Re: A Lady and a Lass

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Shortly after, Corrine sends ravens to Gwyn, informing her of the situation, and asking her and her staff to welcome Marei, and keep the circumstances quiet.

She also sends a raven to Ser Theomore, requesting that the meet as soon as is convenient, to discuss a delicate matter.

[Theomore Tullison]

There were always a tourney somewhere, in the Vale as well as other places, it was not difficult to find one worth attending. And going that way would make him pass by Mountain's Reach on the way to Harsthorn and further on to test his lances and mingle with the chivalry of the Vale. Convenient could be made rather soon.

Given that it had been scarce a year since the clansmen had ravaged in the area, Theomore did not come alone, the men at arms in his company bearing signs of having seen battle before. Some seemed old enough to have fought on the Stepstones, it would not be a stretch to imagine that men previously in the service of Blackwood and Bracken had found their way to the tower of Falling Stars, now that a document with the royal seal had commanded them to reduce their forces. A company large enough to vanquish such foes as might lurk on the road, but small enough to travel with speed, doubly protected, as any clansmen force able to take them on would need too long to assemble to be able to pursue.

Theomore had sent word of his intentions of course, but one could never predict exactly how long a ride might take, so he had dispatched a couple of men ahead of the main group in the morning to give some advance warning, and see about reserving room and board, inns had this tendency to get all filled up on the way to tourneys if one came too late in the afternoon. Titus went along with them, his young squire could use the lesson of having to deal with the nervousness of presenting himself to others. The lad had some talent, but his father had no desire for just another knight, as Lord Unwin said it, men that were only good at fighting were only good for serving those who needed fighting to be done. He wanted his son to learn to see when he needed such men to fight, when he should pick a fight and when he should avoid it.

The septon would be pleased. Theomore never did anything halfway, if it was worth doing, he would do it properly. If it wasn't, he would find some pretext to not waste his time on it. Though perhaps not something he always managed to hold himself to, but he had every intention of ensuring that when Ser Titus returned to Starpike, his father would be impressed and pleased.

Though Arlyn would not likely approve of some of the lessons Theomore intended to pass on to the boy, Lord Peake had never once indicated a wish for him to make an honorable and righteous knight of his son. If he wanted that, he'd find someone in the Reach to do it. And certainly not choose a man like Theomore.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[I am confused. Are you coming to Hartshorn?]

[Theomore Tullison]

[Wasn't that the idea?]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[Wasn't that the idea?]

[Yes, but I'm not seeing any mention of that. What you've written is about going to Mountain's Reach, and doesn't seem to bear any relation to the invitation Corrine sent.]

[Theomore Tullison]

[Ah, would swing by Mountain's Reach on the way if that wasn't clear enough, might very well be so, trying to catch up to a lot of stuff atm.]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[Ah, would swing by Mountain's Reach on the way if that wasn't clear enough, might very well be so, trying to catch up to a lot of stuff atm.]

[Ok]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Word reached Lady Marsten in advance of the Tullison contingent imminently arriving, and ensured that bread and salt were made ready for Ser Theomore's arrival. He was admitted to the meeting hall straight away, and Corrine greeted him with a polite curtsey.

"Welcome, Ser Theomore. Thank you for coming. Apologies for the vague summons, but it us a matter requiring a delicate touch. Will you take wine?"

A servant brings them the bread & salt.

[Theomore Tullison]

"But of course, my lady, it is always a pleasure to see you." Theomore replies the curtsy with a bow, he partakes in the salt and bread in the manner that custom suggest. "Think nothing of it, some words are unsuited for being written down." If she found cause to send for him, then it had to be something he wanted to hear anyway, but on her own time.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"I require your assistance, of a sort. As you know, your lord nephew's disposition toward me is rather unfavourable. A situation arose recently that will require some careful damage control. I thought you the ideal person to be involved, being such an adept negotiator, and, of course, knowing better than I how to ensure Dunstan does not act rashly. Please sit with me."

She indicated where she wished them to sit, and gestured for the servants and guards to leave.

[Theomore Tullison]

Theomore takes the offered seat. "I hope it is agreeable to my lady that young Titus may join us, Lord Unwin did not grant me the honor of mentoring his son and heir on account of my lancework and horsemanship." Though that may have something to do with it, he did come closer to match Ser Alayne than any knight of the Reach had ever managed to do in a long time, it was mostly because Theomore had a way with encountering interesting situations and personages, and somehow come out of them with his situation improved. This sounded like it could be made into a lesson. His other men had set course for the inn, no need to put Marsten hospitality to the test.

