Story Night 20150510

Since Mary, Queen of Scotland, was a child, the English wanted her country and her crown. She is sent to France to wed its next King, to save herself and her people, a bond that should protect her. But there are forces that conspire, forces of darkness, forces of the heart. Long may she Reign. Previously on Reign... The news of a crisis in Scotland.- The English. -They're massing on the border. You are supposed to be our ally. You only have to worry about England. I have England, Spain, 100 Italian and German principalities. Mary, I'm sorry. But I see your struggle here in France. Say "Yes" and you'll have your man. He's willing to actually get married, too, which is more than your family is offering. - It's Bash. - While Bash was riding to six different companies, it appears someone loyal to the English rode straight to Calais and warned them. France can't help. There are no more troops to send. You should marry Tomas. Nostradamus: Who designed the target? Queen: Who knows? Well, they say it looks like the castle ghost. You know, the girl they blame for every servant who runs off or goes missing. Francis: Nice shot, Tomas. But the object is to hit the heart. Tomas: Is it? Lady: Is he allowed to take another shot? Tomas: Did I take too many shots? Francis: Technically, yes. Shall I take another shot, too? Tomas: Take as many shots as you like. You'll still lose. Servant: Round goes to prince Francis. Second round, new target. Lady: Does Tomas seem different the last few days? A little more bold? More intense? More mercurial, anyway. More engaged to Mary, certainly. Mary: But not all the way engaged... not yet. Lady: And how do you feel about that? I detect reservations. Mary: Doesn't matter how I feel. I have to marry who's right for Scotland. Lady: How do you feel if Tomas is that man? Mary: I feel that we should remember it's still a secret. At least until King Henry releases me from my engagement to Francis. Lady: That's no answer. Mary`s Uncle: Walk with your Uncle. Mary: Almost agreed? You and King Henry have been talking for days. What have you been discussing? The weather? Mary`s Uncle: These are tricky matters of state. Your marriage treaty with Portugal doesn't end our alliance with France but changes it. Still, for Henry's approval, there will be conditions. Mary: I will not beg for an outcome I'm not certain I want. Mary`s Uncle: You will beg. Because Scotland needs this. Portugal's ships are all that keep the English from raiding our borderland. Now, Henry won't offer the same protection, but he's still a King. And Kings can't be seen letting allies walk freely from treaties. Mary: But Queens can be seen begging release for treaties that go unenforced? Mary`s Uncle: You'll be Queen of nothing if you don't make Scotland safe from England. And you can't do that without Portugal's strength, which you can't have without Henry's release to marry Tomas. Lady: Queen Mary's anxious to know how Bash is. Nostradamus: The wound is closing. But the disease in his blood is spreading. If the fever doesn't break by tonight... Lady: He could die? So soon? Bash: You're scaring the poor girl, Nostradamus. Where's your chivalry? Lady: Bash, how do you feel? Bash: Close to death, apparently. Which feels, more or less, like it sounds. Nostradamus: You need rest, Sebastian. Bash: What I need is water. And perhaps...A little bit more of that lovely...Worried frown. Lady: I think I can manage that. Bash: So, will you run back to Mary with the troubling news, like her other ladies, or will you stay and look death in the face? Lady: I nursed two of my brothers into the grave. Scarlet fever. And I've known other losses, too. I'm not scared of death anymore. I'm scared of being alone. Bash: There's a difference? Nostradamus: I'm terribly sorry, but this isn't helping him rest. Bash: Every time I look at her, I feel better. Every time I look at you, I feel worse. The prescription is clear, don't you think? Bash: There's a book of Norse mythology over there, if you wouldn't mind reading it to me. Unless, of course, you wanted to go back to the tournament. Lady: Not at all. Lady: So, is it done? Are you marrying Tomas? Mary: The agreement's close, but it...It's complicated. Lady: Is anything uncomplicated in France? Servant: Lord Tomas is the winner. Tomas: Will you accept my favor, Mary, Queen of Scots? Have I offended? Francis: Not at all. Please. Mary: Thank you, Tomas. I'm honored. I'm sorry. That was thoughtless of him to publicly offer his favor. Francis: I don't know...I think it was very well thought out. But I don't see the point. He's already won your hand, hasn't he? Mary: The treaty is almost complete. Francis: So you're leaving. Mary: Francis, I wanted to tell you... Francis: If you mean to tell me that you don't want to go, please don't. It won't help. I did everything I could to help Scotland so that you could stay. It was almost enough, if not for a single spy. Someone who's probably here with us right now. Mary: I'm so sorry. Lady: What are they telling King Henry? It's not good news. I hope it's not Bash. Queen: Poor Mary. You feel like the King will never see you.And you are a Queen. Mary: I'm glad that my unhappiness brings you such pleasure. Queen: Your unhappiness gives me no pleasure. Your absence, however... Mary: Why do you hate me so? If I'm going to Portugal, why not just say it? You were kind to me when I was young. Queen: When I look at you, I see death. I see your country hanging around my son's neck. I see his men off defe nding your country, dying. Mary: Well, if I am such a burden, make the King release me so I may be Portugal's burden instead. Queen: I wish I could, but Henry feels that Scotland's been poached from him. Mary: How can I make the King change his mind? Queen: Well... there is one small thing. Mary: And how may I help France, Your Majesty? King: These English, we keep them at court to help keep peace, but it appears they don'