Prison Cell 2

'So.... if no one helps him, he helps himself.' he murmurs in horror and falls back on the bed.
'May God have mercy on him, and on us all.'

He shakes his head in pain, this is what he feared most. He almost does not hear what Kingston adds, untill he mentions Joan.
'Joan, my Joan, I need to know how she is. I beseech you to let her visit me, for her and my sake!' he says while he looks at him pleadingly.

like I said I shall think about it, do remember he is your king as I sit there playing with my cup,

He stares at him for a while, then closes his eyes again.

'Once my dizziness disappears, you will find me on my knees before you, meanwhile, take your time but please remember, time is not on my side.'

He raises an eyebrow as Kingston reproves him.

'If anyone knows who the King is and respects him, it should be me. It doesn't mean however that I don't know what dangers his position can bring him when he stops listening to the right persons!'

his majesty says thank you for the confession, I shall write to Joan and invite her to visit you

I get up and leave locking the cell behind

A guard came into cell and announced

"Your Eminence...your personal physician is here.."

Wolsey was resting but not asleep, he sat more upright and cleared his throat.
'Agostino! Please enter, my lord!'

He smiled faintly as his physician entered and made a gesture for him to sit down.
'Make yourself comfortable... as comfortable as possible, at least. I wish I could offer you a drink, but I fear there are no servants here.' He tried to smile but his eyes did not laugh along.

'How are you? I have missed you lately, I hope though that you are having a good time at court and not too much health treatments.'

The guard opened the gate and Agostino came in Cardinal's cell. He bowed respectfully in front of him

Your Eminence...I'm here to make me sure about your health. King's orders. You're too kind, but I don't wish to drink, Cardinal. Just...to apologize...

He added and sat on a chair next to him, staring at floor

Tears filled his eyes as he heard that the King informed about his health. He swallowed hard and smiled again.

'Tell the King that I feel fine and remain his most loyal servant...' he said and then Agostino's words made him look up in surprise.

'Apologize? What for?' he asked, frowning as he noticed his changed attitude.

Agostino took a deep breath and looked elsewhere

Your Eminence...I beg you to forgive me. But, if you're here, it's because of me also. I...I talked with Master Cromwell about you. Please, forgive me...

He whispered with embarassment, still not daring to look at him

His frown deepened as he tried to understand what Agostino meant. Cromwell is his friend, what harm could there be in Agostino talking to him?

'I don't understand... You talked to Cromwell? That is no problem to me, nothing you might have said could make him decide to advice the king to put me here, at least, I can not think of anything.'

He watched Agostino's embarrassment with growing concern. He had no concrete idea why he ended up here but the last persons he suspected to be part of this were his physician.... and Cromwell.

Agostino took a deep breath and raised his head. He looked at his face this time

Your Eminence...I told to Cromwell that you were still in contact with the Emperor and Queen Katherine. I...I don't know why I did such thing. I beg you to forgive me...

He said finally, feeling better after having removed this weight from his conscience

Wolsey stared at him and as he spoke, he raised his eyebrows.
It was silent for a moment, but then he burst out in laughter.

'You told him what? That I am still in contact with the people I daily contacted when I was in charge?'
He shook with laughter, shaking his head.

He saw the relief in Agostino's eyes and leant forward to tap his arm.
'No need to apologize, Your Grace, you told him no secret. I can't imagine that your 'confession' has anything to do with my stay here. Cromwell knew that I wrote both of them regularly and also to King Francis, not that he liked it, though!'

He winked at Agostino and leant backwards on his bed, still smiling.

Agostino felt relief inside him after Wolsey's words and looked at him in surprise

So...I have no responsibilities in all this, Eminence? Oh...you don't know how much I thank God for this. But...in any case, I won't abandon you. The King asked me to take care of your health and I will...

He said, looking at him lying on his bed

He felt relief that Agostino nor Cromwell had anything to do with his arrest and kept smiling, though he pondered why Agostino even thought in the first place that he did something wrong by talking to Cromwell. As he listened to him, he decided to think about that, later.

