SAVOY DESOLATION

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

"Stay here d'Aratagnan...that is an order! growled Tréville as he grabbed his pistols. "Marcel "you will also remain...you are in no fit state to be handling a weapon."

Marcel starred at the older man vacantly, his features that of disoriented blankness.

d'Artagnan shrugged his shoulders towards the drunken and perplexed musketeer. Knowing the man had drowned his sorrows and probably didn't know as what had just occured.

Porthos had kicked the chamber door open, the big man emerged into the passageway, pistols primed and gripped in his sturdy grip. He was closely followed by Tréville, Athos and Aramis and other soldiers.

Pandemonium erupted around the garrison as groups of cadets and musketeers, roused by the disorder and confusion emegerd still wearing their night attire, pistols in hand.

The snow was still falling as the men meandered into the courtyard and scanned the entire area for the wouldbe assassin.

Shadows were cast on the walls as two gate guards came rushing across the courtyard holding torches above their heads. They paused in their tracks having noticed the musketeers.

"Its Sasha captain...he has been shot...I think he may be dead." yelled one of the guards.

Aramis raced towards the gates.

"ARAMIS BE CAREFUL.! yelled Athos as the marksman ran towards the lifeless body of the guard. "HE COULD BE ANYWHERE!

Athos' words fell on deaf ears as Aramis reached the man and put two fingers to his throat.

"He fled Lieutenant...he was on the roof...Sasha noticed him and fired but he was shot in the process before he ran off." croaked one of the guards.

"WHO RAN OFF? yelled Tréville as he joined his men.

The man who shot Sasha.

Everyone looked towards Aramis as he slowly got to his feet. The medics face said it all as he shook his head in total anguish. Sacha was dead.

Tréville ran his fingers through his hair in frustration and growled out his rage.

xxxxxx

Musketeer Garrison

Following Morning.

The shooting of Sacha had put yet another damper on the musketeer garrison as the men meandered into the courtyard in preparation for muster. Captain Tréville scurried down the wooden steps as the men stood to attention awaiting their orders for the coming day. He knew the mood was woeful as he scanned the group of men before him.

At this moment all I want to do is tell them all everything will be alright, but how do I do that when another man is laying on a slab in the morgue, it could have been any one of us. I am somewhat at a loss at how we are to eliminate such a barbaric group of bandits that seem intent on continuing to destroy the entire musketeer regiment. But I will not give up, never.

xxxxxx

The Royal Palace.

Cellar Crypt.

The vaults of past monarchs and nobles stood erect side by side. The air in the cellar was cold and eerie. Just a single torch burned in its sconce casting shadows on the crypts stone walls of the figures of various statues as they lay in peace.

Cardinal Richelieu paced back and forth, his long cloak sweeping up behind with each stride. His features showing that of devious and conniving thoughts as he twitched and scratched his head, his breath emitting into the cold air as he snorted and sniffed with that of impatient agitation. He had had many an altercation with the captain of the musketeers over the past few years. The man was just a pompous adversary who thought his regiment of musketeers were the most elite in all of France. He had lost men in the past weeks, this could be my chance to get my revenge on Tréville. I will use one of the killers to my advantage, he wiil not see me coming.

The cellar doors suddenly creaked open jolting the cleric from his muse, he swiftly turned his head towards the din.

Two red guards emerged, dragging a hooded man in behind them, before throwing him to the cold ground roughly. Richelieu shot a glance at the two guards and waved them away swiftly. He watched as the two men walked back to the doors and vanished, before turning his attention to the man on the floor who was trying to compose himself. Richelieu leaned forward and tugged the gag from the mans mouth prompting him to spit out saliva to the floor.

The man had obviously been man handled, blood had trickled from his mouth and dried on his skin.

"Who the hell are you? he growled. "Why am I here?

Richelieu smirked as he eyed him.

"I have been somewhat informed that you are part of the gang of renegades that have been slaughtering musketeers."

The man glared in awe as the cleric stood over him, his face showing that of curiosity. He could see he was of high clergy by the robes he wore."

"You are Lance Bouvier...an accociate of Jorge Armonds are you not?

Lance stood and pulled his cloak around his shoulders with a shiver.

"How do you know my name?

