BALVENIE and LIVINGSTON enter.

BALVENIE. William! Leave the King alone.

LIVINGSTON. King James! You’re needed.

The council is forming. YOUNG DOUGLAS is already moving away.

You’re called to council, Earl Douglas.

YOUNG DOUGLAS. No, I’m going hunting.

Go and tell the boys I’m coming, Davey.

DAVEY hurries off as YOUNG DOUGLAS speaks quietly to JAMES.

See what I’ve decided, King James, is that you and me need to keep away from all the old men, they’ll have us talked to death. I’ve had a friendly talk with every man here…

CRICHTON. You have indeed, Earl Douglas.

YOUNG DOUGLAS.…and now I’m going hunting.

LIVINGSTON. I need to hear you tell me where the Douglas family stands.

YOUNG DOUGLAS. So ask my old uncle. That’s why we keep him. Every family needs an old uncle who’s fit for nothing but talk to do the talking. Eh, Balvenie? Do him a favour, make him feel useful again. See you next time, wee King.

YOUNG DOUGLAS exits.

The King’s Council

A small group of LORDS. They stand silently round JAMES as he takes his place, looking round at them all, bemused and a little frightened.

LIVINGSTON. We can keep this short. Your council has already agreed, Your Majesty.

All the LORDS chorus together.

LORDS. Aye.

JAMES. What? What have you agreed?

LIVINGSTON. All the matters of state that required your royal approval today. That’s all we need now. Your assent. You know what to say.

A brief pause then LIVINGSTON slaps at JAMES, prompting him.

JAMES. As I will it done let it be so.

LORDS (chorusing). In the King’s name, in the King’s name, in the King’s name.

The council is dispersing.

LIVINGSTON (to JAMES). Get back to your rooms. Get back to your studies.

Balvenie? A word.

CRICHTON is suddenly next to JAMES as LIVINGSTON and BALVENIE exit.

CRICHTON. He can’t give you orders. You’re the King.

JAMES just looks at him.

A few of us have been watching Livingston, King James. I don’t think he’s your loyal subject, do you? I think Scotland’s King should stay with men that are loyal, don’t you? Give me an order. Command me.

JAMES still says nothing.

Anything you like. Tell me to dance a jig, stand on my head…

Still nothing.

(The wooden horse.) That’s a lovely horse. Would you like a real one?

JAMES. She said I’d get a pony.

CRICHTON. Who did?

JAMES. Mum. She said I’d get a pony, but I never did.

CRICHTON. There’s a beautiful wee wee piebald pony just outside the gate. That’s yours.

He’s pointing, they’re both looking out through the castle gate.

JAMES. It’s not.

CRICHTON. It is if you command me. Just say ‘Lord Crichton, loyal subject, I command you to give me that pony so that I can ride with you to your fortress and from there begin my independent rule of Scotland.’

JAMES. I’m not allowed to go beyond the gate.

CRICHTON. But Livingston’s not watching, little King, and once you go beyond the gate you’re allowed to do anything you like.