[Day 4, Late Morning] Witness to the Seven (Open)

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana arrives at the tourney grounds in a leather jerkin, glancing up at the darkening sky that threatens Riverrun with thunder.

She walks up to the seats of nobles and chooses one for herself, as of yet sitting besides none, being one of the first to arrive. She'd heard from the guardsmen that a trial by combat would take place, and that Ser Baelon Waters would be championing. Given recent happenings, this was not an event she could afford to miss.

At Lord Tully's words, she inches forward on her seat, trying to have a better look at the combatants. She can't help but notice the presence of the Prince, but tries to set her attention forwards while briefly greeting those other nobles who begin to arrive.

[ooc: This is a thread for the spectators of the trial. Everyone but Athelstan and Baelon (obviously) is free to participate.]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine arrives, her normally bright and smiling face looking tired and anxious. She is dressed in sombre black, with long sleeves and a high neck to keep the cold off her, aided by a thick black woollen cloak. She sees her cousin and sits next to her, looking out over the tourney grounds with dread.

"
Cousin Dyana,"
she nods in greeting, imparting what warmth she can, though despite her clear sincerity, the tension in her movement and voice are unmistakeable.

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana smirks sympathetically at Corrine, noting her reserved demeanor and somber attire. "
Hello, Corrine."
She nods at her cousin, looking over to the grounds before long as well. "
Worried about Ser Baelon? I don't know the man he's fighting, only what I heard from the guardsmen. Kinslayer, is it?"
She scowls at the thought of such a crime.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine took a moment to compose herself before replying.

"
His name is Athelstan Pyke, of House Longshore,"
she explained. "
And the situation is... somewhat complicated. The Gods will determine the truth of the matter soon enough, I suppose. It just makes me feel so... I don't really know. It feels senseless, somehow. One would think it would be preferable to avoid more violence and... possibly death."

[Dyana Marsten]

"
Longshore? It figures."
Dyana directs her scowl towards Athelstan if she can see him. "
A trial by combat is a sacred right, Corrine. It can prevent further violence, in all honesty. If this man is guilty, then, by the Seven, may he be judged. I wouldn't flinch to see a Longshore kinslayer killed on trial."
She snuffs some air out of her nostrils, shaking her head slowly.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I know the Ironborn have a bad reputation,"
Corrine conceded, though her tone was sorrowful. "
But I know this one. He's... different. He's not some mindless brute. He says he wants to integrate his people with the rest of the Realm, make the Iron Islands a better friend to the Seven Kingdoms. He has even took up worshipping the Seven. I do not see a monster in him, like it seems most of the people here do."

[Dyana Marsten]

[OOC: Discussed via PM.]

[url=Awareness (Empathy)][/url]: 4d6k3 15

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: Well, that beats her deception skills easily!]

Anyone can see that Corrine is stressed and anxious about the fight in general. However, despite her attempts to keep herself in check, Dyana hears the hint of defensiveness in her cousin's voice as she explains about the young Ironborn man. It seems to Dyana that Corrine is more concerned for this Longshore bastard than Ser Baelon.

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana hesitates just a moment before speaking again, nodding slowly to try and cover it up. She'd noticed Corrine briefly looking down at the mention of the Longshore bastard's possible death, and then taking pain to defend his name and differentiate him from the other Ironborn... if she didn't know better, Dyana would imagine her cousin was more worried about this Athelstan than Ser Baelon. And as fate would have it, she really didn't know better.

The Marsten warrior was of a mind unsuited to subtlety when it really counted, but she'd try testing the waters before plunging in accusation. "
Seems like you've met the man. You'd rather see neither fall, is it?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Yes, we met at the feast yesterday. He was very open about what happened with his brother, and was very kind and respectful to me. Nothing like what I'd been told Ironborn were like."


Corrine shrugged, though it did not come across as relaxed as she had hoped it would.

"
And yes, I think I'd prefer it if neither of them fell. While I am not inclined towards Ser Baelon as a match, I do not want a good knight and loyal friend of my House to suffer death or shame any more than I would Athelstan."

