Richelieu's Revenge
Chapter Ten
D'Artagnan sat with his back pressed against the cold stone. He shivered as the chill penetrated his doublet and sent icy fingers running down his spine. Aramis was in the opposite corner, sitting with his knees drawn up to his chest. Each was lost in thought. They had ceased to notice the smell and no sound filtered through the door and thick walls. It felt as if they were living in a cocoon, suspended in time.
"Do you think the King will listen to Treville?" d'Artagnan asked.
"The Captain will do his best." Aramis wasn't about to lie to the young man. He estimated their chances for survival at less than fifty/fifty. The Cardinal would be there urging the King to follow the law and they all knew how fond the King was of Richelieu. "I'm sorry, d'Artagnan. This is all my fault."
"I didn't have to go with you this morning. That was my choice. I knew the risks."
"You are a good friend. Better than I deserve." He gave a rueful smile. "Porthos is going to be very angry with us."
That was an understatement. If they were executed Porthos would be inconsolable. They would have to rely on Athos to manage his own grief while keeping Porthos from doing anything rash.
When the key grated in the lock they both scrambled to their feet. They relaxed when a guard entered carrying two bowls. He put them on the ground before backing out. The door closed again.
Aramis approached the food warily and peered suspiciously into the bowl. A watery stew filled the vessel. He couldn't see any evidence of meat or anything recognizable as vegetables. "Not up to the standard of our usual fare," he said before carrying the bowls over to d'Artagnan.
The liquid was tepid and greasy but they'd both eaten worse and knew the value of consuming food when the opportunity arose.
It was impossible to measure the passing of the hours, but they finally accepted that they weren't going to get an answer that day. They'd been provided with a thin blanket each which they wrapped around themselves before settling down in the straw. It was a long time before they slept.
TMTMTM
Athos was at the Captain's door shortly after dawn. Treville muttered irritably as he finished dressing. Neither looked as if they had slept well. Shortly after, they were joined by Porthos.
"You should be resting," Treville said.
"I'll rest easier once Aramis and d'Artagnan are back."
"Porthos…"
"Don't say it. The King is goin' to release them," he said with desperate determination.
Athos laid a hand on his shoulder. "We have to face the fact that he might not."
"Are you givin' up on them?" Porthos asked angrily.
"Of course not. I'm just being realistic."
"I don't want to hear it."
Treville finished buttoning up his doublet. "Well, we won't get an answer standing around here. Porthos, you're not well enough to go to the palace."
"Just try and stop me," Porthos growled.
"It might not do any harm to remind the King of Porthos' injury," Athos said. "After all, that was why Aramis accepted the challenge to a duel."
"Oh, very well. But don't blame me if you keel over," Treville said with exasperation.
"I'll see that the horses are saddled," Athos said.
He headed for the stables and gave the grooms their instructions. When Treville and Porthos joined him, he helped Porthos to mount and they all set out for the palace. Now that the time had come he was terrified about the answer they were going to receive although he wouldn't have admitted that to anyone. Would they be bringing Aramis and d'Artagnan home? He just didn't know the answer to that question.
TMTMTM
It was ten o'clock before the King made an appearance for breakfast. Anne, who seemed to be perpetually hungry as her pregnancy progressed, was unamused. She was even less pleased to see that Louis was accompanied by the Cardinal.
"There you are, my dear." Louis stooped and kissed her cheek. "The Cardinal insists that he has urgent business to discuss so I invited him to join us."
"Your Majesty is too generous," Anne said. Years of practice enabled her to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.
As soon as the King sat down servants began scurrying around bringing dishes of food and filling their goblets with wine. Anne and Richelieu waited while the King was served first.
"Well, Cardinal, what's so urgent that you have to disturb my breakfast?" the King asked, his attention wholly focused on the plate of food in front of him.
"It is a delicate matter," Richelieu said, shooting a look at the Queen.
"I will withdraw if you wish," Anne said stiffly.
"Nonsense. You can speak freely, Cardinal."
Richelieu didn't look happy about that. "It's about Captain Treville and the Musketeers."
"A more loyal group of men you won't find anywhere," Anne said, in quick defence.
Richelieu gave her a sour look. "Loyal, yes, but undisciplined."
"There does seem to have been a few incidents lately," the King said thoughtfully.
"Captain Treville has always displayed exemplary behavior," Anne said.
"True, but he does seem to have lost control of his men. First Athos, and now Aramis and d'Artagnan in jail for dueling. A more competent commander would have ensured his men abided by the law." The Cardinal gave her a triumphant look.
"As I recall one of your men was also involved," Anne said sweetly.
"Hah! She's got you there, Cardinal."
"Indeed, Sire. Nonetheless, we aren't discussing the Red Guard. It is the Musketeer regiment which is making you look bad."
Louis frowned. "No one makes me look bad," he said icily. "I am the King."
Richelieu bowed his head in acknowledgment causing Anne to give a slight smile.
"I like Captain Treville," Louis continued. "He's plain spoken. None of this beating about the bush nonsense. I don't see that a failing by a few of his men justifies his removal."
"You have to admire his loyalty to his men," Anne said. "He will always stand up for them no matter the hopelessness of the cause."
"Which brings us to the case of Aramis and d'Artagnan," Richelieu said smoothly.
"Brave soldiers who never hesitate to face any danger in defence of the monarchy," Anne said.
"That's what they're paid for," the King said. "Besides I have plenty more soldiers."
"You forgave Athos because of his actions in saving my life. Aramis and d'Artagnan were equally involved in that dreadful incident. As was Captain Treville and he had an injured shoulder at the time." Anne's stomach was becoming unsettled as she fought to save the man she loved.
"I'm sure we are all very grateful for their actions but that doesn't excuse every misdemeanor."
"Quite right, Cardinal."
"Surely you can show leniency, Sire. They didn't actually fight and no one was injured."
"That is a consideration." The King pushed his plate away irritably. "I've lost my appetite now and you're both giving me a headache."
"That was never our intent." Anne laid a hand over Louis'. "Why don't you rest, and I'll convey your decision to Captain Treville."
"Thank you, my dear, but I'm the King and I'll tell him myself."
"You have made a decision?" Richelieu asked.
"Yes."
"May I enquire as to what it is?"
"No, Cardinal, you may not. I will announce it in due course. Now, I want you both to leave me in peace."
Anne stood and curtsied, making sure that the King's attention was drawn to her rounded belly. It never hurt to remind him that she was carrying France's heir. Richelieu bowed in a flourish of black robes and followed her from the room.
"I'm surprised you were so passionate in defence of the Musketeers."
"They saved my life. I honour my debts."
"It was their duty to protect you. I have to wonder if there is another reason."
Anne's hand strayed almost involuntarily to her belly, suddenly terrified that Richelieu knew about her and Aramis. "I don't know what she mean," she said, before hurrying back to her rooms.
Tbc