[Day 3, Mid Afternoon]Two Scholars in a House of Swords (C)

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Once the speeches were all done, and Daveth was no longer required, he makes his excuses to his companions and makes his way over to the table Yoren indicated. One does not, after all, keep a friend waiting longer than duty demands.

"
Yoren."
he smiles, not taking a seat until offered one. "
Sorry for the delay. You wished to occupy some of my time?"

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren smiles back, offering Daveth a seat: "
I wish to occupy much of your time. However, what I wish of little importance."

Yoren trails off, as he remembers that this was more than a pleasure call. "
That however is Semantics for a different Occasion. Right now, we'll have to be brief."


Yoren finds a small sheaf of coarse paper, with a few words written upon it. Before he lowers his voice: "
everyone are here to celebrate. However at several occations we have seen a division of interest. In times where amiable talks are simple acts any man must find his friends. As important as finding his friends is to ensure that you act in the best interest of these friends you need to talk to them. Ask what their objectives are. If you don't know their mind, how can you act in their interests?"


Yoren leans backwards, clearly tired: "
I wish to know your mind, so that we may assist each other."


OOC
would you want an intrigue? Or simple roleplay?

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth sits, then leans back, and considers Yoren carefully for a few moments. Careful, Daveth. He's still an Ironborn. And worse, a smart one. You'd be agreeing to arm him with the most dangerous weapon there is.

But strong bonds require friendship. And friendship requires trust. At some point, you just have to take a risk.

Daveth leans forward, and speaks similarly quietly. "
An oath, in R'hollor's name, that you will not use what I tell you against my house, nor will you spend what I tell you as coin with others. And I am prepared to offer the same, in the name of my gods, binding so long as you live, or you release me from it, regarding what you tell me in return."

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren smiles at Daveth speaking in a low voice:
"
You are a cautious one. I will use no information against you, only to help you. I am willing to swear on that. However I will not require you to swear on your gods in return, I trust you. Besides, you already know what my plan is: take the place in my fathers hall which is rightfully mine."
Yoren claps Daveth softly om the shoulder:
"
I trust you to help me with that if you have the chance, but that is beside this point. Now I want to know: what is it you want? Because I am here to help you, if you have any use of my help."

Yoren looks steadily in Daveths eyes. "
I swear to not turn it against you. I swear it in R'hollors name, I swear it on R'hollors flame."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

(OOC: I would point out that when last we met, Yoren mentioned nothing of being Farris's son or the (potential) heir, and Leifnarr only hinted at it. In fact, Yoren specifically denied having any titles. Of course, I'm happy with Yoren assuming Daveth would have figured it out by now.)

Daveth shrugs, almost apologetically, at Yoren's comment about his caution, but avoids making excuses for his behaviour. He does, however, give a small nod when Yoren mentions assistance in inheritance, though only a small one.

When Yoren finishes his oath, Daveth gives a small sigh. Well, here it is Daveth. Time to answer the question: how much *do* you trust Yoren? Speaking quietly enough that he couldn't be overheard, he begins. "
There is something we need, that would cost you next to nothing, but be appreciated nonetheless. Acknowledgement of Castle Grenward as legally belonging to the Coldbrook family. We only took control within the last two decades, and administrative tasks like that were put on hold until now. It's a simple case of updating a few maps and documents, if you'd be willing.

"
The second point is bigger, and you are in a precarious enough position in your house on the subject already, I imagine, but I will tell you regardless. We are 'other' here in the Riverlands. We are from different stock, and we worship strange gods, who are a mystery to most. This divides us from other houses, makes us outsiders, distrusted. We can't change our ancestors, and we won't change our faith, but we can expose others to it. Make it less of a scary mystery, and more something that they associate with calm, pleasant memories. I hope you found your time in the godswood here a calming and relaxing experience, despite not believing. It is that association that we wish to form in other people's heads as well. By providing technical assistance to other houses in growing their own godswood. Not necessarily as a place of worship, merely as a place to think and relax. And in so doing, doing our bit to promote unity and understanding within the kingdom."
a quirk of a self-effacing smile at the grandness of his last line.

