WARNING: Gory details please do not read if you are

squeamish. Not all paragraphes are gruesome!

No Mercy Chapter Fifty One.

Torches burned in rows along the walls of the chamber as Porthos and Athos slowly crept into the large room. Both men scannned around noticing the slabs that had been purposely erected standing side by side, each with what looked like a covered up body. The two musketeers swapped perplexed glances.

Athos approached and uncovered one of the faces. He suddenly reeled back holding his gloved hand to his dry heaving mouth. His mind wandered as he stood gazing at the body. Had this person been tortured, it certainly looked like it, the leather hide straps that held down the body impeding any free movment was all the proof needed.

Porthos joined his friends side having noticed the swordsmans features become distort with shock. The big musketeers jaw dropped as he stared down into the look of horror. Whoever this person was, had had his face removed revealing that of a congealed bloody mass of muscle and veins, the eyeballs remained intact, bulging and staring with sheer terror. Porthos uncovered another, finding the same ferocious deed.

"Jeeezzuz 'thos...this is bloody barbaric...whoever did this has to be a lunatic." growled the streetfighter.

Athos jumped from his shocked muse and was checking each body finding the same. He paused suddenly noticing a drape that hung from the ceiling. The swordsman pulled it back and stared open mouthed up at the wall. He inhaled loudly and let out a sigh, staring back at him was the faces of the bodies, each had been neatly cut into mask shapes with eye holes. The blood still ran down the wall as they dried as though waiting for use.

"Porthos! gasped the swordsman.

The big man turned and stopped in his tracks as he followed his friends gaze.

"Recall what we found out about him...he is a master of disguise." murmered Athos. "It appears they have been creating masked faces from dead bodies."

"Rather extreme...do you not think? murmered Porthos not taking his eyes off the horrific sight before him.

Athos clenched his teeth in angered frustration and glanced at the big man.

"Jacob said he had murdered some of his servants and other people that came too close to his chateau. It seems he has been killing innocent people just to satisfy his own avocation."

Porthos was slowly shaking his head with inconceivable curiosity.

Both musketeers turned their heads as the rasping sound began once more. Athos walked towards the wall and put his ear to the stone.

"It's coming from the next chamber, sounds like some sort of torturing implement." he murmered.

"Athos! called Porthos in a loud whisper. "Look at this...looks like some sort of doorway."

The swordsman turned to his friend as the big man moved his hand along a ridge in the wall, he felt the ridges in the panels revealing a concealed locking chamber.

Both men exchanged glances as Porthos turned the knob. The door was locked from the other side.

xxxxxx

"Whats keeping them so...they have been in there for ages." whispered Ned to Emille.

The two cadets and Jacob were sitting on the stone steps as they awaited Athos and Porthos to emerge from the chamber.

"Maybe we should go and see if they are alright? the cadet added.

Emille glanced at his comrade. "You heard what lieutenant Athos said...he ordered us to stay here. Nothing untowards has happened."

"Anything could be happening in that chamber and we are just sitting out here." murmered Ned with an angry slur.

Jacob had stood and peered down the passageway. "It be quiet...they must be still searching the chamber."

Emille sighed. "We will give them another fifteen minutes...then we will find Captain Tréville and d'Artagnan.

"Prey tell me how we can know when fifteen minutes have lapsed mon ami?" asked Ned. "Do you have a pocket clock upon your person?

Emille rolled his eyes. "We will guess."

Jacob sat back on the steps and leaned back against the stone wall. "Dear God...what have I got these men into...let them stay safe.

xxxxxx

"Its stopped." murmered Porthos. "Maybe we should take a look in the next chamber Athos."

The swordsman stared back at the hanging faces of the innocent men. Just when he thought they couldn't come across a more evil act as what had happened in the previous days and weeks that had gone before, they had to encounter more heinous and brutal atrocities.

The two musketeers turned to leave, they suddenly paused in their tracks as the locked door began to open with a grating sound against the stone ground. Both men reached for their pistols and waited with anticipation for whoever was about to emerge.

Two men adorned in long black gowns entered the chamber. Their faces were hidden behind a beaked mask. They looked from one to the other as they noticed the two perplexed musketeers.

"Hold it right there." growled Porthos. His face full of rage as he glared at the two strange figures.

Athos eyed each man. "Remove your masks now...or I will remove them for you."

"You are making a big mistake musketeers." murmered one of the men. His voice sounding muffled behind his concealment. "As you will observe we are not carrying any weapons."

Porthos clenched his teeth and side glanced his friend, they both still had pistols aimed and primed.

"Armed or unarmed you are both under arrest." growled the swordsman.

"My friend here asked you to remove your bloody masks." growled the big musketeer. "DO AS HE SAYS NOW!

Both musketeers watched as the men began to unclip their masked faces. They were unaware of the two figures who had crept slowly into the chamber behind them. Until eveything turned black.

