Okay, so whatever I did two days ago, I did again yesterday so I'll try to get it right and upload two chapters today! Meanwhile, in the story, things begin to unravel!
CHAPTER 14
Athos' mind was reeling at the pronouncement and he initially wondered if he had heard correctly.
"I apologise, Sire," he heard himself repeating. "Have I failed in some way over the past three weeks or caused offence to your Majesty? Was there anything amiss in my arrangements for the visit by the Austrian dignitary?"
Louis refused to look directly at him as he hesitated before answering. "Well, no, but certain things have come to light of late that does question your suitability to hold the position on a more lasting basis."
"What sort of things?" Athos asked, his voice tight with suppressed anger.
"You dare to question His Majesty?" Richelieu challenged, his eyes narrowing and brow furrowing.
"I merely wanted the opportunity to defend myself, Cardinal, if need be. I meant no disrespect to His Majesty but I am perplexed when my initial recommendation by Captain Treville was accepted with little problem. I also want to register my concern at this apparent haste in securing a replacement. Anything could have happened to the Captain and his party and it could be easily explained. I have dispatched men today to commence a search and ask that they be given ample time to explore the possibilities. I would readily stand aside if my command displeases Your Majesty; all I ask is that a premature decision is not made final." Athos spoke in quiet, measured tones; a stark contrast to the warring emotions he was going through inside.
"Monsieur Athos speaks with reason, Sire," Queen Anne spoke up in his defence and he shot her a look of gratitude. "We must not forget that it is not so long ago that this man was prepared to lay down his life for me when he and one of his colleagues fought hard to protect me."
Her compassion and intervention, both unexpected, flustered and embarrassed the monarch when he was reminded of the incident that saw his Queen targeted by assassins. Although he was oblivious to all the details, the Queen and the musketeer both knew of the Cardinal's involvement in the plot.
"You should not trouble yourself with business affairs, my dear, especially at this time." The King was making a pointed reference to the Queen's state of health and, in a gesture of protection, she laid her hand upon the distinct swelling that suggested to observers she was over six months into her pregnancy. Having already miscarried an heir to the French throne, every care was being taken to safeguard her from any stress but to all intents and purposes, this time she appeared to be in the very best of health, taking impending motherhood in her stride.
Her jaw tightened as she struggled to think of a suitable riposte and Athos found himself silently begging her to remain silent. She had spoken up for him but he did not want it pursued any further in case it led to a manipulative comment by the Cardinal that would suggest that her long-awaited child was potentially the result of an indiscretion with a musketeer. Athos knew that he, Aramis and the Queen herself had come too far for the infidelity to be disclosed now.
"We are obviously appreciative of all that Monsieur Athos has done in recent weeks but it is now time for someone reliable to take up the more permanent mantle," the King announced, exchanging a knowing glance with the Cardinal.
"How am I unreliable?" Athos directed his question to Richelieu, knowing that the First Minister had to be behind any change of mind on the part of the King. Treville was no longer around to give the voice of reason.
Richelieu pulled himself up to his full height and stepped towards Athos intending to intimidate him but the slender, six foot musketeer held his ground, his face an enigmatic mask.
"Do you really want me to spell it out for you?" Richelieu almost spat the words. "I have already apprised His Majesty of your unsuitability through your sordid past. Do we really have to go through it all again?"
"As I said, I would like the opportunity to defend myself." Somehow, Athos remained calm.
"How can you defend yourself about your frequent drunkenness? My men have seen you, often incapable of standing upright and having to be helped home by your friends; when you are not too far gone, you launch unprovoked attacks on members of the Red Guard. I have lost count of the number of my men you have injured whilst in this state and Treville covers for you, making excuses for your unacceptable behaviour. I do not understand how you manage to function appropriately in your duties the next day."
"I have never shirked from fulfilling my duties," Athos interrupted, intent upon defending himself to some extent, "and since assuming the role of Captain, I have not been drunk at all. I admit I may have engaged in brawls with your men in the past but you speak of it erroneously as though it were a nightly occurrence and you fail to mention the unprovoked attacks on us instigated by your men, such is the animosity between the two regiments."
"That makes it acceptable then?" Richelieu said contemptuously. "And were you not drunk when you took a woman hostage in the street, threatening her very life and then shooting and wounding one of your own friends who attempted to intercede on her behalf? As a musketeer, are you not expected to uphold the law, to be an example to the citizens of this city and to protect them? I hardly think you are supposed to initiate the lawlessness on its streets and inspire fear in its people. Then there was the fiasco of more discharged weapons with the same musketeer, d'Artagnan, when you feigned death. Yes, I heard all about your mock funeral. Very amusing. Sanctioned by Treville again, I believe. And its purpose? No doubt something else to do with the lady, your wife. "
"You would know, you had her working for you," Athos retorted. The two men were on dangerous ground here and care needed to be taken that vitriolic words were not said in haste that would implicate the Queen.
"I have many people working for me, Your Majesty," Richelieu explained, turning to the monarch. "I have to have my informants to enable me to be an effective First Minister with the safety of your good self and France at heart."
"Of course, of course, dear Cardinal. I quite understand." Louis smiled warmly at his advisor and then looked at the musketeer, any pleasure fading from his face. "What a chequered past you seem to have led, Monsieur Athos."
"That is only a part of it, Your Majesty," Richelieu added, speaking to his King but looking directly at Athos. "However, I would not wish to take up any more of your valuable time by listing many more reasons as to why this man is unfit to command a regiment."
"Quite right, I have heard more than enough, especially as you have already informed me at length of the near disaster we have had with the dignitary's visit. Half a regiment down with food poisoning? Thank heavens we did not suddenly find ourselves at war! A King needs an army ready to fight for him, not one that's taken to its bed. You should be in a constant state of readiness. At least Treville usually managed that. I have never heard the like."
"It was an act of sabotage, Your Majesty," Athos tried to explain. "Foodstuffs were replaced with others that were harmful."
"Rubbish," Richelieu said derisively. "You make excuses for an old man who should have been shown the door years ago, another example of Treville's sentimentality. Why else would he retain the services of an old soldier past his usefulness?"
"That old man has a name, Cardinal. Serge was a faithful musketeer for many years and then became the cook for the regiment. There has never been any question of his effectiveness or ability to do the job," Athos was struggling to keep his temper.
"Until now," Richlieu retaliated, "and not just any old day either. It was the day before an important visit when he chose to be incompetent and cooked a meal laced with poisonous mushrooms."
"You seem to know a lot about it, Cardinal," Athos said slowly, his voice low and his words leaving no room for doubt that he suspected the minister of some involvement.
"Of course I do. It is my job to make sure I know what is going on when His Majesty's safety is at stake. Besides, I was kept up to date with events."
"From another informant, no doubt," Athos was scathing.
"Naturally and no ordinary informant either. It was none other than your confirmed replacement. This is, perhaps, the perfect moment for you to meet." The Cardinal moved towards a door and grasped the handle. "You will, of course, need no further introductions."
In one fluid movement, he pulled open the door to reveal the new Captain of the King's Regiment. Athos stared, not even realising that he was holding his breath as in walked Delacroix.