TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.

Chapter Twenty Five.

Aramis sat at the table in the middle of the infirmary chamber, his head resting in his hands, his thoughts were filled with foreboding anguish as he prayed for his brothers well being, holding his crucifix between his fingers the medic muttered quiet orison as Athos slept. Tears had welled in his eyes as he prayed, he cannot be blind, it is something else, he has to be alright, this cannot be, not Athos, he is a fine soldier, he does not deserve such woeful torment.

The marksman lifted his head and looked towards his brother, Athos had opened his eyes and was again staring up at the ceiling as though he could see something he could not. Aramis stood and moved towards him.

"Ah you are awake again my friend, you must be thirsty, I shall fetch you some water."

Athos turned his head towards the sound of the medics voice and nodded.

"Yes...please." he coughed.

Aramis poured from the ewer into a cup before lifting his brothers head up. He held the cup to his lips.

"Come mon ami drink now."

Athos felt for the cup with a trembling hand and drank.

Aramis hadn't failed to notice the blood in the corner of the swordmans eyes.

"How is the pain my friend...has it abated? asked the medic.

Athos lay back and winced slightly.

"Not as bad...just when I move...my side is like a burning dagger."

"That will ease mon ami, I shall apply more balm, the wound may have become somewhat dry." replied Aramis.

The medic placed the cup back onto the nightstand and reached for the balm.

"Tell me my friend...is your head still painful? he asked turning to Athos.

The injured swrodsman lay still, his head turning towards his brothers voice.

"It comes and goes." he replied.

Noticing tears in his brothers eyes, Aramis swallowed the lump in his own throat.

"Will I see again Aramis? came the immediate question through a quivering and broken voice.

The medic felt like he wanted to vomit, his stomach churned, what was he supposed to say, he didn't know the answer himself, it was beyond his medical knowledge, it was something he had not come across before, he felt an anger with himself at not knowing how to help his dear brother.

Aramis squeezed Athos' arm and fidgited with the blanket as he tucked it around his body, the last thing he wanted to do was to fill his friend with false hopes.

"Doctor Lemay is on his way here mon ami, he is an excellent physician, I am certain he will have an answer to this."

A sudden clatter of footfalls made Aramis glance towards the door.

It suddenly swung open, Porthos and Tréville rushed in followed by Doctor Lemay with d'Artagnan in tow.

Porthos and d'Artagnan joining Athos's bedside as the marksman moved away towards Tréville and Lemay.

Lemay smiled towards the medic.

"I heed you require my services Aramis?

Aramis nodded with a sad smile as he ushered Lemay and Tréville out of ear shot.

The medic swallowed hard, he didn't want to hear what the physician may declare.

"Athos cannot see, he says everything is dark, he is just seeing shapes of us as we move around."

"Dear God...how long has he been like this? asked Tréville almost in a whisper. The musketeer captain running his fingers through his hair, the look of anguish was etched upon his face.

"Since he awoke captain." replied Aramis.

Lemay frowned deeply as he heeded the medics words a slight nod of the head as he spoke.

"Has he had trauma to the head? asked the physician quietly.

Aramis glanced back at his brothers as they spoke with Athos before turning back to Lemay.

"He has, he had a wound above his left eye, he was probably beaten a dozen times. He was practically blown to pieces...but he managed to escape before the blast took hold."

Lemay shook his head, reverence evident on his face.

"Good God...I am surprised he lives...you musketeers never cease to amaze me."

"I am afraid it is beyond my skill doctor, I only wish I had some knowledge of the eyes." muttered Aramis.

Tréville pulled out a chair and sat at the table, he wiped both hands over his face and looked at Lemay.

"Can you help him?

Lemay placed his medical bag down on the table top and quirked both brows. I shall examine him now gentlemen.

Both Tréville and Aramis swapped worried glances as Lemay moved towards Athos' bed. He shot a glance towards Porthos and d'Artagnan.

"If you would be so kind gentlemen and give me some room to examine your friend."

Both musketeers said nothing as they joined Tréville at the table, both young men too overwrought to say a word.

Aramis stood at the foot of Athos' bed as Lemay got nearer to his brother. Athos lay still, both eyes open and staring as he heard the physicain's voice.

