Chapter 11:
The port city of Leith was a one-week's ride from Winchester. Located in Northeastern Scotland, Leith had been the site of a great siege less than one year prior, where English and Scottish forces expelled the French soldiers occupying the region. While the siege was over, the city still bore many of its scars, including burned-down homes, hastily dug trenches and military barricades set up along the streets.
Perhaps the biggest scar, however, was the strained relationship between Scotland and France. It came as no surprise to the trio that Mary, Queen of Scots, was not particularly liked by the locals due to her French upbringing.
"Mon dieu," said Christine, examining the scenery, "I had no idea just how bad things had gotten here."
"The worst of the fighting occurred last summer," said Edge Master, "Though the French did ultimately leave peacefully."
"Right, so when Catherine de Medici failed to take the city by force, she re-established a foothold by implanting her daughter-in-law on the throne of Scotland."
"Whatever the case, it's a tenuous situation at best and we best keep our wits about us."
Following the directions provided by Crawley, the trio made their way to the home of Alastair Cox, where they were met by a small security force. Following a brief search, during which their weapons were confiscated, they were allowed upstairs. There, they were greeted by a heavy-set, bearded man in religious garb.
"Ah," said Alastair, "Welcome to Leith, m'friends. Thomas, is it? Allow me to apologize for all the security. Ye see, there is no shortage of people wantin' me dead and I canno' take any chances, aye?"
"Of course," said Thomas, handing over Crawley's note, "Crawley did mention that your writings tend to rub people the wrong way."
"Crawley, eh?" Alastair chuckled as he tossed the note aside, "Tell me, how is the old fruit?"
"He's, er, retired now – Living just outside of Winchester."
"Aye, good on him! Now, what can I do ye for?"
"We were hoping you could grant us an audience with Queen Mary," said Edge Master.
As Edge Master spoke, Alastair carefully examined the belt that hugged Christine's waist. Though her sword and scabbard had been confiscated, the grip that held the scabbard was visible.
"Thomas, my good man," he began, "Tell me; ye let your woman carry a sword?"
"Indeed, he does," said Christine, folding her arms, "Let me have it back so I can give you a demonstration."
Alastair laughed, "Ain't she a feisty one? Thomas, ye really need to keep that wife of yours in check, aye?"
Enraged, Christine opened her mouth to speak, but Thomas stepped in front of her in an attempt to diffuse the situation.
"Ahem," he said, "No one is controlling anyone. Look, we understand that you've interviewed Mary more than once. If she trusts you enough to let you talk to her, then perhaps you can convince her to speak with us? Please, we've come a very long way."
"Aye, the witch has summoned me to her palace on occasion. But I'm afraid tonight her hands are going to be tied."
"How so?" asked Edge Master.
"Word has it," began Alastair, "The wary Protestants of this fair city have had just about enough of ol' Mary and are plannin' a siege at Holyrood come sundown."
"Wait," said Thomas, "You mean a riot is being planned at Holyrood? You have to call it off!"
Alastair chuckled.
"Ye think I am behind it?" he said, "It's no secret I'm no fan of the woman, but I am a peaceful man at heart. Nay, this wheel's been in motion since the witch first arrived...And it is far too late to stop it now."
"Damnit," Thomas whispered to Edge Master, "What do we do now? If those rioters get to Mary before we do, we may lose the final piece!"
"Christine, is it?" Alastair said, turning everyone's attention back to him, "I'd recognize that accent of yours anywhere. We've had dozens of your kind comin' in from 'cross the sea in the last year – Refugees from Catherine's tyranny. In fact, many of 'em will be at the riot tonight. Can't blame 'em, given all the stories I've heard – The beatins', the lynchins' – Rest assured, Leith is the most welcomin' place to be!"
"Sure," said Christine, bitterly, "Unless you're a woman."
"I've nothin' against women," Alastair insisted, "I simply do no' believe they are fit to rule over man. The reigns of Catherine, Mary, Elizabeth are a grave insult in the eyes of our Lord. They must learn their place!"
Christine clenched her hand into a fist and pushed her way past Thomas. Before she could reach Alastair, however, Thomas placed his hand on her chest and held her back.
"Christine," he whispered, "Enough!"
"Yes, Christine," Alastair said with a smile, "Listen to your husband, hm?"
Christine sneered at Alastair before abruptly walking out the door and slamming it shut.
"Ahem," Edge Master, "I think it's best if we get going. Thomas?"
"Well now," said Alastair, "This has certainly been an amusing visit. If only I knew where Crawley finds his friends!"
As Thomas and Edge Master headed for the door, Alistair called out to Thomas one last time.
"Take heed, good sir," said Alastair, "Whatever happens at Holyrood tonight, know that we are witnessing history in the makin'; the beginning of the reformation!"
"Yeah?" said Thomas, "Well, I can't imagine this new era of yours will last for very long if we fail in our mission."
"Eh? Come again?"
"It's nothing, nevermind."
With that, Thomas stepped out the door.
Once the trio had their weapons back, they stepped out onto the street to contemplate their next move.
"That vile, wretched man!" spat Christine, "If only you had allowed me to…"
"Crawley did warn us about him," said Thomas, "Besides, we needed that man's help and the last thing I wanted to do was cause a scene!"
Christine sighed.
"I know," she said, "And I'm sorry. It's just, growing up as a noble, so much was expected of me just because of my gender – How to dress, how to behave, who to marry – Even now, it seems these expectations remain. I'm just tired of it all."
"You have nothing to apologize for. You are the strongest and most courageous woman I have ever met! You shouldn't allow some god-fearing zealot get the better of you, alright?"
"I suppose so. Thanks, Thomas."
"Good," Thomas turned to Edge Master, "What are we going to do about the final piece of the map? Speaking to Mary is now out of the question."
