Storm in a water glass Day 6 late morning closed.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren sits down at the in heavily. It is light with customers this early so he gets served fast. One mystery soup and ale coming up. He then sits down on a bench, waiting for the others to come join him. While he sits like this he moves his abacus deftly and with great precision, muttering softly to himself.

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan returns from the castle's Great Hall and decides to take a stroll through Riverton, since it's a beautiful sunny day and all the clouds that plagued the sky during previous days are gone. He basks in the warmth a while, surrounded by guards, when a familiar face appears in front of the Inn. Tall gangly man is no other but Yoren Longshore, Iron Prince of Braavos! In a splendid mood Dunstan approaches the acquaintance

"
Hail Iron Prince!"
he says with a wide smile which only widens because he was not accompanied by kinslayer.

The young Lord gives some coin to the guards and they disperse inside the Inn, to grab a quick pot of soup and rest their legs.

Dunstan takes a seat next to Yoren and orders a cup of warm water with some leaves inside, a healthy and refreshing beverage.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren puts away his abacus as dunstan joins him. "
How are you feeling? I saw you in the tournament, you did well for yourself."
Yoren peeks at his bowl of soup: "
If I think of positive feelings, I will hopefully not think too hard on the ingredients in this soup."
Yoren tells with a laugh. "
In Lys they used the..."
Yoren stops, looking embarrassed: "
maybe that story is for some time when people are not eating..."

[Athelstan]

Athelstan makes his way from the Longshore pavilion to Riverton where the inn is, looking for some refreshment prior to his joust with Ser Benedict and some peace of mind as lord pompous of hypocrite is not holding court at his hours of the day that should be fun, hopefully I can drop him of his high horse too even tho he already lost and miserably during the joust when the words snap him back from his thoughts for fucks sake, even at this time... and with Yoren... I see... Athelstan eye pierces both men for a split second and almost retching at the thought of Yoren sitting as lord of Landhold Leifnarr is the only qualified since I'm a bastard, no weakling will live long on that chair of that I will make sure if the time comes. Then again it is Leifnarrs prodding of all three of us that have us at each others throat while he leaves early in the morning his misdeeds done, but my axe will catch up to you to fucker, Yoren just needs to come back to be an ironborn. standing there more than he wanted in thought he notices Yoren sees him now and he approaches the table to join both men "
May I sit next to my lords"
more in a mocking tone towards Yoren than anything and then looking at both "
Iron and Stone."

[Yoren longshore]

"
Athelstan. Corrine has told me that you and Dunstan had a falling out, good that we are gathered here now. Would the two of you talk of your issue in stead of barking at each other? Situations are so easy to solve, if the parties simply talk in a calm and reasonable fashion. I believe that you are both mature enough to talk through your issues, in stead of going to your separate camps crying for support."
Yoren glances at Athelstan at the last remark, before returning to his soup.
(Won't be able to post before morning, but unless one of you draw weapons, Yoren won't interfere.)

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan burst into laughter

"
Oh no you can't start a story and not finish it! Now you have to tell me what was in Lyseni soups!"
, tales of adventures and strange new horizons excited him immensely.

So did praise.

"
Thank you. Ser Florian hits hard! I flew from my horse before I could even aim my lance at him! If there were no clandestine business during round 2 I might have drawn an easier opponent, and joust today too. But such is the state of things it would appear, and now I will wait for the meele to prove my mettle once again!

"
How did the day treat you?"



As Athelstan arrived all smiles died, and Dunstan almost rolled his eyes.

"
You may"
he said.

[Athelstan]

"
Thank you my lord"
as he is taking a seat "
Sorry to dampen your mood my lord, something I could do to bring a smile to your face"
like a cut from ear to ear perhaps Athelstan sounds honest, but there is a slight touch of taking insult at the Dunstan change of mood or just his presence also.