"Athos, it is I doctor Lemay...tell me how are you feeling my friend?

Athos turned towards the voice.

"I thought I heard your voice doctor...my head hurts."

Lemay leaned towards the swordsman.

"I am going to look into both of your eyes Athos...if you would be so kind and keep your head very still for me."

Aramis watched as the physician carefully placed his finger and thumb over his brothers right eye and stretched it open wider to observe. He reached for a candle in its holder and held it above the eye noticing the blood, before performing the same on the left eye.

"Tell me Athos do you see anything? asked Lemay suddenly.

Athos turned towards Lemay's voice.

"Dark shapes...sometimes foggy shapes of someone near me." replied the swordsman.

"Did you wake like this, or did it just occur over time? asked Lemay.

Athos voice was broken as he answered with a question.

"I woke like this...will I see again?

"He thought is was dark when he awoke doctor." interjected Aramis " he was asking us to light some candles...the sun was shining through the windows."

Lemay nodded as he heeded the medics words, he turned to Athos.

"I cannot give you an answer presently Athos...it seems there is visual impairment, could be a pressure on the optic nerve."

Aramis frowned with slight hesitation.

"Can you do something to restore his vision?

Tréville had stood and walked towards Athos' bed, he stared into Lemays face, the physician was deep in thoughts as Aramis asked the question.

"I have a doctor friend who resides near to the Chatelet, he is a master when it comes to the eyes, I shall pay him visit gentlemen, I do believe he may know more than I."

Porthos suddenly stood, his face that of seething anger.

"I thought you were a doctor...why can't you do something for Athos? he growled.

d'Artagnan had grasped the big mans arm as he spoke.

Porthos...leave it." he insisted.

Porthos pulled his arm free from the Gascon as he moved towards Lemay.

"PORTHOS!...GET OUT OF HERE NOW! yelled Tréville.

Athos lay still as he heeded his friends fury, he could feel a lump in his throat, his brothers cared for him so much. I do not deserve this care they give me, it is making them irksome.

The large musketeer's features were that of both torment and anger as he glanced towards Aramis.

The medic shook his head knowingly and squeezed his friends shoulder."

"Doctor Lemay will help him my friend."

The chamber was silent for seconds before Porthos rushed out of the door, followed by d'Artganan.

Tréville turned to Lemay.

"I hope you can forgive my musketeer doctor, he is very worried for Athos, we all are."

Lemay smiled slightly.

"There is nothing to forgive captain, it is somewhat very understanding, your men are like brothers."

"So your friend, he will know what to do then? murmered Aramis.

Lemay nodded as he delved into his medical bag.

"He will indeed...now what I would like you to do Aramis, I will leave you a potion of salt and water, I would like you to wash Athos' eyes in it every two hours until I return."

Tréville and Aramis watched as Lemay mixed salt into a jar and filled it with water.

Aramis nodded.

"Will that help him?

Lemay handed the medic the jar and smiled.

"It will keep the eyes clean, the last thing we need is infection."

He turned to Athos and squeezed his arm.

"We will do our upmost Athos, I shall return forthwith with my confrére, he will advise well."

Tears had welled in the swordmans eyes as he felt for Lemays hand, he found it and gripped it.

"I thank you doctor." he said hoarsly.

Tréville and Aramis swapped helpless glances.

"I will do all I can Athos...that I vow to you my friend." added the physician.

He turned to Tréville and Aramis as he picked up his medical bag.

"I bid you good day gentlemen, I shall return in haste."

Tréville smiled slightly, thats all he could do, he knew Lemay from old, he was an excellent doctor to the king himself. He knew the man would do his upmost until he was satisfied it was ample.

"I shall walk you to the gate doctor." said Tréville opening the door.

ooooOOoooo

Hi Guys,

I hope you are all fit and well in these anxious times that are happening all over our planet. It is a scary place at the moment.

Getting back to the story...thank you all so much for your very kind comments, I love them, you inspire me to write even more stories.

Well do you think Doctor Lemay's friend will be able to help Athos? lets hope so.

I will try and update ASAP!

Thank you for reading folks.

Speak Soon

Pippa xxxx

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