TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
Chapter Twenty Two.
Garrison Infirmary.
Bowls of hot water had been demanded by Aramis as he set out his suture roll and bandages, the marksman becoming his usual pragmatic self as he tied an apron around his waist and began his immediate medic mode. Cadets had carried in the water and placed the bowls down, everyone had his given task to do. Bottles of wine stood in a row on the table in preperation for the use to clean Athos' wounds.
Tréville watched as Aramis began to stitch the wound in Athos' side, his mind was a turmoil of questions and perplexed thoughts. He could hear the medics voice giving orders as he stitched jolting him from his musing shock at seeing Athos alive. The last couple of hours had been a grief stricken and bereft affair for himself and his men, all thinking they had lost their beloved brother. He was even more determind to bring down Durand and his associates. How was he going to inform the king that one of his elite guard whom he thought dead was in fact alive. Tréville just hoped he stayed that way.
"Pour more wine onto the wound please Porthos." came Aramis' order as he continued to sew through his friends skin.
"It is somewhat a blessing he remains unconscious, he would be in so much agony right now Mis." growled the big musketeer as he did as he was asked.
d'Artagnan winced as he wrapped Athos' wrists in muslin cloth, he felt for his brothers agony as he moved to his ankles.
"The steel has cut right through his skin...it must have been torture for him" gasped the Gascon pursing his lips as though feeling his friends pain.
"Put ample balm on the abrasions d'Artagnan, they are very raw from the tight manacles." ordered Aramis as he shot his younger brother a swift glance.
"Tell me, he will be alright." inquired the Gascon suddenly nodding in agreement.
Aramis glanced up for a split second as the young man posed the question before continuing with the deed of sutures.
"Its the head wound that troubles me more, that is why I summoned Lemay...speaking of which he should be here very soon.
Tréville ran his fingers through his hair and stood, he moved towards his men as they attended to their brother. Each one wrapped in his own thoughts as they followed instruction from Aramis.
d'Artagnan turned his head and gave his captain a comforting smile.
"Who found him? asked the older man.
"An elderly farmer, found him in the meadow, not far from the old house he was being hold up in." answered the Gascon. "He brought him back in a cart having noticed he was a musketeer."
" Dear God..he must have fought through tooth and nail to aid his escape, I was convinced he was dead." growled Tréville averting his eyes to his lieutenant.
Aramis glanced at his captain knowingly.
"That's our dear Athos...never yields." he said.
Porthos and d'Artagnan both smiled in agreement.
"Where is this farmer now? asked Tréville.
"He is in the dining chamber having something to eat, he wanted to go home before dark, but we asked him to stay." answered Porthos. "We thought you may want to speak with him captain."
Aramis quirked both brows in acknowledgement towards Tréville as his friends answered his questions. Having finished his fine needlework the medic reached for the muslin bandage.
"If you could lift him for me Porthos whilst I bind this around the wound?
Porthos swiftly lifted Athos under his armpits as Aramis bound the wound.
"I wish 'e would wake up." growled the big man.
"He will." murmered the medic. "He will."
oo
Athos was soon dressed into a nightshirt and was laying on his back in a clean bed, the blankets pulled up to his chest. Aramis put a hand to his brothers forehead checking for fever before reclaiming his seat next to the bed.
That moment the sound of footfalls on the stone ground prompted the musketeers to glance up.
d'Artagnan was up in an instant, pistol in hand as he opened the door to see doctor Lemay approaching the door.
Lemay smiled slightly as the Gascon lowered his weapon.
"I believe my services are required gentlemen." he said walking through the door.
Aramis stood at once as Lemay set down his medical bag and surveyed the unconscious swordsman.
"I thank you for your prompt arrival doctor, Athos has a head wound, I fear it maybe beyond my knowledge."
Lemay eyed the medic and smiled slightly.
"How long has he been unconscious? he asked moving to Athos' bedside and feeling around the swordmans head.
