Marvin
William Guiscard
Nasaris Manor House

"Alas, no ladies were available to provide their services. A bath would have been perfect", William whispered back while she offered him food and drink. "I can already picture it in fact. Much better than being doused with water by one of your men...". Lord Nasaris' arrival cut him off as he rose up in show of respect to his noble host. The two men exchanged nods but there was an urgency in the Lord's moves as he approached Vezda and whispered something in her ear. 
If William suspected that something was wrong, his wife's reaction to whatever she had been told confirmed those suspicions. Her voice was trembling, the color from her face had been washed away. "My Lord, excuse me but if there is anything I can do, you need only ask", he interjected almost reflexively, only for Vezda to request that she follow her. He nodded in agreement and followed her towards the path they had walked last night, out of the hall and into the gardens. After walking in silence for a bit, William stopped Vezda by placing a hand on her shoulder. "You look like you were punched in the gut. What is going?", he asked, anxious to find out what could have caused her such distress
James
Vezda Nasaris
Nasaris Manor Gardens

When William placed his hand on her shoulder to stop her Vezda allowed it but did not raise her eyes to his, instead choosing to keep her gaze on her hands where they were clasped in front of her. Gods, should she even tell him? He had a right to know.
During the night, someone had stolen all of the gold she and her family had put aside as her dowry. Years of her winnings from many tournaments and a substantial amount of her father's money, gone. With only half a dowry left- highly prized, expensive warhorses- and already wed to her, she was sure he would feel cheated.
"William," She began, reaching up to take his hand and clasping it in both of hers, "My father discovered that a substantial amount of the dowry you were promised... Was stolen."
After a long pause, she released his hands and shifted her gaze off to the side, looking out over the gardens. "If you wish to have our marriage annulled or not, that is your choice but my father and brother *Are* Investigating the theft."
*Let there be no lies and no secrets between husband and wife,* That was part of the vows handed down through generations of her family. Vezda had been honest with him, whatever the outcome. *Please, Basir, fix this before everything is ruined,* She thought to herself.
Marvin
William Guiscard
Nasaris Family Gardens

"Fuck", was the only thing that he could say. 
*I should have expected something to go wrong*, he thought. Years of mercenary life could turn everyone into a cynic of one degree or another. A little part of him knew that things couldn't have been so easy and straightforward.
"No I won't do that. But I'll have to raise merry hell". Breaking up their betrothal now, especially when it was mere formality at this point would be disadvantageous to everyone involved. All the effort to annul their secret marriage, the bad blood between their Houses, the loss of the dowry and the loss of Vezda, a concern that he had to admit was growing, made that option unappealing and pointless. *What if...*
"I'll have to ask for more horses and perhaps a writ of repayment set for... Ten years. Do you think your father would accept?". He afforded her the same honesty that she had given him. It was clear although unspoken that even after their newfound closeness, there was still an element of profit in their marriage.
Vezda has still looking out towards the gardens, refusing to meet his sight. William moved to embrace her from behind, an affectionate gesture that was already growing on him.
"Oh cheer up, will you? You are not gonna get rid of me so easily"
James
Vezda Nasaris
Nasaris Manor Gardens

Was she hearing him correctly? Perhaps she had fainted and the feeling of his arms circling her waist from behind was merely a pleasant dream.
"My father would agree to almost *Anything* To keep you from breaking the betrothal off," She said, confident that she spoke the truth. "But I know that you must feel *Some* Frustration at that loss. You did not come across all of Terresol for *Horses."*
*Even if they are expensive warhorses,* She thought to herself.
Her father had told her that William's estate was meager, had warned her that he might only be marrying her for her dowry. *As long as he isn't some old, fat, ugly, lecherous man, I can accept a bit of greed,* She had told him. William didn't strike her as 'greedy' though. Pragmatic, willing to do whatever it took to secure his position and perhaps elevate it, certainly.
Placing her hands over his where they were on her hips, she finally turned to look at him over her shoulder.
"Why? Is it because you so enjoyed what I did to you last night, in the study? Has another woman never...? I would have figured a mercenary of your experience..." She teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Marvin
William Guiscard
Nasaris Family Gardens

"Why not? I want my mounted soldiers to be the best in South Feyshore. Your family has the best horses". He wasn't lying. William had drafted them and equipped them at significant cost, Eagle's Nest barely making enough money at its current state, however the marked drop in banditry and animal theft made it all worth it. If he wanted to attract people to move there, Eagle's Nest should be seen as a safe place. 
"The dowry would have been welcome though. I spent most of my mercenary earnings on repairs what with the castle being rundown after the Chaos. A large infusion of hard currency into my vaults would have given me some space to work with", he admitted. "My Seneschal almost did a little dance when he saw your father's offer"

