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And so Cecily makes a choice she will probably regret later...here's hoping there is no 'out, out damned spot' madness in store for her.
This scenario is much the point in War and Peace as well...is ambition worth the risk?
Perhaps the better choice really is to be 'country folk' and try not to grasp for the Kingship...
...but this is Dick and Cecily.
Richard of York believed in the Plantagenate blood, the divine right to rule that year by year ordained good governance of England. It has eluded him before, but that's no matter...tomorrow he will run faster, stretch out his arms farther, and one fine morning...
So he beats on, boat against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
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I think the problem is that Henry is unwilling to actually take on his wife or a powerful Lord...and he knows it.
Even if he knows the truth, he may be personally too afraid of the things he must do to solve the problem.
And now we see the perils of self deception. To take down only Somerset and not the Queen is a 'small hurt'.
The queen must also go for peace and good governance...but that means killing Henry as well...but no one really sees this yet.
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Welcome to human nature. As a rule, we almost never look critically at our self. To do so invites others to be your master.
I am indeed enjoying this (if it wasn't obvious from my spamming of comments as I progress), and was enjoying it when you started 17 years ago.
I know well the feeling of enjoying what you write being the main motivation for getting things out there. I was just able to finally resolve the early chapter dream sequence for Ian...THAT chapter has been living in my head for literal years. It truly is astonishing the pleasure we get as writers to craft things and get them organized and shared out for other's enjoyment.
Here's to 73 more pages of this epic until I'm caught up!
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Henry knows what's up...and knows himself incapable of being ruthless enough to take on his wife.
He is almost surprised that Dick is unwilling to take the logical step.
It's a bit hilarious, really. Henry would probably welcome the death of his wife...but he can't SAY that...and Richard is too devoted to the loyal puppetmaster role to realize that killing the queen is the play desired by nearly everyone at this moment.
Heck, Henry probably wouldn't protest too strongly...and the infant heir loses much of his protective legitimacy if it is solely under Henry's protection. York decisively wins.
But he is leaving Margaret alive...
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Oh man...the actual reality of Feudal 'breeding'...
There is a reason that CK reddit has memes about people asking about horrible things they can do in the game...
With that said, it was a tough read but not overly so. To me the tougher read was the wikipedia page for Margaret talking about what happens to this married couple in the next year...and that Margaret would be heading to another husband quite soon after this one.
Just...yeah. I'm very much with Tolstoy on the subject of aristocratic ambition. The things you have to do to gain a kingship are...really...horrifying.
No wonder Henry is having such a tough time being King.
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Ah, a true professional...knows the game, but plays his own game.
Compare and contrast this guy with the ambitious nobles back in England.
If only Dicky had listened to Cecily and Henry and actually handled the Queen when he had a chance...
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@TheExecuter @coz1's Talbot was an awesome character. This age lacks enough folks like him.
Rensslaer
Oooh....very nice little subtle turn. I love the writing choice. Before this you feel only the flattery...but here, right here, you start to feel the knife.
....and the game is revealed.
Pretty good work by Margaret.
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Interesting contrast here between the experienced Lord who is complacent because he hasn't actually been experiencing the full horrors of what is coming...and the younger mother who has been dealing with it already and clearly sees that she needs to be prepared...but is being dismissed because she is 'young'...
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Wahey! A noble who is dealing in reality...
...a rare breed for a man with some power in this story.
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I must truly thank you, @TheExecuter for the outstanding reactions to the work! Thank you so much for reading through this now very long work. I am loving the read and truly enjoying the response to the story so far!
Thank you also to those engaging with some now long since been posted work. It proves you remember it. A true compliment!
I'm still not really writing because the Ringo Kid is keeping me well tasked. But it has been a minute since I added to the story, so let us get another scene...
[And do not forget to vote, if you have not, for the latest ACAs! One more time - do not feel need to vote for this work (such that it has been this last quarter), but please do support those works and writAARs that you enjoy!]
Thank you also to those engaging with some now long since been posted work. It proves you remember it. A true compliment!
I'm still not really writing because the Ringo Kid is keeping me well tasked. But it has been a minute since I added to the story, so let us get another scene...
