Re: Looking After Lily (Closed)

[Reader]

Ser Erryk Vance's face collapses in to a look of pure gratitude.

"
By the Father, you have beaten me to me heart's desire, yet I feel I should prostrate myself before you instead of cursing you for delivering what I could not."


"
At least tell Lily I was coming for her. I would never fail her, or at least the body would fail before the spirit gave out."


Every word sounds a threat given Ser Erryk's gravelly voice and he occasionally scratches at the scar on his throat.

"
I am far from the main tree of House Vance, but I have seen the bitter fruit strong old trees can bring to bear."


Ser Erryk carefully studies Nathaniel for any reaction to this remark.

[Awareness (Empathy) against Nathaniel [url=Awareness][/url]: 3d6 14]

"
You and House Marsten have my friendship, for what little it is worth."


"
She cannot return to her father and I cannot tell you why, whatever your reasons for rescuing her. If she does, it will be over my shattered body, and my sword will not be unbloodied. My safety means little to me, beyond what use I can be in protecting Lily."


Again, promises of a bloody end. Ser Erryk seems to have a fatalistic streak.

He seems unconvinced by Nathaniel's regard for the safety of a great House.

"
High walls can be great shelter but cast long shadows. Direct me to my Lily and I will keep her safe - better small, hidden safety than public danger in some grand keep."


[OOC: a little less forthcoming as I think I set one use of Lucky et al per offseason type event.]

[Reader]

[OOC: on follow-up investigations regarding House Daleford, public answer to a PM.

Knowledge (Streetwise) TN ??? to get IC confirmation and a bit of evidence with enough DoS. Failure/critical failure on this risks tipping your hand, so you might want help from Gwyn or Nathaniel. Or flub it and generate an entertaining story, depending how trusting Corrine is feeling IC]]

[Loreia]

[ooc: Yeah, he won't turn up for a bit.]

"
Thank you for your patience. Master Mason had some important information of a sensitive nature,"
Corrine explained, bending the truth to breaking point. "
He is going to quietly make contact with Ser Erryk Vance for me. Now, regarding Lily. Nobody yet knows she is rescued. I suggest we keep it that way until we are certain of what to do with her. I will send discreet and trustworthy people to learn more about Lord Daleford. We must be cautious. Houses Marsten and Daleford are in danger if we misstep."

It's clear enough just looking at Loreia to know what certainty she has in mind for Lily. "
And to what goal do we tread, to be careful of misstepping, milady?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: Yeah, he won't turn up for a bit.]

"
Thank you for your patience. Master Mason had some important information of a sensitive nature,"
Corrine explained, bending the truth to breaking point. "
He is going to quietly make contact with Ser Erryk Vance for me. Now, regarding Lily. Nobody yet knows she is rescued. I suggest we keep it that way until we are certain of what to do with her. I will send discreet and trustworthy people to learn more about Lord Daleford. We must be cautious. Houses Marsten and Daleford are in danger if we misstep."

It's clear enough just looking at Loreia to know what certainty she has in mind for Lily. "
And to what goal do we tread, to be careful of misstepping, milady?"

"
I need to speak with my lord husband before taking action that could endanger our House, but I swore to protect Lily, so I will take steps to do that, quietly. She will stay here a while, to recover from her ordeal. I will not give any inkling that I will do anything other than return her home after she is well enough to travel. That will buy me the time I need to gather more information and work out a way to handle this discreetly. I do not think it wise to make a rash decision based purely on emotion, nor do I think it wise that we speak of this to anyone. Too many people know already."


[ooc: Should I be rolling a simple/complex intrigue?]

[Davain Bartheld]

(OOC: post deleted)

[Loreia]

"
I need to speak with my lord husband before taking action that could endanger our House, but I swore to protect Lily, so I will take steps to do that, quietly. She will stay here a while, to recover from her ordeal. I will not give any inkling that I will do anything other than return her home after she is well enough to travel. That will buy me the time I need to gather more information and work out a way to handle this discreetly. I do not think it wise to make a rash decision based purely on emotion, nor do I think it wise that we speak of this to anyone. Too many people know already."


[ooc: Should I be rolling a simple/complex intrigue?]

[Against me? No, I think that answer will be sufficient for now. It buys you time. Besides, I don't think this is enough to merit player Vs, and Loreia doesn't have much control over this. That said, what you do will probably affect her disposition.]

Nobles and their games, what's right versus what's proper, and this young Marsten woman brought up in the middle of all of that, ascending to lead her own house, attempting to satisfy all parties. Though her cause is just, swearing to protect another highborn lady - or common folk, maybe - they came to rescue in spite of what she's learned tells Loreia all she needs to know, and Corrine had given them a story to pass on.

