Silent Anguish: Chapter Twenty Nine.
Treville had been summoned by the king by the time Aramis had arrived back to the bed chamber. He had informed his friends of what he had discussed with doctor Needam.
Telling them how violent the attack had been on their brother was distressing to say the least, especially the second attack. Porthos and d'Artagnan had became somewhat angry when he had informed them. Porthos had even stood and fisted the wall making his knuckles bleed. The medic having to bandage them as the big man cursed under his breath about what he wanted to do to Buckingham.
He had also asked them never to discuss it with Athos unless he himself wanted to speak of it.
Aramis had told them that the healing process would be slow and that they were going to need plenty of patience in order for Athos to recover.
His two brothers heeded every word that the medic had said. They had liked the sound of the salted baths and vowed they would make certain Athos never missed one.
"What about his mental state Mis?" asked d'Artagnan
Aramis glanced at the young man. "Needam said he will recover...but we need to be patient with him...we will get him back I know we will".
The Gacon smiled. " He can take as long as he likes...I will be waiting". he remarked.
Porthos glanced towards the medic. "Yeah.. we all will my friend" he added.
"There was one thing Needam suggested" said the medic. "And that is to let Athos be present at the hanging on the morrow. If he actually witnesses the execution, Needam believes it will convince him to believe he cannot touch him ever again".
Porthos and d'Artagnan nodded in agreement. " Yeah I can well believe that myself" commented the big musketeer. "It makes sense".
"Will he be well enough though Mis" d'Artagnan asked as his shifted in his seat.
Aramis glanced at his brothers, his face full of thought. "I would say so...I do not think Needam would have suggested it if he thought otherwise".
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Queen Henrietta sat at her husbands side. Sir Francis Cottingham and Sir Richard Weston sat on the opposite side. Treville was on the left of Sir Francis.
"It would seem your majesty has made a satisfactory decision" commented Sir Richard.
"Indeed he has Sir Richard...indeed he has" said Henrietta as she glanced to her right and into her husbands face.
Charles glanced at his queen and frowned as he patted her hand.
Treville eyed the monarch hoping he had come to the rightful decision.
"The Duke of Buckingham...my scoundrel cousin will hang on the morrow at eleven of the clock.
Treville knew that was coming, he could see the delight in Henrietta's pale but beautiful face.
"The Earl of Cambridge will be banished to the America's never to return again. One of you will make the arrangments...I want him gone at haste".
"His two advisors will be banished with him, they will hang if they try to return."
"Cleeves and his men will be stripped of their commission in my regiment and will be hanged if they come anywhere near any of my residences".
Sir Richard and Sir Francis glanced at one another. "Do you not think his majesty is being far too forbearing with the others?
"My dear gentlemen I am a modern but fair king...I am not a medieval and gruesome mad man...as I have already stated they will hang if they try to return.
Sir Richard nodded his acknowledgement. "Indeed Sire...I will make arrangments at once".
Treville remained quiet as he heeded what the monarch had said. He was glad he had decided not to hang Cleeves and his men, the only one who deserved that was Buckingham. And he was going to make certain this time that he really did hang. Treville was shaken from his reverie as the Queen spoke to him.
"I trust your musketeer is recovering well captain Treville?" she asked him, It was such a distressing thing for him to endure".
All eyes turned to the Frenchman as he answered. " He is with the royal physician as we speak your majesty, so I am most certain he is in very good hands".
Henrietta tilted her head up to her husband then back to Treville. " Ah yes indeed captain, he is most excellent. Rest assured he will be well cared for".
Treville bowed his head. "Thank you your majesty".
The queen stood. "If you will excuse me gentlemen, my bed is calling and I feel quite fatigued...it has been an eventful day. And I dare say it will be another on the morrow".
The king kissed his wifes hand, and smiled. "Goodnight my dear".
Treville and the two advisors stood at once and bowed their heads.
"I bid you goodnight gentlemen" she said softly. She joined her lady in waiting, her gown rustling as she walked.
"Goodnight your majesty". the men replied in unison. The two women left the chamber.
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The men were eating supper when Treville arrived back in the bed chamber. He had eaten with them and discussed what he spoken of with King Charles. The men were pleased with the outcome and were determined to witness the hanging of Buckingham the following day.
Aramis had informed his captain on the well being of Athos to which the older man had praised the royal physician for his knowledge.
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The courtyard this time did not have the usual dignitries to witness the demise of The Duke of Buckingham, the only ones present were the king and queen and their two advisors.
Treville and his men were also present as was Athos who sat between Porthos and Aramis. The swordsman was still pale from the blood loss but seemed more himself to his brothers.
