At Goldsmith Manor

[House Dustin]

Lady Dustin and Daryn Dustin stop in at the Goldsmith Manor to meet with Lord Lannister.

[The Smith]

They are met at the door and admitted into the manor. Then Piers Bettley enters from a back room and eyes the two Dustins, "Are you two in the correct room?"

[House Dustin]

(OOC how famous is Piers, someone they'd know by reputation at this point or not?)

Daryn Dustin cleared his throat. "I believe so. We were shown here by the steward who admitted us."

[The Smith]

OOC: he is Master of Coins, and known as Baldwin's hatchet man.

Piers smiled, and replied, "I know he told me. I have come to see what two Dustins want with one Lannister."

[House Dustin]

Lady Dustin curtsied before the Master of Coin. "Lord Bettley, my husband wished to make a proposal to the Warden of the West. Since he could not travel to King's Landing for the tournament, he bit me to carry his words in his stead."

[The Smith]

Piers admired Lady Dustin, "Lord Baldwin is already married, so I am afraid he can not accept. Which is truly a great waste."

[House Dustin]

Daryn Dustin flushed with anger and began to speak when he was silenced by a chuckle from Lady Dustin. "Ah, Master of Coin, rumor of your wit reaches us even in the north. This proposal relates to business and not, necessarily anyway, marriage."

[The Smith]

Piers titled his head, "Oh a different kind of proposal." He winked, "Please go on."

[House Dustin]

"Well, my husband would like to open trade to the western side of the North." She started. "You see, his belief is that the reason there IS a Barrowton is because of it's position on the wide and placid Barb o' the Old Kings. It is a short jaunt over to the Kingsroad and the rest of the North. He belives that once there was much more trade there than there is now. Sure the occasional vessel makes its way up the Barb, but the threat of Ironmen keeps any major trade from Lannisport, Oldtown, or the Arbor from making its way north. Trade from the West slowly makes its way up the Kingsroad and through the swamps of the Neck. Trade from the Reach goes all the way around Dorne and north to White Harbor." She pursed her lips, "he believes the marriage between Stark and Greyjoy may allow for some... reduction of the threat presented by Ironmen."

[The Smith]

Piers tilted his head, "So he proposes we trade to Barrowtown?"

[House Dustin]

"Well, my lord husband, rather believes that trade is rather organic. If we can convince the Ironborn to let the trade flourish for a time, and maybe fund a couple of voyages and spread news of it in a few choice places that the new market will thrive in time," she replied.

[The Smith]

Piers smiled, "That would be such a great boon for Barrowtown. Can you imagine the gold flowing through the coffers of merchants. And think of how alive your small town will become after the trade winds turn north."

[House Dustin]

"Indeed," Lady Dustin replied. "And a boon for the other ports as well, Lannisport, the Arbor, Old Town. And if they can be made to see the light, the Ironborn, in their fashion, will benefit as well."

[The Smith]

Piers leaned back confused, "I can see the benefit to Barrowtown, but the future is less clear for Lannisport. Will the wolf skins the north exports really help our trade so much?"

[House Dustin]

"My Lord Master of Coin," she replied. "Wolf skins are hardly the only thing the North exports south, but even if they were, a port benefits regardless of the direction of trade. If trade between the Westerlands and the North goes along the Kingsroad, Lannisport does not benefit. No ships to tax, no sailors in your inns, brothels, and taverns... No work for your teamsters. If however, the trade goes through Lannisport, then it benefits as much as Barrowton would."