"
Aye, too many. We'll pass it on to the others."


She places a hand over her heart. "
It's not mine to say. If it were anybody else in your place, or hers..."
No. Dangerous words. "
I'm just glad I know you. But, if you can't protect her the way you want to, what then?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine exhaled softly, her eyes tinged with worry and regret.

"
Then things could get very messy. There are ways to spirit someone away, if needful, but if things don't go to plan, my House, and possibly also House Daleford, will face ruin. I wish to avoid that, as there would be much bloodshed, and it is the smallfolk and innocents who suffer most from conflict. Whatever happens, you have done yourselves credit, and I will not forget that you both were discreet in this difficult situation."


A guardsman tentatively clears his throat at the tent entrance;


"
Lord Davain Bartheld to see you, my lady."


Corrine nods;
"
Have him wait a few moments. We are almost concluded."


Once the tent flap closes again, Corrine once again looks to Loreia &
Trelane.

"
We should probably end our discussion here. There are many who will want answers, but we must keep this between us for now, not just for Lily's sake, but for that of peace too."

[Loreia]

Loreia winces at mention of innocents, having grown up in the mud next to those who were now beneath her. To do what the young Master Nathan suggested, to save their lives... I don't envy the chance to be in her position.

"
I'll not share this with anyone who doesn't know what we do."
She turns her head and looks squarely at Jorah's squire, but her expression less stern and aloof than it once was, though concerned and perhaps a mite less distrustful.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Trelane looked at Corrine and Loreia in turn as each of them looked at him.

"
Very well, I shall return to Ser Jorah and let him know in private what we have discovered. Remember House Daleford is not the only neutral house still in Westeros and as good advice as this Nathaniel provides, whom does he actually serve?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I do not see why his opinion matters,"
Corrine replied, perplexed. "
He should not have spoken out of turn when he came in, but he did have important information for me, and I know him well enough to be able to trust him with the task of contacting Ser Erryk. That is all. You need not worry about his personal opinion of the matter."

[Loreia]

"
It's her call Trelane, not ours."
And I trust her. Although Nathaniel did tell her sending Lily back was preferable. But why would he want that? Perhaps enmity still lingers in those of low birth at the highborn, after putting down that peasant revolt...

"
Corrine, is there anything else you need from us?"
Shall we stay?

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Thank you, Ser, but no. I mustn't keep Lord Davain waiting,"
Corrine replies, with an appreciative smile.

[Loreia]

"
Of course, milady."
Loreia bows and leaves the tent, presumably with Trelane following behind.

Outside, she bows to Lord Davain before climbing on her horse to depart. "
Milord."


She rides forth at a canter for her pet to keep pace.

[Apologies for delayed posting]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine gives both a final grateful smile as they leave, and, once the tent flap closes again, takes a moment in the quiet to breathe deeply and calm herself.

Recomposed, she exits her tent and curtsies to Davain.

"
My lord Davain. Thank you for waiting. Do come in."

[Davain Bartheld]

Davin stayed behind to oversee the men in charge of disposing of the bodies while the rest of the party went to take care of the Daleford girl. He arrived just in time to see Trelane and Loreia re enter the tent. Davain approached and tried to enter the tent but was surprise when two guards slid in front of the flaps, baring his entrance. "
Lord Davain I am afraid that you are not permitted to enter the Lady Corrine's Pavillion."
Davain merely laughed at the at the guards statement. "
Did you not know that I helped saved the girl along with everyone else? Surely there should be no problem with me entering if this meeting has anything to do with the girl."
Davain tried to my forward, but when the guards did not budge he stopped. "
Fine, fine tell your lady that Lord Davain is here to make sure that Lily Daleford is alright."


It wasn't long before Trelane and Loreia exited the tent. Davain stepped aside so they could pass, giving a slight nod followed by "
Lady Loreia"
. While he might not view her as knight, her loyalty and skill in battle were still something to commend. Davain unstrapped the sword around his back and handed it to the guard, bowing deeply to the Lady. "
Lady Corinne, I trust you will forgive me for still being in my armor. I just returned for taking care of the bodies and I simply came to check and see how Lady Lily was fairing after her whole ordeal. Has she spoken to you yet about what has happened?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
There is nothing to forgive, my lord,"
Corrine replied with a small handwave. "
Lily is..."


She sighed sadly, searching for the words.

"
... she has been through at least four of the seven hells. She is resting just now, but I've never seen anyone so distraught. What I was able to learn about her ordeal I am loathe to repeat, such is its nature. However, I think she can recover, given time and proper care, and I have promised her I shall ensure she gets that."

