TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
Chapter Sixteen.
Daylight was beginning to wane as heavy clouds gathered, gusty winds blew across the open fields of long unkempt grass and bracken. The tall trees rocked back and forth with the heavy squall. The forest on one side had become an eerie silence as the birds had found their roosts in preperation for the approaching nightfall. The strong winds howled as they channelled through the spinney.
The small abandoned house was a state of ruin and neglect as weeds and plants grew from the stone walls and decaying window frames. The eaves had rotted away as they swung in the wind slamming into the masonry. The wooden door was decrepit with what seemed like a recently used padlock.
The interior was as delapitated as the outer, an aged table that had seen many a meal time was full of wood lice and old now dust ridden crockery. Old splintered chairs lay strewn across the rat invested floor. Piled up kegs lined the walls on either side, kegs that were evidently gunpowder. A thick shackle had been knocked into the floor that held a long heavy chain, it led into the corner of the chamber were the moaning body of Athos lay propped up against the cold wall as his eyes flickered open. Manacles had been locked around his ankles and wrists, dried blood from an eye wound had run down his face and neck, his open doublet showed the blood stains on his shirt from what may be a blade wound. Athos trying his best to catch his breath before wincing in agony from his injuries, the wounded musketeer tried to sit up straight as the pain shot through his body making him hiss, darkness was upon him once again as he succummed to the torment, his head slumping to one side.
oooo
Royal Palace.
Captain Tréville and his men strode across the main hall floor, their booted footfalls reverberated off the walls as they went. The four men paused as they turned the corner into the passageway, three red guard who had found some amusement in what one of them had said suddenly looked up and become silent as they eyed the musketeers.
Aramis, Porthos and d'Artagnan glared at the men as Tréville approached them slowly.
"I am looking for two of your comrades gentlemen...maybe you would be so kind to inform me as to where I can find them? asked the musketeer captain.
The three guards swapped perplexed glances as Tréville asked his question.
"What do you lot want with us? smirked one of the guards.
"ANSWER THE QUESTION! growled Porthos stepping forward and almost touching the mans face with his own.
"And it is Captain Tréville to you." added Aramis.
"So answer the captain NOW! demanded d'Artagnan vehemently.
The red guards exchanged seething glances.
"What be their names? asked another.
Tréville eyed him closely.
"Ned Wade and James Payne...I was informed by your Captain Chabot that they are on duty at present."
"Oh them two...they are new...keep themselves to themselves...two very strange dogs if you ask me." replied another guard.
"So where are they now? asked Aramis.
"Outside the Cardinals chambers...that is where I seen them ten minutes ago." answered another.
Tréville glanced back at his men before turning to the guards.
Thanking you gentlemen." he said as they turned to leave.
Porthos glared as he walked past the guards.
"Now that wasn't too difficult was it? he murmered with a quirked brows.
The guards watched as the musketeers walked away, shrugging their shoulders at each other with curious glances.
oooo
Athos' eyes opened with a start as he moaned through the pain he endured, he could feel the bile burning his throat as he moved, the swordsman strived to get his body some alleviation from the agony he felt from the slightest movement, his breaths coming in gasps as he winced before finding some slight comfort against a piled up load of sacks.
The wounded musketeer slowly scanned his surroundings as he became aware of his wrists and ankles shackled tightly, so tight his wrists bled, he lifted his head as he noticed the kegs of gunpowder lined up against the delapitaed wall.
His mind wandered as his thoughts drifted back to the Bastille.
The two guards on the entrance, the two he had told the others about, how their behaviour seemed different from the rest of the red guard regiment. There was something odd about them, I don't trust them, It has to be them who brought me to this place.
Athos averted his eyes back to the gunpowder. He winced again as the pain shot through his side. He was not one for praying but now was a time he felt useless to help his brothers bring down Durand and his associates.
If I am to be blown to pieces God, I implore you to help my brothers arrest Durand and his rengades. I am not a praying man, but I care for my brethren.
Athos felt cold this time, he began to shiver, he could feel himself becoming weaker with the loss of blood, he did his best to reach for a sack and press it hard against the wound. The injured musketeers eyes caught what was akin to a broken arrow on the dusty floor. The swordsman stretched his leg out as he tried with all his might to reach it, the chains rattled along the dirt ridden ground as he moved his feet, before the agonising pain shot through his body making him gasp out loud. Athos paused for a moment as the pain waned slightly before he made another attempt, the toe of his boot reached it as he stretched once again, sweat beaded his face as he drew up his leg towards himself, he had it. Thoughts shot through his mind in seconds as he scrutinised the arrow. It was a potential key to his freedom if it fitted the shackle locks, something Porthos had shown him only a year ago.
ooo
Cardinal Durand's
Office Chambers.
Aramis craned his neck around the large pillar at the end of the passageway to the Cardinals chambers, he eyed the two guards as they stood either side of Durands offfice, even though they stood on sentry duty he could tell they were in converse with each other. d'Artagnan joined the marksman as they peered around the pillar.
"That be them...I remember their faces when I went with Athos to question them." whispered the Gascon.
Aramis turned as Tréville and Porthos joined them.
"How do you want to do this captain." he asked.
"Your certain that is them d'Artagnan? murmered the older man glancing at the Gascon.
d'Artagnan nodded.
"Oh indeed...I never forget faces of deceit captain."
"Very well this is what we do."
ooo
Palace Crypt.
The two Englishmen had not seen it coming as they were suddenly seized and bundled down the stone steps into the underground crypt. Porthos and d'Artagnan held onto Ned Wade whilst Tréville and Aramis took James Payne.
