[Day 3, MM] Paving the way (Closed)

[Nathaniel Mason]

Having stopped at the market and his way back from the Pavilions, Nathan entered the room with with a tray of freshly baked cheese pastry, stewed apples with cinnamon, and a pot of hot black tea. Hopefully the smell alone would entice the occupant to rise. "
Good morning Edmund, it's time to get up."


Ser Edmund Bartheld, cousin to Davain lay sprawled in the bed, wrapped in the covers. He was a regular at the Rutting Boar although he probably preferred his poetry and books. Nathan liked the young man. He was not particularly handsome. He was not particularly bright. He was not particularly skilled at anything in particular, but he was extremely loyal to Davain and loyalty was a quality few had these days. Nathan found the man's slender looks and delicate features attractive, even if others did not. Most notable was his shyness, which many found weak, but Nathan thought was endearing.

Placing the tray on a table, Nathan crossed to the window and threw open the drapes to let in the light. "
It's probably going to be another grey day, so it's good everyone will be inside at the Great Feast, which you will be late for if you don't get up. Besides, we need to talk."

[Reader]

Bleary eyed, Ser Edmund tumbled from bed.

He greets Nathaniel warmly, his auburn hair short enough as to look no different despite him having just woken.

"
It might be grey, but it looks to be a better day than yesterday at least, and this looks like a fine breakfast to be starting it with! If the rain holds off I'd though to take a stroll and learn something of the local flora."

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan sighed, smiled and helped the young man up. "
You are going to need your head clear. The Great Feast is a battleground and don't think for a moment that it isn't."
He poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to him. "
Fendrel's supporters are already moving and I can only do so much to slow them down."
Nathan sat in a chair opposite the bed. "
I know what you think of politics and scheming, but every other House and the crown is watching House Bartheld at the moment to see whether Davain or Fendrel will prevail. I've been doing what I can for Davain, but I can only do so much alone."

[Reader]

Edmund gulped down the steaming hot tea.

"
I am my cousin's man, all those who doubt my loyalty should cast themselves in the Red fork."


He looks to Nathaniel with guileless enthusiasm, undermined somewhat as he hops to put on his boots.

"
What can I do to help Davain?"

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan smiled, but that smile covered a brief and intense stab of jealousy.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have someone as completely loyal to me as Edmund is to Davain. I wonder if Davain values it as much as I would. He is a fool if he doesn't.

"
I have been moving about the Tourney making contacts, testing the waters, perhaps persuading people to support your cousin. Some can see that it is obvious that Davain is the rightful Heir, but some would take the measure of the man, and some still want to trade their support for more practical measures than just good will. I need your help to set up meetings with some of these influential people and Davain. In many cases it does not matter how silver tongued I am, I cannot alter the fact that in many people's eyes I am just a whore. I have no shame in this, but those supporting Fendrel are already trying to use this as a weapon against me. I need a legitimate Bartheld to do what I cannot."

[Reader]

"
My family would probably legitimacy is my only quality that is not in question. At least on that account I am of use to them.=, even if they have no care for the natural world or poetry."


Edmund says this with no rancour - he has made his peace with his family's opinion of him.

"
Perhaps I can serve in this matter, although I fear I have no fine words or martial accomplishments to secure meetings with the highest lords and ladies. Subject to that, I shall endeavour to secure the appropriate meetings for Davain. While you act in his interest, I am ever at your disposal."

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
Excellent. I greatly appreciate the help you are giving me and your unswerving loyalty to Davain."


Everyone liked to feel important, and perhaps Edmund's value wasn't nearly as well recognized at it should. It was actually a bit of a shame Edmund was born noble. Nathan could think of many courses his life could take that would be better suited to him than this one. Nathan would hire the young Knight in an instant to look after the Boar gardens, write his poetry, entertain his guests. Perhaps the offer might still be there. If this feud ended with the dissolving of the House, Edmund might be one of the first to need shelter from the cold.

"
Yoren Longshore of House Longshore wishes a meeting with Davain. I was hoping you could arrange for this the evening after the feast. He is an Ironborn, but a follower of the Lord of Light rather than the Drowned God. He is amenable to support Davain, but would like to gauge his measure first. There are others that I may be able to persuade to come to the table. Every supporter for Davain will be one less potential supporter for Fendrel."

[Reader]

Edmund nodded rapidly in enthusiastic agreement.

"
A queer background, but the Ironborn are odd sorts. I shall not fail Davain in securing this meeting,"
he intones, with more seriousness than the simple task requires.

Whether this course of action would prove wise after the tumult that would overtake House Longshore would emerge as a question for later that day. Perhaps it would be an ideal opportunity for Bartheld's open handed approach to win friends in dire need? Or perhaps the Ironborn would drag the boar down in to the political mire they'd made for themselves?...

[OOC: PM me if/when you/Yoren creates a thread]

[Nathaniel Mason]

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