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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Mar 19, 2019 10:46:15 GMT 1
Following her encounter in the pavilions, Lynesse hurried back to the main feast. She stopped on the threshold for a moment, catching her breath. The beauty of the hall now seemed a shadowy thing to her, ephemeral as gossamer; irrelevant.
She scanned the seats allotted to House Blackbriar and found her target, her best hope. She moved across the room as slowly as her sense of urgency would allow, curtseying and smiling where etiquette dictated, but tarrying with none of her few acquaintances as she made her way back.
She caught Erena in a quiet moment, as a peacock courtier of the reach bade her farewell, leaving the Lady of House Blackbriar momentarily unattended.
"My Lady Erena, if you have a moment, I must speak with you on a matter of some import," to those who had met her more than once or twice, Lynesse's discomfiture would be obvious.
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Post by Father on Mar 20, 2019 16:12:11 GMT 1
 Yes, there's an art upgrade, I wanted Joffrey literally out of the picture. Lady Erena, on account of the child growing inside of her (though it is not really showing yet), have decided to not do any dancing, and instead lounge with other ladies in attendance. One look at Lynesse's posture is enough for her to immediately excuse herself and invite for a walk, waiting for her young niece to share what is on her mind. Ser Malcolm and four other men besides, all of them from Bitterbridge, make up their escort. Erena makes them no mind, having once declared it better to be overly concerned with one's safety than to worry that one's precautions are insufficient. |
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Mar 20, 2019 22:56:13 GMT 1
Lynesse fidgets idly with her fingers, in a manner that her mother would often have scolded her for. Nevertheless, with Lady Erena she feels she can share something of her fear, indeed she must. Lady Erena has sparred with her nephews, adn Lynesse cannot determine where fault lies, but she is also Lynesse's defacto guardian, and only hope of an immediate ally.
As they leave the hall to find a more private space, Lynesse makes idle smalltalk, of how healthy Erena looks, positiviely glowing with her blessed condition. Such idle pleasantries subside as she finds herself beneath the open sky.
"My uncle is here tonight, and wears Lord Karl's signet. He has made it clear he intends to sell me off to a lord of the reach. His...his manner suggests that he has no qualms with an outcome that would shame or endanger Mustard Hall, or indeed Gyldenhaal. He brought me to the man in question, without warning, or choice in the matter. It was.. It was Lord Eldon Merryweather."
The words tumble out of her in a rush.
"I knew Eustace would seize control of Mustard Hall when Kyle left, but I did not realise that his regency would allow him to make such promises or negotiations."
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Post by Father on Mar 21, 2019 16:28:37 GMT 1
Erena bids Lynesse calm herself and compose her thoughts, it seems to be more to be said than could be offered in such a quick telling.
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Mar 22, 2019 7:27:20 GMT 1
Lynesse takes a moment to gather her thoughts and composure. Erena, she realises, knows little more than rumour of what has occurred within her family lands.
"Ser Eustace, my grandfather's second son, stayed in Mustard Hall after Kyle and I departed. My grandfather is ailing, from illness and sorrow equally, and by all reports is no longer able to manage his own affairs, leaving such things to his eldest living son, Eustace."
"Yet the man is a villain, with little love for anyone in his heart, and less for the duty he owes my brother as the heir of House Daverhyl. He seeks only his pleasures and his own unjust enrichment, and I honestly believe him the cause of my parents' demise, though fear I could not prove it."
"He cornered me earlier, and took hold of my arm such that I could not escape without compromising propriety. As the regent, he said, it was his responsibility to negotiate a potential match. He strongarmed me to the pavilions for the purpose of introducing me to the man he considers my ideal match."
Eustace, Lynesse has decided, is the greater threat than Lord Eldon, as the former seems to hold some heartfelt malice, while the latter simply disregards her virtue entirely.
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Post by Father on Mar 22, 2019 12:16:06 GMT 1
Kyle is not yet a man grown, and if Lord Karl is too ailing to govern his lands, then Ser Eustace would be the obvious man to entrust with such duties, Erena concedes, the finding of a match for her among them, Lynesse would be nine and ten when Kyle comes of age, though likely more than twenty when he is actually knighted, as very few are given their spurs so young. He could hardly be considered at fault for seeking a husband for her, though his choice is not the one a loving father would even contemplate. Not likely one that a lord valuing honor would either. Erena listens without making judgement, but she have to ask how this could endanger Gyldenhaal, or Mustard Hall for that matter?
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Mar 23, 2019 4:01:08 GMT 1
"Ser Eustace has a temperament not unsuited to the management of land, but in the stewardship of folk he is, if I may be so blunt, callous." Once again Lynesse moderates her feelings. It is no good for others to think her irrational in her distaste for the man. Let them see his true colours for themselves.
"I understand my duty to my family. I should marry to win a friend and ally for my lord, and in time, my brother. I am not a child, and have no desire to sully my family name by rejecting or disobeying the authority of my guardians to make such decisions. And yet, I think Eustace a harsh man, unsuited for the task of negotiating this match, even as I understand how important a match it would be seen to be, for my family."
