No Mercy Chapter Thirty Six.
Royal Palace.
Throne Room.
"How dare you appoint a new First Minister without even having the audacity to even consult with me before hand." yelled the queen with fury in her voice. "And the Count of Toulouse of all people...prey tell me Monsieur de Larent, who permitted you to allow this?
Monsieur Larent and Hubert Lavell stood side by side as the queen raged at them. Both men searching each others features for aid and encouragement.
Captain Treville stood further back from the two men with Athos, Aramis and Porthos. The men each exchanged glances of bewilderment. Treville had seldom seen the queen so irate, it was usually the king who lay down the law. But on this occasion with the king himself being incapacitated she was proving to be a pillar of strengh.
Larent looked at the queen sheepishly, her beautiful face full of rage as she waited in anticipation for him to answer.
"Forgive the hastiness your majesty but I was informed we had to appoint a First Minister prior to the king falling ill. This is merly a coincidence."
"If I may speak your majesty?" asked Lavell with a bow of the head.
Anne turned her head slightly towards the other adviser.
"Yes?
"The count is a very intelligent man your majesty...I cannot think of anyone who fits the position like he does." stated Lavell.
The queens eyes widened with anger once more as she glared at both men.
"It may have escaped your notice Monsieur Lavell, but that is not what this is about...the issue here is simple...I being the queen was not informed of any such appointment and also was not even consulted of whom that person would be. The Count of Toulouse has been in the palace five minutes and has suddenly become First Minister."
"If I may be so bold your majesty." asked Treville walking forward and bowing his head.
He turned to Larent and Lavell and eyed each man in turn before speaking.
"But may I enquire as to whom insigated this commission gentlemen?
Larent glared at Treville with an air of arrogance. He smirked in his face.
"Captain Treville...I fail to see what this has to do with you."
"Answer the question put to you by Captain Treville Monsieur." yelled Anne making everyone look towards her.
Aramis and Athos side glanced each other as she bellowed.. Porthos glared at Larent and furrowed his brows.
Larent bowed. "Certainly your majesty" He turned to Treville, his jaw was clenched tightly with inner fury as he glared at the musketeer captain.
"We held an assembly with lawyers Monsieur Jean de Lenns and Charles Maqui...that is how we came to the conclusion." he scowled.
"Ahh! the kings lawyers." added the queen. "Another scheme plotted without my knowledge."
"That was not our intention your majesty." said Lavell. " Monsieur de Lenns was most unyielding about the whole situation."
"Was he now?...I will be having words with him also. Now get out of my sight both of you...you will rue the day you ever crossed me." said Anne bitterly.
Both men bowed, they turned and walked slowly past the musketeers receiving a glare from each man.
The doors closed behind them.
xx
"May I enquire as to how his majesty is faring your majesty." asked Treville once the two advisers had left.
Anne siged and glanced at him. "Doctor Lemay is still conducting his investigations...he still thinks someone administered something in either his food or his drink. The whole saga is becoming rather tiresome Captain. "But at this moment he is sleeping."
That moment the doors opened and Rochefort walked in, he paused slightly as he observed the musketeers, the fake smirk on his face, he slowly began to enter. His attire was that of a blue brocade coat. A long sleeved shirt with frills at the cuff, he wore shiny new boots of tanned hide. His footsteps reverberated around the chamber as he approached the queen.
I have to remember to focus on my voice and my gait, they will never know. Slow your walking, do not look at them with hostility. The words of his uncle the Marquis echoed in his head. Do not let down your guard, they will pick up on the minimum of errors, if you keep to your original facade they will never suspect anything untoward. Remember you look nothing like your usual self.
The musketeers shot hasty glances at one another as they watched the Count of Toulouse walk slowly. He paused when he reached the men and nodded.
"Musketeers! he murmered.
The men bowed their heads.
Well I never thought that I would actually see the day when these bastards bowed to me. This is going to be such a fine epic you fucking cretins, and look at her, she will soon succumb to my charms.
He carried on to the queen and bowed. "Your majesty...it gives me great pleasure to serve as First Minister of France. I will rule by your side."
Anne stood rigid to the spot. How she loathed the man, but was not entirely sure why, he made her skin crawl, he was pompous and forthcoming.
She glared into his eyes. " Dear count let us not forget who the legitamate monarch is in this reign, you are here merly to advise me if needs be that is all. As for ruling as you put it...the king himself will carry on just that when he is recovered...but for now it is I who makes any decisions. I do hope I have made that quite plain dear count."
Rochefort bowed his head slightly. "Indeed majesty".
