Jus Primae Noctis

[JackMoz]

(OOC: My first attempt at a non-tentacle, non-humorous thread. If you're interested in joining, PM with your idea)

Two years, John thought to himself. Two years of blood-letting and killing finally at an end. And now two years of prosperity. But can I do what they require of me now?

Four and a half years ago, John had been a happy man. As was the custom of his family, the rulers of the Duchy of Loxanir (a border Duchy that was nominally part of the Empire of Malchor, but in reality was a sovereign state of its own), had a younger son was placed in the monastery of St. Augustine. It had been heaven for 13 year old John. The monks of St. Augustine were both militant and scholarly, bound by oaths of celibacy and poverty. True, St. Augustine's was known far and wide for a library that rivaled the legendary one of Alexandria. The monks also had quite an impressive armoury, and were always in the forefront of any papally endorsed Crusade. But all these things belonged to the monastery proper. The monks themselves could not evey lay claim to the robes on their back.

John had been an exemplerary novice. He was as skilled with Latin and Greek as he was with sword and shield. The spartan lifestyle of the order appealed to him greatly.

So it was on his 18th birthday that John was in prayer, reflecting on the fact that in less than an hour, he would take his final vows, sealing him to the order for the rest of his life.

And then he was interrupted by Brother Steven, the head of the order. Standing in the courtyard of the order was a messenger wearing the coat of arms his family's duchy.

Brother Steven explained the presence of the messenger. The neighboring Duchy, the Duchy of Margonne, was also part of the Empire of Malchor. Theoretically, any disputes between the two duchies should be taken to the Imperial Throne. In reality, sword play was used more often than jurisprudence. The Imperial Throne took no notice of it as long the dispute did not result in out and out warfare. The unofficial opinion of the Imperial Throne was that the tensions between the two duchies kept them in check and kept them out of bigger mischief.

Then, two months ago, the Empire found itself embroiled in a rebellion on the border on the opposite side of the Duchies of Loxanir and Margonne. The Duchy of Margonne decided to act quickly on this. Assassins were dispatched and successfully killed all of John's immediate family, save himself. The Duchy of Margonne officially declared that it would hunt down these assassins, but that since it had left the Duchy of Loxanir in disarray, it would act on the Empire's behalf and "temporarily" govern the Duchy of Loxanir. No assassin would dare take the job of trying to kill John while he was inside the walls of St. Augustine. But the ruling family of the Duchy of Margonne knew that John would take his final vows soon, and would thus be a "non-player".

Brother Steven told him that the order would find no fault in him, whether he decided to stay or to go. But the decision was his.

John prayed the entire night. Reluctantly, he felt his place was with the Duchy of Loxanir.

A bloody war ensued for the next two years. The Empire sent envoys, to order the two duchies to cease fighting, to try to negotiate a peace, to do something.

It was to no avail. John was fighting for the life of his Duchy. Morganne saw it had a chance to conquer its old rival, and was not going to let that opportunity slip from its grasp. The Empire, fighting a war on one front, could not spare the troops to put a stop on another.

John had only wanted to live a life of quiet prayer, scholarly study, and the defense of the Faith. Instead, for the next two years, he fought and led his troops from saddle, ate barely warmed food, and slept on the ground on a ragged blanket.

John was a natural leader and a brilliant general. Within two years, he had reversed the tide of battle, and it was his Duchy that finally conquered Morganne, not the other way around.

And now John found himself in the castle of Morganne. All the men of the ruling clan of Morganne were dead, though they died at the soldier's blade, and not the assassin's.

The people of Loxanir were joyous. The people of Morganne found themselves oddly relieved. John's orders were simple; the decision to go to war had not been the decision of the people of either Duchy. They all belonged to the same Faith. And as a man who had dream of entering an Order dedicated to protecting that Faith, John would allow no man to unnecessarily spill the blood of a fellow believer. The people of Loxanir and Morganne found themselves united under the rule of a charismatic, gentle, fearless warrior-monk.

The Empire, with the rebellion suppressed on one border, thought it was going to have to gear up and take on a rebellion on the other. It sent an envoy, one Sir Talbot Martin to the combined duchy to find a unique situation.

Sir Talbot's job was simple. He was to instruct John that he was to return the Duchy of Morganne to someone with suitable lineage connected to the ruling clan of Morganne, and John himself was to return to his own Duchy. Imperial troops would be posted to impose a Pax Malchoria. The two Duchies would be forbidden to interfere with Imperial Troops, or the Duchy in Question would be considered to be in active rebellion against the Imperial Throne.

Sir Talbot was sent because he was considered a wily old bird who could quickly find out the lay of the land. John was to be given any number of inducements to go along with the plan, but also made to understand that the Empire would not tolerate a potentially opposing power base on its border.

Instead of a self-centered Duke who gave only lip service to his fealty to the Empire, Sir Talbot discovered a man who took to heart his oath to Faith and Empire. Sir Talbot found John in a military camp outside the Duchal Castle of Morganne, sitting before a fire with his fiercely loyal troops around him, eating a simple meal. Sir Talbot was astonished upon talkig to John that John's plan was to set up rulers in both Morganne and Loxanir, watch over them both for a short time, and then return to St. Augustine, where he would plead with Brother Steven to allow him to take his final vows.