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana could barely conceal a frown at the news, and involuntarily caught herself looking towards Athelstan. So, her cousin had been so ensorcelled by an Ironborn that, after a single day, she'd weigh him the same as Ser Baelon? Or was it just her compassionate nature? Dyana had a way of over exaggerating things few could match, even in paranoid thoughts. To be fair, she didn't know many Ironborn either. But neither kinslayers.

"
And you did not doubt his motives when he came to you, not even once? Guilty men oft sound the sincerest. It's a ruse, cousin, to gain the favor of those willing to lend their ears in goodwill. Do not let a conversation cloud your opinion on the verdict of the Seven."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Would you say the same if he won the fight?"
Corrine asked. "
He did not know who I was when we met, so I don't believe he had reason to lie to me. He would have nothing to gain from it."


She sensed herself getting tangled, her mind struggling to be calm and coherent. Her shoulders sagged wearily.

"
I'm sorry, Dyana. I don't mean to be quarrelsome, I'm just very tired. I did not sleep well last night. You are right, I am, perhaps, too idealistic and trusting, but I cannot help it. I want to find the good in everyone. But I do truly believe that Athelstan is not as bad as his accusers say."


She fidgeted with the silver chain around her neck nervously.

"
At least it is not Ben who has to fight him. I don't think I could bear it."

[Dyana Marsten]

"
You are not being quarrelsome, Corrine, don't worry. If he wins the fight, then that will be the will of the Seven, and I'll be proven wrong in my accusations. It wouldn't be the first time."
Dyana shrugs, then falls in silence for some time, even as she listens to the rest of her cousin's words.

As always, her facade didn't last long. No matter how much good sense told her it was best to lay down and let things be, she felt an urge to speak her mind, as was her way. Corrine's fidgeting and somber words were worrying her, and for that she felt as if justified. "
Did you get involved with this man, cousin?"
She shifted her gaze from the tourney grounds directly into Corrine's own, hoping that perhaps their honesty the day before would've earned her some measure of lasting trust. "
You speak of fairness and idealism and avoiding violence, but I can tell that's not all there is to it. What is in your mind, Corrine?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine did all she could to hold her composure, but for a split second, her reaction to Dyana's question was like that of a startled fawn.

"
Erm... I... I don't..."


She sighed heavily and cast her eyes downwards, feeling Dyana's eyes on her, seeing more than she could hide.

"
I cannot think right now, Dyana, I'm sorry. May we discuss this later? All these people are making me feel self-conscious."

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana's eyes shifted back towards the other nobles, some of which were looking in their general direction, most of which were ignoring the two. She then looked back at Corrine, offered a firm nod and squeezed her thigh lightly in assurance. "
You don't need to say anything else, cousin."
She was trying to be supportive about it, but this didn't really bode well. Was it her own fault, for encouraging Corrine to...

Nevermind that. She'd deal with the implications later. Right now, it was time to watch and hope that... Baelon... or, this Athelstan... would win?

Damn. Corrine was making she, herself, feel torn. There was a familiar face fighting, but also a man whom someone she cared about, cared about. Though she pursed her lips at the thought, Dyana did her best do dispel the effect she'd put upon Corrine. "
Today's the joust, you know. I'm eager to... watch."
She smiled with as much warmth as she could muster.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren, who has held a place at the back of the crowd now gently taps shoulders to get forward in the crownd. Mere yards away he shouts to Athelstan: "
Don't let his bravado trick you, inside that splint he is most likely pissing himself! The ironborn in this crowd has seen you fight, show the rest of them!"


Yoren shouts encouragements to his brother, before turning to the two ladies: "
beg you both pardon, my ladies. I know how annoying it is standing next to a particularly boisterous man, and know that this behaviour should not be done under civiliced circumstances. However I figured as all the riverlanders are hissing at him, I should do my brotherly duty and provide at least some support."
Yoren glances anxiously over his shoulder to see if the fight has started before saying: "
my name is Yoren, may I have the pleasure of yours?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine smiled gratefully at her cousin's change of subject;


"
Oh yes, thinking of watching that does cheer me. I hear there are a couple of mystery knights! It's ever so intriguing!"


Finally, through her weariness and worry, Corrine smiles her warm, genuine smile at Dyana, her normal self shining through.

