[D2:Mid-Morning] Preparations (closed)

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon strode through the Marsten camp, dressed in his court finery and groomed impeccably.

This business of the gift - I must make Lady Isobel see reason.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Baelon!"
the voice from behind was immediately familiar. "
Baelon, a moment!"


Hurrying up to him was Gwyneth, picking her steps carefully and quickly through the sometimes rough ground of the camp. She waved when he turned to look.

Coming up alongside him, Gwyn said in a lower voice, "
We have got to talk. As soon as possible. Where are you off to?"

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Gwyn!"
Baelon smiles. He always smiles when he talks with Gwyneth.
He lowers his voice to match his friend's hushed tone.
"
I was just on my way to see Lady Isobel. This matter of giving a gift to the Princess or the Queen... but that can wait a little."


He looks around, and spies a copse of trees some distance from the nearest tent.
Perfect - we can be seen, but not heard - that should keep the rumors to a minimum. Gwyn is having a hard enough time catching Dunstan.
"
Come, let us shelter form this drizzle under those trees, and talk a while."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn grimaced. "
Oh the gift...gods above...all right, yes. Quickly!"


She leads him to the copse and looks excitedly around.

"
All right..all right."
She took a deep breath to calm herself down. "
Baelon, there's a lot going on at once here. I think we should work together. Coldbrooks and Longshores. Maybe friends, maybe enemies. And, AND, I have to go meet Dunstan later, so...ugh! Are you in the hunt?"


Yes, she was definitely excited. Already starting to talk too fast and leaving parts that were necessary for making sense out.

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Whoa, slow down a little, one thing at a time."


He takes a slow breath, striving to lead by example.

"
Certainly, we should work together - we're always stronger if coordinating our efforts. Lets see here... Coldbrooks and Longshores. I met a couple members of House Coldbrook yesterday, and of course I've heard of the Ironborn house, but what have they got to do with each other?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
What? Nothing, of course. Except that I've learned something about both of them. Listen, I've...wait, you met the Coldbrooks?"


Gwyn looks absurdedly crestfallen for a moment, like a child who's just found out her prized gift was something all the other children have had since their last nameday.

"
Oh. Well who did you meet? I had words with Garret Snow."

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Ah, I met his brother, Daveth Coldbrook, and one of their retainers - a guardswoman named Loreia. Unusual, but I've no doubt she could hold her own in a fight against most of our guards."

He shakes his head.
"
But that doesn't matter - more importantly, Daveth expressed an interest in supplying troops for our fight against the mountain clans. An endeavor which Dunstan also expressed interest in joining - not terribly surprising, as House Tullison has their own issues with the clans."

He sighs.
"
That does bring up one significant problem though. Apparently Ser Theomore slew the Coldbrook heir at the tournament at the Twins last year, but House Tullison has, allegedly, not so much as apologized. That doesn't sound like the Dunstan I know, though, but I haven't had a chance to talk to him about it yet. I had intended to keep my nose out of it altogether, but it seems like someone not affiliated with either house needs to mediate or arbitrate... and I don't know of anyone else that has as much to gain from them working it out peacefully as we do. It's a a politically complicated mess though, so I don't think Lady Isobel would be willing to play that role - but I could."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyneth frowns thoughtfully for a moment, then brightens.

"
That's actually perfect for us,"
she says, eyes shining. "
If not for that bad blood, Tullison and Coldbrook wouldn't really NEED us. They could form an agreement between themselves if need be. Obviously they could benefit from our involvement but...this way we're stronger. We can make alliances with either, maybe even both, and they are stuck with only us. And of course we'll help them resolve their dispute...which also puts us in position to guide the terms of the agreement."


Her eyes went to Baelon's. "
My aunt would never trust me to lead the negotiations, but I think she might let you do it. Then she'd have nothing to say if you brought me on to...assist. When I meet Garret again, I'll see what I can find out about this business. Who knows? By the time we all come to the table, it may already have been dispensed with."

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon smiles.
"
I always have liked the way you think. Though, i was planning to act just as myself and not as a representative of House Marsten - if it goes sour I wouldn't want to be blamed for bringing trouble down on us. If you can get Garret interested in having me mediate, and if I can convince Daveth, I think we'll have a good shot of them convincing their Lord. I told Loreia to convey the message that I was willing to serve as such, but only if asked. If they don't want my nose in their business it'll only make it worse if we push the issue... so be subtle with Garret."

He smiles again.
"
I don't think it'll take much to convince Dunstan, particularly if the Coldbrook Lord has already agreed."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Well, we'll need someone to represent House Marsten if there's any lasting agreement,"
Gwyn points out unnecessarily. "
You could mediate their dispute on your own but...I think we have more to gain in both goodwill and bargaining position if you speak for the Lady in this. It's unpleasant enough that I don't think Isobel would want to deal with it personally, so there's a good chance she'll let you do it. Just emphasize how much it strengthens our hand, and she'll agree."


She looks away for a moment, brain whirling. Yves Tullison, Dunstan Tullison, Daveth and Garret, Corrine and herself. There was a very elegant set of matches there wasn't there? Oh yes.

"
This could work very well. Very well indeed. Yves and Daveth, me and Dunstan, Garret could marry Corrine;
he has no name of his own and could take Marsten. It's absolutely flawless. Marsten and Tullison with their experience against the mountain clans, the forces of Coldbrook. And they gain the prestige of associating with two respected, influential Houses."


With a sigh, Gwyn added, "
Now we just have to get Isobel to see it that way."

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon looks a bit taken aback.
"
Flawless...? I don't think that's quite the term I'd use for it. For one, you left someone out of the equation - me. Also, my understanding is that Garret's father favors him for the inheritance over his wife's son, so I doubt that any such match with Corinne would be possible."

