Mark and Isolde's Chamber

[Helyn Caron]

She giggled. 'That is kind of you.' she smiled. 'Your rooms are indeed ever so beasutoful.'

[Marie]

"You're so sweet to say so. I'm used to them now."

The door opened, and Isolde paused in whatever she had been about to say. A short man entered. He wasn't unpleasant to look at but nor was he handsome. He eyed the pair with some curiousity.

"So this is your friend, Isolde?"

"Yes, Helyn Caron. Helyn, this is my husband, Ser Mark Toland."

The short man walked over to Helyn and bowed.

"YOur servant, my lady."

[Helyn Caron]

She curtsied. 'It is a pleasure to finally meet you.' Helyn smiled sweetly. 'Isolde has told me plenty of you.'

[Marie]

Mark seemed taken aback by that statmeent.

"Has she really? What did she say?"

Isolde turned bright pink with embarrassment.

[Helyn Caron]

'Just about how happy you make her.' She smiled. 'Do not worry, she has not told me any secrets.'

[Marie]

"That's good," Mark said, looking from one to the other in apparent surprise. "Two of my uncles married women from the Stormlands so you need not fear that I will hold your ancestry against you. I'm just thankful my wife has someone to talk to. Do you plan to make a life at court, Lady Helyn?"

[Helyn Caron]

'at present yes, my father has sent me here to make ties and find a husband.'

[Marie]

"Oh really? Why does he not find you a husband myself? My mother found Isolde for me and she sis Lady of Ghost Hill in her own right," he said. "I expect my father helped, though."

[Helyn Caron]

"he thought I would do some good if I came to court, both in making new ties and finding a suitable husband in the process."

[Marie]

"Ah, that's what my mother though, except I was married first. Isn't that right, wife?"

Isolde flinched at his casual reference to her - she was slightly ashamed that their relationship wasto be shown up in that way in front of her friend - but she smiled and nodded.

"Yes, Mark. And don't worry about Helyn, I shall do what I can to make sure she is safe. Are your kin still at Nightsong, Helyn?"

[Helyn Caron]

"yes indeed they are." she smiled reassuringly at Isolde noting the slight change in her demeanour when Mark referred to her as "wife." "I have four brother all of which my father is More worried about marrying off."

[Marie]

Mark grinned.

"I have two brothers and a sister myself, so I know what big families are like . Are you fond of your brothes, my lady?"

[Helyn Caron]

'I get on well with my eldest brothers, but the twins i am sure are around just to wind me up.' She giggled.

[Marie]

"Oh, well, brothers like to wind up their sisters," Mark said with a grin. "I admit to having done the same myself when Eleyna and I were children."

[Helyn Caron]

"yes, I believe it is all part and parcel of growing up."