A Tangled Web ...

*Richard mounts the stairs with his head bent low. He does not knock, but slips quietly into the room. It is dark save for one glittering candle. In the miniscule light is revealed a figure clothed in black. His features are hidden in shadow but Richard does not need to see his face to know he is wearing a scowl.*


*The man steps forward to greet Richard*

You art late. *he states simply and coldly*

*there is little time and too much at stake to dally and Walsingham thinks too little of this man to un-neccesarily charm him with niceties*

How goes thine work and what news have thou of the Queen of Scots?

*Little Anne Boleyn hides under a bed and spies on them both. Her intelligence will be valuable to many parties*

One moment my lord. Keep very still and do nothing til I say.

*walking to the door and banging upon it in a way that will signal for his men to enter he doth then walk cross the room to blow out the candle. Reaching beneath the bed he takes hold of mistress Boleyn, covering her mouth and holding her in firm unbreakable grasp. She is taken hold of by the guards ably and quickly, she wilt be no match for men trained by Walsingham*

Take this lady back to where she doth belong, unharmed for I'm sure she doth already realise the full peril of causing our anger, and the full danger to her daughter- as well as us all - if she doth interrupt our careful plans.

*a cloth dampened with strange substance ist placed over Mistress Boleyn's nose and mouth til she doth wilt into unconsciousness. She wilt be out for several hours, long enough for the men to complete their business and escape.*

*when all ist done and the men are gone, Walsingham doth relight the candle and lock the door firmly behind them to keep all others out.*

Tis now safe to speak.

Good ear there Wally *Richard laughs, not taking the peril seriouly

Wilst you not even offer me refreshment? Tis been a long hard ride to get here and will be the same back. Decietful work is thirty work!

*Walsingham speaks low and gentle but there is a coldness in his voice that shows it's master wilt not be disobeyed*

There are refreshements aplenty, but I wilt not have thee a drunkard afore thou doth give me what I want.

*he bids Richard sit down at the table where a tankard of ale doth await him*

Wally wally all work and no play doth make thou a dull boy indeed

*he shakes his head in mock distain and seats himself in the offered chair. He drains the tankard in 2 big gulps and prompty belches. He then wipes the foam from his mouth with his sleve.*

The Queen of Scots my Lord is just as you said she was *Richard laughs* A real spit fire. She is a classless, foul mouthed whore but I have seen nothing yet that would deem her a traitor.

Supposedly she has fallen ill and taken to her bed. She hath made Sir Nicholas not only Lord Protector while she is beddridden but as also named him guardian to James if in the event she should surcome to her maladies. James of course was named her hier.

nothing to even hint at her wicked intentions to have the crown of England or destroy her cousin Elizabeth? Hmmm.

Well then... how doth she seem as regards thine brother my lord? Wilt she keep him, hath she plans for him... hath she other plans for herself?

*Walsingham raises his eyebrows and nods, both men full knowing Marie's scandalous reputation with men and how Nicholas of Rhodes ist really far from her type.*

Wally these things take time *Richard leans back in his chair*

I have only just arrived and not as of yet taken a proper place in the court. But The Queen of Scots has granted me a place in court and titles. I shall now be more privy to the goings on.

As for my brother, I see not what she sees in him or her intentions. He is a weak fool. But I tell you that marriage will never take place. She all but threw herself at me my lord. I know not what she wants with my brother but it is not love nor lust.

*Walsingham rises from his own chair and walks cross the room speaking in his usual calm, polite, persuasive yet cold tone.

Thine carefree attitude doth not fool me Master Rhodes.

*he stops to unlock the door and turns to stand betwixt the door and Richard. Barring Richard's exit by his own presance and close enough to call upon the guard who cudst wreak unthinkable torture at one nod of the head from Walsingham. He smiles in quite a chilling manner.*

Thou art not foolish enough to think thee the only one I hath placed within the court of Scotland.

*he walks back so he ist stood close and looking down upon the slovenly courtier*

I wud know which particular fact - among the many you hath left out of your tale - you are at present attempting to hide.

*Richard blanches slightly, but tries to play it off*

Wally wally .... what are you implying? I gave you all details which are pertanent to your plans. If you accuse me of something, out with it?

