Great Sept

[Marie]

"So you should," she told him. "Which do you prefer more, fighting or sketching?"

[Viea Greyjoy]

Sam gave a small laugh.

"They both have their merits, my lady of Hightower." He said easily. "Does it matter which is preferred when I can be good at both?"

[Marie]

"Of course it does. A man's preferences say much about his person. As you must surely know."

She leaned close.

"Do you only draw people?"

[Viea Greyjoy]

"Maybe you should join me one day and find out." He said, raising his eyebrow slightly as if challenging her. "And truly, my preference is for neither, which to say is for both."

[Marie]

"Fine, then," she said quietly. "I will not press you further. As for joining you, I am not sure if that would be proper. Unless I were to present my lord with an official portrait as a nameday gift. Then it could not be seen as improper."

[Viea Greyjoy]

"If my lady wishes then a portrait can be done of her so that her husband gets to keep at least something of her beauty locked away with him." Sam said with an easy, infectious smile. "When is the good Lord's name day?"

[Marie]

"Next month," Annara confided. "Is that long enough, ser? I fear I know little of how much work goes into art. I enjoy looking about it, but I've no skill with the charcoals or paint brushes."

[Viea Greyjoy]

"I can put all else aside for you." Sam said. "It will be done in time if you do not mind my company for the next few weeks."

[Marie]

"That is most suitable," she said. "Do you sketch only, or paint as well?"

[Viea Greyjoy]

"I can paint." He answered mildly. He knew that even painting would be done in a few hours if not a day or so but she didn't.

[Marie]

"I should like to see an example of your painting," she said. "I think it would be the best choice for an official portrait. If your painting pleases me, we shall discuss the fee."

She kept her tone polite and cool, as befitted a business arrangement.

[Viea Greyjoy]

"Will you allow me to escort you to my inn." He said with a twitch of a smile breaking his straight expression. "I have a few dabbles there, nothing of worth but I just got bored."

[Marie]

"As you wish, but my guards shall accompany us," she insisted. "I simply hope boredom is not a characteristic of all your work, else we shall part soon enough."

[Viea Greyjoy]

"Naturally. No doubt your husband wants no one to whisk you away at a drop of a hat." He said, offering his arm to her. "I think you misunderstand me. I draw and paint as I wish. But when there is nothing else to do it is a great thing to fall back on lest your hands get into idle mischief."

[Marie]

"I can accept that," she said, slipping her hand through his arm.

She beckoned to the guards.

"Just to be clear, your inn is a suitable location for a lady to visit, is it not?"