"The obvious solution would be to infiltrate the riot," suggested Edge Master, "Let the guards and rioters finish each other off while we sneak in and grab the tablet."
"It's a huge risk," Thomas noted, "Suppose Mary's forces prove far more formidable than the rioters anticipated. Or, the rioters figure out what we're planning and attack us? No matter what happens, bloodshed is inevitable."
"We don't even know when and where the rioters are gathering," added Christine.
"No," said Edge Master, "But there is a way for us to find out…"
Later that day, the trio headed for a pub located near the pier. The place was packed full of patrons and very raucous. Throughout the pub, patrons were drinking, fighting, or passed out on the floor.
"Well," Thomas quipped, "We certainly stand out."
"Most of the rioters will be lower-class French-speakers," explained Edge Master, "This place is as good as any to start inquiring."
"Let's just try not to get ourselves killed in the meantime, eh?"
"Actually, Thomas, do you think you can take our luggage upstairs while Christine and I ask around?"
"What? I, er…"
"Since you're so scared of getting killed."
Thomas sneered while Christine chuckled.
Once Christine and Edge Master finished paying for the room, Thomas did as he was instructed and carried their travel bags upstairs. At this time, it was unclear if the trio were even going to spend the night in Leith, but they needed a place to store their luggage nonetheless.
"Here we are," said Thomas, as he entered the room.
Thomas placed two heavy bags down on the bed, causing a number of items to tumble out, including his copy of Le Morte D'Arthur. As Thomas reached down and picked up the book, he examined the cover and sighed.
"We're so close now, mother," he whispered.
-Flashback-
In the large field under the night sky, two men stood watching as the flames cackled and rose in front of them. In the heart of the pyre, a long, wooden casket lay. One of the men was a teenaged Thomas who struggled to hold back tears. The older man was his father, Robert, a burly man with dark brown hair and matching beard.
"It's not fair, father," the young boy sobbed, "She was always there for me, but I never got to help her."
"It was her time," Robert explained, "There was nothing else we could have done."
Thomas said nothing more. For a moment, he stared at the burning casket in silence.
"My arm is getting worse," Robert said, "Soon, I will be no longer able to work at the docks. Lord Green has agreed to…"
"Father," began Thomas, "Please, there must be another way!"
"Thomas, I…"
"Have you no idea what that man has done? The kind of greedy snake that he is?"
"Boy, enough! I don't want to hear another word out of you! Right now, we've no other choice. He is giving us a place to live and an opportunity to work, and that is all that matters now."
Thomas shook his head slowly in frustration.
"In time," Robert continued, "You will learn to accept that life isn't always fair, but challenges like this are what make us stronger people…"
Thomas silently wiped his eyes and continued staring into the flames…
-End Flashback-
Thomas heard a noise that snapped him back to reality. When he turned to face the window, he spotted Alura standing mere feet away with her ringblade drawn.
"A pleasure seeing you here, Thomas," she said, "Oh, how I cannot wait to start the cutting! But first, you are going to take me to your friends and the tablets they possess. Or, were you really dumb enough to keep all three with you?"
Thomas smirked and folded his arms.
"You know," he began, "Edge Master told me all about your little organization. How they pluck orphans like you and Fenrir off of the streets and subject them to a lifetime of hardship."
Alura gnashed her teeth and gripped her ringblade tightly.
"Yes," Thomas continued, "He told me all about the beatings, the starvation, the indoctrination...And that was just the combat training. Don't even get me started on the punishments."
"You would do well to stop talking now," Alura warned.
"But then, one day, you receive a special request from the Queen Regent herself, Catherine de Medici. It seemed a simple job at first – Kill the heir to the Sorel estate and be on your way – But it turned out to be so much more. What she really sought was Sorel's map, the one he kept hidden in his office. In exchange for finding Excalibur, Catherine promised you and your Danish companion all the riches one could ask for; money, sanctuary, and most important of all, a chance to escape the wretched cult that raised you. I understand now why an assassin such as yourself would accept such a job."
"So, you and your miserable friends finally pieced together who it was who hired me, then?"
"It wasn't difficult. We had a full week's journey from Winchester to here to contemplate. Your backer would require access to a near-limitless wealth of riches, a valid reason for wanting the heir to the Sorel estate dead, and some kind of connection to Leith, where the final tablet lies. All signs pointed to Catherine."
"How does this help either of us?"
"I have intel that a riot is to take place tonight at Holyrood Palace - The very same place that Mary, Queen of Scots, is situated. Last I checked, Mary is your employer's daughter-in-law as well as her primary foothold in Scotland. It would be a damn shame if something terrible were to happen to her. I can't imagine Catherine would be in a good mood."
"You wish to propose an alliance?"
"Dispatching your men – Or rather, what's left of them – To Holyrood won't end well for them. After all, we've all seen how poorly they fare against just three individuals, just imagine an entire mob. However, by working together, we stand a far better chance of infiltrating the palace and saving the young Queen."
"Your tongue is almost as sharp as your blade, Thomas. Fine then, Fenrir and I will aid you in defending Holyrood. But do not think this alliance is permanent. Once the queen is secure, I will cut you and your friends' throats and claim what is rightfully mine."
"And I look forward to outwitting you yet again. But for now, keeping Mary alive is our focus."
Thomas held out his hand. Alura hesitated for a moment, and then shook it.
"Are you familiar with Alastair Cox?" said Thomas.
"All too well," Alura sneered.
"Good, meet us at his residence in one hour. I know he is hiding something, and we need answers."
"I'll be there," said Alura, before jumping out of the window.
"Well now," Thomas mused, "I'm going to have a fair bit of explaining to do Christine and Edge Master."