Catherine loved her children but sometimes she thought them blind and dumb, to believe she would not have a say in the revolution is ridiculous! She may not have a place at court anymore but she had ears and power from within, she may not be the Queen of France anymore but that didn't mean she had no power at all; so she used it carefully and wisely. Catherine still knew Francis wasn't yet out of the fog of the Prophecy, so it was her motherly duty to her son and to France to ensure his safety. Of course Catherine had not alerted Mary of her worries over the prophecy when it was just a theory and they had been through the protective journey twice before; she knew Mary had enough on her mind, however she would take a risk on after seeing the look in Nostradamus's eyes only 6 months ago, when she asked him of Francis's life in that jail cell his eyes held only concern and loss.
A knock whistled in her ear from her door. "Enter" Catherine said sitting in front of the flames.
"You're Grace" Leith stood in front of Catherine, knowing he was there for no good reason when he saw the mischief in her eyes.
"Ah Leith I have heard many good things about you and your loyalties to the King and his family." Catherine said and as Leith began to thank her; Catherine silenced him with her hand raised, her eyes now intensely looking at him. "I know you would give your life for Francis despite whatever threatens him. I also know how fond Claude is of you." Leith looked startled all of a sudden. "Ah don't threat my dear! When my daughter is happy; I am happy however we both know it cannot be without land and title." Catherine said pitifully gesturing for him to sit opposite her. "So I wish to make you a deal." Catherine stated.
"My loyalties lie with the King." Leith said simply.
"As do mine Leith, as do mine. He is my child, my first born and my King, our King. I know with the revolution approaching threats will be made and new enemies will approach…Meaning Francis's life shall be in more danger than it is now…" Catherine said and could tell Leith knew this was true however it was obvious he didn't understand why he had been requested for this odd conversation.
"Let's just cut to the chase shall we?!"Catherine was getting tired of playing around. "Do you believe in Prophecies, Leith?"
"Can't say I do, your Grace, but I have heard of them in the village."
"Well there has been one feeding on Francis's life for a year now and this revolution may be the one that takes it. Despite the advantages this revolution has, it shall not take Francis!" Catherine said this with such true passion as she paced her room that Leith looked at her like she was half mad.
"You really believe this, don't you?"
"Yes I do and I believe its dawning on us quickly and it's my job to stop it. Even if it is frowned upon, I won't risk it. As soon as Bash leaves this meeting he shall be informed of the same news I have carried on my shoulders for months. He shall help me and so shall you, if you have the respect for the King I know you have; you will help me." Catherine paced the room in a fierce worried state as a mother would have for her child, it was then Leith knew that it had to be true because no mother or Queen, in fact, would get so upset over a huge lie.
"I will help you; for the King." Leith stood up and bowed but Catherine just grasped his hands.
"Thank you, Leith. As soon as this catastrophe is all over I shall gain you land and title when the King is safe." Catherine said determinedly holding Leith thankfully.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
"We shall sail and reach the south of England in Armies, taking the English by surprise and outnumbered with Lord Bruce's Soldiers from his alliance from Austria ready to set sail; it should be an easy take; the shock of surprise should scare them enough!" Lord Duffagan informed the French court.
"That's all well and good Lord Duffagan, but we all know Scotland shall feel the force when Elizabeth's armies hear of the attack; so in my mind Scotland needs some support to keep them all going while it all takes place." Jeffery said.
"Aye I agree, the Clans canna keep goin at em without some back fire. Scottish society is falling apart; they need some hope other than God." Lord Falkirk declared.
"I agree with Lord Falkirk, I've seen it. The soldiers are losing hope and seek a leader; the sooner we settle this; the better." Annabel thought out loud shocking French Nobles that a woman would dare talk however the Scottish Nobles all agreed.
"We shall send 2 Battalions to Scotland." Francis said.
"We cannot risk it Majesty! Our borders…What if there is another religious uprising?" Lord Le Boise said. Francis turned to address his French nobles with authority…
"If there is we shall see to it, we have the support of Spain if needed. We cannot rule on if's and maybe's. I refuse to. Scotland needs support and the Scots are as much our responsibility as the French are! Do you understand or is there anyone else who would like to question my decision?" Francis said strictly; all the nobles ushered "Yes you're Majesty" with their heads down.
