Silent Anguish. Chapter: Twenty One
Daylight was now beginning to fade, the heat of the day had cooled down making it more comfortable for the riders and their mounts.
The musketeers had kept a steady pace behind the English lieutenant and his men. Porthos had stated to his captain that he didn't trust him, but they went along with the plan anyway. Aramis just wanted to get Athos back to Paris even if it meant the temporarily truce.
The swordsman seemed quite content as he rode Roger, flanked by Aramis. The medic wanted to keep his eyes on his brother at all costs. He still seemed very distracted and deep in his own nightmare of thoughts. The least noise or voice making his body twitch slightly. Aramis felt the anger inside as he mulled the torment over in his head.
d'Artagnan also watched him closely he couldn't shake the thought out of his head of what had happened to his mentor. He had heard about Buckingham from what Treville had told them. It was hard to digest at what the man was actually capable of, let alone having one of his own brothers suffer at his hand.
Porthos rode to the rear with Treville. The big musketeer glanced up to the sky.
"It will be dark in an hour or so capt'n" he growled. Treville mirrored his actions as he to looked up at the heavens.
"Yes...we will see how far we can get before we set up camp for the night, I want to try and travel at a hast. The sooner we get this bastard back to Dover the better. I just want to get us all on a ship back to Paris." he responded.
Buckingham had been tethered to Cecils horse and made to walk. James, Will and John rode their own mounts with the men.
"This is an outrage" seethed Buckingham as he trudged the ground behind Cecil's horse.
"How dare you treat me in this manner...the king will hear of it lieutenant...mark my words".
Cecil grinned to himself as he rode. He could see the man in his perennial vision.
"The king wont listen to you my man, you are already on a hanging charge, and when he recieves word that you again sodomised the musketeer...WELL...I would not want to be you".
Buckingham glanced up at the man as he responded. " Don't think you are going to escape justice...you are in this right up to your ears...you helped us escape all this. Captain Cleeves is another.
Cecil started to laugh aloud. "You forget one little detail Buckingham...you are the rapist here not I or Cleeves. You are going to hang, and this time there wont be any escape".
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Aramis glanced at his brother as they rode. He seemed in a trance like state.
"Athos my friend...how you faring" he asked.
Athos slowly turned to look at his brother, his face was full of fatigue and anguish. His voice hoarse as he answered. " I'm...fine Mis".
Aramis passed a waterskin to the swordsman who took it and drank. He handed it back to the medic and nodded his thanks.
Aramis patted his brother on the shoulder and smiled. "The more we travel mon ami the nearer home you will be".
Athos continued his trance. All he wanted right now was his own bed so he could hide away from the world. I feel ashamed to be seen by my fellow comrades. They will think me a freak...I need to lock myself away. I cannot bare to face the world again...I want to disappear...I must get away from Paris...I...hate myself. I love...my brothers...they..wont want to be seen with me. I am...finished.
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Darkness had fallen. The riders had set up camp for the night. Buckingham had been tethered to a tree.
Aramis had told Cecil he wanted the man as far away from Athos as possible, he didn't want him in his view.
Cecil had given the order to his men to do what the medic had asked. Buckingham groused the idea saying he felt he did not need to be so isolated.
Porthos had heard his words and laughed. " Well ain't that tough...you bastard...how my heart bleeds for you...you peice of shite".
Buckingham had eyed the big musketeer. " King Louis will hear of your treatment of me". he had commented.
Porthos walked away laughing out loud..." He is not going to listen to you".
Cecil and his men sat on one side of the campfire, the musketeers on the other.
d'Artagnan had made his famous broth, this time he had added mushrooms and herbs, he had collected on the journey. Each time jumping from his horse to pick them. He had made his brothers chuckle at his antics.
"Mmmmnnn tastes good d'Art" commented Aramis having spooned some into his mouth. "It seems it was worth all your good work at collecting more hebs mon ami".
Porthos handed a bowl to Athos. "Im not hungry" said the swordsman as he leaned against a large oak tree.
Porthos shot a glance to Aramis with concern before the medic intervened.
"Come now my friend you have to eat...you have to keep up your strengh "said the medic softly. "You have a long journey ahead".
Athos eyes has filled with tears, he wiped them away with his shirt sleeve.
Treville and d'Aratgnan watched as Aramis spoke to him.
The Gascon stood and moved towards his mentor. He crouched down in front of him. " I will be offended if you don't try my special broth Athos" he said with a grin set on his face. " I collected more ingredients to make it more appealing and delicious...for you my friend".
Porthos and Aramis exchanged glances with raised eyebrows. They watched as Athos took the bowl from d'Artagnan and slowly spooned up the broth.
d'Artagnan turned to the others and winked, making the others smile.
Athos nodded. "It's very tasty" he commented.
d'Artagnan smiled as he squeezed his friends shoulder. " I aim to please my friend." he answered. "There is more if you should want".
"Do not say that in front of Porthos d'Art...there will be none left" grinned Aramis.