[And do not forget to vote, if you have not, for the latest ACAs! One more time - do not feel need to vote for this work (such that it has been this last quarter), but please do support those works and writAARs that you enjoy!]
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Warwick Castle, July 1466
The Earl of Warwick stood to the ramparts and his eyes twinkled while he watched the progress arrive to his keep. It was royal, though not the banners of the King. Slapping the stone wall in anticipation, he began to shout orders and moved to find his wife. Countess Anne was to the solar with their daughters and looked up with curiosity, “Why such excitement, husband?”
Richard Neville sat next to her on the settle and kissed her cheek, “Today we woo a Prince, my Lady. Let us be smart about it.”
Anne looked to Isabel and her namesake second daughter, “They remain so young. And does the King not still say no?”
“The King be not here, my darling,” Warwick grinned once more, “There is naught he may do while to Orleans.”
She frowned, “You be careful.”
Warwick stood and smiled to his children, “Let us all be careful. Girls...go and pretty yourselves. For a suitor does arrive.”
Dutifully, both Isabel and Anne gave nod and ran off to do as said. The Countess remained concerned, “It is not proper to tease them, sir. Though young, they are both quite eligible and a suggested match should be one that may be had and not one denied already.”
“You worry too much, my dear,” Warwick kissed her again, “Now...let us see to the feasts while our guest is here. Make certain that he receives the finest rooms. I shall task Wenlock with the arrival.”
She was still not sure but did as asked. Some time later, Baron Wenlock entered the solar and announced, “My Lord. The Duke of Clarence. He holds wish to see you.”
“Of course he does,” Warwick stood and smiled, “Please let us send him in.”
Prince George entered the solar and immediately offered a hardy clasp of the arm, “Good cousin! You are too removed from court! I had to come and see to you.”
“Glad I am of it, sir,” the Earl offered a bow, “We are all honored.”
George wasted little time and shifted to pour himself a cup of wine, “Was on the way in return to Ludlow and could not pass up the chance.”
“Of course not,” Warwick replied, “Yet does your Lady mother the Queen know that you are here?”
“And that should be a matter of interest to her?” the young Prince turned with wink.
Warwick joined him and poured his own wine, “We both know that Queen Cecily is exacting. She would have her finger to every pie.”
“Yet mine is not for the eating,” George answered as he sat by the hearth, “Besides...she is more concerned with Dickon’s raising and seeing to it that Ed and his bride find issue.”
The Earl found a chair and sat with a pout, “Oh, Georgie...the poor middle child. Tell me not that you find neglect.”
“What may one call it?” the young Prince began to vent his frustration, “I am named Lord Lieutenant of Ireland yet I may not go to there. I am now seven and ten and yet hold no more duties but to throw feasts for Black William and his sort to Wales. By this time in age, Ned was already in the thick of it. You should know this well.”
“Your brother was...” Warwick looked to the hearth with a wistful gaze, “...atypical. A falcon with few equals.”
George spied the tapestry hanging on the wall, “And I suppose that makes me the fetter-lock for that is how I am held. Is that forever to be my badge?”
“Indeed,” Warwick stood and rounded the young Prince’s back, “Yet a minor you are not and His Grace your father would see you made whole in all ways. Though it does take a time and he holds many children.”
“I know it well,” George seethed, “Ed is given a Castilian bride. He throws favor to Suffolk and Lillibet. Annie is given all preeminence at court even though her husband Exeter rots to the Tower. He himself is off fighting a war as we speak for Meg’s right...or that of her husband d’Albret. Even Dickon...”
Warwick smiled over his shoulder, “What of your little brother? He is forced to train with the Tudor boy and young Buckingham.”
“He was given honor when the Princess was escorted to Westminster.”
The Earl held a calming hand to George’s shoulder, “Do you not feel yourself important, my Lord Prince?”
“If I am given no importance...” George craned his neck to look at Warwick, “...is that not so?”
Warwick feigned a sigh and returned to his chair, “It is a match for you...yes? That is what you desire?”
“Of course,” George readily replied, “Allow me mine own future for it shall never be as part of theirs.”
The Earl gave nod, “You smart at their treatment.”
