King Louis kissed his queen's cheek, grasped her delicate hand, and then watched Treville right himself from the bowed position. He stood next to his long conference table, and Anne stood beside him. The sun's rays entered through the windows and highlighted the surface of the wood. The the roses in the gold vase were in full bloom and their petals highlighted the reds and shadows darkened within the creases.

"Treville," Queen Anne said, "It's good to see you." She dusted the front of her cream and purple gown and then folded her fingers together. Her delicate features and unassuming persona brought peace to the room.

"Likewise, your majesty." Treville tipped his head toward her and watched Louis take a seat in a puffed chair by the fireplace in the council chambers.

"I've asked Richelieu to consider making the gardens into a lake given our current state of weather." Louis chuckled, and glanced at the cardinal who stood near fireplace and warmed his hands. "Although, I would expect the ground to dry as soon as I felt the desire to do a bit of fishing." He shrugged, and raised his hand as Anne joined him by his side. "I take it that you have news given our impromptu meeting?"

"Yes, Treville," Richelieu said. He cocked an eyebrow, and clasped his hands before him.

Treville took a deep breath, glanced at Queen Anne, and stepped forward. He handed Louis the ring. "Emilian is dead, your majesty."

Richelieu exhaled slowly, closed his eyes, and nodded.

"The Duke of Burie?" Anne said, and glanced from Treville to Louis. "Was it expected? He looked well when we saw him."

Treville swallowed and looked to the king for guidance which didn't come. "He was killed in an ambush outside of the municipality of Chalons, you majesty."

"Was anyone else hurt?" Anne frowned and grasped Louis' hand.

Louis looked at her and smiled reassuringly. He kissed the back of her fingers and said, "I believe this line of discussion is better suited for us men, my love."

Anne nodded, but looked toward Treville as he bowed when she stepped forward. "I've missed my musketeers, Treville." She smiled and met his eyes. "I've grown rather fond of their antics." She nodded toward her husband and left the room with her lady-in-waiting.

King Louis shifted in his seat to watch her leave with an unabashed smile. He slipped the ring onto his finger, extended his hand, and looked closely at the emerald. "My wife is beautiful," he said, "it's truly unfortunate that she's from Spain." He sighed, turned his attention to Treville, rubbed his lips with his index finger, and inhaled deeply. "Well?" He removed the ring, handed it to Richelieu who took it, and looked critically at the emerald.

"The men were ambushed, sire —"

"Ambushed?" Richelieu said. He lowered his hand, and pulled his eyebrows together.

Treville nodded and said, "A messenger arrived this morning with few details — I'll depart as soon as I return to the garrison to meet the remaining members of the regiment."

"Auch is indeed dead?"

Treville nodded. "Yes, majesty. That is the report."

King Louis exhaled and leaned back in his seat. He gripped the tufted fabric of his chair and slowly nodded. "One of my red guards returned yesterday without a message from Spain," Richelieu said, and pursed his lips. "It appears your decision was the correct one, majesty."

King Louis nodded, and looked toward the window as the sun's rays shifted through the glass. "Yes, so it appears." He returned his look toward Treville. "Who will be attending the palace in your stead?"

"Remy Belshaw, your majesty — he has military experience and was the rider who returned early this morning."

Louis nodded. "Your men?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Injuries were sustained, hence my departure." Treville shifted nervously and rolled the brim of his hat through the curve of his hand.

"And members of the red guard?" Richelieu asked. He furrowed his brow, pursed his lips into a frown, and met Treville's eyes.

"Five musketeers and seven red guard are dead. The members of the scouting party are still unaccounted for —"

"That's a substantial loss, Treville. The majority of my guard are either dead or missing?" Richelieu said, closed his eyes, and tightened his fists. "Those men were some of the finest I have ever worked with — Lorange?"

Treville took a deep breath. "I cannot report on what I do not know. As soon as I depart, the sooner I will know what happened and the repercussions of such actions." He looked toward Richelieu. "I'm deeply sorry for your loss, cardinal, but your men served with honor — of that I have no doubt."

Richelieu met Treville's eyes. "It will certainly not be forgotten."

Louis glanced from Treville to Richelieu and then looked again at Treville. "Take what you need." He crossed his legs, and shifted in his seat. "I'm sorry for those you have lost." He paused a moment. "What of Athos and the others?"

Treville swallowed. "Unknown at this time, sire."

Louis pursed his lips and nodded. "Travel safe, Treville."

Treville nodded, bowed, and quickly exited the room.