[fieldbox="Break-Frosthold, wheat, solid"]
A collab done by Lesli and Zane
Characters: Sanah and Rydan faerson
Summary: Being called upon to a banquet to pledge fealty while bending the knee to the new lord of House Marric, Rydan and Sanah discuss what they will do, while hope they will find some way to gain their sister back.
[spoili]It had been some time since she had ridden towards Frosthold. Then again, much like previous times, there wasn't much of a joy present with Sanah as looked in front. Riding next to the Lord of House Faeron, the woman had been quite silent for most of the journey. The letter that had came was one that had came from Frosthold was one that hadn't bring much satisfaction for Sanah. And while only Rydan was requested, Sanah had made it clear that she would come with her brother. Though if anybody would expect her to swear fealty without any demands made in return, then they would be in for a surprise.
"How much were you promised, again?" Sanah asked, her eyes still focused on the road that they were riding on. With the presence of the most loyal guards of their household, who knew better than to leak any word to an outside force, Sanah considered that the topic they would discuss could be held right now.
He had only been to Frosthold a couple of times with each visit not really being a favorite of his. One such visit was to swear fealty to Elrin the Odd, which went without any pressing issues to really speak of. The second time was when the plans were made for Liana to stay in Frosthold yet now their new lord Anselm, was requesting him to come to Frosthold and swear fealty but also bend the knee. Just on that message alone, was enough to annoy Rydan yet here he was on his way to do just that... on a bribe. Well buying loyalty isn't uncommon, yet to spend that amount was a bit crazy if you asked him.
Looking at his sister he would smirk a bit as he looked forward once more
"Thirty Gold Dragons, plus our sister." Rydan would respond, not trying to hide the amusement in his voice. If this was how Anselm planned to get everyone on his side, then he was going to be broke real soon.
"Thirty Gold dragons." Sanah repeated in a soft voice, that somehow had something threatening to it.
"And you believe that they would release Liana out of service?" She asked, shooting a frown sideways at Rydan.
"I even wonder why we should not head to Oldbury and meet up with House Lockguard. If they can refuse to go to Frosthold and even be paid wealth for it, why would you step to just thirty Gold dragons." It was more of a thought out loud as Sanah would scoff and add something to her comment.
"Then again, Lainah is more worth than I reckon the Marrics even can guess."
He tensed slightly as she repeated what he said, he wasn't a fool to think the different tone in her voice was something to ignore. So as she frowned at him asking if actually believed they would release Liana from service he shook his head.
"Not truly, yet if they are spending all this gold on all his houses Bannermen. Then he may be just foolish enough to do such." he stated as she brought up House Lockguard refusing to go and getting paid for it. As Sanah mentioned Lainah's worth he could only nod in agreement.
"I rather just have her back, something tells me this new Lord thinks money will solve all his problems."
"Good. I imagine that it will be good to have Lainah back. She probably would like to inform us all about her time in Frosthold," Sanah said as she slightly raised her chin. Knowing fully well that there were more reasons why they wanted their sibling back, Sanah was genuinely concerned about the matters of state. If a simple small house like Gardway, that just ruled over some villages and farmsteads, had the nerves to tell House Marric to back off until the debts were paid, Sanah couldn't see much harm if they would demand more. Then again, they had to play their cards carefully.
"If Lord Marric does think that money can buy everything, he will learn his lesson sooner or later. I am curious if any other invited house will partake in this banquet. I take it that House Hornwood won't be there but if they are," the voice of the woman trailed off as she shoot Rydan a meaningful look.
"Then I suppose you can try to get some new friends."
"I'm sure she would love too, after all it would be interesting to know if Frosthold actually can see everything from it's location." Rydan would say bringing up that rumor that nothing could ever escape Frosthold's watch, although personally he didn't buy into that rumor. He chuckled a bit at her statement of him learning his lesson sooner or later if he kept throwing money at everything.
"Well they call him the wise. Guess we will see just how much of that is true. Yet new friends huh? It would be nice to speak to the other Lords, if any of them even show up. For all we know we could be the only house actually showing up to these demands."
A soft snicker could be heard from Sanah as she briefly lowered her head, raising her left hand to run it through her hair. Much like Rydan, she wasn't convinced of the rumor. Perhaps before Elrin 'the Odd' had reigned over House Marric and Frosthold, there was some truth to that but she sincerely doubted it.
"They actually do? I thought it was some kind of self-proclaimed title. If that is the case, you should consider what title befits the lord of House Faerson." As Sanah's eyebrows slightly perked up, the woman gained an amused tone in her voice.