The next few days were enlightening ones for Sir Talbot. The young man produced the "secret books" of not only Morganne, but Loxanir as well. The Empire took it as a given that both Duchies routinely failed to give their full due to the Empire. The Empire considered it more trouble than it was worth to push the issue. Here was this wide-eyed innocent, though, who was giving clear proof, down to the copper, of what each Duchy owed the Empire. John went further, however. Knowing that paying what was owed would produce financial ruin in the two Duchies recovering from a two-year war, John suggested the Duchies be allowed to pay back "in kind", with such things as building public works for the Empire. An Imperial Road, for example, would facilitate trade, bring the Duchies in closer to the sphere of the Empire, provide work for the denizens of both duchies, and propogate a feeling of good will among all parties.

Sir Talbot watched as the young man spent his days in the Morganne Duchy Castle, with messengers coming in from both duchies to carry out his orders. The young man visited the wounded of both sides, and Sir Talbot was shocked to discover the esteem in which the soldiers of both Duchies held young John. They treated him as a combination of an esteemed warrior and a revered chaplain. More than a few even insisted he listened to their confessions. John would take the young man in question to the side, listen earnestly, and then give advice on how to seek redemption.

Sir Talbot also saw John dispense high justice, dispensing it with equal parts spiritual enlightment and temporal pragmaticism. John went on and on about ideas he had on strengthening ties between the two duchies and the Empire as a whole, to insure this war would never repeat itself.

At night, though, in front of his fire, John would tell Sir Talbot about his life in the monastarey, and how much he longed to return to it.

Sir Talbot thought long and hard on what he saw and then, with a guilty conscience, he wrote a series of dispatches on his recommendation about the Duchies.

Sir Talbot had met a man who came closer to a saint then anyone he ever met before in his life. And Sir Talbot was going to force that man to give up his dream of returning to the monastary, and become Duke of the combined Duchies of Loxanir and Morganne.

It made perfect sense. Instead of having two duchies that had to be played off of each other, you had one whose ruler would move Heaven and Earth to make his Duchy an integral part of the Empire. The Empire would be free to consolidate its holdings elsewhere. In John, they would have a Champion of Faith and Empire, a man who would consider working against the interests of the Empire as an act that would imperil his immortal soul.

John resisted of course. As effective as he was in using power, he had no taste for it. In the end, it took an Imperial Decree as well as a Papal one (both worded, at the prompting of Sir Talbot, that it was his duty to take on this burden to protect the people of Loxanir and Morganne) as well as a visit from Brother Steven. In the end, John tearfully took on the task. Sir Talbot left John alone, ashamed at the necessity of what had been forced on the young man.

Turning a man from a monk to a ruler is not as easy as it may seem, even one who was as skilled in so many areas as was John. For one thing, John simply had no head for the politics of court. He was unskilled in dancing, unknowledgable in the popular music of the day, and although he was a gentle spoken man, was not used to the fact of not being able to take someone at face value. Sir Talbot was assigned to John indefinitely as his chief adviser, to help him steer clear of these potential obstacles.

John was loved by the common people, though, and this love was equally evident in the military forces of both Duchies, which were slowly but successfully being integrated. Both Duchies were thriving under John's rule, and the Imperial Road was coming along fine, as well as other public projects. There just remained one problem.

Progeny.

John was insistent that, though Church and Empire insist that he rule, he was a monk at heart, and would maintain his celibacy. His oath had been given, and that oath surpassed the wishes of both Emperor and Pope. On this, John refused to budge. Again, the Emperor and the Pope turned to Sir Talbot. Both knew the young Duke would not budge on a matter of integrity. Normally, it was a trait to be admired. The Church and the Empire both had profited over the last two years over the sea of stability that John had created for them.

Sir Talbot turned to Brother Steven. Brother Steven had a long series of talks with John. What these consisted of, nobody knew. But afer they were over, John came to Sir Talbot and told the older man that he would marry whomever Sir Talbot arranged for him to marry.

Sir Talbot had more bad news for John. John would be required by the Empire to perform a modifed Jus Primae Noctis (law of the first night) on the four remaining women who were all that was left of the ruling clan Morganne. John had even been given a special dispensation to marry one, two, three or all of them. Although this was not normally allowed, the Church had ruled that on very rare occasion, the privilege of mulitiple spouses, which was allowed under the Law of the Patriarch, could be allowed, if both Church and Empire recognized that the husband in question could provide for all four spouses in both their temporal and spiritual needs.

John hung his head, as his newly awakened hormones, his sense of honor, and his feeling of being lost in this world not of his choosing warred inside of him.

