The Office of the Master of Ships

[Marie]

"You are too kind," she said, tossing her hair so it cascaded around her shoulders. "House Hightower has always striven to be honourable and dutiful. Naturally I would not dream of prying into such matters that do not concern me. But rest assured you have my sympathies for your past troubles. You have suffered so much, my lord."

Her voice was soft as she leaned close. "Perhaps we can offer solace to one another. Me a widow, and you so unlucky."

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

Oswyn nodded politely, though the woman's apparent empathy irked him more than anything. He was not a man that had ever hoped to be pitied.

"That would not be a conversation for these offices." he replied, intrigued despite the sour note struck.

[Marie]

Izzy smiled sweetly. "Oh, well, I am sure you know best, my lord. Your friendship would be most welcome, truly. It is a rather nice office, though." She ran a hand slowly along the desk. "The desk is especially exquisite. May I compliment your good taste?"

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"Would that you could, but this desk has been here for centuries." he explained, motioning to the decanter again. "This is the only addition I can currently take credit for."

[Marie]

She took a sip of her drink.

"It was a good choice to be sure, and I still like the desk. Perhaps in time you can tailor the place more to your own needs, my lord. I am sure a noble warrior like yourself would not wish to sit in another man's shadow."

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"It is those that came before us that make us strive to be better." he replied, seeing them as inspiring rather than intimidating figures. He certainly had much to learn from the exploits of his predecessors. "I am sure that everything I require for the station is within these walls. My manse will be fore more personal touches."

[Marie]

"Oh, of course. That is quite understandable. I have only visited your family's manse once, but it did seem quite splendid. Naturally I prefer my family's home though. I have had the pleasure of making a few changes to the decoration once arranged by my lady mother."

She took another sip of the brandy.

"Perhaps when you are more familiar with your post, you could take me on a tour of the royal warships. Have you commissioned your own flagship yet?"

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"I am sorry you were subjected to such a scene, my lady." he said sadly, remembering the violent outbreak at the Baratheon ball. "The matter is well in hand though."

"I have yet to commission a flagship, though one will be needed in short order as my predecessor's sunk to the bottom of the Narrow Sea with him aboard. Have you an interest in ships?"

[Marie]

"I was born in Oldtown," she pointed out. "I grew up watching the ships sail in and out the harbour. I've not done as much sailing as I might like, it's true, but I've sailed from Oldtown to Kings Landing a time or two, and visited my mother's family at the Arbor. The sea is in my blood. It would be doing a disservice to my ancestors if I took no interest in ships, would it not?"

She toyed with her hair.

"I hope you will not think my family bears yours any ill will for the unfortunate events at the feast. Nobody could possibly blame any one of you. I am merely happy that it was resolved. I simply hope that any future visits would be less...turbulent, in order to better focus on the company."

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"I suppose it would." he agreed, wishing he had spent more time in Shipbreaker Bay in his youth rather than exploring the Kignswood. It would have served him better. "I suppose I will finally see your fair city during your brother's tourney in the queen's honor."

"Yes...less turbulence would be most beneficial. Good company is always preferable to bloodshed in ones own halls."

[Marie]

"It will be pleasant see you in Oldtown," Izzy replied. "I would gladly show you around the city and the Hightower, though you'd need to ask my lordly brother to take you to the Citadel. I've been a time or two, though we women are not usually encouraged to visit. It disturbs the novices, you see, makes them question their dedication to the vows of celibacy. And some of the chained maesters too." She smiled mysteriously as she remembered some incident from her past. Let us hope we may enjoy good company for many years yet," she said. "House Hightower is most dedicated to maintaining the queen's peace."

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"Yes, I am certain the maesters were most distracted." he remarked brazenly. He left unsaid that he doubted the maesters took their vows of celibacy as seriously as most orders with similar rules, especially not with the Grand Maester's known deviancy with the Hand. "Let us hope all the lords are dedicated to maintaining the queen's peace. It has only been recently gained."

[Marie]

"I quite agree," she said. "I suppose it is natural for there to be some changes now we have a new queen, but let us hope that the transition is smooth. I have only met the queen once, but I am sure she is equal to the challenge, with Lord Tyrell's guidance."

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"Yes...with Lord Tyrell's guidance." he echoed, his tone hollow. "I wonder if your lord brother would enable that influence further if was made her husband."

[Marie]

"I should think that would depend upon Lord Tyrell's own actions. But the husband of a ruing queen would be expected to take some interest in governance of his wife's realm, is that not so?" She smiled. "I remember some of my history lessons. King Selwyn bent the knee to Queen Rhaenys, but after their their marriage he was her most trusted adviser. It may be that Queen Rose would one day wish to rule in her own right, with her husband's counsel. Though I don't expect Lord Tyrell to yield the rule so easily, and I believe Rhaenys was older than our queen when she took the throne. And a warrior too. Rose is of her bloodline."