Greer stood in the Great Hall holding her mask to her face and glanced around the room. She'd noticed the exchange between Mary, Francis and Tomas and though she was concerned for Mary when Tomas seemed to change her mind was on other things. And that thing approached her wearing a footman's costume and took her arm turning her to face the windows instead of the room. "Is there anything you need my lady?" he said smiling enthusiastically. "Keep your voice down! You're a kitchen boy! If anyone finds you here you'll be flogged!" Greer said in a raised whisper. Leith removed his mask and looked at her moving closer. "Did you leave this costume in my room or didn't you?" he asked a little perturbed. "Yes, but we have to be discreet." She replied moving to stand behind a wall. "My family is depending on me to bring home a title and lands, to marry someone better than Me." she added sounding somewhat frustrated. "Why not just celebrate Michaelmas?" Leith said. "What does that even mean?" Greer asked. "Saint Michael. He slew Lucifer who sowed vanity, pride and shame, which is why we wear these masks." he took her hands in his. "So on this day, no one's better than anyone else. We're all the same." he finished, smiling. Greer couldn't help but smile at Leith's excuse. It was a good one. And frankly she was tired of waiting for the "right suitor" to come along. She moved closer and wrapping her arms around his neck kissed him then and there.
Sophia had accompanied Mary to search for the witness while Shaina stayed behind to wait for Bash and Francis' return. She'd noticed Shaina acting strange when she'd returned from the grounds, but there was no time to talk. Sophia was glad she'd taken some riding lesson's back home or she might've been in trouble. They rode through the surrounding fields and forests till they reached a certain clearing in the midst of a nearby forest. There some guards had brought the woman who they'd found trying to leave town as quickly as she could. Mary dismounted followed by Sophia and walked up to the woman asking her why she would lie. "What lies! Why would I?" I'd say for the money to buy that new cloak and those new boots, and to get a ride out of town on that vegetable cart." Mary replied. The woman lowered her head and Sophia noticed a bruise on the side of her face. Mary noticed it to and softened her gaze reaching out to move the woman's hair aside for a better look. "And for this. To make him stop hitting you." the woman didn't look at Mary. "I got that from a patron." Mary sighed getting frustrated again. "When I signed your statement, you said that you saw Simon clearly. His face, his clothes, his medallion. What was the color of the rose on his medallion?" The woman looked as if she couldn't remember. "I'll make it easy for you. Was it red or white?" The woman looked up. "It was white, the seal of the English crown." Mary sighed. "Simon's seal is different from England's. His rose is red." The woman just looked worried and frightened again. "Please leave me be. I'm so scared." Sophia knew Mary's patience was growing thin. "The king will have your head for your lies. But he may show you mercy if you tell me who made you lie, and tell me now." Sophia put a hand on the woman's arm. "Oh. He swore he would kill me." she looked as if she were going to cry. "He wasn't lying if he's who I think he is." replied Mary. "Just tell me this. Would you know this man if you saw him again?" The woman nodded hesitantly and Sophia sighed with relief. "Get her on a horse. We don't have much time." Mary said to the guards. Sophia turned and mounted her horse followed by the others.
Tomas walked through the woods trying to find the best spot to pick of his servant. If Francis found whatever proof he thought he had it was best that the trail end with Miguel. Then he could feign innocence as if his servant acted alone. "You're sure the prostitute left the village?" Tomas said stepping over a fallen tree. His sword was sheathed and he carried his bow on his shoulder, the quiver strapped to his back. "I gave her the extra gold, like you said." came Miguel's reply from behind Tomas. "I told her to leave today or you would visit her again." Tomas concealed an evil smile. He did enjoy his little conversation with the wench. "Good. You have served me well, Miguel. I'll always remember." He could hear Miguel's step faltering. He continued walking a few feet. "I'll make sure your family remembers, too." he added turning to face the servant. "My family?" Miguel asked looking confused. And slightly concerned. "Well, you understand you can't serve me while you still live." Tomas replied with a wave of his hand. "My Lord, please!" Miguel begged putting his hands together in a pleading gesture. "It's not "My Lord" anymore." He pulled the bow off his shoulder and began to string an arrow. "It's "Your Majesty", because, thanks to you, I'm going to be a king." he said pulling the bow sting back.
Francis and Bash followed the trail until they had to dismount their horses because they couldn't ride further. They dismounted and hurried through the woods cutting down brush and jumping over logs as they went. Francis stopped and motioned for Bash to do the same when he heard voices. "We're close." he whispered. Then a few yards away he saw movement and heard Tomas' voice. "It's "Your Majesty," because thanks to you I'm going to be king." Francis saw Tomas' bow drawn back an arrow on string. "No!" Francis cried. Tomas immediately swung around and saw them causing Francis and Bash to hunker down behind a fallen tree stump so they wouldn't be hit by his arrow. But Tomas didn't fire for Francis cried "Run Miguel!" at which Miguel ran and Tomas swung back around releasing his arrow. It hit Miguel, but not fatally, only knocking him down. Tomas notched another arrow, but his attention turned behind him as he heard Bash and Francis running towards him. But he only got a chance to turn around for Bash knocked his bow aside with his sword then held it up to Tomas' chest.
