SAVOY DESOLATION
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.
The ship masts towered above the port of LaHarve stretching into the darkness. The storm had abated leaving a damp chill in the night air. A slight wind blew in from the sea making the ship creak and rock. The wharf and quayside were deserted apart from a couple of old tar sailors sat on the rigging clamps as they guarded the ship, both men chuckling and drinking ale.
A slight buzz of voices emitted into the night air from the galleons rear window that shone from orange glowing lanterns that swung with the ships motion.
The figure was dressed in a long black robe with a hood covering his face as he meandered along the quayside towards the ship. His cloak swirling around his being as the wind swept in. The man made his way towards the gangway prompting the two sailors to stand instantly, grasping a pistol in each hand.
"Stop!...state your business monsieur! yelled the taller of the men revealing brown rotten teeth.
Richelieu smirked as he held his hood partly over his face.
"I come with good intention...I mean no harm...I wish to speak with the captain of this fine vessel."
The two old tars swapped rugged glances.
"What you be wantin' wiv 'im.? growled the other man.
Richelieu clenched his teeth enraged.
This damn peasant thinks he can get the better of me.
"My dear gentelmen...I need a passage I heed you sail at first light?
"There be no more room for yer...we be already full." replied the taller man.
Richelieu smiled narrowly and reached into his cloak pocket, he fumbled for his purse.
The Cardinal knew in his own mind he had to gain passage, he stood his ground, he would not be twarted by two inbreds.
"Be off with yer monsieur...another ship sails in three days...you will 'ave to request passage on that." added the smaller man.
The seamens eyes widened as Richelieu held up two gold coins between his fingers.
"Pity...I was about to pay handsomely...but maybe I shall tarry for three days."
The two sailors glanced at one another in awe. Their features showing evident greed.
Richelieu turned on his heel to leave. He smirked to himself as a voice yelled out and summoned him. The gold is my ally.
"WAIT!... maybe we will summon the captain on your behalf monsieur."
Richelieu bowed his head in a slight manner and quirked a brow. Coinage is a good friend, never fails me.
"I thank you gentlemen."
The taller man gestured towards him.
"Come...I will take you to our captain...but you pay us first."
Richelieu handed two coins to each man.
He watched as they both men bit into the gold, their features comfirming the bona fide of the coins.
"There is more were that came from gentlemen." smiked Richelieu holding up another two coins.
The shorter man went to grab at them, Richelieu was too quick for him as he grasped them in his fist. He stared into both mens raging eyes and snorted.
"If anyone inquires as to my whereabouts this night...you tell them nothing...do I make myself clear."
The tall man nodded.
"You 'ave my word monsieur...we 'ave not seen yer."
Richelieu knew that gold was his only friend at present, he knew Tréville and his musketeers were out to hunt him down, he had to acquire passage to the americas, it was his only hope if he wanted to escape the noose. He had wondered if the king had believed Tréville. I cannot afford to take any chances.
"Good...I am gladdened we understand each other...now you will take me to your captain?
xxxx
The moon now shone down onto the clearing of the forest as the musketeers rode, turning a blue glow onto the ground as they went.
d'Artagnan glanced up into the heavens.
"Stay out moon...stay out." said the Gascon as though giving out an order.
Marcel followed his gaze.
"At least the storm abated."
"Yeah I'm still soaked through." murmered d'Artagnan.
"I can almost smell the salt air...we can't be far off now." growled Porthos as they slowed down to a canter.
"I would say another half hour." added Tréville "Once we clear those trees in the distance we should be near to LaHarve port."
"I just 'ope we ain't too bloody late...he may 'ave commissioned a ship by now." said Porthos reaching for his waterskin and swigging some back.
"And I hope I am right when I presume he has gone to LaHarve." croaked Tréville. "I could be wrong gentlemen."
Porthos shook his head and frowned.
"Na...you captain 'ave the ability to foresee these things...Athos is the same."
Tréville smirked at the big man.
"I cannot imagine where else he would go, most of France knows him. He cannot conceal himself forever, word gets around and he knows that, he is clever."
Porthos nodded with a guffaw.
"Cunning...more like."
xxxxxx
LaHarve Port.
Richelieu steadied himself as he meandered along the rocking deck, the taller of the two sailors leading the way. The buzz of voices becoming louder as they approached the rear of the galleon.
"I assume your captain has company? murmered Richelieu as they walked.
"You assume right monsieur...his lieutenant and a noble guest of his." replied the sailor.
The tall man led the cleric up a few wooden steps and along a narrow walkway before coming to the captains cabin. He turned to Richelieu before rapping on the door. The voices suddenly waned, the laughter stopped as a voice yelled from beyond the door.
"COME IN!
The sailor entered.
Richelieu followed him.
"What is it Eudes...why are you not on guard man? yelled the voice.
"My apologies captain, I have a man wishing to gain passage to the americas at dawn."