Richelieu scowled.

"I ask the questions man not you! he growled.

Lance eyed him.

"You concealed yourself when the musketeers attended their comrades funeral...you endeavoured to kill one of them and failed."

Lance clenched his teeth.

"I did not miss...I was merely warning them...so now you have me I will probably hang just like my comrades did!

Richelieu began to pace once again and quirked a brow, he turned sharply, his long flowing cloak pivoting with him.

"On the contrary...I want you to carry on the good deed." he replied almost relishing the moment.

Lance frowned with a dubious glare.

What was this cleric up to? why would he want me to kill the musketeers for him? is this a trap?

"You think me a fool...why would I want to take orders from you?

Richelieu turned and stared into the mans face.

"I am Cardinal Richelieu...I could have you executed at dawn for your crimes...prey tell...is that what you desire?

Lance sniggered.

"I see...so why am I here...what do you want with me?

"Like I have said...I want you to carry on with the killings...but this time you aim and you kill."

Lance eyed the older man carefully.

Dear God, the cardinal wants the kings musketeers dead, I would never have dreamed of such travesty.

"And may I enquire to what I gain from this?

Richelieu smirked and walked slowly to a small chest and opened the drawer, he picked up a pouch and threw it at Lance who caught it with one hand. He looked inside finding coins before glancing up at Richelieu.

"Well! well! you really do want them dead...you bestow me with payment."

"Prey tell me! why did Jorge Armond and Leon de Grandu want them dead? asked Richelieu ignoring the remark.

Lance smirked.

"We only meant to kill that bastard Aramis...he was a coward at Savoy...left all his comrades to die in agony. Jorge lost his own son and nephew, I lost a brother, but when the others turned up to rescue him, well it turned into more than revenge for him, they are all cowards if you ask me."

Richelieu heeded the mans words, he could feel the hatred in his voice as he spoke, almost spitting out the words.

"There is more were that came from...The king is on a hunt on the morrow...I have requested his elite four accompany him...I will give you the exact place his majesty will hunt."

Lance heeded the cardinals words with unbelievable interest, a slight smirk played on his lips. Was he to trust this man, was it a devious ploy?

"How do I know I can trust you? and why now? and why me?"

Richelieu inclined his head and stared at the killer.

"You do not know...but I tell you this...I stand resolute and determined to eliminate the entire musketeer regiment...so the red guard will thrive and become the kings personal guard...and as for you monsieur Bouvier...you are just what I have been looking for."

Lance shifted and stirred as he leaned against a stone pillar and quirked a brow.

"And if I refuse!

Richelieu seethed.

"Then you hang!

"I could inform the king of you cardinal...you would be executed for treason."

Richelieu turned sharply and glared through clenched teeth.

"Who is the king going to believe...a killer of musketeers or his devoted and admirable cardinal?

Lance snorted and smirked.

"And what if I am captured by the rest of the musketeers on the morrow?

Richelieu squinted his eyes.

"You are not that foolish surely? besides they will hunt near to the river bank in the forest, there is an entrance hatch to the catacombs near to the river. The musketeers no nothing of it...you can conceal yourself there until they are gone."

"You really have this planned out dear Cardinal...I almost envy your strategic ruse." smirked Lance.

Richelieu suddenly moved towards the chest and picked up a parchment, he removed the ribbon and handed the parchment to Lance.

"This is where you will find them...the king leaves the Louvre on the morrow at nine of the clock, they will arrive before ten, do not be tardy."

Lance studied the map and nodded.

"I know of the place...I will be waiting."

"If you fail in this then you will be following your comrades to the gallows. I only need to say one word."

Lance turned on him.

"And when the musketeers are all dead...then what?

Richelieu smirked. That thought humoured him, how he wanted rid of Tréville and his musketeers, the king had always favoured them before the red guard, he had to change that swiftly.

"I will grant you passage to the americas if you so desire...otherwise you leave Paris."

Lance quirked a brow in thought.

This is becoming too good to be true, I must keep my wits.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Louvre

Following Day.

The night snowfall had abated leaving just a scattering on the royal gardens. The royal courtyard was a bustle of activity as yeomens, servants and courtiers prepared themselves for the hunt. As usual the king had all attention on himself as he ordered brandy and refreshments to be brought out to the erected tents.