Duke John de Loxanir (my character)

Age: 22
Height: 6'4"
Hair: Black
Eyes: Green
Description: John is a well muscled young man, thanks to years of combat and combat training. His skin is well-tanned from being out doors. His hands are large and scarred. While in the monastary, he kept his hair "buzzed" but took to wearing a beard, in the manner of warrior/monks returning from the Crusades. It is the custom of young noble men to be clean shaven and wear their hair long and, after insistent nagging, John had adopted this style. He is clean shaven now, but his hair has barely grown enough to cover the tip of his ears

Other characters needed:

Sir John Talbot, a 40-something year old Imperial Envoy

Brother Steven, a 50-something year old celibare Warrior-monk

Lady Diana Margonne, 18 year old virgin widow. She was betrothed and married at the age of 15 to the eldest son of the late Duke of Margonne. The marriage was never consumated, however, as the son was killed in battle before being able to do so.

Lady Rebekka Margonne, 19 year old virgin daughter of the late Duke of Margonne (four months shy of her twentieth birthday)

Lady Tarma Margonne, 18 year old virgin daughter of the late Duke of Margonne (two months shy of her nineteenth birthday)

Lady Susan Margonne, 18 year old virgin daughter of the late Duke of Margonne (just had her 18th birthday when John has been told his "duties" concerning the Law of the First Night). By coincidence, her and Lady Diana Margonne share the same birthday.

If you're interested in playing on of these characters, PM me with your descriptions of them. Also, plenty of other characters to play, visiting noblemen, maids, men-at-arms...well, just use your imagination, and PM me first.

 

[Britwitch]

Lady Diana Margonne

Lady Diana Margonne
18
5'4''
Bright blue eyes, already showing so much emotion for one so young.
Long dark brown hair curling down her back.
Pale, lightly freckled skin.
A petite frame but with undeniable feminine curves.
Softly spoken and sensible, she loves to read and learn more of the world outside the castle walls.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Diana's footsteps echoed off of the silent corridor walls, the stones reverberating with the unspoken anger in every footstep. She was going to the study to find him, the only one who might be able to answer her numerous questions and, she hoped, who might be able to show her a way out of the situation she found herself in. She had been informed of the Duke's responsibilites regarding the three young Margonne sisters and, while she didn't agree with the right he was going to carry out, she at least understood it. But when she was told that the right was to be carried out on her as well she had at first thought it all to be some terrible dream from which she would soon awake.

Like the night she had heard of her husband's death...her friend's death...her heart ached to think back to that night. The messenger who had hesitantly handed her the scroll in the flickering torchlight. The scroll bound with black ribbon that could only mean one thing to a mother or a wife during the war. The had been a nightmare however that had gone on long after the sun had risen above the horizon. Months spent in mourning, in somber black clothing, alone in her quarters.

But this had to be wrong. After all, she was only a Margonne by marriage, surely there had to have been some mistake by the Empire.
Reaching the door to the study she quickly smoothed down her gown and pulled her long hair back behind her shoulders, some held back from her face by a braid hanging down her back, the rest hanging in loose waves and curls down to her waist. Knowing her face would probably be flushed in a most 'un-ladylike' way but that was the least of her concerns. Diana knocked sharply on the door and barely waited for a response before opening the door and stepping inside. Bowing her head slightly as her eyes fell upon Duke John de Loxanir and all of a sudden she wasn't so sure that storming in here had been such a good idea. She was softly spoken by nature and, considered by most to be, a sensible girl. Charging through the corridors in search of the Duke was most out of character for her.

Taking a deep breath and wetting her lips slightly, she pushed the door shut behind her and stepped closer to the desk at which he was working.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, sir," She began quietly. "But there is something I feel I must discuss with you...if you will grant me an audience...?"

 

[JackMoz]

John thought he should be thinking of going to bed soon, but the present problem was one of the most pleasant he had faced since the Empire had named him Duke of Loxanir and Margonne both.

John had taken a keen interest in Roman Engineering while as a novice at St. Augustine. Although most of the tomes on engineering in St. Augustine's library dealt more with those seige engines useful in warfare, there was a sizeable amount that dealt with different aspects of civil engineering. John was applying that knowledge to the construction of a bridge on the expansion of the Imperial Road when there was a short rap on the door.

Now who could that be? thought John. The hour was late, and he had sent all the servants to sleep already. Before he could answer the knock, Lady Diana Margonne burst through the door.

John knew his face was betraying his displeasure. He relished the silence and serenity of his late hours in his private study. It was here he could work on the problems facing his rule without the interference of petty politics.

John had kept his interactions with the four Margonne women to a minimum. John knew the Faith taught him to forgive, but his family was dead because of the ambitions of the Margonnes. He had to put aside his vows to face the Margonnes. And then Empire and Church had conspired to keep him from his chosen life because of the Margonnes.

And then there was the fact that it had been decreed that he would have to be intimate with all four Margonne women, including the one who faced him right now. Sir Talbot had explained the Empire's reasoning to him, but John still hoped that somehow this problem would go away. As the Lady Diana's presence seemed to demonstrate, the problem had no intention of ever going away, no matter what John desired. John reminded himself to be polite and use the courtly manners Sir Talbot had been so diligently trying to teach him.

"Lady Diane, this is an unexpected pleasure. Please, please come in and be seated. Of course I will grant you an audience. I have nothing to offer you but clear, spring water, I'm afraid. I still haven't quite adapted to the ways of the court."

