Captured

The Ritual

Blaise awoke and eyed his unfamiliar surroundings before remembering he had sought out the guest room the night before. Rubbing his weary eyes he became aware of the thundering headache that pervaded his temples. Groaning he tried to sit up, however a sudden spell of dizziness accompanied by a wave of nausea came over him and he swayed backwards. Cursing the pain he preceded to berate himself for having drank too much ale last night.

He normally did not digress to consuming such a large amount of alcohol but the events of yesterday had led him to it. He was now bound to the relation of the man he hated most in this world! The remembrance caused another pang of pain to erupt in the region behind his eyes and he winced at the feeling.

Holding one large hand to his head, he removed himself from his bed and quickly grabbed a chamber pot before vomiting the contents of his stomach into it. Blaise had been plagued with headaches for years, and this morning was just a progressively worse version than he was used to. Alcohol always made them unbearably worse.

After the pain began to ease somewhat, he slowly moved to the door and made the perilously long walk down the corridors and spiral staircase to the great hall. His only consolation was that he met no servants on his way and sighed in relief as he reached the vast hall. He knew that it would not look good if he was seen leaving the guest room after what was his first night as a married man.

The chatter he was met with as he entered the hall was almost too much to tolerate. It seemed that all those who lived on his lands were in attendance and some of the neighbouring lords also. "Word must of spread" he thought sighing and grimaced at the realisation that they had more likely come  to gawk at his new bride, than out of a need to show respect following his union.

Taking his seat at the centre of the top table he reached for some water and attempted to eat some bread in the hope that food might help his wayward body. "My lord, may I offer my congratulations?" came the voice of one of his men. "For what?" Blaise grunted. "Am I mistaken? The talk is that you are married!" he responded looking confused at Blaise's dismissive reply.

Blaise eyed him askance before he swallowed a piece of bread with great effort and spoke "Yes it seems so Allister!" Clapping Blaise on the back Allister declared "Well don't look so miserable about it man, I hope the wedding night was....enjoyable!" he laughed, before giving him a knowing wink. Blaise attempted to plaster a fake smile on his face and replied "Wouldn't you like to know!" with his best imitation of a hearty laugh. It was then that Emily entered the hall and Blaise's eyes automatically locked with hers.

She looked dishevelled and he mused that many would likely not know her from the servants. Her oversized wool dress hung loosely around her as he watched her walk toward the great table holding it cautiously. Watching her approach he realised that two things certainly separated her from being a servant. One was the almost noble, determined set of her green eyes that made her look as though she would not be crossed. The second was the unbound dark fiery locks that cascaded around her shoulders.

Blaise watched as she took the seat next to his before she whispered in a barely audible tone "Do you require food milord". She had decided to pander to his requests to serve him food by day if it meant that he would leave her alone at night. A smile immediately consumed his face "She's starting to yield" he thought. "Some water" he spoke and she eyed him oddly. "Water?" she said hesitantly "Don't you mean ale?" Annoyance started to build in him one more at her incessant need to question everything. "No you heard me right..." he paused before sighing "If you must know I'm plagued with a headache today". Emily grinned then, feeling a slight sense of satisfaction at his pain, after all he had caused her. However, her helpful nature overcame it and she said "I can make you a remedy for that you know". He gave her a doubtful look before turning to the man at his other side whom he began speaking with, evidently dismissing her offer.