[Day 4: Late Evening] Black Books and Heirs (Closed)

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

The day was coming to an end, the sun already faded from the view, but it was of no important to one of the Bartheld heirs apparent. Seated in the great library of House Tully, his handsome face illuminated by the light of candles, he kept browsing through various books, trying to find an answer to a certain question that was troubling him. Surrounded by at least seven different grimoirs, each of them seemingly on a different topic, he sat and read in silence, breaking away from reading only to write down in his own personal journal, bound in red leather and adorned with black dragon motifs.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine liked the peacefulness of the library, the soft lighting, the smell of the books, of leather, parchment, vellum, and wax. Earthy smells, ancient and venerable. To her, the room smelled of history, of legacy, of knowledge. It evoked great wonder and reverence. She moved silently between the shelves and lecterns, studying the titles of each book, looking for one that might have answers for her.

She noticed the stacks of books before she noticed the vaguely familiar face poring over them. He seemed to be drowning in information. She gave him a polite smile.

"
That looks like a very involved search,"
she mused amiably, approaching him.

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

Ser Fendrel was so deep in his books and his own writing that he did not hear Corrine's approach until she was almost upon him. "
Oh, yes,"
he mumbled, quickly closing his leather-bound personal journal. Only then did he straighten and become his proper self, with a confident smile on his lips and with bright green eyes merrily observing the newcomer. "
It is. A guilty pleasure of mine,"
he says with a smirk when it finally recognizes who the beautiful woman is, "
Lady Corrine Marsten?"
He asks, "
Ser Fendrel Bartheld. It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance... although it is an odd place to be making one,"
he laughs quietly, still minding the place where they are.

Most, if not all, books were about the pre-Doom Valyria, including some books about the ancient Valyrians' military campaign against the Ghis Empire, others about some of their customs, and at least one about the Valyrian religion from the times before Aegon the Conqueror accepted the Seven.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
A pleasure to meet you at last, Ser,"
Corrine greets him with a curtsey. "
How fare you this evening? You seemed very deep in thought."

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

Standing up, Ser Fendrel bows down and takes Corrine's hand to plant a soft, gentle kiss on it. Ever a charmer. "
Ah, I was, my lady is quite observant. I am sure that you have heard of the difficult times faced by House Bartheld and when these matters trouble me deeply, I tend to come and seek shelter and advice among books."
He confides, "
First meeting and you have already heard such a confession out of my, my lady!"
He laughs, "
What does it bode for our acquaintance, I wonder? I am greatly pleased, however, to find myself in such vibrant company on an evening like this."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She smiled warmly;


"
You are too kind, Ser Fendrel. I must admit, I too find solace in here. Not only is it peaceful, but when one seeks wisdom, it is all around and near to hand, bound into every book. Might I ask what you were seeking in so many books on Old Valyria?"

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

"
Indeed. Surrounded by all peace, quiet and countless wisdom of the ages. Who would have thought how comforting a good book can be?"
There is this kind of brightness in Fendrel's eyes that can only be attributed to talking about something one is very passionate about. "
Can my lady keep a secret?"
Ser Fendrel gives Corrine a charming... but slightly mischievous smile.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
My my! Held in confidence so quickly!"
Corrine mused with a confidential smile. "
I can indeed keep a secret, and I am honoured by your trust, Ser."

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

"
What can I say? You have ensorcelled me completely, my lady!"
Fendrel laughs, "
It is perhaps not a secret of any great importance. Or even one to be guarded so heavily. Yet it still is a secret not many know. As you have found me in my element, I feel that you are a kindred spirit, a fellow lover of grimoirs and candlelight."
He smiles confidentially, "
In truth, I've been fascinated by Valyria ever since I fought arm-in-arm with Prince Daemon on the Stepstones. It was a most magnificent sight to see the glory of his great beast, Caraxes, rising in the air and defying the laws of mortal men."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

The tale caught Corrine's interest, and she leaned a little closer, her eyes widened with attention.

"
That sounds remarkable! What a formidable beast Caraxes must be! Tellme of the Prince. What is he like?"

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

"
The Prince... I have never seen a soul braver than him. Fearless in battle, fearless outside of battle as well. Determined, once he sets his mind on something, not even the gods could bar him from achieving what he desires. Stern but just, he is loyal to his friends and the Seven forbid that you become an enemy of his."
At this moment Ser Fendrel stops talking as he recalls one particularly vivid memory from the two men's past.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Are you an acquaintance of Ser Baelon then?"
Corrine asked.

