SAVOY DESOLATION.
Chapter Three.
Musketeer Garrison.
Cadet Henri was lighting the torches around the courtyard as the musketeers returned from their recess at the Wren Tavern. The boy smiled to himself as he heeded the banter between the three men. He just hoped that one day he would be just like them, brave, honourable kings musketeer.
"Evening Henri." yelled Aramis.
Henri turned as he lit the final torch and beamed. "Evening Monsieur Aramis.
"Have the captain and d'Artagnan returned from the palace yet Henri? asked Athos as the boy approached the trio.
Henri nodded. "Yes about half an hour ago Monsieur Athos. "I do believe they are in the captains office."
Athos nodded in acknowledgement.
Porthos patted the boys shoulder and grinned. Before following Aramis and Athos up the wooden steps.
x
Henri watched after them before turning towards the main gates, the boy took a second glance as he noticed the silouhette of a figure adorned in a black hood wrapped around the face. The figure seemed to be looking into the courtyard. The boy peered into the darkness simultaneously as one of the sentry guards also eyed the figure.
"State your business...what do you want." yelled the guard.
Henri watched as Jacqu quickened his footsteps towards the archway.
Jacqu turned as Henri joined him. "Just some vagrant trying his luck." he murmered to the boy.
Henri looked back into the open square, no one conspicuous stood out, just a couple of old men as they wandered towards the tavern.
xxxx
Musketeer Garrison.
Following Morning.
It was a crisp morning as the sun shone down onto the garrison courtyard. The cadets sparred in the far corner, steel hitting steel as they pirouetted around each other.
The stable boys had saddled up the five horses needed for palace duty, the beasts snorted and tossed their heads as they were led out into the courtyard.
Captain Tréville strided across the courtyard towards the stables followed by his four inseperables. Each adorning their fine blue cloaks.
"Rather chilly this morning gentlemen." whined d'Artagnan blowing into his cuped hands.
"You need some bloody meat on yer bones." growled Porthos breathing in the cold air and exahaling.
"You should wear the gloves I gave you my friend." commented Athos shooting a glance to the Gascon.
"You sound like his bloody mother 'thos." growled Porthos nudging the swordsman in the shoulder and snorting a chuckle.
Aramis grinned. "I am certain your pretty lady will warm you later my friend, there is nothing more enchanting than lying in the arms of the fairer sex."
The markman looked to the heavens as though dreaming dramatically. "I did in fact have that pleasure yesternight when I visited the beautiful Madam Germaine."
"Only you could mention a woman in the same sentence as the weather." chuckled the big musketeer shoving the marksman playfully.
d'Artagnan smiled broadly. "Just thinking about that thought is already having the desired effect gentlemen."
Athos shook his head slowly and rolled his eyes as he heeded the banter.
"You lot are incorrigible."
"Come now Athos surly you concur." grinned Aramis throwing a wink at the others and sliding his arm around the swordman. "A beautiful smooth body lying next to you."
Athos shrugged from Aramis grip and scowled. " The only smooth body I will have next to me tonight is my favouite bottle of wine."
The others laughed out loud at Athos' deadpan reply making Tréville turn and shake his head with a grin.
"One of these days Aramis...you are going to have to deal with the wrath of an enraged husband." commented Tréville.
Aramis smiled. "I am very careful captain. Besides he goes to sea quite often."
Tréville shook his head. "I hope your right for your own sake."
xx
The musketeers mounted their horses. The clip clop of the hooves reverberated around the garrison courtyard as they steered their beasts towards the archway.
"The soirée begins in a couple of hours gentlemen, as soon as we reach the palace I want the throne and dining chambers secured." ordered Tréville as they began their trot though the street. "Remember the kings guests are arriving the and we do not want to keep our Spanish monarchy tarrying."
The men nodded having heeded the order.
Parisians moved aside as the musketeers rode through the market square.
As soon as they had cleared the streets they began their gallop towards the palace.
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Royal Palace.
Grand Hall.
The hall was alive with music as the minstrels played their lutes, the courtiers mingled, laughed and gossiped with idle chit chat as the hours ticked by receiving a down cast glare from the dignitaries as they flirted and flounced around the hall.
