Aaralyn took a drink from the cup she had grabbed if only to not add fuel to the fire she had started. Though she said nothing more.
"I know more of these things than you ever could." Aaralyn told him, keeping her tone low. "I know my marriage will benefit the family before it would myself, but I will not be doomed to a marriage of hate. By the Laws of the Seven Kingdoms I have the right to say no. You can drag me kicking and screaming into their sept but my words can still be no." She reminded him. "If you wish me not to marry Tytos then tell me such father. Do not just disregard my wish as a woman's folly. I am not asking for love from Darne Naelareon, that would be a child's dream..." She reassured him. "Lord Stark makes moves of which we know not why, the King is mad and you wish to marry me off to a family who owes their allegiance to him not Tully." Aaralyn pointed out, showing she did understand more than he thought.
"Lyanna despises her betrothed, that much I can tell you without betraying her trust. She hates who he is and will always be." Aaralyn told her father as she crossed her arms, feeling bad to tell such a thing even if it was something simple. "I only ask to be allowed a mutual understanding from which a possible friendship can grow. Now even a full friendship right now." She shook her head with a sigh. "If you do not love me enough to allow me some small happiness father... than at least realize that I understand how this game is played far more than you think. Far more than my dear brother!" Aaralyn said as she met her father's eyes and held them. "Tell me what you wish to gain and allow me to help you. Instead of leaving me in the dark to hate you." She begged. "You are my father, please trust me enough with the future of our house like you trust Rickard." Aaralyn asked of him as she reached out and took his hands in hers. "The Naelareons need this marriage to be taken seriously in the eyes of other nobles, and we need it to save our people from the long winter. But there are more houses whom we could get it from, and few other houses they will get a marriage offer from. Is this the one you wish to tie our family to? Tell me now, truly and honestly. If this is the choice you want above all others father, I can make it happen. Darne does not seem like a cruel man but I cannot speak to his honor. Give me the three months to make it work but I beg you my father, let me have some choice in the man whose bed will be mine. Who will father my children and grow old next to me. This world is not kind to men and even less kind to women, offer your daughter some kindness the wold will not father."
"The King may like Lord Havish now, and he may owe the new Lord... but in his madness that could change." Aaralyn warned him with a soft shake of her head as she let go of her father's hands. "Placing me in House Naelareon would benefit us now, but by tomorrow it could change..." She said if almost going in circles. "Though this might be the best chance we have, I am no fool to that. But the same thing to be accomplished by marrying into the Reach, or even Dorne, and keeping us further from the King's eye... Yet I cannot deny that the favor owed to this family and the fact he likes Lord Havish could be useful to us. If nurtured and maintained... Do you believe I can help with that?" She asked.
Lothar raises his cup again.
"Hear, hear!"
And takes a sizeable gulp.
Darne drinks to the toasts and watches as things take their inevitable end and everyone disperses. He puts a hand to his head and scratches a bit at his hair once it's just the Naelareon household left.
He looked up to the Maester and his Father. "Hmm...Not to put a damper on the festivities of the announcement, but I do have to question and ponder the significance of this alliance? I know that we are a young House and tying ourselves to an Older lineage would be good, but in the four years since we have been established the lands have prospered and our wealth and contacts have helped us to gather contacts and attention from some of the Houses. Though, I will admit she is a lovely young woman...I could be far worse off with a potential wife and I at least made a reasonable first impression, would you agree brother?" he asked.
"That is a good question," Maester Anders commends Darne. "We have the favour of the king, assuredly. But his health is uncertain..."
He shakes his head.
"I fear that the events at Harrenhal have precipitated a dispute, which we will need to navigate carefully. Robert Baratheon and the Starks will not take Rhaegar's affront lightly, and who knows how the Martells will react. Simply put, an alliance with the Kaarstarks ensures peace with the North, which is vital to our survival."
Lothar looks his brother dead in the eye, then smiles and claps him on the shoulder.
"I think you are in for a battle of wits, brother, but also that you are well able for her!"
Turning to the Maester and his talk, his cheer takes a slightly different shade.
"An ally in the North sounds good to me. I'd rather rely on our heir securing a strong marriage than relying on a king's whim."
