What else is there to do with the Tudors?
We'll have to see what Margaret Beaufort can finagle.
A possible undercurrent of this story?
Good point!
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We'll have to see what Margaret Beaufort can finagle.
You forget the Neville. It was a proud family...twice over.
heh A VERY good point.
Might not be a bad idea to secure Edmund from the Percies and hand him back with the signed treaty. Scotland needs out of this war, I think.
I feel for the young man. In my game I just had a 15 year old inherit (w/o regency, interestingly... Hmmm).
Richard's world slowly comes to resemble what he would be satisfied with (not what he would wish -- I think what he would wish is to have Edward back).
Rensslaer
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Who is going to be the regent for this new King of Scotland?
On that note, I wonder how long they will continue to be rebellious if their lands are threatened, and the only offer of aid is from Richard...
More fb-fb:
Also, they would have to be able to control Ralph Percy.
Whether it be this story or RL, let's not believe that the Scots could pull it all together to win out here.heh A VERY good point.
Might not be a bad idea to secure Edmund from the Percies and hand him back with the signed treaty. Scotland needs out of this war, I think.
I feel for the young man. In my game I just had a 15 year old inherit (w/o regency, interestingly... Hmmm).
Richard's world slowly comes to resemble what he would be satisfied with (not what he would wish -- I think what he would wish is to have Edward back).
Rensslaer
Also, they would have to be able to control Ralph Percy.Likely Bishop Andrews and Lord Boyd will try to crown this new King and rule through him. If they can. But it is Scotland, so who knows.
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Dunstanburgh Castle, May 1464
Edmund sat to the meager table in what was in former days a fine chamber. It was no dungeon, to be sure. Yet for near three months, he was unable to leave. And worse, his brother in law was paying for his own confinement. Another cry rang out from the adjoining room and he winced each time. It should have been him.
The door soon opened and Ralph Percy entered, “I think he’s spent for now.”
“What do you do to him?!” Edmund questioned with anger.
Percy grinned, “What do I not do? There are all manner of things that might be done yet none shall ever return to me my family. There I have only one option left. Cause you the same pain. And I shall do so slowly.”
“You do not hold time,” the Prince was certain.
“No,” the knight leaned close with a sneer, “But I hold you.”
“Then do to me what you do to him!” Edmund spat.
Ralph Percy laughed, “Nay, sir. I will wait for your father to call and then harm you. He should get the most punishment.”
Percy’s guards pushed into the chamber and tossed the ailing body of Suffolk to a lice ridden bed. Edmund showed his horror, “You will kill him!”
“Be still, young Lord,” Percy rounded his back, “You said it yourself. If I wanted to kill him, he’d be dead already. Nay, sir. I wish all of you to suffer. And remember it as I do!”
Edmund shifted to care for his brother in law, “You waste your time. My father is in France and all know it. Yet my cousin will come to my aid. You’ve made a very poor mistake, my Lord.”
“I let your man go...” Sir Ralph answered, “...so he may ride as fast as he could to bring this Warwick to justice. The Scots have bested him once and I’ll wager they do so again if given chance. Until then...”
“Damn you, man!” Edmund turned to him with flush to his face, “Can you not see that your war is over? You would put in league with the Scots over your own country?? As they harass the north as they always do! Your feud is at end, sir! Be glad of it and accept the King...my father!”
Ralph Percy lingered over him, “Mayhap had your brother lived...I might hold more fear. Yet you, my Lord...this supposed Prince...no. Not today. You are no warrior. Not like him.”
“Would that I were!” Edmund showed disgust, “For I would slay you now as my brother did slay yours to Towton!”
Percy sneered, “I think not. Yet you surprise me, sir. I did think you the peaceful Yorkist cub. Wiltshire notwithstanding...how have you wet your paws?”
“Offer me chance and I’ll show you,” Edmund showed certainty.
Sir Ralph declined, “As I say...not today. Mayhap on the morrow. For now, sleep little Prince. I’ve waited this long. What is another day?”
Edmund moved to rush at him, but he did not have chance. As Ralph Percy held at the door, an arrow pierced him through the chest and he fell with a thud. His guards were quick to his side, but they too found quick death. In confusion, Edmund backed away and went to protect Suffolk. He need not have as the next face he saw was his cousin John Neville, Lord Montagu.
Stepping over the bodies, Montagu smiled, “I dare say you waste time, cousin. We should not lay about.”
Sir William Stanley was right behind him, “Not at all, my Prince. We’ve little time to spare here.”
“Yet how??” Edmund was shocked.
