Mr Cromwell's Office.

have you seen his majesty mr cromwell

Thomas looked up to see a blond woman standing there...he raised his eyebrow 'He..must be in his bedrooms, go there and you should be announced...lady?' he asked.

Wolsey knocked at the door and called his name.
'Cromwell! Are you here, my friend? I have something to show you!'

A servant knocked and entered, bowed deeply and handed Cromwell a parchment, bowed again and left the room quietly.

'My eternal affectionate Cromwell, I beg you, because you love me and always will do everything for me, to come here today as soon as you finished your work and forget everything else.
For I would not only share my thoughts with you to my own comfort and relief, but also seek your good, sad and discreet advice and councel.
Hurriedly written on these Saturday with the sloppy hand and the saddened heart of your convinced friend and former patron, Wolsey, who loves you.'

Cromwell almost didn't recognize the letter without Wolsey's official seal printed in the red hardened wax. He scanned it thoroughly, and sighed as he finished reading its contents. He thought long and hard about a reply but decided it would be best to go to Jericho house unannounced. A letter to Wolsey would only risk being intercepted, and though he had always been a devoted friend of the cardinal's, he couldn't risk it with his own star rising so high. But in the end he decided to see his old friend, and he had the startling feeling it would be the last time he ever did.

Norfolk passed Cromwell's office and looked at him through the half opened door.
Cromwell was reading some documents and Norfolk stared at him, this was the man who served Wolsey for ages and defended him strongly, quietly refuting all accusations made against him. If anyone would know if the late Chancellor still needed to be feared, it would be him.

He cleared his throat and stood in the doorway, catching his attention.

Ahhhh, master Cromwell, working hard as ever. Do you ever take time off, or did His Eminence drill you to work day and night? He smiled but looked vigilant around the room.

Thomas was reading over a report of one of the abbeys when he heard Norfolk's voice and looked up. Seeing it was in fact the duke, he stood and bowed. "Oh, Your Grace. Yes, one of the things the cardinal taught me is that the kingdom's work is never really done. I cannot sleep unless I know everything is well. Therefore, I hardly sleep." He gave Norfolk an amused look, knowing what he said was an exaggeration. "So what brings you here? I wonder if I may be of some help to you." He went to the other side of his desk and leaned on it, crossing his arms. He knew it was a defensive gesture. but he wore a smile of curiosity.

Norfolk entered slowly, his eyes moved nervously around the room. He nodded.
I know the Cardinal didn't sleep much, too, but I didn't know he demanded that of his aide as well. he spoke seriously but the look in Cromwell's eye confused him. Like Wolsey you can never tell his real thoughts, he thought dismissive.

Cromwell came to the side of his desk and Norfolk carefully stood at some distance, smiling to hide his uneasiness. He turned his pride gaze on him as he took his normal attitude again.
I just came by and saw you so I thought to myself, lets go inside and congratulate you that you are a Member of Parliament now. I am most pleased with that, you know!' he spoke haughtily.

Just the flicker of a smirk crossed Cromwell's face then he arranged his face so one could only guess as to his thoughts."Wolsey and I are the same in that we both work tirelessly for the king and for the good of the realm. Even those times when I do sleep I dream of state matters," he said with a shrug.

He noticed with interest how Norfolk kept his distance. "I thank you Your Grace. I will strive to serve my country well in every capacity I am able." He kept a slightly amused look on his face.

The look in Cromwell´s eyes annoyed him but he smirked back.
He ignored the words about working tirelessly for the king and straightened his shoulders.
I put in a good word for you to the King, and he is pleased as well. You will follow his instructions in the House of Commons.

He looked sharply at him.
And mine! he added solemnly.

Cromwell kept his face impassive and bowed slightly to Norfolk. "I am of course at His Majesty's will, and humbled to be so. I know you, as well as everyone at the king's disposal, is working to bring about the king's dearest wishes come true, if not only to make him happy then to ease his conscience, which bothers him of late and causes him unrest." Though he did not like nor trust the duke, he wanted to emphasize the fact that they had a vested concern in King Henry.

"Lovely medallion," he noted, looking at Norfolk's large silver medal. "St. Jude. The patron saint of lost causes." He smirked.

