No Mercy Chapter Twenty One.
Catacombs North of Paris.
The stench of rotting flesh and mold filled the tunnel. Some parts of the tunnel was wider and higher than other parts. Crypts and tiny chambers filled the wider tunnels housing large Ossuaries for the bones of the dead that were long gone centuries before. Names of Martyrs and Saints were chiseled into the limestone.
The musketeers had been walking now for what seemed like hours. They had found the trail of Rochefort and Surel. The men had left used torches and food scraps on their way. Treville had commented on how irresponsible Rocheforte had been in leaving the trails, the man was usually an excellent strategic planner, but on this occasion he had been somewhat disorderly. But saying that he did not expect himself and his men to find out his cunning travel plan deep down in the catacombs.
Shadows played on the walls creating strange shapes as the men meandered down the tunnel, sometimes stopping when noticing the vaults of certain Saints, this made Aramis kneel and recite a prayer and kiss his crucifix.
"If you are gonna do that everytime we see a crypt of a Saint...we will never catch the bastard." growled Porthos as he glanced at the marksman.
Aramis smiled at the big man. "The Saints will help us mon ami in our search... and we will catch Rochefort."
Porthos rolled his eyes and carried on his plodding. "I 'ope your right."
Athos held his torch upward. "We have to remember...their are trapdoors every so often...who's to say he has not carried on his journey on land.?
Treville eyed his lieutenant. " Land or not...as far as we know he is heading to LaHarve...if my memory serves me well...this is the west tunnel...that tells me that that is his destination...otherwise he would have kept to the north and headed for Calais."
d'Artagnan who had been walking slightly ahead, turned to his friends as he noticed another spent torch flung to the ground and a makeshift fire. He crouched down and felt the ash. It was cool. They were long gone. He picked up an empty bottle of wine.
"Well they are certainly travelling with ample reserves." remarked the Gascon.
Treville nodded as he glanced at the young man. " He has had this planned for months...my guess is he knew of the trapdoors and has probably found food and maybe boardings on their way."
"I would say he has had this planned out for months captain." said Aramis as he cut pieces of apple up with his pocket knife and ate it.
"It all failed though in the end did it not?...he did not achieve what he desired." added Athos with scorn in his voice.
"Well so far he ain't...lets just hope we get to him before he boards a bloody ship." growled Porthos as he eyed the ornate crypts he wandered past. The big man patted d'Artagnan on the back as they kept on walking.
xx
Captain Treville and his men travelled for another couple of hours before stopping and survying the land at the next trapdoor they came upon. Only to find bleak and dismal ground. Porthos and Aramis had returned from their scouting and had found nothing, the only thing was that the snow looked like it was beginning to abate. The musketeers had realised that they had made up more ground with their unusual trek through the catacombs, finding that if they had travelled above ground the adverse weather conditions would have most certainly slowed them down and the horses would have suffered for it.
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Rouen.
France.
20 Hours Ride from LaHarve:
Rochefort and Surel wandered through the small village. The snow hadn't been as intense as it was back in Paris, but the icy wind still blew and chilled them to the bone.
The place seemed quiet as they walked, the chimney tops emitting smoke as the good people of the village stayed indoors and kept themselves warm.
The two men could now hear the hammering coming from the local blacksmith barn. They paused for a moment and watched as he shoed a horse, a small furnace burned emitting warmth into the air.
The blacksmith sensed the men and glanced up, his face was full of dirt and sweat as he looked at them.
" Can I be of help gentelmen? he asked as he carried on his duty and began to use a rasp on the horses hoof.
Rochefort stood close to the furnace and held both hands towards the heat.
"Forgive the intrusion Monsieur...we are looking to buy a couple of horses." answered the blonde comte.
The blacksmith carried on his work as he spoke. "I do not sell 'em...I only shoe 'em. You need to speak with the local farmer...he has a few horses...you'll find him in the The Partridge Inn around the corner."
Surel joined Rochefort near the fire. "Does this man have a name? he asked.
The blacksmith stopped what he was doing and eyed the two starngers. He wiped his brow on his shirt sleeve and nodded.
Monsieur Ronell...we call him Jorge...he spends his time in the Inn...I am surprised he keeps the farm going...he likes his ale."
Rochefort smirked. "Thank you Monsieur we will call on him at haste."
xx
Just as the blacksmith had told them. Rochefort and Surel found the farmer in the Partridge Inn. After a short conversation and a handsome offer of coinage the farmer escourted the two men back to his farm were they were sold the two studs.
The farmers wife was surprised to see her husband home at such an hour and asked the two men if they would like to eat with them. Rochefort had agreed he was just glad to have some hot food for a change.