"Perhaps something as the 'Friendly' should fit? Then again, that doesn't sound awe-inspiring, does it now?" The comment of Rydan if any other lords would show up made Sanah ponder on it for a second.
"I am guessing that we might be surprised. But if you give a hound a treat for every time it won't listen, then why would it stop being disobedient?"
"Well.. thats just another rumor I heard. For all I know, maybe you are right and it is self-proclaimed. Maybe he spent a few Gold Dragons to get that title out there." he said while his eyes perked up as he looked at Sanah trying to think of a title for him, so when she came up with friendly he laughed a bit as it certainly wasn't awe-inspiring at all.
"I beg to differ. I think I'm a rather friendly guy to my friends." he joked back before they got back on topic.
"So you think othe houses are going just to get free money for it? Well if it's the amount he promises people, then I can see why they would go. You can do quite a bit with just the amount were promised.. Yet we could do a lot more, if the number went up."
A smile started to grow on Sanah's lips as she couldn't resist but to shake her head lightly on hearing the comment. Perhaps there was some truth to that. Which would be quite interesting, she figured, to share it with others. The question of Rydan caused the smile to vanish as the woman thought about it for a moment.
"I think that they are just going to get or keep their money. Money can purchase loyalty to a certain extent. But seeing that the late lord Marric made a mess, I doubt it. Distrust is easier to gain than trust. And tends to stay longer. If he is promising money to vassals who threaten to disobey him, why would they go? It is just as you said, perhaps there is more to gain from it once such an offer has been made." She wondered about something though. Deciding to voice her thought, Sanah would once more frown slightly.
"Yet, I can't help but figure out what kind of amount we need. I think that we don't even need money. Unless you would desire another charity event. But I can arrange and organise that without any Marric gained wealth."
"Ahh but we already know that hes willing to spend money to try and calm a problem down, who says we cannot benefit from that as well?" he was honestly just trying to see how far this Marric would go to get everyone on his side. He was in a very bad situation this Anselm. One where all your bannermen were rather upset with how your father ran things. Made him wonder just what he would do to try and stamp the problem out. Money wasn't going to work, so what would he resort to next? Violence perhaps, maybe even fake promises. It was tough to say, not even he wanted to go but the problem layed in that House Marric had their sibling.
"I know we don't need the money, it was more so a wonder on how much he would be willing to go. A lot of things you can do with a large enough sum, a lot of our own money we don't have to spend basically. So no to the charity event, I'm certain the people are more content with our rule than they were with fathers by a long shot." Rydan would state as he trailed into silence a bit.
"So you have any ideas on how we can go about getting our sister back, should they indeed decide to keep her?"
The smile returned with the first reply of Rydan. There was a fitting response on the tip of Sanah's tongue, on if Rydan couldn't else gain the 'Wise' title at this rate. The question on how they could gain Laina back if House Marric would decide to keep her, Sanah would remain silent.
"If they decide to keep Liana, we have to show restraint. We can easily muster a force that makes us the stronger party. All we need to do is to appeal to the lords of the Houses that don't favor the Marrics. While our name isn't stained with controversy, it should be a last resort. When we are faced with such a decision, just leave matters to me. One way or another, no Faerson will be a political hostage to another house as long as we draw breath.."
That was his sister all right she already was thinking ahead on what to do should their sister not be given back. Gaining the other Houses favor from the Marrics shouldn't be too hard to do. If anything they probably were already more favored by them. Well he knew what he had to do later, which houses he wanted as allies was the question though. Yet she told him to leave matters to her, which was already a terrifying thought.
"Agreed, most certainly it won't be our little sister either."
"No, indeed." Sanah wondered what Liana would even do if her freedom would be on the line. Perhaps more men would slowly succumb to the terror of a slow death claiming them.
"I do have brought a small surprise for our baby sister. I reckon that she would be quite thrilled with some new clothing than to constantly walk in the same dull old dresses. A softer smile flowed on Sanah's lips. She was getting a bit tired of the slow riding but there was no need to hasten themselves towards Frosthold.
"What would you do if a representative of the Boltons will be present?" Sanah asked suddenly, throwing a sideways look at Rydan.
"Oh I'm sure she would be quite thrilled with such a gift. Probably wise you picked it. My sense for fashion was never my strong suit." Rydan said slightly wondering if it was actually just clothing she was giving to their sister. Then she would ask a new question, one he wasn't quite expecting.