“Craster’s Tower, sir,” Montagu showed a grin, “There is a tunnel that leads to the well within the keep. Yet Sir William speaks it rightly. Sir Henry Stafford watches for us below and we must see you and yon Suffolk from here rightaways.”
Edmund moved swiftly, “He is badly hurt.”
“I...can walk,” John de la Pole answered as he was lifted from the bed, “Just barely.”
“Good,” Sir William Stanley answered, “Now let us go!”
As they made their way through the castle, Edmund spied the deadly assault as bodies lay all about. Yet it had been quiet and as they moved into the yard, all of them hid behind barrels. They waited until a whistle answered their own. One by one, they moved back to the well. Yet when the Duke of Suffolk stumbled, Edmund was left out in the open. He did not wait long.
“Let me help you, my Prince,” Sir Allen Leighson said as he shifted to pick up the frail Duke, “Come with me.”
“You?!” Edmund showed shock.
Leighson merely smiled as he moved towards the well, “You saved my life, m’Lord. Tis only my worth to do the same.”
Sir Henry Stafford was the last in the rear and pulled up behind, “Let us go, my Prince. Be gone from here. The Earl of Warwick awaits and is desperate to send word to your Lord father the King.”
“Blessings be on you, sir!” Edmund took the offered hand, “You’ve now rescued me twice!”
Stafford gestured with haste, “You may repay me later. Now go!”
And they did. The six of them escaped Dunstanburgh Castle and few wept when they found Ralph Percy dead. Just another in a long line of warring Lords. The real people of the north wanted nothing to do with them. It was the Scots and they still held Northumberland.
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Meh. Only thing he's doing is guaranteeing the end of his line and family. Probably death by torture himself.
What an imbecile.
Well, that's the North settled. If theres any rebel lords still breathing, theyre trippe damned by working with the deeply unpopular queen, the treachery of aiding the scots, and being associated by the flayer Percy, who then got killed in his own castle.
All the Crown has to do now is smash the Scots, cross the border and make them pay dearly for thinking they were ever strong enough to fight Engnland alone. Probably too soon to annex everything, but taking the border regions and burning the rest of the lowlands to the ground should do. The Highlands in this period are still essentially their own country with their own armies, so the English should sit back and watch the clans tear the weakened, kingless realm apart for a while, and focus on Ireland and France instead.
But so long as France is down, its curtains for an indepedant viable Scotland.
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A good result all around I guess. Except for Suffolk.
Now what I wonder. Richard is still in France I assume, and busy there. Scotland's time will come.
Rensslaer
Now what I wonder. Richard is still in France I assume, and busy there. Scotland's time will come.
Rensslaer
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You must have really enjoyed writing that post, @Rensslaer
Glad to see Edmund rescued. I assume Leighson's wound wasn't so bad that he could be part of the rescue squad. Where was Warwick in all this?
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Percy wasn't wise. At least Edmund has escaped...
Is the death of Percy good for the Scots?
Is the death of Percy good for the Scots?
The system didn't want to accept the post. I thought it wasn't going to take it so I resubmitted. Lol
Rensslaer
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Fb-fb:
That said, I purposefully left Warwick out and included his brother Montagu instead (who will grow to greater stature in future.) Warwick, one assumes, still has the Scots to mind. And Leighson...sloppy is as sloppy does. And by that, I mean myself.
To all - As can be seen, I am moving much slower than previous installments. Blame my work schedule and RL. I am still writing, fear not. In fact, I am halfway through the following chapter. But the pace has slowed down so hopefully that assists those of you that could not keep up with my previous furious pace. I'm looking at you @El Pip and @Bullfilter.
Not wrong, but grief does odd things.
On a macro level, true enough. But the micro still remains alive.
Richard does still have a war to win so he'll be there for a time more.
This made me laugh!
I must admit that this scene did not please me in the writing. I sat on it for weeks trying to figure it out. I wrote myself into a corner with the capture of Edmund and did not know how to get out. There remain some intended threads within it, but it does not satisfy me fully. I'll also admit to some writer's block when it came time to write this portion and sometimes I counter that with the old "just do it and move on" mindset.
That said, I purposefully left Warwick out and included his brother Montagu instead (who will grow to greater stature in future.) Warwick, one assumes, still has the Scots to mind. And Leighson...sloppy is as sloppy does.
And by that, I mean myself. Probably yes in the long run. For both England in that they are greatly diminished and so too for the Scots in that they have less reason to join with these rebels. It's not doing them any favors.
See above.