The two masked men glanced down at the two unconscious men then back to their fellow workers.

"Bring them into the chamber...they will aid with our work."

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Marquis Chambers:

"We have to know what is happening down there Fabére, according to our sources the marquis has been killing innocent people." growled Tréville.

Fabére ran his fingers through his hair and siged. "I do not like any of this Tréville...you know not what he is capable of."

"Oh believe me Fabére...I know exactly what he is capable of." added Tréville.

"You are in our protection now captain Fabére...he cannot do a thing...he is in the Bastille." murmered d'Artagnan.

The uncertain man glanced up at the two musketeers and sighed with unease.

"I have heard he has very dangerous individuals down there...I do not know how many...we never see them."

"Then permit me to allow my men into the chateau...we will search the place." uttered Tréville. "Come man...you know it makes sense...we have to rid France of this evil."

Both Tréville and d'Artagnan shot glances at each other as the dubious man mused.

He suddenly looked up at both men sitting opposite him. These musketeers were known all over France for their bravery and honour. They were an elite force of men who did not seem to fear anyone or anything. If this devious brute of a man and his cronies could be brought down these were the men to do it.

"Very well...I will permit it."

Tréville nodded with a slight smile.

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Upper Level of passageways:

"Shhhussh...did you hear that...I heard voices...raised voices." gasped Ned. "Something is wrong."

Emille had shot to his feet and was peering down the passageway. His eyes widened as he stared open mouthed at the two figures all in black as they both carried what looked like an unconscious Porthos into the next chamber. He turned hastily to the others.

"We need to find Captain Tréville and the others...it looks like Athos and Porthos are in trouble."

Ned followed his gaze as another two robed men followed their comrades carrying Athos. The young cadet felt bile in his mouth as his stomach churned, dear God.

They both turned to Jacob. "Come we must go NOW!

The three men scurried down the stone steps, each man lost in his own thoughts and concerns for their comrades.

xxxxx

Chateau Courtyard.

The rest of the musketeers and red guard had entered the courtyard, the horses had been taken to the stables for food and water, the men were now stood waiting for their orders.

Fabére had informed his men of the information he had been given by Tréville. Their faces showed that as they exchanged glances with one another, each swapping their own opinions to the news that the Marquis was not actually who they thought he was.

Captain Venell approached Tréville having noticed the man emerge from the chateau with d'Artagnan.

"So who are we actually searching for Tréville." asked the red guard captain.

Tréville glanced at the man. "I am about to brief the men Venell...you might aswell heed this.

Venell glared. "I am quite capable of briefing my own men Tréville...I do not need musketeer help."

Tréville paused in his tracks. "This is not a case of who briefs who...there may be murdering scum within these walls...I am not about to get into a conflict over who informs who."

Tréville carried on walking towards the waiting group followed by d'Artagnan who raised his brows at the seething man.

Captain Tréville jumped up onto a couple of wooden steps near to the gates to make himself seen by all the men. He scanned the group, the slight buzz of conversation began to wane.

The chateau guard, red guard and his own musketeers stood waiting for instructions. The musketeer captain looked at the waiting faces, each man full of curiosity as they looked from one to the other in anticipation. He bagan his oration...

..."You are all now aware of the goings on within this chateau men. I have had word that there are certain individuals working down in the dungeons and other levels of the chateau. Whatever is occuring down there is something barbaric and we need to arrest these so called reprobates and bring them to justice."

One man stepped forward, Treville noticed he was one of the chateau guards.

"May I ask you captain Tréville...what has happened to the real Marquis?

A slight buzz erupted once again as the men all began to talk among themselves, it died down as Tréville answered.

"At this moment, we are unsure whether he is dead or alive...but something has happened to him that is certainly evident."

"He has to be dead Tréville...he must be about seventy or more." smirked Venell. "I reckon the bastard has killed him."

Tréville ignored the comment and carried on. "We will split up into groups men.

"He turned to Fabére. "If your men search the dungeons captain."

Venell if you and your men search the higher level of living chambers, my men and I will search the worker chambers."

"These workers you speak of captain Tréville." began one of the chateau guards. "I be one of them that have taken down food to them."

Tréville and d'Artagnan shot hasty glances at one another as the man spoke.

"So you have met one of these so called workers then? enquired the Gascon.

The guard shook his head. "No monsieur we are told to leave the salver outside the doors...we are not allowed within the chamber. None of us have seen them."

d'Artagnan rolled his eyes slightly with disappointment, the young man had been waiting for some sort of description."

That moment everyone in the courtyard averted their eyes as Ned, Emille and Jacob came dashing around the corner of the chateau.

"CAPTAIN...CAPTAIN." panted out Emille. "Its ath...os...and Porth...os...some...thing...has 'appe ned...to them."

