At Goldsmith Manor

[House Dustin]

"Not much, Piers. I already mentioned most of it. Perhaps the encouragement of a few voyages north out of Lannisport and some whispers in the right places to kick the trade off. The harder part will come in convincing the Ironmen to let it happen." She gestured, "My Lord Husband tried to convince Lord Greyjoy that it's hard to profit off of piracy of trade that does not exist, but he wasn't interested in listening. So Mors is trying something else... If that fails, the suggestion from your Lord to let the trade be for a time so that it become established may carry a bit more weight."

[The Smith]

Piers smiled suddenly, "There is the heart of the issue. You wish Baldwin to use his reputation to ensure the safety of trade." He smiled, and whistled lightly as he thought, "And what will you offer for it."

[House Dustin]

She nodded. "As you are aware Northern houses are all poorer than Lord Lannister's own. We cannot offer money that he should like to care about. Other than our friendship, we can offer ties to our house, should those interest him. Mors is related by blood to House Brax already, but..." Bethany swallowed, feeling strange to bargain with her own blood. "The heir to House Dustin, my eldest, Hallis, is unwed, as are all three of our daughters, two of whom have seen their blood. The third should soon."

[The Smith]

Piers shifted uncomfortably, "I appreciate the kind offer, but what does friendship mean to your family?"

[House Dustin]

"Well, it should likely mean general favor..." She also displayed discomfort before continuing more directly and confidently, "At least outside the requirements of our oath to our overlord."

[The Smith]

Piers replied "If Breyn Royce invaded the west would you send soldiers?'

[House Dustin]

"We would honor any alliance we made unless specifically bid not to by Lord Stark... Particularly if our house was tied by law." She continued on,"And we should do our part to see that the north came down on the right side of things. And of course we could not take up and against allies our family."

[The Smith]

Piers smiled, and leaned forward, "I had heard your northerners were so rigid about honor and vows. Can they not ever be ignored because the alternative seems fun and exciting?" He winked at her.

[House Dustin]

Bethany laughed good-naturedly, but leaned back a little. "Fun and excitement are not frowned upon in the North, but as the Starks always say: Winter is coming. When you live as we must disloyalty is deadly."

[The Smith]

Piers laughed, "The Lannisters always pay their debts." He shook his head "Says a thing or two about disloyalty there. Of course the Bettley words are rather ignoble, No Corner too small."

[House Dustin]

Bethany maintained a smile. "So, what say you, Piers?"

[The Smith]

Piers looked at her, and thought a moment, "I say there are too many conditions on your offer of support. Is that the best offer you are allowed to make?"

[House Dustin]

"The only condition, as I see it, is that you don't ask us to betray our liege lord. That is something I cannot negotiate on." She replied. "My Lord Husband is an honorable man. He will not foreswear himself to his lord, but you would not find him miserly in his treatment of his friends."

[The Smith]

"I do want to be friends." Piers replied, "I did not mean to imply your husband would betray his lord. I was only hoping that there was a way to make this deal work."

[House Dustin]

"Perhaps I misunderstood?" She asked. "What is it you seek of us? You asked if we would fight at your side should it come to war with the Vale. I answered yes, as long as it did not cause us to betray Lord Stark."