Aramis stifled a chuckle as she spoke. He knew his brothers had done the same by their sudden movement.
Anne glared at the count. "Now if you will excuse me I have more pressing matters to attend to."
Rochefort bowed. "Certainly your majesty."
Treville and his men bowed in unison as she walked past them in her flowing gown leaving the aroma of jasmin in the air.
Rochefort watched her go before turning to the musketeers.
"I was informed that you have lost some of your men in the most barbaric of circumstances captain...that is such tragic news."
Treville's face turned to woeful as he eyed the count. " Yes count...it is a waste of such brave young and honourable soldiers. But my men and I will bring the evil and vicious individual to justice that I pledge."
Rochefort eyed the three men before him he could see how the deaths had effected them. Are they tears in their eyes...oh how my heart bleeds for such bastards as they.
Rochefort turned back to the musketeer captain and furrowed his brows.
"Captain Treville! May I ask how your investigations are coming along concerning the search for the scoundrel that Lemay believed poisoned the king?
Treville glared at him. "There is no believed about it Count! he answered. "His majesty was poisoned with some king of fungi."
Rochefort grinned. "I was informed that his had lost his mind...and did not know his own queen."
Treville was seething inside as he moved nearer to Rochefort. " The king is not mad Count...like I have said he has been poisoned and will recover, then he will rule France once again.
Athos glared at the man, the niggling feeling in the pit of his stomach had returned but he couldn't comprehend why.
Rochefort felt the swordmans eyes on him and changed the subject instantly.
"I will not keep you from your musketeer tasks gentlemen...you are dismissed. "I am certain you want to carry on with more pressing matters."
The men bowed and turned to leave. Treville paused in his tracks and turned back to the Count making the others stop and turn.
"We will prevail Count...we will find this scoundrel as you yourself call him...my men and myself will never give up until we bring the bastard to justice."
Rochefort was raging inside as he watched the musketeers turn once again and walk from the chamber.
You will not be bringing anyone to justice...because you will all be dead. You fucking bunch of toy soilders.
xxxxxx
Treville and his men walked down the passageway towards the main hall.
" Her majesty certainly stood up to them two advisers." murmered Aramis. "I do not recall ever seeing her so enraged."
Treville nodded. "Indeed...I am pleased she did...she is a force to be reckoned with."
"I wanted to knock their bloody 'eads off." growled Porthos. "Goin' behind her back and making that Count the minister. "What does he know of the monarchy?
Athos could hear his brothers crosstalk in the background as they walked. The niggling feeling was still with him, he found it unsettling, what was this thing going around in his head.
"Your quieter than usual Athos! murmerd Porthos.
Treville and Aramis glanced at the swordsman as he carried on walking, before realising his brothers had halted.
"What? asked the swordsman. As he turned and stared at them.
"Bloody Hell! Athos...you were somewhere else then mon ami." growled Porthos smacking his friend on the back.
"Apologies my friends. I was just thinking about this whole situation."
"Come...lets go and check on the king and d'Artagnan...then we can check the guest lists." said Treville as they walked.
Aramis eyed the swordsman as the two walked behind Treville and Porthos.
"What is troubling you mon ami? asked the marksman. As he smiled at two approaching female courtier's and raising his hat.
Athos side glanced his friend. "I am not certain yet."
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Royal Palace Infirmary:
d'Artagnan was sitting up in bed finishing off a bowl of broth when the musketeers entered.
He glanced up and smiled as he placed the bowl on the side table. Nurse Simone took it and walked away.
"Well I must say my friend you are looking much better." grinned Aramis sitting in a vacant chair next to his brothers bed, the marksman had removed his hat and placed it down on the table.
Porthos ruffled the young mans hair making him grimace and waft his arm away.
The big man chuckled as he sat next to Aramis. "I am being well cared for I will have you know gentlemen." grinned the Gascon.
"Well I am delighted about that." commented Athos. "You gave us all quite a scare."
d'Artagnan glanced at his brothers in turn. Constance informed me we have a new First Minister." he asked leaning back against his pillows.
"We have indeed...The Count of Toulouse." replied Porthos with a growl.
" Prey tell me you are bluffing my friend...you mean the man the king went hunting with? asked d'Artagnan with widened eyes. "Why him? I was not even aware he was related to the king."
"He ain't related...that is whats so odd about the whole thing." replied the big musketeer.
"Everything has been done in hast by the sounds of it." remarked d'Artagnan shifting in his bed.
Aramis shrugged his shoulders. "I have given up trying to comprehend the monarchy my friend." he remarked.
Athos eyed his ailing brother. Yeah too hasty for my liking! he thought to himself. Something is not quite right.
xxxxxx
Royal Palace
Kings Chambers.