Next to arrive were Captain Cleeves and his men, followed by the Earl of Cambridge and his two advisors. If looks could kill Treville would have dropped down dead on the spot there and then. He was well aware of Cleeves glaring at him he could feel it from were he sat.
Porthos had noticed it to and had commented how the man had brought about his own fate. To which Treville had raised his eyebrows in agreement.
"Well at least he still lives captain, that has to be better than hanging surly?" remarked d'Artagnan.
The guards were making last minute checks on the gallows. The doors opened and two guards led out a priest. Followed by Buckingham, his hands tethered behind his back. The man stared at the ground as he was led up the wooden steps to the platform.
Aramis felt a gasp escape from Athos as he watched the man walk behind the priest. He glanced at his brother as he started to tremble slightly. The medic patted his shoulder and leaned into him. "He is going to hell mon ami...no more hurting you or anyone else." he whispered.
The priest started to recite a prayer as the noose was put around Buckinghams neck.
The priest began "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want...
The eleven of the clock was almost upon the morning.
The hangman held up a sack hood in front of his face, his eyes asking whether he wanted it or not. Buckingham shook his head, he caught the eye of Treville and immediately turned away as quick as he looked.
Treville felt nothing, he was just glad to get rid of the evil scum.
The clock began to chime eleven.
"He maketh me lie down in green pastures...
The hangman looked towards the king for the order.
"He leadeth me besides still waters...
Everyone seemed to follow his gaze towards the king. The king paused, then nodded.
"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil...
The small platform was pushed away and Buckingham fell into the abyss, his body wriggled for seconds before stopping and then nothing.
The queen had looked away as he hung. The kings face went pale. At least his cousin has paid for his crimes this time. Yes it had to be done, his crimes had to stop for the sake of England and the crown.
"May the Lord have mercy upon your sole...Amen" The priest bowed his head and made the sign of the cross.
The courtyard went quiet. Treville and his men sat staring as the body of Buckingham swung slightly, making a slight creeking noise as it moved back and fourth.
Athos felt like he wanted to vomit, the devil was dead, the evil mad man was gone...but was he?
"This time make certain he's bloody dead" roared Porthos. "We want no tricky escapes".
The king and queen had stood and left. The king glaring in Porthos' direction.
"He's dead alright" said Aramis "I can tell from here".
"IS HE THOUGH! " roared Athos. "IS HE?
The others turned and looked at their raging brother. All three of them holding back the tears. As they watched the tormented man, as he glared towards the hanging body. Buckinghams face had gone blue, his lips practically black, his eyes bulging.
"He's gone Athos...he's gone mon ami" soothed Aramis putting his arm around his shoulder and pulling him close so both mens temples met.
Cleeves and his men were led away by guards. Cecil turned and looked over to were the musketeers were sitting.
"You Judas! Treville...you and your men better keep looking over your shoulders...I will get my revenge one day...you will see."
Cleeves had a smirk on his face. " Yeah...and he won't be alone in that task".
Treville looked straight into Cleeves wrath filled face. "You are the traitor here Cleeves...not I...you are all traitors. The musketeer captain galnced over to Buckinghams as he swung..."Your lucky you did not hang with him".
The guards pushed both men from behind as they stopped at Trevilles side... "Get going...your are not soilders anymore".
Cecil glared into Trevilles eyes...he suddenly spat out his mouths contents all over the mans doublet.
Cleeves was smirking.
"HEY! you BASTARD" roared Porthos pushing forward. Treville held his hand up to the big man in protest as he wiped his doublet with a hankerchief..."Its fine Porthos...I will treat it with the contemt it deserves".
Cecil was grabbed by the guard, and nudged in the back with a lance. "I said get going".
The musketeers watched as Cleeves and his men were led out of view.
Aramis placed his hat back on his head. "It would seem we are not very well liked Captain". he said with a hint of intrepidness.
"Indeed" added d'Artagnan. "It could have been alot worse for them."
Treville said nothing. He didn't heed idle threats. "Come men lets go."
Porthos looked back at the gallows as two guards cut him down. He felt content.
Suddenly from nowhere Athos rushed towards Buckingham's body.
"ATHOS! yelled Porthos as he tried in vain to grab at him. The others were in fast pursuit of their brother.
Athos halted at Buckinghams corpse. The two guards watched him in awe as he took out his main gouche and cut the dead mans throat.
Aramis went to grab him. "Athos! he is dead...he is dead!" he exclaimed though a sob. "LOOK! he does not bleed...he is dead".