The king was sat astride on his fine stallion drinking brandy as the musketeers each mounted their own horses. Captain Tréville, Athos, Aramis and Porthos adorned their blue cloaks as they awaited for the king to give the order to move out. d'Artagnan had been ordered to remain at the garrison to recover properly much to the dissatisfaction of the Gascon.

"Wish I 'ad known there would be food layed on."murmered Porthos as he shot a glance to Aramis.

Aramis shook his head slightly.

"You have eaten a hearty breakfast mon ami...and the rest of Athos'...surly you cannot be hungry."

"He is always hungry." dead-panned Athos. "He has the cravings of a wild boar."

Porthos chuckled.

Aramis glanced towards Louis who downed the rest of his brandy. The markman smiled.

Louis suddenly caught the smirking features of Aramis and frowned.

"Something amuses you musketeer Aramis...it is indeed a cold day...the brandy is good for that."

Aramis smirked slightly.

"It is a fine idea and cannot say I blame you your majesty."

Athos glanced at the marksman before turning to the king.

"Lets us hope you are lucky with your hunt your majesty." he murmered.

The king raised his brows and flicked his hair from his face.

"I am always lucky in my hunts Athos am I not dear Cardinal? smiled Louis turning towards Richelieu as he stood watching the men tack up and mount.

Richelieu quirked a brow and shot a glance towards Tréville.

"Indeed Sire...a true champion."

The king chuckled and threw his empty goblet towards his servant.

"I trust you are prepared Tréville?

Tréville nodded and smiled.

"We are always prepared Sire."

Other musketeers appeared into the courtyard, having recieved their orders to ride to the rear of the hunting party. The inseperables flanked the king as the courtiers followed behind.

Cardinal Richelieu watched as the party rode away, a slight self pleasing grin playing on his lips. He turned and entered the palace.

x

The hunting party rode out towards the the palace gates, the clip clop of the horses hooves reverberated off the palace walls as they went.

The winter sun shone down onto the slightly white ground giving out no warmth whatsoever as the riders cantered into the trees.

The king glanced up as his hunting adviser returned from scouting for trails, he flanked the monarch.

"Your majesty their are stag trails up ahead, I do believe you may be lucky."

Louis beamed.

"Excellent! Excellent! you will inform us when to stop. I have a feeling this is going to be a good one this day."

Tréville smirked at the young monarch's glee. Of all the times he had to hunt he had to pick wintertime when the animals were concealed within their lairs. But trying to reason with the king was an impossible task to say the least. Once his mind was made up there was no changing it.

An hour later the hunting party had arrived at the known deer foraging copse. The king held up his hand to halt the riders, he turned and put his finger over his mouth to silence the dignitaries.

The riders paused.

Louis was helped down from his horse by his yeomen, weapons of all proportions were laid upon blankets by the servants for the hunters to select.

The musketeers had also dismounted, Tréville had ordered his men to surround the outer perimeter and keep alert and ready for any would be bandits.

The inseperables stayed with the king as he ran his hand along the row of pistols in preperation to choose one. His face twisted in amusing thought.

"You have a very fine selection of weaponry." your majesty commented Athos as he watched the monarch ponder the assortment.

Louis beamed.

"Ah yes indeed Athos...my father always said a man should take pride in his weapon."

Athos bowed his head slightly and smiled.

"He was a very wise man your majesty." interjected Aramis with a grin.

Louis picked up his chosen pistol and inspected it.

"Indeed!

The king turned to his dignitaries, signaling to them to select their weapons.

The kings hunting adviser was scanning the thicket of trees before returning to the group.

"You all know the rules gentlemen...now enjoy your hunt."

The king grinned before starting his slow creep into the trees, the copse was dence as he went. The inseperables followed close begind him.

Suddenly a pheasant flew from the tree tops prompting everyone to pause in their tracks. The cackling bird vanished into the thicket.

Louis rolled his eyes in frustration and carried on his stalking.

"I 'ope this doesn't last all bloody day." groused Porthos in low tones as he turned to Aramis.

The marksman grinned and glanced up through the tree tops.

"Looking at those clouds my friend, I fear we are going to have more snow, I cannot see his majesty wanting to hunt in that."

