Silent Anguish: Chapter Eleven.
The campfire crackled as the men sat around in groups eating and chatting.
Athos placed his unfinshed bowl of mutton broth down and leaned back against the tree.
Porthos craned his neck as he looked into the bowl, glancing at Athos.
" You not finishing that 'Thos" he asked the swordsman.
Aramis and d'Artagnan glanced at one another and grinned. d'Artagnan was shaking his head.
Athos without speaking picked up the bowl and handed it to the big man with a raised eyebrow.
Porthos dived into the leftover broth and spooned it into his mouth. " You really need to eat more my friend". he growled " You should not be leaving good food unfinished.
Athos had a slight smile on his lips as he glanced at his brothers in turn before looking at Porthos.
" I wouldn't want to deprieve you my friend. You enjoy."
" You are a hog mon ami" commented Aramis. " I'm supprised you have not gone around the men to see if there is any leftovers".
" Please do not encourage him Mis" added Athos "
"Nothing wrong with a good appitite" growled the big man. " A bloody mouse eats more than you lot".
"Maybe because you have ate the lot" chuckled d'Artagnan.
Treville at that moment joined his men holding a bottle of wine.
" You boys want to join me in a drink of English wine?" he asked.
" Don't mind if we do" said Aramis holding up his cup.
The musketeers looked at their captain as he filled their cups in turn
Athos sipped from his cup and nodded. " Mmnn not bad" he said.
Porthos finished the broth and picked up his cup as Treville filled it. He swigged some back and belched.
Athos rolled his eyes at his big friend.
" Not as good as French wine" he growled. " But better than that Spanish crap".
The others laughed at the big muketeers antics.
Aramis settled down next to Athos as they drank the wine. The men were all talking amongst themselves. The flames from the campfire playing on their faces.
The markman nudged his shouder into his friend as he spoke low.
"How you faring" he asked swigging back from his cup.
Athos had brought up his legs and leaned his arms on his knees as he watched the bustle of the camp.
" I'm fine Mis" he answered.
Aramis glanced at the swordsman and nudged him again. " This is me you are talking to mon ami...I know that look".
Athos had a slight smirk on his lips as he poured out more wine into his and his friends cups. He knew Aramis was a good judge of his friends moods.
" You my friend worry far too much. I will be better when we find him and make him pay for his crimes."
Aramis nodded in agreement. "If there was anyone I wanted to aprehend right now it is that bastard".
That moment Captain Cleeves wandered over with a slight stagger, he held a bottle in one hand.
Aramis and Athos shot a glance at one another as they watched the man nearly stumble into the fire.
" How are enjoying our English wine musketeers". he slurred.
Porthos glared across the flames at him. " How many bottles has he drank...he can just about stand up". he murmered glancing at the others.
" The man is a disgrace" replied d'Artagnan. " There is something about him...I just don't know what".
Athos glanced up as he heeded d'Artagnan's words. He watched as Cleeves drank from the bottle and pointed over to them as he staggered.
Treville stood and walked up to the man. " I think maybe you have had enough to drink Cleeves...you should go and sleep it off...we will be leaving at first light".
Cleeves glared at the musketeer captain. "Do..don't you...ord order me what to do...yourrr not in ch...charge oooof me". he seethed as he still staggered.
The musketeers exchanged glances with one another.
"Bloody idiot" growled Porthos.
The Englishman heard him and swung around as he staggered towards the big man.
" Youurr..the issiot...you fuckiing frecnnnch bazzzztaarrd." he spat out." I will knockkkks you ouuuts".
Porthos laughed aloud and waved the man away. " Yeah right...your too bloody drunk to swat a fly".
Cleeves pointed over to Athos as he yelled out loud to his men. " See him men...stay away frommmm him he is a sodomite!".
The words hit Athos like a sword to the heart...he glared at the man, he felt physically sick as tears stung his eyes. Before he could even react, his friends had intantly stood and were by Cleeves side as he ranted on.
" You BASTARD!" roared Aramis pushing past Treville. " You take that back".
Treville grabbed the medic before he reached the englishman. " Leave it Aramis...he's drunk". Aramis pulled himself away from his captains grip, he pointed to Cleeves. " Tomorrow he will be sober...I will be waiting".
Porthos was stood glaring at the man, his face looked like he was ready for battle.
"Get him out of my sight...NOW! yelled Treville at the english guard.
Two of the men had stood and grabbed Cleeves by the arms.
"Come on John...lets get you bedded down". said one of the guards.
Cleeves pulled away from their grips and staggered away.
Athos had stood and was throwing the contents of his stomach up against a tree away from the camp. Aided by d'Artagnan who had taken him some water.
Aramis and Porthos exchanged glances. " He doesn't need this my friend...it could knock him back". murmered the medic.
Porthos turned to Treville." How did he get into the Royal guard...he is scum".
" God only knows" muttered the captain.