"
And thirdly, we need allies."
his voice takes on a serious tone. "
Maybe not the allies we want, but the ones we need."
he looks intently at Yoren to see if he understands. "
We're too isolated to take risks with any significant amount of political capital on high-risk allies. Those where we're pinning all our hopes on an individual who looks uncertain to be around long enough to repay the investment, however much we might wish otherwise. Certain individuals might act according to their individual whims, but the house cannot afford to take such risks."
that last sentence was said in a tone of unmistakable apology. Sorry, Yoren, but that's the best I can do for you. Best I'm honest about that with you now.

"
Anyway,"
in a more casual tone "
there are a lot of other things we need. Money's always nice, for example, but that's the same with everyone. Those three are the main things unique to us. How about you?"

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren lets a brief silence fall over their conversation, to show that he gives it due consideration.

"
You cleverly take the easiest issue first. Of course you have a right to the castle, if you have been the stewards of it and nobody has been complaining, I doubt that you will need my help."
Yoren spreads his arms: "
But nonetheless, for what it is worth I acknowledge your rights to the castle, I may even take the issue to your liegelords if you wish."


Yoren leans forward: "
As for your second point, we are strangers, alienated from the softer lands down here. I have felt that many people dislike me due to this, and agree wholeheartedly. However even though I am willing to let a godswood rise on Longshore soil, I am not completely in charge. I may convince my father of the merits of this, but it does require your assistance. We will need you to provide us with the trees. We will also be in need of instructions on how to cultivate it. Preferably we would like to have a gardener to assist us in this."
Yoren smiles: "
If you may provide the trees, I will convince my father to let them grow on our land."


Yoren looks at Daveth, nodding in understanding, but still asking: "
What political risk? Your have a right to state whom you support. No one will hold you in lower regard for such actions, and the fact remains, with the support of powerfull northerners, I can all but ensure you that someones rightfull claim will come through."
Yoren looks pointedly: "
I am sure that a man with the rightfull claim will not blame you for taking the safe route, but he may feel disappointed nonetheless. "


Yoren sits a little straighter up: "
of course it is not too late to change your mind on assisting this man, as he will most likely allways be open to allies, and will probably remember those that stood by him"


Yoren winks: "
But enough about hypothetical scenarios. My house has it's wealth in codliveroil, which as you may think for yourself is not enough for a powerful economy. However, what we may be very interested in is a few men of working age to our fields, as that may have a good effect on our food surplus. Apart from that we need friends."


Yoren looks at Daveth: "
We would also like to know if our friends"
he gives a pointed look "
will become lord himself, or let his brother get the title."
Yoren leans back: "
Can you tell me if this hypotetical house has cleared their succession?"

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth actually grins at Yorens comments, even the veiled criticism. Gods, it's good to dance like this.

"
Well, let me deal with the last thing first. Events this morning may have had an impact, but it's still too early to say, so I will beg your forgiveness for simply saying the matter is not yet settled."
(OOC: because they haven't actually *happened* out of character yet.)

"
I thank you for your offer of recognition. Our liege lords are supportive. The main issue is House Darry, a branch of whom were the prior owners, still exist, and may stake a claim should their fortunes improve, or ours worsen. We simply wish to close off that opportunity from them.

"
There is the possibility of some degree of assistance regarding the resources of the godswood, but our house is not rich,"
particularly after that gouging Lord Tully gave us "
so the bulk of the expense would have to fall on your house's shoulders. However, given that all of the benefit will be yours, I still feel that it's a good deal for you. Of course, we would be able to provide the individuals with the requisite skills. Should we be able to navigate thornier matters, I'm sure we can nail down the specifics."


Daveth looks seriously at Yoren, and ensures no-one is eavesdropping before he continues. "
I hope you understand that when I speak with you, I speak with two voices. Once belongs to me, and one belongs to my father. *I* see a man who, with help, could reform the Ironborn in the riverlands to a positive force. An intelligent, honest, decent man, trying to do what's right. My father, however, spent much of his life fighting Ironborn, and has very ... fixed opinions. And he has little time for or sympathy with scholars. And any mention of House Hoare, and their bringing the faith of the Seven to the Iron islands, as well as discouraging reaving and promoting trade, would result in glazed-over eyes and an abrupt dismissal.