The swordsman waved his friend away. "I have to make sure...I have to make sure" he growled.
Treville and his men stood rigid to the spot as they watched the swordsman punch and punch at the face of Buckingham over and over again until he was out of breath.
d'Artagnan was in tears as he stood watching his brother act like someone possessed.
Treville had gone white. He couldn't believe what he was witnessing.
The guards stood around the courtyard watching in awe. Looking at their faces Treville realised they knew why the swordsman was reacting the way he was. Everyone of them looked full of sorrow. Some had even walked away unable to watch.
This time Porthos wrapped his strong arms around his brother and pulled him away from the dead man.
"ATHOS! ATHOS!" come my friend he is dead" he growled. He kept hold of his brother tightly until he had calmed down. He suddenly collapsed to the ground taking Porthos with him as he sobbed into the big mans chest.
He stroked his brothers hair as he wept and cradled him back and fourth. "Its alright now...he is well and truly dead my friend...he has gone to hell were he belongs...I promise". He glanced at Aramis as the medic crouched down to both men.
d'Artagnan turned to the two guards who had cut down the body. They both still stood watching the spectacle.
"Take that piece of scum away...get rid of him" he said between clenched teeth.
Both men suddenly came to life and dragged Buckinghams body away towards the dungeons.
"I thought Needam said this was a good idea?" murmered Porthos angrily. As he cradled his brother.
Aramis wiped his eyes. " I will tell him of this my friend" he answered.
"Come on lets get him inside" said Treville.
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Evening time same day...
"I thought you said it would be a good idea for him to attend the hanging Doctor Needam". asked Treville.
He and Aramis had informed the physician of what had occured at the execution of Buckingham and the behaviour of Athos.
Needam eyed both men. They were both sitting opposite the man. "Don't you see this is a good thing".
Treville and Aramis exchanged glances with a slight frown each.
Needam carried on. "You see he let out a numerous amount of pent up rage, he needed to get that out of his system...this gentlemen will help him recover even more. The human mind can only take so much trauma...this is its way of ridding itself of the anger inside.
"If he becomes angry again, just be patient with him, let it happen, let him release it. The more he vents it the more he will recover gentlemen.
"Thinking about it, it does make sense" said Aramis. "But sometimes it can be very heart rendering to watch".
"I can comprehend that. He is your friend, you want him to be well again and he will be".replied the physician.
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The following morning...
Athos sat on the bed dressed back in his uniform. Doctor Needam had padded the mans injury up ready for his journey. Athos had told him he felt like an infant with muslin cloths down his braies. That made the physician laugh.
"As long as it helps you my friend...I do not care what you feel like" chuckled Aramis.
Needam had given the medic the cloths and he had placed them in his saddle bag.
"Now remember Aramis he has to keep having the salt baths twice a day until the injury is healed." commented Needam.
Aramis was nodding. "Do not fret Sir...I myself will be making sure of that".
"I have asked the king for a cart to carry you Athos. When you men arrrive in LaHarve its a half day ride to Paris...that will not be good for your injury" Needam commented.
"I will be fine riding Roger" remarked the swordsman.
Aramis squeezed his friends shoulder. "Athos please...doctor Needam knows best...its for your own good mon ami...besides I think its an excellent idea".
Athos shrugged his shoulder. "Fine" he answered softly. "Knowing it was pointless arguing.
Needam ushered Aramis out of earshot of his brother. "Make sure he has the sleeping drafts at night...they will help with the nightmares he has been experiencing".
Aramis glanced back at his friend who was pouring out water into a cup.
"Has he lost anymore blood Sir?" he asked quietly.
Needam shook his head. "Not since we gave him the baths. The braies my aid took from him when we bathed him were soaked in blood Aramis...I do not know how he didn't pass out before he actually did".
"Dear God...I am truly thankful to you Sir...you have done wonders for him".
"He is still weak, make sure he eats plenty and drinks water. He needs his strengh building up again. As for his mental state I have written a letter for your doctor Lamay like you asked me to. He may need to recover somewhere quiet."
"If he gets any worse with the dilirium episodes, I know a good physician who actually resides in Paris. I shall give you his details.". said Needam as he opened a drawer in his desk and took out a parchment of paper. He picked up his quill, dipped it in the ink pot and began to right.
" Sir...you are too kind, I can not thank you enough" remarked Aramis.
Needam glanced at the medic. "You are a good medic Aramis, your own knowledge is excellent...I am certain your friend will be just fine with you looking out for him".
Aramis bowed his head slightly with a smile. "Why thank you Sir, but we will all be doing that".