The king was still resting when Captain Treville entered the chambers. He approached doctor Lemay as he sat working on concoctions and making notes.
"How is he." asked Treville as he sat opposite Lemay and glanced back to the kings bed.
Lemay spoke without looking up from his glass phials he was mixing into others.
"He was awake prior to your visit captain...he started rambling once again about idiotic notions...so I gave him something to help him sleep."
Treville watched as Lemay mixed different concoctions together.
"I take it you found the source of the poison then?." he asked.
Lemay stopped what he was doing and glanced up. "Oh indeed captain...his majesty was undoubtedly poisoned... like I suggested...either in his food or his drink."
Treville sat pondering as he heeded what the medic was saying. "Will it effect his phyical health? or just his mental health?
Lemay picked up his quill and continued to make his notes.
"More mental than anything else captain. But he has got most of it out of his system...he vomited a few times in the last hour. I gave him mustard and cod liver oil to induce the vomiting."
That moment the queen entered the chamber. Both men stood and bowed as she glanced over to them before moving to her husbands side.
"How if he faring doctor." she asked a she grasped Louis' hand in hers.
Leamy wandered towards the bed with Treville, both men stared down at their king as he slept.
"He is doing fine at this moment your majesty. I have just been speaking to the captain about it. The king vomited and got most of it from his system...but alas he is still speaking nonsense and having nightmares now and then. But I will not be defeated on this...I will not rest until I find a remedy."
Anne gave him a sad smile. "You are a most excellent physician Lemay...I have much faith in you."
"Thank you your majesty." replied the medic with a slight bow of his head.
xx
Athos walked down the passageway on the east side of the palace. He had returned to the infirmary having left his cloak behind, and now he was in need of it as the weather became chilly once again. He fastened the cloak around his shoulder and carried on his walk towards the entrance to meet with Treville and the others in the grounds.
Athos suddenly paused to a halt as he noticed the count and Jean de Lenns talking together. He reeled back behind the column out of sight as he observed the two men in deep conversation. He was out of earshot to hear anything being said, just the low whispers filled the passage.
He watched as the count handed the lawyer a leather looking pouch and the two men shook hands. Jean de Lenns bowed his head and left in the opposite direction.
Athos peered around the column and watched as the count stood pondering for a few seconds before opening his office door and entering.
The swordsman leaned back against the wall in thought as his mind began to spin with theories, before resuming his walk down the passageway towards the main entrance.
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Royal Palace Grounds:
It was dusk and the first candles and torches had been lit, illuminating the colonnades on the east side of the palace. The trees glowed in yellow hues as they caught the light of the flickering flames, making them appear taller than they actually were.
Treville had asked his men to meet with himself in the grounds, stating it was better than the palace away from prying eyes and listening ears.
Athos had informed his captain and his brothers about how he practically came face to face with the Count of Toulouse and Jean de Lenns in the passageway. He had recounted to them about the strange and intriguing whispers and nods the two men had conveyed to each other, not forgetting the money pouch that passed between the two men.
"Sounds very suspicious if you ask me. I wonder what the count gave him in the pouch." growled Porthos.
The men pondered over the whole scenario.
"Well it would seem that Monsieur de Lenns wanted the count to become First Minister very hasty I must say." commented Treville. "I have misgivings about the whole saga...something is amiss."
"Well they certainly looked very cloak and dagger when they were in conversation with each other." remarked Athos.
"Maybe him and the count are plotting something behind the queens back again...we should keep an eye on the pair of them." suggested Aramis.
"Well the queen will not stand for it, that is for certain. She does not suffer fools gladly...we have all seen that side to her." replied Treville.
That moment the men turned hastly as they heard the sound of horses hooves. A carriage suddenly appeared into the trees from the main gates.
Treville caught a glimpse of the 'Coat of Arms' insignia on the carriage doors. He recognised it as the Count of Toulouse crest. Where was he going this time in the evening when he should be in the palace seeing to more pressing matters.
The musketeers watched as the carriage disappeared onto the forest road.
Aramis echoed his thoughts as he glanced at his captain. "Now I am curious" said the marksman eyeing his friends. "Just where is our dear count going in such haste?
Treville looked as perplexed as his own men as he looked into the distance where the carriage had rolled off into the darkening skies of the forest.
"Follow at a distance. It is now getting darker by the minute, the moon is high, you will have enough light. But wherever he goes do not pursue him...just return and inform me where he went."
The musketeers nodded. "May I propose we adorn our darker cloaks...we will less conspicuous under the moonlight." mumered Athos.
