IC-Ep 1-Time Is an Illusion, Lunchtime Doubly So(Everyone)

[Mr. Handy]

"I am Spanish," said Ignacio, "but the same God rules all kingdoms."

[aine]

“Of course.” Elizabeth bows her head in acknowledgement. “And what do you think about tomorrow’s play? Are you looking forward to it?” She asks the priest.

[Mr. Handy]

"Plays are at best frivolous," said Ignacio, "and at worst the instruments of the devil."

[Snapper]

Jacques:

This seems as good a time as any to try to change the current luncheon conversation back to safer ground.

Jacques looks to the Duc and Comte. "Your Grace, my lord Comte, it is a rare privilege for me to feast on such company. My lords, you are members of the King's court and are far better informed than a humble soldier such as I. I should be very pleased to hear your thoughts on the current threats to France."

"His Majesty has been most successful in forging new alliances with our neighbours, assuming those alliances all remain stable."

[Mr. Handy]

"King Francis has done well in his first years on the throne," said the Duc. "He has brought us victory, and Milan is now ours. Now that we are at peace, there are no threats in the immediate future, but one must always be on watch. Our traditional foes the English especially bear watching. Did you know that they still claim the throne of France? Of course, we have plenty of allies. No doubt our friends the Scots will remain a threat on England's northern flank, and the English will be less likely to try anything knowing that they are there. Venice is also a valued ally." He bowed his head to Bianca. "As is the Duchy of Ferrara. The Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian is ailing, and our own King has a good chance to succeed him."

"There is always the threat of the Barbary pirates," added the Comte. "You know all too well about them, Chevalier. But they are not a large threat to France. They endanger shipping, it is true, but they are not much good on land."

[Philulhu]

Gui had to stifle a yawn. Matters of state bored him! He had much more immediate concerns to address, such as finding what happened to the thief so that he might not make the same mistake!

[Snapper]

Jacques:

Jacques listens and nods in interest. "Yes, the Barbary pirates are cruel and heartless savages in their dealings with coastal villages all across the Mediterranean Sea. Yet they are cowards who will never choose to face the might of a French Army."

"Your Grace mentions the Scots. I have fought side by side with many fierce Scots knights. Great warriors, loyal, honourable, and likeable."

Jacques looks across to the mystery Narnian. "Miss Elizabeth, your accent sounds much like it may be Scottish. Is Narnia very close to, or part of Scotland then?" Jacques' face is a picture of bland innocence aside from a slight smile.

[aine]

“You are very perceptive, Chevalier!” Elizabeth replies with a bigger smile. “I have lived in Edinburgh for quite a few years, and Aberdeen too since we’ve had a truce with England.”

Elizabeth tries to think back to her Scotch history lessons and hopes she has got the dates right.
“But I’m not sure how long that will last now that France and Scotland are planning to be allies.”

[Snapper]

Jacques:

"Indeed," Jacques nods. "Although I cannot take credit for identifying your accent. It was Mme Bianca who noticed."

"What puzzles me is that you come from a land I know full well has knights and which is most versed in the ideal of chivalry. Yet you and the other ladies from Narnia seem completely mystified by the behaviour of knights here."

"I mean no offence, of course. Have you, perchance, been cloistered in a convent for many years?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Scotland and France have been good friends for a long time," said the Duc, "and often allies, but I do not think there will be another war with England so soon. We've only recently finished the last one. But there will always be another war. I was sorry to hear of the death of King James IV of Scotland at the battle of Flodden a few years ago."

Elizabeth, you may roll History.

[aine]

History: 73. Roll: 72!

[Mr. Handy]

Elizabeth recalled that the Battle of Flodden was fought in 1513, where the English defeated the invading Scots, killing many of them - including King James IV, who was the last king to be slain in battle in the British Isles. His infant son James V had been crowned king in his place, with his mother Margaret Tudor as his guardian, though she had not officially been named Regent.

[aine]

“The Battle of Flodden was a terrible day for Scotland; so many noble men died. Margaret Tudor has done well as regent to keep the jackals away as Scotland recovers. But now she has remarried, the regency has passed to James’ uncle, John Stewart, the 2nd Duke of Albany. He is not a nice man and I fear for James and his little brother.

Elizabeth thinks back to long classroom afternoons of her history teacher droning on.

[Snapper]

Jacques:

"Fascinating," says Jacques, not sounding at all fascinated. "But back to my question and the cloistered nuns?"

[Mr. Handy]

"I think Margaret Tudor will continue to do a good job," said Bianca. "Even without being Regent, a king's widow can wield significant influence - especially when she's protecting her child."

"It is true," said the Duc. "The widow of the last king, Mary Tudor, proves that, and I have no doubt that her sister has the same capability. I wish our Queen hadn't married an Englishman, but she is loyal to her brother King Henry VIII."

Margaret Tudor will go on to have Albany removed as Regent in 1524 while he is away in France and obtain the Regency for herself.

[aine]

“I think Margaret Tudor will be good for Scotland and hopefully we will all have peace for a while.” Elizabeth replies.
She turns to Jaques,
“Unfortunately our knights are just the same.” She says dryly. “Unable to take the slightest insult without getting in a pickle over it. What do you think the Crusades were all about?!”

[Mr. Handy]

"They were about taking the fight to the infidels who invaded our land," said Ignacio, "and freeing the Holy Land from their clutches."

"To us, you are the infidels," said Abdullah, though he said it in a lighthearted tone.

"Were it not for Charles Martel," said the Comte, "France would have had much of its land overrun as Spain did."

[aine]

Elizabeth smiles a little sadly,
“Exactly, you see. It’s just on a much bigger scale.”
“Luckily James’ mother will take back the Scottish Regency from his uncle. At least, I mean, I hope she will.”

[Snapper]

Jacques:

Jacques gives Elizabeth a rather doubting look. "Regardless of who had the right, the Crusades were not the result of someone's temper tantrum, nor muddle headed young lads trying to demonstrate how manly they were. Countless lives were lost on all sides, and many brave deeds performed. My own Order sprang from the Crusades."

"I cannot believe the Church in Scotland would agree with your views much more than I do," he adds dryly. "But let us speak no more of grim history over lunch."

"Now, when shall we commence our tour of the Duc's chateaux?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Once you are ready, Henri shall escort those who wish a tour," said the Duc. The luncheon was winding down at this point.

"Not all knights are as you describe," Diego said to Elizabeth. "There is something to be said for chivalry. Women should be honored and protected."