Porthos shoved his arm into Ned Wades throat prompting the man to gasp for air.
"I will not ask again...where is Athos." he pressed. "What 'ave you done to 'im...TELL ME! he growled. "Or I'll rip yer bloody 'ead off its shoulders."
d'Artagnan held tightly onto his arms as he struggled.
"ANSWER HIM...where is Athos? seethed the Gascon.
"Maybe you will tell us." smirked Aramis as he toyed with his main-gauche at James Paynes adams apple.
James Payne clenched his teeth tightly as he struggled with Tréville and Aramis.
"I do not know what you speak of." he hissed hoarsly. "Why would we know where he is."
Tréville was becoming enraged as he glared at him.
"Your both liars...you were the last ones to see him when he arrived at the Bastille...do not try to deceive us, it will not work."
Porthos was pratically eye to eye with Ned Wade as he forced his arm into his throat even more.
"I will give you one last chance...NOW WHERE IS OUR FRIEND AND COMRADE! he pressed.
Ned Wade opened his mouth as he tried to speak, his eyes beginning to bulge with the sheer strength of the big musketeer. A warning quirk of the brow from d'Artagnan prompted Porthos to slacken his arm making the Englishmam cough up his guts.
"WELL? growled d'Artagnan.
Wade spat out saliva and lifted up his head as he glanced across at his associate who was receiving the same torture.
"We have not seen your comrade since we were relieved at our post at the Bastille."
Aramis still held the blade at Paynes throat as he heeded Wades answer. The marksman put his mouth to the mans ear and smirked as he unsheathed his rapier.
"I do not believe you...I think you are both working for the Cardinal." he murmered.
Tréville glared at both men before turning to his men.
"Very well they leave us with no other option gentlemen...OPEN THE CRYPT!
The three musketeers nodded the order as they approched the largest stone crypt.
Tréville aimed his pistol at the two Englishmen as they sat in a heap on the cold ground catching their breath. They both glanced up as the slow scraping and rasping sound reached their ears.
Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan pushed with all their might at the heavy stone crypt, their features that of clenched jaws and wide eyes as they thrust with all their physical strength once again, the stone scraped slowly as it moved ajar.
The gasps and heaves of the musketeers echoed around the darkness of the walls as they persevered against the crypt opening.
Both James Payne and Ned Wade swapped aghast glances as they watched what was about to become their demise.
Tréville stifled a grin as he watched their features change to dread and horrified glances.
Porthos suddenly appeared in their sights.
"Right...on yer feet...now...yer new restin' place be ready for yer."
Ned Wade swallowed hard as he turned to Tréville.
"This is barbaric Tréville...there is no air in there...how are we supposed to survive in such a place?
Aramis and d'Artagnan swapped quirked brows, both musketeers wanting to laugh out loud.
"How long will it be before the air runs out Aramis? asked Tréville.
Aramis moved towards the two despairing men and scratched his head deep in thought.
"Looking at the size of the crypt captain...I would gauge maybe two hours. The final minute is the worst I heed, so maybe you should both pray before hand."
The two mens features had turned ashen as the thoughts raced through their heads.
Porthos and d'Artagnan both seized both men and nudged them towards the crypt.
"Once the door is closed, we will seal it, you won't be heard by anyone who comes down here, the stone is a foot thick." said the Gascon to adding to the horror.
"You won't be too lonely in there, there is already three lots of bones in there." murmered Aramis wryly.
The two Englishmen swapped glances as they were pushed inside.
"WAIT!...if we tell you where he is...do you swear we will receive passage back to England? implored Ned Wade.
James Payne glared at his comrade.
"You fool...what are you saying?
Ned Wade shook his head.
"I am not dying in there...why should we...this is all Durands doing." he seethed.
Tréville felt the rigidity leave his tensed up shoulders as they spoke of Durand, he had always known he was involved, but proving it had become somewhat arduous to say the least.
"I am swearing nothing gentlemen...not until you take us to Athos."
"And remmeber." growled Porthos. "If he is 'urt in any way...I'll 'ang yer meself."
Aramis nodded and frowned as he cast a glance at Wade and Payne.
"He never breaks a promise."
Both men were tethered before they were roughly handled up the stone steps from the crypt.
oo
Unaware of his presence Cardinal Durand had heard every word as he stood concealed behind a pillar. His face that of enrage as he swiflty scurried along the passageway towards the back of the palace, knowing he had to act fast.
oo
Cardinal Durand paced up and down as he tarried in wait in the palace dungeons, his robes billowing out and swirling with his every move, he turned sharply as he heard the door creak open. The murdered Madame Anons two companions move swiftly down the steps.
"You are both tardy gentlemen." growled Durand.
The two men swapped glances.
"We came as soon as we received your message your Eminence." came the answer.
Durand waved a hand to hush the man.
"You both know where they have taken Musketeer Athos do you not? he pressed.
"We do your Eminence."
"You will go there now...I want rid of these musketeers, you will start with Athos, light the fuses to the kegs. There will be nothing left of him to find."
"What of the others your Eminence." asked the second man.
"Kill them as you see fit, including the two Englishmen, it seems I have been betrayed."
The men caught each other glances.
Durand turned as he thought.
"GO...NOW! do not fail me gentlemen...or you will be spending the rest of your days in The Bastille."
Durand watched as the two men ran towards the doors and disappeared up the steps.
oooOooo
TBC...
Hi Guys,
Sorry for the late posting, had a hectic couple of weeks with one thing and another.
Hope you are all well and still enjoying the saga.
Well they are going to blow up the old house that Athos is held in. Will the boys get to him before they do.
Will try and post earlier next week.
Take Care folks
Pippa xxx
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