King Henry is back in the country by the end of September, and I've visited all the Torchwoods in the south. I'm still avoiding the north, and there aren't any Torchwoods in Wales yet. Maybe I should suggest that to the King. Anyway, I'm back in London, and Thomas is waiting for me at the very first Torchwood I visited. "How did your visits to the other Torchwoods go?" He asks when he and Lucy meet me after I settle in.
"They went well, but Dover was even worse about getting women and hybrids in than this branch."
"What happened?"
"The leader there killed me, but I came back to life. You can imagine the shock he felt."
Thomas and Lucy start laughing, and I join in, too. "Did you give him a good thrashing for that?" Lucy asks.
"Absolutely. He never made that mistake again, but he still resisted the changes. He wouldn't listen to me, so I might have to go back down soon to sort that out."
"Would you like us to come with you?"
"No, I'm sure I can do it alone, but thank you for the offer. Besides, you two are needed here. We don't want to go to Dover and sort out the changes there, only to return and find the others overthrew you both."

King Henry calls me back to Court a few days later, and I leave Torchwood feeling confident. King Henry must have found a new leader if he's calling me back. I am riding on my own, with my entourage a little further back. Riding alone helps me think, and I will not get that opportunity when I return to Court. Maybe I can see if I can do some riding when the Queen or King next lets me leave. However, I have no place to call home, so the best thing I can do is stay with Court for the next few decades.

When I finish settling in, King Henry settles for me. I curtsey as soon as I see him. "Please rise, Mistress Smith-White. How was your journey?"
"It was safe," I say. "How was your campaign?"
"It went very well. I had hoped we would reach Paris, but I guess it was not meant to be. How is Torchwood coming along?"
"They are doing well now. Under my supervision, most of the branches have accepted both women and human hybrids as employees. Dover, however, was not accepting the changes you want to put in place."
King Henry slams his hands on the table. I flinch but try to control my reactions. I won't let King Henry see that he is scaring me. "The fools!" He shoves some of his papers onto the floor. "I am trying to make Torchwood an organisation England can be proud of. They should accept everyone they can rather than turn away hopeful young people. They should be ashamed of themselves!"
"I agree, Your Majesty, but they will not listen to me. Perhaps they would listen if I had a figure of authority with me under your orders."
"But they were supposed to listen to you! I am no closer to finding a potential replacement, so I want you to keep an eye on Torchwood for the time being."
"But I—"
"I know you want to serve the Queen, but I'm afraid that is impossible right now. Torchwood needs a leader."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

I only get a day at Court in the end. It's enough time to catch up with my parents and friends but not enough time for me to settle in. "Please come back soon," Catalina says when she sees me the following day in her bedchamber. She is still recovering from her miscarriage after the battle. Her brown eyes are full of unshed tears, and she blinks them back. She has ordered her ladies to light a fire in the room, offering warmth and light. The glow from the flames shines on the golden stitching on her dress. "We all miss you."
"I will come back as soon as the King will allow me. I'm afraid that is the best I can do. While Torchwood doesn't have a leader, the King wants me to lead them."
"I can understand that, but I wish that were not the case."
"I know, but it's for the best."

I am about to head back to Torchwood when King Henry catches up with me. "Mistress Emma, I think I found a suitable replacement!" I stop my horse and climb down, so I'm on solid ground again.
"Your Majesty, that's great. Who is he?"
"He was a soldier in my army and enthusiastic about anything he set his mind to. I told him about Torchwood and the challenges we are facing, and he is looking forward to learning more."
"That's great. What's his name?"
"John Smith—and yes, I already checked, and he is not the Doctor."
"Did he pull that "John Smith" persona with you as well?"
"He did, yes. Does he always use it?"
"It seems like it, yes."
"Well, he does not know how to read or write, so I will leave it in your capable hands to teach him."
"I will do my best to be a proper tutor for him."
"That is the best we can ask of you. You must also teach him about aliens and the sort of problems he should expect, but you should be back by the end of the year."
"That's great. I can't wait to spend more time here. I hadn't realised how much I would miss court until I was at Torchwood." King Henry leaves soon after, and I climb back on my horse and make my way to Torchwood. Thankfully, John will meet me at my favourite branch of Torchwood, so Thomas and Lucy can help me. I'll probably need all the help I can get, as how John does as a leader will reflect on me.