[D6, EA] Treading Lightly (Closed)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine had felt her mother's gaze boring into the side of her head several times during the joust, and it had not helped the tension of watching Ben's tilt.

I wonder what she thinks of that. I should go speak to her, before I leave to meet Ben. Yesterday's parting was strange and awkward. I should not leave it to fester. I do have more news for her, after all.

She stands and excuses herself to Ellie, explaining she was going to speak to her mother, so would be nearby if needed. She pats Ellie on the shoulder before she walks away, a small, silent reassurance that all will be well.

Corrine approaches her mother cautiously, hands folded politely and head slightly bowed;


"
Mother, may I sit with you a while?"

[Reader]

"
Of course Corrine, your mother is always here for you,"
says Isobel, straining to muster some warmth. At least my daughter strikes a contrite pose, let's see if her words and actions match.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine sat beside Isobel, her hands folded in her lap, her expression amiable.

"
I spoke with Lord Tully earlier. He has kindly agreed to allow us to hold the wedding ceremony here, pending approval from Lord Arryn. A raven will be sent today with the particulars. He had initially asked for a larger than normal tribute, but Lord Tullison and I negotiated it down to a reasonable amount. I do not wish to be extravagant. We are welcome to remain here until we hear from the Eyrie."


She offered a hopeful smile.

"
I hope this will be pleasant news for you."

[Reader]

"
At the very least is news my daughter,"
says Isobel, keeping her hands folded - sympathetically mirroring her daughter, or to prevent herself from lashing out again.

"
We shall make the best of this."


"
What of the cloaks and other details? We must underline that he becomes a Marsten, your line is the only one with value here."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine nods.

Well, I suppose that's the best I'm going to get. It'll have to do.

"
We consulted the Septon yesterday on the unorthodoxies of the situation. I will place my cloak on Ben, as he is entering House Marsten. So it will be a fairly simple adjustment. The Septon has also been appraised of the small changes to the wording of the ceremony, and everything will be proper and in order. The Godswood portion of the ceremony is, by nature, less formalised, so there is nothing there that requires changing. After the wedding, Ben and Ellien will come to live at Hartshorn. Ellie can be a lady in waiting, so she will not be a burden. As to the matter of the cost, it will not be an ostentatious affair, but will be tasteful and fitting for our House's station. Lord Tullison is happy for us to use his [1 Wealth] contribution to our cause to pay for half of the wedding, and no dowry is required. That reduces the cost significantly, which leaves us with more funds to fortify our lands against the mountain clans."


Corrine smiled politely, inwardly very pleased with the achieved results, though not wanting to appear boastful.

"
I know this is not what you wanted for me, but I believe that we have brokered a good deal, and that Ben will prove his worthiness to you. I hope that you can find it in your heart to give him a fair chance. He's a good man, wise and brave. He treats me well, and wants to be a pillar of our House. I think he will be an excellent Lord Protector. Baelon questioned him on key matters that would determine suitability, and he was satisfied. Even if you don't trust my own judgement yet, I hope you will trust Baelon's."


She gingerly placed her hand atop her mother's, hoping to make a connection, and to soothe what she was sure would be a suppressed bubbling rage.

[Reader]

Isobel tenses at Corrine's touch, but does not withdraw her hands from their folded position.

"
My daughter, I love you dearly, but you sound like that weasel of a maester, Leopold the sot."
She spits the word maester.

"
'Brokering deals', contributions to the cost. You sound like a girl at her abacus, counting coins. Or worse yet, a merchant like that grasping Ruben Piper or Aeron Sand."


"
What of our name? What of our reputation, our influence? These are the true measure of House Marsten. Ser Benedict is little more than a hedge knight."


"
These are more than 'unorthodoxies' - the Vale relies on House Marsten to retain tradition."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I am sorry,"
Corrine replied, more than a little wounded, withdrawing her hand, though deciding to go out of her way not to fight.