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

"
We have met, yes. At one of the exquisite balls of House Bartheld."
Ser Fendrel is obviously proud of the extravagant parties thrown by his house. "
He seems a good man, with his heart in the right place,"
here he smiles knowingly, "
brave, dependable."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine nodded slowly.

"
He is a fine knight, for certain. House Marsten is fortunate to have him. I understand that there will be a party held by the Barthelds in two days' time. Will you be in attendance?"

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

"
Of course, my lady. It would be improper for the host not to attend his own party, now wouldn't it?"
He smiles, "
I do hope that you, as well as other members of House Marsten, will be in attendance as well. I will be honoured to let you taste our Bartheld hospitality and joy."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I am sure some others from my House will come along. And if the tales are true, then I am sure I will like the taste of House Bartheld's hospitality a great deal,"
she grinned.

"
I am grateful for the invitation. It is my hope that House Marsten may make many friends at this tourney. Perhaps you will be among them. I can already see you are a pleasant and thoughtful person."

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

"
My lady, such flattery! You do me a great honour, my lady. But yes, I hope that House Marsten and House Bartheld will become great friends and stalwart allies. In fact... there is something that could provide an excellent foundation for such an alliance. As you probably know, House Bartheld is in a... precarious position after my father, Lord Brom's departure and disgrace. It is in dark times like these that friends are needed most. Both me and my nephew strive for the title of the Lord of our house, but I assure you that had it not been for his blatant disregard of Bartheld's traditions and hospitality, I would never have thought I could ever desire that title. And it's still not the title I desire, but prosperity and stability of our house. My nephew does not seem to remember to uphold these traditions. He seems keen to remake House Bartheld into a stern and laughter-less place under his command. Not a place one associates with our masked balls and great feasts, certainly. If you were to show your personal support for my cause, I can assure you, my lady, House Bartheld would greatly reward such efforts."


[OOC: Sorry for the info dump, but I thought we could get straight into the subject matter?]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: That's totally fine, I was indeed hoping to steer us onward]

Corrine smiled politely, though she was studying Fendrel's face.

"
Possibly. I confess I prefer the notion of Hart House remaining the jubilant place that has gained it such warm praise over the years. However, I do not know your nephew, and I do not like to be one-sided in matters, if I can help it. What sort of rewards would you be able to offer us?"

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

"
We would gladly render of our services to you."
Ser Fendrel bows slightly as if to suggest his service in any matter, "
"
It all depends on what you would have of us. In fact, it has come to my attention that House Marsten has had its own troubles with the mountain clans of the Vale inhabiting its lands and troubling the smallfolk. While House Bartheld might not be the strongest military ally you might consider, we are a wealthy house, a house with a large reservoir of resources which could be used to train new soldiers or properly equip old ones. As such, I can guarantee that our soldiers would be well-equipped to help House Marsten in that task."
Ser Fendrel looks at Corrine expectantly but then remembers something else and adds, "
Apart from that... I have also heard that there might be a wedding coming shortly in your house."
He smirks, "
As you might know, House Bartheld has a long tradition of helping lovers, betrothed and newlyweds... we might be of service in this matter, be it organizing the wedding itself... or anything else. All I require is a public sign of support from you, my lady, and perhaps other members of the household."
He smiles.

[OOC: Sorry for the delay. About the bargain: see the PM we exchanged some time ago?]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine heard his offer with a pleased smile.

"
It is true that we wish to crush to mountain clans that threaten our lands. But what is this wedding you speak of?"
she asked, coyly, wondering how he had come upon that information.

[url=Awareness - Empathy][/url]: 4d6k3 17

[Ser Fendrel Bartheld]

"
Oh my lady,"
Fendrel laughs, "
you are a great beauty, everyone, from here to the Vale, is talking about you and your many suitors. I have assumed that at least some of these rumours might be accurate. Apologies if I have offended."


[OOC: Corrine knows that, behind the well-spoken face and impeccable manners, Fendrel is telling the truth. He seems to base his opinion of the incoming wedding on the rumours one hears everywhere and the logical conclusion of an unmarried beautiful heiress. She does, however, notice that maybe, just maybe, certain someone might have mentioned a thing or two about courting Corrine. That was a bloody lucky roll ]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I see,"
Corrine chuckled slightly. "
There are some seeking my hand, but no wedding has been arranged yet. I will bear your kind offer in mind though, thank you. Are you married, Ser Fendrel?"

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