'I feel much better, thank you. Since I arrived here, I have not vomited anymore, though I felt very ill during the travel, I sometimes doubted if I would arrive here alive. Even so my throat hurts and they wrapped a cloth around it. ' He pulled the cloth but it was too tight.

'Please, help me.' he said quietly and lowered his eyes.

Agostino sat on his bed and helped him topull out the cloth from his throat. He looked carefully at his neck and touched it softly

Uhm...it is a bit swollen. I think you got a strong cold, Your Eminence. That's why it hurts. Can you please open you mouth? So I can see better your throat...

He said, tapping softly his neck with his fingers

Wolsey lay still while the doctor examined him and frowned.

'A cold? A very lasting cold, it is! They sent me a pharmacist on my way here because I had to use the bathroom all the time, he gave me some medicines, I am not sure if they are here...'

He looked around the little cell but saw no personal posessions and shrugged.
Then he opened his mouth obediently.

Agostino looked carefully into his mouth. He examinated his throat and after he finished he nodded

That's how I thought, Eminence. You have a cold but nothing serious. Take this medicine twice a day after eating, and in few days you'll feel better...

He took a little bottle from his medical bag and gave it to him. Then he looked around cell

Of course, this cell is not the ideal place for you, Your Eminence. How long will you stay here? If I may ask..

He closed his mouth again and smiled faintly.
'Thank you Agostino, I feel better though I felt better in the past.' he sighed and shook his head.

He watched the little bottle in his hand while listening to him.
'I don't know, Your Grace, I don't know at all. I don't even know why they brought me here, they talk about high treason but I can't imagine what I did wrong. I lived quietly and was making ready to get reinstalled as Archbishop of York, with permission of His Majesty. They wanted to install me with all splendor but I refused out of respect for my King who still cared for me. Do they hate me that much, Agostino, that only my death will make them happy? They did not even let me write to His Majesty, my only hope is that I get permission to be recieved by him to speak with him myself. If not, I fear I will languish here or be put to death.' he spoke gloomily.

Agostino listened him silently and nodded. He put an hand on his shoulder

Be strong, Your Eminence. I'm sure you'll leave this insane place soon. Maybe...as your personal physician, I can talk with his Majesty, and tell him that you can't stay here for too long, because of your health. Hopefully...he will give you an apartment far from Palace, but clean and suitable for your health's state...

He dared to suggest, looking at his tired face

He lowered his head as Agostino put a hand on his shoulder.

'I am tired, Agostino. I feel tired since a long time and even though I lived quietlly lately, I feel my strength decline. Please speak for my sake, Your Grace, I only want to please my king and I will do nothing to embarrass him. I don't belong here, but I will never ask for a trial, not myself. However, they can't let me here without trial, I have not been judged guilty of any crime.' He sighed deeply. 'Not yet, at least.'

Agostino noticed his sad tone and smiled friendly

I'll do my best to help you. Your Eminence. The King will be merciful and he will give you a chance. Just don't lose hopes...

He said sincerely and patted softly his shoulder again

Wolsey smiled back, faintly and tapped his arm.
'Thank you my friend. As long as there is life, there is hope.'

He leant back on his bed, thoughtful.
'You and I have known eachother a long time. Tell me Agostino, do you enjoy life at court? Did you meet interesting people?' he asked curiously.

Agostino smiled shyly and shook his head

I know very few people at court, Your Eminence. Usually I spend all time in infirmary, reading my medicine's book or taking care of someone who needs me. I'm very private and I don't join courtlife very much...

He admitted and shrugged slightly

Wolsey smiled and then sighed.

'Court is a hornet's nest, always be careful, Your Grace. No one is who he or she seems to be, everyone seeks advantage and pleasures... but even so, I still miss life at court. It feels strange not to be part of it anymore, but most of all, I miss the King. He is like the sun...' he broke off and shook his head.

'As long as he is fine, I am happy. He is in good health and spirit, isn't he?'

Agostino nodded and smiled after his question

Oh yes...he is. I always take care of him, even if he is still young and strong. I'm sure that he misses you too. Would you like I bring him a message, Your Eminence? If you have paper and inch here, I can write it for you...

He suggested and looked around cell