Versailles

Is it a Dutchman, invented this?

They are useful at some things.

Shame about that infernal drumming.

Our scouts say their numbers have swollen.

Ready the men.

Sire, inclement weather presents further challenges.

I can taste the tang of victory in the mist.

Besides,

making history is all about timing.

And having God on your side.

Amen.

All this praying gives me an ache in the belly.

Monseur Delbart beat you to the latrine.

He has acquired a vineyard near Limoges, apparently.

Had a party to celebrate

and sampling his new assets all night.

I wanted to share my little adventure with Father Pascal.

You brag of such a cowardly act?

That priest put up quite a fight for a man of peace.

His dying words would make a nun blush.

This does not concern me.

You killed him.

How dare you?

You said you wanted rid of him.

I did not wish his murder.

You know more than anyone what it takes to live in Versailles.

So I hereby wipe my conscience clean

and deposit Father Pascal's cruel demise onto yours.

Before he died,

I persuaded him to pen a missive,

a farewell note.

Quite touching, it seems. He couldn't spend another day

without the affection of his true love,

the Queen.

My investigation has concluded that Lord Delbart was poisoned

at a select gathering in his own rooms.

Then we must control what happens in private.

It is hard to conceive of further action,

having already curtailed so much public folly.

After Father Pascal, another man was murdered,

at my feet,

in the House of God.

We could consider rationing wine,

a restriction on wine, perhaps, a curfew.

But we must control what happens in private.

That could be difficult to enforce, Your Majesty.

The very heart of France has a reputation for indulgence and sin.

By the King's return,

I vow that it shall be a haven of temperance and piety.

Only a Spaniard would try to stop the French from drinking wine.

What do you propose in pursuit of the poisoner?

There is only one person I know with the acuity for that.

Your presence is needed in Versailles.

The King has asked for me?

The palace is consumed with poison.

I fear for it's very soul.

I will try again to reason with the King.

I owe him nothing.

You are the only one who can cure this disease.

Go find another scapegoat.

I'm leaving to start a new life.

I'm taking Claudine with me.

It's hard to imagine Her Majesty in that position, I know,

but, well, who can deny there is something enticing

about a man in a soutempe.

Oh, Madame, you have missed the best gossip.

My presence was requested elsewhere.

Really? With company more stimulating than ours?

The Queen asked to see me.

Excuse me.

What services did she require?

If she is with child, it must be an Immaculate Conception.

Not my services, as such.

So what did she want from you?

To be my friend.

It's not very subtle of her, is it?

Please do not doubt my loyalty, Madame.

My private knowledge of you shall remain so, I promise.

You are too principled for your own good.

This one's from Madame de Montespan, Sire.

Later, perhaps.

You know, Sire,

it takes a brave King to suffer the modest life of a soldier.

The court can exercise my patience.

I was hoping battle might be a tonic

but sleep remains as elusive as ever.

You do not fear for your safety, Sire?

No, in fact.

At least here, it is clear who are your enemies.

I had lost my way but this is the path of God,

so I will be in the palm of His Hand while I'm at war

and He will watch over Versailles.

By order of the Queen, the salons are closed!

The salons are closed!

This is turning into a prison, not a palace!

No parties, no concerts, salons!

It's impossible to get a glass of wine,

never mind exert influence!

You must learn patience.

You have gained favor back in court, have you not?

Yes, but

the Queen wants the place like a chapel.

The curfew makes it more like a crypt.

That's explains why fewer clients are coming.

The King is away,

the soft, white underbelly is exposed!

Now is the time to expand our business!

Now is the time to be extra cautious!

We must be careful not to overreach.

Why do you keep this journal?

It's a list, everyone I've helped.

My insurance.

Who knows when such information could come in useful.

Favia!

I think I found it.

The west flank has been crushed flat!

The Dutch have been tossed like a kite in the wind.

One battle does not win a war.

Gather here!

I had a vision last night.

It was a fitful sleep but deep, at last.

I dreamed of taking a life.

I felt no pleasure,

no hatred, no contempt

but no regret either.

This was a premonition?

Perhaps, a harbinger of destiny.

This is the justice of God. I do what I must.

What is that, Sire?

Send a message to Bontemps and Colbert.

They will entertain our eminent visitor without me.

You are not returning to Versailles?

I was to discuss a trade alliance with the Sultan of Bijapur

but it is God's Will that I remain in battle now.

The English fleet have been defeated.

A setback is to be expected.

We can absorb the loss and move on with good confidence.

This is a major blow, Sire!

Overreach at this juncture could prove catastrophic!

Exactly what our foe would predict.

Precisely why we shall do the opposite.

We move on Amsterdam when this victory is complete.

I would urge caution, Sire.

We must cut our coat according to our cloth.

And give them time to prepare their defenses?

We must strike at their heart.

Claudine?

Claudine!

What happened? Tell me!

What?

What is it, Claudine? Tell me!

Oh, God no!

Oh, God!

Oh, God! Forgive me!

Though the Queen would have us closer to God by the day.

I hope She brings similar enthusiasm to our business ventures.

The Sultan's on enroute?

Bringing with him much hope and possibility.

I hear the Dutch were at hearts when we usurped them from the port of Pondicherry.

I trust your office

will help present the palace in it's most favorable light?

Well, we can all profit from such a trade deal.

I will cooperate wholeheartedly.

Ah, just the person!

My friend, Isabelle, was just saying

she has aspirations for the King's service.

There are no positions.

It's surprising how much fun they can actually be.

I have received good tidings from the battlefield.

Our King has trounced the Dutch iat Utrecht and Nijmegen

and now the French army is moving towards Amsterdam.

All residents in the palace of Versailles shall join together

in celebration of our King's glorious victory.

Father Bossuet will lead us all for a term of prayer and sobriety.

"My dear Monseur Maquet

There is a horrible rumor

that you have been dabbling

in nefarious doings

but rest assured

such poisonous information

can be quashed

for a modest fee.

Please oblige

at your earliest convenience."

Welcome to Versailles, the heart of France, Your Grace.

We are delighted to embrace our Eastern friends.

We trust that your visit will be a pleasant and prosperous one.

Your Grace, Mary Therese of Austria,

Queen of France and Queen Consort of Navarre.

The Sultan is most thrilled.

However, he looks forward to dealing with the King, very much.

Your Majesty, there's been a misunderstanding.

It seems, the Sultan comes from a culture

where women are not afforded such respect as ours.

The Queen of France is not good enough?

On the contrary, he sees women as above such things.

He does not wish you to be sullied

by matters of finance.

He insists on seeing the King.

Presumably, this commerce is as vital to India as to us.