Voices buzzed with intrigue as the cadets panted out what they had witnessed.

Tréville approached his two cadets holding up his hands to halt the rapid garble coming from the terrified cadets mouth.

d'Artagnan followed the older man and grabbed Ned by the arm. "WOAH!...shusshhh...calm yourselves lads. Now tell us again...what happened?

Jacob was bent over his knees as he panted for breath. He glanced up at Tréville with frightened eyes. What the hell had occured down there to make even his own cadets react so petrified.

Emille caught his breath and repeated his statement. "Captain...Athos and Porthos...something...has happened...we seen them being carried out of one of the chamb...ers...

...the young mans voice trailed off with emotion.

Ned sensed his friends despair. "Looked like they were inconscious captain." added the cadet.

"They wore plague masks...all of them...like that of a birds beak. " said Jacob finding his voice.

Tréville and d'Artagnan exchanged glances of concern for their two comrades.

"Why would they be adorning plague masks I wonder." asked Vanell moving towards the musketeer captain. "Maybe that is why noone is permitted down there Tréville...maybe their is sickness within the chateau walls."

"There is NO! sickness monsieur...that I promise you." added Fabére emerging from the group of men. "I have seen these men...it is something to do with their work. Besides we would know about it by now."

Venell smirked and scoffed as he shot a glance at Tréville. "Prey tell me man...how would we know?

Jacob glared at the red guard captain. "I have been down to the dungeons many a time monsieur...I would have surly succumbed by now if there was any such scourge."

Tréville scanned around the men suddenly, he could see the curious intrigue in their eyes. He had heeded quite enough. He wanted his two men found.

"Heed this men! you all know what you are searching for...now go...and remember no heroics."

All heads nodded as the group dispersed around the couryard, each with their own thoughts of what was about to be revealed.

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Voices...footsteps...foggy features...strange faces...floating...can't move...

Porthos' eyes flickered before opening. Why can't I move? He sensed someone in the room he could hear their footsteps and muffled low voices...Athos!...were is Athos. The big musketeer slowly turned his head to the right, he could see two masked men working on something on a table, both talking in low murmers. He turned to his left, there was his brother laying on the next slab. Dear God...he is strapped down. Porthos suddenly realised he was also impeded of movement as he tried to sit up.

"Ah you are awake musketeer. But alas your friend appears to be sleeping longer."

Porthos clenched his teeth with rage as he stared up at the masked face.

"Who are you...what is it you are doing down here you bastards.?

A slight cackling chuckle erupted from the beaked mask as it stared into his face.

"All will be explained to you both in due course...just a pity you will not be around to witness such magnificence."

Porthos growled with frustration as he tried to move. "You are wasting your time musketeer...you will never become free of these tethers."

The beaked face turned towards Athos as the man let out a groan. His eyes flickered and opened.

"Oh good you are also awake."

"Athos! gasped Porthos turning towards his brother.

The swordsman slowly glanced towards the voice.

"I cannot move." he gasped with a wince.

"It would appear we are tethered down my frind." answered Porthos.

Athos closed his eyes for a second and re-opened them again. His ribs were painful, the slab was as hards as rocks, laying flat was by no means comfortable.

"What is it you want from us." asked the swordsman as he looked up into the beaked face. "And prey tell me! why are we strapped down? A sudden dreadful and horrific throught shot through the swordsmans mind as he recalled himself and Porthos finding the bodies, they too had been strapped to a slab.

"Like I informed your friend here...all will become clear very soon."

Athos tried his upmost best to even move his arms but to no avail. He was now seething with rage as he glared at the beaked faces that roamed around the chamber.

"You will not get away with this...the king will hear of it and you will all hang." growled the swordsman.

Athos' words had fallen on deaf ears.

That moment the masked men disappeared into another chamber leaving the two musketeers alone and vulnerable.

Porthos turned his head towards his friend. "Are you thinkin' what I am thinkin?

Athos was staring up at the stone ceiling as the big man spoke, he knew exactly what he was thinking.

"You mean, are our rugged faces about to become theatrical vizards for some insane and deluded scoundrel." replied the swordsman.

"Somethin' like that." growled Porthos as he attempted to fathom a way of escape.

"Let us just hope Ned and the others are alright and have found Tréville."

Athos struggled one more time. The leather tethers were held fast. "Indeed." gasped the swordsman as he tried to free his ankles.

"These tethers are bloody tight as 'ell 'thos...besides I wanna keep my rugged face."

Athos turned his head and glanced at his friend. "Why would anyone want to slice the faces off the dead." he murmered.

Porthos looked up at the ceiling, before glancing at the swordsman. "I 'ave met some lunatics in my life 'thos...but this...this is barbaric."

That moment both musketeers turned towards the wall as they heard the rasping sound once again.