Porthos pulled a face at the medic and pushed him playfully in the back.
That moment Cecil approached Treville and stood next to the musketeer captain.
Treville nodded his acknowledgement. "How is your man faring" asked Cecil as he looked over to Athos.
Treville shot him a glance. " We just want to get him back to Paris...he is mentally and phyisically exhausted, which of coarse is no supprise given what the boy has endured at the hands of that bastard".
"Indeed" answered the englishman " He most certainly looks like he has good friends to take care of him I might add".
Treville smiled. " Oh yes he certainly has that, of that I have no misgiving".
Cecil nodded a slight smile curling his lips. "Will you join me in a cup of wine Captain Treville". he asked.
The man is too hypocritical for his own good. Thought Treville as he glanced at the man.
"Forgive me lieutenant, no offence but my men have undergone a most fierce undertaking since arriving here in England...I think I will have to reject the offer...and respect the temporarily truce".
Cecil nodded. " I quite understand Captain no offence taken...I bid you and your men goodnight."
Treville raised his eyebrows and gave a slight bow of the head. " Goodnight...Oh and we leave at first light".
Cecil gave him a wry smile and nodded again. " We will be ready".
Treville watched as he turned on his heel and walked back to his men.
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The camp had quietened down for the night, a slight breeze blew though the darkened trees. The campfire was now just smoking embers. Light snoring could be heard coming from individual men as they slept.
Athos lay on his side on his bedroll covered with a blanket. Aramis lay fast asleep by his side. d'Artagnan was on the other.
Porthos had taken first watch. He wandered around the camp, he noticed as one of Cecils men who was also on watch nodded towards him in ackowledgement. Porthos looked towards Buckingham who was asleep and still tethered to a tree.
Athos eyes opened wide with fear as he noticed the figure approaching him from beyond the trees. It was Buckingham, he had the same slimy smile on his face. Athos could feel his heart as it thud in his chest, the persperation ran down his face, he sobbed aloud, he tried to scream out to his brothers, he couldn't move...Buckingham was getting nearer to him...he crouched down to him and put his hand on his shoulder...".NOOOOOOO!...NOOOOO!" he shrieked.
"ATHOS! ATHOS!...it's alright mon ami...it's me Aramis...your safe".
Athos opened his eyes as he seen Aramis' concerned face looking into his.
The swordsman was trembling all over. "He was here...he was here Mis"...he panted. "He...came...out of the ...trees".
d'Artagnan had also roused and was looking at the medic with worried eyes. Aramis shot him a quick glance.
"Shhhuuuush my friend go back to sleep...noone is going to hurt you...he is shackled up...he cannot escape...I promise you".
Porthos suddenly emerged from the other side of the fire. "Whats wrong Mis...is he alright". he asked with alarm.
Aramis was nodding. "He had a nightmare...he will be fine".
Athos lay back again still trembling. Aramis looked from d'Artagnan to Porthos with concern written all over his face.
Athos had fallen back to sleep. "This is just the beginning my friends commented Aramis laying back down and wrapping his arm around his brother.
dArtagnan stood. " Get some rest Porthos...its my watch now" said the Gascon.
Porthos nodded to him, his face full of concern for Athos. He looked back at Aramis as he held him close, the words that the medic had uttered resounding in his head.
d'Artagnan was roaming the camp. Tears had welled in his eyes as he thought about what he had just witnessed. He glared across at the sleeping Buckingham, he was oblivious to his hand clenching around the hilt of his sword. He felt his teeth clenching in his mouth with anger and frustration. How he just wanted to slit the bastards throat. How dare this sick evil scoundrel think he could get away with what he had done.
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The men had been riding for a few hours now. They had risen very early, it had still been slightly dark when they mounted their horses and left the night camp behind them.
Cecil had decided that Buckingham was hindering their progress to travel at haste. So he was allowed to ride his mount, both his hands were still shackled and his horse tethered to Cecil's stallion. Porthos had suggested he ride to the rear so he could keep his eyes on Buckingham.
He had warned the duke that if he tried anything he would cut his balls off and choke him with them. d'Artagnan had joined the big musketeer as they rode, the two men not taking their eyes off the man.
Aramis still rode alongside Athos. They had managed to get the swordsman to eat some bread and cheese for breakfast even though he had protested. At least he was drinking plenty of water thought the medic. He couldn't help but notice as Athos shifted in his saddle as though he was uncomfortable.
"Athos my friend...what agitates you so?". asked the marksman.
Athos shot his brother a glance. " Nothing...I am fine".
Aramis knew something was wrong, but he didn't press him. All he cared about was getting him safely back where he belonged.
They had ridden for another hour or thereabouts before stopping to water the horses and take refreshment. Buckingham once again tethered to a large tree out of sight of Athos.
Treville had flattened out his map on the ground, he placed small rocks on each corner so he could plan out the routs.
The musketeers had joined there captain as he studied the chart. Cecil approached as he drank from his waterskin.
