The Tiny Council [MM4]

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya managed to refrain from rolling her eyes as she listened to the flow of the conversation, absorbing without commenting.

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Kaelyn mused, relieved that they would not be presenting poison as a theory to Lord Commander Dunn. "So what I'm hearing is that we properly praise Lord Kevan for the way he prevailed at the joust, that Lord Tyrell was killed when the Baratheon caught the horse instead of the shield, and that the Laughing Storm is now in the tower awaiting justice. If he asks, we tell him that the Stormlander could have been terribly drunk, but not poisoned. Should we not also mention the request from the Wydmans for our fighting men?"

[Kaliya Redding]

"Before we do so," Kaliya interjected, "I have been considerring anotherr possibility." She approached Tomas and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, "Tomas, would you be willing to be help out yourr cousin? You would be doing a grreat thing forr the Rreach."

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Kaelyn was immediately on guard, prepared to defend her brother's interests if necessary. She'd listen, of course, to Kaliya's idea. Still, Kaelyn found herself stiff and apprehensive as she waited for her brother's reply and Kaliya's plan.

[Kevan Dunn]

"What's the idea?" Kevan moved his attention to the star of this new development, the boy with the greyscale scar.

[Tomas Flowers]

Tomas looked a little surprised and slightly confused, but he quickly answered. "Of course. I will do anything for House Dunn."

[Kaliya Redding]

Squeezing his shoulder gently, "I apprreciate yourr enthusiasm, Tomas, but at least allow me to explain beforre you agrree," her tone was kind, almost motherly. "The Vale wants men, yes, but they also need leaderrs, and men with the potential to become leaderrs. Despite his name, Tomas is as much a man of the Rreach as any infantrry orr cavalrryman. Being bastarrd-borrn may preclude him frrom much that would otherrwise be his rright, but perrhaps he can be prroven in anotherr way."

"Have Tomas trravel to the Vale as warrd of the Wydmans. This will satisfy what the Wydmans ask of us, but also prrovides a tie between Houses," and a little birrd to watch ourr new frriends will not hurrt, eitherr.

[Tomas Flowers]

This surprised Tomas. Leader? Obviously, she did not know Tomas. He looked at Kevan to see his response. He wanted to look to his sister, but he didn't want cause a scene. The idea of leaving his family.... he would do it. But he might still cry if he faced Kaelyn at this moment. So, he tried to still his face and wait to see what his future lord would say.

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Kaelyn wasn't scared.

Kaelyn was angry.

There were precisely two things that threw Kaelyn to immediate fiery temper: being cruel to animals, and to harm her brother. While no harm was yet done, they siblings had no warning of this 'idea'. And to mention it for the first time in front of their Lord? Kaelyn was incensed. Kaliya had just crossed one of the only lines she had. While she had little doubt the beautiful Dornish Lady could chew her up in an argument, they would never the less be having words later.

To her credit, for now, she said nothing. She knew her brother was terrified, and she needed a level head to defend him. That would not happen if she flew off into an incomprehensible rage. Yes, Tomas would be a true asset and this job would be precisely what the Wydmans could use. Tomas was a skilled hunter, and could be a leader if he were able to see himself for his true worth. Silently, Kaelyn wondered if Lord Wydman would have her as well. Either as a wife or as a temporary charge to meet other Lords from the Vale. At least then she could be close to Tomas... She was getting ahead of herself.

[Kevan Dunn]

"This would send a strange message, Lady Redding." Kevan regarded her and the surprised boy. "Tomas is still a boy, he is a bastard and has braved an illness that many are afraid of, and he's bearing very visible marks of it. The Valemen are proud, traditional, reclusive people. They need support, and even asking for it is a problem for them, but I am not sure this proposal is what they expect us to get back with." Kevan frowned, tangentially receiving some of Kaelyn's emotions on the subject. "Maester Oswell, what do you think?"

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya gave the heir a steely look, her eyes flashing, "of courrse, my Lorrd. Forrgive my prressumptuousness." Her words were as sweet as any seduction, her expression revealing nothing but a sweet smile.

[Kevan Dunn]

Kevan looked more intently at Kaliya, her sweet passive aggressive stance unnerving him slightly. "We're still talking, Lady Redding. I have expressed my doubts and have asked for more counsel. There is nothing to forgive, unless you mean your dissatisfaction that your ideas don't become mine on a moment's notice. I am still giving more regard to what you have to say than my father ever will."

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Kaelyn was still on high alert. Both Kaliya and her Lord were making good points. At the moment Tomas was scared; she didn't have to look at him to know. He was her brother and she just knew.

She felt as though Tomas were being discussed like something to be traded. 'I suppose it's no different than how Ladies are married off. I just never expected my dear Tomas to have to suffer the same.'

She was glad that Lord Kevan didn't jump at the suggestion, but she wasn't happy to hear what he seemed to think of Tomas' worth. She was torn terribly and didn't know what to do. She looked away from everyone, holding back tears of frustration, fury, and dread. Eventually she turned back to the group; the group that could in this moment be deciding her brother's life course. She could only speak truth, if not all of it.