"
It was a nice attempt to beat Ser Florian and cover for Ser Jon my lord, truly a good man, as for clandestine I believe lord Mallister regrets having to have faced me, even tho I was mostly lucky that I won that bout, I gave it all to make him pay for dropping you"
as he puts his hands on Yoren's shoulder, they may quarrel like brothers do and like all ironborn they are loud and clear, not like greenlanders that fight behind closed doors and behave like everything is fine outside.

[Yoren longshore]

"
That tale will be for another time, but suffice to say, the Lyseni flesh markets are not only famed for their entertaining women."

Yoren nods: "
good work the both of you in the tournament."
Yoren then barrels forward: "
however some bad blood has huilt between the two of you. I am only working from hearsay, but they say that the issue is about a Frey. Am I correct thus far? It was rumoured that this Frey forced himself upon a serving girl. Dunstan took it upon himself to find out if there is truth in these rumours and thus offer a stag for information. This may be looked upon as bribing witnesses, and I believe that Athelstan took it as such. Thus we have our current issue, have I summed it up correctly?"

Yoren asks, before he continues eating his soup.

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
I wasn't bribing anybody"
Dunstan took that remark as an insult,

"
I've simply sent the word out I'm on the lookout for information and encouraged people to bring it to me. Smallfolk is afraid of such matters, and rightfully so. All the information I acquired was followed through and it's honesty has been checked. I've been using their stories to further the investigation, research their claims and try to examine them in order to find evidence. None of the things they said is going to be used without further investigation. To be frank I am bored by this a bit. Many people, even some with conflicting interests, don't see anything wrong with my methods of investigation - but there is your brother, snooping around and trying his best to find ill doings where there are no."
he turned to Athelstan

"
I understand the frustration you must be feeling after recent events, but reap what you saw, don't try to easy it by attacking another, it won't work and you can only do more harm."


And if you do Gods help you

[Athelstan]

"
My frustration only comes of being ransacked of our money and judged by gods not my own. My eye is a fair price for killing a man who tried to kill me first with a savage blow, should I have fallen no one would have blinked probably or cared. Under ironborn law and God I commit no sin or crime, my error was made known to me and paid for it"
drinking and eating "
The point is my lord, the Frey's will interpret it as a bribe and it will all end in trial by combat as the "
Ferocious Frey"
is a great warrior on foot that very few would like to face, have you also found a knight to testify against him with big enough balls to take him on a trial by combat that will be rather bloody?"
Looking at Dunstan "
I see merit in how you do it my lord, but the end will be the same and the question is who will fight him really, I wasted a dragon to show you this. I do apologize, Im complicated to figure out, but I doubt you would listen to me and its not like someone so devout as you would have something to hide"
speaking as a matter of fact on things and an even tone "
I do respect you and the only time I took insult was one a greenlander ls were chosen over my people for the sake of showing westerosi power over ironborn, and you were the first one, so eager to do justice and judge me by your gods, that is fine I wish you never find yourself at the other like I did my lord"


"
In regards to the Frey's I visit them and gave them fair warning of you building a case against Ser Benjen, they have the right to know that and maybe if I show up as a friend, they would reveal something they would never do to you, but lord Forrest Frey was like a stone in the subject"

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
Yes, I volunteered to be my Faith's champion. And I do believe that if you brother indeed tried to kill you, you could've subdued him, knocked him out, called the guards to arrest him instead of spilling blood on Lord Tully's ground. You are in Riverrun, remmember that, not in Landhold or in the Iron Isles. Trial by combat was done, and you were charged guilty, payed for your crime, and that's done. No need to act on that anymore, or to make a victim of yourself suddenly, when you are proclaimed as a criminal. Things are the way they are, there are times I would wish them to be different as well, but our wishes do not matter most of the time. "


Dunstan blows into his tea to make it colder, and than takes a sip

"
Many a man have dark stains in their past, it is not a new thing. But if you want to redeem yourself, you can't go around trying to find faults in others, you must find the goodness in you. Trying to aid Benjen Frey is not a good method to do such thing, in my humble opinion. And the investigation is put into my hands by my betters, and I've certainly talked with his side as well, in order to hear all the opinions. Where you come in that investigation is beyond me. Unless you heard something or have any info, I'd ask you to stay clear of it in the future, so real justice could be done."

