[D7:LM] Pillow Talk (closed)

Ben rolls off onto the soft furs next to Corrine. For the first time since entering he observes the inside of her private tent. The refreshments she had laid out, her numerous affects placed here and there, her wrap he had tossed in the chair. Near the bed lay her wool dress, his boots kicked off haphazardly and his clothes as well.

He turns his head to face her, with a very pleased smile. "
I am sorry I skipped the preparations you had made."
With his hand he gesture to the food and such on the table.

She turns onto her side to face him and smiles sweetly.

"
It's alright, love. I have no complaints at all,"
she replies. "
We're going to lunch in a little while anyway, so it's not as though we'll starve,"
she adds, with a little chuckle.

"
Very true. Any other plans for my lady wife today?"
He rests his head into the soft pillow, never letting his eyes waver from the beautiful sight before him.

"
Well, after we have our lunch engagement with Athelstan and Elize, I've not got terribly much on until the Grand Ball tonight, though I suppose I do want to find out who gets crowned the Queen of Love and Beauty. Even if it won't be me,"
she shrugs, her expression belying that, although she doesn't really mind, a little part of her would have liked to receive the accolade.

He frowns at her underlying disappointment. "
Perhaps Ser Markus can whip me back into top jousting form and next tourney I will make you publicly my Queen of Love and Beauty instead of my private one."


He strokes his hand down her side from rib to hip. "
Do you intend to start planning House Marsten future actions? A council, the clan engagement children names."
He smiles playfully.

"
Oh."
A moment of recognition strikes him. "
Dunstan has selected two candidates for my replacement as bannerman."

His offer to train hard for next time makes her smile warmly.

Being your private Queen of Love and Beauty is enough, my darling.

His last sentence brings a flash of curiosity to her eyes, and she gives him an enquiring look;


"
I have been making such plans, though tell me about who Dunstan has picked first."

"
Your very own Ser Baelon and your mothers man Ser Jon. I was quite torn myself. Baelon's caution would be better for Dunstan's inexperience, but he is also an asset to House Marsten. Cobb has a great deal of experience but is a bit of a wild card with is ... love of ladies and sellsword ways."
Ben seems truly stumped on who to choose.

"
On one hand I want my cousin to have the most able man, but do not wish to diminish house Marsten's own capabilities."
He sighs, looking to Corrine with a inquisitive smile.

Send word to Ser Markus, we have work to do.

"
Both candidates require a great deal of consideration,"
Corrine agrees, thoughtfully. "
I had thought, perhaps, to invite Baelon to join my council, as Keeper of the Gate, but if he decides to be Dunstan's bannerman, not only does House Marsten lose him, but Gwyneth too, whom I had also hoped to keep close. That having been said, Ser Jon may be too... unpredictable. As you say, he's a womanizer and a mercenary. Neither are desirable characteristics in a bannerman. At least not in my opinion, though I admit I have a particular dislike for bounders."


She fidgets with a lock of her hair pensively.

"
Is he set on them specifically? Or would he consider other candidates? Did he consider, perhaps, Ser Jorah? Or one of the others that have fought with him?"

"
Those are the two most established knights. And also supporters of the princess."
He adds hesitant to move into political commentary while in such a happy place. He does smile at her comment about bounders.

"
Perhaps my wise Lady has another suggestion?"
He gives her a crooked smile, knowing she already had someone or something in mind.

"
Well, as I said, I would have thought Ser Jorah a good candidate, though I hear the Kingsguard are sniffing around him. My cousin, Kevan Lyras, has a desire to be landed, and has fought for House Tullison about as much as House Marsten. He is a Blacks supporter too. Dunstan is definitely wise to keep his considerations to those who share his politics. Another thought is Garret Snow. Elevating him would allow our friend, Daveth, to lead House Coldbrook."


Corrine shifts a little closer to Ben, pulling one of the larger furs over them as a blanket.

"
I'm surprised he didn't offer it to Theomore, actually."

Ben chuckles siding up closer to Corrine. He laughs at her mention of Theo. "
He was offered, before myself of course, but the business of managing a house would interfere with his leisure time."


Ben rolls to his side to face his wife, his adoring eyes gazing at her. "
Ser Jorah and Ser Kevan? Perhaps I will mention them to Duntsan. Their reputation is smaller but their deeds no less great. Always thinking, ever planning, you will be the greatest leader House Marsten has ever had to date."

"
I sincerely hope I will at least steer us to greater prosperity,"
Corrine replies, shyly, unaccustomed to having her potential as a ruler praised so highly. Ben was Isobel's opposite in that regard.

