Bracken Guest Quarters

[The Gambler]

Where the Brackens stay in Kingspyre Tower during the tourney at Harrenhal.

[Barley]

3rd day of 5th moon

After the arrivals, Saesha goes to visit her brothers family in the quarters set up for them. She did not want them to have the wrong idea. She made them her first stop, on a long list of poeple she meant to visit that day. She was dressed well, but had a bit of a bump showing her condition now. 

[The Gambler]

It is only a few moments before she is allowed entry, the Lord of Stone's Hedge looking pleased to see her, so much so that he greeted her with a warm smile that caused his normally discerning eyes to twinkle. Clearly the strong impression she and Violet had made upon him at the Inn of the Kneeling Man had stuck.

"Lady Blackfort, I had hoped for the pleasure of your company," he said, pulling out a seat for her at a small table, apparently having excused the servants upon being informed of her arrival so they could have a more intimate chat. "So, boy or girl?" he inquired, with a look to her baby bump. "My Elyanna swore she knew she was carrying a boy before she even began showing. A mother's intuition, I suppose, bless that woman."

[Barley]

She smiled back at him warmly too and took the offered seat.

"It is so good to see you again, Lord Bracken." she started and put a hand on her stomach, over the bump, "I think everyone hopes that their first is a boy, adds a certain amount of security, though I am sure Belric and I will have many children, girls and boys. How many do you have?"

[The Gambler]

"Just the one, Whalen," Harys answered, with a sad smile. "It is a strange thing to trade a wife for a son. Security does little to warm a bed."

[Barley]

"I am sorry, I did not think," Saesha replied with a slight frown in return, trying to convey her regret at causing him pain, "I hope it does not seem indelicate of me, but did you never consider remarrying?" Just the one son did not sound very secure to her... poor Harry's must live a lonely life.

[The Gambler]

"No need to apologize," he said, kindly, clearly trying to ease her conscience. "It is so hard to keep track of the living and dead, especially after a war."

"When I was a younger man, the thought occurred to me, but a young pretty bride was more a liability than boon during the reign of your brother's predecessor," he tried his best to delicately address that subject, without outright insulting Saesha's father. "Then there was the war and I found myself an old man, unsure if I could keep up with a young pretty bride now."

[Barley]

"I am sure you could, my Lord you still appear very well to me," Saesha replied, complimentary, but not excessively so, "Without a war the years will be longer and longer and to not have anyone to share them with, it seems a great pity." it sounded perfect to her, but she was very odd.

[The Gambler]

"Well enough to sit a horse and swing a blade and well enough to entertain a young woman aren't the same thing," he remarked, with a small laugh, clearly not immune to flattery. "And once grandchildren come, I will never be alone. The trick at this stage is finding Whalen a bride. The boy's eye wanders more than a hedge knight."

[Barley]

"That is very true," Saesha agreed, with a nod, inclining her head to his greater wisdom, "Perhaps I can help?" Saesha offered, "I am hopefully entertaining the other ladies later, I could make some enquiries for you to see if any of a suitable age are looking for a husband? Or do I overstep?"

[The Gambler]

"I appreciate it, but willing young ladies is the least of my son's concerns," he replied, grateful for the offer. "I will arrange something for him in due time, once the landscape has settled enough to get a lay of it."

[Barley]

"That also sounds like wisdom, I wish Belric had waited before marrying Violet." Saesha confided, "But it is done now, and the match is good."

[The Gambler]

"A sibling's match requires less consideration than a heir's," he offered as a possible defense. "And it is far passed time someone nailed Lucamore down. Maybe there is hope for my son yet."

[Barley]

"yes, but we don't have an heir yet, and have a fair amount of time before deciding on matches from them" Saesha replied, "I am sure your son will find a good woman to marry, or you can find one for him at least, until then he should enjoy himself, I just hope he does not enjoy himself too much with the wrong people," Saesha said, with a good natured smile.

"I have to apologise for yesterday, talking down Ned. I really did understand what he was saying, I just wanted to avoid conflict on the first real public event we held here... For all the good it ended up doing," she gave a half smile like it was less of an issue than it was.

[The Gambler]

"I've seen betrothals arranged with babes still on the teat," he jested, before leaning in, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whispered. "I am curious what wrong people you speak of?"

"Nonsense, I was of mind to give him a wallop to the skull myself," Harys waved her off. "Siblings are a blessing and a curse, much like husbands I imagine. He really must learn not to poke the fish."