Power

A theme found in this story is power. Each country involved wants power over itself and others. France currently has power over herself and Scotland, hoping to use young Queen Mary's betrothal to the French Dauphin as a way of keeping the power in the hands of the French.

This is where the problem in this story begins. Many do not like Mary de Guise, Queen Mary's mother, or the de Guise family as a whole; so, several individuals plot to kill Mary and make alliances with England to ensure either Scottish independence or more power for themselves. Throughout this story, the reader meets many characters whose sole goal is to gain power.

The one character who does not seem interested in power is Lymond. By his reaction regarding any pain he causes, such as the death of Robin Stewart, it seems that Lymond fears the power he...