Norfolk looked quizzically at him, he heard his words but he sensed a hidden undertone which angered him, because he couldn't understand it. He frowned.

The king is preparing to have a hearty conversation with you, master. Yes, he gives you a personal meeting because he wants to gain insight into the affairs of the Cardinal, but as you will notice, he has an excellent memory and what he remembers, is that you have been a Member of Parliament before and you have spoken out against his war to France!

His hand grabbed his medal as Cromwell mentioned it as if he wanted to protect it.
St. Jude, indeed. Faithfull servant and friend to his patron, the Lord Jesus himself.... his fingers caressed the cold silver.
Tell me, how is your patron doing nowadays, no longer sitting at the negotiating table? he asked lightly though he clenched the medal in his fist.

Cromwell's face remained impassive as Norfolk tried to scare him with the possible threat of angering the king. "I also remember well that I voted against the war with France. I saw it as wasteful when we had more pressing matters here at home. With diminished treasury and smaller army we would have gained nothing in the process." He spoke as though explaining to a child.

"Jude.. often mistaken for Judas, correct?" he smirked as he saw Norfolk protectively grab the medal. "Cardinal Wolsey is in a more meager setting but apart from that he has not changed. His faith is ever the same and of course he has only the kindest words used to speak about Your Grace," he said sarcastically in defense of Wolsey.

Damned! France is ours! We should have taken it back! A muscle in his cheek vibrated, he strode away agitated, then turned around and rubbed his cheek untill the twitch disappeared.
... but you were right. he said in a very businesslike tone.

He paused for a moment and continued.
We can´t win, but we should fight as if we could! Strangles with the costs, strangles the waste... money, horses, ships. his voice grew louder as he got more excited.
... And that´s wrong with Wolsey, you understand! Always negotiating, always haggling and bargaining. How can a butcher´s son understand...?! he shrugged and shook his head heavily.

He listened to Cromwell´s words and bited his lips.
I am glad he is doing fine. he said slowly and then looked sharply at him.
... but he should get out of there. The king needs Jericho Palace himself. He must go northward, further away of the king!

Cromwell kept his poise as Norfolk ranted, and he did his best at suppressing an amused grin. He decided to let the man blow off steam, overexerting himself over matters long past. He merely nodded in accordance, wondering how a matter of destiny allowed this man to be duke, when Cromwell himself, with his yearning for knowledge and head for politics, had been born a nobody.

"Wolsey's methods of scrutinizing and bargaing were effective, and he helped maintain the country while His Majesty was in his early reign, still learning the ropes. The king's annulment was the only obstacle, the strongest obstacle, that he couldn't overcome. An achievement of such as that would be a hard task for any mortal," he said with severity.

He glared hard at him when he mentioned Jericho. "Is there any reason Wolsey should be far from the king?" He wondered if paranoia was getting the best of Norfolk.

Norfolk listened to him, raising an eyebrow at so much loyalty.
Effective, effective! he murmured, shaking his head heavily.
Why wasting so much words while one battle can solve the problem? he said scornfully.
... a battlefield, an encampment, the eve before a battle... but you can't imagine such things, I suppose.

Cromwell asked him why his patron had to move on and he came closer to him, hissing between his teeth.
There are many reasons why he should be far from the king! And not in the least because I want so! Let him go to the North, tell him to go there at once. Tell him that I, Norfolk, says that he must clear off or I will come to him and rip him to pieces with my own teeth!

Sensing that the situation was coming to a head, Cromwell rose to his full height. He was no scrawny scribe, no lanky lawyer who shied away from conflict. He welcomed Norfolk's rant. When the old man suggested he could not know what it was like in battle, Cromwell simply smiled. Think you, your grace, that I have never seen war? Participated in its bloodshed? Taken a life? He'd joined the French Army at a young age and had seen the perils and the spoils of war. But it was more fun to let Norfolk think he had the upper hand, and give an air of being acquiescent to him.

He had to appreciate that Norfolk was persistent, it was a trait he admired in a man he did not. Tis quite a message, though I would be remiss to say it is on your orders and not the kings.. unless you imply that His Majesty's will is soon to be bent to your liking? He gave an accusing tone. Inside he was laughing. Norfolk will rip him to pieces with his own teeth! This was something Wolsey would roll with laughter after hearing it.

