Approaching the End of Lymond, Once More

I've been re-reading the Lymond Chronicles, that huge, superb six-volume historical adventure epic by Dorothy Dunnett. I hadn't re-read it for several years, and besides, I've persuaded Sanada to take a crack at it as well, so I decided to keep her company on the long trip.

I'd thought of writing a post about my favorite scenes in each book, and I may yet do that. But I'm having an odd problem with the last volume, Checkmate .

( Here's the situation - may include mild spoilers, though I'll try to avoid them ... )