TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
Chapter Thirty Two.
Athos felt his stomach churn as Doctor Lemay wiped away the sediment and dregs from the swordmans face. Why was it he still could not see, he could just make out the outline of his dear friend Aramis, he knew the medic was staring at him in anticipation, he also knew he had gone suddenly silent, was he thinking the same as he, was it he would not recover his sight again.
"Tell me Athos...what do you see? came Lemay's anxious voice.
Athos felt Aramis squeeze his shoulder lightly.
"Athos? murmered the marksman sounding hesitant.
The swordman swallowed the lump in his throat and lifted his head slowly towards the anxious voices.
"You both look as if you are in fog." he choked.
Both Aramis and Lemay swapped perturbed glances between each other.
"I believe we should endeavour to strive with another concoction this night, my good friend did state it may take a couple of attempts." suggested Lemay.
Aramis nodded in agreement as he ushered Lemay out of ear shot to Athos.
"And suppose it does not work, I had every faith in your friend doctor, may I ask you? will it work or will it not? are we wasting our time?
Lemay pursed his lips tightly and scratched his head.
"He was in complete darkness before Aramis, at least now he can see outlines of us, that is a good thing, I would say it has rid something from his eyes."
Aramis heeded the doctors wise words, he nodded slowly as he took in the physicians advise.
Maybe he is right, it may take more attempts, I fear I have expected too much.
Aramis followed the physician back to Athos' bedside.
"We are going to try with another mixture Athos, I believe it may regain your eyesight even better than the last, at least you can see outlines." said Lemay catching the marksmans glance.
The swordsman lay back against the pillows and sighed, he glanced up at the two outlines that stood over him.
Am I to lose my commission in the musketeers, will I ever draw a sword again or weild a pistol, what has become of me, is this punishment for my past life.
Both Lemay and Aramis swapped eye contact across the bed.
"Athos my friend, did you heed what doctor Lemay advised...we shall mix another concoction and rewrap you eyes, we must endeavour to keep trying." said Aramis softly.
Lemay nodded as he glanced at the swordsmans downhearted frown.
"We shall continue to try Athos." he muttered.
"Do what you must...it is not as though I am departing on a mission anytime soon." answered the swordman coarsely. "I may only hinder your contingency."
Aramis squeezed his friends shoulder.
"I have complete faith in the good doctor mon ami."
Lemay nodded slightly in acknowledgement.
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Bastille.
"You are an incompetent fool Edgard." yelled Durand as he paced the damp cell ground.
Durnads confidant sat cowering as he endured his superiors wrath.
"Your...eminence...I strived to make the king see sense...he would not listen."
Durand turned sharply, his teeth clenched, saliva emitting into the air as he spat out enraged words.
"You did not try hard enough then did you, I should have known...I should not have heeded Clement Arouets words when he recommended you to me...you are a complete and utter dolt."
Edgard stood.
"It seems I displease you so your eminence...I shall take my leave this instant."
The small holy man began to approach the cell doors.
Durand was suddenly in his path prompting him to pause in his tracks.
Colour drained from Edgards features as he stared up into Durand enraged face.
"Do not think for a moment that you escape that easily you idiotic fool, maybe I had the wrong man killed afterall, it was you who should have died in the forest not Arouet."
Edgard stared perplexed at his superior.
"It seems the musketeers were right, they had misgivings about the whole saga. I myself was dumbfounded at such defamation, I never thought for a moment you could commit such a heinous deed as murder."
Beads of sweat had formed on Durands enraged and crimson face as he glared at Edgard.
"How dare you utter such words to my face." he roared.
"WHY...WHAT IS IT YOU INTEND TO DO DURAND? came the sudden growl from the dark passageway. "WAS THAT A CONFESSION?
Both Durand and Edgard turned sharply as Porthos and d'Artagnan emerged into view, their instant presence casting shadows on the damp walls, orange glows illuminated the cell as d'Artagnan held a lighted torch above his head.
Durand swallowed hard as he glared in horror at both musketeers, they had heeded every word he had uttered to Edgard.
"You will address me as your eminence musketeer, I may be confined to a cell but I am still Cardinal Durand."
Porthos and d'Artagnan exchanged raised brows before turning back to Durand.
Porthos reached into his pocket and took out a parchment.
Durand watched his every move with anticipation. He could feel his guts beginning to churn, how he wanted to vomit.
Porthos held up the missive.
"I am about to add to your woes...you have been denounced by his majesty the king, word has been conveyed to His Holiness Pope Urban Vlll as we speak, you are no longer Cardinal."
Durand patted his forehead with a hankerchief, his hands trembled, his features pallid.
"It would seem your ecclesiastical status is rescinded Monsieur." added d'Artagnan. "You will remain here until we have word from His Holiness."
Edgard slowly walked from the cell, he stood between the two musketeers and shook his head before glancing at Durand.
"You ignoramus fool, this is all your doing...I shall have my day." seethed Durand.
Edgard said nothing as he walked away into the darkness.
d'Artganan approached the cell door and stared into Durands enraged features.
"You did this to yourself." he muttered.
Porthos turned to the guard and nodded.
"Lock the door, we are finished here."
Durand watched as the two musketeers walked away and disappeared into the darkness. He sat on his makeshift bed and put his head in his hands, the guard slammed the door shut with a thud, just the sound of the key turning and rasping in the lock could be heard as it reverberated off the cell walls.
ooooOOoooo
TBC...
Hi Guys,
Sorry for the late posting lately, I am really busy at the moment with work. I hope you are all well and safe with what is happening at the moment.
This is a short chapter.
Will Athos recover his sight? Let us hope the concoction works a second time.
Speak soon guys.
Pippa xxxx
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