Re: [D5, EA] The Lady, The Lyras, The Longshores (Closed)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She accepted the wine and took a sip.

"
I attended the archery contest before coming here, which was interesting. I am hoping to see some of my friends and family in the joust too. Aside from that, mainly discussing House business."


She looked thoughtfully into her cup for a moment, then raised her head with a congenial smile;


"
I have an idea that may suit our purposes. How about you provide us with two units that you want to gain more experience and discipline, with a reliable sub-commander who is willing to follow orders from a Marsten commander. Infantry would likely be the most useful, though put together whomever you feel would be most suitable for both your purpose of training, and my purpose of defeating the clans. In return, I offer House Marsten's friendship, and, as long as your troops behave while dealing with us, and do not cause trouble for my neighbours, House Marsten will speak well of you and your people, with a view to improving House Longshore's reputation in the Vale, and potentially further afield. This deal would require there to be trust between us, and for the succession issue of your House to be settled as soon as possible. Do you believe you and your men are able to do that?"

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren looks through a few lists before finding the right one: "
Here you'll have Leifnarr, my uncle, in charge of one of the units."
Yoren looks at a few more lists and ledgers. "
He will provide light infantry and bowmen, Athelstan, would you lead the second unit, or should we give it to our sister?"

Upon hearing Athelstans answer he says, "
there you have it, these are the part of our forces to help you cleaning up the bandits."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I have met Liefnarr before. He made a good impression. I will be pleased to have him with us. Of course, all the men, and women, if there are any, will be housed and fed well. Marsten hospitality is not as famous as Bartheld hospitality, but I believe in treating those who serve me with respect."


She stiffens at Yoren's suggestion that Athelstan lead a unit, but says nothing.

I can address that later, if need be. I'm not going into it in front of him.

[Athelstan]

Athelstan shakes his head "
Yoren, if I may interrupt for a moment, I think you should lead the ironborn and take Leifnarr. Take the archers and give Leifnarr the infantry, my lady said two troops"
shrugging his shoulders "
Lady Corrine will agree that for both our Houses it is safer that it is you who lead the men and not me"
bowing slightly to Corrine knowing he just saved her for a moment "
I apologize for interrupting lady Corrine"
noticing he lingers to long looking at her, her takes back his position standing straight next to Yoren.

"
I apologize for interrupting you Yoren, I just thought it would be the best option for you and Lady Corrine."

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren claps his brother on the shoulder: "
Of course I may take the troops, if you do not wish to, but then I must ask you to watch over father while I am gone..."
He then turns to Corrine: "
My arrival will then be a little delayed, as I have a few things that I have to attend to at home, but we will be there well before you are ready to strike..."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
That is fine. Attend to whatever matters you must. Our other forces require time to gather too, so you will not be holding us up overly much. I am glad we could come to an arrangement. May it be the start of a fine friendship between our Houses, and the dawning of a new age for the Ironborn."


She smiles and raises her cup towards Yoren.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren rises his cup as well: "
To friendship!"

Before emptying his cup: "
and to my speech tonight..."
he looks suddenly a little nervous at that thought.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Do I detect a hint of nervousness, my lord?"
Corrine asked, her tone good-natured and friendly. "
Surely not."

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren smiles: "
Only through fear can bravery be proven, and few things are more fearsome than not meeting other peoples expectations. Although, now I will both dissapoint my brother AND yourself."
Yoren smiles: "
Hopefully this nervousness will make me more attentive, if it does it will make for a better speech."
He says as he refills the cups again.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
You have not disappointed me at all, my lord Yoren,"
Corrine replies encouragingly. "
I am sure you will do well. Many are not sure what to expect of you, so let that element of surprise work to your advantage."

[Yoren longshore]

"
The element of surprise is all well and good. If you watch closely at the end I may have made a surprise dedicated to you."

He smiles: "
I'm sure you will like it when you see it."

