[D4:MA] Old House, New House (closed)

Daveth nods. "
Of course."
and steps back with Ser Jorah to give them room to confer in private.

After conferring with Gwyn for a moment, Baelon gestures for Daveth and Ser Jorah to return to the table.

"
This, I think, is the best we can do. Two hundred gold dragons for a sixty day period, with all of the same caveats that you stated.
In return, we will grant House Coldbrook command of the vanguard. That will earn House Coldbrook recognition and glory
beyond mere participation -You were looking for an opportunity for your brother to prove himself, this would be an ideal opportunity.
Additionally, two ravens will be delivered to Castle Grenward from our rookery so your forces can be contacted."


OOC: sorry, that took longer than expected.

Daveth considers their offer for a few seconds, then slowly nods. "
Make one minor alteration, and you have a deal. A key purpose of this deal is to bring our houses closer together, and the ability to communicate is key to this. Make it so that even after the campaign is over, we can keep one of your ravens. In return, when I've got our ravens up to the required standard, which I expect to do so over the next half-year or so, I'll make sure that you get sent one of ours in return.

"
Fair?"
he extends a hand to shake.

Baelon nods.
"
That seems fair to me. Gwyn, you are the Marsten at the table;
if you think it fair, would you like to make it official?"

He gestures towards Daveth's proffered hand.

Gwyneth stepped over to Daveth and took his hand.

"
House Marsten accepts your offer, and looks forward to a long and mutually prosperous relationship with House Coldbrook. And, on a personal note, it's a pleasure and a privilege to treat with a House led so ably in what must be a difficult time. May our new agreement and future friendship ease those times. By the old gods and the Seven, let it be so."


The last phrase was more of an honorific thing;
a customary formality for a Marsten to say when closing a deal, though she'd improvised by recognizing the Old Gods of Daveth's family as well.

"
Now that the business is concluded;
Daveth, you are a fierce warrior on your chosen field of battle.
I have said before that your family was lucky to have you, and you have just proven how true that is.
I apologize if I gave any offense during the negotiations, and I hope our houses have a productive
partnership going forward. This is not a battle I would care to repeat."


He holds out his hand to Daveth to shake as well, a sign of respect, not a commitment to a deal.

OOC: Baelon moves to Amiable with Daveth.

Gwyneth Marsten wrote:Gwyneth stepped over to Daveth and took his hand.

"
House Marsten accepts your offer, and looks forward to a long and mutually prosperous relationship with House Coldbrook. And, on a personal note, it's a pleasure and a privilege to treat with a House led so ably in what must be a difficult time. May our new agreement and future friendship ease those times. By the old gods and the Seven, let it be so."


The last phrase was more of an honorific thing;
a customary formality for a Marsten to say when closing a deal, though she'd improvised by recognizing the Old Gods of Daveth's family as well.

"
By the old gods and the Seven, let it be so."
Daveth echoes. "
And thank you for your kind words."

Baelon wrote:"
Now that the business is concluded;
Daveth, you are a fierce warrior on your chosen field of battle.
I have said before that your family was lucky to have you, and you have just proven how true that is.
I apologize if I gave any offense during the negotiations, and I hope our houses have a productive
partnership going forward. This is not a battle I would care to repeat."


He holds out his hand to Daveth to shake as well, a sign of respect, not a commitment to a deal.

Daveth gladly shakes Ser Baelon's hand. "
Thank you, Ser Baelon. Coming from you, that means a lot. And no offence was taken, I assure you.

"
Still, there is but one more matter I would like to handle here. If there are no objections, I would like to have just a quick word in private with Lady Gwyneth."


(OOC: given she's already given the go-ahead via PM sent to expedite matters, I'm assuming there are no objection. If there are, I may need to retcon a bit.)

Seeing no objections, Daveth leads Lady Gwyneth off a short distance so they may converse in private (while still remaining in sight of the others).

"
Thank you, Lady Gwyneth. I am sure you already have your suspicions about what I intend to ask you, so I see no point in trying to be discreet. If you are willing, I would have your opinion on the match proposed during these negotiations, between myself and Lady Dyana."


