[D5 LE]Campaign management[/Closed]

[Theomore Tullison]

Theomore had lingered in the great hall for a while, there where always men and women to see, many of them finding their way here. This particular one was quite interesting. The clever boy, clever enough to play just another boy, but for a traveled man like Theomore, it was not too difficult to figure out that he had brought with him changes to a particular establishment, one that Theomore had visited often enough, and inquired about it with the girls...

"
Good master Nathaniel"
He greets, pulling rank about not asking permission to take the seat next to him, though otherwise he remains quite pleasant in demeanor. "
You do seem to be the cause of a great deal of talk these days, perhaps more so than any other."
An open question, or merely an observation, whatever the boy would treat it as, there is however, no malice or judgement in Theomore's voice.

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan turns in his seat and smiles at the Knight, draping one arm over the top of the chair. "
I doubt that I am the cause, Ser Theremore. People will talk without any inducement from me. I am just the one of the latest subjects of interest. Without me, it would be something else;
perhaps how the Queen held her cup or the Princess held her fan. People like to talk. It saves them from having to actually do anything."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Well, you do seem to be at the center of an unusual amount of it."
Theomore could see the point about others being the cause of the talk, but this boy would fly under the radar unless there was something to it. "
Or am I to understand that the rumors of you being embroiled in a certain inheritance feud are unfounded? I do believe you did speak at length on the topic with my lord nephew?"

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
Your Lord was gracious enough to ask my opinion, and I was happy to give it, for what my opinion may be worth. Others have also come to me and asked my opinion, and I was happy to give it to them as well. During the Tourney, my opinion has only been made stronger. It is true that I have been drawn into this conflict between the two men, perhaps more than I might like, but words and actions have consequences. It is no secret that I support Lord Davain over Ser Fendrel for supremacy over House Bartheld. If I can help my Lord in any way, I consider my duty to do so."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I have taken an interest in the matter of Bartheld succession, my lord nephew might brush it aside, but certain implications has been circulating about him, eerily similar to one concerning Lord Davain. And I do have a hunch as to who the third party included in both these rumors might be."
Theomore's pretext is close enough that his real motivation ought to remain hidden. "
I have a suspicion, Nathan, that your way with words makes your opinion quite compelling, and that you are being asked for it quite more often than certain parties appreciate."
With a clear implication in Theomore's tone that Nathan is a bit too active as far as sharing his opinion goes as to be a passive participant in all of this.

"
If I am not mistaken in this, I would think it prudent that another Tullison asks your opinions when needed, one who cannot possibly be accused of preferring boys over girls."
Once upon a time, Theomore was just like Baelon was now, surrounded by talk about making the eight at the age of seventeen and other such idle fancies. Many would remember this should the mere suggestion come up. Unlike Dunstan. "
But that is only half my interest, I also am curious of nature, and I can't say I know much about Lord Brom's favorite grandson, aside from the fact that he's Lord Brom's favorite grandson, and supposedly nothing alike the members of the family that you tend to notice at parties, whether they are hosts or guests."

[Nathaniel Mason]

The look Nathan gave Ser Theomore was grave. "
Yes, I was sorry to hear those rumors. When people want to hurt someone, they often pick up the bludgeon closest to hand. It would seem I cannot be friends with someone, at least if they are male, and it not quickly be implied we are having a clandestine affair. It would seem that no young and handsome man is safe from my seductions. If only I was really that good."
Nathan smiles. "
If it helps, you can tell people that I have spent every night of this Tourney in Ser Jon Roxton's tent. A fact that he will have no qualms about confirming and one I am sure those in the neighboring tents can probably attest. The truth is, even if I had the stamina, I would not have the time to sleep with all the people that I have been attributed to."


"
As far as Lord Davain, I am not sure what to say beyond what I have said to others. He is a good and honorable man. He cares about his House and his people. He is, from what I can see, forthright in his words and honest in his dealings. He is not a martinet as some have described, and has no aversion to pleasure. If he did, I don't see how anyone would think one such as I would support him. His problem is not with pleasure, but with waste. His problem is not with hospitality, but with excess. It is true he is often uncomfortable in social situations, but perhaps that is more to do with the fawning and the doublespeak that accompanies those situations more than the situations themselves. If he is confirmed Lord and marries Lady Ayleth, I am sure she will make up for any lack he may have in social obligations."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
You are sharing a tent with Ser Jon Roxton?"
Theomore raises an eyebrow. "
Without the gossip catching on? You are a very curious man, and so is he."
Bold Jon was indeed a curious connection, one Theomore ought not forget bringing up, but he best not seem too interested in that.

"
So Davain is a man prudent with coin, then? What would he then spend it on, if not feasts?"

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
I would not want to give the impression that Lord Davain is unwilling to continue spending coin on hospitality. Nothing could be further from the truth, despite others claims to the contrary. My understanding is that he simply wishes to rein in the extravagance, and perhaps see more concrete returns on the investment."


"
As far as where he would devote his ready coin, I would not wish to speak for him, but I believe he seeks to increase and train the military forces that currently protects his lands, which at the moment is somewhat of an open joke. He is also investing in stores and supplies, as he believes that Winter will continue. An opinion that, at least, the Grandmaester agrees."