Bash really wanted to run Tomas through right then and there, but Francis ran up to him. "Don't kill him. We need his confession." Bash nodded. "I'm trying very hard not to." he said as Francis ran to Miguel. Bash just stared hard at the prince waiting for him to make a move so Bash had a reason to at least hurt him a little. "Miguel! You're alive." he heard Francis say as he helped the servant. "Don't worry, we can get this arrow out." Miguel didn't look relieved. "I'm afraid of him." he said. Francis looked back at Bash and Tomas. Bash glanced at his brother and then all of a sudden his sword was knocked aside by Tomas'. Bash fought back his wound pulling against the stiches as he swung his sword to block Tomas' blows. Sweat beads formed on his brow and he could feel the little strength he had ebbing from him. Parry and strike then block and swing. Then he felt himself just defending the prince's blows before he was knocked to the ground. He rolled and then laid there holding his side. He felt the warm, sticky presence of blood on the bandage and groaned.
Francis saw Tomas swing his sword knocking Bash's aside and then they began to fight. Francis took his bow and notched an arrow trying to get a clear shot, but the men were moving in between the trees and he couldn't get a clear shot. When Bash fell to the ground Francis drew his sword and rushed to face the Prince. Anger was fueling his blows and he wasn't concerned about chivalry either. Bash was lying on the ground still alive thankfully, but he was panting hard his strength not fully returned. Francis swung hard and Tomas had to move a little further and regain his stance. They circled a few steps and then Francis rushed at the prince again. Tomas met him in the middle and they were closing the distance with each blow coming face to face at times. Francis spared a glance at Bash who leaned against a tree for support closing his eyes as he grunted in pain. Francis and Tomas circled again. "You're going to lose." Tomas said panting in between sentences. "You never learned how to take like a bastard learns." he added hostility and arrogance in voice. "Take a crown, take a woman, take a life! You can't do it!" he cried swinging downward with his sword. It clashed with Francis' and after a few quick blows and steps Francis was pushed against a tree dazing him a little. Next thing he knew Bash threw his dagger as Tomas had picked up the bow and drew back another arrow. It knocked the bow out of his hands and Francis rushed the prince using his own dagger pressing the point against Tomas' throat. "If you kill me, you'll have war." he said panting. "But if you let me go with Mary, you'll have peace."
Bash watched the second exchange between his brother and Tomas. He hoped he would live to see the end. His side felt like it was on fire and he was weak from his brief fight with Tomas. This exchange proved to be slightly more heated than the first. Once Francis got the upper hand with a little help from Bash's dagger skills it was a battle of words again. "When they take off your head, I'll remember the men you killed. And Mary." Francis ended his sentence with a provoking word and when Tomas went for his dagger Francis knocked his hand aside and plunged his dagger into Tomas' chest. The Prince choked and then fell to the forest floor dead. Bash watched, slightly taken aback, as his brother faltered a bit before turning to him and tossing away the dagger held out a hand to Bash. "Can you ride?" he asked his outstretched hand trembling. "We need to get back before they execute Simon." Bash took Francis' hand and with a few grunts managed to stand. He could feel the emotion coming from his brother. "Killing isn't supposed to be easy. If your hands weren't shaking, you'd be him." Francis looked to Tomas before they turned and made their way back to their horses.
Shaina nervously waited for either Bash and Francis or Mary to return with evidence of Tomas' deeds as she watched them prepare for the execution. Kenna, Lola, Greer and Ailee stood beside her as they watched Henry appear with guards and Catherine. They watched as the king and queen exchanged words and Henry turned toward the table with drinks while Catherine continued forward with the guards. "What's going on?" Ailee asked. "It's time for Simon's head to come off." Lola said. "Where's Mary?" asked Ailee. "Where are Francis and Bash?" Shaina added. "They're going to be too late." Kenna said. A few agonizing minutes passed when Francis burst in the room followed by a handful of guards. "Make way!" All eyes were on them and the girls sighed in relief. "Here's your spy." He said as two guards dropped the body of Tomas in front of them. "We have witnesses." Shaina smiled when she saw Sophia behind Mary as they walked in. "Two of them." Mary stated. Then Shaina's smile faltered when she saw Bash holding his side looking a little pale. He was holding Miguel who looked wounded as well.
Mary watched as Simon visibly relaxed knowing he was in the clear. She spared a glance towards Francis who looked relieved as well albeit for a different reason she was sure. "The feast is hereby cancelled. We must sort out this misunderstanding." King Henry said. All the various guests left the Great Hall whispering amongst themselves at this turn of events. Mary excused herself so she could change out of the costume into something more comfortable and be alone with her thoughts.