Keep phrasing it like that. One day, you'll wake up married, and the thought going through your mind will be 'what just *happened*?'

"
To the Seven and the Old Gods,"
Jorah said.

As Daveth and Gwyneth went aside, Jorah kept an eye on them, but wasn't too worried. If anybody was stupid enough to do something, it would be the knight in front of him.

"
I guess that I might see you in the jousts or in the melee Ser Baelon,"
Jorah spoke to him to keep him occupied.

Gwyn smiled at him.

"
With the understanding that I've only met you recently, I think you and Dyana could complement each other rather well from what I've seen. Have you met her yet?"

"
Only once."
a small smile appears on his face, seemingly unconsciously. "
I asked her to dance yesterday at the feast. It went well, I think. We should be meeting again tomorrow. But ..."
he glances quickly back towards where the two knights were standing, before turning back, speaking quieter. "
I'm having difficulty reconciling the image I have of the charming, challenging, and caring woman I danced with with the comments Ser Baelon made, and I imagine he's had rather longer to get to know her."

"
With luck, we will both make it far."


Baelon clearly has his attention primarily on Daveth and Gwyn, though he seems relaxed and unconcerned.

Gwyneth broke into a wide grin. "
Oh...Daveth... I will just say, do not let the opinions of others ride over your own observations. Particularly when those opinions come during a negotiation."
She let her head tilt to one side for a moment as she studied him, still smiling, "
Dyana is very toughminded, but she appreciates many of the qualities I see in you. And it sounds like you've made a good first impression."

Baelon wrote:"
With luck, we will both make it far."


Baelon clearly has his attention primarily on Daveth and Gwyn, though he seems relaxed and unconcerned.

Edmund brings himself over to the two men while Daveth and Gwyn talk. He gives her a slight, re-assuring smile, then turns his attention to Ser Jorah and Ser Baelon.

"
Well, sers."
he begins. "
That went quite well. I look forward to a pleasant relationship with House Coldbrook."

Daveth gives a small smile and slightly sheepish grin. "
Thank you."
He hesitates slightly. "
If it's not too much to ask, given that you seem to be fairly approving of the situation, do you have any advice you'd be willing to share?"

"
Advice...hmmm..."
Gwyn looked up, thinking. "
Well, Dyana has always done exactly as she sees fit. She listens to arguments, but pays no need to simpleminded naysaying. And she respects that in others. Stand with the courage of your convictions, acknowledging if you are proven wrong, but with confidence to brush aside petty criticism. And recognize her right to do the same. That will matter more to her than the specifics of what your convictions are."

Confidence? Not exactly your strongest characteristic, is it, Daveth? That was always Garret's role, with you as the little scholar being dragged along in his wake.

Her confidence is part of what draws you to her, isn't it? You admire most in others what you feel you yourself most lack.

Then it's amazing you don't admire more people.

"
I see. Thank you."
he nods. "
Unless there's anything you wish to ask me, we should probably be heading back to the others? I don't want to keep them from their jousting."

"
Oh yes,"
Gwyn agrees with a laugh. "
They must have their jousts. Lets go back."


She lets Daveth escort her back to the others, where she takes her place by Edmund and Baelon, looking rather pleased.

"
Thank you for waiting, everyone. It's been a very productive meeting. Best of luck to those of you competing in the joust, and I look forwards to speaking with each of you again, whenever that might be."


(OOC: as far as I'm concerned, we just say our goodbyes, then /thread. Good talk. )

OOC: Agreed.
/scene unless someone wants some parting words.

“Indeed, back to the jousts. I have a tough opponent who is being talked about as a possible next member of the Kingsguard. Should be an interesting match. What about you Ser Baelon?”

He turned to Edmund, “I need to catch up a bit more with your uncle. Feel free to join us. Judging by the accents creeping into your view, I imagine you have a few stories to tell yourself.”

/scene

"
I have defeated my opponents today, but I hope to gauge the skill and technique of those that may be my opponents tomorrow."

Baelon says as the head out of the wheel tower and back to the tourney grounds.

/scene