Hi Everyone,
The last time I posted was October 2020...sorry.
In the past months since, I have been in a bad place. I lost my beloved mum in November, she had been in and out of hospital through the summer months with heart problems. Then she was taken in at the end of September, we couldn't visit due to Covid, so we didn't see her for five weeks, it was heart breaking. We got a phone call at the beginning of November to say she was deteriorating, she couldn't breath properly, Mum died the next day. I was totally numb, we all were.
I still think of her every day, I always will, she's watching down on us all now.
Anyway this is another chapter, hope you enjoy folks. Happy New Year to you all. Lets hope 2021 is better than the last, well it couldn't be any worse thats for sure.
TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
Chapter Thirty Seven.
A cold winter chill blew through the courtyard of the palace, the king and queen took their seats followed by several dignateries. Anne shivered slightly as she tightened her shawl around her shoulders. Louis snorted as he glanced at his wife.
"Maybe you should have remained indoors my dear, the chill is rather raw."
Anne fixed her shawl tighter and smiled at her husband.
"Prey do not fuss Louis, I fare well." she answered.
Captain Tréville stood proud next to his four best men, their blue cloaks fluttering in the icy breeze. The last week had been eventful to say the least, he had nearly lost all of them in one blast, they had all feared Athos had been killed in that same evil deed, the day that followed had seen his men become full of sorrow and torment at losing their brother, only to find out he had indeed managed to escape the blast, somewhat typical of his lieutenant, but the moods soon changing when he was found in a meadow by a farmer, wounded but alive.
Aramis glanced towards the royal party.
"Her majesty looks rather cold, I believe we may have snow before nightfall gentlemen." he muttered.
Porthos grinned.
"Maybe you should lend her your cloak Mis." he growled.
Aramis creased his brow and glanced at his big friend.
"I would gladly wrap her in my cloak."
The others chuckled quietly.
"I believe the king would have something to say about that my friend." grinned d'Artagnan nudging into Athos with his elbow.
The swordsman rolled his eyes and looked down the line towards Aramis.
"He does not need any more encouragement from you lot, he already has his sights set high." he murmered prompting the others to stifle a laugh.
Aramis grinned as he returned his glance to Athos.
"Come now Athos, I do believe the king would have my head for such an undertaking."
The swordsman raised a brow and pursed his lips.
"I dare say mon ami." he said.
The banter came to a sudden interruption as the kings council Victor La Malle roared across the courtyard.
"BRING FORTH THE PRISONERS!
The musketeers swapped glances as the doors were pushed open. The two renegades were led across the gravel layed ground towards the gallows. Both mens tethered hands tied behind their backs, their hair hanging down over their eyes as they climbed the wooden steps unsteadily.
"Move! yelled the guard nudging the men forward, both men catching a glance as the hemp nooses swayed slowly.
Rome
Colosseum Dungeons.
Durand was ashen as he slowly teetered towards the gallows, he swallowed hard, he wanted to vomit, his eyes staring up at the noose as he went. The leather clad executioner eyed the former cleric as he neared him. Durand gritted his teeth nervously.
How had it come to this, how could Louis be so evil, he had showed no mercy to him, nothing, the king had made up his idiotic mind and took the side of Captain Tréville and his lap dogs.
His Holiness Pope Urban Vlll and his dignitaries sat observing as Durand made his way towards the executioner, a priest orating prayer as the noose was placed around his neck. "Jesus Christ Our Lord...No one moved, the silence around the courtyard was practically unbearable, just hushed tones of prayer floated in the slight breeze.
Paris
Royal Palace Courtyard.
The executioner placed a noose around each of the prisoners necks before offering them both a hood. Both men glanced at one another before answering.
"No...we go out seeing our enemies together." said the taller of the two.
The smaller man nodded.
"We do that."
Tréville caught Louis's haughty glance as the prisoners muttered to one another.
The executioner turned to the king awaiting his nod.
Aramis noticed how Anne had looked away, she had never been one for such gruesome deeds.
Louis nodded.
The two prisoners shot a glance to each other before facing forward.
The rasping sound of metal could be heard as the hemp supports were released by the executioner, some dignitaries gasped as the two men fell into the abyss, their bodies enduring twitches and contractions before their eyes bulged from instant death.
Colosseum Dungeons
Rome.
Durand's jaw twitched as he fell, his eyes bulging, his body rigid. Death was upon him. The prayers ceased as the father bowed his head. The Pope sat staring, it was over.
Palace Courtyard
Paris.
Anne held a hankerchief to her mouth as she lowered her head in distress. Louis watched as the two men swung in the chilly breeze, his lips showing satisfaction as he caught Captian Tréville's gruntled glance.
The musketeers stood rigid, each one lost in his own thoughts as the entire courtyard absorbed the prior deed.
The king was the first to stir.
"Come my dear we shall return indoors, the chill is beginning to thrive out here."
Anne needed no encouragement as she stood rapidly, prompting all dignitaries to follow suit.
Tréville turned to his four musketeers.
"Come our work here is done."
"I need a drink." muttered Porthos turning to the others.
Athos nodded "There is someone I need to visit before I go anywhere else."
Aramis patted the swordmans shoulder.
"I believe I know of whom you speak my friend, your saviour?
Athos raised a brow.
"Indeed."
"Come...we shall all pay him a visit." said d'Artagnan
Tréville stood listening as his men spoke, he turned and took a parchment from his pocket. He handed it to Athos.
Athos gave the older man a perplexed stare promting his captain to explain.
"The king heard what he did for you Athos, he wants him to allot the Palace with poultry and eggs for the forseerable."
The musketeers swapped pleasing smiles.
"That is splended news captain, I am certain Monsieur Duquette will be most pleased, he was beginning to become rather fretful for his farms survival." commented Aramis.
Tréville furrowed both brows and nodded.
"Then we shall all pay him a visit gentlemen, no time like the present."
oooOOooo
Thanks for reading xx
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