A Column of Fire

Content Warning: This section of the guide mentions suicidal ideation.

Rollo sees a final opportunity to advance Catholic interests when he learns that King James VI of Scotland, a potential heir to the English throne, may be open to Catholic influence through his wife, Anne of Denmark. Rollo travels to Edinburgh under the guise of a priest, meets with Queen Anne, and advocates for Catholic tolerance under James's rule. Anne says that James would be open to this, and Alison confirms it. James then arrives and accepts the idea, and Rollo expresses his gratitude.

Ned Willard, who was with Elizabeth when she died, now mourns her loss. He and Cecil work to declare James the new King of England in order to avoid potential disruptions, such as a plot to kidnap James and install his Catholic son as king. Ned and Margery attend Elizabeth's funeral. Margery has come to share Ned’s views on tolerance and grieves for the queen, while Ned reflects on Elizabeth’s compromised ideals and the blurred line between heresy and treason. Of the important women in his life, only Margery is left.

A year later, Rollo seeks revenge against King James for betraying Catholic interests by renewing Elizabeth’s laws against them.