The Cruel Sea
Chapter One
The streets of Le Havre were washed clean by the torrential downpour. The rain had also soaked four bedraggled Musketeers, leaving them shivering and miserable. Their horses plodded onwards, heads down with weariness. Had it not been for the weather they would have made camp an hour ago and finished their journey in the morning. As it was, all they could think about was a warm room and a good bottle of wine. Dark clouds and an early dusk made the road even more treacherous so it was a relief when they began to see the lights of the town glimmering ahead of them.
Les Poisson more than lived up to its name being infused with a strong odour of fish. Not that any of the men cared. They shed their sodden cloaks and headed for the table closest to the fire. Soon they were settled with two bottles of wine and bowls of fish stew accompanied by freshly baked bread.
Aramis shuddered as water dripped from the ends of his hair and ran down his back. "Remind me. Why did we think it was a good idea to volunteer for this mission?"
Three pairs of eyes turned to Athos, who grimaced in response. "I thought we could all do with some time out of the city." It wasn't the entire truth. With the Queen's belly growing daily more noticeable, and Aramis having a tendency to look at her like a love sick puppy, it had been a question of self-preservation. Richelieu had taken to watching the Musketeer speculatively as well, which was grating on Athos' nerves. Aramis didn't appear to have noticed either his dangerous behavior or the Cardinal's interest.
"Why did the King send Musketeers and not the Red Guard? It's not as if catching privateers is our responsibility," d'Artagnan asked. The colour was gradually returning to his face as he warmed up.
"He is worried about his relationship with England, I imagine," Athos said. "I heard that their harvest was bad for the second year in a row and that has led to a lot of unrest amongst the people. The King was answering a plea from his sister to lend them aid."
"I could understand attackin' ships if they were carryin' somethin' valuable," Porthos said. "But these were filled with grain."
Athos withstood Aramis' scrutiny while d'Artagnan poured more wine and Porthos mopped up the last of his stew with a hunk of bread.
"I think there is something you have omitted to tell us," Aramis said mildly.
Athos looked away, buying himself some time by taking a drink from his glass. Then he sighed. "The ships were carrying more than grain. The King also sent arms and ammunition. The English King is unpopular and fears an uprising. Parliament is against him and his grip on the country has weakened. He wants to be prepared in case the worst happens."
"How much has been stolen?" Aramis asked.
"Enough to start a small war according to Treville."
"Louis is worried that similar trouble could cross the channel to France?" d'Artagnan's brow was furrowed as he considered the implications.
"He's too arrogant to believe that is possible," Athos said. "It was Treville who saw the danger and that's why he volunteered us."
"What makes him believe the privateers are operating out of Le Havre?" Aramis leaned forward intently. They had been given only the briefest of details but he suspected that the Captain had confided in the man he regarded as his lieutenant.
Athos looked around before speaking in a low voice. "All the merchant ships that have been attacked started their journey here. That means someone in this town is passing information about their schedules and routes. Also, there are a number of small bays along the coast near here where cargo could be offloaded in relative secrecy. Tomorrow we will split up. D'Artagnan and I will make enquiries in town while you and Porthos reconnoiter the coastline."
"What happens when we find them?" Porthos asked. "I can't see the four of us bein' enough to take on a whole crew of pirates."
"You underestimate our abilities, my dear Porthos."
Porthos threw a grin in Aramis' direction before turning sober. "Much though I'd like to think we could handle it we need to be realistic."
"We'll send to Paris for reinforcements. Our mission is to locate the pirates, find out where their base is, not engage them." Athos drained his glass. "I will go and rent us a couple of rooms. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow."
TMTMTM
They breakfasted at daybreak. The rain which had plagued them the day before had stopped during the night and the sky was clear as the sun started to rise. After parting company Athos and d'Artagnan strolled along the quay to the harbor master's office.
"You think he's the one who is passing on the information?" d'Artagnan asked.
"Doubtful. That would be too obvious. No, I suspect his is innocent but he might be able to point us towards others with similar knowledge."