 

[Britwitch]

Lady Diana Margonne

"Lady Diane, this is an unexpected pleasure. Please, please come in and be seated. Of course I will grant you an audience. I have nothing to offer you but clear, spring water, I'm afraid. I still haven't quite adapted to the ways of the court."

Diana inclined her head towards his as she accepted his offer of a seat and refreshment.
"I thank you kindly for agreeing to see me at such a late hour...but I felt I could not rest until I had spoken to you, your Lordship," She moved towards the desk and sat gracefully in the seat opposite the Duke's, seeing the piles of scrolls and books open on his desk she was torn between apologising for the interruption and asking if she could see for herself what he had been working upon. "I hope I have not interrupted anything of importance...I...I can return in the morning if you would prefer..." Feeling the bravado of her sudden entrance fading quickly with every word. Of course she should go.
What was she going to say to him anyway to make him understand...?

 

[JackMoz]

John actually felt slightly more comfortable when Lady Diane asked about what he was working on. "Not at all, my lady. I am trying to be a good ruler, and a good ruler should be available to all his subjects when needed." John had managed, for the moment, to put the fact that the Lady Diane was going to be made available to him in a very intimate fashion. John was again hoping that problem would simply vanish.

"In the past, part of what has led to the isolation of Loxanir and Margonne from the rest of the Empire is that there is no true connecting Imperial Road, per se; merely a number of roads connecting us to the Empire that were haphazardly maintained by the Duchies. By having an extension of the Imperial Road run through Loxanir and Margonne, and the subsequent maintenance, hostels and such which are, by Imperial Law, required with the Imperial Road, it should provide an economic boon for the denizens of our Duchies...er, Duchy." John reminded himself that there was but one Duchy. A name for the single Duchy had yet to be decided. The Empire was waiting for things to settle down a bit more before issuing a decree.

"The Empire has lent us a few engineers, but none of them have a classical education, I'm afraid. There is a particular ford which is providing them with a number of problems and I am drawing on my admittedly limited knowledge to assist in the matter. I must say, it's a rather distraction to be involved in problem such as this."

John pushed the books away from him and turned to Diana. "But I'm sure you didn't come here to here me ramble on about Roman engineering. What matter troubles you, m'lady?"

 

[Britwitch]

Lady Diana Margonne

"Not at all, my lady. I am trying to be a good ruler, and a good ruler should be available to all his subjects when needed."

Diana took a sip of the water he poured and handed to her, listening intently to his voice. It was true that he was the best sort of leader that either Duchy could have hoped for after the war, fair minded and just, educated and apparently passive, despite his commendable actions in war. He really did seem to have the people's interests at heart. Although she couldn't help but wonder what interests of his own would be served by the 'encounters' he would soon be having with her and her 'sisters'.

"But I'm sure you didn't come here to here me ramble on about Roman engineering. What matter troubles you, m'lady?"

She took another sip of the water, suddenly feeling like a child and not the adult she was.
"I...I have recently been informed of your Lordship's intentions towards marriage..." Diana could hear her voice faltering and her cheeks flushing with embarassment as she knew what was about to follow. "...and of your forthcoming intimacy with the daughter of Lord Margonne...and myself..." The amount of heat coming from her flushed cheeks was unexpected and Diana found herself lowering her gaze and looking down meekly into her lap. "I understand the ways of the Empire and of those in powerful places but...I do not understand why I must be subjected to this...this..." Her words failed her, not wanting to offend the Duke, or anger him. "I am a Margonne only by marriage and, as I'm sure you're aware, it was a marriage never consumated..." Diana's voice cracked slightly as her mind shot back to her husband of only a few days. "So why..." She looked back up, her blue eyes now sparkling with the beginnings of tears, tears of sadness at the loss of her friend and tears of uncertainty. "...why me, M'Lord...?"

 

[JackMoz]

John felt as if the bottom had dropped out of his world. It was going to happen. He was going to have to do...John couldn't even wrap his mind around the words to describe the intimacy he was going to have to engage in. Pity and rage and other emotions warred in his heart. John stood, turned from the Lady Diana and faced the fire, not wanting her to see the conflicting emotions make their way across his face.

"I've asked that same question over and over in prayers, m'lady. Why me? When men from my father's castle came to get me before I could say my final vows at St. Augustine, I asked, Why me? When your husband and your father-in-law and the rest of the Margonne clan had my family assasinated in their drunken thirst for power I asked, why me? When I had to abandon my vows to defend my ancestral lands I asked, Why me? And when the Emperor and the Pope bade me to abandon my vows altogether, again I asked, why me?"

John turned around to face Diana. All the pain and the rage that had built up over the years was burning in his eyes. John stopped himself, closed his eyes and regained his composure.

"I am told that I have to take at least one wife, and produce heirs. This is required of me by the Church and by the Empire. Why I have to exercise the Law of the First Night, I do not know. Sir Tolbot, the adviser that the Empire has given me, tells me it is so that all can see that the last vestiges of the Margonne Clan are totally subjecated to me and, through me, the Empire. And you are numbered among the vestiges which must be subjecated. I understand warfare. I understand the building of roads and bridges. I understand what will bring prosperity to our lands. The politics are beyond me. I consider them a necessity that I must abide by."