Yoren sits back lazily.
"
If you will endulge my curiosity: may I ask what sort of troops we will be fighting next to? Will it be mostly infantery, or will you have skirmishers forming your main line? Which banners will be flying?"
Yoren asks curiousity in his voice.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Dedicated to me?"
Corrine asked, with a raised eyebrow. "
I hope it will not be an unpleasant surprise."


She sipped her wine.

"
As for our other units, those are still being negotiated. We have our own units of knights, and will likely acquire more infantry and bowmen, possibly some cavalry. Others of my House are undertaking those negotiatons. We are also expecting to receive aid in building a watchtower. Overall, I am confident that our combined efforts will clear the Marsten lands of the mountain clans. Best to go in once in force than ten times in small numbers."

[Yoren longshore]

"
It will be pleasing to the eye at the very least, and it is nothing to worry about, no one but us will get to know."

Yoren nods at her Assessment: "
We should, however, split up, so that they have a smaller chance of simply running back to caves to hide..."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Indeed. I am not skilled or knowledgable in warfare, but I have excellent advisors at my disposal. We shall construct a solid strategy when the time comes. Have you been in many battles yourself?"

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren smiles: "
Mostly skirmishes, the free cities has a different philosophy on combat. Leifnarr however is experienced, although I will technically be in charge, I too will have a skilled advisor."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
That is good to know. One is wise to have loyal followers who can fill the gaps in one's own knowledge. Might I ask why you returned to Westeros? If it is not too personal."

[Athelstan]

Athelstan contains the best he can his laughter I have had skirmishes! Oh! Yoren, fucking whores and exchanging slaps with women and maybe petty weak drunken louts from other cities is not a skirmish... no wonder the Free Cities are such an easy prey if you can distinguish yourself there in skirmishes focusing as to not show he is containing his laughter at his brother's words, Corrine's next question makes sure of that Yes Yoren, why did you drag yourself out of your comforts to return to us?

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren leans a little forward and delays by refilling his wine cup. "
Simple reason for leaving: too rebellious. I enjoyed myself in Essos for a long time. I had a particular love for Lys."
Yoren winks at Kevan before continuing: "
Time passed and I grew bored by it all so I started studying. For years I dug holes in wood with my fingers. Read books heavier than you. Got buried in a hole for days on end and got told that if I spoke the apprenticeship was over. I endured. I would have been there for the rest of my life had I not seen that my father was ill and that he'd need my help. I departed on bad terms with him before, I will not see his final departure on equally bad ground."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I see,"
Corrine nodded slowly. "
So you mean to make peace with your father. I can understand that. Do you intend to wait until this tourney is over, or will you be moving on soon?"

[Yoren longshore]

"
He can wait for four more days. He has just lost his other son, I best give him a little room before I come home. I think we both need a little time off each others company."
Yoren smiles: "
besides, this way I'll have better time to get to know our future allies."
He rises his glass again.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
That is understandable. You mentioned an apprenticeship. What manner of apprenticeship did you have?"

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren smiles teasingly: "
come tonight and you will see, afterwards I may flesh out the details."

Yoren then leans a little forward: "
how about you, what parts of the world have you seen? What have you experienced?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She looks a little shy at those questions, and she fidgets with her wine cup before taking another drink.

"
I have not travelled much at all, I'm afraid. Being the sole heir of my House, I have been rather sheltered. I have very little experience of the world. I would like to travel more, but that is unlikely to be a viable opportunity any time soon,"
she explained regretfully.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren looks at her with expressionless eyes: "
Do travel, please, if not for yourself, then for your people. Your mother is healthy, right now she does not need you. But in a few decades she will, and then a worldly woman is a lot better than a sheltered one. Regardless of how much people tell you, something you have to see for yourself."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine smiled a little.

"
I am inclined to agree with you, though I will not shirk my duty. Perhaps, once I marry, I may be able to see some of the world with my husband, while my mother is yet able to run things, as you say. I would like seeing the world more for having one to share the experience with."

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