"Lord Eldon has a certain reputation for... hot-blooded behaviour, and I fear my uncle Eustace's desire to make a friend of Eldon Merryweather may outdo his desire to protect my honour until I am wed. Eustace did not even tell me who we were to meet before we arrived at his pavilion. I am scared of what may happen if I am alone with Lord Eldon with only Ser Eustace's sense of familial duty to chaperone us. In such a situation it would be easy for me to give offence to Lord Eldon, who might act in retribution against my family."
"You have been so kind to me in my time in Gyldenhaal, and I would not wish any shadow to fall over the place by anything I say or do to offend a high lord. I know the risk of this is only greater because Lord Eldon has been spurned before by a Blackbriar maid." Lynesse notes, referring to Delia's infamous spurning, and wincing in remembrance of the poor girl who bore her countenance.
[Lynesse seeks an ally for the duration of the negotiations with Lord Merryweather, and likely going forward, for which Lady Erena seems a good candidate. Such an alliance would make her more willing not to try to escape the match itself. Should this be best resolved through RP, or would an intrigue be better suited?]
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Post by Father on Mar 25, 2019 18:21:03 GMT 1
Erena may be gentle and kind, but her mind is as sharp as a Valyrian sword, she listens, only to ask questions when she needs clarifications. But one question of hers can hardly be asked in such a way as to make it comfortable, as she notes, the question may be made as gentle as it can be, but that counts for nothing if the answer is not so at all. The question on her mind being if Eustace offered, or Eldon asked, for her to please him in ways that should rightly be confined to the marriage bed.
No intrigue needed, she'll help, but mostly she can offer guidance and advise (conveniently from an OOC point of view, it mostly involves directing Lynesse towards various other PC's).
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Mar 27, 2019 7:07:33 GMT 1
"I was not with them when they arranged the meeting, so I cannot say precisely what Eustace promised Lord Eldon, only what was apparent to me." Again, Lynesse is careful not to overstate her suspicions of Eustace, lest she be taken as vindictive.
"Lord Eldon made himself clear implicitly. He offered his favour as a high lord if I were to bed him, though he used the word "friend" as his watchword, the meaning was clear. He has that reputation."
"Ser Eustace warned me not to gainsay him in front of Lord Eldon, and made no effort to intercede on my behalf, even when Lord Eldon... when Lord Merryweather placed his hand upon my leg." Lynesse's breath caught at the recollection. She wondered if she was making a mistake, confiding in Erena this way. Such words might return to her with a vengeance.
"I know Eustace would have allowed much and more, and he was not surprised that Lord Merryweather sought it, so there was clearly an understanding between them. I sang for Lord Merryweather , to buy time," she frowns and idly brushes a forefinger over her upper lip. "I extricated myself as soon as I could, without sullying my honour, or offending the man, though he stole a kiss. Not once did Eustace discharge his duty as chaperone, though Lord Merryweather gave him cause."
"I fear I cannot undo what Ser Eustace has begun, but I would be loath to have the man misuse his position in such a way again."
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Post by Father on Apr 2, 2019 17:56:02 GMT 1
Erena listens patiently, only when Lynesse is done does she add thoughts of her own. That her uncle just stood by speaks ill of his character, Ser Eoric should accompany her from now on, whenever any of her uncles were close by, actually, no, not him, like Ser Balon, bringing him near someone of Rhoynish blood might give rise to more trouble than they are tasked with preventing. Best ask Ser Titus when possible, and have other arrangements made when not.
Preventing Lord Eldon or any other man to dishonor her happens to be the duty that Lord Jon and herself accepted when they took Lynesse into their household, and that duty, Erena declares, she intends to take seriously. However, they can do little to oppose Ser Eustace should he as regent decide to marry her to whomever might please him. Only Lynesse herself might refuse, but the consequences of this might place her in a situation much like that of Lady Alicent Yronwood, and make her betrothed very wroth.
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Apr 3, 2019 23:42:42 GMT 1
"Thank you, Lady Erena. It eases my mind to know that I have such friends to call upon," Lynesse replies, offering heartfelt thanks. "You know the temperament of my cousins far better than I, as we shared scant months under the roof of Gyldenhaal before Ser Titus found service at Starpike. I shall not aim to put Ser Balon or Ser Eoric in a position ill-suited to their disposition, but Ser Titus is perhaps the level-head this situation would benefit from."
She had planned to ask for Ser Titus to mentor Kyle as well, but that seemed like a less attractive proposition with Lord Eldon and Ser Eustace spinning webs around House Daverhyl. Better the young heir learn the art of ruling from a lord with the resources to protect him, than a gallant knight who would likely be pulled into perilous situations.
She paused, mulling over the likely course of future events.
"Ser Eustace seems set on this match with Lord Eldon, and you are right to say that there is little I can do to gainsay him. I do not know Lord Eldon well, but at face value he seems....positively inclined towards such a match," she blushes, not for herself, but for the man's impropriety and the euphemism with which she disguises it.
"If the gods have decreed that this is to be my fate, then I shall not rail against it, nor dishonour my family name or risk Lord Eldon's wrath." Simply refusing to wed the man would likely be catastrophic.