He gestures for Corrine to begin whenever she is ready.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"Very well. Though I shall hold you responsible for his discretion, or lack thereof," Corrine replied, sitting opposite them.

"Do you recall Marei?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"Master Ren Alyards daughter as I recall, mother of my natural grandnephew, Ben Rivers, or so I believe Lord Dunstan desired to name him. Presently my lady's guest?" Sweet innocent girl, the sort Theomore once would pluck to smell it's fragrance and admire for a few short moments before leaving it to whither on the wayside as he rode forward. It was easier, sometimes, not to care. But what matter of delicacy could she possibly have tangled herself into now?

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"The same. It came to my attention that some of the staff here were bullying her. Then, my mother and a former employee of Samurel's helped spread rumours about Marei and my husband. That part of the matter was cleared up quickly, but suffice to say the poor girl was in a great deal of undue distress. Out of duty to my good friend, Lady Aofie, I could not return Marei to Mountain's Reach, so I have placed her in the care and service of Lady Gwyneth Drakeson, as I can trust her to see that the girl is treated fairly. As far as the staff here are concerned, Marei has gone to live with family in the North. Marei dearly wish that we not push the harrassment issue here, and while I am furious that my staff have been so awful, I respect Marei's wishes. Now, to where you come in. Dunstan is a man of passion and impulse, so I ask for your assistance in bringing this news to him gently. Preferably leaving out the matter of my staff's behaviour."

[Theomore Tullison]

Theomore carefully considers the words laid in front of him, more than one thing that could be troubling in an of itself. "The lady Isobel spread rumors? That does not quite sound like the impression I had of her" And why would she do that about Marei? About someone else, Theomore would probably conclude that she was a petty and miserable old hag. But this was, at least once upon a time, a lady he could have learned a thing or two from. But that was before responsibility slipped through her fingers. Corrine had mentioned a growing concern earlier, had it progressed to this?

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"It is disappointing, yes. The rumours started among the staff, and she saw fit to fan the flames and mislead me. But she is being dealt with. No need to concern yourself. Will you bring news of Marei's relocation to your lord nephew in a way that will not deepen his resentment?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"As far as I am concerned, my lady, I am satisfied so long as Lady Isobel may cause no further damage to House Marsten, whether that be it's cause, internal strength or relationships with others. Mountain's Reach only stands to prosper from having a strong relationship with a strong Hartshorn." Theomore strokes his beard in thought. "Though I fear my lord nephew may be less pragmatic about the matter, I believe I have succeeded in teaching him that justice is frequently not just at all, but that might just make him think the worst upon hearing that my lady will be dealing with the matter without any further details."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"By all means, provide details. Either the story Marei had me give the Hartshorn staff about her going to live with family in the North, or, more quietly, the truth, that I could not stand by and let a few individuals bully her, but also could not do harm to Aofie. Either way, please impress upon him that it was for the best. My actions have been to protect my dear friend, and do right by Marei as best I can, as her situation is not her fault."

[Theomore Tullison]

"The story about family to the north is not one that Dunstan should be told, my lady." Theomore shakes his head, hopefully it is simply so that she is a bad liar and he is not that made her not notice what should be obvious, but the fact that it should be obvious is cause for some worry, Baelon and Loreia had Gwyn to keep them safe from a world that would crush anyone trying to bludgeon their way through it, but who did the third symbol have? "I suspect that Marei have no family there, and I imagine that she would have told Lord Dunstan about it if she did. The telling of that tale might outright cause more damage than the truth possibly could. And suppose he accepts it, how can we be assured that he will not later find out anyway? A single informant at Hartshorn may well lead to a third party putting the pieces together and find it profitable to reveal to my lord nephew that he was lied to."

"I think he will need to hear the truth, my lady, and it may also be a prudent sign of good faith to offer proof that those responsible has received proper chastisement."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"The truth it is then, but would our word not be proof enough? Marei refused to name those who were harrassing her, and begged me not to let anyone in the staff know the truth of why she was leaving. She deserves a fresh start."

[Theomore Tullison]

"Marei's wishes should be sufficient for the purposes of myself informing Lord Dunstan of this without providing much in the way of detail, but I think he must know of Lady Isobel's involvement, and he will most likely want answers to ease his mind about her receiving appropriate reactions." It needed to be done cleanly, with no loose ends for their adversaries to exploit. "For my part, I wonder if Lady Isobel understands what exactly she placed in jeopardy here, and what possible motivation could she have for doing as she did? Ordinarily, I would think petty spite, but that is not the lady Isobel I know, and it is not easy to imagine how Marei might have brought on her ire."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[Need to pause until I get an answer to that in another thread.]

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