisdoms.

The mention of soon to be two gave been a pleasant pause, while a genuine smile parts his lips. "
Well, congratulations, Ser. Now your mead has a second task. A tasting and toasting."
With open hands Ben receives the drinking vassal from the Peake squire. There were many house's standards he did not know, but growing up on the Bite one knew the Manderlys and their lack of love for House Peake.

"
To birth and life. And that our children may be the players and not the pieces like ourselves."
He would do much to secure his children a protected future. Even if it meant dealing with reputed blackguards.

[Theomore Tullison]

That, Theomore could drink to. "
I would rather prefer they could stay out of the game altogether, but we might as well pray for a summer that never ends."
He almost seems fatalistic behind a smile and tone suggesting that he has decided to take whatever will come in good spirits. "
But we are here in a bid to secure the future of your children and those of my nephew, no?"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Yes, very much so. My cousin and his House will always garner what support I may muster. Even if it is only my own sword arm."
Hating the nuances of verbal fencing and subterfuge Ben decides to quickly move forward. "
House Marsten's claim and support may be strongest among the gathered houses, but by the mandate that will not be all that is needed."
Despite his want to proceed and be out with it, he pauses. A small struggle plays across his face, but he manages a crooked grin of amusement anyway.

"
House Marsten wishes to secure your services as our champion. Of course barring House Tullison being our opponents."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
At least one of the two strongest, my lord, or so I understand."
Theomore scratches his chin "
Apparently, the support of a knight more capable, or fortunate, than the claimant with the second-most claim in prominence can obtain is the deciding factor, curious indeed."


"
Should House Tullison not have a champion in the joust, I believe it would be my honor to ride for House Marsten, provided my lord nephew does not object"
Why he should do that was an interesting question, at least if Dunstan was offered something in return for such support. "
Though it does occur to me that with Longshore support to Hartshorn, there may yet be a contest for who might challenge Lady Corrine's claim, as I should think that if you had the votes of House Coldbrook, you would have the lance of Lord Baelon?"
Or maybe they did, but would rather see Theomore against Tymon than risk him showing up repaying favors granted to him at Riverrun and create a match a deal more exciting than they liked? "
I wonder if that might be worth a look?"

[Benedict Marsten]

At mention of Baelon, Ben gives a smirk. It is clear the idea had been brought to light prior to Theomore's mention. "
Yes, Coldbrook. One would assume they are making a claim. I am not sure of its strength as of yet. If the do secure it, I do believe Daveth would require Baelon's service. Thus leaving us without his lance."
Or self-important swollen headed self.


Shifting in his chair, he places his cup on the table. The smile on his face doing little to hide his uncertainty. The more he tried to live up to his title, the harder the tasks become. "
House Marsten will be lending them support and they us. It may be better for the Princess if both claimants were friendly to her, even if it may cost House Marsten."

[Theomore Tullison]

Theomore decided that he might as well react with some visible curiosity to Ben's smirk, no more than a flicker of the eyes, he listened rather intently, taking a deep sip of the mead before making his remark....too sweet for his taste, really, but such things could be acquired.

"
So, am I to understand that House Marsten intends to seek to aid the Coldbrook bid for the second champion slot, even though that might put the prize at greater risk of slipping out of your grasp?"

[Benedict Marsten]

It was well known that Baelon and Theo were not chums, but few knew of the rift that had grown between Lord Drakeson and Lord Marsten in battle valley. Ben only shakes his chin at Theo's curiosity.

"
No direct negotiations have begun yet. Another reason I have come to you first. Aunt Morraine has said your skills at court match those of the lists."
He felt as if he may be stepping into a pit of Dornish vipers, but hoped the family and cause they shared would shield him from being bitten. Surely famous last words.

"
I would be honored if you would share any insight or suggestions for moving forward with talks to Daveth."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
The good lady is too kind to say so, ser, though I may have picked up a thing or two"
. Theomore allows. "
The most important thing to know is what you want to achieve and what you are willing to offer. Are you willing to threaten to walk out of the tent if he is disinclined to agree to name a token champion that is merely there to rob the supporters of the queen a chance to contend Marsten victory? Would you be willing to make good on it?"


"
The most important thing with Daveth, I think, I shall not claim to know him particularly well, but he strikes me as a wordsmith, one that likes to wrap his words with logic and is quite good at giving them weight that way. Engage in a debate about what might serve the princess best and I would put my money on his victory. The thing with weighty arguments however is this, you can write the most eloquent and finely crafted words on a piece of paper, it can be beautiful, it can be convincing, but if someone were to dislike it's conclusions and happen to be in a position to enforce something else, like If House Marsten is willing to risk that it's champion may have to face the lance of a queensman in order to push for a bid in which Marsten victory is near certain, then paper it turns out, is only paper."
Theomore then proceeds to hold up a sheet of imaginary paper and his hands makes a very distinct motion of ripping it in two. "
Given the choice between a token champion and fair compensation for the show of unity and the likelihood at nothing and the risk of Market Town falling in undesirable hands, logic would favor your desire."

[Sponsored content]