The king and queen of Spain seemed to enjoy the soirée as the early hours approached. Louis and Anne had mingled and chatted with their guests, even prompting the baroque style of dancing to the music. Guests watched in a circle as the young monarchs took to the floor with ease and grace, receiving a rapturous applaude from the observers before joining in themselves.
xx
The hours wore on, guests now beginning to thin out and say their farewells to the royal party. Louis smiled and jested with his guests as they left, reminding them they would indeed to it all again soon.
Porthos stood at the main entrance doors, he watched as carriages began to arrive to return their nobles from whence they came.
Aramis joined his friend, raising his hat as two young ladies smiled at the musketeer and giggled. The markman returned the smile and bowed courteously holding his hat against his chest.
"Good night ladies." he said softly as the ladies scurried towards their carriage.
Porthos shook his head. "You never know when to give up do you? he sighed.
Aramis turned to his friend and put a hand on his shoulder. "I cannot help my alluring charm my friend." he beamed.
Porthos snorted a chuckle.
xx
"The guests are diminishing, most have left." murmered Tréville as he joined Athos and d'Artagnan on the opposite doors.
"All seem to have had a wonderful night captain." commented d'Artagnan. "I noticed the king and queen participating in the dance steps."
"I fail to see the enjoyment in all that flouncing around to music." said Athos in his usual deadpan manner.
d'Artagnan smirked. "I thought they looked rather graceful as they moved." commented d'Artagnan.
Athos grimaced and rolled his eyes.
That moment the king suddenly approached, his beaming smile lighting up his face.
The musketeers bowed instantly as he halted before them.
"Ahh Tréville...it has been a most splendid night...do you not think? everything was wonderful."
Tréville smiled. "It has indeed Sire...I noticed your very impressive footwork when the baroque began."
Athos and d'Artagnan discreetly exchanged glances.
Louis grinned as he glanced towards Athos and d'Artagnan. "Another one of my hidden gifts I might add, I take after my dear mother."
Athos raised his brows and tilted his head slightly with a smirk.
Tréville eyed the monarch, always the show off, even if it meant sometimes ignoring his own wife, who he thought had also enjoyed the evening dancing with her brother the king of Spain.
"Just to inform you Tréville, Cardinal Richelieu will return on the morrow from Rome. I am most certain he cannot wait, I hear he finds the popes company rather tiresome." grinned Louis. "I trust you have your men prepared to escort him back."
Tréville inclined his head as he heeded the kings words. "Indeed your majesty, Lieutenant Gautier and four of my men will be escorting his eminence."
The king smiled. "Good I knew I could rely on you and your elite guard."
The king turned to walk away. "I bid you all good night musketeers."
The men bowed once more and acknowledged him in unison.
"Goodnight your majesty."
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Musketeer Garrison
Two Hours Later.
The two stable boys took the reins from the musketeers on their arrival back to the garrison in the early hours. Droplets of rain had began top fall as the men dismounted their beasts.
"Thank you Stefan." acknowledged d'Artagnan as he jumped down from his horse.
"So our dear Cardinal returns from Rome...it has been rather quiet without him." commented Aramis as he lifted his saddle bag from his horse.
"I 'ave missed him to be 'onest." snorted Porthos with a wink towards Athos.
Everyone glanced towards the big man.
"You...have missed the cardinal? inquired d'Artagnan looking astonished as he eyed the others.
Athos frowned and cast a glance at Aramis "Both men realising the big musketeer was jesting.
Porthos began to chuckle. "Yeah like a bloody musket ball to the 'ead."
The men laughed aloud.
"Porthos...really! how could you speak of the Cardinal with such tones? smirked Athos.
"Tréville shook his head at his mens antics as he approached the wooden steps that led up to his office.
"Get some rest men, you know the king is going to want us in his presence when the Cardinal arrives."
"God forbid he is ambushed and abducted." murmered Porthos making d'Artagnan grin.
Something suddenly caught Aramis' eye, he turned and looked towards the garrison archway. He peered into the darkness, I could have swore I saw someone standing there watching us. He thought as he continued to follow his friends.
