TORMENT and HEARTACHE
Chapter Eight.
Darkness was beginning to fall on Paris as the first candles were lit, the orange hues glistened in the windows of the nearby abodes.
Torches had also been lit around the garrison as the musketeers tacked up their horses in preperation for the dreaded undertaking of trepidation.
"Do you think we can trust her? asked d'Artagnan casually as he tightened his horses girth straps.
"Well we know Milady has an intense dislike for Rochefort after the way he treated her when she was expelled from the palace." answered Aramis lifting his saddle bag and placing it onto the horses back.
Porthos shrugged his large shoulders as he glanced at Athos for an answer.
"There was no one else we could have asked." replied the swordsman. "Tréville is right, she is our only hope."
"Well lets 'ope she does an admirable job." growled the big musketeer.
"I knew you would convince her to help us Athos...I mean who else would she listen to." grinned Aramis patting the swordsman on the shoulder.
Athos sniggered.
"Anything that woman undertakes is all for her own gains, let us just hope she excels herself to our advantage this time."
That moment the sound of horses hooves reverberated around the garrison courtyard prompting the musketeers to glance towards the gates, Milady de Winter brought her horse to a rapid halt, the animal snorted as she dismounted with some brisk haste and rushed towards the wooden staircase that led up to Captain Tréville's office, she hitched up her skirts and ascended the steps unaware of the observing eyes of the musketeers.
The men swapped curious glances.
"She looks in a rush." growled Porthos.
Athos began his approach towards the staircase.
Aramis dismounted his horse and followed suit.
"I would say she has information." answered the swordsman, his walk becoming a run, he took the steps two at at time as he raced up to the office. The others followed at haste.
Captain Tréville suddenly emerged from his office with Milady, meeting Athos halfway across the balcony, both men catching each others eyeline. The swordsman knew that look, he had seen it many times before in the older man. Milady glanced at Tréville as if prompting him to speak.
"What is it captain? asked Aramis as the others joined them.
"It would seem our suspicions were right afterall, Rochefort is involved." answered the musketeer captain.
Milady pursed her lips as she looked towards the others.
"And not only Rochefort." she said with almost self satisfying haughtiness as she folded her arms.
Tréville glanced at her at her before turning to his men.
"Gaston is involved."
Bloody hell...the kings own brother." growled Porthos.
"And Perales." added Milady astutely.
Athos and Aramis swapped agitated glances.
"The Spanish Ambassador? inquired Aramis sounding shocked. "This is beginning to turn into a revolt."
Milady swapped glances with Tréville as she continued with her information.
"Apparently they are hold up in some old run down Chateau near to the Spanish border...they did not discuss further."
"Run down chateau." mused Porthos furrowing his brows. "Captain...that large map of yours."
"On my desk...go and fetch it." replied the older man.
The big musketeer turned on his heel before Tréville finished his request.
"You are certain about this I take it? asked d'Artagnan taking his place next to Milady and giving her an inquisitive stare.
She returned the gesture and turned to the Gascon.
"Believe what you like...I am only telling you what I heard when I was freezing to death in the palace crypt...I did not have to do this you know."
Athos gave d'Artagnan an glance as he turned to Milady, he also shared the Gascons unease.
"Fine...it is fine...we believe you." he muttered.
Tréville ran a hand through his hair and replaced his hat.
"Dear God...Rochefort is one thing...but Gaston and the Spanish Ambassador...how do I inform the king that his own brother is guilty of sedition...and is in alliance with Spain?
"I doubt he would even believe you." answered Milady. "You know the king."
Porthos suddenly returned with the map, his eyes scrutinising the parchment.
"That old chateau could be the one in Perpignan, its the closest one to the Spanish border."
Aramis mused as he recollected the chateau in his head, he nodded in agreement.
"I remember that one...it was destroyed by the spanish themselves in the last conflict...quite a large building if my memory serves me well."
Tréville followed Porthos finger as he scanned the map.
Milady rolled her eyes.
