The Duke's Bride

[GamesMaster]

The winds blow cold over the moors as the carriage winds its way up toward the castle. The castle has lain empty since the terrible tragedy some six years ago, in which Duke Gregory Randall, Duchess Aldrea Randall, and their young daughter Muriel were killed. The windows have been shuttered; the beautiful gardens have gone to seed and overgrown with weeds, and the horses have all been sold except a single pair. The presence of said pair is one of the things that clued her family into the whereabouts of the missing Duke Lance: he must be still in the shuttered, seemingly empty castle beside the dark, strange forest that covers much of the hillside. He must still be inside. Otherwise, she's being sent to her doom instead of to her bridegroom. 

The carriage pulls up to the imposing front door and the driver pulls to a stop, looking back as if to ask the carriage's occupant what now?

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

My carriage sways to a halt and I steady my nerves. My betrothed may have fled his responsibilities but we are no longer children and there is work to be done. I smooth my blue dress as I set foot on the gnarled ground.

"Right" I say nodding to the coachman and striding towards the castle, "there will be a lot to do. I shall have a look if I'm not out in an hour come looking for me." I say as I push open the door with an ominous creek

[Siegfried]

There's a scurrying of boots on the stone floor and then, before she is quite prepared, Elaina finds a longsword pointed in her general direction. The man wielding it is young, perhaps nineteen or so, and his hair is reddish-brown, his eyes dark. He is handsome, though young. "Who are you?!" he demands. "Speak, or I'll be forced to take action!" His accent is native Scottish, his voice light and high. 

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"I am the countess Elaina Moorwood! I have come seeking my betrothed Duke Randle. Bring me your lord this instant! Six years is too long to shrug off the call of our king. He will either for fill his duty to my family or forfeit his title and inheritance." I say in my best noble voice.  For who is this boy to challenge me the kings nice. "Go bring me your lord!"

[Siegfried]

The sword lowers, and the boy peers forward, squinting slightly. "Elaina? I scarce recognized you. You've grown. Do you remember me? It's Siegfried, I was the kitchen boy last time you were here."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"Yes I remember you." I smile kindly before shaking my head slightly. "Go bring me your lord. I shall not leave here without either his body, his title, or his ring"

[Siegfried]

"...ah. I see." The sword lowers, finally, and she and he both become painfully aware that he doesn't wear a sheath to stash it in. He shrugs, then, leaning the sword up against the wall. "Come, have some tea with me, and I will explain some things."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"No you shall take me to him and explain on the way" I say moving past him towards the grand stair case..... well it used to be grand and is now covered in dust. I turn back to him "well?"

[Siegfried]

"Ah! Please don't go up there," he begs. "I will explain everything. Then I will... well, if you are truly determined to remain until you have made a match, I am afraid I will have to tidy up the guest room for you."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

" what Siegfried!" I snapp spinning around to face him. "What can possibly be so bad?" I step towards him my mask slipping in my frustration. "Six years Siegfried. SIX YEARS!!!!!!! Not a word not a single word from him for six years. I am the second in line for the throne and my betrothed has run out on me for six years. And in that time he has been seen so it is known that he lives. And since he lives and the whole kingdom knows it, then why does he not do his duty? I am no shrew, no troll, more trollup. And yet all the expressions of his absence are cast on me. So tell me plain Siegfried why will he non of me?! Is he so lost to grief that he has lost all sense of decency? Or has he found another and not the heart to tell me? Or has he died and rather than come to court and tell us of his passing you have simply hidden it? Tell me!"

[Siegfried]

Sigfried flinches back from her tone, looking ever more somber as she speaks. "He lives," he says, quietly. "He does yet live. And yet I think he would prefer that he had not survived the tragedy that befell his family. Please, won't you have tea with me? It is no fault of your own that you have been treated so; in truth, I did not know there was a betrothal between you two arranged, or I would have seen fit to send you word before now."

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

His words snap me out of my anger and self pity and I take a moment to steady my self. "How bad is it?" I ask softly

[Siegfried]

"He has not been seen by eyes other than mine own in six years, and that only rarely," Siegfried confesses. 

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"Take me to him....please I... I need to see him" I can't keep the pleading from my voice as I turn to look back at the stairs

[Siegfried]

"I cannot. Not without asking him first. Please. Have patience. He is... he is worst around this time of month. Muriel used to love the bright moon so."