[Davain Bartheld]

"
I'm glad to hear that she will recover. When do you think she will be able to travel? It would be prudent to remain for long in case there where other accomplices that weren't with Red Dero and I'm sure her father would want her to return as soon as possible."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Not long. I will entrust her to the nearby sept for a few days, with guards, so she may have the peace and respite she needs and the solace of the Seven, while still being safe from potential followers of Red Doro that may yet be at large. Then, she shall be escorted home. I intend to let Lord Daleford know that she has been found and is safe, once I have a moment to do so. I'm sure you can understand that I have not had the opportunity yet. The situation developed swiftly. I take it from your presence that the matter of mopping up the stragglers has been handled?"

[Davain Bartheld]

Davain nodded. "
Yes, but what she told you, or if I asked her a few question after she has rest some more, might allude to the possibility of more accomplices. As for the letter, it has only been a few hours since the whole ordeal. I wouldn't expect anyone to of had the time to write such a letter. If it would help ease your burden, I could simply write one to Lord Daleford stating she has been found and that you will follow up with a more detailed report."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
That is kind of you to offer. Thank you,"
Corrine replied with a slight bob of her head in assent. "
There are many calls on my attention, as I am sure you can see, so I shall not object to you making contact with his Lordship. As for the rest, she has said very little, and has not mentioned any further accomplices. I would expect she would have let us know if there were others she knew of. I will gently check with her after she wakes, but we likely have been fortunate the man did not have too many friends, for Lily's same even moreso,"
Corrine added, with a sorrowful tone.

[Davain Bartheld]

"
Very well Lady Corrine, I shall have a raven sent as soon as possible. Feel free to call on me at any time if you require any more assistance."
Davain gave a slight bow to the lady and gathered his sword so he could return to his tent.

(Davain will send a raven to Lord Daleford explaining that his daughter has been found and we will depart for his lands as soon as Lily is able. There will be nothing more from Davain unless the situation requires and they depart to return Lily in a week or two.)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine returns the bow with a respectful nod, and, once alone again, takes care of Lily, watching over her while she rests, writing some letters of her own, and awaits the return of Lord Marsten.[/scene]

[Benedict Marsten]

Some days after the initial founding of Lilly.

The tent flap opens without announcement or warning. A dirt covered Ben pushes through, his concern and elation at seeing his Lady wife was well are easily evident. He rushes to meet her while studying the pavilions current situation. "Gods, that is the last time I let you off on some fools errand. They say there was combat and you were involved. Are you ok?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She embraced him, despite his muddy state.

"I'm fine. I wasn't hurt at all. Nearly fell off my horse, but that's my own fault for trying to fire arrows while galloping. We have bigger problems though."

She stepped back and folded her arms, pacing, though with her gaze upon her husband.

"Lily has been sleeping in our compartment since we retrieved her. She can't go back to her father. He has been forcing himself on her, in a ghoulish attempt to secure the Daleford legacy."

The disgust is clear in her voice.

"After consulting with a few trusted people, I've decided to confront him, and offer him an alternative. He knows we'll be coming to see him, but he thinks we're coming to return her. As does Lord Davain. I had to lie to him to keep him away. As far as he and Lord Daleford know, she's recovering from her ordeal in a nearby sept, and will be returned home as soon as she can travel."

She stops pacing, taking a deep breath.

"You, Nathan, and Ser Jon Roxton are going to accompany me to Lord Daleford's seat. I'm going to tell him that I know his secret, but rather than expose him, I will instead offer to find his son a wife, in return for my silence, on the condition that he let Lily marry Ser Erryk Vance and never violates her again. If he is a smart man, he will know that even the rumour of his sin may be enough to ruin the House, and he will comply. If he is not a smart man, then we will be putting Lily and Ser Erryk on the next ship across the Narrow Sea with enough gold to start a new life."

[Benedict Marsten]

His fatherly apprehension only grows with news of her close call. He only embraces more feverishly. Color drains from his flushed face when he hears of what has happened to the Daleford girl. It quickly returns, a dark red of anger. Woman especially young woman were to be protected and cherished. These acts violated more than vows of the Seven but the laws of men. Word of Davain's involvement create a visual grimace. The man was a good man, but more straight-laced than even Ben. Subterfuge and disobeying convention were probably not his strongest attributes. Though one of those was quickly becoming the new norm for House Marsten.

"You have weighed this decision? And I take it Nathan is in agreement? This is a dangerous play for our House. Our family. Our children." As much as Ben despised these alleged actions and the distress it must be causing the poor girl, his family would always be more valuable to him than one woman or one man.

To reassure his surely distraught wife he adds. "But the plan does appear sound. You are the Mountain Mother matching Maids across the Vale"

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