To all - As can be seen, I am moving much slower than previous installments. Blame my work schedule and RL. I am still writing, fear not. In fact, I am halfway through the following chapter. But the pace has slowed down so hopefully that assists those of you that could not keep up with my previous furious pace. I'm looking at you @El Pip and @Bullfilter.
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Haha. Blame my sport schedule and RL! Will hopefully catch up again in a few days.
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A recurring theme would be the inability of so many players to think ahead or make any allowance for their enemies to react or even have plans of their own.
Cecily seemingly deliberately riling up her daughter for no apparent reason, save that she enjoys it. Even if she doesn't like her daughter, as she herself says Anne could be a power in her own right with her land and connections. A bit of politeness costs nothing, yet is apparently beyond her.
James in Scotland perhaps gets a slight pass for being both 12 and a King of Scotland called James, but even so he must surely know that harrying Northumberland does absolutely nothing to aid his cause. I feel for poor Bishop Kennedy as seemingly the only sensible person in a court of idiots.
And then Ralph Percy being an idiot. Still, nice that Edmund made it out intact. I have a feeling this time might be another inflexion point in his character, toughen him up somewhat.
Cecily seemingly deliberately riling up her daughter for no apparent reason, save that she enjoys it. Even if she doesn't like her daughter, as she herself says Anne could be a power in her own right with her land and connections. A bit of politeness costs nothing, yet is apparently beyond her.
James in Scotland perhaps gets a slight pass for being both 12 and a King of Scotland called James, but even so he must surely know that harrying Northumberland does absolutely nothing to aid his cause. I feel for poor Bishop Kennedy as seemingly the only sensible person in a court of idiots.
And then Ralph Percy being an idiot. Still, nice that Edmund made it out intact. I have a feeling this time might be another inflexion point in his character, toughen him up somewhat.
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OK, have had time to catch up. To see some foolishness and mean spirited torture rewarded with a healthy serving of just desserts - made to a reliable and well proven recipe.
Nothing was ever more certain.
At last he was prodded into a degree of wisdom. Though unlikely to be quite enough. His school lessons could come with some hard knocks.
A pantomime torturing villain is served appropriately. He’s lucky it was quick. Just in time to save a few flies from having their wings pulled off, no doubt.
Of course he did!
Nothing was ever more certain.Certainly none of the readership!
The best course. Sometimes those obstacles just need to be crashed through with a strong hand and a well-tried trope!
Haha: “never explain, never apologise”!And Leighson...sloppy is as sloppy does.
I was thinking so too. He’s been growing up a little and needs to do so a bit more. England can’t afford to see a diffident milquetoast succeed Richard. Edmund needs to keep the seat warm for Richard III
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Fb-fb:
As it so often happens to all of us. Just glad to keep you still in for the ride.
Not many left, really. Just the one that is still in the Tower that means much.
I would say that many do have plans, but lack the ability to swiftly change on the fly when the inevitable setback occurs. There is not one character where things went exactly as they planned (as happens to everyone.) Very few of these characters have been able to turn on a dime (maybe Edward, but that still didn't work out well for him.)
Following the above, Cecily is used to getting her way and perhaps feels a vindication now after her own setbacks. She is that kind of mother that expects and does not understand why her children would not follow her "very wise" advice (despite the veracity of that.)
Sensible doesn't go very far at this time.
He does need it, no doubt.
I felt the scene was a bit to "arch" but for the last of the Percies (or mostly last at this moment) it seemed to work well enough.OK, have had time to catch up. To see some foolishness and mean spirited torture rewarded with a healthy serving of just desserts - made to a reliable and well proven recipe.
A pantomime torturing villain is served appropriately. He’s lucky it was quick. Just in time to save a few flies from having their wings pulled off, no doubt.
Forget it Jake. It's Scotland.
I still feel it was in-artful, but I needed A to get to B and Leighson is much my own stand in.Of course he did!
Certainly none of the readership!
The best course. Sometimes those obstacles just need to be crashed through with a strong hand and a well-tried trope!
Haha: “never explain, never apologise”!
Well actually, Richard III is already keeping the seat warm for Edmund.I was thinking so too. He’s been growing up a little and needs to do so a bit more. England can’t afford to see a diffident milquetoast succeed Richard. Edmund needs to keep the seat warm for Richard III
The Tower, June 1464
Her dress flowed behind her in a long train and Margaret struggled to keep up as she tried to lift it from the dirty rushes. Queen Cecily marched merrily along to the great hall without once looking back, “Keep up, madam!”