John gave a self-mocking laugh. "They even invoked the Law of the Patriarchs, a law which has not been invoked in more than a hundred years. I could take you and your 'sisters' as wives, if I wanted."

John sat down in his chair, his shoulders slumped. "I did now wish to be a husband of even one wife, Lady Diana. I wanted to belong to the Order at St. Augustine." John looked up at Lady Diana, a sad smile on his face. "Once, when I was 17, the order helped out a village in bringing in their crops. I stayed there for two months, helping the younger children learn their letters, doing odd tasks for the elderly villagers, simple things. It was a good life, m'lady, the only life I ever wanted."

"So I truly understand your question of 'Why me?' I have no answer for you. Political neccessity, the ambitions of other men, a million reasons. If you wish to know what I plan to do, it is simple. I will do what I am required to do. Perhaps I will only be required to take one wife. I do not know. I just know I am tired. I have been boned tired since that night so long ago, when I was prevented from taking my last vows and dragged into this nightmare."

With those last words, John lowered his head and buried his face in his hands.

 

[JackMoz]

(Looking for other players)

 

[Britwitch]

Lady Diana Margonne

Diana watched the Duke rise and move away from her, his face hidden and voice low. She could hear the faintest of trembles within it as he fought to maintain his composure. Listening to his words, feeling her heart aching as he spoke of the assasination of his family by the very one she had married into. When he turned back to face her, for a moment his eyes were alive. Burning with the age old expression of anger and hurt, but he took a steadying breath and closed his eyes. Banishing the emotions somehow before looking into her eyes once more.
He explained of the duties the Empire had heaped upon him, feeling her pride prickle at being spoken of as a 'vestige' but ignored it. Knowing there were more serious matters in need of discussion that her pride.

"They even invoked the Law of the Patriarchs, a law which has not been invoked in more than a hundred years. I could take you and your 'sisters' as wives, if I wanted."

Diana's eyes widened. She knew they would all have to spend a night in his chambers, she hadn't realised he could select his wife...or wives, apparently...from amongst them. Part of her wished that he would. That he would do his duty as far as laying with her and producing the required heirs was concerned and then marry her. He didn't seem the least bit interested in the physical, or if she was honest the emotional, side of marriage and would at least be a kind husband who seemed more likely to let her lead her own life as much as it would be possible within the castle walls.

If she were to lay with him and then not be married...what would become of her...? Her insides clenched with nerves. She had heard the stories of other woman taken in this way. Their future husbands had little respect for a woman who had already been taken by another and their marriages never seemed to be happy ones. That was if the women found husbands at all.

As he spoke of his life at St Augustine she realised something else, why his reaction to his duties had been so similiar to her own. If he had lived his life up until being made leader of the Duchy as a holy man then surely, it would be his first such encounter with a woman. Of course he understood her fears.

"So I truly understand your question of 'Why me?' I have no answer for you. Political neccessity, the ambitions of other men, a million reasons. If you wish to know what I plan to do, it is simple. I will do what I am required to do. Perhaps I will only be required to take one wife. I do not know. I just know I am tired. I have been bone tired since that night so long ago, when I was prevented from taking my last vows and dragged into this nightmare."

As the Duke lowered his face and covered it with his hands Diana immediately rushed over from her chair, kneeling beside his own and resting her small hands on his sleeve, gently rubbing his forearm beneath it. Making quiet soothing noises to try and calm his obvious distress.
"I...I am sorry M'lord for bringing up what is clearly as painful a subject for you as it is for me...and doubtless will be for the other ladies of Margonne..." Her voice was soft and kind, knowing she would be bound by the name of Margonne to do her duty and lay with him when instructed to do so, just as he would be bound to lay with her. "I do not know how I can help you but please, M'lord, let me try..."

She watched waiting for him to look at her, her cheeks once again flushing knowing that what she was about to say would most likely lower his opinion of her rather than do anything to improve it but she had to try. She hated to see such a man in such distress. "While...while my husband and I were unable to consumate our vows, we were a couple who were in love and...and while I am a maid and shall be until you take me into your chambers...I am not entirely ingnorant of the ways in which..." She closed her eyes for a minute. "...in which men and women show their love for one another...I...I could help you...I could show you...so that when the time comes to do your duty for the Empire you might not feel so...so scared..." Her voice was nervous and she bit her bottom lip slightly when she'd finished. A silence followed her words in which she remained knelt by his chair, her hands still resting upon his arm and her chest rising and falling deeply within her gown as she awaited his response.

 

[JackMoz]

John felt a strange sensation run through him as Lady Diana gently stroked his wrist. It was...not an unpleasant sensation. In truth, John had been having strange, frightening, exciting dreams since the moment he had reluctantly agreed to set aside his oath of celibacy. He could not remember the dreams in great detail, but he did remember that the Lady Diana and her sister-in-laws figured significantly in these dreams as shadows of fear and delight.

John felt his heart racing at Lady Diana's words:

"While...while my husband and I were unable to consumate our vows, we were a couple who were in love and...and while I am a maid and shall be until you take me into your chambers...I am not entirely ingnorant of the ways in which..." She closed her eyes for a minute. "...in which men and women show their love for one another...I...I could help you...I could show you...so that when the time comes to do your duty for the Empire you might not feel so...so scared..."

