Thread: What is broken can be fixed. (Luana Blodwyn x Irlandais)

On his way back to the room that had been set aside for him Rurik stumbled slightly, an odd thing for him since he never had more to drink than he could handle. Hed had perhaps three or four small glasses of the wine, only drinking to toast when it had been suggested rather more frequently than usual it seemed if truth be told. It didnt seem to be a particularly strong vintage at that it just had that sickly sweet under taste that Karstark claimed his guests enjoyed. Only then did Rurik consider the possibility that the man had been slipping something into his drink, after all, hed always insisted on pouring himself, his right as host as he put it. With a silent curse he unsteadily made for a nearby balcony, hoping the cool autumn air would do something to clear the haze that was settling over him. There was no real fear for his life, Karstark was more than clever enough to know not to poison him to death in his own manor. No, it must have been Circalya sap. A resin imported from the far east that had a powerful narcotic effect when dissolved in a drink. No wonder the choice of wine had been so sweet it would cover the taste well. So if not to kill him then it would just have been to dull his wits enough to get the greasy swine pouring it what he wanted. Rurik had a feeling that when he reread the treaties he had written up in the morning he might wish it had been poison. They were not signed yet, but it would be enough for Karstark to cause more arguments back in the capital. Even if Rurik did claim he was drugged then it would be played off as his own fault no doubt, with the lord protesting that he assumed the master of coin was well aware of the sap laced wine a southern delicacy. If he did manage to kick up enough of a storm it might get him to war he seemed to want, after all, with his wealth now surpassing that of the kingdom itself he might actually be able to pay off some of the other lords in the south and win. For perhaps twenty minutes Rurik stood there on the balcony with eyes closed, letting the breeze soothe the pounding in his temples. Twice he was passed and had his health enquired after, with the sense to lie he shrugged it off as having had a little too much wine. Time and the cold air worked its magic and soon the pounding receded to a dull ache, the trembling in his limbs stopping as suddenly as it had started. Several times he repeated the phrase A silent slip-lock stole my sweethearts slippers getting faster and faster, until his thick tongue stopped slurring over the words. He was as presentable as he was likely to be any time soon now, and his room and the woman probably awaited him by now if not eagerly. The trip to the sleeping quarters was thankfully uneventful and devoid of any other people, but as the door to his chamber swung open and the soft glow of candle and hearth filled his view Ruriks heart thudded in his chest all over again. It had seemed a good idea at the time, but now that he saw the woman on his bed looking as if shed rather be anywhere else in the world that notion was running thin. What was he going to say? The sap had proven enough of a distraction that he hadnt thought about it. Good evening miss, Im the man who ridiculed you, pushed you to your knees and marked the start as your life as a slave with nothing more than a flick of a quill. Terribly sorry about that, care to talk? his mind unhelpfully suggested as the truth, though even in his hazy state Rurik knew better than to say anything so blunt. Instead he shut the door behind him and stood at the far side of the room, giving the girl her space. Enid? he asked, hoping she would look up and see him. Do you recognize me?