Post by Rainald de Sennis on Nov 5, 2009 12:18:09 GMT -5
Rainald de Sennis lay on the bed in his chambers, smiling as he looked at the ceiling. The previous night had been one which he would nae so quickly forget!
Last night, he’s had had the chance to meet with the Lady Xavier Alexander-Douglas for the first time since his return to Windstorm. As had become his habit he had sat in the Great hall and pondered over some papers and maps. This time it had been the trade agreement between Windstorm, West Frankia and Ravensgard. Things needed to be reconsidered, especially in light of new demands the Norse were making for iron ore shipments from Frankia. A real puzzlement as supplying them with the raw material for forging new and even better weapons gave Rainald a very bad feeling indeed. It would be something to discuss with Queen Edfeil at some point..
As he had poured over his papers, Lady Xavier had entered the Hall. What a striking and intelligent woman! She had begun to discuss treaty issues with Rainald and had shown her keen mind in matters of the state. A light conversation had ensued, in the course of which a most unusual proposal had begun to form. He had told her of his longings to take a new wife after the (albeit forced) death of his first one. And low and behold, Lady Xavier seemed to have just the young lady in mind for the Frank.
A marriage of convenience, between Rainald de Sennis and Lady Jessica.
Ever since his return to Windstorm, at that grim and bloody conclusion of his first marriage, Rainald had again started to feel the longing for the company of a woman by his side. The son he's once had had perished a few years ago in some reckless endeavour against Windstorm, and his brother had not produced an heir to the de Sennis family line. An heir, something Rainald had so far placed in the back of his mind, would be something most desirable. In turn, he would offer his prospective new bride his estates, his gold, his protection and guidance in matters of politics.
A fair trade, wasn’t it? An heir for him and his family, in return his influence not only at the Windstorm court but that of West Frankia? His bride’s realm and offspring would be secure, she would have a share in his wealth… in exchange for him waking up with a woman by his side and an heir.
“And possibly… love?”
Rainald recalled his first marriage…
Dria had taken him whole by the age he was 20, he had married the Lady a scarce 6 months after he met her. How his brother Vinzelles had objected and done almost anything to break them apart!
But Rainald had insisted upon his love, he truly had loved this woman who was five years older than him. Over the years they had lived happily on Rainald’s family estate in the north of West Frankia. She had born him a son, Remard, whom Vinzelles soon drew into his circle of courtiers, corrupting the boy and sending him to an untimely death beneath the waves of an angry sea along the coasts of Windstorm.
She then also betrayed him… practicing sorcery and taking another man into her bed. The man had died by Rainald’s hand, and he still felt the satisfaction of burying his dagger into the bowels of his rival. His wife, however, Rainald had not granted such a quick painless death.
He had put her into his dungeons where she lingered and slowly died for many years until the last, when Rainald had taken mercy upon her, slitting her throat with his own knife to end her miserable existence.
He had loved Dria! Defied his brother for her, had endangered his standing with his king for her … for what?
Maybe this time, it could be different. Yes, he would wed the Lady Jassica, about whom he knew next to nothing. He’d wed a stranger, to whom he felt couldm but feel indifferent for now. He’d woe her, as was proper, he’d be showing her his best, and showing her how good a match he was for her who had been stained and who would be discarded by many other noble Rainald knew!
This all with the promise by her that she’d produce another heir for him. But who knew…
Judging by her mother’s savvy and keen mind, he might be able to start the fire of true love in the young woman. He so longed for it! For a woman not to fear but to love him!
“But even if not … this will be a good match, she would have to agree! My God, Please do not have forsaken me yet!”
Rainald turned onto his side, drawing the blanket over himself, already planning a decent quiet wedding in the chapel of Windstorm Castle.
Last night, he’s had had the chance to meet with the Lady Xavier Alexander-Douglas for the first time since his return to Windstorm. As had become his habit he had sat in the Great hall and pondered over some papers and maps. This time it had been the trade agreement between Windstorm, West Frankia and Ravensgard. Things needed to be reconsidered, especially in light of new demands the Norse were making for iron ore shipments from Frankia. A real puzzlement as supplying them with the raw material for forging new and even better weapons gave Rainald a very bad feeling indeed. It would be something to discuss with Queen Edfeil at some point..
As he had poured over his papers, Lady Xavier had entered the Hall. What a striking and intelligent woman! She had begun to discuss treaty issues with Rainald and had shown her keen mind in matters of the state. A light conversation had ensued, in the course of which a most unusual proposal had begun to form. He had told her of his longings to take a new wife after the (albeit forced) death of his first one. And low and behold, Lady Xavier seemed to have just the young lady in mind for the Frank.
A marriage of convenience, between Rainald de Sennis and Lady Jessica.
Ever since his return to Windstorm, at that grim and bloody conclusion of his first marriage, Rainald had again started to feel the longing for the company of a woman by his side. The son he's once had had perished a few years ago in some reckless endeavour against Windstorm, and his brother had not produced an heir to the de Sennis family line. An heir, something Rainald had so far placed in the back of his mind, would be something most desirable. In turn, he would offer his prospective new bride his estates, his gold, his protection and guidance in matters of politics.
A fair trade, wasn’t it? An heir for him and his family, in return his influence not only at the Windstorm court but that of West Frankia? His bride’s realm and offspring would be secure, she would have a share in his wealth… in exchange for him waking up with a woman by his side and an heir.
“And possibly… love?”
Rainald recalled his first marriage…
Dria had taken him whole by the age he was 20, he had married the Lady a scarce 6 months after he met her. How his brother Vinzelles had objected and done almost anything to break them apart!
But Rainald had insisted upon his love, he truly had loved this woman who was five years older than him. Over the years they had lived happily on Rainald’s family estate in the north of West Frankia. She had born him a son, Remard, whom Vinzelles soon drew into his circle of courtiers, corrupting the boy and sending him to an untimely death beneath the waves of an angry sea along the coasts of Windstorm.
She then also betrayed him… practicing sorcery and taking another man into her bed. The man had died by Rainald’s hand, and he still felt the satisfaction of burying his dagger into the bowels of his rival. His wife, however, Rainald had not granted such a quick painless death.
He had put her into his dungeons where she lingered and slowly died for many years until the last, when Rainald had taken mercy upon her, slitting her throat with his own knife to end her miserable existence.
He had loved Dria! Defied his brother for her, had endangered his standing with his king for her … for what?
Maybe this time, it could be different. Yes, he would wed the Lady Jassica, about whom he knew next to nothing. He’d wed a stranger, to whom he felt couldm but feel indifferent for now. He’d woe her, as was proper, he’d be showing her his best, and showing her how good a match he was for her who had been stained and who would be discarded by many other noble Rainald knew!
This all with the promise by her that she’d produce another heir for him. But who knew…
Judging by her mother’s savvy and keen mind, he might be able to start the fire of true love in the young woman. He so longed for it! For a woman not to fear but to love him!
“But even if not … this will be a good match, she would have to agree! My God, Please do not have forsaken me yet!”
Rainald turned onto his side, drawing the blanket over himself, already planning a decent quiet wedding in the chapel of Windstorm Castle.