On this odd occasion Narcisse felt obligated to help Scotland; it was his wife's country and she held much love and compassion for the miserable plot of land so he chose to speak directly to the Scottish nobles and Mary. "Are you in need of grain?"
Mary was taken back and looked a little shocked but soon recovered, as did Francis and Bash. "Scotland would be thankful for your help, Narcisse. Her soldiers will be in need of your grain."
"I shall make sure the war ships are packed full with grain as much as possible." Narcisse simply nodded. The nobles followed his compassion and expressed they would help Scotland as much as possible…Hopefully England soon as well.
"As much as I like the kind exchanges…" Lord Duncan smiled to the French Nobles. "We still need to discuss the most important part which is delivering the Queen to the English throne…" Lord Duncan said as if it was the most obvious and soul purpose of the revolution.
"The Queen shall travel overseas when her place on the English throne is secured." Francis said with Authority but only received humours and glances as if it was a ridiculous idea.
"I dunna think that's what they thought M'King." Jeffery muttered, Bash jabbed him in the ribs to silence him only for Jeffery to whisper but loud enough for everyone to hear. "It's true lad"
"Excuse me saying you're Majesty, but the Queen must come with us. She must claim the throne, we can supply all the soldiers and fight as long as we have to but Queen Mary must declare it politically and speak to her cousin, as well as the Priest of the Church of England and the court." Lord Duncan said.
"The English court already believes Elizabeth isn't the right ruler of England, won't the revolution speak for Mary?" Francis argued and the French court nodded in agreement; they didn't want to lose their Queen.
"I am going. I think you forget that I am Queen of Scotland and I must go. To save her from more bloodshed and possibly claim England. I'm ruler of France and Scotland; soon to be England if all goes well." Mary addressed the French nobles.
"And if not?" Francis asked knowing the answer which involved an axe and a block of wood. Mary only looked coldly at him.
"It won't come to that." Lord Duncan said. "We need a pantomime diversion to secure Her Grace's safety."
"Elizabeth will immediately go to where Mary is traveling when she hears of the invasion; holding her captive. So we need as much soldiers surrounding the carriage as we can risk" Lord Comyn said.
"As much as you can risk?! She's your Queen!" Francis snapped.
"Lord Comyn didn't mean it like that…" Mary snapped.
"STOP!" Annabel shouted bringing attention to herself. "Apologies you're Majesties…"
"Go on." Francis gritted his teeth at the idea of Mary leaving and possibly dying.
"I agree with Lord Duncan. We need a diversion so I think someone needs to take Mary's place in the carriage disguised as her leading Elizabeth on a hunt with no game." Annabel crossed her arms smiling at her idea. "Mary you would have to be where they least expect the Queen of Scotland and France, as the French court have made clear, on a warship below decks under protection there."
"A warship isn't much better; she could get blown to pieces." Francis held his head at the thought.
"On a separate boat then or rowed to shore out of danger…Protected." Annabel said calmly.
"She would be in the heart of England! They would kill her as soon as they saw her!" Francis snapped.
"Francis." Bash said trying to calm his brother.
Annabel took control of the map on the table. "First company of war boats go in, eliminating most of the guards. Remember it's a shock invasion, most of Elizabeth's soldiers are at the Scottish boarder line. Mary is on the last warship to go in; escorted onto English soil to take the throne." Annabel said in glee as she explained it, shocked that all the men were listening.
"It could work but we need a distraction to limit the soldiers even more." Narcisse said.
"Lord Narcisse, you are listening aren't you?" Annabel said mockingly.
"The diversion would be someone in Mary's place in the carriage traveling in Scotland. Elizabeth should focus all of her energy on getting to the carriage! Las by your clever!" Lord Duffagen said.
"And what girl is going to risk their heads?" Francis asked trying to find a way to say no to the plan that sounded convincing.
"I will." Annabel said seriously.
"No you are not!" Mary glared. Realising all eyes were on her she dismissed the court so it was just her, Annabel, Francis, Bash as King's deputy and Jeffery as a family friend.