“I smart at their lack of treatment at all!” the Prince suggested strongly, “As you say...I am the forgotten middle brother. Never so fine as Ned. Never so young as Dickon. Chastised by mama even if I show promise with both sword and mind. I am given no thing to do and no thing to do it with.”
Warwick showed an agreeing nod, “The tasks that are not allowed. I know it only too well. Even now, Calais is under siege and yet your father the King would not allow me to relieve it. He would do so himself.”
“That is a shame,” George shook his head with disdain, “And why not, I wonder? Must he hold all of the glory?”
“He desires to control all things,” Warwick offered, “Has always done so even if it meant waiting. Mayhap too long.”
“And I am the one left with the ruins of Ludlow,” George answered, “Yes...I know the story. Was there myself when they came for us. I shall never forget it. And he sodded off to who knows where.”
Warwick stood to refresh his cup, “Tales of yesteryear, cousin. There is no gain to relive it.”
“Indeed, my Lord...for I wish to live in the now. Take my part to this realm...and find mine own future.”
The Earl stepped to hold a hand to the mantle of the hearth and looked to the empty fireplace, “I may tell you that though strained...I am still in an attempt to keep at correspondence with Charles to Burgundy. His daughter Mary remains unmatched...”
“And is far too young for me,” George countered, “Besides...are they not too friendly with the French King at the now? Papa would never allow it.”
Warwick turned with a sly grin, “It may be a diplomatic coup, sir. A way to pull their influence from that which your father detests so much. I could arrange it.”
“You would be a dog barking at a bone not to be had,” George replied with a sigh, “And papa is all too friendly with Champagne at the now. Meg finds her champion, yet not I.”
“What then would you want?” the Earl questioned.
George looked up with an earnest plea in his eye, “Could you not...may you not plead with him once again? For you know that I revere your daughter Isabel. It would be a fine match and it would please us both.”
“Tis not your father, I fear...” Warwick sipped at his wine, “...yet more your mother the Queen. And I hold my daughter dear to me.”
“As do I, cousin,” George quickly answered, “Such days spent together at Middleham. Myself and Dickon...Isabel and Anne. We grew up together. Know each other so well. It is a perfect match. Why can they not see it?”
Warwick sighed, “I fear that you come to the wrong place, Georgie. Though I am glad of the company. Yet it is your mother that is the one to convince. I have tried with the King. He will not hear it. There is only one that would find his ear and she...”
“Is besotted with Dickon and Ed and all the rest,” George frowned.
“Be of good cheer,” the Earl stepped to him with a smile, “For you are here now and may at least hold some time. We are glad to have you and even if...disallowed...I do know that my Isabel enjoys your company. Has said so on multiple occasions.”
“Does she?” he asked with too much eagerness.
Warwick smiled once more, “We are cousins, sir. Family. Let us remain as such.”
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George is very middle child. And unfortuamntly, does indeed appear to be unremarkble, unskilled and somewhat stupid. Then again, he is 17 and looking for any kind of attention he can get.
Warwick on the other hand seems determined to irritate the King and Queen no matter how small or petty an act.
I suppose the Prince and Lady will be found in bed together by a 'shocked' audience, and thus have to marry.
Warwick on the other hand seems determined to irritate the King and Queen no matter how small or petty an act.
I suppose the Prince and Lady will be found in bed together by a 'shocked' audience, and thus have to marry.
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Amen.
I too get this way, and we have so little time to write...so I say, write, and enjoy folks catching up as they may.
I have been reflecting to my astonishment when writing recently that nearly every truly impactful thing we ever do is done for and on behalf of someone else. Almost nothing we do for ourselves is actually that significant. But what we do for others...that is perceived in a much different and higher light...perhaps because 'doing for others' is so unnatural to us.
Indeed, Lady Cecily...if we make a play for the Kingdom, then risk of loss is something we must get used to suffering.
Burn!
Double Burn!
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King Richard needs to meet a certain Wallachian prince to learn a trick or two about how to deal with unruly noblemen.
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Warwick continues to be an issue. This alliance could be an issue. Would it be such a shame if the heir were to have an... accident? Is Warwick that subtle?
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Nooo...you were doing so well Harry...
Sigh.
This particular relationship is going to end in tears, of some sort or another.
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