He felt he overreacted but this man with his supercooled attitude made him furious.
Nevertheless the chills ran down his back as he heard the challenge in his words.
So.... you did fight yourself! But most certainly not in an English army! Aha, you see! he grinned without enmity, relieved he was a man of flesh and blood after all.
Where did you fight? he asked curiously.

As Cromwell asked him if the king would agree with him he stepped closer and poked him in his chest, his eyes narrowed.
Did I mention the king? I said, I, Norfolk want him to clear off if he doesn't want to be ripped to pieces! He looked sharply at him and added.
And I am sure the king will soon agree with me once he realizes he is better off without him!

Cromwell's patience was wearing thin, but he kept this fact to himself as he tolerated (for the moment) this buzzing fly named Thomas Howard,
Yes I did fight. I was in the French army he felt he needed to say no more, nor to explain himself.

Tis a bold man who would dare to say the king will agree with him, especially when the subject at hand is a man whom the king holds dear to his own heart. He remembered the miniature portrait. What makes you think the cardinal will fear your threats? Hasn't he fallen low enough? Would you see him into his grave, sir??

...the French army, wrong side, lad! he whistled and grinned.
And how did you get out of that mess? he shook his head, murmuring. the French, phew!

He looked up as if he was stung by a wasp. There, even Cromwell confirmed he still had to fear the Cardinal.
The king still loved him, of course Cromwell knew about the portrait too.
Wolsey knows I always keep my promises! He betrayed the king and also stole from him! I won't let him forget that, so just tell him what I said. He still invites people and lives as if he is the king himself, that is not the way it should be.'
He looked curious at Cromwell. He was sure that Wolsey had buried a treasure somewhere, perhaps Cromwell even knew where.

I simply went off for adventure, for money. I was too young to join legally and too old to be of use anywhere else. I most certainly would not have joined if we were fighting England. He then felt silly for explaining himself to that man.

Yes the cardinal does invite guests to visit, and he sits atop a throne. No, not even a throne. He sits atop a pile of gold coins and dazzles the eyes of his guests with the splendid jewels in the rings he wears, one on each finger. Then he insists on being carried about in a litter made of purple velvet and cloth of gold, and has us sing songs of praise to him and him alone. It was really quite fun, inventing all this. Norfolk would probably believe half of it and report such to the king. In fact Wolsey has very few visitors, but I am proud to be among those he calls friends!

Norfolk pursed his lips and raised an eyebrow.
Not against England, good for you! I would break all your bones if you had fought against your own country! He grinned, fighting for money didn't mean a thing to him but he understood the desire for adventure.

He listened while Cromwell talked about Wolsey and looked sharply at him, not sure if he was joking or not. Given the lifestyle of the Cardinal he probably would cling to it as much as possible, making everyone creep before him. He exhaled as Cromwell added that there were in fact few visitors and bited his lips. Cromwell was still proud to be among them! Norfolk could use such a loyal servant, too. He had to calm down and get him at his side.
It is a happy man who still has friends though he is despised by everyone. he said quietly.
... but perhaps it is time you seek a new patron. Well, I should go now. Meet me soon again and keep me informed!

Norfolk's threat only made him want to shoo the silly man away. But he didn't doubt the man could do him an injury. He was not at all sad to see Norfolk leave.

Yes your grace, perhaps I should seek a new patron. Until then... he shrugged. He hoped it would not be too soon before he saw Norfolk again. But he also knew the man was quite powerful and it would be wise to stay on his good side.

He sat at his desk, sorting through the documents before him. So Lady Elizabeth Bosworth was accused of infidelity by her husband the Duke of Bedford, and what's more is she was accused of sleeping with Prince William Stuart of Scotland! Cromwell shook his head, eyes wide, and sighed. He didn't like to get into these messy domestic disputes, especially when in truth there was not a single monogamous relationship to be known at court, apart from his own happy marriage. Nonetheless he was trusted by the king to interrogate those involved and so he would do his utmost to bring justice. He waited for the accused parties to come in.