Athos flanked the king closely as they crept slowly.

The swordsman scanned ahead, he suddnely squinted having noticed the light catch metal ahead. Nobody went ahead of the king, so what in Gods name is that.

Before the king took another step Athos took the lead.

Louis glared at the swordsman in awe.

"What do you think you are doing Athos?

Tréville, Aramis and Porthos exchanged perplexed glances as they watched their brothers antics.

"Athos! what is it? growled Tréville.

"Something or someone up ahead captain...I noticed some movement."

The others had now joined the swordsman as they peered through the copse of trees.

"Really Tréville...I do believe your man is seeing things...I see nothing." croaked Louis enraged.

"It is best we check Sire! your safety is paramount." replied Tréville.

The musketeers rushed ahead pistols primed and ready as they scanned the thicket.

"Noone 'ere." growled Porthos.

Aramis trudged through the copse and looked ahead across the small clearing. Pistols gripped in each hand, his brown eyes slowly scanning the though the trees and seening nothing.

Athos walked across the clearing and joined his friend.

"Could have sworn I seen metal catch the light." he murmerd.

Aramis patted the swordmans shoulder.

"Easily done mon ami...but if anyone was here they seem to have fled, we shall stay alert."

The inseperables returned to the king who stood with his arms folded in frustration.

"Well Athos..I see you return with no bandits...you have delayed my hunt."

Athos bowed his head slightly.

"I apologise your majesty...I was only thinking of your safety."

Louis furrowed his brow as he took a grip of his pistol.

"Very well...let us resume!

The king continued his stalking as he meandered into the small clearing.

Porthos peered into the trees ahead, what was that, movement in the large oak ahead. His face becoming agitated and unsettled.

"Wait! growled the big man.

The kings face becomming scarlet with anger as he turned to Porthos.

That moment Athos turned noticing the barrel of a pistol as it slowly appeared from the branches, it was aimed straight at them.

The swordsman swung around in an instant as shots reverberated through the trees, he grabbed the king wrestling him to the ground with a thud, shielding the monarch with his own body.

"YOUR MAJESTY! yelled Tréville as Porthos and Aramis raced into the trees in pursuit of the bandit.

Both men reached the large oak finding noone. "WHERE DID HE GO! THE BASTARD HAS DISAPPEARED! growled Porthos.

Aramis shook his head in frustration.

"Damn! Damn! Athos was right...he did see someone."

Both men turned and returned to the others. In that moment of silence, a sudden gasping and shriking could be heard as they realised the king had been shot.

Tréville was croached down over the heep on the ground, his face full of anguish as he stared at the blood soaked king.

Aramis rushed to his side, he suddenly felt the nauseous bile rise in his throat as he came to realise the king was alive and well. It was Athos who lay motionless, his body still covering that of the king. Porthos swiftly joined his friend noticing the faces of both Tréville and Aramis.

"Can you get your man off me Tréville! groused Louis. "It would appear he is not moving and I am covered in his blood."

Aramis felt a sudden pang of anger as he heeded the kings words. He has just saved your life you selfish man.

The kings grousing had fallen on deaf ears as Tréville absorbed what had just occured to one of his elite musketeers.

The eerie silence turned to pandemonium as everyone took in what had happened. Musketeers running in all directions as they scoured the forest for the bandit who fired the shot.

Hubert! Claude! get the king back to the palace NOW! yelled Tréville as he swiftly came to his senses.

Porthos and Aramis turned Athos over checking for the wound that had hit him in the chest cavity, blood had oozed through his doublet and soaked into his cloak.

"Athos! Athos! can you hear me my friend." choked Aramis into the swordmans ear. The marksman put two fingers against the swordmans throat, his hands trembling with sheer despair as he felt for a pulse, his eyes beginning to sting with tears as he searched for just one single faint thump in his brothers neck and finding nothing.

Tréville and Porthos stood staring down at the horror before them. Both men hands over their mouths as they waited for Aramis to tell them he still lived.

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TBC...

Hi Guys,

Yet another cliffy, I know...I really am cruel...sorry!

So glad you are still enjoying the story. Thank you for your lovely reviews.

Speak Soon

Pippa xxx

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