"
I do not mean to sound that way. I thought I was addressing matters important to the House by trying to focus on reducing the financial impact. You are right, I should also speak of the House's influence and reputation too. I would like to assuage your concerns as best I can. While Ser Benedict is not of as high estate as you would like, he was still a trusted and highly valued part of House Tullison. Lord Dunstan saw fit to offer him a place as bannerman, which I feel speaks well to him upholding the good standing of House Marsten. He has experience of running House matters, so I believe he will be adept at helping me to steer the House true. He may be not much more than a hedge knight, but he is a respected and capable knight, and a former ship's captain, which infers a number of good qualities that a Lord Protector should have;
leadership, honour, good judgement, valour, discipline I know you would have preferred me to marry a Lord of some sort, but in our position, that could not happen without relinquishing our control and being absorbed into another House. We have to make concessions to retain our autonomy. We have secured much aid against the mountain clans, including Tullison forces we would not have without my betrothal to Ser Benedict. I also almost single-handedly brokered peace between Houses Kriegar and Lyras, allowing them to focus on their duties as our bannermen. People will see that the Tullisons are our friends, and as another House with respect and influence, it will reflect well on us. It will be seen by others how many friends House Marsten has, and when the clans are vanquished, our strength of command will be more greatly appreciated."


She had kept things as calm and logical as she could make them, but now she allowed affection and reassurance to enter her voice;


"
Please do not fear, mother. I take the future of our House very seriously, and I am making use of the wise counsel around me. I believe that House Marsten is on the verge of the greatness it deserves, but I am conscious that, while tradition is important and valuable, we must not reject change out of hand. Those who cannot adapt do not thrive. We are already an unusual House because I am the sole heir. As supporters of the Princess, that unorthodoxy can be a strength rather than a weakness. We have made friends at this tourney, and will make more tonight, I hope. We have gained glory that will ensure we are seen as powerful, prosperous, and united. I am dedicated to making House Marsten greater. I hope that you can see my sincerity, and trust in me, as I wish to relieve you of your duty as Regent, now that a match has been secured for me. You have done so much for the House, but I know you have done so at the expense of your own happiness. I would have you free to pursue that happiness."


She knew her mother would not like this at all, but she offered a small, hopeful smile. She was sincere in all she said, though kept her concerns about possible interference in her wedding plans to herself.

[url=Persuasion - Convince][/url]: 5d6k5 16

[Reader]

Lady Isobel simply nods at Corrine's speech and moves to hug her daughter.





There is no warmth to it. Afterwards, Lady Isobel speaks to Corrine in a formal tone normally reserved for Gwyneth.

"
Trust requires two parties my sweet, foolish daughter. Little word to your mother these past few days, few questions. Explanations of why your way is best, but after the fact."


"
Simply wilful actions, consequences be damned."


"
You have always found it easier to seek forgiveness than ask for permission."


"
You need wiser heads around you."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

The stiff embrace, and her mother's eerily calm but damning words chill Corrine to her very core. She almost wishes for an outburst, rather than this cold stillness that is so hard to read.

This is how I lose her forever. This is the price of my power. She will resent me for this until the end of her days.

"
I have several wise heads around me,"
Corrine replies, softly. "
I will not be foolish for long. But I will never learn to do my duty if I don't take responsibility for it."


Her stoic veneer slips a little as her shoulders sag in sadness.

"
I am sorry that I am a disappointment to you, mother. And I am sorry we have not spoken much. It is difficult at times, as we rarely seem to understand eachother. If you would have that be different, then let us make an effort to do so. But I don't want to sit through barrages of criticism. I can go to Septa Heloise for that. I want to have a real connection with my mother."

[Reader]

"
Words are wind is a vacuous cliche young lady, but there's an element of truth to it."


"
Do not drive your loving mother away with actions, then seek forgiveness with words."


"
Inform, seek counsel, deliberate then act. Seek counsel and give it heed and and there shall be fewer mistakes to criticise, no?"


"
Or you will lose everything your father and I strove to build for you, and it will have been better that the Marsten line died than be brought to shame."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I will never shame our House,"
Corrine replied with conviction. "
I swear on my life and my father's grave that I will defend and nurture House Marsten. You may only see a foolish girl now, but I will prove my worth to you."


Corrine's tone was firm, though her eyes still sought warmth from Isobel, like so many futile times before. Like a lost seal pup in the sea, searching for it's parent that never comes.