"Oh stop it", he winced before stopping her with a kiss. Embracing her was one thing but it was especially careless of him to show his affection so openly but he did it anyway. "You are smart... You are competitive... You speak your mind freely...", each οf her virtues punctuated by peck on her lips. "What's not to like?". *She is also a hell of an asset*, he thought. Vezda came from good stock with the Nasaris' being respected far and wide. She had grown up as a member of the nobility. She knew how they thought and acted. William had a mind for plans and plots but he lacked this perspective. In hindsight their marriage had been arranged almost too well. She gave him legitimacy, access and refinement. He gave her the space to be exactly who she wanted to be
James
Vezda Nasaris
Nasaris Manor Gardens

*What's not to like?* Her thoughts echoed after his kisses, her smile birghtening into a grin as his words brought her mood up considerably. How easily they were beginning to find a rhythm.
"We will find who took it and we will get it back, this I promise you William. Hm. William... Is it alright if I call you Will or perhaps Willy instead?" She asked, relaxing back against his chest. While she normally found her slightly taller than average stature for a lady to be off-putting, William was taller still. Vezda liked it quite a bit, being able to feel short for once, to feel... *Dainty* Even.
"Tell me of Eagle's Nest. Of your seneschal and your men. I want to know everything about my new home. Do you have a captain of the guard? What are they like?"
It had occurred to her how little she knew about the place she would soon call home for perhaps the rest of her life, besides the fact it had been abandoned in the strife on the west side of that portion og Marin. Vezda hadn't even talked to any of his men yet.
"Your men- what do they think of me?" She added.
Marvin
William Guiscard
Nasaris Manor Gardens

"Not Willy!! My mother called me Willy!!", exclaimed William. *Is this really necessary? My name is not that convoluted*, he thought. William had grown to hate pet names. Often they were used to belittle and slander. When he became a Captain, William insisted on being called by his full name. He had even dueled a Southern Islander for speaking out of turn. He had to remind himself though that Vezda meant well. "Will is fine. But only when we are alone, please or with very close friends. Lord Will doesn't sound that prestigious". 

"Slow down, dear. One question at a time", said William. Vezda seemed excited about moving to another land although William was afraid that she might be disappointed. South Feyshore was a rugged place, a far cry from Terresol. 
"I haven't talked much with them since we came here but I don't think that you'll have a problem with them. They're good people and value straightforwardness. Most of them are like that. They went through so much in the last decade or so, suffered so much loss and still when I went through their villages asking for recruits they were ready to do their part. Treat them with respect and they'll follow you anywhere. As for the land itself, well... It's not Terresol. It has tall mountains on its borders with Araedia and this land, traversable only by a few paths. It's more wooded than Terresol too. They're perfect for hunting. Boars mostly but deer can also be found. The rest of the land is arable but lots of it is empty. Many people died or were displaced during the war and I am trying to attract new settlers". He paused, waiting to see if she had any questions. *Or to express her abject horror about leaving all this beauty and luxury to go live on the countryside*
James
Vezda Nasaris
Nasaris Manor Gardens

His outrage at the idea of her calling him Willy made her laugh even when she knew she shouldn't. *Was it really so bad?* She thought. 
"Of *Course* Only in private," She agreed, rolling her eyes though he wouldn't see it, "I merely though that we know each other well enough now that I could stop being quite so formal with you when nobody else is around."
When William began to describe his men, Eagle's Nest and the lands surrounding it, Vezda fell silent, trying to take all of the information in. Eagle's Nest didn't sound like the most appealing place but she was reminded of Diran's words: *Before you can ride the horses, you must shovel the horse shit.* 
"It sounds like the perfect place to start a house of our own, with many, *Many* Sons to build it up to a great and prosperous family like my father has here," She said, smirking as she shifted to prod William in the ribs. "Sons and daughters, if you permit me to train them as I have been."
Marvin
William Guiscard
Nasaris Manor Gardens

"Really? I thought you wanted to ride in tournaments and put men on their backs. I must have been mistaken", said William as he pinched Vezda through the thin fabric of her dress in retaliation. "Can pregnant women joust?", he asked as if he was genuinely curious. "Do you think that they make armor for them? Sounds rather uncomfortable if you ask me". The prospect of raising his own family though, children of his own that would make him proud and strengthen his name, was rather appealing. His wife painted a wonderful picture, the name Guiscard being treated with the same respect and commanding as much wealth as did her own. Vezda seemed to be every bit as ambitious as he was. Changing his tone, he turned Vezda around so that they were facing each other. 
"In all seriousness though. I know that Eagle's Nest isn't much but I have dreams for it, as well as for myself. I want to achieve so many things before I meet the Gods ,Vezda and I'll fight for them tooth and nail. I feel better knowing that I won't have to do all of the fighting on my own. You clearly want to be involved in everything and I wouldn't want it any other way."