Thank you to those who gave me positive feedback for chapter one. I apologise to those who thought it was a little too close to nonconsent for comfort. It was not my original intention but suited Cynric's desire to conquer and rule. I hope you enjoy the next instalment. All feedback and any constructive criticism will be well received.
Alais awoke to discover that Cynric had already risen. The curtains had been drawn back and weak sunlight shone into the room, from the overcast sky beyond the windowslit. Alais turned onto her back, although she had rested she was still fatigued and her limbs were heavy with a new lassitude. The previous day's events tumbled through her thoughts as she mustered the courage to rise.
This was her first day as a married woman. It might even be her first day as a pregnant woman, for ought she knew.
Alais retrieved her clothes from where they had been flung the day before and pursed her lips as she laced the crumpled gown smeared with dirt from the dungeon. She went to a coffer of her mother's old things in the corner of the grand bedroom. Her father had placed numerous keepsakes there and Alais rummaged carefully. After a few minutes she had found a brush for her hair, some combs and a wimple. There was no looking glass in the room as her father had been loathe to encounter his own reflection first thing in the morning but Alais managed to bind up her long red curls. She fastened the wimple and it felt alien and confining. She was a married woman now though, and a duchess. Alais would court no more attention than necessary from Cynric's men. Satisfied that she was respectably attired enough to risk leaving the bedchamber, she ventured into the hallway.
There was a high pitched scream. Then someone grabbed her.
Wulfhild, a formidable woman who had outlived two husbands and had been Alais's personal maid and attendant since before the death of her mother, flung herself upon the young woman's neck, sobbing into a damp kerchief.
"Lady! My goodness, you are alive and whole. What did that fiend do to you? You poor, poor dear." Wulfhild stepped back and examined Alais, keeping hold of her as though unconvinced that she might not be an apparition.
"Calm yourself Wulfhild. I am well enough, as well as I may expect. I have just awoken and am going to the kitchens to break my fast. Has Cynric been awake long?" She almost said, 'my husband' but checked herself. Alais needed time to adjust to the notion, despite the night they had passed together.
"Aye Lady and your new Lord has been dictating instructions and letters all morning so I am told. If I were you, I'd go and find out what he has done with your inheritance before you do anything else. Cynric and his trusted men have evicted Wigain from his scribing chamber so whatever they are plotting, they are being secretive about it." This was a fair assumption as such decisions were traditionally made from the dias in the great hall, before whichever members of the household were present. The maid suddenly coloured. "I was waiting until you rose, your bedsheet must be presented to the priest and then publicly displayed in the hall, as proof of your consummation and erstwhile purity." Wulfhild grimaced and then swept into the bedchamber.
Alais went to the kitchens and discovered that it was only half a candle notch shy of the lunch horn. She was furnished with a large wheat cob stuffed with cheese and devoured it along with a beaker of heather ale. Thus fortified, she marched to Wigain's rooms, knocked once and opened the door, striding through it with more courage than she felt.
"Good morrow husband, may one enquire with what great deeds my Lord fills his day?"
He regarded her neutrally as Alais sat down amongst the men and made it plain she was not about to leave. She recognised one man as Gawain, one of old Huw's trusted men, a pragmatic former mercenary who appeared to see no conflict in attempting to free the Celts from English tyranny while also raping and pillaging at will along the way. He eyed the incongruous pairing of her rumpled gown and securely pinned wimple with amusement.
"Has thy young wench not got a wet nurse to keep her from mischief?" He asked, rolling his eyes at Cynric.
"With any luck she'll be requiring the services of one before King Henry looks to unseat me." Cynric replied. He turned to Alais. "I am seeking vassals and pledges of fealty from my new Barons as well as gold and men from old allies in order to hold this castle secure. When I am sure of my position, I must travel to London and there I will pledge allegiance to the throne in the face of any
foreign
enemy. My lands will be mine to govern however, without interference or taxation from the crown. Given the threats floating across the narrow sea, I doubt Henry will refuse me."
Alais's eyes widened at his audacity but Cynric could see that she was impressed. Although she was aware of the disapproving stares from Cynric's assembled advisers, Alais pressed on, determined to remind him that
his
lands had been in her family for generations and she would not be kept ignorant of his intentions.