The nights festivities go on without end, as the announcement of a union in the houses brings joy to the collected families. After much wine flowing, and much dancing having been had, people begin to split off from the party solo or in pairs.
As the celebrations began to die down Aaralyn made her way to Darne's side. Beginning this now while there was still enough people around. "Shall I assume you knew nothing till told today?" She asked, though it seemed more a of jest than an accusation.
While she might have been rather, difficult after being told, Aaralyn seem to be at least allowing Darne a fair chance at proving his case. "After all if you did I think you would have tried a bit harder when we first met."
Darne smiled and thanked people as the two families celebrated. He kept any of his misgivings about the situation to himself and enjoyed the moment. There was plenty of time to figure things out in the next three months.
When the evening began to die down and he found a way to get some time to himself, he politely excused himself and found himself a somewhat private place while still being a part of the party. He was surprised to see the young Lady Karstark approach him so shortly after the earlier incident.
He bowed his head politely when she arrived and he grabbed the nearest jug and refilled his cup. He could see that she was already interested in speaking and so he let her have the first word while he drank a bit of his drink.
"Oh? I suppose, perhaps I had a bit more practice handling being mistaken for the younger brother. Though, I will say I was with you in being quite surprised. I had some minor...thoughts that perhaps that something might have been up when our two Houses rode together, but I assumed it was more out of convenience than anything." he said thinking aloud.
He looked up to her after a short bit "Honestly, had I known? I probably wouldn't have come speak with you before the announcement. I would have worried that would've looked bad as if I were trying to manipulate you." he said after a small sip. "It's a shame you have seem to think my family is less welcoming or successful as the Blackwoods. Though, I suppose your families have more in common and their lineage is a proof at least of their strength." he commented as he turned towards her.
He smiled "So...I suppose the question is what you consider a good man? I think it might be a bit unfair to be the only one having to prove oneself." he said, grinning a bit wider.
"Oh I wouldn't say I think you family less than the Blackwoods." Aaralyn said with a shrug. "At this moment I just feel more drawn to Tytos than yourself. Can you honestly tell me that you are drawn to me more than any other woman you've met so far?" She retorted as she calmly brought her hands together before her.
"Ah," Aaralyn started with a soft laugh "a question rarely asked by many." She told him. "Well something that might surprise you Darne but strength isn't on the top of that list. It is on there of course but it isn't alone or the soul of it. How one carries themselves is rather important to me, and when it comes to what I want out of a husband... lets just say I would like to be able to sit in the same room with him and silence not be the norm." Aaralyn explained. "I want to be able to speak with my husband without fear of angering him, or fear that my words will fall upon deft ears. I want a bit of intelligence and loyalty." She finally finished.
"Now what of you Darne?" Aaralyn questioned gently. "What do you consider a good woman?"
Lothar is determined to dance - and perhaps impress an onlooker.
He is indeed quick on his feet.
Darne listened curiously for a bit. He found her requirements...to be rather low, though perhaps that was because he has seen many women in his time that were wise beyond their family's station and typically controlled their houses privately.
When she asked him what he was looking for in a woman, he coughed slightly and took a long slow draw. To be honest, he'd not really thought about it too much. "Hmm, I don't think on the subject much to be honest. Don't take that as I have no interest in women please, it's just I have had too much to learn and work for. I suppose, healthy would be first and foremost. My mother, bless her, has had to suffer from illness most of my life. I would not wish to see the mother of my children doing the same." he said somberly.
He continued on quickly enough though while toying with a bit of his hair "I think someone who can stand on their own two feet would be my preference. I don't need a woman who stands beside me to only be a quiet servant girl only up there for appearances. There will be times in which I will not be able to be in the home and I would want to feel safe that the lands are in as good of, if not better hands while I am gone." he offered in return.
He grinned a bit as he looked down at her "Though, a pretty face does help soften the deal." he said trying to tease her a bit.
"Ah, Flattery." Aaralyn said, a small wave of her hand to make it seem generic. "Easy to come by when you look like I do." She told him.
