JAMES hesitates.

Come on, King James. You’re King of Scotland. You can walk out into your kingdom.

JAMES hesitates.

You’ll be safe with me, King James, I promise you.

JAMES still hesitates.

Lord Livingston will never touch you again. I promise you.

JAMES takes his hand and lets CRICHTON lead him forward. Light grows on him as he approaches escape, sunlight beyond the gate. JAMES is overwhelmed.

JAMES. The sun’s so bright out there…

CRICHTON. Just a few steps more and we’re safe. You’ll be on your pony and we’ll be galloping away. You need to go a few more steps, King James. We’re not safe yet.

JAMES. I can’t see where you’re taking me.

CRICHTON. Into sunlight! Look, there’s the view your father loved, the great plain, the high hills, the tall blue skies of your kingdom… you’ll be free in your own kingdom at last, King James, but you need to come now!

He pulls at JAMES. It’s too late, LIVINGSTON and BALVENIE are behind them. JAMES and CRICHTON are pulled back and the sunlight dies.

LIVINGSTON. I think we’ve stopped a robbery, Balvenie. What do you think?

BALVENIE. Lord Crichton?

CRICHTON (faltering). I… we…

JAMES. I’m going to get a pony. I’m going to get my own pony and no one’s going to stop me.

CRICHTON. Don’t think I stand alone, Livingston. You heard the young Earl Douglas, he’s ready to be the King’s friend.

LIVINGSTON. The King’s friend, mebbe, but yours? Let the King go or I’ll take your head off myself.

BALVENIE. There’s no need for this, Livingston. Lord Crichton has just misunderstood the situation.

CRICHTON. Have I? Earl Douglas has the lands and the men and the power. When the Douglases speak no one will stand against them. They decide who holds the King.

BALVENIE. But the Earl asked me to speak for the Douglas family, and I’m telling you we stand with Lord Livingston.

CRICHTON. What!?

LIVINGSTON. There’s your decision.

CRICHTON (faltering). But the Earl… He told me…

BALVENIE. Yes the young Earl is every man’s friend. But he makes no promises and he doesn’t want to be troubled with old men like you and me, Lord Crichton. I think you heard him say that too.

CRICHTON. May he rot and burn in hell!

LIVINGSTON is taking hold of JAMES. CRICHTON holds on and for a moment JAMES is pulled between them.

LIVINGSTON. Poor wee Crichton. Maybe if you’d made it out the gate it would have been a different story, eh?

CRICHTON. You’re the robber here, Livingston!

LIVINGSTON. I should have you executed, for treason.

BALVENIE. Speaking for the Douglas family, we feel the peace and prosperity of Scotland is best served when her lords agree. Lord Crichton will apologise for the misunderstanding and offer you a hand in friendship, Livingston. Won’t you, Crichton?

CRICHTON hesitates then he kneels, bowing his head.

CRICHTON (furious but resigned). Forgive me, Lord Livingston. I stand with you.

LIVINGSTON. Aye. You better.

JAMES. No. We’re going away out the gate and I’m getting my own pony.