"Mary I must." Annabel said barely above a whisper however Mary's back was to her; Annabel didn't know if it was in anger or pain, neither were good either way.
"Your plan is clever undoubtedly, but how do I know you won't reveal the plan?" Francis asked but as soon as he saw his Sister in law's face he wasn't sure what answer he would get.
"I am the daughter of Mary De guise. I am a Scot at heart and I've spent most of my life seeing bloodshed and death of my friends. Do NOT doubt my loyalty to my Queen and Country. I may be a woman and I may be young but I have seen more travesty than you have in these Castle walls however vicious court can be." Annabel said fiercely and in that moment Bash knew where both Mary and Annabel got their boldness from; it was their mother.
"I do not doubt your love for your country not at all." Francis said calmly. "You're a kind girl and part of this family but it is a fact that the English will torture you. They'll do all they can to get the information out of you about the revolution, our plans, Mary's whereabouts…." Francis furrowed his eye brows as concern and stress covered every inch of his face it built up and then he lashed out like a viper. "The whole revolution would be on your shoulders! Can you honestly say hand on heart you wouldn't give away the plan?" Francis asked expecting a direct yes or no.
"Francis." Bash said as a brotherly warning.
"No I need to know. We are discussing my wife's life." Francis gestured to his wife who now was lost in thought beside him.
"He has to see it." Annabel addressed Jeffery. "They both do."
Jeffery's face saddened with concern. "Aye, Lass."
Francis was confused as of what the two Scot's meant and so was Bash as he un laced her dress; the two brother's looked at each other anticipating what to say or do. Mary now seemed scared. Scared of what she would see, what she would feel and why Jeffery's cheery smile seemed broken in two.
"You want proof of my loyalty, you don't want words." Annabel began to silently cry with honour as Jeffery unlaced her dress, Bash couldn't tell if it was pain or grief. "I understand why. I lost my only friend because of broken trust and it hurts like hell, so I understand your weariness. Hopefully what I show you…well, you'll see." Annabel turned around so her back was facing Bash, Mary and Francis while Jeffery just kept his head down standing beside Annabel.
Annabel heard Mary's sob of shock at the sight and the gasp of concern from Francis and Bash. What was hidden under Annabel's dress was not a slender soft back but one covered in whip lashes and burns, it was questionable as of how she survived such injuries. They seemed faint now like they'd been shaped into her skin like she was a canvas and it was the devil's painting but it wasn't unnoticeable.
"How?" Bash asked in shock and sadness.
"I was serving the commander at the convent, we served him every day but when he found out I was Mary's sister this is what he did. He took me to the camp and tried to get information but I didn't say a word. That's when I learnt how to fight…" Annabel spoke only above a whisper but with dignity.
"Annabel I'm so sorry…" Mary ran to her sister and embraced her. Placing her hands on her back knowing it was Annabel's relation to her that caused her pain.
"I did it for Scotland, for you." Annabel said.
"I'm sorry I doubted you, Annabel." Francis couldn't bear to look her in the eye.
"Don't pity me, Francis. I beg of you, that's the last thing I want, all I want is your trust."
"You have it and my friendship." Francis said with admiration.
"There has to be another way around this." Mary said with Authority but her eyes shone with fresh tears. "I've only just got you back, Annabel. I can't let it happen again…" Mary walked towards her sister; grasping each other's hands.
"You have to, Mary." Annabel said with defiance. "For Scotland, for France…For your Future…" Annabel nodded down to her stomach and it certainly didn't go unnoticed as Mary gave Annabel a tearful smile. "Your life is worth more than mine."
"It shouldn't be this way." Mary sounded angry.
"But it is, lass. The world is a cruel place. Do you want me to tell you the good part?" Jeffery asked as all attention was on him. "You can change it. You can make Scotland a better place." Jeffery said with a lion's heart. "Scotland believes in you."
Any good? I'm really enjoying writing this story and I hope you enjoy reading it. Any requests please let me know.
Last of all thank you for supporting this story I was really unsure it would be successful but it has been. THANK YOU! Love you all
Nancy345