John realized that he was scared. But he also knew, in his heart of hearts, that some part of him, some part that he could not understand, was eagerly anticipating this moment. The conflicting emotions only confused John the more.

John set his jaw and made a decision.

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly

John took the Lady Diana's hands in his own and stood up, also drawing her to her feet. "Perhaps...perhaps my lady, this would be a matter for us to continue discussing in my bedchambers." At the word 'bedchambers', John found his speech faltering as his face turned a bright red.

 

[Britwitch]

Lady Diana Margonne

Diana was more than a little surprised when the Duke's response to her offer was to stand and draw her with him. Noticing for the first time how his broad frame towered over her own, her hands seeming smaller now that they were held in his.

"Perhaps...perhaps my lady, this would be a matter for us to continue discussing in my bedchambers."

Diana's stomach jolted. This was not what she had been expecting.
Surely he didn't mean to...not tonight...?
Seeing the flush swiftly covering his cheeks and the wavering tone in his voice she doubted that this was to be their 'first night' but he was right that such things, whatever might follow their discussion, should take place somewhere more private than the study.
"If you wish it, M'Lord...who am I to refuse you..." She smiled, somehow managing to overcome the ever increasing nervousness rising inside her, a warm expression, a gentle expression.

 

[JackMoz]

John watched the flood of emotions race across Lady Diana's face before she regained her composure. I am an unfeeling brute, John thought to himself. Perhaps it is best that I was not allowed to take my vows.

This is not the time for faltering, John told himself. Still, the small, delicate hands resting in his own were more unnerving than the dozens of time that John had faced his own mortality in battle.

John held the Lady Diana's hands in his for one more moment, before releasing them. "If m'Lady will excuse me for one moment?"

John had been given over a small wing of the Duchy castle, which he reluctantly accepted. Sir Talbot had explained that it would just not do for the Grand Duke (another title that was being bantered about, which John felt was vainglorious) of the combined Duchies to continue sleeping on the grounds outside of the Duchal Castle of Margonne. John actually quite enjoyed having his own study and library, and had made a sizeable donation to St. Augustine's to have a few of his favorite tomes copied and sent to him. Having his own library where he could sit with his old master, Brother Stevens, and discuss matters martial and academic was a pleasure he treasured. But part of that wing also included his bedchambers, where John would soon venture into the great unknown.

Standing outside the entrance to the wing were two guards, whom John now instructed to allow no one into the wing until he sent them word otherwise. To their credit, the guards were sympathetic to the young Duke. There were no hidden smirks, no ribald jokes when he left. They would give their young general his privacy, and would brook no coarse talk about it.

John returned to his study and once again took the Lady Diana's delicate hand in his. "If my lady will allow me to lead?" With her consent, John took her to his bedchambers.

 

[Britwitch]

Lady Diana Margonne

"If m'Lady will excuse me for one moment?"

As the Duke left her alone in the study, Diana let out a long breath she hadn't really been aware she was holding. Her body breaking out with trembles that she could not control, even if she tried. She knew that whatever followed she had to remember she had initiated it herself. Offering herself to him, whatver would he think of her...
Part of her believed she had done the right thing in offering to help the Duke, it was an honest attempt at making things easier, for the both of them.
She straightened her gown, the corsetted bodice highlighting the curves of her body, adjusting her hair so that it was all falling down her back. She knew it was unlikely that a man who had spent his life as the Duke had done would be looking at her in that way. Unlikely he'd notice how she looked at all, but for herself she had to make sure she at least looked more than presentable for him.
She looked up, hearing his footsteps reaching the door and meeting his gaze as brightly as she could.

"If my lady will allow me to lead?"

Diana nodded her consent, her words seeming to have temporarily left her. Taking his offered hand and following him to his bedchamber, her head slightly bowed as he led her along the corridors. Her heart thudding ominously in her ears with each footstep.

 

[JackMoz]

As John led the Lady Diana down the corridor, he could not help but take more than a surreptitious glance at her. John had led a cloistered existence for the majority of his life. His first two years out of the monastery were a Spartan existence, consisting of battle, forced marches and camp living. The last two years of his life, though...

Sir Talbot had insisted on throwing parties and having John attend them. Young women of noble background were thrown into his path constantly. It had been recognized that John had found imperial and papal favor, and many a family wanted to tie their fortunes to his rising star.

John diligently avoided these plots, trying as he could to confine himself to statecraft. Tonight, all his maneuvers to the contrary would be proven to be in vain.

A part of him found that a more than acceptable fate. John could not help but notice the delicacy of Lady Diana, the fall of her luxurious locks, the rise of her enticing bosom, the flair of her hips, her---

Enough! John told himself. The stirrings in his body, suppressed since his early adolescence, were rising with a vengeance. They were passions he would not subject this delicate creature he was escort. Next to her tiny, exquisite frame, John felt like a dumb brute of the fields.

John open the door to his bedchambers. The fire was already going and the bed...

