John Fisher's bedchamber

Fisher tried to sit upright but he still felt too weak so he rested his head on the pillow again.

Thomas! I am so happy to see you, I worried about you. I worry all the time, I hate lying here, useless! Please tell me how you feel. He looked at him searchingly.

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Thomas nodded after taking a deep breath

I'm fine, Your Grace. Thank God nothing bad happened to us. But...The King declared more hard punishments for poisoners. They will be boiled alive. It has been wise of him using the iron fist. But he can't avoid suspects. The ones about Lady Boleyn and her father, at least...

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Fisher sighed deeply.
I am glad that you are fine, Your Grace. And I thank you for taking care of me, without your help I might have died.

He frowned and nodded slowly.
My cook, I trusted him fully. I can't understand why he did this. Even so, I will pray for his troubled soul. The Boleyns... yes, I puzzled about them, too.

He looked at him with a worried face.
It would be to their advantage if I died. And Norfolk, what about him?

Thomas nodded after a deep sigh

Norfolk is fine. He says he is not involved with Boleyn's anymore. But I heard that during the last Council the King has raged, and he asked what would have happened if he married Anne without Pope's dispensation...

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He frowned and slowly shook his head.
He will not give up untill he has what he wants. The pope will also never give him what he want, so, what will happen next, Thomas? I need to get out of this bed soon, that is all I know for now.

He sighed deeply, raising his eyes to him.
Did anyone stand up in Council to tell him the truth? The one and only truth that his marriage is valid and stays valid untill death?

Thomas shook his head and took a breath

Only Boleyn supported him. Even Brandon didn't...

He answered with a weak smile on his lips

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He smiled faintly but frowned again.
So, except for Boleyn no one supports him... that is good news, Thomas. Nevertheless, he is determined himself to persevere, this is not the end, I fear.

Closing his eyes he thought for a while, then raised his eyes to More again.
Whatever happens, I will not give way and neither will you, I hope!

Thomas shook his head showing a reassuring smile

I won't leave you alone in this battle, Your Grace. I'll fight at your side until the end. Just think about having rest, now. I assure you that anyone will harm you anymore in the future. Because I'll watch on your security, with God's help...

He said looking at him like a son does with his own father

Fisher smiled in grattitude and nodded.

I know you will, you are strong-minded!

Thomas continued and he blinked, reaching out his hand and tapping his friend who was like a son to him gently on the arm.

Don't worry for me, I am stronger as I may seem, I hate resting but I will do everything to be well soon again. Please take care yourself, your family needs you and so does this country. With the help of God we will succeed, let us pray and work tirelessly on his case.

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Thomas nodded smiling tenderly

Of course, I will protect my family from all this, Your Grace. Alice is a strong woman, who never shares her real feelings. But I know that she is in pain because of me. You will be healed soon. God saved your life for a reason...

He said meaningfully patting softly his hand on his arm

I knocked on Cardinal's chamber door, and a servant welcomed me by presenting me to him:

"My Lord Cardinal" as I say I bow to him

Fisher felt finally better and was writing at his desk to inform the Pope about the latest events.
He looked up as his servant announced Sir Knivert and put down his quill.

Your Grace... he stood up to welcome him.