"We may not have time to tarry...the musketeers are on our trail." said an uneasy Surel.
Rochefort eyed him. "How you fret man...I have already said...they are probably stuck in snow drifts as we speak. Their horses will not be able to endure such conditions. You forget...we have been travelling under ground."
Surel satisfied with what Rochefort had said nodded and agreed to eat with the farmer and his wife.
xx
"So you are travellers you say." asked Jorge as his wife scooped up the stew from the pot and emptied it into his bowl in front of him.
Jorge began to break up a lump of bread and dipped it into his gravy. He glanced up at the two guests.
Rochefort nodded his thanks to the farmers wife as she served him some stew.
"Indeed we are Monsieur...we are from Paris and we are both heading for England...I have a manor house there...I may plough the land myself."
Surel ate slowly as he heeded Rochefort's lies, he cast his eyes towards the man. He was a natural when it came to deceit it just came from his mouth as though it were true.
He felt Rochefort's rapid glance bore into him like a needle through skin. As though he knew his exact thoughts.
Surel was shook from his reverie as Jorge poured him some ale and put the tankard down in front of him.
"Thank you Monsieur...you are most kind."
"Tell me are you both related in some way? persisted the farmer.
Rochefort smirked as he eyed his companion. "No No...we are just friends...we were musketeers for the King but sometimes enough is enough...we want to explore the world."
Surel practically choked on his stew as Rochefort answered the man. Dear God the man is becoming worse.
The farmers wife sat and began to eat her own food. She looked up and smiled.
"Musketeers...did you hear that Jorge...we have musketeers in our home."
Jorge grinned towards his wife and took a swig of ale. "You will have to excuse Jonelle gentlemen...she excites easily."
"Really Jorge how you mock me so." she answered bashfully.
Rochefort smiled and looked towards the woman. "I am pleased we are appreciated. But as I said...we have now departed the regiment."
"Your friend does not say much." commented Jorge as he glanced at Surel.
Surel smiled. "I am the timid type Monsieur...my friend is quite the opposite."
"You have not told us your names gentlemen." smiled Jonelle as she cut into her bread.
Surel and Rochefort caught each others eyeline for a second.
"Forgive me monsieur...I forget my manners."replied Rochefort.
"My name is Athos and my friend here is Aramis."
Surel glared across the table in awe. He couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. The sooner they got away from here the better, then he could go his own way without this madman.
"Well it is certainly a pleasure to meet you both Athos and Aramis. Replied Jonelle. "Have you a bed for the night...you are both most welcome to stay intil the mourn."
Rochefort grinned. "You are most generous Madame...it is... shall I say rather cold in the forests."
Jorge laughed aloud. "In that case I will open my finest wine...and you can tell me of your ventures."
Surel eyed Rochefort, who smirked back at him with raised brows.
xxxxx
The room was quite large with two beds side by side. Surel had undressed down to his braise and got in under the blankets. He turned to Rochefort in the next bed.
"Well what was that spetical about? he asked as he lit another candle.
Rochefort was sitting up inspecting his map. "What are you talking about man." he inquired. "What spetical.?
"Athos! Aramis!...why did you give them their names. Are you quite mad?
Rochefort put down his map on the dresser next to his bed, he turned and looked at Surel.
"We cannot let anyone know our real names...you never know who is listening.
And incase it has escaped your attention we are both wanted for treason." he answered. "Now sleep man...we leave in the mourn."
Surel glared, he blew out his candle and pulled the blankets over his shoulders. Darkness filled the room. How did I get myself into such a dilemma and with all people as Rochefort.
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Athos clambered up through the trapdoor followed by Porthos. Snow lay on the ground but was in now way as intense as it was back in Paris.
The moon was bright as it shone down onto the white filled meadow. A couple of houses were dotted around and what looked like another village not far away. Smoke from the tiny chimneys emmited into the night air, the sound of foxes could be heard as they whined in their search for food.
Both musketeers got to their feet as they scanned the land around them. A forest to the right and open barren ground to the left.
Porthos blew onto his gloved hands. "Its bloody freezing out here." he groused.
"Indeed my friend! And as Treville has ordered we will seek out somewhere to sleep for the night." replied the swordsman as he exhaled his breath into the chilled air.
Porthos nodded and patted his friend on the back as they began to trudge through the meadow towards the village. Their long black cloaks trailing behind them.
Both musketeers approached the deserted village. Snow had gathered in drifts in corners of the doorways and barns.
"The place is deserted...I don't see a sole." commented Porthos as they wandered past a few small dwellings.