John had objected to the bed, finding it large and decadent. With the Lady Diana on his arm, the bed seemed to swell to supernatural proportions, dominating the room.

John led Lady Diana to a chair by the fire, and took the one across from her. Boldly, he took her hands between his once again. "My lady, I---" John shook his head, feeling as if his tongue has swollen so that his mouth could hardly contain it. Lady Diana's words were coming back to him, and making his blood rush. Finally, John looked Diana in the eyes and said, "I am your humble student."

 

[Britwitch]

Lady Diana Margonne

Diana felt his eyes on her more than once on the walk to his chambers. Unable to prevent herself from blushing slightly each time she noticed his head turn in her direction. He had lived the life of a Holy man but he was still a man after all.
She followed him through the large door marking the entrance to his bedchamber and heard a small gasp leave her lips as her eyes took in the lavishly decorated room, roaring fire and one of the largest beds she had ever seen.

The Duke led her over to the fire, seating her in one chair while he sat in one opposite her. His hands once again closed around hers.
"My lady, I---"
Diana could tell he was just as nervous, if not more so, than she was.
"I am your humble student."
Diana paused for a moment, unsure of how to continue. She tried to forget who the man was who sat before her, his eyes looking so deeply into her own, his warm hands engulfing her own. Diana tried to imagine he was no longer the Duke. He was just...John. And she was just Diana.

Slowly, she raised her hands, bringing his with them, to her lips and gently kissed the back of his hand. Her eyes never leaving his. His skin was smooth and warm although she noticed scars and marks that she hadn't been aware of before. No doubt souvenirs of the battles he had fought.
When he did not pull away, she kissed the back of his other hand, before turning them over and kissing the palms. Lifting his left hand gently, she brought it up to rest on the side of her face, rubbing her cheek ever so softly against it.
Leaving his hand on her face, she leant fowards and lay her hand on the side of his face, stroking his cheek with her thumb. All the while her blue eyes looking into his own, glittering with the dancing firelight beside them.

 

[JackMoz]

In all his adult life, John had never felt a delicate hand on his face before. And contact with his face was either during the heat of melee or a challenge of honor. Diana's delicate touch felt like the caress of the wind, the beat of the wings of some errant butterfly that had landed on his face.

Diana's face was soft and fine, her features were those that could have inspired a Renaissance sculptor. John found his finger tracing her lips, then lingering on her chin.

John had to drop his hands to his lap, they were starting to shake that much. He lowered his gaze, unable to meet the unwavering ones of Diana.

 

[Britwitch]

Lady Diana Margonne

Diana smiled softly as she felt John's hand move to allow his finger to trace her lips, stroking her chin for a moment or two. Then he had pulled his hand back, dropping both into his lap, along with his gaze. She could see them trembling, it seemed so strange to her to see someone as strong as the Duke was to be so very nervous.
Slipping down from the chair onto her knees before him, she leant forwards, gently lifting his chin with a finger until their eyes met once more. She smiled softly once more.
"My Lord...I...you..." Once she had started to speak, she didn't know entirely what to say. Instead she leant closer, moving slowly, closing her eyes and gently pressing her lips against his.

 

[JackMoz]

John felt his breath catch as Diana pressed her lips to his. It was as if the sun had been stopped, so that John could fully experience the tenderness in that kiss.

John returned that kiss as gently as it was given before pushing Diana's face away. He brushed an errant lock of hair from her forehead, before cupping her face in his hands.

"Diana---"it seemed right, to John, to call her by her first name, with no honorifics---"I---I have no wish to hurt you. I---" John made a swirling sign of confusion with his hand---"these needs, these desires, I---I don't know what to do with them. "Part of me wishes to set you on my lap, and protect you, embrace you. That kiss---Diana, I want you to stay and to go. And you are more beautiful than my dreams could allow." John knew he was confused and rambling. Without further thought, he drew Diana up and into his lap, embracing her gently yet fiercely.

 

[Britwitch]

Lady Diana Margonne

Diana felt herself sighing as he returned the gentle kiss before pushing her away from him slightly, his hand rising to brush some hair from her face before taking her face in his hands.

"Diana---I---I have no wish to hurt you. I---these needs, these desires, I---I don't know what to do with them. Part of me wishes to set you on my lap, and protect you, embrace you. That kiss---Diana, I want you to stay and to go. And you are more beautiful than my dreams could allow."

Before Diana could respond, John had lifted her with ease onto his lap, his arms surrounding her protectively, almost possessively, drawing her closer.
"My..." She hesitated over using his title, he had ceased to use hers and it would make the whole situation easier if it were more intimate. "John...I know this is confusing and strange for you...I know you would not harm me..." Her face was next to his own, her chest pressing against his with each breath. "...but you should trust your feelings, not fight against them...trust yourself...as I trust you..." She finished quietly, leaning in to kiss the corner of his mouth gently before pulling back, looking hesitantly into his eyes.

 

[JackMoz]

John let himself become lost in Diana's eyes before drawing her in for another kiss. The kiss started off as tentative and gentle, but as John became more sure of himself, he made the kiss more passionate. He finally broke the kiss, as a hand came to caress the side of Diana's face. John then took one of Diana's hands and held it against his own, palm to palm.