'Tomas is a miracle. So few survive Greyscale. He was strong enough to do so as little more than a babe. He also has many skills. The Vale would be lucky to have him in their service. They should be PROUD to have him! But please, don't take him from me...' It was only after a moment that she realized the words had caught in her throat and she hadn't voiced a one. She closed her eyes to gather courage and Lady-like restraint. "Yes Maester, what are your thoughts of Lady Kaliya's suggestion?"

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya's cold eyes widened, her face forming a perfect facsimile of a woman regretful and wounded, "Lorrd, you arre most unkind. I am sorry, Tomas, I know how frrightening this all must sound. I was not much olderr than you when I was sent frrom my home too."

[Tomas Flowers]

"It's alright. I'm not scared. I was just surprised." And for the most part, that was true. If anything, his fear for himself was in failure. Confidence was not among Tomas's virtues.

But honestly, that wasn't truly the thing he feared. He worried about his sister. If he left, who would protect her? Who would ensure her lands weren't stolen? Who make sure any husband she had treated her right? Those things concerned Tomas much more than heading to the Vale.

[Maester Oswell]

"This would send a strange message, Lady Redding." Kevan regarded her and the surprised boy. "Tomas is still a boy, he is a bastard and has braved an illness that many are afraid of, and he's bearing very visible marks of it. The Valemen are proud, traditional, reclusive people. They need support, and even asking for it is a problem for them, but I am not sure this proposal is what they expect us to get back with." Kevan frowned, tangentially receiving some of Kaelyn's emotions on the subject. "Maester Oswell, what do you think?"

"I agree that it's not what they would expect from us as a contribution to their cause. I think I can allay their fears about his affliction after all it's no more contagious than a battle scar at this point and given the opportunity to meet and impress them, I think Tomas could convince them of his aptitude and value, but if he's reluctant, it will show through."

He turns to Tomas and reaches out to ruffle the young man's hair. "There's one thing that all leaders need to have, and it is something that can be learned and developed, and that's the courage to make a decision. Lord Kevan here's got it, and if you want men to follow you you need to believe in yourself before they'll believe in you. We all believe in you, but do you believe in yourself?"

[Kevan Dunn]

Kevan nodded.

"Very well, Maester Oswell will see if any concerns about Tomas the Valemen may have can be allayed. I agree that for Tomas to be valued and respected against superficial instincts he needs to prove himself, and men prove themselves best in conflict and ordeal, something the situation with the Oldpeake provides aplenty. He could squire for one of the knights of the Vale so as not to offend their sense of dignity; this could look as if they are doing us as much a favour as we're doing them. The bonds we look for don't need to yield great boons immediately. We play the long game as the Dunns always have."

He looked at Kaelyn briefly, his gaze reassuring, but saying nothing. He finished his attention swipe at Kaliya.

"I prefer to be unkind than unfair, Lady Redding. For myself, kindness is a privilege while just treatment is a necessity. If Tomas is to be a man worthy of his parentage he cannot be mollycoddled into false sense of security by honeyed reassurances."

[Kaliya Redding]

Kaliya smiled and gave a small incline of her head. She was not interested in knowing what had earned her the heir's disregard, but so long as she had, she decided that she may as well act to deserve it.

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Dahlia spoke her mind for the first time, drawing Kaelyn out of hers. She shushed the falcon, touching her feathers. She hadn't realized how tightly clenched her fists had been until she saw the color returning to parts of her hands.

Still unable to really look anyone in the eye, she knew she must say something, 'May my words be more graceful than I feel.'

"As it would happen, Tomas and I have a hunting trip planned with a few of the gentlemen we've met here. One of them is Lord Wydman. He will be seeing first hand my brother's worth."

[Tomas Flowers]

The pressure was on. Tomas nods, trying to maintain his poise. "That's exactly what I will do." Tomas wasn't sure what else to say. Clearly, it was best to be quiet right now.

[Kaelyn Dunn]

Kaelyn finally leaned over, putting an arm around her brother's shoulders and kissing the side of his head. "I love you. I'll be here for you. Everyone here believes in your worth. If the Valemen see it, they are wise. If they don't, it is their true loss and House Dunn's continued fortune."

She pulled back, forcing a smile. She was proud - and frightened.

[Kevan Dunn]

"Good." Kevan rose to approach Tomas and pat him on the arm, then handed him a glass of wine in recognition of his likely accelerated process of coming of age. "Anything else either of you would like me to tell my father about things happening here? I won't have many chances to shape his opinions before he makes his own."

[Maester Oswell]

"Something of interest may arise in the Conclave, but it will likely take a few days for all the debate to reach anything even approaching a point."

Oswell answers as he helps himself to a cup of alcoholic relief.

"I'll make sure to keep you informed of anything pertinent to the House should it arise though."

[Kevan Dunn]

"Thank you, Maester. I'll try to listen to the maesters' debates myself though probably much will elude me, so a more educated report would be a boon. Also, once you talk with the Valemen on Tomas please let me know of the results."

[Tomas Flowers]

Tomas looks to his sister. "I love you too. Don't worry. I'll be fine no matter what happens." He smiles more for her than himself.

When Kevan walks over, Tomas takes the cup. "Thank you, my lord."