"You might aswell be searching for fresh air, they could be hold up anywhere." she sneered.
d'Artagnan sighed loudly as he glanced at her.
"We have to start somewhere...unless you can think of any other run down chateau's do tell."
Milady shook her head and pursed her lips.
"Do as you so wish, I am merely here to exchange information...but remember...I do not have to do this."
"So you keep reminding us." muttered Athos curtly.
Tréville turned to his musketeers.
"Ride for Perpigman men, I will remain here, I need to keep the king informed, if Milady finds any other information I will send out two men to follow on."
"Well let us hope we are not too late, whilst we have been standing here debating chateau's." added Athos through sardonic tones as he descending the steps in hast. "Perpignan is at least two and a half days ride."
lllll
The musketeers had been riding for nearly three hours before stopping and watering the horses. The weather had been kind so far, there was a good moon illuminatung the road south even though a chilly breeze blew across the open fields.
"I hate travelin' at night, never liked it." growled Porthos as he led his horse to water. "Yer never know whats lukin'
Aramis shot his big friend a grin.
"Did not know you were afraid of the dark mon ami...and a man of your bearing."
Porthos snorted and raised his brows as he nudged the marksman in the arm.
"Be'ave yerself...never said I was afraid, I like to see my enemy." he growled.
Aramis chuckled.
Athos looked up at the the heavens above the trees, millions of stars filled the nightsky, the moon shone brightly, he felt glad for that, it would aid their ride.
d'Artagnan took a swig from his waterskin and placed it back into his saddlebag.
"I still don't understand Rocheforts intentions, what does he hope to achieve by having the queen abducted? he asked to noone in paticular. "And Constance...
Aramis cut the Gascon's words off as he patted the young man on the back.
..."We would have found Constance with the others if he meant anything sinister mon ami." he said biting into an apple.
A loud piercing screech of a fox emitted into the darkness prompting the musketeers to glance into the forest.
"If I know Constance, I would say she can take care of herself." commented Porthos.
"I have to wonder though, who are we going to come across when we arrive at the chateau? mused d'Artagnan.
"All probability...I would guess the same renegades who ambushed them, Perez thinks he recalls five of them, not to mention who may be laying in wait." answered Aramis.
Athos nodded in agreement with the marksman before mounting his horse.
"We will ride on this road until dawn, we should make some headway... then stop somewhere for nourishment." he suggested.
The other followed suit, steering their mounts towards the road, the musketeers rode into the night.
lllll
"I heed the musketeers left the garrison hours ago, they will be following the trails." said Gaston, a slight smile played on his lips as he sipped wine from a pewter goblet and glanced across the table to Rochefort.
Rochefort and Gaston had rendezvoused in a small tavern on the outskirts of Paris, just a small group of farmers occupied a corner table playing card games, their laughter reverberated around the whole tavern prompting Gaston to shoot them a glance.
Rochefort gave the kings brother a withering stare.
"The musketeers are following nothing, the trails will be well gone after yesterdays rainfall. I will leave for the chateau in an hour, I am certain dearest Anne will be most pleased to see me again."
Gaston pursed his lips and raised both brows.
"You may well meet the musketeers on the road?
Rochefort swigged back his wine and sighed out loud, he placed his goblet on the table and shook his head.
"That will never happen, I intend to travel through the catacombs, Perales gave me the plans of the entire structures, it will cut my journey by half." he sneered. "By the time Tréville's lackeys do their upmost to find their dear queen, we will be well gone."
"You have been busy, my dear brother the king will miss your absence."
Rochefort sniffed as he poured wine into his goblet.
"That is were you come into it my dear Duke, I am certain you have your story well prepared."
Gaston chuckled.
"Have I ever let you down yet?
Rochefort didn't answer as he sipped his wine. His mind was on other undertakings.
oooOOooo
To be continued...
Hi guys,
Hope you are all safe and well, cannot wait to get back to normal, whatever normal is.
Thanks again for you comments.
Until next time
Pippa x
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