"And yet, if the purpose of this match is to secure an alliance for my brother's future rule, and for my family to benefit from House Merryweather's friendship, then I ought do more than meekly serve Ser Eustace's whims. In my time as a handmaid in Oldtown I saw that some Ladies of the court were heeded by their husbands, while others were little more than accountrements brought to court for show and ignored when matters of import were discussed. If Lord Eldon is to be my future husband," Lynesse rushes through these words, refusing to quite let them settle in the air, "then the match would better serve Mustard Hall and Gyldenhaal if I am seen as more than an accountrement, but could encourage Lord Eldon to be a reliable ally of my family."
"Lady Erena, it is so clear to me that Lord Jon values your counsel, and heeds your words, and that this is based on a strong bond between you, of love and respect. I do not know if I can hope for such a bond with Lord Eldon, but I know there is much I can learn from you if I am to be respected in my own right. I fear if such things are left until after Ser Eustace has hammered out a betrothal, I shall be swiftly relegated to the margins of House Merryweather, and the match will be of little use to House Daverhyl or Blackbriar."
[OOC: Essentially Lynesse is trying to score a little mentoring from a Lady who is a figure of influence in her own House. This could largely be resolved narratively off-screen, but would give the two a chance to bond before Lynesse gets sold off. The long term prospect would be that Lynesse would occupy a position of influence in House Merryweather, and House Blackbriar would enjoy strong alliances with both House Daverhyl and House Merryweather.]
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Post by Father on Apr 5, 2019 16:38:28 GMT 1
Lady Erena finds it doubtful that the gods have decreed anything to be the fate of anyone, how else would man have the choice to be good and righteous? But no matter, some ladies finds the role of looking pretty upon their lord's arm comforting. And some ladies are more gifted in the giving of sound counsel than others. Some lords are more inclined to take advise than others, whether it is from their ladies or other friends and kin. Erena knows not which sort Lord Eldon is, though she has a feeling that he might not care much for a wife beyond her duties to him in the marriage bed. That and what the alliance with her house might offer. Men might be manipulated of course, but the danger with one such as Lord Eldon would be that he quite evidently takes whatever he likes, it is difficult to manipulate a man if one controls nothing that he wants.
With a man that is inclined to listen to counsel, one need only offer good advise and be mindful that most men prefers their counsel to be given behind closed doors so that it appears that they are fully in charge. The wisest of men she knows of listens to the opinions of all his advisers without interrupting or saying anything betraying their views. Only after they have all spoken do they make a decision. But some men are not so inclined. With these men, one must either learn how to say the right words at the right time to make them act upon ideas they might consider their own, or one must have control over something they want. Erena may have picked up a trick or two wrestling with Abelar and Shiera for hearts and minds at Gyldenhaal.
Sometimes, a wise maiden might take initiative to get to know young lords and knights of suitable birth and see if she can't find a possible match that would please her, a lady need not dishonor herself to entice a man to inquire about her hand. Ser Eustace may not be the only one of a mind to offer a daughter of his house to Lord Eldon, rumor has it that Lord Levalle has much the same idea.
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Apr 6, 2019 9:12:52 GMT 1
"Perhaps I have taken too much comfort from the idea that the gods have some higher purpose for me in the deaths of my parent's and my Uncles' assumption of control over House Daverhyl," Lynesse mused, hearing Erena echo something akin to her own words to Ser Davos.
"Truth be told, there are a great many knights or Lords here tonight who would make a fine match, but many would see me as a tool through which they might gain control of my House, with Kyle still being so young and untested as an heir. The best proof against such ambition would be a man who already possesses holdings of his own, as a Lord. Perhaps, if I might make the acquaintance of such a man, he might guest at Gyldenhaal, that you could make an assessment of him? Perhaps if there were an event hosted nearby such a thing would be seen as a harmless courtesy by those who cared to take an interest in such things, like Ser Eustace."
"Thank you for your considered words Lady Erena, they have done much to soothe my frayed nerves and scattered thoughts. Is there any other advice that you might have for me in this time?"
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Post by Father on Apr 8, 2019 16:05:38 GMT 1
A Lord or his heir would make for a more fortuitous match indeed, though most would mainly see the advantages in the greater potency in such an alliance for House Daverhyl. Most does not have have young Kyle's particular challenges to deal with, however. But to assess the quality of such men is difficult, sometimes one takes what one could get, sometimes one just have to take a chance.
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Apr 12, 2019 13:03:52 GMT 1
"Thank you for your advice my lady, your words and the cool night air have done much to settle my frayed nerves," Lynesse gives her honest thanks.
"You have given me much to think about, and to plan for, and I am sure I shall seek your counsel in the days and weeks ahead of us. It is easier to think clearly when I have as incisive a mind as yours to share my concerns with."
"In such times as these I feel there is little I can do to repay the kindness, counsel, and protection you have offered me. If there is ever aught I can do, please do not hesitate to ask."
[probably /scene at this point, unless Erena has any specific details or advice to add to her general counsel.]
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