"And what of the lands you hold through me, are you making changes to the current statutes, rents and taxes?" She forced herself to hold his gaze. Cynric glanced about for a piece of paper and had a portion of the current law read to him.
So he could not read. That was interesting. When he had spoken to her in French, she had assumed him to be an educated man. Alais was fluent in written and spoken French and the local British dialects. She also had passable Latin, when she could bestir herself to labour over the unfamiliar tongue.
"I had planned to discuss those matters over dinner with you, Alais. You will want to move your things into our chamber and rest a little today I expect?" Alais nodded, her expression respectful but resolute. If Cynric thought she was some straw headed girl who could be manipulated by a few platitudes about governing with honour, he was mistaken.
"I would advise you to consider the families of those who fell during your attack. Masses and prayers are being said this evening and vigil will be kept this night before burials take place tomorrow. The grieving are
your
people too and I doubt you wish to commence your illustrious reign here as the heartless barbarian who slaughtered them all yesterday."
Cynric considered Alais's words, impressed at her shrewdness and encouraged by her apparent concern for his reputation.
"I will leave it in your capable hands. Compensate the widows and families as you see fit but do not be extravagant. I would also have you give a donation to the church and have candles lit and prayers said for their souls. I expect you to quash any murmurs of rebellion that you may hear, lest more of
your
people join those who perished, in whatever level of purgatory they may hope to expect."
She inclined her head in acknowledgement, then rose and withdrew, her eyes smarting at the chuckles that followed her from the room. Discretion was the better part of valour for the nonce.
Wulfhild volunteered to move her things and Alais was glad of the other woman's steady presence. The great bedchamber of Striguil Castle was divided into two large rooms. One was the bedroom, with a small alcove containing the great luxury of a private latrine. The other was a large sitting room where a couple could have some privacy and trusted guests and family could be entertained. The next room along the hallway was for an attendant, it was small but well kept and Alais insisted that Wulfhild move her things there so that she had a familiar face close by. Once that was accomplished, Alais changed into a fresh gown of pale green linen and went to the chapel. She had no desire to see the priest who had performed her wedding but Alais did want to see the mourners and say prayers for the dead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Father Almaric moved quietly through the shrouded bodies, waving his incense burner and uttering Latin prayers in a low intonation that one had to concentrate on in order to comprehend. Alais moved among the mourners, offering her condolences and her heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifices that had been made in the name of her honour. She had wondered if those grieving would hold her partially responsible for yesterday's deaths and become angry with her but nobody did. Rueful congratulations and commiserations were made about her marriage and Alais tried to put a brave face on it, given that she at least was alive and whole.
Her eyes lit when she saw that Jack Marshall had managed to survive. He had a bandaged shield arm and was leaning upon his drawn sword a little heavily but he was there, standing vigil for his father. Alais drew beside him and crossed herself for what felt like the thousandth time. He looked so handsome, even with suffering and fatigue etched across his brow. The candlelight caught his dark blonde curls and the delicate down upon his chin. His tanned complexion from hours spent in the tiltyard was radiant and he seemed to her in that moment like the golden sun of a god. She took a moment to quell these thoughts before she mustered the courage to approach him.
"I am so sorry Jack." She whispered, knowing how inadequate a sentiment it was.
"It is well my Lady. If my father could have chosen his own end, it would have been fighting for you and for the family he served all his life. He was not built for retirement; he wouldn't have known what to do with himself."
Alais wondered if John would really have chosen to die at the hands of three woad painted heathens who had no notion of chivalry but she edited her thoughts.
"He was exceptionally brave and fought with valour and conviction to the last. He will be commended for his service, not just yesterday but for so many years."
Jack smiled and turned back towards the shrouded body of his sire. John Marshall had no adornments save for his wedding band. He lay with his feet upon his shield and his sword placed on top of him, pointing at his feet. His damaged hauberk, gambeson and helm hung from a wooden cross placed at his head. He would not be buried with his armour, it was part of Jack's inheritance. Alais moved away.
Father Almaric was relieved to hear of Cynric's planned donation.
