Chapter Fourteen

They were scared, the King was edgy while the Queen sat quietly in prayer; Maggie tried not to let her own fear show. Jean had thought he had found some connections, but she didn't think he knew they were planning anything this big; he must have learned something new this afternoon.

Time passed slowly, for a long time the garrison was quiet, but when the fighting started she wished for silence, not knowing if Jean was okay or not. She knew where he would be, no matter his rank or role in the palace he would be in the middle of it with his men. And until it was over she wouldn't know how any of them were.

Hours passed, and Maggie forced herself to keep busy. There would be injured men, tired and hungry, Maggie made fresh bread, forming large loaves that would be fluffy and soft before starting on a rich stew. It might not be the fare the King was used to, but it was one of her husband's favourites and the men would like it.

As the stew simmered, Maggie boiled water and cut strips of clean cloth. She didn't dare open the door even as silence fell in the yard. Finally, she heard a key in the lock, ushering the royals back into the bedroom she waited.

"Where is the King?" Her husband demanded as he stepped through the door, he looked tired and rough; his eyes searched the room.

"The bedroom, I just thought…" If someone else came through the door she would at least try to look like she was alone.

"Good girl Mags." He sighed and headed across the room, the King poked his head out before he got there.

"Sire, it may be some time yet before you are able to return to the palace. We are secure here, and I have sent scouts to the palace." Treville reassured the man.

"My son?"

"The children are safe, no one even knew he was here." Maggie sighed, she was thankful for that and wanted to hold her own daughter. The royals evidently agreed as relief washed over their faces.

As the couple turned to each to each other, Jean took her arm and tugged her back. "There have been injuries Maggie, Aramis is still at the palace."

"I will do what I can." She had been prepared for that, as well as hungry soldiers. "Will you carry the pot down for me?"

Maggie let him take the big pot of stew down, sending the bread down with a hovering cadet and took the basin of hot water and bandages herself. The next several hours were spent tending injured men, soldiers and prisoners.

In time more arrived from the palace and it began to feel unending. Not all the musketeers and cadets made it, and she watched as her husband and their brothers loaded those who didn't gently to be taken for burial. It didn't matter to their family that they were past caring. There were even more dead prisoners, but their bodies were piled into carts; Maggie had never seen such carnage but forced herself to keep going.

When the light got low a cadet began to follow her with a lantern as she stitched torn flesh and bound wounds. As she finished with a man he was helped up and taken to his quarters or out of the yard to be transported to the chatelain. When the last prisoner was hauled away Maggie sat back, now she understood why Jean looked so exhausted and that had been hours before. She stumbled when she tried to stand a strong hand grabbed her elbow; Jean stood at her shoulder.

"I didn't know you were there." Maggie murmured, finally taking stock of him. A nasty bruise bloomed on his brow and she was sure his uniform hid more. "Did you eat anything?"

"Not yet, I don't think there is any of your stew left; but it smelled good." He sighed, eyes still roaming the yard. "It is time to head up and get some sleep while you can."

"Is it safe?" She glanced towards their home, the King and Queen were still up there.

"Yes Maggie." He smiled a little. "We had best get them settled."

"Can I have a minute?" Up there he would be working, he might not think that way but with the King and dauphin in the next room he would be on high alert all night. Before he could argue Maggie curled against his chest, blocking out the yard and everything that had happened today. For a moment she just stayed there, his strong arms wrapped around her and felt safe.