Hunter's Moon

Chapter Seven

After the Musketeer had left the room Gontard looked at his master apprehensively. The Duke said nothing although he was visibly angry with his face and neck flushed.

"He can't know anything for certain," Gontard said to break the ominous silence. "Our men were all masked and none wore the insignia of Savoy."

"You're a fool," the Duke snarled. "Somehow he has found out the truth."

"He's testing you," Gontard said nervously. "Waiting to see if you react to his veiled accusations."

"He is the one who wounded me and his friend, Athos, saw the scar on my back." The Duke made a fist and looked ready to lash out indiscriminately. "I was certain they were all dead."

"What harm can he do? No-one will accept the word of a common soldier."

The Duke grabbed Gontard by the front of his doublet and pulled him close. "He knows the truth. I want him dead."

"Don't be hasty, Your Grace." Gontard squirmed in the Duke's iron grip. "Killing a Musketeer in Paris isn't something to be undertaken lightly. And remember he has his friends around him."

"Then kill them all." Savoy yelled pushing his First Minister away. "I don't care how you do it but I want him dead before we leave."

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"What was that all about?" Athos asked when Aramis rejoined them.

"Nothing."

"Do you have a death wish?" Porthos asked angrily. "There's already one maniac runnin' around tryin' to kill you. Did you have to add the Duke to the list of people who want you dead?"

"He needed to know that one of us survived. The truth cannot be hidden forever."

"The truth will never come out, Aramis," Athos said gently. "You know that. The King was complicit in the scheme to distract the Duke. It was a political maneuver with ramifications far wider than your own anger and grief."

"It was a long time ago," d'Artagnan said. "Maybe it's time to lay it to rest."

Aramis pushed him against the wall, his expression furious. "Are you suggesting that I should forget my dead brothers?"

"That isn't what he meant." Porthos pried Aramis off the young man before the situation could get out of control.

"I'm sorry," d'Artagnan said. "I didn't mean any disrespect."

Aramis ran a hand through his hair in agitation. "I should be the one to apologise. I overreacted."

"Understandable, but not wise," Athos said. "Porthos, you and d'Artagnan stay here in case the Duke takes it into his head to leave the Louvre. Aramis and I are going back to the garrison."

"I am still capable of doing my duty," Aramis protested.

"I know and we will come back later to relieve them. Right now, though, we need to put some distance between you and the Duke."

"You don't have to tell Treville what happened," Aramis suggested nervously as the full weight of his actions settled around him. He had acted without any thought for the consequences which were looking dire.

"He deserves to know and we have to guard against retaliation. I don't believe the Duke will simply forget what you said. He is more likely to take it as a challenge. We are all at risk. He will know that you have shared your suspicions with us."

"It wasn't my intent to confront him but, when I saw him again…"

Athos squeezed his shoulder supportively. "We will deal with whatever comes of your actions. We are already on our guard and, I promise you, we will let no harm come to you."

"Thank you, my friends."

"You'd do the same for us," Porthos said.

"I would lay down my life for you."

"Let us hope that it doesn't come to that," Athos said. "Come, Aramis. I will feel more at ease once you are safely back at the garrison."

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Rochefort moved away from his vantage point, pondering on the conversation he had just over-heard. It had been enlightening. He knew about the massacre in Savoy and had found papers in Richelieu's study that suggested the Musketeers had been used as bait so that French agents could grab Savoy's Chancellor. He hadn't been aware of Aramis' involvement though and that opened up interesting possibilities. The Musketeer would make a perfect scapegoat in the event of the Duke's unfortunate death.

He walked up the stairs to the King's bedchamber where Louis still cowered, fearful of emerging in case he faced another threat to his life. He felt only disdain for the man. The Queen had been subjected to the same ordeal yet she still fulfilled her duties, as brave and gracious as ever. She didn't deserve to be tied to such a spineless creature. She should be with a man who was her equal in every way. Soon he would see that wish become a reality.

"The Duke of Savoy has arrived, Sire," Rochefort said when he was admitted to the royal presence. "He is insisting on an audience with you."

"He'll have to wait," the King said petulantly.

"He has threatened an alliance with Spain."

"Can't you do anything about him? The Cardinal knew how to handle him."

"There is something you should know," Rochefort said, suppressing his irritation at the reference to Richelieu. "The Musketeer Aramis was present at the massacre six years ago in Savoy. It seems that he knows the Duke was responsible."

"How is that possible? All the Musketeers were killed."

"Apparently that wasn't the case. I'm sure Captain Treville had a good reason for failing to report that there was a survivor."

"This is a disaster!"

"Perhaps not. The Duke is a problem and there is a very real possibility that Aramis might take matters into his own hands."

"I told you before that I don't want the Duke killed. How would it look if we can't protect a guest on French soil?"

"You could hardly be blamed, Your Majesty. A rogue Musketeer, acting alone and without authority. It would be unfortunate, of course, but think of the benefits to France."

"I don't want to hear any more about it."

"As you wish." Rochefort was satisfied. The King had not issued an outright prohibition, neither had he given orders for Aramis to be detained during the Duke's visit. His plan could proceed. Louis would no doubt express outrage at the assassination. He would order Aramis' immediate execution and it would be another nail in the coffin of the Musketeer regiment. In every respect it would be a very satisfactory outcome.

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For the man lurking in the shadows it was galling to see Aramis ride through the archway leading to the garrison. He'd tried twice to kill the Musketeer who had taken everything from him. It had been exhilarating to be part of a cause, to be one of those closest to the prophet. Then, it turned out to be a lie. If Aramis had never been allowed to get close to Emilie they would still be riding high on the strength of her visions. He would have a purpose and a position as her chief bodyguard. Instead, he was just another peasant starving in the streets. He'd given up everything to follow the girl who had seemed to be Joan of Arc reborn. Raymond spat into the gutter. They had all been misled and now he had nothing left except for a thirst for revenge. And, he would have his vengeance against the Musketeer who had ruined their sacred cause. He turned away, already plotting his next move.

Tbc