Thread: The Lady in Waiting (Lady Bloody Ava & Greeneyed23)

After the fall of Jerusalem in 1187 against Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, King of all Britain, lead the Third Crusade to take the city back from the Muslims along with a number of other monarchs of Europe, under the guide of Pope Clemet III. The religious fervor of the moment was so great that more than a hundred thousand men marched from their homes to return Jerusalem to Christendom. The monarchs of course had to have much pomp and ceremony and continuously had to take their time to make speeches gather more forces or even to ensure their retinue was alongside their journey. This resulted in the fact that Richard himself did not reach the Holy Land itself for more than a year. Others of his subjects were less willing to wait. one such ruler was Sir Titus of Wellington, one of the king's most powerful nobles. A man with seven sons and ten daughters and named lord of the northern city of York, where his family resided, He was also crippled in the second Crusade so while he could rule and perform his duties, especially that of his husbandly duties, he was unable to fight or journey far. Thus it was that he had sent his oldest son, Rallon, the only one of his children of age during the defense of Jerusalem, to the Holy Land to help fight against Saladin in 1184. Rallon had fought bravely and had even gained himself status and position in the Holy Land by his honor, nobility, but also his protection of the commoners. He had stood with Balian at the defense of Jerusalem and had survived but after being set free by Saladin he had returned to his holdings to the south of the city to oversee the transfer of his holdings to a member of Saladin's court. The Muslim lord was very kind and even allowed Rallon to gather his belongings and gave his solemn word that Rallon's people would not be harmed. Rallon had then set out to make his way home. Unfortunately he had been captured by the forces that supported the right of Sibylla, the rightful queen of Jerusalem, and her husband Guy of Lusignan, and was forced, under threat to many of his people who had been tricked into guarding the queen in her flight from the city after it's fall and were now her prisoners and forced mercenaries. After her death during the siege of acre and the freeing of Rallon and his fellows by Richard Rallon joined the great king in battle, to once again prove himself. The year is 1191. Rallon is still trapped in battle in the Holy land trying to protect his king, his people and his life so as to return home. there has been no word to, for or about him back home since his father sent him away and the city or York and the land around it has changed so significantly he will likely not recognize it. Rallon's five oldest brothers had gone soft and spoiled under the rule of the usurper John. His father had grown weak and senile with the illness of the Lady of Wellington and while his daughters and youngest son try to handle the rule of York and the are for their parents, but they do not have their father's strength or respect and are unable to cope with the other nobles in the city. Least of all the wealthy Locks and the just as wealthy Degans who are currently locked in a financial battle for the town's market and also a covert battle of blood and intrigue to gain political power and subvert Rallon's family to take the ruling position of the city. Prince John does not support either family. Instead he has lent his power and wealth to the family of Rallon's betrothed. Her family has used this influence to seize any and all power available and are proving just as ruthless as the Locks and Degans in their battles. The blood is falling thick and the political infighting is making everyone dangerous and untrustworthy. The most sought after prize is Rallon's betrothed herself however. she controls a massive amount of land, wealth and power all in herself as she controls her families true power and the immense wealth land and power bestowed upon Rallon by his grandparents. Before leaving for the Holy Land he had granted her all rights to these domains as his father could not have them his brothers were unworthy and his sisters were too young. Now after seven years things are quickly becoming untenable. Rallon's five eldest brothers were all trying to romance her and gain her position, as were the males of the locks and Degans, event he elder lords one already having offered to divorce his wife for her. The situation is dangerous and difficult for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that she has only a few more months before Rallon will be declared dead and she will lose his gifts. On the day we first meet her, April 7 1191, the city is rocked by the news that Lord and lady Granger have both been found murdered. Their youngest son, James, the only male in the family who had seemed honest has already been hanged by his brothers for the crime. But the worst is still coming. HELP!!! PLEASE HELP!!!! All ten of them are at the door of their eldest brother's betrothed. They are in tears, in the nude and covered in marks telling of harsh beatings, poor treatment and quite likely that of rape. Only their brothers have been allowed near them. James and their parents are dead and only they remain to represent their family.