Dear all, thank you so much for reading and reviewing the last chapter. Here, as promised, is the next chapter.
The meeting in the library continues.
CHAPTER 38
Save for a pursing of the lips, Roderigo Ignacio de Calatrava was giving nothing away. As he answered, his voice cold, he held Tréville's gaze as if daring the soldier to be the first to look away.
"I was aware of some discontent amongst some of the old men, but they have neither the motivation nor the manpower to launch such an attack."
"If the 'old men' are wealthy enough, they can finance others to do the work for them," Richelieu cut in. "It could work in their favour to hire mercenaries for the single task."
De Calatrava turned to look at the Cardinal and Tréville exhaled slowly. A slight movement to his side drew his attention and Athos nodded his encouragement, his face otherwise impassive.
"Either that, or they have been indiscreet when expressing their disquiet so that someone has thought to take advantage of the situation to further their own position," the Ambassador continued.
"Then it would help if you provided a list of those 'old men' and anyone you can think of who seems particularly keen to advance themselves," Richelieu insisted. "We can discuss them and consider who is the more likely to engage in this."
Tréville slid the document case from in front of Athos and opened it to peruse a copy of the report that had been sent to the Spanish court.
The Ambassador's face hardened. "If the perpetrator is from Spain, then it is our problem, and we must deal with it."
Richelieu shook his head. "I disagree. We need to share any information together and identify the opposition."
Tréville's head snapped up and he studied the Cardinal, wondering at the game being played, for he held fast to his belief that the First Minister was the man behind the attack on the Musketeers. What would cause him to risk discovery of his own plotting or had he had a change of heart and, for some hitherto inexplicable reason, was now fully in support of the Treaty? That was hard to accept.
"The sharing of information must work both ways, Cardinal," the Ambassador demanded through Gallegos. De Calatrava's face darkened with suppressed anger. "What of your suspicions regarding a French plot? Who do you think attacked the Musketeers? Or is that to be blamed upon us as well with some more Spaniards dressed up to look like Frenchmen?"
"They were undoubtedly French, Your Excellency," Tréville reassured him. "Several were slain but prisoners were taken, and their leader liaised with someone who was likewise French. We are currently seeking to identify this person whom we strongly believe was working for someone else."
"Then you must interrogate the leader for more information," the Ambassador insisted.
"Unfortunately, that is not possible. He was shot dead as he was being transferred from the garrison to here for further questioning," Tréville said carefully, deliberately not looking towards Richelieu.
There was a pause as de Calatrava absorbed the information. "Someone was intent upon silencing him."
"Absolutely," the Captain agreed.
"So you see, my dear Ambassador, that we must hold the official signing ceremony for the Treaty as soon as possible," Louis began, smiling warmly at the Spaniard. "Once it is signed, further opposition is pointless. Even if we cannot apprehend the despicable persons responsible for these attacks, we can thwart their ambitions by affirming the good relations between our two countries."
The Ambassador thought for a moment. "That would be advisable but there are other matters to be addressed first, Your Majesty."
"And what would those be?" Richelieu sighed dramatically, his annoyance plain. "What could possibly be so important that it takes precedence over the signing of the Treaty?"
"A matter of respect, Cardinal. I wish to pay my respects to my predecessor. After all, Ambassador Mendez lost his life in the pursuance of this Treaty."
"Naturally, my dear Ambassador," Louis said hastily even as he gave his closest adviser a look that managed to be both worried and warning. "Perhaps I may ask what you wish to happen with the Ambassador's body. We have, so far, taken great care of his remains."
"And for that I thank you. I speak for His Majesty, King Philip, when I say that we are grateful for the due reverence that you have shown to the Ambassador. When I return to Spain, I shall take his body with me and he will be buried with the appropriate ceremony that his position and sacrifice demands."
Louis let out a ragged breath and smiled nervously. At last one problem had been alleviated; Mendez was not to be interred in French soil.
"We can have you taken to the chapel where he is currently at rest immediately after our meeting is concluded or this afternoon if you would prefer. The Cardinal has made arrangements for prayers to be said daily for the Ambassador's soul and for there to be a constant vigil. He is never left alone."