"Well we know how they act. Being careful of our words is a must. So that is a difficult question, getting attention drawn to us would be both good but bad at the same time. Maybe we can attempt to make the Boltons see that House Marric isn't really.... reliable."
Sanah would erupt in laughter as Rydan expressed that his sense of fashion was never his forte.
"Sorry, my lord, but your fashion is really not the best. Then again, that is where I am around for, I imagine." Rydan's sister would respond. The answer on her question caused some silence, so far that was possible with the armed and armored retinue on horseback around them.
"Good. Seems we do start to think more alike, my lord.~"
He couldn't help but smile as his sister found amusement in his fashion statements.
"Fair enough on that. You do know best after all." he mentioned knowing that if he was allowed to leave their home, he would certainly gain a title and it wouldn't be one he wanted.
"Well that seems like the smartest approach, we don't need to worry about the Boltons for now. Hell they probably don't even know of our House, they probably just call on everyone under them for their fight without thinking of it."
"Probably. I can't really blame them. With the advances that the Starks are making, I recon that sooner or later the Boltons will call the banners. And the Marrics will then request ours." She said it with a softer voice but no sliver of a threat present.
"But that is a situation we will think about once we have dealt with getting Liana back. Or being certain that she is doing well. Else the Marrics will have to raise the banners against us," there was a playful tone rising in the perhaps threatening phrase but Sanah was certain that Rydan wouldn't be naive to think it was all just a game for her.
"And there it is." She stated as they could see Frosthold on the horizon, being nothing more than a small speck instead of a formidable site.
"I do hope they will allow us to take a bath. I rather not reek like the back of a horse during a banquet."
"It will take more than just throwing men at the Starks in hopes of taking them down though. Yet as you say thats a matter that we can discuss more once we have our sister back. Boltons probably won't even care that much about that if they are still promised their troops when called upon." Rydan said not worrying that much about Sanah's words of House Marric raising their banners against them should anything have befallen Liana. That would have to wait though as in the distance was Frosthold, still a good bit away but they should get there soon enough. Hearing that his sister wanted a bath first made him laugh.
"Trying to impress a Lord there sister? I never thought you would be the kind of woman to worry about such things."
"You certain about that? Perhaps it will be quite wise to throw men or even money at them." Sanah said as her eyebrows would once more slightly perk up.
"And perhaps I might. Who knows, perhaps Lord Marric will show me some interest or I can see if Lord Hornwood can use some company." Sanah joked as she had no such interests. Not for men she hardly knew.
"Perhaps you should consider if you can't impress a lord or lady as well? Though, when we do arrive there. I hope it is clear that you won't chase anybody. I doubt we will get any wealth when you start to break hearts left and right, my lord."
He had to resist bursting out in laughter at her mentioning that Lord Marric might show some interest.
"Sister you can do so much better than that and we both know it." Rydan said with some chuckles escaping him only to give a smirk to whats he said next to him.
"Now now. I am a perfect gentlemen. When have I ever broken the heart of a lady. I dare say your words wound me." he would say smiling to show he was joking.
"I will try my hardest to not break anyone's heart though. I'll just stick with impressing them."
"We both know. It is just always the question if others know," Sanah said with an evidently feigned arrogance. Hearing the later comment of Rydan caused Sanah to turn her head a bit more towards Rydan. The eyes of Rydan's sister locked on the lord himself, just remaining silent for a long moment.
"Are you certain you want to bring that up?~" She would eventually joke back.
"Good. Just don't try to do something as I don't know. Juggle with full glasses of wine. "
As they were nearing Frosthold, it wouldn't cost much time for them to be allowed inside and guided towards the keep of the castle.
"You know, perhaps you will be in luck. You are aware that some Houses still follow the old custom that the lady of the keep or home will bath her guests or is forced to suggest it?~"
"I only tried that once and I dare say I did a good job of avoiding the liquid." a playful tone coming from him before he would focus his gaze on his sister at what she just told him.
"I'm aware yes, but I'm also a grown man.. What are you trying to suggest here sister?" Rydan would ask, wondering if this a teasing remark, or if she was being serious.
"That I hope that you will know what you answer with if such a suggestion or offer will be made, Lord Faerson," Sanah said, lowering the volume of her voice a bit as she reckoned that they would now need to wait what would happen. She was really hoping that they could get some comfortable lodging cause she deemed it anything but wise if the Marrics would demand them to bend the knee after the trek that they had past them. Or perhaps some people did like others to reek of horses?[/spoili][/fieldbox]