Treville sighed aloud. " Take care of Athos Aramis. and then you boys get some rest.
d'Artagnan glanced around as Aramis joined the Gascon in aiding Athos. The young mans face was full of anger as he shook his head at the behaviour of Cleeves.
Athos took the water and drank it back. His face had grown pale. Aramis' eyes met d'Artagnan's as they walked back over to the camp.
"Don't let that sewer rat get to you brother...he is a drunken pig". said Aramis putting an arm around the swordmans shoulders.
Athos who had remained quiet, suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Is this how everyone is going to see me now?"
"Hey less of that talk...of course not. The man is an idiot, none of his own men reacted to him." replied Aramis.
"Yeah...even they know what he is like Athos" added d'Artagnan.
Aramis had noticed how his brother looked in a trance like state." Come mon ami...we all need some rest...we leave early on the morrow." He gave d'Artagnan a worried glance.
The camp was now quiet. The fire was beginning to diminish. Aramis noticed how Athos tossed and turned. He watched for a while until he was satisfied the swordsman was asleep. Aramis himself fell fast asleep.
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The men had started to rouse as Treville went around the camp to wake them.
Porthos stretched his arms above his head as he breathed in the dewy air. Birds were singing in the trees, making the big man look up through the branches.
He gave Aramis a slight kick on the foot making the marksman jump awake.
"Mornin'" growed the big man.
Aramis had sat up and looked straight over to Athos who was also awake and rubbing his eyes.
"How was he last night" muttered Porthos as he looked from Athos to Aramis with a concerned look.
" After tossing and turning he eventually dropped off...I didn't hear anything after that". answered the marksman. "It's what is in his head I worry about".
"Its a good job that Cleeves was drunk...I wanted to knock his bloody 'ead off". added the big man.
That moment d'Artagnan appeared handing out bread and cheese to his brothers.
Porthos chuckled as he took the plate. " Good lad d'Art...good lad". he said.
d'Artagnan smiled as he sat by his brothers. " Leave some for the captain Porthos".
The men had saddled up and where now ready to leave. They hadn't seen Cleeves all the time they took to eat breakfast. d'Artagnan had commented that he had probably been too ashamed of his actions. Either that or he didn't fancy taking on Porthos. That had made the big musketeer laugh.
After briefing his men Treville noticed the english captain suddenly make an appearance. His face looked pale with a green tinge, the man was obviously hung over after his night on the wine.
" Drink plenty of water, I find it helps as the day ware's on". muttered Treville as the man mounted his horse.
Cleeves closed his eyes as though dizzy. Then turned to the musketeer captain.
" I don't need your sympathy Treville...I am fine". he seethed. He kicked his horse into motion and joined his own men.
Porthos hadn't failed to notice how dishevelled the english captain looked. He smirked to himself.
Aramis who had now caught the man up and rode to his right. The medic turned and glared at the englishman.
" I would say you owed Athos an apology" he said.
Cleeves had a smirk on his face as he glanced to his right. " I don't apologise to anyone musketeer".
Aramis carried on looking ahead as he spoke in a low murmer.
" You are a disgrace to your regiment Cleeves...you taunt Athos like that again and you will be sorry you were born".
Cleeves glared at Aramis as they rode. " You better watch that mouth of yours...I know alot of dignitaries I could have you...
..."YOU WHAT? growled Porthos who had flanked the man on the left.
" 'Ung over are we Cleeves". he laughed. " Can't take his wine Mis, good job it ain't french...he would be dead now".
Aramis nodded. " Your right mon ami...one cup and he would not know the if it be night or day".
Cleeves turned his head to the two men as they taunted him. "I do not answer to you musketeers". He kicked his horse into a gallop and rode towards his group.
" What was that about" asked Porthos glancing at his friend. Aramis was smiling.
" I told him he owed Athos an apology...apparently he does not apologise to anyone my friend".
Porthos who was still watching the man sneered." We will see about that".
The day had started to heat up as the morning became noon. The men were gratful to be riding through the forest, the trees shading them from the heat.
Further on Athos rode to the side of d'Artagnan. Athos took out his waterskin and swigged from it. He passed it over to the Gascon who did the same.
" It's getting hotter by the hour" said d'Artagnan swatting flies out of his face. " I was not aware the english weather was like this, my father used to tell me it was always raining".
Athos smiled slightly as the young man spoke. " Right this minute my friend I would like it to rain." said the swordsman empting some water on the back of his neck.
After arriving at a small lake Treville suggested to Cleeves they stop to take a break and water the horses. Cleeves had agreed and yelled back to his men.
The men had dismounted and led the horses to the lakes edge. Some of the men threw themselves in the water and splashed around like children.
Aramis was filling the waterskins up. He splashed his face and neck with water.
"That feels good" he commented as d'Artagnan joined him to fill his own waterskins.
d'Artagnan smiled as he followed suit and cupped the water in his hands and splashed his face.
