Torment and Heartache
Chapter Thirteen.
The darkness was almost sinister, the silence forbidding, apart from the odd screech and gnawing sound of rats that reverberated down the cold and damp passageway as they scurried and fought for scraps. The lack of light was frightful even though his creeping footfalls took a step at a time. Athos paused suddenly having noticed orange hues glowing from what had to be a lighted torch coming from around a bend within the twisting tunnel. The swordsman turned to d'Artagnan, even though he could hardly make out the Gascon's form within the icy passage, he knew he wasn't far behind him.
"d'Artagnan! he whispered into the darkness.
"I can see it." came the disembodied answer. "It would seem we have the right place afterall."
Both musketeers crept slowly, the glowing walls making it more easier to find their way.
Suddenly there were voices prompting both men to pause in their tracks and swap agitated but gloomy glances.
Athos resumed his tread as he neared the edge of the wall, holding up his hand to warn d'Artagnan to stay back, removing his hat he very slowly peered around the damp curvature of the wall, two figures stood outside a cell, both finding something very amusing. The swordsman checked for weapons, both men were armed with swords but no pistols. He turned back to d'Artagnan, his brothers perturbed features now cast with a glow. Athos held up two fingers and whispered.
"No pistols...just rapiers."
d'Artagnan noodded.
"Leave off firing your pistol." whispered Athos, we do not want to rouse the rest of the rabble...but we still threaten with them."
"Agreed." replied the Gascon.
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Constance leaned up against the stone wall, the only comfort was a sack cloth that she had struggled with and had managed to place behind her cold back. She shivered in the freezing temperature, showing clearly with every breath she took.
"Would you like very much for me to warm your cold form? chuckled the tall guard as he nudged his companion.
Both men laughed out loud as they peered into the cell.
Constance lifted her head and glared back through lank strands of her hair. She felt her stomach churn as she stared at the thin scrawny brown toothed excuse for a man who was now approaching her. He paused at her feet and stood looking down into her face.
"I asked you a question whore! he scowled.
Constance felt her body trembling, all she could think of right this moment was the queen and what Rochefort wanted with her.
"Only if you want to be gelded where you stand." came the nettled reply. Constance instantly regretting her words, the last thing she wanted was to rile the man.
The tall mans companion chuckled loudly.
"She's a gutsy one this one."
The tall man bent and grabbed Constance by the hair.
"No whore refuses me...not even a queens maid." he spat out through gritted teeth.
Constance turned away from his vile stinking breath, she could feel her eyes burning with sheer vexation.
"Get...your...hands...off me." she yelped.
The vile breath man leaned in for a kiss prompting Constance to kick out her shackled legs.
"Do as she asks." came the voice of the second guard.
The tall guard turned to his associate, his brow furrowed and perplexed at the request.
"Have you lost your mi...
His voice breaking off as he peered at his partner, his mouth gaping open, his comrade held fast around the throat by what was clearly a kings musketeer.
"I suggest you do as he asks." came the demanding tone of Athos as he wielded his pistol towards both men and nudged the man foward.
Constance turned her head swiftly as she heeded the familiar voice.
d'Artagnan rushed past the swordsman towards the young woman. Her eyes had welled up with sheer delight as she embraced the Gascon tightly and wept.
"You wont get away with this musketeers, there are men all over this chateau, you are as good as dead." scoffed the smaller man.
"Drop your weapons now." pressed Athos...unless of course you want me to adorn this cell with your brains."
Both guards glared at the swordsman as they unbuckled their belts and let their rapiers fall to the ground with a clatter.
"Shush, shush." comforted d'Artagnan as he aided Constance to stand having helped himself to the guards belt and retrieved the shackle keys.
The Gascon turned to the two men.
"What kind of man treats a woman this way? he seethed.
"Do you think I care for a whore? came the rattled reply.
d'Artagnan suddenly lunged forward and struck the guard on the jaw knocking him backwards to the ground.
Athos grabbed the other man.
"Where is the queen?
"As if I would tell you musketeer." he growled.
The swordsman glared into his face holding his pistol to the mans head.
"I will only ask once."
"Where is the queen? asked Athos again this time his voice was inperative and commanding.
The guard glared intensely into the swordmans tenacious features, the musketeer not blinking for a single second. He could feel the coldness of the pistol practically touching his temple.
"Rochefort has her...they are dining together...
..."Where? seethed Athos.
Constance clung onto d'Artagnan's arm as Athos persisted with the guard.
"Are you hurt? asked d'Artagnan as he wrapped his own cloak around her shoulders.
The young woman shook her head as she pulled the cloak tighter around her chilly body.
"Im fine...I just hope the queen is, she was taken to Rochefort by a couple of other men."
The tall guard began to chuckle.
"You musketeers think you can outweigh Rochefort...two of you against him and the rest of the men."
Both Athos and d'Artagnan began to shackle the two guards to the wall, d'Artagnan ripping up pieces of sack to gag them with.
"Who said there was only two of us." seethed Athos as he sunk the rag into the mans mouth.
Both men were silenced as they watched the two musketeers and Constance creep into the darkness of the passaeway.
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The ivy toadflax plant had almost covered the west tower of the chateau, its woody roots clung as if it was holding the tower together. Snow had covered the evergreen leaves.
Porthos and Aramis climbed up the woody stems, the two musketeers had almost reached the top. The moon had been kind so far as it stayed behind clouds making the ascent manageable.
Aramis reached the ramparts and heaved himself over the parapet, the marksman glancing from left to right to check his surroundings. The battlements were empty. Aramis turned as Porthos joined him, the big musketeer cursed and grunted as he placed both feet on the ground and sighed.
"I 'ate bloody climbin' he growled in low tones.
"Come." whispered Aramis. "Lets find a way in."
Porthos looked over the parapet, before glancing up at the sky.
Clouds floated across the moon.
Both men creeping along the ramparts towards the tower.
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Aramis slowly pushed open the door as they reached the tower, both swapping anticipating dark glances as they entered the tower staircase. Both men slowly crept down the gloomy stone steps, feeling their way as they trod each step in the blackness. Aramis grabbed Porthos on the arm as the marksman suddenly noticed a slit of light coming from underneath the bottom doorway, they had reached the bottom chambers.
Porthos put his ear against the door and listened, he shook his head at Aramis.
Aramis put his gloved hand on the iron lever and twisted slowly, the door was unlocked.
Both men in silent converse as the markman opened it just enough to put his eye to the slit.
Aramis scanned what he could, what seemed like what was once a grand hall was lit dimly, a couple of torches had been recently lit, a large dust ridden table stood in the middle of the hall, upturned tureens and goblets were strewn across the table top allowing scurrying rats to scratch and scavenge.
Both Aramis and Porthos unclipped their pistols as they slowly crept into the hall. Both musketeers scanning their surroundings as they went. Torn battle banners hung from the rafters, the ground covered in grime and dust, a dilapidated staircase adorned the centre of the hall, the baluster legs had seen better days.
Aramis turned noticing torches illuminating what looked akin to another passageway leading from the hall. He suddenly nudged his elbow into Porthos arm getting his attention. The big man followed his brothers eyeline and nodded. Both musketeers gripping their pistols in anticipation as they slowly crept along the passage.
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TBC...
Hi Guys,
Hope everyone is ok and staying safe.
Thank you so much for your kind words, love them.
I know this is a late posting, but work seems to become more hectic by the day. I do write when I can.
Take care
Love
Pippa xxx
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