[Athelstan]

"
I will do as you wish, and wish you find true justice for this case, just be ready to have someone for a trial by combat that is a given thing that will happen. I already looking for ways to redeem my self, might campaign to clear the riverlands of brigands, they are growing bolder and trade has become harder for it, just need to know more on the subject and get more information as to were are they concentrated, have you lost any trade to brigands in the riverlands my lords and if so around what areas?"

[Dunstan Tullison]

It wasn't entirely clear to Dunstan why would Athelstan ask him about advice on how to redeem himself, so he kept being vague in case it was a ply of some sorts.

"
I do not know of brigands. What I see as something you could do is help your brother. Yoren is a heir and your noble House faces many difficulties. You are a great warrior Athelstan and you can serve him well. It would please me if you would aid him in his efforts to integrate Longshores to the Riverlands further. I am certain it would please the other nobles in the area too. With your axe and his knack for diplomacy you can progress greatly."

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren nods. "
Dunstan acted in a way to get justice. This could be construed as a bribe in a trial, and Athelstan simply pointed out that fact. As a third party I see both sides, neither acted out of animosity. Dunstan volunteered at the trial to find guilt, no offence there either."
As Athelstan tells about his plan Yoren nods: "
us longshores have always had our trade mostly by sea, but we feel the waves this is creating inland. When you assist in building the market, free trade routes will be all the more important. Athelstan: You know you have our troops at your disposal."
Yoren smiles at Dunstan: "
Would you two speak of anything else that is perceived as an insult, or may we shake hands and move on?"

[Athelstan]

Athelstan turns to look at Yoren "
We had our say on the matter Yoren and made our peace, we are speaking of something entirely different now, get on the wave not under it brother"
Athelstan chuckles

Athelstan pats Yoren in the back "
I try my lord, I swear I do, but he is putting in front of himself greater challenges and he is most stubborn to let go of this ideas"
Athelstan crosses his arms "
Yoren is bi right of firstborn son heir, I have no say in those matters, but he is how should I say this weak for ironborn standards so Leifnarr our uncle can contest his claim, and there is no amount of axes I can bring to bear to defeat that man should most of our man fall behind him and support him. By ironborn law you must worship the Drowned God to lead your House, so there is one of the bigger obstacles and his display yesterday did not help him, and while his diplomacy is fantastic it won't stop the axe from Leifnarr from finding his mark, we have discussions all the time, I try to tell him the ironborn way to get elected but he refuses to listen, he won't swallow his pride to take the Landhold seat and that is why I suggested he fights with our soldiers that are being sent to aid the Marsten's campaign, so the men can respect him, while Leifnarr position in it would be undermined as an adviser only that is if he goes at all, since he will know it's a ploy to undermine him before the men"
shrugging his shoulders and eating some more "
What you told him yesterday is true, help me put some sense into him. It's like wanting to be knighted without worshiping the seven openly worshiping another God and hope his people will accept him after 10 years of absence and deteriorated martial skill, I don't know if this explains in more simple terms his predicament and why we argue so much when it comes down to religion and traditions that he must follow to lead the House"

[Yoren longshore]

"
Oh, you've made peace all ready, no handshakes or anything?"
Yoren sounds relieved that they avoided that so easily.
"
As for your opinions, you make it only the harder for me when you undermine my rightful claim like that. Not only is it rightly mine, and there has been several precedents in the past of rulership, remember that we follow the laws of the ironborn. Even without me Leifnarr is a usurper if he tries to take the lordship, for then it is rightly my sisters. Not Leifnarrs. So i must claim that all your opinions is unbased in reality."

"
This is for private conversation, sorry for involving you Dunstan, are you too planning to send troops to support the Marstens?"

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan gazed at the street and checked out vivacious young women while sipping on his tea.

"
No problem at all, I am always glad to help my neighboring Riverlander Houses."
he said. "
Unless you want to talk in private? I can leave than."

