The Last Out

Set during King Charles VI's reign, the tale sits in a period of fragile kingship and feudal loyalties. Knights earn status through military service, marriage, and court favor, all within a sharply hierarchical society. The era is marked by brutal warfare and political intrigue, culminating in a duel that serves as a dramatic resolution.

The story unfolds in 14th-century France, moving between the austere estate at Aunou-le-Faucon and the bustling royal court in Paris, with a backdrop of battlefield campaigns. It also touches on a Scottish campaign that reflects the era’s wide-reaching conflicts and the reach of noble power. The setting highlights how land, lineage, and reputation shape the lives of knights, nobles, and those who serve them.

⚖️ Honor vs Truth

The narrative centers on the conflict between personal honor and verifiable truth. A woman's testimony becomes the catalyst for a dangerous chain of events, exposing how reputation and reputation-based justice can be weaponized. The characters navigate competing claims of integrity in a male-dominated legal world, where proof and pride clash.

🏛️ Power & Privilege

The story reveals how aristocratic power and favoritism steer outcomes more than impartial law. Wealth, status, and court influence shape who receives mercy, judgment, and opportunities to defend or ruin others. Pierre d'Alençon's control over stacks of influence contrasts with the vulnerable position of those accused.

🗣️ Gender & Agency

Marguerite's voice is tested by social pressure and legal peril. She asserts her truth despite social backlash and the risk of perjury. Her resilience highlights the limits and potential of female agency within a restrictive feudal order.

⚔️ Violence & Justice

The duel as ultimate adjudication crystallizes the era's reliance on physical combat to resolve disputes. This setup explores whether violence serves true justice or merely reinforces the power dynamics of a brutal society. The consequences of the duel extend beyond individuals to affect families and reputations.