Prison Cell 2

He smiled and for the first time the smile reached his eyes.

'I trust he is in good hands as long as you take care of him, as you always looked so well after me.'

Agostino looked around the room but Wolsey's eyes stayed on him, shrugging.

'They don't allow me to write, Master Kingston has gone to court though and promised me to bring him my message by mouth. I have not seen him since, so maybe he has not returned yet. I guess that the King wants your report as soon as you go back to court, so tell him...' he thought for a while, weighing his words 'just tell him I am his most loyal servant as I always have been and I rely fully on his wise judgment.'

Agostino listened his words carefully, in order to fix them in his mind and nodded

I shall surely bring your message to His Majesty, Your Eminence. I'm sure he will be glad to receive it. Is there...something else I can do for you before leaving?

He asked, looking at his tired face

Wolsey leant back, his strenghts fading as Agostino talked about leaving this awful place. How he wished to leave here too.
He slowly shook his head.
'No, thank you, my friend, I appreciate everything you do for me. If only Joan could visit me, it would mean so much to me, but you have no authority on that matter.'

He smiled faintly and raised his hand to bless him.
'Go with God's protection and blessing, Agostino. And think of me in your prayers, as I pray for you.'

Agostino stood up and waited for his blessing. He crossed himself and looked at him

God bless you, Your Eminence...

He bowed respectfully and left his cell

Wolsey watched him go and sighed deeply, looking around his cell.
He closed his eyes and tried to rest.

Guards opened the cell and Leonardo entered.When Wolsey saw him he felt as he's not alone.Leonardo bowed and kissed his hand "Your grace, i'm sorry i didn't came early.I'm asking for your forgiveness.Since I found out you're in prison i was praying to God for you.Is there something i can do to help you?" said da Vinci

Wolsey opened his eyes as he heard the cell open. A young man entered and he blinked several times before he recocknized him. He smiled faintly as Da Vinci kissed his hand.

Leonardo, I can't believe my eyes that you are here! I wrote to your dear mother several times to let you go but I can understand that she wanted to have you close to her. And now you are where you are most needed, this country needs you, Leonardo!

He looked closer at him and smiled.
You remind me so much of your father, God rest his soul... Please, make yourself comfortable, there must be a chair somewhere. I wish I could offer you a drink, forgive me. I am so grateful to you for coming to visit me. Tell me more about you and your mother, is she in good health? He knew he was talking incessantly but he was so happy to see a living soul and more particular this promising young man.

Leonardo was also very happy to see Cardinal Wolsey.He was so grateful to this man and he really respected him with all his heart.Da Vinci saw the sadness in  Wolsey's eyes and felt sad that he's in such a bad situation.Leonardo took a chair and sat down. " Your grace, thank you for your kindness.I can't believe i see you after all this time. Yes, at first my mother didn't want to let me go, but she realised it's for my sake. She sends you regards. And she's in good health thank God.But let's stop talk about me and my mother, we're just fine.Tell me m'lord, how are you?  " said Lonardo worriedly and whipped his hair.

Wolsey looked at him and nodded.

'I am glad to hear that she is in good health, she must still miss your beloved father very much, as I do.'he said, reminding his dear friend. He lapsed into silence as he thought of the good times he had with him, the times of great ideas and expectations... Leonardo asked about him and he sighed deeply.

'Well, there is not much to tell. I was sent away from court and supposed to be re-installed as Archbishop of York, but I was captured under the accusation of treason and ended up here.'

"Аccusation of treason?" said Leonardo surprisedly and added "But how?You are the most faithful servant of His Majesty.I bet there's a lot of people who envy you and want your head on the guillotine and it's their work." Leonardo was very upset.
"I want to help you." said he desperately.

He shrugged and looked at Leonardo, thoughtful.
'I don't know exactly what the charge is, nothing happened since they put me here. I do know that I have many enemies and that they will not rest untill I die.'

He sighed deeply and shook his head.
'There is nothing you can do, however... He took a little piece of parchment out of his robe and gave it to Leonardo. It was fully written in lowercase and covered with ink stain.
'You would do me a huge favor if you could give this note to Cromwell. I wrote many of these but it is difficult to get them delivered to him. He will understand and do what is necessary.'

"Your grace, it's a pleasure for me to deliver your note to Mr. Secretary" said Lonardo with a smile and added "I'm glad I can do you a favor.I haven't met him yet, but it will be the occasion"

He smiled in grattitude.
'Thank you Leonardo, I know it is much to ask of you but I assure you there is no danger for you, I only seek his advice, no conspiracy. Tell him about our connection and he will introduce you to court and the people who are important for you to meet. Did you meet anyone, yet?' he asked interested.

"I met lady Anne Parr" said Leonardo and he blushed.Wolsey looked at him with a curious look and then da Vinci added "I will find Cromwell and I'll do what you told me, your grace."

Geoffrey arrived at the Tower and a guard escorted him until Cardinal Wolsey's cell. He noticed he had a visitor but he was allowed to come in. He bowed deeply at them

Your Eminence, I come from the court. I bring here a message from His Majesty. May I read it to you?

He asked looking at Wolsey's tired face

Wolsey looked up as they were interrupted and a visitor entered. He smiled warmly as he recognized him.

'Master Geoffrey! I am glad to see you in good health. A message from the king, yes, please read it to me. I hope you dont mind my curiosity.' The last words he spoke to Leonardo, smiling a little.

He looked calmly but his heart beated faster as new hopes fought inside him with fear about his fate.

Geoffrey unrolled the parchment and began to read

To the Archbishop of York, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey
I write personally this letter to you, in name of our old friendship. I think it's right to let you know that investigations about you are over. You won't be executed, so there is no reason for you to stay in the Tower further. As your King and Lord, I grant you a private residence in England, Stone Castle. Your confinement will continue there. You're allowed to come to court only for Christmas Celebrations. I'm sure you will be worthy of mercy I'm showing to you

Henry VIII Tudor
King of England

Geoffrey looked at him and smiled

Congratulations, Your Grace..

Geoffrey spoke and he listened without moving nor blinking an eye but as it became clear to him that he was no longer accused and even was allowed to leave the Tower a tear ran over his face.
He fell onto his knees and grabbed Geoffrey's hand to kiss it in grattitude.

'The king... Henry... he wants to set me free, he no longer suspects me, he knows that I would never ever do anything to harm him! I prayed for this day to come, every day again ahhhh I am so grateful!' He smiled as he had not smiled in long time and shook his head as if he could not believe what he just heard.
'Please tell me again, Geoffrey, Stone Castle you said? When can I go there?'

Geoffrey helped him to stand up. He smiled seeing how much joy he brought him

You can leave this place now, Your Eminence. I can also accompany you until Stone Castle. Tere are already apartments ready for you there. And you're allowed having few servants. I think..you should thank lady Joan for that. She talked with Cromwell, and he succeded to conveince the King..

He explained, holding his arms and smiling