[D4 E] Teach Me

[Maester Oswell]

"I imagine we'll likely all be called upon, as a House, when Lord Percaval arrives. If you need some additional time to help him through his grieving process I'm sure that will prove little obstacle."

Oswell ignores the mention of the sisters, knowing their membership consisted of mostly widowed women and not wnating this intriguing creature to be claimed by them yet, or at all.

[Kaliya Redding]

"I know that you arre not suggesting that I help our new Liege in his time of grrief in the bedrroom. Whateverr I might be," and what am I, exactly? Kaliya paused as her train of thought dredged up her earlier conversation with Davelyn. Recovering, "I do have some sense of proprriety." She didn't sound offended, but closer to amused.

[Maester Oswell]

"Not so soon after the tragedy, but if you were to offer yourself as a confidante...Perhaps able to use your herb lore to offer the new Warden of the South something to help him sleep in this deeply troubling time, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to hear his troubles."

"Who knows where that may position you later?"

[Kaliya Redding]

"I assurre you, maesterr, I shall be nothing less than my scintillating, charrming self," she had rather hoped that she had proven herself, between the meeting with the Valemen and that morning's council with the lord heir. Must all men think firrst with theirr cocks? His does not even worrk, she silently griped.

[Maester Oswell]

"Which in itself is more than most of us deserve. A shame most of them can't see past those magnificent tits to recognize the talents you bring to the table. Any slut can spread her legs for a man, the many bastards of the Realms are proof of it, but the carefully calculated touches, the coy fluttering eyes, the carefully chosen attire - there's an art form to it that takes as many years of study as any topic at the Citadel."

"And girl, you've mastered that chain." Oswell offers her a half bow of appreciation at her accomplishments.

[Kaliya Redding]

"You arre flatterring me, Oswell, but sometimes it pays to keep them befuddled. Bad things can happen when fools trry to think too harrd, would you agrree?"

[Maester Oswell]

And at that moment, Oswell felt like one of those fools. He was sure there was an angle here, a point Kaliya was looking to make, and while he was determined it not be at his expense he wasn't sure he could prevent it if she wanted it to be.

"People should think more, but they should also recognize when they're out of their depth, yes."

[Kaliya Redding]

Apparently satisfied, "will you be able to grreet Lorrd Commanderr Dunn when he arrives?"

[Maester Oswell]

Oswell shrugs.

"Do we have a more definite time of arrival than 'soon'?" He asks simply. "I hope to be available when he arrives, but the Conclave will be going on for a few more days if past years are anything to go by."

[Kaliya Redding]

"I suspect that we shall not know until he is just about at the gates. I should like to make myself scarrce, at the verry least until he has settled in and is caught up on all that has trranspirred."

[Maester Oswell]

Old prejudices do die hard, Oswell thinks to himself as he nods in understanding at Kaliya's sentiment. "I am sure that he will be overwhelmed upon his arrival and would appreciate a more gradual introduction to those here representing his house. Though I imagine that Lord Ashford will probably host him in the castle proper and Lord Dunn, is not as...mobile as he used to be."

[Kaliya Redding]

"I am quite convinced he will not take well the news that I have been assisting Kevan with matterrs such as the meeting with the Valemen. He is like to assume that I have been sabotaging things while he was not herre to prrevent me frrom attending meetings."

[Maester Oswell]

"We were all at that meeting Kaliya, not just you, well all of us except Kevan. Someone had to take control and I copied down every pertinent word, you didn't set a foot wrong. You were cordial and welcoming, steadfast while still offering the possibility of accommodating the political needs of our guests and you didn't commit to anything that will overtax our position."

"If you think Kevan could've done any better you're selling yourself short. If your role changes after Lord Dunn arrives it will not be any failing of yours, but his shortsightedness that is the cause, though that will likely offer you little comfort."

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya waved her hand dismissively, "I am awarre, though yourr worrds are not unapprreciated."

[Maester Oswell]

"Then allow me to stop blowing smoke up your ass. We all know that Lord Dunn won't ever respect you for reasons of both your gender and birthplace. You do have allies in the house though, allies who see your present and future worth and believe it worth sticking our necks out for, fight the battles you can win. Lord Dunn won't be around forever and I think Kevan is far more open minded than his sire. Your time will come either in House Dunn with patience, or in whatever House you choose to marry into."

[Kaliya Redding]

"I suppose I shall have time to worry on that laterr. Forr now I must focus on ensurring that warr is not deliverred to ourr doorrstep. With orr without Lorrd Commanderr Dunn's blessing orr perrmission, I will not stand idly by."

[Maester Oswell]

"None of us here want that, war never benefits anyone. Now not only do we have potential conflict with your homeland to worry about, but there may be literal and metaphorical storm clouds on their way from the East. Perhaps we can use that threat to our advantage however to end the conflict with your homeland."

[Kaliya Redding]

"I shall seek audience with Lorrd Kellington. He may not have any grreat clout, but we may be able to assist each otherr yet."

[Maester Oswell]

"If you do get a chance to talk to Cedric, tell him his Uncle says hello. I tried to talk to him the other day, but he got called away just as I arrived."

Oswell casually name drops without any preamble.

[Kaliya Redding]

Without missing a beat, "werre you close? and is therre anything I should know?"

[Maester Oswell]

"Not overly, though we were of a similar age. He was destined for leadership, I was entertaining the notion of taking the black until the accident. Although one piece of advice is that he considers himself a poet, but my ccock is more likely to stand up and applaud than an audience at one of his recitals."

[Kaliya Redding]

She laughed, "I shall considerr myself forrwarrned."

[Maester Oswell]

"Now as intriguing as our political discourse has been, I fear that I have diverted you from the original reason you came here. It was...tea yes?"

[Kaliya Redding]

"Yes. You suggested that you may be able to expand my knowledge in such things. Perrhaps I should begin with what I alrready know?"

[Maester Oswell]

Oswell nodded in agreement. "I've seen some of your supplies, but yes if we could start with what you know, it would give me a good basis to know what to elaborate and expand upon."