“Of course, Your Grace,” Margaret gave nod and followed her to the throne.
Cecily sat with a thud and a sigh, “So who is it now?”
“My Lady Queen,” Lord Wenlock bowed before her, “I come bearing news from the north. Your nephew, the Lord of Warwick has rescued the Prince and they fall upon the Scots presently.”
“Edmund?” Cecily gasped, “He is...he is well?”
“Yes, madam,” Wenlock smiled, “He is well and true and the traitor Percy that caught him has been eliminated.”
“God be good!” Cecily praised and looked to Margaret Beaufort, “See there, madam. You must have faith!”
“As I do, my Lady,” Margaret looked to Wenlock, “And what of my husband?”
Wenlock offered her a bow, “Sir Stafford accompanies the Prince at the now.”
“Good,” Margaret said more to herself.
Cecily beamed, “Almighty God has granted us a great fortune. My son is to our bosom once again and our father shall be home soon. The French are licked, sirs! We’ll not hear more from them nor our cousins, I dare say.”
“On that matter, Your Grace...” Wenlock gestured, “...there is another that would see you now.”
The great doors swung wide and Black William sauntered forth with a seven year old boy in tow, “Your Grace.”
Margaret instantly saw her son and held everything she had to herself not to run and embrace the child.
Cecily did not recognize young Henry Tudor and looked to the Earl of Pembroke with disdain, “I have no need to call upon you, sir. What brings you forth?”
“The safety of the realm, of course,” Black William gestured to the boy, “It is in my telling that an invasion is to occur. Some say to Sussex, yet another to Wales. This one’s uncle seems hungry.”
The Queen glanced an eye to Margaret Beaufort before sitting tall in her chair, “You may tell the rogue Jasper Tudor that he is not welcome in any of our ports. Especially not this one.”
“Of course, Your Grace,” Herbert too looked to Lady Margaret with a smirk, “Yet Pembroke is not the Tower and I thought it best to keep this one here away from prying eyes.”
“Can you not hold Wales safe, sir?” Cecily asked with incredulity.
Black William bowed his head in a flourish, “I shall hold all that is dear to me at all times, Your Grace. Yet this boy does bring on an attack.”
“I don’t believe it!” Cecily laughed.
Lord Wenlock too snickered, “You must trust what news comes to you from France, sir. Or have you not heard? Caen is sacked, my Lord. The King is safe and well as is...the other King.”
“False King,” Cecily corrected.
“Indeed, my Lord...” Wenlock admitted, “...the false King. And Somerset...they say...is dead.”
William Herbert stretched taller with a hard eye, “And the Queen?”
“You are looking at her!” Cecily stood strongly from her chair causing Margaret to flinch.
“Very well,” William gave a calm nod, “Then of what of...the Whore?”
“She runs back to her father, as always,” Cecily straightened her dress and sat once more with firmness, “She’ll not be crossing. Only him. So...are we sorted, my Lord? Or is there some thing else?”
“Nay, my Lady...Your Grace,” William looked to Lord Wenlock, “Unless you’d like to see to the boy?”
“Can you not care for him?” Margaret Beaufort blurted out in pain.
Black William laughed, “He’s a bright lad. He’s learned much in my charge. Yet I’ll not hold him captive in my keep...unless you want him to see what happened to his father.”
Cecily sat taller, “You are a cruel man and I shall see to it that my husband does charge you when he returns!”
“I’ll keep him, my Lady…” William teased further, “...yet what is it that you want? Is he a ward or prisoner? I only need know my charge.”
Margaret felt tears running down her face but still looked to the Queen, “He is a scoundrel, Your Grace! The worst sort to steal from you your coin! He looks for money!”
“I know, sweet girl,” Cecily eyed Black William shrewdly, “And he asks a high price. What is to say that I do not take the child from you and place you to the Tower instead?”
“His Grace King Richard did say that he wishes Wales safe, madam,” the Earl held tightly to Henry Tudor’s shoulder, “As he is gone from these shores, then who is to pay the boy’s ransom?”
“I told you!” Margaret shouted to him.
Cecily squared her shoulders and sat forward in her throne, “You think Jasper Tudor to pay you more? He would treat with you after you killed his very own brother? Good luck in all avenues, Lord William. Yet you have come to a closed shop.”
“Very well,” Black William answered disgruntled.
“But yes…” Cecily beamed as she sat back, “...we shall take in the boy. After all...he was meant for the Tower.”
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Being unfamiliar with its additional meanings is not, but the example given in the dictionaries for the verb is the actual funny side; the verb to lick. Phew.
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