Louis was eager to reassure the Spaniard that nothing had been overlooked in the care given to the corpse; there was to be nothing that might give rise to offence for the man was irritable enough without being given further cause for complaint.
But de Calatrava had not finished. He waved a hand airily.
"Tomorrow morning will be acceptable for that and then, perhaps, a full mass can be said in your Notre Dame for the Ambassador and the poor unfortunates who were slain with him, amongst whom was my own brother's son."
Louis was horrified. "Your nephew …." His voice trailed off. Even Richelieu had the decency to look a little chagrined.
"Yes, my nephew. A good boy destined for a great military career. He was beloved by his parents, who are inconsolable with grief at the brutal demise of their only son. He was also much admired by his men and commanded the Ambassador's escort. It pains me to think that I cannot take his body home to my brother for you have already buried him far from his place of birth."
There was a stunned, uncomfortable silence around the table that was eventually broken by Tréville. "Our sincere condolences to you and your family, Your Excellency. We were not to know that you have lost kin in the massacre but let me reassure you that the fallen men were taken care of appropriately. I admit that it was hastily done for we needed to return to Paris with the Ambassador's remains, but my men and I all worked to bury the escort detail and fashioned markers. I know I'm not a man of the cloth, but I said some words over them when we had finished. I was not going to leave their bodies to the elements. You have only to say the word and more permanent markers can be made and erected to them."
The Ambassador nodded his acknowledgement. "I thank you, Captain, for the care you have taken with my countrymen and my relative. I would like very much to discuss this at a later date and to make the necessary arrangements."
Tréville gave a slight smile. "At your convenience, Your Excellency."
"In the meantime, I would like that cathedral service. It is the least we can do for the dead right now, is it not? I presume you would wish to attend as a representative of France?" and de Calatrava fixed Richelieu with a glacial stare as Gallegos translated his words.
"But of course," Richelieu conceded, clearly unhappy about being manipulated by the Spaniard.
"Perhaps you would also like to be present, Your Majesty?" The invitation was oily smooth.
Louis was flustered but eager to avoid a diplomatic incident. "But of course and no doubt my Queen would wish to accompany me in deference to her fallen countrymen."
"That is settled then and, if I may be so bold and it is permissible, perhaps the Cardinal Infante could be prevailed upon to preside over the ceremony?" The Ambassador turned to the young man who, once the meeting had begun, had sat quietly listening.
Ferdinand smiled. "If Cardinal Richelieu has no objections, then I would be honoured to officiate."
"Excellent," came the brusque response. "Shall we say tomorrow afternoon?"
Tréville sat up straighter in his chair as he anticipated a subsequent question about the escort, but Richelieu interceded first.
"That is impossible; it is too soon," he insisted. He realised that he had sounded very abrupt and went on to soften his tone. "There is much to arrange if the service is to have the appropriate gravitas and respect for the dead. We would not wish to hurry the arrangements but, instead, demonstrate to you that we can produce a fitting ceremony."
"Definitely not tomorrow but it could be the day after at the earliest," Richelieu added. "I would wish to discuss with the Cardinal Infante the finer details of the ceremony and if Their Majesties are to be present, then Captain Tréville will have much to do in checking and securing not only their safety but also yours, Ambassador. We can hardly forget that there are those who are against the signing of the Treaty. It would be far better if that were done first and the Mass held afterwards."
"No!" de Calatrava said firmly. "That is out of the question and I have given my reasons."
"Of course you have," Louis said, endeavouring to calm the situation. "I understand your viewpoint, but you must also appreciate that we have spent so much time in endeavouring to secure the Treaty and endured the unfortunate delays, and now we are so close to procuring that desired completion. We really do not want anything else to jeopardise the agreement."
"Naturally," de Calatrava answered, " and that is my wish also, but we are no longer on the open road where we may fall foul of those who wish to do us harm. We are here, within the safety of Paris and within the security afforded by your palace. I accepted your kind invitation to stay here as your guest with the provision of additional protection. With your commendable Musketeers and the Cardinal's Red Guard, as well as my limited escort who are most vigilant, only a fool would think himself capable of carrying out any other threats."
