[D1, Early Afternoon] His Master's Voice? [Closed]

[Reader]

Ser Fendrel Bartheld sat at his desk, surrounded by the opulent splendour one would expect from a Bartheld. Carafe's of wines from the Arbor, a silver mirror and a fine bearskin rug gave the pavilion a grander appearance than most others at the tourney.

However, this was no idle playboy - Ser Fendrel was engrossed in ledgers and reports, stroking his neat black beard thoughtfully as he waited for his famed guest to arrive.

[Jon Cobb]

"
Good day to you, Ser Fendrel!"
Jon exclaimed as he stepped into the tent. "
Hard at work already I see?"

[Reader]

Ser Fendrel set down his quill, giving his guest his full attention.

"
A good afternoon to you too Ser Jon."


"
The singers that glorify your name must have their trinkets, and I would not have the The Wrecker at the Bridge fade from public memory in the name of false prudence."


Ser Fendrel gestured for a servant to pour a goblet of wine for Wrecker Jon, and for his guest to sit.

[Jon Cobb]

Jon takes the wine and sits, his mood slightly soured by the implication that his reputation needed Fendrel's intervention to survive.

"
Well now. You have summoned me, and here I sit. How fares your campaign to become Lord Bartheld?"

[Reader]

"
Seven willing, I shall ensure House Bartheld remains strong."


Fendrel clenches his hand in to a fist, but then relaxes and opens it.

"
And our strength is the open hand of friendship. Let us gather new friends at this tourney - we may be some distance from Hart House, but that should not prevent us from showing Bartheld hospitality."


"
Your name is a strong one, and it will draw guests to our pavilions eager to hear your tales. Let us do this - not for me, for my nephew but for House Bartheld, and as our house returns to its old strength, so too shall we remember those who returned us to our feet."


Fendrel waits, observing Jon's reaction to his offer.

[Jon Cobb]

"
Friendship and hospitality are fine things Ser Fendrel, and Brom was always strong in both. For his sake, if nothing else, I would see House Bartheld cleave to the virtues he espoused, and I honestly believe that you are more likely to make it so than your nephew,"
Jon replies, his expression sincere.

"
But unless I miss my mark, you are at the start of a long campaign, and the outcome is in some doubt. You offer me the prospect of a rich reward, but I am a simple sellsword, and I know from bitter experience that a reward delayed can become a reward forfeited,"
Jon says with a rueful smile.

Leaning forward, Jon continues in a tone that is all business. "
By siding with you I risk my name and reputation, and should your bid for leadership of the house fail, I will have gained nothing but the certainty that I will no longer be welcome at Hart House - a sad prospect indeed. So given the risks I will be taking, what consideration can you show me for the duration of this conflict?"


OOC: FYI, I'm primarily looking to have Fendrel a) cover any expenses (including costs of living) during the resolution of this objective, and b) either provide me with a horse and armor for the joust/melee or ransom my own horse and armor in case of a loss. Preferably the former, since I doubt he'll not ransom Bartheld equipment...

[Reader]

Ser Fendrel nods at the Wrecker's words and tone. This is a man he feels he can work with.

"
Well said and true. A man should be certain of his place in the world, though it would appear my pup of a nephew does not."


"
Be my man in this and you'll have a fine courser and jack of plates, ransomed at my personal expense too. You have but to share the winnings of your first braces of tilts with me to defray my expenses. I'll not have it said I dipped in to Bartheld coffers before they were rightly under my stewardship."

[Jon Cobb]

Jon muses silently on Fendrel's offer for a moment, his steely gaze matching his host's without wavering. Finally he replies with a smile, "
A fair and equitable offer, Ser Fendrel - I accept. And Seven willing I'll do us both proud in the tournament."


"
But as you well know, there are doubtless those who will not be swayed to your cause by my winning ways and martial skill alone. There are some men whose support can only be bought with coins of silver and gold,"
- Jon flashes an ironic smile - "
and I find myself embarrassingly short of both at the moment. Should I find myself in negotiations with such mercenary souls, they will no doubt demand to taste the metal then and there, and I will have nothing to show them. How would you propose that we solve this dilemma?"

[Reader]

A nod and a smile at Jon's agreement.

"
What better way to vet candidates than at House Bartheld's revels we shall hold? Let us see if they can drink and feast with the boar! I shall provide a stipend to ensure you show those you meet true Bartheld hospitality."


Ser Fendrel raises a glass to their plans.

[Jon Cobb]

Jon raises his glass in return and grins. "
I can see that you are a true Bartheld, Ser Fendrel! I shall not regret lending you my support in this matter!"


"
However, now that we have resolved our...erm...monetary issues, I must ask you directly - who among your family and retainers do you believe will stand with you? And who do you think can be won over to your side?"

[Reader]

"
Maester Forthwind has his oaths, but Davain's narrow vision and martinet ways would not suit him. I believe he can be swayed, but it must not seem to be a violation of his oath."


"
The same can be said for Ser Corbin's appetites - Davain would have no place for him. Happily there are fewer complicating oaths here."


"
Lady Ayleth Swann is present - securing her hand would do much to reinforce my legitimate position, make House Bartheld a bright place again and spare her a joyless marriage."


"
Edwin is dull and Davain's man - exactly the kind of tedious mediocrity that Davain would fill our halls with, where they should be filled with laughter, song and most importantly, friends of House Bartheld."


"
Ser Rowan is hard to read - fools dismiss him as a simple man, but those still waters hide something deeper."

[Jon Cobb]

"
This is good to know. I was planning on speaking to Maester Forthwind about a private matter anyway - I'll take the opportunity to see if he can be turned to our cause at the same time. I'll sound out the others as time permits. But what of our friends and neighbors - is there a particular house or person whose support could tip the scales in your favor?"

[Reader]

"
Public support from our neighbours is vital - house Bartheld has always measured its strength in friends, not spears."


"
Attendance at our feast, public backing of my rightful claim and any influence they hold with the elegant lady Ayleth Swann."


Fendrel emphasises each point by raising his goblet to an imaginary audience.

"
There is much to do, but your deeds carry great weight with many."

[Jon Cobb]

"
Much to be done indeed,"
Jon replies with a roguish grin. "
I shall get to work and start singing your praises as soon as I've secured some better accomodations than my old pavilion. It will serve when on campaign, but this time of year the chill sets my old wounds to aching. But a soft bed and soft arms will soon set things aright!"


/end thread?

[Reader]

Ser Fendrel returns Wrecker Jon's smile with genuine warmth - House Bartheld's hard won reputation for hospitality is in his blood.

[/end]

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