"
The main advantage you have, frankly the only one, is that should we support your claim and you fail, we have not lost a house that we have traditional ties with, and we have no coastline in our lands. So, tell me what you need, precisely, and maybe I could find a way for the two voices to align. I can make no promises, however - your house is one of the few who alone could actually hurt us militarily. I would also hear more of where things currently stand, as all I've heard are rumours of tumultuous events this morning. The clearer things are for me, the easier it is to persuade regarding such matters.

"
Your request of people is an interesting one. And one we might be some assistance with. Our population is not vast, but they are honest, hard-working folk, who'd do well in the role you describe. However, that falls beyond the standing instructions I have from my father, so I can commit to nothing beyond the possibility being there."
he hesitates before continuing. "
We would need certain assurances about the conditions they'd be working under, however. Nothing I think you'd find onerous, but it would help deflect some of the criticisms I can predict my father making."


Edit: Edited as I now discover Daveth would have heard of the death of Roddric.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren nods: "
Darry is a powerful house, this changes things slightly, but I will most likely still be able to sway some support to your house. This matter will be settled quicly."
Yoren nods reassuringly.

As Daveth brings up the second point Yoren sips his wine as he slowly shakes his head: "
I would like to say yes to building a godswood, but we have nowhere near the amounts of funds necessary to provide for it ourselves, I am sorry but here I am sure my father will not be swayed, no matter how hard I pressure him. He does not want to borrow from the iron bank, especially to build something he personally does not even like."


Yoren takes a sip of wine. "
I understand that you speak with two voices, let me tell you the sordid story, maybe you can come up with sonething"
Yoren states before explaing the entire story of the death of his brother in quite emotional terms. (As I dont know what happened OOC I cannot tell the story IC). He thrn takes another sip before continuing. "
All assistance would be helpful to us, but no more so than if Coldbrook may offer people to come to our land to teach us domestic matters."

Yoren brightens.

"
We could offer a deal-sweatener so that our father will agree. We may shoulder the cost of a godswood, and in exchange you may send people to our lands."
Yoren considers it: "
That may just convince my father."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

On hearing Yoren tell of Roddric's death, Daveth carefully puts a comforting hand on Yoren's shoulder. "
I, too, have lost a brother, though with a rather better relationship, and under rather different circumstances. If, at some point, you wish to speak with someone with at least some idea of what you're going through, with no fear of it spreading, my door is open to you."


Daveth sighs. "
Unfortunately, I can't figure out a way we could actually organise such an endeavour without it costing far more than it would be worth. I will think on it, but it's not a simple case of paying for a few specialists like the godswood is. It may be we simply have to put the godswood idea aside until more affluent times."


Looking apologetically over at Yoren, he asks. "
Are there other matters in which I might help you?"


Edit: After discussion with Reader and Yoren, editing to reflect plausibility of suggestion.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren looks sadly at Daveth: "
The fact that we did not have a good relationship between us only makes the grief worse. He did not know that I liked him before he was dead."
Yoren swallows hard before continuing: "
I appreciate your support, and after we have done our duties in making deals, I will take you up on the offer."


Yoren then empty his wineglass before filling it again. "
To life"
he says as he empties this glass.

Yoren then perks up: "
I do need your assistance, but only from you, not from your house, How is your hand at Cyvase? I used to love that game, but I need to practice as I have not played in years!"
"

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth raises his glass in response. "
To life."
returning the toast. Cold, cruel and fickle as she is.

At Yoren's question, Daveth smiles. "
This is normally the point at which I proclaim a vague memory of the rules and yet a strange willingness to gamble on them. But more seriously, Cyvase is as close to warfare as I get. I played a lot with my brother growing up, so while I certainly wouldn't claim to be an expert, I might be able to give you a few interesting games. And it would be my pleasure to help you remember. Tomorrow?"

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren raises from his seat"
I'll look forward to it."
He says as he turns to leave.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth nods and leaves back to his table.

/thread

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