[Reader]

At the mention of the departed Lord Corben, Corrine feels the smallest squeeze on her wrist from Lady Isobel, with more warmth in that one gesture that the entire preceding enveloping hug.




And then, the moment passes.

"
See that you never do, for his sake, even if you cannot find it in you to respect your mother."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I do respect you, mother,"
Corrine protested in a soft voice, still saddened by the gulf between them. "
I just... never mind. It is difficult to explain. I may not always behave in the ways you want me to, and I am sorry that I have not been as courteous to you as I should, but it doesn't mean I don't love and respect you. You held our House together when it threatened to fall apart, and you have given me a bright future. I will never stop valuing that,"
she explained, gently, but beseechingly.

She took a calming breath, and took both her mother's hands;


"
Which is why I want you to be on my advisory council."

[Reader]

A nod, then Isobel is the canny politician who preserved House Marsten once more. Short clipped sentences, driving at the point.

"
A good start. Who else? Too many and we are unwieldy, too few and you'll miss good advice and wrong the excluded."


No grand acceptances. No tearful reconciliation. Such is not Lady Isobel's way. Such is not the Marsten way.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine nods in understanding, once again folding her hands in her lap.

This is more familiar territory.

"
Ser Baelon and Ser Kevan, without doubt. Their martial expertise and experience will be invaluable. I also had a mind to include Edmund Lyras and Gwyneth, for their deft hands at negotiation and subtlety, and their connections with our allied Houses. Perhaps also Gareth Stone and Dyana, to assist with stewardship and managing the immediate household affairs. I have not yet finished my deliberstions though. I would welcome suggestions of candidates from yourself."

[Reader]

"
Fine friends and loyal, no doubt. But too many."


"
Why two martial man?"


"
You leave out your husband to be? An oversight I assume? With him we have three knights, underlining my point."


"
House Krieger feels slighted. What of them? How will they take two Lyras men and no Kriegers?"


There is little and less opportunity to answer the staccato questions before the next one follows, like knights tumbling down a spiral staircase.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I took Ben's presence to go without saying,"
Corrine explains. "
You are right, that does make too many knights, and if I have a Lyras, I would be wise to balance with a Kriegar. If, rather than Ser Kevan, I place a Kriegar, that will solve both issues. Which Kriegars would you consider good choices? I have not spoken with many of them at length. I suppose that would be a good use of my time tonight,"
she muses.

[Reader]

"
Lord Kellan Kriegar is your man then, his son passed in a recent raid. Keeping a dissatisfied malcontent close, although he may prove a disruptive presence, if we are lucky it will salve his pride."


"
Gwyneth is a curious choice daughter."


Lady Isobel raises an eyebrow.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I have spoken with Lord Kellan. I think we have an accord, and share respect. I will bring the offer to him. As for Gwyneth, shd is not yet a choice, merely a consideration. She and Baelon have made a good partnership in recent House dealings, and I think their combined talents may be useful. Also, similarly with Lord Kriegar, it might be wise to keep her close, give her a reason to stay supportive of me. That having been said, it's possible that her marriage to Ser Baelon may do the same job."

[Reader]

"
How a message is conveyed can be just as important as the contents. Indeed, the manner of delivery is its own message, so to speak."


"
That said, how do you intend to inform your circle of advisors? Messenger? In-person? Or perhaps a trusted go-between?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I would like to inform them of the change in circumstances in person, and I would prefer to have meetings in person when possible. However, a trusted go-between would, I think, be a reasonable alternative, in tandem with messages if said go-between is, for some reason, indisposed. I would think having more than one channel of possible communication useful. It is usually wise to have contingency plans, is it not?"

[Reader]

Lady Isobel nods.

"
A wise approach, and the appointees should be honoured to be asked in person."


"
Further, it provides an opportunity to gauge their responses in person."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I agree,"
Corrine nods, allowing herself a small smile.

Finally, we are getting somewhere. I'm not as terrible at this as I had thought.

"
Thank you for this talk, mother. I am glad we will be able to work together for the good of the House. I shall take my leave for now, and let you enjoy the rest of the joust."


She gives Lady Isobel a light peck on the cheek, and stands to go.

[/scene, unless Isobel has more to say]

[Reader]

[/scene]

[Sponsored content]