Torment and Heartache
Chapter Twenty.
Porthos persisted with the clatter of the rusty old sword on the stone wall, beads of perspiration had formed on the big musketeers face, as he panted for air.
Aramis glanced at his big friend.
"Save some of your strength mon ami...we need all the air we can muster." gasped the marksman.
"I swear I could 'ear Athos's voice." replied Porthos.
"Indeed you did...could not mistake our dear friends voice anywhere." muttered Aramis. "Let us hope he and d'Artagnan have gotten the queen and Constance to safety."
"Surley they 'eard us yellin'. growled Porthos.
Aramis figited with his crucifix as his big friend spoke before putting the cross to his dry lips.
"I am in no doubt they did." he reassured.
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The cell was dismal and damp, let alone freezing cold, at least the cold kept the stench of decaying flesh at bay. The Gascon sat with his own thoughts going around his head, he just hoped Constance and the queen were still safe within the barbican.
d'Artagnan was roused from his reverie as Athos suddenly stirred.
He watched as the swordsman stood from his sitting position on the stone ground and moved towards the barred doors.
The torch flickered in its sconce allowing light to emit into the cell.
Distant voices could be heard down the passageway, but not loud enough to comprehend.
Athos craned his neck as far as he could and peered into the flickering gloom, he suddenly grabbed the chained lock looping the shackle through the bars.
"What are you doing? asked the Gascon as he observed his friends antics.
"Trying to get us out of here." replied the swordsman firmly.
Athos retrieved his bunch of keys from his pocket and began to try each one, twisting and turning to no avail.
"These have never let me down yet." he muttered as he persisited again with the keys.
"Until today that is." sighed d'Artagnan sounding defeated.
That instant Athos re-took his place back onto the floor as both musketeers heard footfalls and voices, the flickering shadows crept over the walls as two men appeared.
One of the men walked forward and peered into the call, his lanky hair hanging over one eye, he smiled revealing what teeth remained in his gums.
"Just to inform you musketeers...the queen and the whore have been found, so your so called rescue proved futile." he sneered.
Both Athos and d'Artagnan exchanged rapid but agitated glances.
"He's bluffing." muttered Athos under his breath.
The swordsman leapt to his feet.
"And what do you intend to do with us?...you have what you want."
Both men chuckled.
The Comte has plans for you musketeers.
"What plans? asked d'Artagnan through evident iritation. He hoped Athos was indeed right, they had to be bluffing.
"Your two friends are rapidly running out of air." sneered the other guard.
"Probably dead already." added the lanky haired man with a sneering grin.
Both musketeers glared at the men.
"Answer the question." pressed d'Artagnan. "What plan does Rochefort have for us?
"In good time musketeers."
Athos eyed each man.
"Inform Rochefort I want a parley he said suddenly."
The Gascon glanced at his brother, he never ceased to amaze him.
The lanky haired man chuckled.
"Why would the Comte concur with that?
Athos glared.
"That is between Rochefort and myself...I refuse to discuss terms with his lackeys."
"I could kill you here and now musketeer, then there would be no parley as you put it."
d'Artagnan's jaw twitched as he glanced at the swordsman.
"Then do it...come on...do it NOW! replied Athos sounding brusque.
Both men stood face to face, only the bars kept them apart, the guard obliviously gripping the butt of his pistol before letting go.
d'Artagnan watched closely.
"What kind of man are you that you threaten to kill someone who is unarmed?
"Shut your mouth musketeer before I shut it for you."
"It is somewhat easy to threaten from behind locked cell doors." persisted the Gascon. "Unlock them...lets us see your qualities."
"Come! yelled the other guard. " He asked for a parley, let us see what the Comte suggests."
"You do know he is using you all, if this so called belligerent revolt should happen to wane...what do you think he will do with you men? pressed Athos.
The two guards paused in their tracks suddenly before tottering off into the darkness.
The swordsmans voice becoming louder as the men walked away down the passageway.
"He will kill all of you...the only person he cares about is himself." he yelled after them. "He is a traitor."
Athos turned back into the cell, only to receive a perplexed glance from his brother.
"A parley? are you really expecting Rochefort to fall for that? asked d'Artagnan sitting back against the wall and rolling his eyes.
Athos joined him.
"If you have any better suggestions my friend...then do tell." he answered.
"Do you really think they were bluffing, maybe they have found the queen and Constance." muttered the Gascon.
"The barbican is of no use to them, it is the last place they would look, they were bluffing." replied the swordsman jumping to his feet once more and taking the bunch of keys from his pocket.
d'Artagnan watched him as he once again persisted with the chain locks.
"I fear for Aramis and Porthos." muttered the swordsman tautly, they have to be in some kind sealed chamber, the only place I can think of is the crypt."
"This chateau is at least three hundred years old, its falling to bits around us, I would be very surprised if it has any crypt left." commented d'Artagnan.
Athos shot his brother a rapid glance as he persevered with the shackle lock, the swordsman suddenly turning back to his task in hand as one of the keys clicked, the lock came open, a slight shrewd grin played on the swordmans lips as he turned back to the Gascon and held up the opened hasp lock.
d'Artagnan stared in awe before a large grin lit up his face.
"Lets get out of here you genius." he smirked.
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TBC...
Hi Guys,
Hope you are all well.
Thank you for reading, and I love your comments, you are all very kind.
Well is Rochefort bluffing?
Can the boys get past Rochefort and his guards?
Will Athos and d'Artagnan get to Aramis and Porthos in time?
Bumpy ride still to come folks!
Speak soon
Take care
Pippa xxxx
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