SAVOY DESOLATION.
Chapter Twenty Six.
Brown Boar Inn
Outskirts Of Paris.
Early Evening.
The wind swept up dried grain stalks from the Inn floor as punters entered and left. A howling din as the doors closed against the winter chill.
Laughter and the low drone of chatter filled the ale and sweat stenched air as people ate and supped after a hard days graft.
The corner table was dimly lit as Jorge picked up his tankard and swigged his ale. He glanced up from beneath his dark hood as the doors opened once more he watched as Leon approached his table and sat.
The serving girl was summoned as the musketeer caught her eyeline.
"Two more tankards of ale girl! ordered Leon.
Jorge eyed his cousin.
"Have you brought me some glad tidings.?
Leon smirked.
"Oh indeed cousin indeed."
The serving girl arrived with the ale, both men falling silent as she placed the two tankards onto the table top.
"Can I get you anythin' else gentlemen? she asked wiping her hands on her apron.
Jorge shook his head as she paused and waited.
"NO...prey leave us."
The girl nodded and left.
"Well? murmered Jorge picking up his ale and taking a swig.
Leon discreetly scanned the room for would be eavesdroppers before turning back to Jorge.
"Tréville is going to be at the palace all day on the morrow, the king is partaking in a stag hunt."
Jorge frowned, slightly perplexed by the whole scenario.
"What has that got to do with us?
Leon raised his brows.
"You are too avid dear cousin...prey allow me to conclude."
"Athos and Porthos will accompany him, as will most of the men...leaving Aramis and d'Artagnan in the infirmary alone."
Jorge smirked slightly as he heeded his cousins words.
"I thought they were searching for me."
Leon nodded.
"You know the kings demands come first...besides they still have the red guard searching for you."
"Who will be at the garrison besides Aramis and d'Artagnan? asked Jorge scanning the room.
Leon swiiged some ale.
"Just a couple of cadets and the old cook. None hardly constitute a threat."
"Are you going on this hunt? queried Jorge flatly.
Leon smirked. "I dear cousin am on garrison duty with Marcel. We are cleaning weapons in the armoury. It will the perfect time to finish what you started."
Jorge bit his lip and grinned.
"Sounds almost too easy...are you certain cleaning weapons is a regular duty?
Leon smirked.
"Trust me cousin...it is a very regular duty...Tréville always has the armoury under guard, and expects the weapons to be cleaned every day. I have endured many hours in there."
Jorge nodded.
"On the morrow you say?
"Eight of the clock they will gather in the garrison courtyard before leaving for the palace." replied Leon.
Jorge snorted as he picked up his tankard.
"I will create a distraction to get rid of the guards on the gates."
"Daytime there are never as many...just the two...muttered leon. "I will wait for your sign."
"Very well I will arrive as soon as they are gone, I will watch from afar."
"How will you get rid of the guards? asked Leon. "You cannot very well shoot them with all the peasants roaming around the street."
Jorge snorted and smirked.
"Do not fret cousin...you must think me a fool...you will know when I descend on the garrison."
xxxxxxxxx
Musketeer Garrison
Following Morning.
The garrison was a bustle of activity as the men tacked up their mounts in preperation for the kings hunt. Stable boys ran in all sorts of directions as more musketeers arrived at the paddock yelling out orders. Captain Tréville had even ordered the cadets to join the hunt informing the lads that it would be good experience for them.
"Come now men you have ten minutes before we leave." yelled Tréville suddenly as he descended the wooden steps from his office chamber.
Leon glanced up as the musketeer captain strode across the courtyard towards the stables and joined the men.
He was suddenly jolted from his gaze as Marcel emerged from the group of men.
"I hear we are on armoury duty together? murmered the musketeer looking despondent.
Leon grinned.
"You look somewhat forlorn my dear Marcel...what troubles you?
Marcel glared, how he despised this bloody man, he always seemed to have him on his heel.
"You could say that...of all the men in the garrison I end up cleaning weapons with you."
Leon snorted a smirk and walked away nudging into Marcel as he went knocking the man out of his way.
Tréville had not failed to notice the fracas between the two men. He also knew Marcel hated the mans guts. Do not fret Marcel, it will not be for long.
"Leon! Marcel! I will be inspecting the weapons on my return to the garrison...do not let men down boys." growled the musketeer captain catching the mens eyelines.
Both men nodded in acknowledgement as the older man spoke
That moment Athos and Porthos joined their superior officer, each leading their horses towards the group before mounting.
"How is d'Artagnan faring this morning? asked Tréville as he flanked two of his inseperables.
"He seems fine captain, he has just had some of Serges broth." answered Porthos.
"Indeed...Aramis is with him, and doctor Lemay will be visiting in an hour." continued Athos.
"Good glad to hear it." murmered Tréville as he watched Marcel and Leon enter the armoury. He turned back to the men.
"Right...lets go. Remember...you cadets will be in the kings company when on the hunt, you keep a vigilent eye at all times...do I make myself clear?
A yell of "Yes Sir! emitted into the air as the men acknowledged their captain in unison.
The sound of the horses hooves clip clopping reverberated around the courtyard as they approached the garrison gates. Several passers by moved aside as the riders emerged through the archway and into the Parisian streets.
The musketeers and cadets were unaware as the hooded figure in black, sat in an alcove in the market square watching every trot they took, before disappearing around the corner and into the open land towards the palace.
xxxx
Leon had watched the riders go, he scanned around the vacant courtyard, he noticed how even the stable hands had vanished. Probably eating breakfast in the dining chamber. Now all I have to do is wait for Jorge.