Sophia scanned the exiting crowd for Lord Julien but she couldn't find him in the sea of masks and bright costumes as the guest flooded out of the Great Hall. She'd felt so at ease with him, but that had been how her previous relationships had started out so she was still somewhat reserved. She had to admit she was starting to find pleasure living in whatever time period she was in and it worried her slightly.
Shania followed Bash out of the Great Hall as he handed Miguel off to the guard and headed in the direction of what Shaina assumed was his chambers. "Bash are you alright?" She asked catching up with him before he turned the corner. He stopped and plastered a smile on his pale face. "Nothing a few more stitches and a bandage won't fix." Shaina frowned and pushed aside his hand examining the wound. "I'm taking you to Nostradamus before that gets infected." She stated matter of factly. "I'm fine..." she put a finger to his lips and taking his hand led him to the infirmary.
The next morning they were all assembled in the Great Hall to hear the news on the entire debacle. "Well Lord Westbrook, are you pleased that England has made you their new envoy to Portugal?" King Henry asked from his throne one the dais. Francis leaned toward Bash smiling smugly. "He's pleased Portugal paid him a king's ransom to stay quiet about what Tomas did to him." Shaina was standing with Sophia across the room next to Ailee, Lola, Kenna and Greer, but she saw the small exchange and thanks to her talent of reading lips she saw what was said as well. She covered her mouth with her hand to hide her smile as Bash met her gaze from across the room. "Well, with respect, I am pleased to be leaving here alive, Majesty." Simon replied. "Please thank Portugal's King for the sacrifice of his son Tomas, who gave his life to protect our son from a stag's horns while hunting." Catherine stated sounding as mournfully grateful as she could. Sophia managed not to roll her eyes at the obvious lie. How people managed a conscience in French court she didn't know. "As to the vile rumors Tomas plotted against France, tell the king we will ignore them if he will accept our sentiments." Henry added.
Francis lowered his gaze to the floor concealing a small smile as his parents managed to cover up and smooth over the incident that could've resulted in war with Portugal, England or both. "Since Portugal's King had no knowledge of any plot, I'm confident he will accept." Simon nodded to Henry. "The matter will be forgotten by all of us. And history, too, no doubt." Simon bowed to the King and Queen then turned and walked away passing by Mary and the others. He stopped as Mary stepped towards him. "You surprised me Majesty. Most royals won't admit to making a mistake, let alone save a man's life to fix it." He said. "Well, I hope that saving your life wasn't my second mistake." Mary replied with a slight nod of her head. Simon gave a small smile as he continued walking toward the back of the room. Francis watched as Mary however walked towards the throne. She curtsied as King Henry spoke. "Mary, Queen of Scots, Francis is pleased to reinstate our marriage treaty with your country. As soon as..." Mary straightened and smiled. "Thank you, Your Grace. Scotland is pleased as well." Francis watched as his mother seemed to be a little nervous. "Especially since, this time you and my uncle will be allowing me to guide negotiations." Mary finished. The crowd gasped and murmured while a smile lit up Francis' face.
Shaina watched as Francis admired Mary from where he was standing across from them. Bash glanced from Francis' proud smile to a confidant Mary standing in the middle of court with a smile of his own on his face. He caught Shaina's eye and winked at her. She smiled in return focusing her attention back to Mary. "Oh, for the love!" Catherine exclaimed. "Mary, I don't think..." Henry interrupted exchanging a look with Catherine. "In the view of the role Scotland played in resolving your troubles with Portugal, and in preventing the wrongful execution of a diplomat, we not only staved off war with England, but also spared our ally France considerable embarrassment." Shaina watched as Henry didn't look to happy at Mary's speech. Kenna touched Shaina's arm and smiled at her proud of Mary's boldness and wit. "Which is why I'm sure you will want to improve the terms, committing enough strength to keep your ally safe against England." Mary held her head up as she ended her speech. Francis watched his fiancé, a ghost of a smile on his face as pride shone from his eyes. Bash watched his half-brother fall more in love with the woman he thought he could never marry.
Mary waited silently for King Henry's reply as she felt all eyes on her. Finally King Henry nodded. "Yes, of course." he said. Mary inclined her head to the king. Then as he spoke she turned to the servant holding the book containing the terms of the treaty and smiled when Greer took it from him and stood beside her Queen as she opened it. "Let's continue. As to the matter of lands for your dowry, there is Scottish crown property which France finds of interest." Sophia watched from her place beside Greer's empty spot as Francis didn't bother concealing the smile crossing his face as he started to chuckle at the faces a few of the nobles, including his parents, were making at the scene unfolding in front of them. Sophia turned to Ailee and Lola who were watching with wide eyes and smiles as well. "She is a fine Queen." Sophia whispered to her new friends. "That she is." Lola replied.