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Treville and his men had made thier farewells to the king and queen and their entourage.
The king had presented the musketeer captain with six barrels of cider as a gift. Porthos commenting with mirth at the generous gift. The barrels had been stacked onto the cart, three on either side of Athos. The swordsman had been made comfortable with pillows even though he had still protested.
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The Galleon rocked slowly on the quayside, its tall masts reaching up to the sky. A slight breeze blew across the shoreline. The ships crew were busy loading cargo onto the decks as Treville and his men arrived.
Treville noticed the tall looking man in uniform as he stood on the quay checking around the bow. His face was tanned from his sea goings.
"You must be Captain Erwin Vine" asked Treville smiling into the mans face as he turned his head.
The tall man scanned around noticing the musketeers as they sat on their mounts.
"Ah and you must be Captain Treville...I have been expecting you and your men, the king did inform me you would be sailing back to France".
Treville glanced around at his men, then back to Vine. "Indeed...I take it the wind is pleasing for the crossing?"
Vine smiled. "Oh most certainly we leave in an hour, I will summon a couple of my crew to help you aboard.
Treville bowed slightly in acknowledgement. "I am most gratful Sir".
"At least it will be a smooth crossing" growled Porthos "Just glad it aint bloody rough".
"Indeed my friend...it is a fine day for sailing wouldn't you concur" smiled Aramis as he closed his eyes towards the sun.
d'Artagnan chuckled " Trust Mis to be dramatic".
"My dear d'Artagnan look around you mon ami...the beauty of the sea, the smell of the air, the colours in the water, the delightful blue sky above". The medic smiled as he noticed his brothers staring at him.
Porthos laughed aloud as Treville appeared. "We sail in an hour men, we need to get the horses on the lower deck, the captain said there is a ramp leading downwards, the cart will be fastened to the side rigging clamps."
The men dismounted and led their horses towards the ramps, three crewmen joined them and helped with the cart as it was ridden aboard by Porthos.
Athos stared up at the tall masts as the cart clatted on the wooden deck. He felt the slight bump as the crew fastened the wheels against the rigging clamps.
He turned his head to see his brothers stood smiling at him. "Nearly home Athos" smiled d'Artagnan "Hope you have not drank that cider.
Porthos chucked. "Even Athos couldn't drink all that".
"Don't want any cider...rather have wine...we can take some with us when we go to the countryside". replied the ailing man.
"Come mon ami" said Aramis as he took Athos by the arm. "We will go below...it will more comfortable".
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The cart trudged along the bumpy muddy road. The rain was coming down heavy, lightning streaked across the night sky. They had been traveling for at least two hours now. Lightning lit up the road as it suddenly came to a halt, the whinny of the horses filled the air as the loud thunder clap freaked them out.
"YOU TWO?...THIS IS A FAR AS WE GO!...NOW GET OUT! roared the driver of the cart.
"You just can't leave us here" yelled out the hooded man. "We have nowhere to go...we have no weapons...nothing".
The driver had jumped down and pointed his musket at both men. " Thy shu'd 'ave thought of that...before" he roared out above the sound of the rain and thunder. "NOW GO...you fuckin' scum!"
Both men watched as the cart trudged off into the distance. They both pulled their hoods closer over their heads as they started the walk through the rain on the muddy road. It was pitch black, the only light was the lightning that split the sky in two now and then.
They both soon reached a small hamlet. The rain still danced down onto the muddy ground.
"LOOK OVER THERE! "
They trudged towards the tiny looking barn, the door swung in the wind. Both entered the empty barn, just bits of straw strewn everywhere.
"At least its bloody dry...it will do until morn" said Cecil as he pulled down his hood and took off his cloak and shook it.
Cleeves did the same, as he scanned around the barn.
Both men sat against the barn wall as the rain still fell. "I have a piece of bread here but I think its gone hard as a rock". commented Cecil as he held it up between his fingers.
Cleeves face was set to anger as he stared into space. " We find work on the morrow...farm...or...anything.
Cecil glanced at his companion. "Why?
"Because my dear Cecil...we are going to make some coinage...then we will commission a galleon to France".
"You my man have gone quite mad" murmered Cecil. "Why do you want to go there...have we not had enough of the bloody french bastards?"
Cleeves glared at him. " Because my idiot friend...we are going to get our revenge on those fucking musketeers".
"You are talking rot man...we need weapons, proper attire. and right now some bloody food."
Cleeves laughed aloud. "Have faith man...you will see. There are other ways of aquiring what you want...trust me...but for now we sleep".
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To be continued...
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Pippa xxxx
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