TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
Chapter Twenty Three.
Blood orange hues began to light up the sky as dawn arrived over Paris. The garrison torches had practically burned down to the wicks having lit up the courtyard through the night. The stable boys had risen and busied themselves in their tasks of grooming and feeding the horses.
The elderly man and Tréville stood at the garrison gates. The night had been eventful for the old farmer having said his goodbyes to the musketeers, each one grateful and beholden to the man, promises of visits to his farm when their dear brother had recuperated.
"I thank you captain for your most generous hospitality, I must say your cook has surpassed himself, my stomach is most satisfied."
Tréville smiled at the mans comments.
"It is I who should be thanking you Monsieur, you saved my musketeers life when we all believed he had perished in the blast."
The old man began to tack up his horse and clip the long reins to his cart, his wrinkled features turning into a slight smile.
"I am just glad I came upon the young man when I did, otherwise I fear he may have died out there in the open wilderness."
Tréville ran his hands through his hair and nodded knowingly, they had all grieved for Athos, everyone convinced he had lost his life, having been captured and tortured by reprobates whom he was adamant were working for Durand. The two Englishmen still locked in the garrison cells.
"Well like I have said, I appreciate what you did Monsieur, as soon he is well enough I am certain he will want to thank you himself."
The old man climbed up onto his wooden seat and glanced back at the musketeer captain.
"I did what I expect anyone would do for someone who is clearly injured, I am indeed pleased he lives."
Tréville smiled as he watched the man grasp the reins.
"You never told me your name Monsieur." he inquired lifting his face and eyeing the man.
The old man turned to Tréville.
"Bennart Duquette, my late father left the farm to myself and my wife, she died of the family disease ten years ago, I have farmed alone ever since, I breed fowl and sell to market traders, it pays my dues."
Tréville sighed with a sorrowful grimace.
"I am most sorry Monsieur, I am certain she would be proud of what you have done."
Bennart glanced up to the the heavens and smiled.
"You are probably right captain." he murmered hoarsely. He shook the reins and nodded to Tréville.
"I will take my leave, I do hope your musketeer makes a full recovery anon."
Tréville turned to two of his guards and gestured to them to open the gates. The two men leaped into action instantly.
"Take care on the road Monsieur." said Tréville as the cart rattled over the ground.
The musketeer captain stood rigid to the spot as he watched the cart disappear around the corner and out of sight.
oooo
Garrison Infirmary.
The low sound of breathing emitted around the infirmary as Porthos and Aramis slept in beds adjacent to their injured brother. d'Artagnan sat in a chair next to Athos as he lay unconscious. They had all taken their turns during the night as each man sat with the swordsman, hoping and praying their brother would wake up. The Gascon suddenly dropped his head jolting himself awake, his eyes shot open as he stared at Athos, he had practically fell asleep. He leaned over his brother and felt his brow, he was still cool, that at least was something. d'Artagnan turned swiflty as he heeded a muffled yawn, Aramis was sitting up and stretching his arms above his head.
"Morning Mis." murmered d'Artagnan.
Aramis reached for his boots and began to pull them on.
"Morning my friend...how has he been? any movement?
The Gascon shook his head.
"No nothing...he is still cool though, do you think we should call Lemay again?
Aramis stood and moved towards Athos' bed. The medic also feeling the swordsmans forehead.
"I shall give it another few hours, if there is no change I will summon him forthwith."
d'Artagnan nodded with a yawn.
Aramis patted his younger brothers shoulder.
"Go and sleep mon ami, you are exhausted." he whispered as not to wake Porthos.
d'Artagnan gave Aramis a slight grin as he got to his feet.
"I will not argue with that." he murmered. "Rouse me if he wakes."
Aramis poured water into a cup and drank it back.
"Do not fret...now go and sleep." ordered the medic.
The Gascon sat on the edge of one of the beds and pulled off his boots, he was practically asleep before his head hit the pillow.
Aramis lifted his injured brothers shirt and checked the wound, it did not seem infected, he was glad about that, the last thing they needed was fever taking hold. The medic winced as he noticed the bruising around his friends torso, brusies that had developed over night, yes he had been beaten badly aswell as skewered.
The medic glanced up as Tréville suddenly entered the infirmary, the older mans eyes falling upon his lieutenant.
"Any change Aramis? he asked in low tones.
Aramis shook his head slightly as he sipped more water and placed the cup down.
"Head injuries are indeed most complex captain, if he has not roused soon I will summon Lemay again."
Tréville nodded in agreement as he sat opposite his medic.
"Did our dear friend make his departure? asked Aramis smiling slightly.
Tréville nodded.
That moment both men glanced up as Porthos inhaled loudly and yawned.