"
I also understand he wishes in improve the financial base of his House, investing in House Bartheld's fine vineyards and wine making. Vintages that would be sold to other Houses, rather than given away at parties. He is also investing in artisans. It is not widely known, but Lord Davain is an accomplished blacksmith. I have seen some of his work, and it is exemplary. Sadly, we may be coming to a time where every sword may be needed. Mining surveys for ore, and the training of future blacksmiths, weaponsmiths and armorsmiths should bring much coin into the House."


"
He also wishes to spend coin on the comfort of the common people, who are deserving of such comforts as much as any distant Lords. It is they who work his vineyards, mine his ore, and serve in his household. They are the life blood of any House, no matter how other nobles seem to forget that. He sees his duty to care for them as much as any guest under his roof, and ensuring that they are warm, fed, protected and well cared for is not only good leadership, it's good financial management. Happy people are more productive people."


"
Lord Davain does not wish to turn his back on Bartheld traditions, but he does seek to be more diversified. It is fine to enjoy the friendship of other noble Houses, but no House should be solely dependent on that friendship."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
You do realize that the you are describing a quite scary man? The incorruptible idealist wishing to bring about change."
From Theomore's demeanor, it might seem as if he almost admire the idea. "
It does make sense, the ones who have grown accustomed and comfortable in the present fears those who presume to herald the future."


"
The scary part, however, is that it would seem to me that he does not understand the minds of such men, or else he would have secured his power before attempting to bring such changes upon them. Though I must say that what he seeks to accomplish is not dissimilar to what I would do were I to find myself in governance of Hart House."


Theomore sits in thoughtfulness for a moment, he had made a promise he does intend to keep, and that promise prevented him from fully committing to either man's cause. But did these two really need to be in conflict? Perhaps not. "
Sounds to me like he requires the support of someone that knows how to navigate the treacherous waters of politics, or else I fear the sharks will have their feasts. That someone must also be one of them, I am sure you have noticed that those of us born into privilege prefers to keep such privilege to ourselves."
Theomore merely observes facts, and his face and voice does not pass any judgement on those facts. And not far from the truth of his mind either, the world was the world, how it worked was of interest to him, but right and wrong only worked as a compass if everyone went by it. And those few who did tended to die young. On further thought, it did seem as he could offer the boy something that would not compromise on his promise to the lady.

"
As it happens, I do have a good report with someone that might be precisely that, I could do an inquiry."
For certain, if the good lady was unwilling or unable to shoulder that burden, then there was nobody else that could prevent Ser Fendrel for serving him up to the sharks with an apple in the mouth. Despite the best efforts of this boy of obvious talent. "
But I would require a favor in return, you said you were close to Ser Jon Roxton."
Close was a conservative way of putting it, for certain, one must be close to share a tent if one weren't wife, squire or child. And Nathan was neither as far as Theomore's knowledge extended.

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
You are right, of course, Ser Theromore. I am a poor tool for Lord Davain, despite my best efforts. That is in part because of my station, and in part because I am an ethical man who seems only to be given unethical weapons to defend him. Perhaps I have done my Lord a disservice by choosing to pick up only the ones I can live with, and only the ones he would approve of."


"
Do not think Lord Davain a naive man. If Ser Fendrel were anyone but his Uncle, I have no doubt the situation would have been resolved much more swiftly. We make allowances and justifications for family and those we love much more readily than we would outsiders. I am sure Davain clings to the hope that Fendrel will give up his crusade and join him in his vision for the future. As an outside observer, I think the possibility is... remote."


"
As for Ser Jon, you do not need me to speak to him. He is a man who readily enjoys the conversation of anyone... at least once."
smiled Nathan wryly. "
However if you would like to join us for breakfast mid morning tomorrow, I would be happy to introduce you. We are long acquaintances Ser Theromore, and you are a loyal friend to Lord Dunstan, whom I am greatly fond of. You do not need to bribe me for such a small favour I would freely give. If you would assist Lord Davain, do so because you wish to, or because you feel it is what is right. I have spoken to many over the last several days, and while they all grill me on each man's character, thus far only your Lord made his decision based on that character. The others, if they made a decision at all, did so for far more pragmatic reasons than either man's character or House Bartheld's welfare."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Well, I must admit that I am not exactly an idealist like my lord nephew."
Theomore seems almost apologetic to that fact. "
But you need one to complement the other in this world, or else you fall prey, to yourself or others."


"
Breakfast does indeed sound quite lovely."

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
You think me a predator, Ser Theromore? Perhaps I can be, but I can truthfully say that I have never asked anything of a man he was not willing to give. Some men want more encouragement than others, but that is the game isn't it?"


Nathan stands. "
I look forward to seeing you for breakfast tomorrow. I am on my way to see Ser Jon now."
A man who needed absolutely no encouragement. "
I will let him know."
Nathan smirks. "
I would advise, however, that you not come early."
He turns to leave, but turns back giving Ser Theromore a broad grin. "
Unless of course you wish to."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I should think you know my sort of taste by now."
Theomore waves that away with a humored smile.

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
I do, Ser Theromore,"
grins Nathan, "
but tastes can change, and even if they don't, not everyone wants to eat the same thing every day. The shepherd may enjoy the taste of lamb, but who is to fault him if he craves chicken every once in a while."


With a soft chuckle and wave, Nathan strides off.

[/leave]

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