TORMENT and HEARTACHE
Chapter Seven.
Milady de Winter entered the tavern her gown rustling as she walked, the stench of ale and sweat emitted into the air, loud merriment reverberated around the not so crowded room, her eyes danced and sparkled as she paused and scanned the room, she spotted him, sitting alone, his handsome face glowing in the candlelit corner, she smirked slighlty as he looked in her direction, she approached the table and sat in the vacant chair opposite him.
"You are rather tardy." growled Athos glancing up at her and taking a swig of ale from his tankard.
Milady figited with her gown sleeves before looking into his stoic features.
"You should be grateful I came, I could have been in the company of a certain gentleman." replied Milady glancing around the room. "I do have other commitments you know."
Athos sniggered as he refilled his tankard.
"Another one of your exploits no doubt." he muttered through sardonic tones.
"Who is he...maybe I should give the man fair warning."
Milady eyed him and grinned.
"Careful...I could leave right now...you would have to summon some other lackey."
Athos eyed her as she scanned the room.
"A girl could die of thirst." she said changing the subjest rapidly, she turned back and shot him a searing glance.
Athos beckoned over the serving girl.
The girl looked from one to the other.
"What you be 'avin?
"Wine...and not that Spanish dross! ordered Milady.
The girl glared.
"It will cost yer madame."
Milady smiled.
"He will be paying." she replied gesturing towards Athos.
The swordsman eyed her with a snigger before nodding at the girl.
The girl turned and vanished into the crowd of laughter.
"Well what was so important that I was summoned so swiftly? asked Milady twisting her finger around one of her long tresses.
Athos checked his surroundings before answering.
"The queen and Constance have been abducted on their way to Spain, Tréville suspects Rochefort of being involved, but alas we have no proof." he muttered quietly.
Milady's eyes widened at the news.
"So the court rumours are true? she whispered. "Why was the drapers wife accompanying the queen to Spain?
The serving girl returned and placed the flagon of wine onto the table and filled the empty goblet.
Milady paused her words swiftly as she watched the wine fill the glass vessel.
Athos waited for the girl to leave.
"You know full well the queen requested Constance as her confidant." he answered hoarsely.
"Cannot for the life of me think why." mused Anne. "Mind you, I would not want to be with that oaf Monsieur Bonacieux for long either...it is no wonder her eyes found d'Artagnan."
"We are not here to organise the royal household." sneered Athos. "Proof of Rochefort's involvement is paramount at present."
"And you expect me to find it...prey tell me how? asked Anne picking up her goblet and sipping her wine.
Milady placed down her goblet and raised a brow for an answer.
Athos sniggered as he stifled a chuckle.
"You are asking me HOW!...that may be the first time I have heeded such misgivings from such a woman who is capable of hoodwinking satan himself."
Milady glared at the swordsman as he swigged his ale. She knew that he must be desperate to even contemplate even asking for her help.
"And prey tell...why should I help you?
Athos gave her a withering glare.
"Not me...us...you will be helping us, the musketeers, Tréville's idea not mine." he deadpanned.
Anne pursed her lips tightly with slight mirth.
"Why me?
Athos rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Because you are the only person who knows how to access the palace crypt unseen."
Anne smiled as she listened to him.
"You know me so well." she teased. "And suppose I am caught?
Athos glared into her beautiful face.
"No doubt you will be cautious, you are not one for permitting someone to hinder your way."
Milady chuckled aloud.
"You find all this amusing...maybe we should find someone else for the task." growled the swordsman.
Anne rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"No need, I shall do as you ask, what do I get for such a deed."
Athos scanned the room.
"You will be well paid...you have my word."
"d'Artagnan must be indeed fretting for his pretty Constance." said Anne with a smirk. "He may not be up to the job."
"Oh he is up to the job alright." replied the swordsman without feeling. "We all are...we need to find them both."
Athos stood and clipped his sword around his waist.
Anne watched him.
"So I am to drink alone." she muttered. "I could be accosted where I sit."
"Then I shall shake his hand." muttered the swordsman.
"So charming as usual." she hissed. "I could change my mind and decline the task."
Athos leaned over her and muttered.
"You are already thinking of your payment...you would never turn that down."
Anne grinned as she sipped from the goblet.
"Shame to waste such a good wine, I am certain you can find someone to share your flagon with." replied Athos.
Milady grinned slightly as he picked up his hat.
"We leave at sundown, you know where we are, if we have left before you arrive, musketeer Lancel has orders to follow our trail."
Milady watched as he approached the tavern doors and disappeared into the street.
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Palace Crypt:
Milady inclined her head as she heard the voices in the darkness, their footfalls sounded akin to an army, how many were actually involved in this deception, she knew she was unable to have a lighted torch for fear of being detected. She had hidden herself behind one of the crypts. She felt cold as she waited, the place was an eerie gloom of passageways and tombs. The voices became slightly louder, shadows on the stone walls as the torches cast elongated shapes all around, Anne crouched down out of sight. Then she heard him, she had come to know that haughtly voice anywhere...Rochefort...and another, a voice she did not recognise. She listened as Rochefort spoke of his Spanish captivity to the stranger, but then another voice, this she also knew but was trying to identify the pompous tone as he spoke.
"I trust they arrived at the old dilapidated chateau." asked Rochefort with sneering scorn, his voice echoing around the dark gloom.
Perales glared back.
"They did, and I do not want anymore involvment in this Rochefort...I have done as you asked...this will be the last time you will see me...I shall not be part of your games anymore."
Rochefort clenched his jaw tightly as he lunged towards the Spaniard grabbing his tunic by the collar and knotting it in his fist.
"You are in this until I say you are, remember one thing, the king trusts me undoubtedly, alas he would never trust a word that came out of your mouth, so you see Perales...you are in this up to your neck."
Rochefort let go of the man throwing him practically off his feet.
"ENOUGH! yelled the strangers voice. "I will not have my plans thwarted by imbeciles.
Perales glared from one to the other as he figited with his loosened collar.
Rochefort sniffed and snorted as he eyed the stranger, he knew full well he had to keep his counsel, the dolt of a Duke thought he would be ruling France very soon, but not if he had his way, he couldn't quite make out who was worse, the king himself or Gaston.
"Your grace is most wise, prey do not fret, you shall have your revenge on your brother as soon as we rid France of his queen."
Gaston gazed at Rochefort, a slight grin on his haughty features, his eyes catching the torch light.
"I thank you gentlemen, I shall take my leave, keep me informed on developments, I would not want to miss my dear sister-in-laws funeral."
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Milady lifted her face up as she heeded the words, dear God, the voice she thought she knew had now confirmed itself...Gaston the kings notorious brother, the Duke of Orléans, she had to get to the garrison forthwith.
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TBC...
Hi Guys,
Well what has Rochefort got up his sleeve this time, and now Gaston being involved, lets hope the musketeers can find the Queen and Constance before orders to kill the queen are followed.
Hope you are all ok, and keeping safe and well. Thanks again for the comments, love them. Have A Fab Easter.
Cheers
Pippa xxx
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