10. Sacrifice

Complete story — includes the ending

Queen Catherine conspires with nobleman Lord Hugo ( Ted Atherton ) to remove Bash, who is acting as regent in King Henry's absence. Their poisoning attempt fails when Bash is protected by his new bodyguard, Alec ( Daniel Fathers ). Their second attempt involves trying to expose Bash's connection to a pregnant peasant named Isobel (Amy Forsyth), Bash's cousin, whose father was executed for being a pagan. Bash, Alec and Queen Mary sneak Isobel out of the castle but make camp in the woods when Isobel goes into labor. A group of pagans surround their tent, but leave them unharmed when Bash, Alec and Isobel perform a pagan chant. Bash explains to Queen Mary about his pagan heritage, and that the blood pagans of the wood are a different sect. Isobel dies giving birth to a daughter, and the group return to the castle, where the baby is secretly given to the castle's communal wet nurse. Lady Lola, Lady Kenna and Lady Greer are unable to find evidence of Catherine's involvement in the plots, but forge letters in Queen Catherine's handwriting to blackmail her to stop. Bash declares his feelings for Queen Mary; the pair kiss and privately honor Isobel's grave with a pagan ceremony.