'ere we go again...what the 'ell is that." growled the big man.

xxxxxxx

Chateau Dungeons.

Captain Fabére and his group of men meandered down towards the dungeons. Every man well armed and prepared for whatever came their way. Some of the men held lit torches as they peered down the passageways that led down to the reeking cells. Squeaking and chomping sounds could be heard as the tunnel rats foraged for scraps.

Captain Fabére paused in his tracks and signalled to his men. "Search each cell througherly men."

He watched as the men followed his orders and dispersed into different cells.

He scanned around and peered down the tunnels with the torch he held above his head. He himself and his men had never been permitted down this way before, and now after Trévilles findings and working almost nine years in the Marquis emloyment. His thoughts wandered, how he had felt like a fool in the presence of Tréville and his elite guard, not knowing anything of what was actually within these walls of the chateau. This so called Marquis had made a mockery of him, and whoever worked within these walls was by no means going to escape what was coming their way.

Fabére was suddenly roused from his thoughts as one of his men came rushing up to him.

"Captain...its Sevy...the servant. We have just found his body in one of the cells."

Fabére followed the guard into the cell. Two others were crouching down to his body, both holding their cloaks over their faces to mask the stence of the rotting corpse.

Fabére stared down at the body as he held his own cloak over his nose. "Dear God!

The chateau captain turned to two of his men. "Lavin! Melér!...wrap the body and get it out of here."

The two men nodded the order.

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Workers Chambers:

Tréville turned to Ned and Emille as they reached the upper level. "Is this the place?

Emille nodded as he stared ahead at the chamber doors.

"Yes captain...that be the place they took Lieutenant Athos and Porthos."

The men suddenly looked up in unison as they heeded a rasping sound.

Tréville and d'Artagnan swapped glances. "Sounds like some sort of torturing implement." murmered the Gascon.

"We heard that sound when we first came up hear monsieur d'Atagnan." added Ned. "Thats what Athos and Porthos thought."

Tréville nodded as he peered down the passageway. "Which one of those doors was it they took Athos and Porthos?

"The second one along captain." answered Emille.

The rasping suddenly paused.

That moment one of the chamber doors opened making the men reel back into the dark alcoves. Emille rapidly smothering the torch flame. They stood rigid against the walls in silence observing what appeared from one of the doorways

The men watched as the masked figure in dark robes went from one chamber to the next and closed the door behind him.

"I see now what you mean by plague masks." whispered d'Artagnan.

"We have to get in there somehow." murmered Tréville.

"Jacob is there another way into those chambers." asked d'Artagnan glancing at the man.

Jacob shook his head looking somewhat rueful. "I wish I knew monsieur...but alas I was never permitted on this level...I really want to help."

d'Artagnan patted the downcast mans shoulder. "Hey! its fine...this is no fault of yours."

Once again the men watched from the darkness as the masked figure emerged again from the chamber and returned to the chamber from whence he came.

"Now is our chance captain." murnered d'Artagnan

Tréville nodded slightly. He knew the young Gascon was eager to find his two brothers and woe betide anyone who got in his way. He himself couldn't rid his mind of the bad feeling he had about the whole place, something very sinister was going on with these chambers and they had to find out what it was, he suddenly felt worried for his two missing men.

The musketeer captain turned to Jacob. "You stay here with Ned. " The older man then glanced at his cadet. "You know what to do if anything should happen."

Ned glanced from Jacob to his superior officer. "Yes captain."

d'Artagnan had already reached the doors pistol primed and ready. He turned the haft, the doors opened into a dimly lit chamber. Tréville, d'Artagnan and Emille crept slowly into the room. They scanned the entire chamber as rapid as possible until noticing the slabs that held a body on each.

Treville and d'Artagnan exchanged glances of sheer dread before the older man pulled back the sacking cloth to reveal the faceless body. The three men glared at the horror before them.

"Dear God!" gasped Tréville...what the hell is going on here."

Emille suddenly faltered and reeled back. The young cadet had found the faces hanging from the wall.

Tréville and d'Artagnan followed his gaze. The three men stood staring up at the human faces that had been sliced from the corpes.

d'Artagnan wiped his gloved hand over his brow and then through his hair. He was lost for words.

Suddenly...

"DROP YOUR WEAPONS MUSKETEERS...OR YOU WILL DIE THERE WHERE YOU ALL STAND!

The three men stood rigid to the spot shooting each other quick side glances. Each man letting his weapons belt fall to the floor with a clatter.

To be continued...Please review, means alot. x

Hi Guys,

I hope I have not put you off reading with all the gore?

Great reviews thank you so much. They mean so much to me and inspire me to right more.

Hope you are enjoying the ride, apologies for the lack of Aramis, but we know he is recovering from the gunshot.

I promise he will be in the coming chapters.

Well what is going on in the Chateau?

Will update ASAP!

Pippa xxxx

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