"But your words are welcomed, after all I've been told having an attraction to ones intended is a good sign and healthy." Aaralyn pointed put with a shrug of her shoulders. "But I can lay some of your worries to rest." She began. "You see Karhold is very far North... the Wildlings will come down and raid our lands from time to time. The Night's Watch has grown small and cannot always stop them... but more often when the sea freezes they will walk upon it to enter our lands. They steal food, items, and women. Because of this my father rarely let me leave the keep, and let me tell you there is only so much reading, needlepointing, sowing, and writing that one can handle. So my attention was drawn to the day to day life of my House. I learned how to steward well, and run my people properly." Aaralyn leaned in a bit closer to him as she whispered "Far better than my brother let me tell you." shifting back into her full standing position she offered Darne a smile. "It might take me some time to get a handle upon how the Riverland Lords run their Halls but I can assure you one thing, when I am your wife you will not need to worry about your Hall and land."
Aaralyn took a few moments to look at him properly as she said "Though you are rather correct on one thing. Being nice to look at does help a fair deal."
Darne chuckled when she got to the commenting on his appearance. "Indeed, flattery."
He thought a bit about what she had to say. Honestly, it worried him a bit that the future of the Karstark line was a bit weak. But, perhaps that was just her attempting to be a bit embellished. He realised that she had said when and not if about being his wife. He took another sip of his drink before setting it down.
He looked at her and smirked "Should we just announce you've agreed to the arrangement? Your words seem to be disagreeing with your earlier...disagreement."
He paused and got serious again "I'm afraid I don't know enough about your family. I'm sure my father knows what your family could offer us beyond legitimacy...but I feel like the Karstarks would benefit from this far more than my own family. I do have to think about the future of 'our' family."
"I would not turn your nose up so swiftly on the aspect legitimacy can bring." Aaralyn warned, though not in a heavy tone. "It takes generations to get it naturally, you and your children, and likely even your children's children would not see it unless a proper marriage is made. Which is far more difficult than you believe." Shifting a bit to look around the room before returning her gaze to Darne and starting once more. "The Karstark family make little in ways of agriculture that is true, but we make up for that with vast amounts of tember and furs. Something that sells rather well in the right hands."
Taking a moment to gather a glass of wine for herself she went on. "Then there is the fact the Northerner men rarely deal in marriage alliance with those outside of the North. This means that almost every house has ties to another House in the North the question is just how far back. My mother is a Ryswell, do you know what they do in the North?" She asked.
Finding little interest in the affairs of the betrothed other than the benefits of the alliance between the houses, Maester Anders allows Aaralyn and Darne their privacy.
In fact, having no interest in drink or dance, he shies from the festivities entirely. Truth be told, his presence often irks the nobles who find his manner unnerving, so he prefers to avoid them entirely at times such as this.
You don't know your place," his father used to accuse him before striking hard with his whip.
Therefore, Anders meanders through the camp, making sure that the guards are sober and attentive and that the finer wines aren't served late in the night when most are too drunk to taste the difference between Arbor Gold and watered-down sweet wine...
Darne paused, he knew that legitimacy was important but he also knew that House Karstark wasn't the only ones who could offer them legitimacy. "Many Houses can offer legitimacy, though I will admit that timber is a valued trade commodity. If the furs were white, hmm, well then they would be quite good for dying and could fetch good on the market if introduced to the right people." he said, scratching his chin a bit.
He paused and finished his cup. He turned towards her "Forgive me if I am wrong, but I believe House Ryswell is located in the Rills. Their coat of arms is a Black Horse's head with red eyes and mane, on a bronze with black engrailed border. Of particular note, their horses are pretty well known for being quite impressive. Particularly the 'Ryswell Reds'. Any Knight or Lord would be honored to ride one." he offered.
"In the North, many animal fur is white. It is the best way to hide ones self in the roaring blizzards." Aaralyn pointed out. "While it is true that we are not your only choice, we are the one before you. We are well known in the North, turn us away and... well after this party all will take notice. Their voices won't be kind." She warned. "They never are."
Aaralyn set down her glass and gave a small clap and smile. "Someone is a very dutiful student!" She said playfully. "That is correct. My mother's kin breed horses that can stand colder temperatures. So there are connections there too. It isn't just about the family your wife comes from you see, but in turn where their family comes from." Aaralyn explained with a roll of her shoulders and slight wave of her hand. "Yet in the end, we will either take the match or we won't."
