The Hand's Solar at Runestone

[The Smith]

Iden stood, and bowed to Valrus. Pulling on his mask, he turned toward the door, "I will return as soon as I know something."

[Tristeza]

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With only a pair of men at arms in her company, Lady Nieve Glover arrived in the middle hours of the morning to request an audience with Lord Hand Manderly.

[Deleted]

Bleary-eyed and shuffling, Lord Valrus ushered the Lady in, motioning for her to sit. He did not speak yet, but he grunted as he lowered his hefty frame into his chair.

[Tristeza]

Nieve bit down on her lower lip, somewhat alarmed at her less than friendly reception to the Lord Hand's solar, and generally unaquainted with the workings of the court. After a moment of inward searching she came up with the greeting "Good morning Lord Valrus; I'm grateful you were able to see me today. I apologize for my lack of notice."

[Deleted]

"It is alright, my dear." Valrus said, his voice cracked and low with exhaustion. "I ask you to forgive my appearance. I have been working late these nights and I regret that it has taken it's toll." He reached across the table to his stein of broth, and sipped it, the contents clinging to his long moustache.

"What may I do for you?" He asked, after a moment.

[Tristeza]

Looking at an angle through the corner of her eye at the Lord Hand's somewhat sloppy breakfast, Nieve snapped her mouth shut as she realized it had dropped open in consternation. "Forgiven, absolutely," she blurted, eyes wide, faltering. "I gather you've heard news of my family's recent misfortune," she said, somewhat more confidently, as she gathered herself.

[Deleted]

"I did." He said, slurping the last of his breakfast before wiping his moustache clean with his sleeve. As he spoke, he groomed it meticulously, until it was at it's full luster.

"Your mother was a lovely woman, and will be sorely missed. She helped your father tremendously, especially at the end. I will admit that your father and I were probably never on the best of terms, but he was a good man, and I do not blame him for his criticisms of my additions to the North."

[Tristeza]

"I am glad you do not hold him in a poor regard," she answered, "and I will convey your sentiments to the heir of Deepwood Motte, my young brother Ravinder--sadly, he is quite broken hearted over the deaths of both of his Lord Parents, though that is to be expected given his tender age."

[Deleted]

"Yes, the young Lord. A miracle child, I had heard. He is most definitely destined for greatness. He of course will be adhering to your say so whilst he grows, correct?"

[Tristeza]

Nieve smiled, somewhat relieved at his assumption, "That is precisely the business over which I have traveled from Deepwood Motte; I had intended to ask your explicit permission to act as his regent until he is of age. I know, of course, that such a thing is unconventional for a woman, but I am his closest living relative, and I believe sincerely that I will have his interests nearer to mind than any other candidate would have."

[Deleted]

Valrus chuckled. "Did you bring him here with you? Or is the lad still tending to his prayers in the Godswood? Children have such soft hearts in these matters, and they believe most purely in the powers of the world."

[Tristeza]

"Neither, actually," Nieve answered after a moment of hesitation, hoping she had misinterpreted his question, "He is with our cousins at Seaguard. It was a shorter journey with a more healing destination. I thought court was not the best place for such a young boy who had so recently endured such a painful ordeal."

[Deleted]

"Ah, but boys must become men eventually, Lady Nieve." He chuckled jovially, his earlier weariness seeming to vanish, his rounded face, friendly.

"My own son, Sojen, survived something similar at that age, though he took to the natural hardness of the North well, and he was better because of it."

[Tristeza]

"I understand your concern; I know it is only my sisterly concern which prompts me to soften the blow of such an event. Surely it is as a result of my own sadness that I wish to spare him as much as I may. He will be called home as soon as I am on my own way there."

[Deleted]

"I might have you amend that." Valrus said, smiling.

"What would you say to something of a cooperative effort?"