*Walsingham sits opposite Richard once more and smiles coldly*

I see thou hath not yet learned that I do not answer other's questions.

I find that knowledge hath never too dear a price, be it in blood or coin.

*Walsingham leans back comfortably in his chair, clapping his hands loudly to signify that the hot food may now be brought in. Lifting a piece of meat from the plate betwixt them he fixes Richard with another gaze and a smile of complete ease*

So my lord, which will it be?

*Richard frowns*

So I had a little frolick with the Queen, twas her idea. I told you she was a whore, and I also told you that marrage is never going to happen.

*fortunately Anne gained consciousness long enough to crawl back knock the serving boy out put on his livery and disguise herself and listen in on the last of the conversation*

*Walsingham laughs*

A frolick with the Queen indeed!

Hast thine brother bedded her yet or am I looking at the father of the next in line to the throne of Scotland after young James?

No my Lord, Nicholas is ... a man of honor, he is waiting for thier wedding day ... sweet tis it not *Richard laughs mockingly*

*Walsingham says nothing but raises from his seat.*

There is hot food awaiting thee downstairs my lord, I wudst go afore it gets cold.

*Walsingham sees him out the door, then as he turns to go back in the room he catches the wrist of the Lady Anne who hath been pressed up against the wall in way of hiding. Pulling her into the room and closing the door behind him, he releases her only when he ist fulling blocking the door and her escape.*

My lady Anne, how honoured I am to be graced by thine company twice in one evening.

*he bows*

Thine wreckless behaviour doth endanger thee and thine daughter greatly. I wudst not have my plans for the safety of our good realm and religion ruined by your meddling.

*He motions toward the chair, bidding her take seat afore calling his guards.*

You hath not done your job properly my lords. Thou wilt escort the lady Anne back to her chambers following our little discussion. See fit that she doth not escape this time or foul punishments indeed will be wreaked upon England's loyal soldiers in the name of her petty foolishness.

*the guards depart and he ist alone again with Anne.*

If thou would meddle my lady with the safety of thine daughter and thine realm I would have thee working beside me not against me. Tell my your intensions and your knowledge of the Scots court so I may fashion if we canst work together.

My intentions? Well first I wanted to make a little pin money by selling information to the highest bidder. But I guess at the root of it my intention is to ruin the Scottish Queen whom I loathe with every fiber of my being. Can I help you to help me to destroy her? I know you are in my daughters service and we know the Scots queen means nothing but ill will to Elizabeth. Elizabeth will put up with her nonsense and double dealing until she is dead!

My good lady, you are looking at the highest bidder and an ally against Marie Stuart.

I know she hath her eye upon Elizabeth's throne and would dispose of thine daughter without second thought. She is not like her cousin. Your daughter is too trusting, too hopeful of the good in others and wilt not make the decisions needed to ensure the safety of her good self.

Our other visitor here this evening - though a dishonourable man - doth work for me and it would spoil a great many plans if he were found out so early on. If you keep an eye on him and Marie Stuart, letting me know what doth unfold it would greatly aid our joint cause.

Your daughter will not permit me spy upon her precious Nicholas. He ist a most unusual man in that I do trust he ist loyal to Elizabeth... but he ist weak where the so called Queen of Scots is concerned and I do not know what wudst occur hd he to choose between them both.

Remember my lady Anne that I do have eyes everywhere. If you have need of me one of those who watches over your own safety will call upon me.

*Walsingham bows galantly and steps aside. He is a true gentleman but not to be messed with and he hopes Lady Anne doth know enough of his reputation not to force his hand in her own demise.*

(OOC: What a tangled web indeed lol)

(not quite OOC: just the way my lord Walsingham doth like it, and him the spider sensing the move of every thread, LOL!)

(OOC: cant wai tto se how he cleans up the mess Richard has made lol Emperor Charles is out for blood lol )

(Charles has a serious image, but also was prone to challenging Francis I to single combat, repeatedly and publicly- he took chivalry very seriously!)

(OOC: I can see that and it fits in perfect with all this! )

Sir Francis I will be pleased to observe all that I can of the parties involved and report back to you regularly. I think you will find me to be a very adroit spy. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service.And now adieu, but we will most certainly be in touch.