Thread: Vengeful Howls (Morrighan & Twinkle)

Alice Radcliff waited patiently at the entrance to the royal family's summer castle outside the outskirts of London. The breeze came to ruffle the curled strands of golden hair that had fallen from the elegant compilation her maid had arranged upon her head and that now brushed against the back of the young woman's pale neck. Her green eyes occasionally strayed to the edge of the dark forest that bordered the road she would be taking back to the King's castle in London that night, her lush lips held by the edge of her teeth. She was to make the trip accompanied by Sir Goodwyn who'd agreed to her father's request to escort her on the brief trip. Lately there had been strange deaths occurring in the countryside men found torn to barely recognizable shreds, women whose member's had been devoured and all manner of horror stories. Alice's mother and father had kept the worst of the information from their only daughter, but she had caught wind of it from the stable hands and the cook. Finally the sound of hooves resonated across gravel and the family's coachman came into view, directing a pair of black friesian beauties with expertise. From behind Alice came the 17 year old girl's father, and there was a tenseness about his aging eyes that suggested that the dispute he'd had with the other lord earlier in the evening still weighed on him. The other lord, a long time rival in her father's business, had stormed off shortly after and her father had since then retired to the castle's study. My dear, you're to ride with Sir Goodwyn, he'll ensure your safe trip to London's castle where the King will be awaiting you. I am told he is eager to see his niece again, so you'll ensure to bring no shame upon your mother and I? His blue gaze pierced his daughter's green one with severity and perhaps even some apprehension, he wasn't keen on sending his only daughter out to court alone however, his wife had insisted on instilling some independence in their child. She was a smart one, albeit somewhat sheltered, and it had been decided she needed a little education in the ways of the royal court. With a knowing smile, Alice replied, Yes father, mother has given me lots of lessons, I will make you proud. Now kiss me goodbye, the coachman is anxious to be off. Lord Radcliff leaned in to kiss his daughter on the cheek and then helped her into the coach. Sir Goodwyn was sitting up front with the coachmen so that no one would gossip about him sitting alone with the young woman. Alice was Lord Radcliff's only daughter and child therefor the man to marry her would inherit the family's wealthy business, so the Radcliff's were rather strict on their daughter's supervision. She had inherited her mother's beauty, and with an ample bosom, the Lord was having a hard time dispelling suitors with illicit agendas. The last thing he needed was his only daughter to have a babe put on her by whatever randy cock happened her way. Lord Radcliff hoped his brother the King would help provide counsel in choosing Alice's husband, if not him then there was no one else they could trust. Alice knew she was to be found a suitor soon, she had resolved herself to her union not being one of love. Her hope was that in time, just as her mother and father had, that her husband and herself would be able to feel affection for each other. She had of course not been told about what occurred between a husband and his wife in bed her mother would educate her the night before her wedding. Looking out the window one last time at her father's silhouette in the grand doorway, Alice resolved herself to doing her best to bring her family pride on this trip. The coach began to move and turned into the dark path that led into the old forest, the horse's hooves on the path and the tilt of the carriage lulling the young woman to sleep. Some time later a resounding howl in the night woke her from her slumber, and the sound of the horse's nervous nickers and the coachman's reassuring voice brought her back to reality. A little shaken, Alice glanced out the window once more and heard Sir Goodwyn say, Ye need not fear the night lassie, twas only a stray dog. The man chuckled, but the sound seemed a little strained to the Lord's daughter however, she settled back in to her seat.