[Yoren longshore]

"
No, no need to leave, please stay."

Seeing where Dunstans attention lies Yoren adds: "
I used to be really good in that sort of hunting, sadly I've gotten out of practice, if you don't mind an old time asking: how's your own hand at the chase?"

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
I've heard tales of you Yoren, the Iron prince of Braavos"
he corrects himself, "
the Playboy Prince"
and chuckles.

Refreshing thoughts of nearly escaping a loveless marriage and than ones of Marei, waiting for him in Jonston's Rock fill his head

"
It's all good. You Athelstan?"
he asks.

[Yoren longshore]

"
Shh, we don't want them to know that."
Yoren smiles.
"
Unfortunately that time is behind me, after a long night with the prettiest Lyseni you may imagine i woke up to find her crying, telling me of how she had been... treated prevously. We spoke for days at end, about her problems. After that i have not really felt about women like i used to..."
He sighs: "
however that is old grandpa Yoren talking. You see that woman 2 booths over? Compliment her, she has eyed you since you walked in, a compliment of her hair and she is almost a sure thing."
Yoren claps Dunstan on the shoulder, nodding energeticly.

[Athelstan]

Athelstan nods to Dunstan "
It's all good my lord"


"
I doubt lord Dunstan needs tips on how to approach a woman in his 'Court' away from home"
Athelstan chuckles "
Today is going to be brutal in the Joust, or I may continue to be lucky still, my sister's scarf has given me luck, but it is bound to run out sooner or later"

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
You are indeed a good jouster Athelstan, I saw you besting opponent after opponent. It is why I think you can make a fine Iron Captain for your brother, is that how you call masters-at-arms, iron Captains?"
Dunstan inquires.

Checking which girl was looking at him, Dunstan flexes his muscles a bit, trying to look attractive.

[Athelstan]

Athelstan smiles "
No, each captain of a ship has his own title as well as that of his crew and ship, they are like small landed knights with their own little coat of arms. They can choose to use their ships to trade and their men as guards, or go to the Free Cities and reave, bringing their treasure back to their smallfolk families or the goods back to their employers, making fair wages"
Athelstan looks more than happy to oblige Dunstan on ironborn culture "
Our smallfolk can become captains and bring riches to their families, and anyone born under an ironborn House is considered ironborn to us by birthright, and they have a certain amount of freedom, but when the lord calls to war, they all answer, bringing their warriors with them"
having a drink and ordering some water "
For example if you were to be ironborn, you would be spoken to as 'The Tullison' as you are the lord and bearer of the name for your House, and some other title like "
Lord Reaver"
which is very common way to refer to a ironborn lord and in your case I would say "
The Iron Hammer"
symbolize your skill with the weapon and woe to those that anger you"

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan seems interested in in the foreign culture, but keeps his distance, since the mention of reaving disgusts him.

"
Ah, the Iron Hammer, thank you. It does sound flattering. Do you have a position that leads entire forces into battle? Captain of the Iron Fleet was it not?"

[Athelstan]

"
Captain of the iron fleet is the title of the lord of House Greyjoy and his enormous fleet, with 100 men ships, and he probably has 100 of those at his disposal, when calls the iron fleet, I truly feel pity for the target of his rage, for that is not counting the warrior they can carry on top of the 100 men already"
crossing his arms "
Maybe Leignarr that will travel with Yoren for the campaign against the clans can give you advise of how and where are these clansmen are more likely to strike, they may use similar basic skirmish tactics, but not the same as ironborn. I know reaving is something most lord do not approve, but it is something we do, and half the time we are paid to guard traders and their goods from pirates and sometimes as escorts for important merchant princes that pay good coin to see themselves safe."


Athelstan rubs his chin for a moment thinking hard "
These clansmen"
with a wave of hand as if they were lesser things "
When they come do they seek a quick encounter, but long enough to steal food, women and goods? or they just seek to do lasting damage with small skirmishes making you take losses and withdrawing when things seem to turn in your favor to come again later?"

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