Chapter 29: Blood is Thicker then Water

Mary paced up and down the corridor outside her chambers impatiently. She stared into the room which had only months before been filled with so much joy and now was filled with the drowning screams of her infant son. Francis hurried up to the corridor and took Mary by the arms.

"We need to leave now!" He said urgently. "Plague has returned to Court. The west side is infected and it is spreading to the north quickly. The children are in the throne room behind the fire."

Francis tried desperately to drag Mary away who stared into the room as a maid tried to sooth the baby's screams.

"Charles! We can't leave him!" Mary said pulling Francis into the room. Francis stared in horror as if only realising his son was in pain, the large boils covering his skin told them instantly what was wrong.

"He has the plague your 'ighness!" The maid said crying her eyes out and trying to walk over to them but Francis drew his sword and pushed the sobbing Mary behind him.

"Stay away! I will not have you infecting the castle." Francis said and quickly he pushed Mary out of the room and locked the door the wailing of the maid and Charles coming from within.

"Charles!" Mary said trying to get past Francis.

"Mary leave! We must leave!" Francis said dragging Mary all the way to the throne room where she collapsed on the large, wooden throne.

"Mother?" Anne and James said running over to her and sitting by her heels resting they're arms on her lap.

"Children do not leave this room. Pass the fire and you may be infected also." Francis said as guards lined the walls bearing weapons and shields.

"What about Charles? Is he alright?" Anne asked but the cry that came from her mother answered her question before Francis could.

"He is ill. But I am sure the maids will do all they can do to save him. Plague takes everyone in its path. Sinner or not." Francis said placing a hand on Anne's shoulder and the tears wheeling up in his own eyes.

"Father." Anne said clutching her father's tunic and crying into his chest. "I don't want Charles to die."

"Neither do we darling."


The next week was almost unbearable for the royal family. Word had not yet came from the surrounding areas but from the windows they could see the attempts made to burn the plague out. Food had been delivered regularly to Charles' chambers along with the maid but no one was brave enough to enter in case the two were not yet deceased and they caught the plague themselves. So for the while they were to leave the room locked and guarded with constant supply of food and water.

Anne, James and Hugo had been especially bored, the initial fear now draining out of them as they pent their hours reading and eating inside the small confides they shared. Francis had left the room many times and each time Mary feared the worst for her son and husband.

Mary herself had cried almost everyday as the grief consumed her. Kenna and Bash's daughter Catherine had died only the day before last and apparently their new born had perished not long after. They had arrived at Court taking the path through the woods hopeful to not pass any villages on their quest for refuge in Court. They were being kept in a private chamber although Kenna was not in the right state of mind to care for her remaining children so she was granted a separate chamber near the church to pray and grieve over her lost children.

"Mother when may this plague be over. I am simply so bored I think I must throw in the towel!" James said climbing onto his mothers lap and using a new phrase his governess had taught her before the plague arrived and she died in her family home.

"Soon my pet. Soon." Mary said stroking his hair and resting his head on her shoulder.

"When the plague is gone mother may we visit Charles? It is just I miss him so and it is not the same without him around. I am almost missing his tantrums he would have in the middle of the night. I simply do not understand why we must share quarters so close together." Anne complained.

"You my be able to visit your brother once Francis returns with news on his health. But I know he will make it." Mary had chosen the unrealistic route of pretending Charles was still alive so she could remain strong for Anne, James and Hugo.

"Thank you mother. I'll say an extra prayer tonight for him and his health." Anne said going over to the window and picking up her rosary beads and clenching them in her fist before sitting on her knees in front of Francis' throne.

"Good girl Anne. You will make a fine queen someday." Mary said. "Always keep your faith even when it seems useless."

Anne gave her a smile before scrunching her eyes closed again and returning to her prayers.