"I said when and not if, because I wish to be hopeful. You do not seem a bad man Darne, and it is possible you and I could get along rather well. After all we enjoy each other's company enough to still be speaking to one another and you must enjoy my company enough to wish to show me the Seven Kingdoms." She pointed out with a grin. "I did tell you that you where off to a great start."
Darne nodded at her words "A point I forget, I will endeavour to remember that people are more than just their immediate family."
He thought about it, honestly he didn't really have any say in who his wife could be. Especially when his father agreed to it already. Still, he already could admit that she was better than most other potentials.
Darne smiled "Well, it is true that we got along fairly well for our first meeting. A shame my brother didn't do as good with his impression. Still...It seems that you will be taken under the care of my family. I imagine that you will still have a few of your own guard to protect your honor. Don't worry, I won't attempt any advances. I want you to feel welcome and safe while you stay as a guest with us. I fear that our home may not be as imposing and large as your own...but it should be comfortable at least. Let me know if you need anything and I'll see if it's within our power to make up for it." he offered.
"Lucky for your brother, he isn't the one who needs to impress me." Aaralyn said with a small wink Darne's way. "Helped you look better though." She told him "I am sure it will be a nice change. As I told you I didn't get out of the keep most days, so the chance to be able to walk the grounds and see the new area. Maybe you'd even be willing to take me to see Riverrun?" Aaralyn asked, giving him small ideas of what they could do together. "I've heard it is a lovely sight."
Darne shakes his head "Perhaps let's start with the lands you might become Lady of first? I'm sure it will be a good first impression. Our lands are a bit small at the moment but we've been growing quite a bit since we've been uplifted."
He smiled "But, provided we can accommodate your guard and a few of our own...I shall see if I can't make a trip." he said trying to already think about the logistics of such a trip.
"Yes I think that is a good idea as well." Aaralyn agreed with a small smile. "Knowing the land would be of great help." She added softly as her mind turned to think of what land this new family might have.
"If we cannot go within the three months I wouldn't worry too much. After all should I be your wife we'll have much more time to go see it no?" Aaralyn asked with a small grin. "Well I shall leave you to enjoy yourself now, it is getting late and tomorrow we'll be at your Hall yes?"
Darne nodded to her "Please, go rest. I need to greet your guards and your entourage. Our current staff is small enough that I can manage to know them personally. Perhaps one day this will get out of hand but I will still try my best." he said before bowing to her and making his way towards the Karstark side of festivities.
Darne met on of the larger men he had found, after brief introductions, the fact the man had a last name at least showed he was no common peasant. "So, what is it that you do for House Karstark? I'm trying to introduce myself to the members of House Karstark that will be joining Lady Aaralyn as Guests of our House. I would appreciate any help you could offer in introductions." he said trying to remember his manners in case this man was important.
Lothar wipes sweat from his brow, opens his leggings, and takes care of nature's call.
As he does so, he laughs joyously to the night sky. A moment of joy where the anger and frustration do not reach him.
"Good evening Lord Naelareon." Aaralyn called to him when she got a respectable distance as to not surprise the new Lord. "Hopefully dealing with my father has not been too much of a burden." She told him while closing the distance.
"I just finished speaking with your son Darne. More clever than he lets on." Aaralyn mentioned before getting to her point. "Do you mind if we speak a moment?"
Darne noticeably grimaces at the description of the man's job and the fact that if the man had been a sword, he'd have impaled himself on him. He found the person he was looking for albeit in a manner slightly embarrassingly.
"Apologies, I had no idea you were her personal guard. Now I feel foolish. Still, I hope that you see me in a better light than the one you need to protect her from." he said embarrassed.
"I make it a point of meeting the people who are a part of my House and since you will be a guest, I wanted to insure that I knew you personally. Still, your young Lady has her eyes set on a bit of a tour of the Riverlands and I was hoping we might be able to talk about if that would be possible and your input in how we should best do so? I plan to take her to tour our lands first but Riverrun is where she has her eyes set." he said trying to get some insight into the man and his experience.
Seeing the crow anew, Maester Anders takes the time to approach the animal carefully. "Why are you spying on me? he asks the creatures, half-expecting it to answer.