"Mornin'...is 'e still not awake?
Aramis sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
"I am afraid not mon ami, but he is not with fever, that is something to be glad for."
The big musketeer sauntered bare footed towards the chamber pot to relieve himself behind the screen.
"What are we going to do with them two English bastards captain? emitted from behind the screen.
Tréville quirked both brows.
"That is up to the king Porthos, I am going to the palace in a couple of hours to inform him of Athos.
The big man emerged from behind the screen and scrutinised Athos as he lay still in the bed.
"The king will find it 'ard to believe, I thought I was seein' things when the old man arrived with 'im."
Aramis looked from Tréville to Porthos.
"I want to know where them other two reprobates have got to, they were the ones who lit the fuses."
Tréville stirred.
"I have men out looking for them, do not fret, we will find them, as long as Durand is around the more chance we have of apprehending them."
"Just give Porthos ten minutes with them captain." murmered Aramis covering Athos with the blankets and shooting the big man a quirked brow.
"Don't tempt me! replied Tréville vehemently.
"Five minutes would be ample growled Porthos clenching his fists obliviously. "Noone does this to 'im and gets away with it."
"Don't worry mon ami, they will receive the punishment they all deserve." murmered Aramis glancing back to Athos.
oooo
Royal Palace.
Tréville walked swiflty towards the royal chambers pausing in his tracks as he perceived Lucca and Pierre, both men standing to attention as the older man came to a halt in front of them.
"Did you find any trails from the two louts whom evaded capture? asked the musketeer captain.
Lucca swapped glances with Pierre before answering.
"It would seem they were on foot captain, my guess is they left their horses in the nearby forest and walked to the old house."
"The trails just vanished Sir, but Claude, Victor and Jules are keeing watch on the house they were residing in before Madam Anos was murdered." added Pierre.
Tréville nodded.
"Send word as soon as there is any developments, we must find these reprobates swiflty...and keep on your guard men, these two do not stop at anything."
Both musketeers nodded the order, they turned rapidly, their blue cloaks swirling with them as they went.
oooo
The king turned on heeding Tréville's arrival, the young monarch was pouring wine into an ornate goblet as the musketeer captain approached.
"Ahh Tréville there you are, what is it you wanted to discuss? inquired Louis appearing perplexed."
Tréville bowed.
"Your majesty!
Louis gestured towards the wine bottle for the older man to help himself. Tréville didn't need telling twice as he poured himself a full goblet and began to sup.
The king reclaimed his seat and swigged more wine, he scrutinised Tréville with a creased brow.
"Pray do sit Tréville, have your men apprehended the two accociates of Madame Anon yet?
Tréville took a swig of wine and glanced up at Louis.
"Not as yet your majesty, but I have ample men out searching, we will hunt them down, they will not evade capture a second time." growled the older man.
The king nodded before taking another sip of wine. He knew Tréville stood resolute when it came to apprehending hoodlums.
"Glad to hear it Tréville, I knew I could always rely on my elite guard."
Tréville suddenly glanced up at Louis's beaming features.
"Athos is alive Sire!
The king slowly put down his goblet and stared into Tréville's exhausted features. His smile waning, the monarch's brows becoming lined as he frowned in disbelief.
"What are you saying man...your musketeer has come back from the dead, is he some kind of sorcerer?
Tréville stood, he had to, he looked over the palace gardens and turned back to Louis.
"He managed to escape the blast before it took hold, he is badly injured from a beating and is at present still unconscious in the infirmary. Found wounded by a farmer who stumbled upon him in a meadow."
The kings eyes widened with bewilderment.
"Will he live?
"I hope so Sire, doctor Lemay was summoned, musketeer Aramis is a fine medic, I have every faith in him to do what he can."
"Indeed Tréville...doctor Lemay is an excellent physician, he will guide Aramis as he sees fit."
oo
Both the king and Tréville were unaware of Cardinal Durand as he heeded every word spoken, having found the plans to the palace, he stood behind the secret passageway of the kings private chambers observing through the ornately patterned decor at the two men as they spoke openly.
Durand clenched his teeth with enrage as he listened. What was it with these damn musketeers, they seemed immortal. Richelieu had spoken of them in the same tone, calling them the perpetual musketeers.
But you will not overthrow me Tréville, by the time I am finished with your schemes, you will not have any musketeers left to order.
TBC...
Hi Guys,
Hope you are all well.
Thanks again for your very kind reviews, they are awesome.
I cannot believe how fast the weeks seem to be going. Spring is almost upon us.
Well will Athos pull through?
And what has Durand got up his sleeve?
Will the two reprobates evade capture?
I may be slightly late in posting next week, work commitments I'm afraid.
Stay well!
Pippa xxx
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