The voice growled aloud.
"Have I not declared we are full man...have you lost your mind?
Richelieu suddenly stood forward and emerged into the cabin. He stared at the three men as they sat around a large table dinking brandy. The captain had stood and approached, a lean man with shoulder length brown hair, a beard with a slight of grey. His features weathered by the months of hot sun in the americas.
"It is my doing captain...I asked your man to have me brought before you forthwith...I will pay handsomely for my passage."
The captains two guests swapped glances of intrigue.
The captain eyed the cleric from top to toe before turning on the sailor.
"Go...you can leave us...get back to your duties."
The sailor nodded and vanished rapidly.
The captain smirked slightly.
"Tell me monsieur...why do you come at such a late hour wanting passage...something tells me you are running from something or someone?
The two guests chuckled as the captain took his seat and ushered Richelieu to join them.
Richelieu removed his hood and sat, he eyed the two guests and smiled. The captains features suddenly becoming perplexed as he stared at the cleric.
"I feel I know you monsieur...your face is familiar." he queried.
Richelieu felt his insides churn over. The surroundings had become fervent and slightly intimidating. Was this man friend or foe.
"Of course you are Cardinal Richelieu...well well your eminence...what brings you aboard my ship?
Richelieu swallowed hard, bile filled his throat.
"Does that mean I may be permitted to sail with you captain.?
The captain peered through curious eyes as he stared at the cleric before smirking.
"My man says you will pay handsomely?
Richelieu took the purse from his pocket and flung it towards the captain. Both men met each others glare of intrigue as the captain picked up the purse and squinted into the contents. His eyes widened in awe as he glanced from his guests to the cleric. Before pouring brandy into a goblet and sliding it towards the cleric.
"Welcome aboard your emenence." he said holding up his own glass.
Richelieu smiled.
"I thank you captain...err...?
"Gustave your emenence...I am captain Gustave."
Gustave turned to his guests.
"This is my lieutenant...Maurice." Gustave turned to his second guest who was sat practically in darkness.
"And this is my good friend Comte de Rochefort."
Richelieu felt suddenly like he wanted to vomit, he picked up the goblet and swigged the brandy. He could feel the blood rushing from his face, he glanced towards the noble guest and nodded.
Rochefort sat further forward in his seat revealing his features.
"You seem shocked Cardinal...are you feeling ill." he murmered
Captain Gustave glanced form one man to the other curiously.
"Do you two know each other?
Rochefort smirked as he sipped his brandy, he knew he had stirred up the cardinals anguish.
"Indeed Gustave...this is the man who aided my exile to Spain and had me arrested when I arrived."
Richelieu swallowed hard, his stomach churning, his mouth dry. He wanted to run.
Of all the damn ships in the port I had to choose this one.
The cabin went silent as all eyes stared at the perturbed cleric.
"You look somewhat troubled dear Cardinal...you are not usually lost for words." smirked Rochefort.
"I did it for your own safetly...you would have been hanged if you had remained in France."
"Calm yourself cardinal...I am certain we can get along admirably. I am not here to condem you to hell."
Richelieu felt suddenly more reposeful.
"May I inquire...are you sailing to the americas."
Rochefort grinned.
"I am...but I may have just changed my mind. I am most intrigued as to why my dear cardinal you seem most avid to leave yourself. Have you stolen the kings jewels."
Richelieu fidgeted in his seat as he absorbed the Comte's words. He felt Gustave and Maurice glaring in his direction as they sniggered at Rocheforts wry wit.
"The musketeers are on my trail, they seek me out for treason, but they are mistaken...they condemn me to be executed for having their men murdered."
Rochefort snorted as he poured brandy into his goblet and swigged.
"So Tréville and his toy soldiers still thrive...tell me cardinal, why would they put the onus on your shoulders without proof."
"They have none, you know Tréville, he is like dog with a bone, he gnaws and he gnaws."
Rochefort turned to Richelieu and smirked.
"Suppose I help you to evade capture cardinal?
Richelieu sniggered, he knew the devious man never did anything unless it served his own ends.
"Why would you do that?
"Because my dear cardinal...the king is going to need a new First Minister...and I fit that role admirably do you not think?
That moment the men went silent as rapping on the door filled the cabin.
Gustave yelled.
"What now man?
The smaller sailor entered this time.
"Captain Sir...there are musketeers approaching the wharf."
Richelieu and Rochefort exchanged rapid glares of trepidation.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
TBC...
Hi Guys,
The weeks are flying, cannot believe we are in mid May. I just the weather to warm up some more.
Anyway...I know I promised to have more Aramis and Athos in this chapter, sorry but things have turned different now. But they will be in the next...I swear!
Speak Soon
Pippa xxxx
Info: Old Tar... They used to call sailors that centuries ago, something to do with the tarpaulin they wore as clothing aboard galleons.
.
.
.
.
.
.