Louis smiled broadly at the praise. "I pride myself in believing that the Captain and his men here are without equal."
Tréville cleared his throat, uncomfortable with the compliments.
"And because of that ability," the Ambassador continued, "I would welcome Captain Tréville sharing his security measures with my Captain of the Guard as I would expect them to be a well-informed part of the detail."
Tréville frowned. "Let me assure you that every step will be taken to protect you to the same standard as that of His Majesty."
"I have no doubt of that, Captain," de Calatrava said, his smile not reaching his eyes, "but I ask that you humour me, for the benefit of the agreement between our two nations."
Someone at the table inhaled sharply but Tréville dared not turn his head to see who it was. He suspected that it was Louis rather than Richelieu; the Cardinal was by far the more capable at suppressing his reactions.
"For all our respectful arrangements for the repose of the dead, Captain, I cannot forget that they are still dead, and I would prefer to have my personal guard looking after my well-being. I trust that you understand."
A chill ran down Tréville's spine as he felt himself being out-manoeuvred by the Spaniard whose eyes were once again fixed on him, eyes that were cold, calculating and challenging. They reminded Tréville of those of a fish. That was it … a dead fish!
He took a deep breath and mentally cursed diplomacy. "And I am sure that you would likewise understand my reservations about having soldiers whom I do not know in a security detail that involves Their Majesties."
"And do you know every man of the Cardinal's Red Guard, Captain? Can you vouch for them all if they are included in any situation where they are on guard with your men? I assume that you would insist upon every one of your Musketeers being loyal."
"Are you implying that my men are not loyal?" Richelieu took umbrage at the accusation.
"I think that the Ambassador is trying to say something that does not translate so well," Ferdinand intervened and, when he saw the Ferret gasp his objection, he hastened to add, "although Seῆor Gallegos is doing an excellent job in the circumstances. Still, we cannot ignore the fact that Ambassador Mendez was cruelly murdered, and you have talked of more than one faction whom we must presume are still intent upon halting the signing.
"Therefore, is it not plausible that danger remains for all concerned who are involved in the Treaty? I am sure that the Ambassador thanks you for the protection you have thus far afforded him, but he would feel a little more relaxed if he had those around him whom he trusted completely. You would not leave my brother-in-law's care in the hands of others, would you, Captain?"
Tréville hesitated. "No, Your Eminence."
"Perhaps some compromise can be reached," Richelieu conceded without any grace.
"Good," said de Calatrava. "I will send my officer to you at your garrison, Captain Tréville. I will send him this afternoon. He speaks no French so I am trusting your man there," and he indicated towards Aramis, "to give him an accurate translation but I would also like to see a written copy of your arrangements."
Tréville shook his head, determined to stand his ground in the face of ongoing distrust. "I am sorry, but nothing will be committed to paper. There was nothing written down before and yet my men were hunted and almost killed. When the arrangements have been settled, I will accompany your Captain back here and, if you grant me an audience, I will explain what has been decided and he can confirm what I say."
"And that is your final comment on the matter?" the Ambassador demanded.
"It is."
There was a pause as de Calatrava considered his options. "Then I accept."
"And I hope you would accept my assigning these three men here to your personal detail for that journey to Notre Dame. They are my best men, privy to all that has happened regarding the Treaty and who nearly lost their lives because of it."
The Ambassador's face darkened but then he relented. "Then you had better introduce them, Captain."
Introductions made, the meeting quickly drew to a close so that arrangements for the mass and its security could be made. The Ambassador announced his intention to rest for the remainder of the day as his journey from Spain had tired him more than he had initially thought. He wanted to be at his best for that evening's banquet.
The first to leave the library, de Calatrava did not say anything until he and Gallegos were securely behind the closed main door of the suite of rooms that had been assigned to him. He immediately went to a table and poured himself a glass of deep red wine.
"That went better than I anticipated, Gallegos," he said, taking a sip from the goblet.
"Indeed, your Excellency," the Ferret responded. His brow furrowed. "What will you do about those Musketeers though?"
"It is unfortunate, but I will change nothing; we will proceed as planned. You know what to do."