"I somewhat feel the locals are staying warm near their fires tonight my friend...I certainly would not be venturing out in this freezing weather if I did not need to." responded Athos as he hitched up his hood around his neck.
Porthos suddenly paused as they reached a corner of the snow covered street, leaving Athos to carry on his walk. The swordsman instantly realised and halted his stride as he turned on the big man.
"What? he inquired perplexed.
"I do believe I have spotted a tavern." growled Porthos as he changed direction.
Athos started to follow. Both men walked a short distance before the double doors were suddenly pushed open and a man was flung onto the ground.
A stocky looking landlord dressed in an apron had his hands on his hips.
"Now don't come back until you have sobered up." he demanded.
The man pulled up his hood and staggered along the street.
Porthos and Athos exchanged glances. The big man chuckled.
"Can't take his ale hey?" he grinned as the landlord eyed them.
The landlord nodded. " He started to bother the serving girl...I need the custom...I dodn't need the likes of him."
"Indeed Monsieur." remarked Athos. "We were wondering if you have any rooms for the night."
The stocky man wiped his hand on his apron and nodded. "Come in gentlemen...I will ask the wife."
xxxxx
The musketeers had managed to secure a couple of rooms for the night to the satisfaction of the freezing cold men. Porthos had returned to fetch the others whilst Athos ordered some food and warmed wine.
The serving girl approached the table as Athos removed his cloak. "I will fetch the food when your friends arrive Monsieur." she said placing down goblets and warmed wine.
Athos glanced up and smiled. "Thank you mademoiselle...you are most kind."
The landlord appeared. "I hope Nancy is taking good care of you Monsieur." he growled with a grin.
Athos smiled. "She is indeed thank you...my friends will be here shortly."
The girl suddenly started to chuckle. "Its so strange...we hardly get any travellers passing by even when the summer comes...and this past couple of days we get two lots." she said to the stocky landlord as she walked away.
Athos suddenly glanced up as he heeded what the girl had said to her superior. Two lots of travellers...it had to be them...who else would be trudging through the countryside in this weather without good reason.
"So you have had a few travellers then I take it." asked the swordsman.
The landlord sat on a random stool as he nodded. "Like the girl said...its either all or nothing...we had a couple a day ago...everyone must like travelling in bloody snow if you ask me.
Athos' eyed widened as he looked at the man. "May I enquire as to what these travellers looked like Monsieur?
The landlord glared then lowered his voice as he leaned forward towards the swordsman.. "I know you are musketeers...I noticed the insignia on your attire...are these men in trouble?
"You could say so Monsieur...if it is the men we are searching for then they are wanted for high treason against the crown.
The landlord stared open mouthed and let out a whislte as he took in what the swordsman had said.
"Dear God...I cannot believe we have had two traitors in this establishment."
Athos eyed him waiting for the description. "Well Monsieur...the description?
The landlord stood and checked around making sure noone was listening.
"One was dark haired and medium build...did not say much. The other was a blonde man...tall...he was showing the other one a map. My serving girl said he was pompous and wanted everything at once.I do believe they were looking at directions."
That instant the doors opened letting in the draught of the chilly night. Porthos was first in followed by Aramis, Treville and d'Artagnan. What few punters that occupied the tables glanced up as the men approached Athos.
d'Artagnan shook his cloak and hung it on one if the hooks on the wall. He scanned around the tavern before pulling out a chair and sitting next to Athos, he patted his mentor on the shoulder and smiled.
"Ahh heated wine...just what we need tonight mon ami."
Athos smiled. "Indeed."
Aramis and Porthos sat opposite their two brothers. The big man rubbing his hands together, he then proceeded to pour out the wine into the goblets.
Treville pulled up a chair and joined his men. "Well! did you find anything out Athos?
Athos glanced at each of his brothers around the table as he leaned in to speak in low tones.
"It would appear that Rochefort and Surel were here a day ago. " he said.
"The musketeers exchanged glances with one another as the swordsman spoke.
"How do you know it was them? asked d'Artagnan as he sipped his heated wine.
"Who else do you know is tall, blonde and pompous and likes to get his own way? Athos retorted.
Aramis raised his eyebrows. "Only a day away hey...I would say we have him just were we want him.
Treville nodded as he poured out more wine into his mens goblets. "We will eat sup and sleep gentlemen, and on the morrow we will leave at dawn. We have a certain Comte to apprehand.
To be continued...
Thanks again folks for the reviews. I hope you will review this chapter.
Well will Treville and the boys catch up to Rochefort and Surel. Or will they board a ship to England?
Lets find out in the next chapter.
Thank you
Pippa xxxx