Episode 20--The Throne of Roses I: Kingdom of the North

We see Abel visiting a strange, ancient-looking, outdoor site of stone, a cross inside a circle set into the ground; he presses his hand into the central circle and huge plates slide silently closed. He looks up into the sky.

Esther and Pope Alessandro attend the funeral of Queen Bridget II of Albion. Caterina and Kate note that the queen's death has caused considerable political uncertainty: her only son, Prince Gilbert, was assassinated 15 years ago and she never designated a replacement heir to the throne. The only likely heirs are nobles from Ireland and Germany, but either one would weaken Albion's long-held position of power as a self-governed kingdom, something the Vatican also wants to preserve. Albion has appealed to the Vatican for backup, but they need to tread carefully to avoid any appearance of political maneuvering. Father Havel notes that Albion is the only country that has preserved the Lost Technology and stronger ties to them would be valuable; Sister Kate replies that Albion is a stubborn and independent country and would not offer an alliance that easily. Havel says that's even more convincing coming from Kate, an Albionian herself. Caterina says she would have gone there herself had she not something pressing to look after, but Kate reassures her that Esther has proven her worth as a diplomatic attache' and will be fine.
Meanwhile, we see a flashback: the dying queen telling a handsome blond guy-- Virgil Walsh, Count of Manchester-- to "look for the star".

In the Empire, Seth and Mirca discuss the formation of a peace treaty with the Vatican --Seth's long-held dream--and her hopes for the future. Mirca fears this is too big a mission for Ion, but Seth says he's stronger than he seems. They watch as an airship launches and vanishes into the blue. Seth tells Mirca she'll need to work even harder than before, and adds to herself that the peace might be short-lived, but if that's what brother Abel wants she'll do her best. But, it's almost certain that man will interfere…what will Abel do then?

Esther and Alessandro have tea with Colonel Mary Spencer of the Queen's household, who shows them a hologram map of the city and asks if they'd like a tour, adding that they'd like the Pope to see where their power comes from. Virgil Walsh is appointed to be their tour guide, and shows them the Ghetto--er, that's "underground factory"--the vast technological base far beneath Londinium, of which his family has been the caretaker for generations. High-tech computer chip manufacture and sophisticated programming, even the writing of new programs, is all done here: the foundation of Albion's international trade economy.

It's nearly equal to the Methuselah technology, says Esther, getting a sharp look from Virgil. But why underground? Virgil says it eliminates needless chaos and tension, and that they're willing to support all Albion this way in return for being left alone, whether pitied or hated by others. He looks at her thoughtfully, says he's heard of her experience in dealing with Methuselah: she just might be able to understand the current, contradictory state of things in Albion. She looks at him, suddenly suspecting something: are you, by any chance--? But there's a sudden explosion--Virgil's sister Vanessa, a revolutionary dedicated to winning freedom for the Methuselah, grabs this golden opportunity to kidnap the Pope and hold him hostage to force attention to her group's demands. But in the smoke and havoc, Alessandro and Esther both escape into the labyrinth of the underground complex.

Caterina and Francesco revisit an old argument, Francesco saying they can never have peace with those bloodsucking monsters, Caterina scolding his medieval attitude and pointing out that the Methuselah are a highly civilized people with superior technology: we can learn from them. Monsters with high-tech weapons can only be a threat, he retorts. Of course, the report at this moment of the Pope's abduction is instantly seized by Francesco as proof of his point…he wants an all-out attack. Caterina says they need to assure Alessandro's safety but Francesco says he's sure the Pope would gladly sacrifice himself. (He loves to say that.) --Caterina meets with Havel, who tells her Abel and William are already in Albion and Leon will be there soon. Kate confirms the Pope is still unaccounted for. Caterina is sure Francesco has his people there as well, and asks Kate to send an emergency transmission; she speaks with Sister Paula while Petros is trying to get the Queen's Guards to let them into the palace. It develops that the source of Albion's famed Lost Technology, which gives it a position of unquestioned leadership in the West, is captive vampires, generations of them, kept in this underground hive. Albion will totally destabilize if the vampires are lost, but this is a serious charge. What to do? Cat asks the Inquisition to cooperate with the AX agents. Cardinal Medici is willing to sacrifice the Pope to justify use of massive force, but...Cat's voice trembles...I just want that child to be rescued. (And we're reminded that the Pope is, after all, her baby brother.)

Abel catches up to Leon and William; those faerie kids' foster parents kidnapped His Holiness and want to start a revolt, says Leon. Generations of discontent over their captive servitude has finally boiled over with the death of the queen and the resulting political instability. Petros and Paula arrive (introducing themselves to Abel as if they'd never met, oddly enough) and say the Duchess of Milan has requested a team effort. The Albion forces have blocked the entrance to the Ghetto; is there another way in? Leon looks at Abel, who smiles…there's a doorway hidden in a ruin, which Abel opens by simply pressing his hand to the wall, causing all to stare in astonishment. Abel just says "let's go."

...go on to Episode Twenty-One.

...return to Trinity Blood Episode Guide.