"Are you assisting me with these weapons or am I to do it all myself." yelled Marcel emerging into the winter sunshine from the armoury. "You heard the captain...he will be inspecting them on his return."
Leon turned as Marcel seethed loudly.
"Stop your groaning man...you sound like a fish wife...besides they will be gone for the whole day. Maybe we should take advantage of that liberty."
Marcel rolled his eyes with a shake of his head.
"You are incorrigible." he said walking back towards the armoury.
"We will see about that." mumbled Leon under his breath.
Leon glanced up rapidly as a sudden scream emitted into the air from the market square. He watched as the two guards raced towards the melee, a group had gathered each pushing forward to take in the scene.
"She be hurt...she bleeds out." yelled a voice from beyond the group.
Leon watched as people ran around looking confused and scared. This has to be the distraction, it has to be surly. He sighed suddenly as he noticed Jorge appear into the courtyard.
"Quickly this way." said Leon leading into the out building. Jorge followed.
"Take it that was your doing? queried Leon as he led his cousin to the out building. "What did you do?
"I skewerd a peasant woman...but do not fret I was not seen, too many of a crowd to notice anything out there...and it seems it worked cousin."
Leon hastly pushed the door open to the barn quickly closing it behind them both. Jorge peered through the slit in the wooden frame, there be no one around, looks like the guards are still in the square."
"Of course they are...they are idiots...I thought they were supposed be be guarding the gates? murmered Jorge.
"I do believe they presume you will show up at the hunt...that is why Tréville has taken so many men with him." stated Leon.
"Jorge smirked. "All making it easier for me...now where is the infirmary?
Leon eyed him. "If you go around the back of this barn, the infirmary is the next building down...the guards will return soon...but you are out of sight on this side of the courtyard."
Jorge smirked.
"I do believe I know my way around the garrison now cousin."
Leon moved to the door. "I must go before Marcel wonders where I have got to. He is like a lap dog.
xxxxx
Jorge watched as Leon walked across the courtyard and vanish into one of the buildings. He checked towards the gates and seen no one. Besides the guards will not see me from this angle anyway, oh dear musketeers what fools you have been. I do hope you all enjoy your hunt with your king.
He slowly opened the barn door and scurried behind the barn, leaning up against the stone wall Jorge unclipped his pistols, one in each hand, before slowly making his way towards the infirmary. The kings hunt had come at the right moment, I couldn't have organised it so timely myself, having all the men away from the garrison at the same time, looks like you could lose your commission Tréville.
Jorge smirked to himself as he went.
xxxxxx
Garrison Armoury:
"So there was a brawl in the market square then? mused Marcel as he inspected the arquebus he was cleaning.
Leon pursed his lips and glanced up. "Indeed!...that is why I was tardy...it could have been our escaped renegade...but it seems he is just killing musketeers not peasants."
Marcel glared at his cold words.
"I cannot see why weapons have to be cleaned every damn bloody week, seems pointless to me." groused Leon as he sat opposite Marcel.
Marcel looked up from the heap of cleaning cloths and grease.
"Always respect your weapon...I recall Aramis once saying that to us when we were training."
Leon chuckled loudly.
"Only he would speak such nonsense...he knows nothing...he is just a whore user."
Marcel glared. "Say that to his face...I am certain you will not witness the following day."
Leon gritted his teeth.
"I am not frightened of him...or any of those lackeys of his."
"You should be! murmered Marcel to himself.
xxxxxx
Jorge entered the passage of the infirmary and peered through the first door seeing nothing. The smell of potions and heeling balms filled his nostrels as he slowly crept to the next door, nothing. They have to be in the main dormitory.
Jorge paused suddenly as he heard voices, yes that was the main chamber where they tended to the sick and wounded, it had to be. He had heard that voice before, it was Aramis, yes he was speaking to the musketeer I skewered, d'Artagnan. What a pity he has been stitched up, when I will be undoing all that pitiful codding and caring.
Jorge turned and checked behind him, the passgeway was empty, not a soul in sight, infact it was too quiet, too quiet for his liking, this was not like Tréville to abandon his sick men when an escaped killer was on the loose, it was not the done thing.
Pull yourself together man, they are on the kings hunt, and if the king wants to hunt then he hunts. Besides Leon is in the other building, he will be keeping his eyes peeled.
Jorge tiptoed as quiet as he could towards the main dormitory, he could hear the voice becoming clearer as he went. He noticed the door was ajar and slowly peered through the crack. He could just make out the wounded musketeer laying in the bed, he looked awake, Aramis was sat at his side. The injured man began to cough, he watched as Aramis held his head and helped him drink before placing the cup back down on the nightstand. He could hear the low tones of the marksman as he spoke to d'Artagnan and wiped his face.
Now is my chance I have them, one of them is powerless anyway. I only have to get to Aramis, then my task is over. Another two musketeers will be dead.
Jorge gripped both pistols in his hands as he crept slowly to the doorway. With his booted foot he pushed the door open wider before rushing into the chamber and aiming towards both musketeers.
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TBC...
Hi Guys,
I know...I really am a cliffy bitch!
Thank you soooo much for the awesome reviews, glad you are still enjoying the ride.
Well what will happen to Aramis and d'Artagnan now? Our poorly Gascon will be no help! Has Jorge got his wish and killed them both.
Will update soon.
Love yer all
Pippa xxxx
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