Aramis raised his brow and smiled with a nod. "You think ahead at all times my friend. But you are quite right."
Porthos patted the swordsman and chuckled. "Always the strategist."
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Versailles Forest Road:
The musketeers had been persuing the Counts carriage for a few hours now staying behind and well out of sight as the wheels continued to rattle over the bumps in the road. The night critters emited their cries into the darkness of the forest as the three men continued to persue the Count of Toulouse.
"Now why would he be using the Versailles road...that's bloody odd, do you not think?" growled Porthos as they rode.
"Mmmmnn...I concur my friend...I find this whole scenario very odd...especially after what Athos witnessed." commented Aramis reaching for his waterskin and taking a swig.
Athos looked up into the trees as an owl hooted overhead before joining in the conversation.
"A couple more hours and we will reach the Chateau de La Mar where the Marqis of Versailles resides. "What is the betting he is going there? said the swordsman as he side glanced his two friends.
Porthos frowned. " You reckon?...yeah you could be right...these nobles stick together like glue...plotting and scheming together. No offence meant Athos."
Aramis and Athos exchanged grins as the big musketeers spoke.
"None taken my friend...besides I have left that life somewhere in the past." replied the swordsman. "Where it belongs."
The hours ticked by as they rode parallel to the Counts carriage observing from a distance as the carriage rolled on.
The Chateau de La Mar stood proud in the distance, the torches could be seen through the trees as they burned in their sconces on the battlements.
The musketeers had dismounted after noticing the carriage begin to slow up as it approached the large gates.
Aramis peered through his scope noticing as the portcullis was raised up slowly.
"They were expecting him if you ask me." he murmered as he carried on his observation through the lens. "The gates were opened a soon as they noticed the carriage...no questions asked."
"Now I wonder what the Marquis wants with the Count." murmered Athos as he heeded Aramis' surveillance. The swordsman stared towards the Chateau deep in thought. The niggling feeling in the back of his head had returned.
"I knew this bloody thing with making him the Minister was strange...I bet he helped him with all this charade." growled Porthos.
"Come...lets get back to the Palace and inform Treville of our findings." said Athos remounting his horse. "I have a bad feeling about this...It would seem we may have a high mountain to climb my friends before we find out the truth behind all this."
Aramis and Porthos nodded before climbing into their own mounts.
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Chateau de La Mar:
A fire burned in the large grate, the flames dancing and making crackling sounds. The chamber glowed with orange hues. Candelabrums flickered in each corner of the chamber.
The Marquis sat staring into the flames a goblet in his hand as he sipped his fine brandy. The chamber doors opened with a slight creek, the old man did not flinch.
Rochefort entered slowly noticing the back of his uncles head. His voice suddenly echoed around the chamber.
"You were followed" he said as he sat staring.
Rochefort approached the chair opposite his uncle and sat. "How do you know ."
The Marquis sipped his brandy and side glanced his nephew, his hand hovered over the brandy bottle gesturing to Rochefort to help himself.
"I have men patrolling the forest perimeter...they spotted them...three of them." replied the Marquis as Rochefort refilled his uncles goblet.
Rochefort sat back and smirked. "And I bet anything you desire that it was the musketeers."
"My men informed me that they wore dark cloaks...if you want me to send men to apprehend them I will have them put in shackles if you so wish and thrown into the dungeons."
Rochefort raised his brows and grinned as he sipped his brandy. " That sounds most rewarding dear uncle...but I will take care of the musketeers in my own time...they will wonder what has hit them. Besides if they vanish now it will only stir up more suspicion and could blow my facade."
"I was informed of the kings insanity...I almost wanted to be present to witness the spectical." smirked the Marquis.
Rochefort grinned as he glanced at the older man. "Oh indeed...he was behaving like a court jester...the queen was running around like a headless chicken not knowing what had become of her dear husband."
The Marquis turned to his nephew. "They must be suspicious of you dear nephew...otherwise they would not have followed you. You have to be ahead of them at all times."
Rochefort scoffed. "The musketeer bastards are suspicious of everyone who eneters the palace."
"Prey tell me...what have you got planned for Captain Trevilles men?
"By the time I have finished with them...they will be screaming for mercy!
Both men laughed aloud and raised their goblets together with a clang.
To be continued...Please review x
Hi Guys,
Thank you again for the lovely reviews. I really enjoy reading them, you are all so kind.
Well will the boys find out about Rochefort's masquerade?
Will he continue to get his lacky Pedro to do his dirty work and kill them?
Just what has he got planned?
Will update ASAP!
Thank you again
Pippa xxxxx
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