"
Leisure time,"
she chuckles, snuggling into Ben's arms. "
Meaning leaving a string of cheated dice players, broken hearts, and red-haired bastards strewn across the Realm. He cheated me in a coin toss to get a kiss on our first meeting. I was let off with a peck on the cheek, but what a cad. I still have the coin, actually,"
she smirks. "
A reminder of an important life lesson for me. I doubt it was his only one though."

"
You have much more potential than your mother or yourself gives you."
He squeezes her tight, running his fingers through her long mane of brown hair.

"
He has his faults, but I do believe he will always set house Tullisons needs as a priority. The type of men I wish Dunstan had more off."
He pouts his lips in mock hurt. "
You mean the old cad received a kiss before me. I would hope you no longer need the coin, and would not think to kiss other men."
He gives jesting smile.

"
If we are to lose Kevan or Baelon who else will help with the clansmen?"

"
I have no interest in kissing other men,"
Corrine assures him. "
And I kept the coin largely from not knowing what to do with it, and it taught me, in a way, to try to be less naïve. If it bothers you, however, I'll get rid of it."


She slides an arm around his waist, stroking his spine gently.

"
I had thought that Dunstan would hold off on establishing the banner house until after the clans are defeated. It seems unwise to divide resources by fighting on one front while building on another."

"
Well, the wheels were in motion before any arrangements were made with House Marsten and I believe earnestly that establishing the bannerman now may stem the backlash. Because when House Marsten routs the clans they will move off to find easier targets, including House Tullison."


His lips scrunch up as thoughts swirl in his mind. "
What forces have confirmed their aid?"

"
You have a point there, though I would hope that, if Baelon becomes Dunstan's bannerman, that his house would remain a friend of House Marsten too. Aside from that, we have aid secured from Houses Tullison, Coldbrook, Longshore, and possibly Bartheld too. That is in addition to our own banner houses."

"
With Gwyn at his side he will always remain a friend to House Marsten. Tullison , Coldbrooks,"
he nods affirmatively. "
... you spoke with... Yoren?"
He looks a bit surprised.

His mind again going to work. His eyes squint and his nose flairs. "
How much and what type of support are the Ironborn dedicating?"

"
The Longshores will only be permitted to bring men if Yoren remains in charge. It was my shield against the brewing succession crisis among them. If all goes well, they will provide one unit of infantry, one of archers. Inexperienced, but he assures me they will take orders."

Ben listens intently, his brain mulling over the past few days information and future threats. His eyes narrow. "
Did Yoren mention his houses problems when you spoke?"

"
No, I brought it up, but he has agreed to my terms, and signed an agreement with me that I believe will protect us. After the mess I had to deal with following Athelstan's trial, I wanted to guard House Marsten from him, as, at the time, I was anticipating more backlash. However, I want to give Yoren a chance to show that House Longshore can work with the rest of us peacefully."


She props herself up on her elbow and studies his face;


"
What's on your mind? You seem to be pondering something I may have missed."

"
Whether through rumor or possibly Yoren's direct words, I can not recall, but House Longshore has a deficit of smallfolk."
His face relays his internal workings. "
If we could relocate some of the clansmen to Longshore lands it will eliminate further implications for all Houses in the vale. Surely a percentage just want to live in peace."


He shrugs. "
It's a fancy but if it worked..."

Corrine looks at him for several moments, mulling over his words.

"
That's... an interesting thought. They have some key things in common. Perhaps something to suggest to the council, once I get us all together. Probably tomorrow. I can broach the idea if you don't want to risk your neck with my mother."


She strokes his chest idly, still thinking.

"
I never thought I'd be discussing politics in bed,"
she muses.

"
I will accept her wrath if it is what comes. You have felt enough discomfort."


His eyes close as her hand moves over his chest, a soft murmur escaping his mouth. "
I rather prefer these surrounding for discussing politics."
His eyes flutter open, his smile an impish grin. "
If my ideas are bad at least I can make up for it."
He winks at Corrine.

She giggles, and kisses him lightly.

"
You have an answer for everything, don't you. Such a charmer. Though I do agree that this is a nice way to discuss politics between ourselves. Though it could be... distracting."


She lies back down on her side and continues to stroke Ben's chest.

I could just lie here forever.

"
So, we have discussed the first two things on your list. That leaves childrens' names. Did you have any thoughts on the matter, my lord?"
she asks, in playful mock formality.

His eyes rove over her. "
I can see how it can be distracting."


He quickly quiets as she returns her hand to move about his chest. His thoughts withering to the here and now. His mind filled with only thoughts of the beautiful woman by his side.

Broken from his reverie by her question on names, he smiles with great elation. "
Names? I had not really thought on it. But the prospect of a child makes me swell with joy. Perhaps after your lord father or some great hero? This truly should not be left to me men."
He laughs.