Torment and Heartache
Chapter Twelve.
Aramis dug his boot heels into the snow covered terrain as he clambered up towards the ridge, pausing for a second as he scrutinised his pursuit, his breath emitting into the icy chill, the marksman looked upward noticing Porthos, the big musketeer had almost reached the top, darkness was almost upon them, at least the snow had abated, the night critters had began to squeal and forage among the trees searching for food untouched by the snow. Porthos glanced downward suddenly, almost as if he could read his brothers mind.
"Almost there." he grunted.
Aramis nodded in acknowledgement as he pushed on, checking his surroundings as he went.
Porthos retrieved his scope from his pocket as he reached the ridges top, clumps of copse plants concealed him from sight as he peered through the lens, that second Aramis was at his side.
"Anything? asked the marksman leaning on his elbow and taking out his own scope.
"Athos was right, take a look." replied the big man. "Let's just 'ope its the right chateau."
Aramis followed suit as he wiped snow from his chin and squinted through his lens.
"Do not be such a defeatist my friend, it has to be."
Aramis proceeded to move his lens up and down the chateau walls, he could just make out the dilapidated turrets, and the crumbling ramparts, there was no sign of any movement.
Athos and d'Artagnan had positioned themselves on the other side of the ridge, Athos looked up into the heavens, he was satisfied the snow had finally abated.
d'Artagnan peered through his lens as he scrutinised the chateau.
"I see nothing...no one."
Athos mirrored the Gascons stance as both musketeers squinted through their scopes.
The swordsman suddenly pausing as he noticed the old portcullis.
"Take a look at the gateway portcullis." he murmured not taking his eyes from the lens, tell me what you see?
d'Artagnan glanced at the swordsman before following his lieutenants request, the Gascon peering through the glass.
"Nothing...what do you see? he asked.
"The snow has been disturbed, luckily for us it has ceased, otherwise we may not have noticed it."
"Well what are we waiting for...lets get down there."
The Gascon moved rapidly only to be halted by Athos's outstretched arm tugging at his brothers sleeve.
"Wait...we will join the others, they may have seen something we haven't, then we can plot a plan of action."
It was now pitch black, the only light came from the moon that became shrouded in clouds that floated across the night sky. Athos and d'Artagnan clambered towards their friends, their movement becoming more hindered as they crawled through the snow.
"They have been very clever." mumbled Porthos. "Horses are out of sight."
Aramis continued his scrutiny as the big musketeer spoke.
"Not as clever as you may think gentlemen." came the familiar tones of Athos as he and d'Artagnan clambered towards them.
Aramis glanced at the swordsman.
"Do tell mon ami."
Athos got himself comfortable among the bracken and returned the glance as he reached for his scope.
"Take a look near to the main gates." he gasped.
Both Aramis and Porthos did as they were asked.
Porthos snorted, slight elation was evident in his voice.
"The snow...someone has been there recently...its's been disturbed."
Aramis nodded.
"How very careless they have been."
"Indeed they have." replied Athos.
The moon emerged from the clouds.
"Wait...look." said Porthos suddenly.
The musketeers lowered their heads behind the bracken as the moon shone down onto the snow making the land glisten in white.
A figure had emereged from within the large gateway.
Athos scrutinied the man through his lens as he walked around the outside of the barbican gates and disappeared around the otherside.
"How we going to do this, God only knows how many men are inside." commented Aramis.
Athos turned and sat back, he glanced up at the moon, a large dark cloud loomed to the east.
"We wait." replied the swordsman.
"Wait? growled Porthos.
d'Artagnan shook his head in frustration, he glared at Athos.
"Prey tell me, maybe I have missed something, but what exactly are we waiting for?
Aramis shot a glance at the swordsman, he knew Athos well, he knew he posessed excellent strategic and thoughtful planning, this action had to be one of those times.
Athos glanced up to the heavens once more.
"That large cloud my friends, as soon as the moon is behind it we act."
Porthos, Aramis you both get yourselves through those gates, d'Artagnan and I will enter through the barbican."
The musketeers nodded as they acknowledged the order.
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TBC...
Hi Everyone,
Sorry for the late posting.
Hope you are enjoying the ride, its about to get bumpy.
Take care guys
Pippa xxx
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