"According to the man who found him, I would say about four hours now." answered Aramis.
Porthos and d'Artagnan swapped perturbed glances.
Tréville watched as Lemay lifted each one of Athos' eyelids and checked his pupils.
"He has certainly had a nasty knock to the left side above the temple." murmered Lemay as he parted Athos' hair finding the lump, I am somewhat gladdened by the fact it was not the top of his head gentlemen, that may have proven fatal in the coming hours."
The four men exchanged worried glances as Lemay continued his examination.
"Will he be alright? asked Tréville sounding strained.
Lemay knew they were waiting for him to give them good news, he knew them well, they were the inseperables, like brothers, one went down, they all went down.
"The longer he is unconscious the more I will become somewhat concerned, not forgetting the amount of blood he has lost from the sword wound, which I may say Aramis you have done a splended job with the sutures."
All eyes turned to the marksman, Porthos patted his friend on the back and winked.
"I only did what I had to do, I just pray it is enough." murmered Aramis unassuming.
"You always do an admirable job Aramis." said Tréville.
"When he does wake up, I fear he will have an agonising headache gentlemen, I will leave you ample laudanum, to be administered every four hours." said the physician taking a small jar from his bag and handing it to Aramis.
The marksman nodded.
"Thank you doctor, I will make certain of it."
Lemay scrutinised the swordmans ankles and wrists and shook his head.
"Who does this to another...in all my years of medical science, wonders never fail to cease. The balm should be ample to aid the recovery, keep an eye on his wounds, the last thing we need is an infection setting in...that would indeed lead to fever."
"Do not fret doctor, my men will not leave his side." murmered Tréville shooting a glance to each man.
Aramis helped Lemay to re-cover Athos with the blankets, Lemay putting the back of his hand to the swordmans brow and nodding.
"He remains cool for now, but as you say captain, I have every confidence in your men watching over him."
Lemay reclosed his medical bag and glanced towards the bed.
"I will take my leave now gentlemen, I will be at the palace if you need me again, If he wakes before dawn pray summon me gentlemen, if a fever takes hold keep him cool with cold cloths...besides I know you will do all this Aramis...you know what you are doing."
Aramis smiled.
"Do not fret doctor, I will not leave his side."
"None of us will." growled Porthos.
Lemay chortled.
"That I do believe, you are all very honourable men indeed."
Leamy walked to the door and nodded his departure.
"I bid you all good evening gentlemen."
He nodded towards Tréville.
"Captain."
Tréville eyed him.
"I will walk you to the gates doctor." said the older man opening the door.
oooo
Palace Crypt.
Cardinal Durand paced the floor, his breaths emitting into the cold air of the crypt as he went, his robes billowed and swirled as he moved.
Madame Anon's two associates stood rigid to the spot as he cursed at them both.
"You have been fools, oafs, you have killed one musketeer, what of the rest? You leave them to roam Paris, Tréville will not let this lie, he will be on a mission. I have been betrayed once, there will not be a second time...DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?
The two men looked from one to another for an answer, none came.
"They retuned to the garrison cardinal, they have guards on the gates, how are we to gain entry to such a place."
Durand turned suddenly.
"They will no doubt return to the palace on the morrow, you will have your chances then, when I say I want them dead, I mean all of them...including Tréville. Now get out of my sight, I cannot bear to look at you both for a moment longer."
Both men turned on their heels, disappearing down the passage into the darkness.
Durand clenched his teeth and fists, his knuckles turned blue a he seethed with rage. He whispered out loud into the darkness of the crypt.
"You infernal musketeers...I will have my day...when they bury you all together."
oooooOOooooo
TBC...
Hi Guys,
You are all so kind with your words and comments, thank you so much. I love reading them all so much.
Well is Athos out of the woods yet?
Will the two associates achieve the orders given by Cardianl Durand?
Or will Captain Tréville actually bring him down.?
Speak soon
Take Care
Pippa xxx
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