" We are here now" said Treville pointing out with a small branch he had picked up.
"Yeah not far from that bloody Warwick Castle" commented Porthos "I don't wanna see that hell hole ever again".
d'Artagnan huffed and nodded in agreement. "Your not the only one". he said taking a swig of water.
"I left captain Cleeves at Warwick Castle...he will be expecting us back at any time". added Cecil as he eyed the two musketeers.
"You mean he is expecting you back with us as your prisoners" remarked Treville.
Cecil's face had reddened. " Not everything goes to plan though...I think he will understand my reasons behind this truce".
Porthos chuckled. "I somehow can't see 'im agreeing to a truce". he muttered making d'Artagnan purse his lips together as he held in his mirth.
Treville's branch followed a line going south and stopped. He turned to Cecil for answers.
"Whats at Hampton Court Castle". he asked the englishmen.
Cecil shrugged slightly before answering. " He placed his finger on the chart.
King James stayed there numerous times, if my memory serves me well it is unoccupied at present".
"King James you say" commented Porthos " He was King Charles father was he not?".
Cecil glanced at the big musketeer. " You are quite right. King Charles honeymooned there when he married your kings sister Henrietta Maria".
Treville sighed heavily. "As interesting as this history lesson is gentlemen, can we please keep to why we are actually studing this map".
d'Artagnan nudged into Porthos grinning. His friend turned to him and returned the smile.
"If we keep to a steady path gentlemen...we could be there in a day and a half. Continued Cecil.
Treville bit his lip as he nodded in agreement. "It will serve as another stop as we travel nearer to Dover. "And sooner the better".
The musketeer captain rolled up the chart and placed it back in his saddle bag.
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The day wore on with no drawbacks. Stopping again for refreshment in the heat of the day.
Porthos and d'Artagnan still kept their eyes on Buckingham as he rode in front of them, his own horse tethered to Cecil's mount.
Athos and Aramis rode side by side once again. This time Treville flanked Aramis on the other side. He glanced at the vacant look on his lieutenant face then turned to the medic.
"How is he Aramis" he asked in a low murmer. Aramis glanced at his captain.
" He is reliving the nightmare over in his head...I can tell...I expected that. It's as though he is in his own world and he is not letting anyone elase in".
Treville eyed the swordsman as Aramis spoke. " I see what you mean...he doesn't seem coherent...I hope Dr. Lemay knows something of how the mind works...he worries me Aramis".
Aramis swallowed hard. " I know...but I will make sure he gets all the help and care he needs captain...it's the least I can do for him".
Treville glanced at his medic. He knew he had taken all this very hard, they all had...they all wanted Buckingham dead.
"I know you will Aramis...we all will son...I promise you all that".
Aramis nodded as he fought with the lump forming in his throat. He glanced at Athos...he hadn't even noticed Trevlle as he spoke with him...his eyes were just staring ahead. The marksman felt for his crusifix and kissed it before placing it back into his shirt. He silently prayed for his brother.
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Warwick Castle.
Cleeves sat eating when one of the castle guards walked into the chamber.
"Don't you knock man" yelled Cleeves as he poured out wine into a goblet.
"I apologise Sir...but you have a visitor" answered the guard.
Cleeves glared at the man. "Well who is it man" he asked wiping his mouth and throwing the cloth back on the table.
The guard called out . " You may enter peasant".
Cleeves watched in awe as a ragged looking man walked into the chamber holding a piece of parchment. His clothes hanging from his thin frame...his face gaunt, he eyed the food on the table then back to Cleeves.
"If you will pardon me intrusion Sir...I 'ave a letter for yeh...I were given it by a man...he say that..I 'ave to make certain you do obtain it from me."
Cleeves stood and eyed the man. "Who was this man" he demanded
The ruffian was small. He looked up into Cleeves face and held out the letter.
Cleeves took hold of the parchment as he still studied the man. He opened the seal and read. He had a slight grin on his face as he looked at the guard.
"Prepare my men...we must leave at haste".
The guard eyed him. "May I be so bold Sir and ask...where you will be heading".
"This my friend if from my lieutenant Cecil...he has called a temporarily truce with those bloody musketeers...they have apprehended Buckingham and his entourage. They are heading for Hampton Court as we speak. Then on to Dover...I will not have them take the credit for this. I will KILL! the bastards first.
The thin man still stood as though he was waiting for something.
Cleeves looked at him and pulled coins from his pocket. He tossed them to the man..." Go peasant...and do not speak of this".
The man bowed as he caught the coins. " I thank you kind Sir...you are a gentleman."
He turned and was escourted out by the guard. Cleeves watched as he went.
He turned and picked up his wine goblet and drank from it. He smiled and held the glass up as though in celebration.
"Here is to five dead musketeers. And Buckinghams capture. And my promotion to head of King Chales' regiment.
His laugh reverberated around the walls of the chamber.
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To be continued...
Well will Cleeves catch up the musketeers and kill them, will he get his promotion. Ooooooohhhh!
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