"I feel like a bear compared to you, my lady." Laughing nervously, John observed, "I feel as I have paws next to your hands. I'm not even sure what to do with my paws."

 

[Britwitch]

Lady Diana Margonne

As John kissed her with increasing confidence and passion she felt long forgotten feelings stirring deep inside her. She had only been kissed like that once or twice before...before her husband had gone off to war. Diana began leaning into the kiss, wanting it to deepen. But John broke it, resting his hand on her face and holding her hand against his other.

"I feel like a bear compared to you, my lady...I feel as I have paws next to your hands. I'm not even sure what to do with my paws."
Diana returned his slightly nervous sounding laugh with one of her own. Not knowing quite what to say that wouldn't make her seem wanton, not wanting to offend or frighten him. Taking hold of his large hand with hers she placed it against her narrow waist. She was certain that he would probably encompass her middle entirely if he placed both hands there. Looking up shyly through her long eyelashes she slowly drew his hand up along her side, letting it brush the side of her breast through the dress and corset before it reached her shoulder.
"Use your hands to explore John..." She lifted her own hands and, starting at his shoulders slowly stroked down the front of his shirt. Feeling the warm of his firm flesh beneath it, feeling fresh warmth rushing to her own face as she did so.

 

[JackMoz]

John knew his heart would burst from his chest at the words Diana said to him, "Use your hands to explore John...". As Diana had moved his hand upward, his thumb had grazed the side of her breast. The feeling of that soft flesh underneath his thumb was burned into his mind. The light touch of Diana's hands on his chest was making it impossible to breathe.

John drew Diana in for another deep kiss, trying to convey the passion that was engulfing him. Again, the kiss sent John to a timeless place. When finally he broke the kiss, he looked into Diana's eyes, all his emotions and vulnerbilities exposed to her.

Emboldened by Diana's earlier words, John placed his hands on Diana's shoulders. Looking into her eyes for assurances, John's hands slid downward, until they tentatively cupped Diana's full breasts.

 

[Britwitch]

Lady Diana Margonne

The kiss that followed took Diana's breath away. John held her tightly against him, her hands resting upon his broad chest as her lips parted, inviting him to deepen the kiss further still. When, at last, his eyes met hers once more she could plainly see the passion and desire burning within them, tempered by nervousness and uncertainty.

Although his nervousness seemed to diminish slightly as his hands rose to rest upon her shoulders before beginning to descend towards her chest. Diana felt her breathing deepen, her large breasts rising and falling sharply within the confines of the dress as his large hands crept ever nearer. Then she felt it, the gentle pressure of his hands against them. She wanted him to massage them, weigh them, she could feel her nipples hardening within her clothes at the mere thought...her body responding to her own instinctive desires beyond her control.
However, anything of the sort was impeded by the stiff bodice of the dress.
Diana arched her back slightly, pressing her breasts against his palms, sighing softly as she placed her hands over his and squeezed ever so slightly, increasing the pressure upon her flesh.

 

[JackMoz]

John De Loxanir

John was not sure what type of response he was expecting from Diana. Her hands resting on his, encouraging him, was more than he could possibly have hoped for.

John was still unsure of himself, his touch still uncertain. Diana's encouragement, even her obvious enjoyment of his touch, emboldened John, as he massaged her breasts, watching as his kneading elicit sighs of pleasure from Diana.

As if of their own accord, one of John's fingers tugged on a lace of Diana's bodice. Whether the lace was functional or decorative, John didn't know. He was suddenly shocked as he realized that he was attempting to disrobe Diana.

"My lady, a thousand pardons---" John stuttered, reverting back to his normal formalities. "I did not---I shouldn't have---forgive me for taking liberties."

 

[Britwitch]

Lady Diana Margonne

His hands massaged her breasts through her clothing, his strength meaning she could feel his fingers stroking and feeling her flesh even through the stiffened cloth. Closing her eyes slightly and sighing, biting her bottom lip as his curious hands continued to feel her.
She felt a light tugging on her bodice, his fingers having found the lace that held the dress together at the front. Part of her nervous that this was going to quickly become something more than either of them realised. Part of her wanting to feel his hands against her flesh...

"My lady, a thousand pardons---I did not---I shouldn't have---forgive me for taking liberties."

Diana blushed a little, but whether it was at his embarassment or at her own sharply rising desires...she did not know...
"My Lord...it has been decreed that I shall be your bedfellow for at least one night...anything and everything you see before you is therefore yours..." She rose off of his lap to stand before him. Lifting his hands up to the partially undone laces. "You shall see what lies beneath my dress one day soon...and I know I would rather it happen in a moment when you desire to do so..." Her eyes met his shyly. "...and when I want it to occur also..." She closed his fingers over the lacings and pulled his hands back, helping him undo the bow that held the top half of her dress in place. The stiff panels of material parting to reveal the sheer, thin slip beneath. She lowered her hands, leaving his holding the laces. "...removing my dress does not mean you will have to do anything further to me that you don't wish to M'Lord..." She said softly, her hands hanging by her sides as she awaited his response.