Chapter Twenty-One
My Lord Cromwell,
I write to you from the town of Swegan, where my enquiries into the nature of the incident at the bordweal continue apace.
My news thus far is unfortunate. It seems that it was indeed the king’s sister on board the ship in question.
I can find no report of any survivors, although my men continue to scour the coast and the waters near here – the tide has already borne some unfortunate victims to these shores.
I fear that our only hope rests on the reported sighting of a Feorwan ship, which my sources claim was sailing south – whether to the southern coast of Elben or to Capetia, we have yet to ascertain.
In the absence of more tangible news, I also bring you rumour.
I have heard certain peoples in this part of the kingdom discussing the incident as the natural progression of Elben’s treacherous queens, leading to a faulty bordweal.
This is a supposition that I have encouraged, which I hope will be to Your Grace’s approval.
There are some other, less savoury rumours which I have attempted to quash.
I fear that these have aligned with the arrival of certain emissaries from the Hleaw tribes.
His Majesty has shown leniency in the past to these heretics, but I would urge him to quell his naturally merciful nature in this instance.
I will write again soon with further news,
Your humble servant,
N. Ackworth
My Lord Brandon,
This letter will, I fear, not be welcomed by you.
I know and understand your opinion of me, Your Grace, but beg of you to lend this letter your eyes and but a little of your time.
We both of us desire the strength and glory of my master – your friend – and our king, and it is in that vein that I write.
As I am sure you have heard through your many connections, I have been engaged for several moons in a quest for knowledge.
For no matter what we tell His Majesty’s people – no matter what Lord Wolsey and I tell those foreign diplomats stationed at High Hall – we are marching towards a crossroads.
I fear that if something is not done, and soon, Elben will turn on itself.
Neither you nor I wish to see our beloved country and our more beloved monarch embroiled in the ugliness of civil war.
My access to Bishop More’s library and extensive archives has, at last, yielded something of interest. We are about to embark upon an experiment that, if successful, will secure the king’s place in the annals of history as one of the world’s greatest leaders, a god who walks among us. Yet I cannot do it alone.
I beg of you to meet me, to join with me in my efforts, setting aside old grievances for the sake of our king and kingdom. If you accept, I will be returning to High Hall forthwith, once my affairs at Plythe are settled.
Your humble servant,
Lord Thomas Cromwell
Cromwell,
You make me laugh, sir, at the thought that I would concern myself with petty squabbles with a man such as yourself. Henry has already informed me of your schemes. I will meet with you when I am returned from my estates.
Lord Charles Brandon
Lord Cromwell,
Please find enclosed an account of the correspondences of Their Majesties. As you requested, I have been more thorough of late and as usual, Your Grace is correct – there were several curiosities that may be of significance. Namely:
- Queen Aragon has invited her nephew’s diplomat to stay with her at the Palace of Daven thrice of late, whereas in previous years she has invited him but annually.
- Queen Cleves still corresponds with one of her old ladies-in-waiting: a Mistress Paston.
This would not, of course, usually be of note except that, as you know, Queen Cleves famously maintains a small household and rarely corresponds with her nobility outside of necessities.
However, the correspondence is of little note and largely concerns the Lady Paston’s ailing health and their memories of the queen’s first year at Cnothan where, it seems, Mistress Paston proved herself a loyal and useful friend.
- I have intercepted several brief letters from Queen Parr addressed to minor nobility on the continent.
The letters merely invite them to visit.
I have looked into the nobility in question and can find no record of anyone of that name.
Further enquiries suggest that the letters are being passed on to someone, but I can as yet find no trace of them.
With your permission, I will continue my enquiries into this matter.
Your faithful servant,
N. Ackworth.
Nicholas,
I am particularly interested in Queen Cleves’s correspondence with Lady Paston. Look into this further, if you please.
Cromwell
His Majesty King Henry, eighth of his name, Monarch Almighty of the great Empire of Elben, King of the Isles of Feorwa and Protector of the Oracle of Evenesis, issues this PROCLAMATION, to be read in every town square and marketplace in the land.
Let it be known that, in his great care for his people, the king wishes to rid this land of the issue of CRONES which has plagued our kingdom for so long.
A REWARD of ten gold coins shall be given to anyone, whomsoever they may be, who can bring a crone, alive and caged, to High Hall.
They shall thenceforth be catalogued and destroyed by the king’s men.
In his desire for the good health of his people, our kind and bountiful king desires that his people do NOT place themselves in danger by attempting to kill or otherwise harm the crones. This shall be executed by the king’s men ALONE.