Athos hadn't failed to notice the marksmans swift and uneasy glance towards the gates.
"What is it? he asked as Aramis turned back to his friends.
"Nothing...thought I seen someone watching us."
Athos eyed his friend, it was twice now he has felt uneasy, whenever it came to uninvited guests Aramis was very foreboding, he seemed to know, he had certainly served well in the past whenever they were ambushed.
The swordsman looked towards the archway. If there had been someone watching them they had long gone.
"Not again! growled Porthos sounding bemused.
d'Artagnan looked from one man to the other.
"Whats going on?
Porthos led them into the building as he replied to the Gascon. "He thought we were being followed the other day, now this." he murmered. "He's probably 'opin' its a beautiful maiden."
Aramis grinned and patted the big man on the back. "If only mon ami...if only."
d'Artagnan frowned and looked back as he entered the doorway. He seen nothing. Just the burning torches that lit up the courtyard.
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Residence
Madam Germaine Emone.
It was still dark as Notre Dame rang five bells the next morining. Rain had fallen through the night and was now beginning to abate to a drizzle, the streets were still damp as critters foraged for scraps. The figure meandered towards the large house that stood further back than the rest in its own grounds. The figure checked around before continuing the short walk up to the house and turning the door handle.
xxx
The bed chamber was dark, a lone candle had almost burnt down to the wick, what light that was left illuminated that of the beautiful madam Germaine Emone. Her long dark tresses culing around her bare shoulders as she slept.
Her eyed suddenly shot open as the hand clasped around her mouth. The grip stifled her scream as she tried to pull free, it was futile to even try, the hand held her fast. The smell of stale ale and musty clothing filled her nostrels.
The man looked into her face and smirked. His hand still over her mouth. "I am not going to hurt you madam...I just want you to do something for me." he whispered into her ear.
Germaine was trembling as he slowly released his hand from her mouth. She pulled up the blankets over her breasts and stared in horror at the stranger within her bed chamber.
"Who are you? What do you want with me? she whimpered.
The man sat on the bed looking at her. "I want you to write a letter to musketeer Aramis...you will ask him to come to you this night."
Germaine eyed the man in awe. "I do not know an Aramis." she murmered.
The man grabbed her wrist roughly and gritted his teeth. "Do not lie to me madam...you will do as I ask. Do not think I do not know of your adultery madam...I know he visits you...I doubt very much he is giving you shooting lessons."
Germaine pulled her wrist free and sat up against the large pillows.
"My husband will be back in three days...he cannot find out about him please I beg you."
The man smirked. "If you fail to get him here...I will tell your husband everything, and I believe you have two children...they will suffer too."
Germaine stared. "What do you want with Aramis? she asked.
"I said no questions madam."
The man stood and looked down at her.
"Ask him to come here at eight of the clock tonight."
"He may be on duty...how will I do that?
"That is up to you madam...all you need to do is make certain he is here.
The man looked out of the chamber window, he could see the sky beginning to lighten. He walked to the door and turned.
"Do not fail me madam...do not even think about informing the other musketeers to help you or I will slay your children as they sleep."
Germaine felt nauseous, who was this man, why did he want to see Aramis so badly. Dear God the children, I have to do as he asks for them. My dear husband Jorge cannot find out.
She sat still and listened as the mans footsteps descended the stairs and closed the door behind him.
She rushed out of bed wrapping a blanket around herself as she went, Germaine looked down onto the street below just as the cloaked figure vanished around the corner and out of sight.
The terrified young woman lit a candle and placed it upon her nightstand. She picked up her writing parchment and quill. Her hand trembled slightly. She stared at the candle flame, tears glazing her eyes, biting the inside of her mouth with nerves she dipped the quill into the inkwell and began to write...
...Dearest Aramis.
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To be continued...
Hi Folks!
Hope you are all well.
Thank you once again for the wonderful reviews, love them, you are all very kind with your words.
So glad you are sticking with the plot, there is alot more to come.
Just to let anyone know that if anyone is friends with me on Facebook. I have been hacked! So I have deleted my account for a few months before I reset again.
Will try and update ASAP!
Thank again
Pippa xxxx
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