Athos had sat on the bank after filling his vessel. He drank some back and wet his own face.
He stared across the lake as it sparked in the sun like a million jewels.
Suddenly everything went quiet as Buckingham appeared out of the water and began to wade towards him slowly. The laughter of the men in the background had started to abate.
Athos felt his insides starting to churn as Buckingham approached him. He couldn't move away...why can't I move...Buckingham was nearly upon him as Athos tried to grab his pistol from his belt...his arm wouldn't move. What is wrong with me...HELP ME!
"ATHOS! ATHOS! what is it?" He recognised Aramis' voice as the medic shook his shoulder gently.
Athos jumped and looked at his friend who had sat next to him and was looking into his face with a concerned look.
" You fell asleep for five minutes my friend...I think maybe you had a bad dream".
Athos drank some more water. " I thought I saw HIM! he was in the water...God Mis what is wrong with me?"
Aramis felt for his brother, he knew who he was talking about. How dare this scum do this to their friend. He wanted to rid his brothers mind of such fearful thoughts.
" Nothing my friend...it's normal to have these dreams when you have suffered a trauma...I promise they will diminish".
Aramis patted his friend on the shoulder. " Come mon ami lets get going". The medic held out his hand to the swordsman. Athos glanced up and took hold as Aramis pulled him to his feet.
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The day gave way to dusk as the four riders came to a halt at the edge of the forest.
Buckingham had noticed his brother was in conversation with John Hogan.
The earl steered his horse around to look at the other two riders.
There is a hamlet ahead...we should look for an inn for the night" he said. "We need some sustenance".
" Do you think that is wise brother...we do have men on our trail" commented Buckingham.
The earl frowned. "It's highly unlikely they will catch us up...they must be at least a days ride away".
"I doubt very much they will pass this way" added Will Sands as he cut up an apple and ate it a piece at a time.
"Will is right...what are the chances...and who is to say they are coming this way?" added John
The Earl nodded in agreement at his advisers. He kicked his horse into motion.
"Come lets find this inn...I need an ale or two".
The two advisers glanced towards Buckingham. " Looks like your out numbered". mutterd Will as he rode past him.
Buckingham glared after him before kicking his own horse into a trot.
The four men sat around a quiet table eating mutton stew. The serving wench had fetched them an ale each. She placed them down on the table infront of each man.
"There you are gentlemen" she smiled. "I do 'ope yer mutton is to yer likin'
The earl glanced across at the girl. " The mutton is very pleasing girl...now if you have any rooms left we will be staying this night."
The girl held the tray against her bussom as she spoke. "Yer in luck...there is two left, I will 'ave em made up for yer".
The earl gave the girl a coin. "Good now leave us if you will".
The girl bowed slightly and smiled as she took the coin. "Why thank you kind Sir".
"Cheap little whore" sneered Buckingham as she walked away.
" Oh yes I forgot...you prefer young men do you not?" commented Will as he swigged his ale.
Buckingham glared at the man. " Just who the hell gives you the right to speak to me in that tone?" he spat out.
John Hogan grinned at his friends words. He scanned around laughing. " I dont see any in here this night. I hear you specialise in French musketeers".
Buckingham slammed his tankard on the table making the ragged looking punters look around in awe.
The earl grabbed his brothers wrist. " Thats enough! we don't want to attact attention. Now may we please have an enjoyable evening?"
Buckingham glared at the two men as he pulled his wrist from his brothers grasp.
"You need to speak to your so called advisers brother...they are not worthy".
John and Will exchanged glances and shrugged their shoulders.
"We helped your brother here help you escape...only for us you would have swung" seethed Will. "So don't expect any respect from me".
The earl looked at Will. " We know that Will...now can we change the subject".
John took out a chart from his cloak...he placed a tankard on each corner to flatten it out on the table.
"Now gentlemen" he said pointing his finger to the chart. "We are here at the moment...my thinking is that they will follow our trail as far as Framlington Castle, that tells me they have to be a days ride behind us. My advise James is that we head on to Warwick Castle...it will make it easier for our escape if needs be".
The Earl was nodding his head in agreement as he heeded his advisers words.
"That is further on is it not?" he asked.
John glanced at his master." It is James...but it makes more sense".
"Buckingham frowned as he studied the map..." Why will it make it easier for us to escape" he asked.
John eyed him. " I thought you of all people would know it has a very large moat".
Buckingham swigged some ale and placed his tankard back on the table.
" Ah yes of course...I forgot about that...I fail to see though what having a moat will achieve".
" It bides us time brother...makes it more difficult to access". replied the earl. " Now come gentlemen we need to sleep...we shall leave at dusk."
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To be continued...
I hope you all understood the drunken words spoken by John Cleeves.
I would appreciate a review.
Many Thanks for reading.
Pippa x