They entered the small building to find a thin, baldheaded man standing behind the counter. He peered at them over the rims of his glasses.
"What can I do for you gentlemen?"
Athos touched his pauldron. "We are King's Musketeers. You will have heard about the ships that were robbed of their cargoes."
"Yes. Yes. A bad business."
"They all sailed from here."
"That's true. I know all the Captains and many of the crew members." The harbor master shook his head. "It's a sad day when ships return bereft of their cargo and with dead seamen on board."
"How many have been killed?" d'Artagnan asked.
"Let me think. Two on the first ship and three on each of the others. Whoever's responsible has no respect for life."
"Who would know when the ships were to sail and their routes?"
"Their sailing schedules weren't a secret. Their routes, now, that's a different matter. The sea between here and England is unpredictable and routes vary depending upon the weather. No Captain knows for certain what path he'll take until he's out on the water."
Athos frowned in frustration. "Is there a favoured inn when the Captains are in port?"
"La Belle Helene is where most of them stay. It's a step above most of the others. Turn left when you leave here and it's two streets back from the docks."
"Thank you for your assistance, Monsieur." Athos led the way out of the building. "Not as useful as I had hoped."
"We go to the inn?"
"Yes."
The quay was crowded with sailors, longshoremen and a couple of prostitutes who looked at Athos and d'Artagnan with interest. Athos ignored them although d'Artagnan smiled at them as he walked past. They called out an invitation to which he didn't respond. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Athos scowling at him.
"What?" he asked. "It costs nothing to be polite."
"You're just encouraging them," Athos groused. "You've clearly been spending too much time with Aramis."
D'Artagnan grinned and hurried his steps to keep up with Athos' brisk stride. La Belle Helene was a substantial two storey building just far enough away from the docks to be in a more genteel neighbourhood. Voices still carried on the breeze but they were muted and not as raucous as they seemed at closer quarters. Although it was still early the door stood open and inviting.
When they stepped inside they found some of the tables occupied by well-dressed men, some of whom wore the distinctive dark blue uniforms of sea captains. They were clearly just finishing their breakfasts prior to embarking upon the day. The man tending the bar looked in their direction and smiled in welcome.
"Breakfast is almost over but I'm sure I can find something for you if you're hungry."
"Our thanks but we have already eaten." Athos removed his hat and laid it on the wooden bar. "We will take two tankards of ale though."
"What are Musketeers doing in these parts?" the man asked as he deftly poured their ale.
"Oh, we're just passing through."
D'Artagnan shot a quick sideways glance at his mentor.
"We have to meet a courier here and then we'll be on our way," Athos continued, lying smoothly. "Of course he may be delayed. Do you happen to have any rooms to rent?"
"I've one coming empty. Captain Deschamps over their sails with the evening tide." He gestured towards one of the tables.
"Then, we would like to rent it from you for a couple of days." Athos pulled out several of coins and held them out.
They were taken quickly and disappeared into the man's apron pocket. "Happy to be of service to two of the King's elite guard."
D'Artagnan picked up his tankard and sipped the ale. "This is good."
"Only the best for my customers. My name is Benoit and I'm the proprietor of this establishment."
"Athos. This is d'Artagnan."
They finished their ale in companionable conversation before Athos retrieved his hat and settled it on his head. They parted company with Benoit and returned to the street. D'Artagnan caught Athos' arm.
"You didn't ask him any questions."
"No. I think subtlety is the key here. Did you notice the bottles of rum and brandy? They're expensive which means he is either making a very good living or he's involved in smuggling. My guess is it's the latter. His ale, as you noted, is also of very good quality and I would wager his wine is too. He caters to those with the most money and supplies their needs accordingly."
"That doesn't mean he's the one passing on information."
"It doesn't mean he is innocent either. He isn't going to talk to us but he might talk to Porthos if he doesn't know he's a Musketeer. And, I have an idea about Aramis too. Come on, we've things to arrange."
Tbc
