Here is the next chapter thanks again for all to reviewers!
Map Of The Problematique Part 1:
Fear and Panic in the Air
I want to be free from desolation and despair.
-Muse- Map of The Problematique
The next morning (not exactly because the sun had not even rose yet) I woke up to Thomas shaking me awake.
"Harry," He whispered.
I groaned and pulled the covers over my head. It was still dark in the room I was not getting up.
"It's deathly early unless it's a dire emergency," I began.
Then I heard a loud knocking on the door interrupting my train of thought.
"Harry Wolsey's been banging on the door for one hour. It is an emergency."
Wolsey at my door at this deathly hour? This had to be bad.
"Open the door for him."
Thomas hastily ran to the door and opened it. Wolsey was a mess. The man couldn't keep his eyes opened and to make things worse he…was only in his breeches? Yes that image scarred me for life.
"I'm sorry to disturb you at this unholy hour but-" He began before I interrupted him.
"God Dammit Wolsey put some bloody clothes on."
Thomas couldn't help but giggle.
"THIS IS NO JOKE…. THE SWEATS HAVE BROKEN OUT IN LONDON! The Mortality rate alone is high at least 1000 of your people were dead within the hour."
I froze. Thomas crossed himself and winced. He started to worry about his
Children the three who were home in Chelsea and his daughter Meg who was in somewhere in London with her husband William. I actually didn't question Wolsey because I found it odd that Compton and William Carey would catch the same disease within hours of each other.
I got out of bed and walked next to Thomas.
"What do you suggest we do Wolsey? Should we break up court as soon as possible?"
Wolsey didn't respond. He just put his arm on his neck and just moaned in pain. Thomas and I looked at each other and started to step backwards. We knew what this meant.
"Oh my neck."
That was the last thing Wolsey said before collapsing onto the floor and starting to writhe in pain. Wolsey was a bit chubby so it made a loud thump. The writhes became spasms and it was as though Wolsey was the devil. Cromwell (this would be the beginning where we'd see more of him) came in not a second after Wolsey hit the ground.
Thomas once again crossed himself.
"SOMEONE FETCH A DOCTOR!" Cromwell yelled.
Thomas and I were holding each other in fear. Wolsey couldn't die! I mean yes Wolsey was a jackass don't get me wrong, but no matter how much he was against it he always stood by me. He was my most diligent servant! Who the hell would replace him?
As I shivered in fear I wondered who was to be Wolsey's successor as morbid as it sounded. Usually the Lord Chancellor was a clergyman, but I was living in a changing time. With the rise of Humanism, religion became a secondary aspect of government. The Chancellor had to be someone who was keen in government. I also needed someone unlike Wolsey was a people person. Someone who had a good heart. Above all I needed someone I could trust.
My eyes gazed from Wolsey's suffering body to Thomas More. He was after all, the man who taught me everything I needed to know about politics. Almost everyone who met him loved him. Above all out of everyone in parliament I trusted Sir Thomas More the most. Yes I had it if god forbid Wolsey died from any cause; Thomas More was to be his successor.
"Well Sir Thomas," I said, "since it seems like some people in court have caught the sweats."
Thomas looked at me as if I was 12 years old again.
"No Really Harry," He said sarcastically.
"Well what should we do?"
I was testing his ability to know what to do in crisis.
"Um, I think we should split up the court have each member go back to their estates away from the outbreak until the plague is over and Harry you are welcome to stay with Katherine and I because all your palaces are close to London. "
Okay He would make a great Lord Chancellor.
"Thank you Sir Thomas...Hey you," I said and then pointed at Cromwell who was dumbstruck looking at the writhing Wolsey on the floor.
Cromwell jumped at that.
"You're pointing at me your Majesty?" He said.
Hard to believe one of my most trusted advisors, started out a timid and stupid weak-link.
"No I am pointing at the pope…OF COURSE I AM POINTING AT YOU MR. Crum is it?"
Cromwell started shaking.
"Cromwell sir."
"Whatever I like Crum better, now I want you to do a really big favor?"
Cromwell smiled because I trusted him enough for him to do a very important job.
"Anything your majesty."
"I want you to go to all my top advisors, tell them to leave London immediately, I also want you to send a messenger to Ludlow Castle to check on my daughter. I am leaving immediately for Chelsea to the More estate so I won't be back when you finished what I asked you to do so send all messages to there."
Cromwell bowed again.
"Yes your majesty."
And with that Cromwell disappeared. It was just the beginning to his rise in government.
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Thomas and I waited for a doctor to tend to Wolsey, which didn't take that long. We didn't even pack anything we just ran into Katherine's bedchamber. Thomas first ran over to Agnes' cradle (they brought her along) and lifted the blanketed bundle. She made a little squeak.
"SHHH," Thomas cooed, "Harry would you hold Agnes while I wake up Katherine."
He handed me my goddaughter. I had to admit I had a real soft spot for babies. They were cute and lucky they had no idea what was coming for them. Everyone loved them even if they broke your favorite vase. And the best part they were easily amused. So I did what I usually did when I entertained Mary was a baby. I bounced her around.
Thomas walked over to Katherine. He was in for it. Katherine was not all a morning person being woken up from a deep sleep. Thomas softly shook her.
"Katherine honey you have to get up," He said.
Katherine groaned.
"Mi amor do you even know what time it is?" She asked, "The sun has not even risen yet unless it's some dire emergency please let me go back to sleep."
Thomas sighed.
But then I thought:
WAIT A MINUTE! KATHERINE NEVER CALLED ME MI AMOR!
Before I can ponder more into this situation Thomas said something in Katherine's ear. The next thing we knew she sprung out of bed.
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It was like war amongst England had broken out. As Katherine, Thomas and I ran through the hallways to our prepared litter couples were running. No one said a word to each other we all just passed by and hope that when this is over we were alive and well. The only person I attempted to communicate with was my Sister and Brandon as we passed by them. But Margaret was in hysterics for the sake of her unborn child. So Charles just smiled. It seemed kind of way of saying don't worry we are going to make it out of this alive. As we exited the Castle and into the litter I wondered whether Compton was going to be the first person of my loved ones who will not make it out of this alive.
And then a bad feeling rushed over me I had a bad feeling something was going to happen to Anne.
Cliffhanger I know I suck. But I have good news. After watching the first episode of season three I have just confirmed, that shall be a sequel to PERKS! Yes that is right. And You'll be shocked onto who will make it to Perks 2!