A contemplative look crosses his face.
"
I've been thinking that it might be time for me to settle down and get married. I might seek Corinne's hand myself."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

For a moment Gwyn's mouth hung comically open, giving Baelon the satisfaction of being openly flummoxed. She rallied quickly though.

"
You and Corrine? But that...all right it would work in the broadest of senses, but...it's hardly ideal."
She started ticking off fingers. "
First, it's awkward. She's practically grown up with you. You're much more of a brother to her than a suitor. Second, and I mean nothing personally by this, you have much less to offer the House than an alliance. You're a fine man, and would be a good husband I think...if you can reign yourself in...but Garret would bring the men of Coldbrook with him to help us in our fight."


"
It's just, there's very little leeway in this threefold alliance,"
Gwyneth pointed out, trying to justify herself. "
As far as I know, there's no women in the Coldbrook household. Yves has to marry one of them, and either Corrine or I have to marry the other. But then either Corrine or I has to wed Dunstan as well, and Corrine can't do that. If Garret Snow somehow becomes Lord Coldbook, then...I suppose we'd have to hope Daveth is willing to take on Marsten's name. It would be a big enough snub to him that I imagine he might be."


"
I don't see how else it could be done. That doesn't mean you can't be wed, Baelon. It just means it wouldn't be part of this negotiation. Which, it seems to me is a good thing? It means you have a choice."
She smiled at that and swept an arm around. "
Your pick of all the maids here. I would think that would be the best possible result for you."

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
'Grown up with'? We only met about a year and half ago, and I've spent most of that time traveling or with you in Joston's Rock. I hardly know her."

I should really do something about that, and soon.

"
But let's set aside my own interests and what connections I might bring to the house."

He runs his hand through his silver hair.

"
I don't think we should be looking to make a permanent investment in House Coldbrook at this time. Especially not with our one and only heir. House Coldbrook is too new, too untested. While I hope for their success a few bad decisions could destroy them completely. These are perilous times and they don't have much room to make mistakes."

Like pushing this matter of their heir too hard, too publicly. If push comes to shove, my money is on House Tullison coming out the other side. House Coldbrook may have more and maybe even better troops, but the Tullisons have more and better friends.

"
I doubt Lady Isobel would approve of any marriage contract with them, nevermind her only daughter. Especially not for just a few troops. She might be persuaded for you to marry into their house, but even then I think she would rather have you go elsewhere."

He shakes his head.

"
From what I've seen they are good people and I fully intend for our houses to become friends, but a marriage pact is too much. We don't need their help that badly - they are only one of many houses that could aid us in that regard. We can repay them in other ways, ways that will still help them, but would not come back to haunt us should unfortunate events take place."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyneth wilted a little, but finally nodded slowly. Too excited. Too quick to jump at the first path forward. She needed to stop and think things through.

What then, clever Gwyn?

She sighed and rubbed her head. "
Those are good points. Even so, there's no need for you to hurry forward and woo Corrine. Even if she's not to wed, the impression that she might could be useful by itself. No promises, of course...but things unsaid can be as persuasive, sometimes."


With a shake of her head, Gwyn dismissed the Coldbrooks. "
Do you know anything about the Longshores now? The Ironborn you see sometimes, skulking around the edges."

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon laughs.
"
If I don't 'rush off' to woo her, how can I win her? Certainly, a marriage option could be used as an enticement, but be careful - don't make promises we won't keep."


"
As for the Longshores, I only know them by reputation... and Ironborn do not have a good reputation. What do you know?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
I just said no promises...but yes. Longshores."


She looked theatrically from side to side and said, "
They're having a succession crisis too. I think it must be a new fad or something. Everyone's getting in on them. The long-lost heir has returned, but there's division in the ranks of whom to support for some reason. But the Longshores have a lot of men, and they're practically all seasoned warriors. And since the heir is struggling to be recognized, we might have some leverage."


Gwyn chewed her bottom lip a moment, then added, "
But I also heard that the ironborn are restless...looking for plunder again. So there'd be risks even if we did manage to get concessions from them for our support."

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Sorry, I meant don't imply such promises. I know you're smart enough not to make such promises."


"
Another one? That makes... four I count off the top of my head, if you don't count unwed heiresses. Still, this one could be especially dangerous. Especially seeing getting involved could anger the various shoreline lords that fight off raiders on a regular basis. Be really careful with that situation. Ironborn are known to kidnap women, and I'd hate to see you get hurt."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

She nods at that. "
I've got mixed feelings about it, honestly. The last thing House Marsten needs is another howling band of savages to deal with. I'd consider them a contingency plan, if all else fails. And...perhaps a warning. A battle-hungry people could be easily baited into ill-advised actions by someone who's trying to rally support. I think we need to keep a careful eye on their pavilions."

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Agreed. There would be a certain delicious irony in having one group of savages fight another, but they might decide to turn on us instead."


"
Now, lets talk about more urgent matters. Lady Isobel wants us to present House Marsten's gift to the Queen. I'll do no such thing... but I'd rather convince her that we should give it to the Princess than have her show up to the Queen's party without a gift. Will you help me convince her?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn pursed her lips dubiously.

"
We can try,"
she relents. "
But I wouldn't get my hopes too far up. Even though the Princesses creed would benefit her House, aunt was never one to put reason over tradition. But yes, there's nothing to be lost by trying. At least we'll have a clear conscience."

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Oh, I think we can convince her. We won't know unless we try, though."


He offers his arm to her in a gentlemanly fashion.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

She takes his arm, and accompanies him to see the Lady.

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