Brotherly Conduct

*Nicholas had finished attending to the affairs that had been laid before him and then turned his steps toward of his own personal apartments. He is anxious to return to Marie, but he needs some time to his thoughts, even if brief. So much had happened so quickly, the total reality of it was still refusing to set in. But if he was to find a way out of this he would have to get his wits about him and fast.

As he transverses the winding corridors to his chambers, his first thought is to confide in Elizabeth. He feels horrid keeping things from her and he knows Elizabeth is cunning and crafty, if there is a way to thwart Richard she will be the best of allies. And she too could be in danger; she needed to know the truth so she could best protect herself and her realm.

And though he did not know Charles well he despised lying to him as well. Charles was a man of honor, of chivalry; Nicholas respected that and him very much. He knew well from his own chivalrous nature that Charles would not let this go. Nicholas wanted so much to tell the emperor but he could not until he knew exactly what they were up against. This was the one time in Nicholas’s life where he could not rush to do what he thought was right and leave the rest to fate. There was too much at stake.

He reaches his private apartments and enters. He is graving a moment’s solitude and instead finds the root of all his peril standing before him in the flesh.

In a motion so fast that it can not be seen with the mere human eye, Nicholas launches himself at Richard and has him pinned to the wall. The force of them hitting the wall was so strong a few chips of mortar and dust flitter to the floor.

Nicholas holds a dagger to his throat. *

“Tell me now why I shuld not gut you like the pig you are?”

Nicholas *Richard laughs, knowing he has his brother in a position where he can not act upon his threats*

Come now my brother, is this anyway to treat your only blood relation?

*Richard feels the blade bite into his flesh, despite his confidence he begins to feel uncomfortable.*

Nicholas I wuldst go no further, or hath your sweet Marie not properly explained the situation to you?

*Richard feels the blade withdrawl slightly* Ah so she has.

I know only that you hath come here with blackmailed in mind and that you hath ....

*Nicholas jaw is clenched tight as he struggles to say the words*

You raped my wife ... *the blade draws closer to Richard's neck once more*

any last words before I slit your miserable throat?

Rape ? Is that what she told you? *Richard laughs* And I do hate to bring this up now of all times but she is NOT your wife, not yet.

*Richard lets those words hang in the air while he judges Nicholas's expression to see if his meaning had gotten through.*

Unhand me now, and let us discuss this rationally. You know there is no way out for you.

*Richard allows his body to relax when he no longer feels the cold steel against his neck and his brother backs away, putting a few feet between them.

*Richard smiles*

*Nicholas shakes his head* And you need not fear me harming thee, thou has invoked the wrath of The Holy Roman Emperor down upon thee. He will not stop until the crimes committed against the Queen of Scots are avenged.

I can only do so much to protect you but I shall think of something.

By order of the Queen I hath granted you the titles she wished to bestow upon you. You have been given a place in this court, luxurious apartments have been arranged for you and your debts have been paid. A french bride shall be arranged for you when you wish to marry.

We have done what you asked of us. IF there is nothing else, I beg of thee, leave us in peace.

*Marie's servants walk in and see all of this happening, and seeing Nicholas' motion they assume he is posessed by the devil*.

(OOC: LOL oh that should make his messed up life sooooooooooooo much easier lol Look out for the villagers showing up with torches and pitchforks lol )

(OOC: Well, only if they tell. And only if they're believed. If everyone who was accused of witchcraft at that time was run out of town with a pitchfork, there would have been no-one left in Europe. Most people in power could weather these accusations. Especially because both Nicholas and Marie are extremely popular, people probably won't even take notice. WHAT IS WITH ME AND THESE LONG POSTS! MUST STOP!)

(OOC: Yeah I know, just thought it was funny *looks above at my rambling* your posts are not long lol)

(OOC: It must be boring playing both sides of a conversation, however I couldn't bring Marie in here. She's supposed to be deathly ill, not cavorting with her rapist!)

(OOC: it is terribly boring lol All I need now is Henry and I can have a party with my self lol)

(OOC: I could interpret that as a sexual double-entendre, but I won't. I won't. I won't! If it's so boring you could always bring Richard out and come to court. THAT would stir things up!)

(OOC: ok I got a bad mental image there of Henry VIII ... its like a train wreck , you cant look away lol ... ok yes I am actually done here and was going to let Richard run loose though his new home.)

(OOC: Lol, that's what I thought. But Anne is not going to give up center stage).

(OOC: yeah I have not had Nicholas enter yet because I wanted to see where it went)

(OOC: I'll thank you not to insult me Marie)

(OOC: I beg your pardon? We're out of character, I wasn't insulting you, I was insulting Anne Boleyn).

(OOC I am her and she is me and we are one.)

(OOC: Well, if I wasn't scared before , now I am.)