For those of you who are following A Father's Love, I did post the final chapter a few weeks ago but the site was being weird and wasn't sending out alerts. I have a touch of writer's block and this chapter didn't come easily. I'm sorry if it isn't up to my usual standard.

Yesterday's Man

Chapter Ten

"The first thing we need to do is enlist the help of the Cardinal," Treville said.

"What good will that do?" D'Artagnan asked. "He's out of favour with the King."

"He's a consummate politician. He'll find a way back into the King's good graces. Besides, he has an enviable spy network and we need to find proof that Saint-Pol is working against France's interests."

"What if he isn't?" Athos looked up from a prolonged study of his hands, his face a picture of despair. "Apart from encouraging the King's obsession with building a navy he hasn't done anything that would suggest a nefarious agenda."

"Unfortunately, Athos is right," Aramis said.

"What about the way he behaved at the hunt?" Porthos asked. "He was surprisingly angry when you intervened to protect the King."

"He explained that away. How was he to know of my proficiency with a pistol?"

"You sound like you're making excuses for him," d'Artagnan said angrily.

"I can assure you I have no love for the Comte." Aramis' hand strayed to his shoulder which still pained him if he became over tired.

"Arguing amongst ourselves is not going to help Athos," Treville said wearily. "The Cardinal is our best hope." He stood and placed his hands flat on the surface of his desk. "Athos, get some rest. I'm going back to the palace. You three will accompany me."

"I don't think it's a good idea to leave Athos on his own," d'Artagnan said.

That brought the faintest of smiles to Athos' lips. "I can assure you that I don't need anyone to watch over me."

"Promise you won't leave." D'Artagnan looked distraught at the idea that his mentor might abandon him.

"You have my word. Be careful, all of you. Saint-Pol will stop at nothing to remove those who offend him."

"If he tries anythin' with me he'll find out what it's really like to get punched in the face," Porthos warned.

"Porthos!" Athos couldn't quite keep the satisfaction out of his voice.

"No-one will lay a finger on him. Is that understood?" Treville looked from one to the other, his mouth set in a severe line.

"Perfectly, Captain," Aramis said. His innocent expression concealed his deep hatred of the Comte and his firm resolve to exact vengeance for his beleaguered brother. He met Treville's gaze placidly, not missing the narrowed eyes and suspicious look.

"I don't want to lose any more good men," Treville warned.

"Then you'd best find a way to get rid of Saint-Pol before I beat him to a pulp." Porthos scowled at the Captain. "And, I won't regret it."

"Your loyalty is admirable but that isn't the way to go about this. We will watch and wait until he gives us the ammunition to destroy him." Treville walked round his desk and paused to squeeze Athos' shoulder reassuringly. "Don't give up hope. We will find a way to restore your commission."

Athos nodded, not trusting his voice. Once everyone had gone he emptied his cup and bleakly contemplated what his life was going to be like now that his whole reason for living had been taken away from him.

TMTMTM

Treville was a man who, in public, knew what behavior was expected of him. However, he was very close to losing his temper. His demand for a meeting with the Cardinal had been met with a series of excuses which had kept him waiting for an hour in the ante-chamber leading to Richelieu's office. When the door finally opened and he was beckoned forward he could feel his blood pressure rising. The Cardinal didn't look up from the document he was reading. Instead he held up a hand to admonish Treville to keep silent. Treville ignored it.

"We have an important matter to discuss," he said.

Richelieu sighed and straightened up in his chair. "One of your Musketeers has been stripped of his commission. I heard. What do you expect me to do about it?"

There was no chair so Treville was forced to stand, his anger quietly simmering. "Saint-Pol is a danger to all of us. I thought you might help."

"I'm listening."

"Help me to find out what's really going on. It's no secret that he wants your job and, if I'm any judge, I'd say he's well on his way to persuading Louis that it's time for a change."

"The King needs me."

"No-one is indispensable. Not even you."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Set your spies on him. You're uniquely placed to watch him."

Richelieu didn't bother to deny the existence of his circle of agents, but neither did he immediately volunteer their aid. "I have pressing concerns of my own."

"Our interests align. Not that I ever imagined saying that."

"Perhaps you're right. It would benefit all of us if Saint-Pol were dispatched back to England. Or perhaps he could have an unfortunate accident."

"A little obvious, even for you."

"Oh, come now, Captain, when have I ever been 'obvious'?"

"Will you help or not?" Treville asked bluntly.

"I will see what I can do. In the meantime, you'd better concentrate on reining in your men. I can't imagine they are very happy about today's events."

"That would be an understatement. Don't worry, I can handle them. Send word if you find anything out."

TMTMTM

The sun shone fitfully in a sky filled with scudding clouds. Despite the weather the King had decided to spar outside with his weapons master. Aramis automatically critiqued his technique while grudgingly admitting that Louis made up for his lack of ability with his unbounded enthusiasm. A small handful of courtiers watched the display, applauding politely on the infrequent occasions when the King scored a point. After another misstep, the King threw down his sword and gestured for one of the servants to bring him a goblet of wine. During the ensuing lull in the proceedings Aramis was dismayed to see Saint-Pol heading in his direction.

"I'm surprised to see you back on duty so soon. I trust your injury wouldn't hamper your ability to protect the King if the need arose."

"I will perform my duty as I always do."

"How commendable. You Musketeers have a very high opinion of yourselves, don't you? Unfortunately for you, the King's opinion is very different. Athos' actions have tainted the whole regiment. It wouldn't surprise me if Louis were to consider disbanding it."

"I doubt the King would take such drastic action. It's not as if Athos did any permanent damage." It was taking all of Aramis' self-control to hold a civil conversation.

"It's the perception of an ungovernable faction at the heart of the Court," Saint-Pol said. "Louis is very angry."

"I'm sure that anger will pass quickly."

"Will it? I wonder." He looked over to where the King was taking up his stance again. "Well, I should get back. I just thought you would like to know which way the wind's blowing."

Saint-Pol strolled away and Aramis gritted his teeth in frustration. The Comte was slowly isolating the King from all those who had sworn to serve him. He could rarely remember feeling so helpless.

Instead of rejoining the spectators the Comte spoke to Louis and then drew his sword. Aramis watched with a sense of horrified disbelief as the two started to spar. He edged closer, not trusting Saint-Pol to moderate his actions. There was no doubt that the King was out-classed. The Comte had obviously had a good teacher and was more than proficient. His footwork was sound and his sword moved with dizzying speed. The King was struggling to keep up and had only avoided injury because Saint-Pol was fighting with a controlled grace. Aramis kept waiting for Louis to call a halt but, the longer the bout went on, the more concerned he became. There was an intensity to the Comte's actions that boded ill for a positive outcome.

He looked to his right and left and saw that Porthos and d'Artagnan were watching with the same horrified fascination. Saint-Pol started a series of moves that would end with Louis being disarmed. As the King's sword flew through the air Aramis began to run.

Tbc