She turns to face the noisy Ironborn man when he addresses them, and recognises him instantly.

"
It's quite alright. Everyone deserves an advocate, and I'm sure Athelstan appreciates your support."


She extends her hand for him to take;


"
Lady Corrine Marsten, my lord Yoren, and this is my cousin, Dyana Marsten. I recognise you from the judgement yesterday. You are the heir to House Longshore now, I believe. My condolences for the loss of your brother."

[Dyana Marsten]

"
I saw there were others, yes. I wonder who else comes enshrouded?"
Dyana considers this when the Ironborn loudly interrupts her thoughts, then turns to apologize with surprising civility.

She lets her cousin take the lead, introducing them both and forgiving his boisterous behavior. Dyana nods at the words, hands at her hips as she leans back on her seat, though she will offer a hand to Yoren if he seems inclined to greet her in such fashion. Otherwise, she's silent.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren takes her hand, bows down and kisses it.
"
The judgement yes. I'm sorry that you had to see that. The finer points of rhetoric was lost on the few of the men in the crowd, although i suspect you got them?"
He says with a small smile. "
If I understand the situation, Baelon is a knight at your houses service? I am sorry to say that I hope that he loses this match, as it is either that, or me loosing my other brother"
Yoren takes off and swallows quickly
He then looks at Dyana and kisses her hand too: "
nice to meet you, but may I ask why you are so heavily dressed?"
without any scorn in his voice.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine dismisses his apology with a smile and a handwave;


"
It is understandable, my lord. In truth, I have no more desire for you to be deprived of another sibling than I have to lose a loyal knight of my House. May the Warrior guide them, win or lose, and the Father judge Athelstan fairly."


His comment on being dressed heavily made her glance at both Dyana's and her own clothing.

"
Forgive me, my lord, but we are not dressed unusually for this weather. Perhaps you are more resistant to the cold than we."


She smiled congenially.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren nods: "
But if Balon loses then there is a chance they will both walk away unscathed, however if Balon wins, then I am afraid there is no way to save my brother, regardless of Rhetoric..."
Yoren cocks his head slightly before answering:

"
I did not mean any offence, however I was slightly put off by your cousin dressing in Leather. A few women does it on the iron isles, but I was not under the impression that women here had taken up that tradition..."
Yoren gives a reconciliary smile: "
However I guess you are the one who knows best the customs of women in the riverlands here, so my pardon if I was mistaken."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I suppose I cannot fault your reasoning there. Let us hope the Gods are kind,"
Corrine replied, tactfully. In truth, she agreed, and would have preferred Athelstan to live, but she could certainly not say that.

"
Dyana is no ordinary woman, my lord,"
she explained with a winning smile, glancing approvingly at her cousin, a little head cant encouraging her to speak to Yoren herself of her achievements and prowess.

[Dyana Marsten]

"
Well, yes."
Dyana puffs up her chest a little at Corrine's words, looking towards Yoren. "
I am not one to strictly follow the expectations and traditions on riverland's women, Lord Yoren. I am a warrior, honed against the mountain clans of the vale, and I wear a warrior's finery with as much entitlement as a lady's garb. If you have any plans of being around me, it's good practice to get used to it."
She smiles amiably, her tone friendly rather than taunting.

[OOC: Sorry for taking so long, guys, weekends are hard on me, and you start talking about me just when I'm not around!!]

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren nods to the woman: "
You should have a word with my sister sometime. She is also a soldier. She has a way with weapons... I bet that she could beat me any day of the week, if she wished to."
Yorens expression saddens: "
she could not come to the tournament for just that reason, my father is afraid what the other lords will think of her."

He then turns around just in time to see Athelstan surrendering: "
No! He will lose his eye for this!"
With a combination of fear amd disgust he watches the ceremony. After a long swallow he says: "
it was not supposed to end this way..."

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana nods to the ironborn, but any comment she had on the man's sister is swallowed as their attentions shift to the duel. When Athelstan lies defeated, she can't do much but swallow hard, glancing at Corrine for the briefest of moments before addressing Yoren. "
I'm sorry, Lord Yoren. If that is the verdict of the Seven, then may it be so."
She nods solemnly.

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