The old man is attempting an intrigue, funny thing is the two of you are of equal status... although he has some reputation so that might help. He is making charm attempts to increase your amiable nature.
17
Aaralyn was rather caught off guard but Lord Naelareon's demeanor. Though to be honest she didn't know what to expect. She'd never met the man before now, at least not properly. Either way he spoke rather well for a common man raised into nobility. "Oh a bit of this and that." She answered. "Mainly, just a few questions. You see while speaking to your son earlier he made a rather interesting comment. Maybe it was simply a thought spoke a lot, but he asked why take the marriage the Karstarks off for legitimacy, after all it can be gained from any high born marriage... what made you choose me for your son?" Aaralyn inquired.
"Balls!" , Lothar exclaims, as he roughly closes up the front of his leggings.
I only have a dagger on me, but by the Seven it will be enough!
He runs in the direction of the scream.
27 charm, vs. 12 defense. 15= 4 success. 4x5=20-4=16 for indifferent dr. composure of 12, even if you take 2 measures of frustration you may reduce that by 8, bringing you to 4 composure. Or, you can accept defeat, or you may punch him in the face... that is always an option.
Red.
Lothar's view goes red.
And in a moment, so will theirs.
Too enraged to say anything, Lothar steps forward, blade out, and drives it at the front - or back - of the nearest laughing figure.
11
13
Aaralyn offered a pleasant laugh. "Yes, I can say if Lords where more intelligent they would teach their daughters better. A mother passes on her knowledge to their children just as much as a father, if not more." She agreed. "Darne has done well to represent your House. He is, enjoyable to speak with and I can tell he has taken to his studies well. I'm starting to believe we might be able to have a good life together he and I. We may never find love, but I think we might never get bored of each other." Aaralyn honestly told him. "I do thank you for your honesty Lord Naelareon. Always be honest with me and I will be honest with you."
"You'll find I rarely follow blindly." Aaralyn said with a simple shrug. "Always been as such. You should have seen Lyanna and me when we where together at Winterfell. An interesting duo we made." She told him with a fond chuckle as she remembered past times. "My Lord, if I might ask one more question, you know your son more than I could at the moment. Do you believe he is pleased by the match?"
"YAAARRGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!", Lothar manages to finally yell, flecks of spittle hurtling from his wide-open mouth and death in his eyes, as he lunges for the next man, bloodied knife in clenched fist first.
”Odd to find a crow here, alone. They usually flight in groups,” Maester Anders wonders while retrieving from a pouch a string and seeds – the simple tools of a Master of Ravens. Very slowly, he ties a noose and sets his trap before placing the lure. Then, keeping his eyes carefully on the clever bird, he waits. If it goes for the seeds, he’ll simply have to pull on the string to catch it by the legs.
Tele is curled up in the corner, her ruined clothes are little protection against the night air.
"Oh finding out you can't stand them is one way I can think of." Aaralyn answered honestly. "But as you said he shows promise, and you seem well rounded yourself. During the three months I hope to get a feel for how your lands are ran and more importantly how your family works together. Something I should know if I'm to become a part of it no?" She asked though more of a rhetorical question however. "You are aware that all save few families of the north worship the Old Gods, this will not be a problem will it?"
Calling upon al his learned experienced, he attempts to charm the bird into the trap...
Lothar spits on the man that he has just felled, trying to seize the reins of his anger, now that the laughing trio are slain.
He swiftly wipes his knife and his hands on the cleaner part of a corpse's clothing. Then he takes off his jerkin, leaving only a shirt on top, and approaches Tess with it in hand.
"I - I - You...Wear this and we will find the maester.", he says, almost apologetically.
Aaralyn nodded a few times. "Fair enough." She agreed. "Though to be fair, outside of the ones upon the God's eye or the one in Raventree I doubt there will be a proper tree to carve a face into... Though that means I can't get married in the God's wood..." She said, almost a sad tone in her voice.
Now that she is covered somewhat, Lothar picks up Tele in his arms and walks off, his eyes looking about for the Maester.
Fool! He will not be wandering about aimlessly!
As soon as Lothar sees someone who does not appear completely drunk, he will order them, regardless of affiliation:
"She is injured! Find Maester Anders, NOW!"