The King's Stratagem, and Other Stories

Set against the turbulent backdrop of late‑16th‑century France, the story opens in the fortified town of La Réole, where King Henry IV of Navarre and his formidable mother‑in‑law, Catherine de Medici, are locked in a silent struggle for power. The narrow streets, red‑tiled roofs and the river‑bound citadel echo with music and laughter, yet every smile masks a readiness to draw swords at the slightest advantage.

Inside a dimly lit chamber, two men gamble over dice, wagering a staggering two thousand crowns. As the younger vicomte curses his loss, his opponent—a seasoned soldier with a scarred temple—offers a seemingly generous proposal that could spare the loser ruin. Their tense exchange hints at a deeper game of deception, where fortunes and loyalties may be reshaped long before the night ends.