Travesty Of Justice.
Chapter One.
Paris.
The courtroom reeked of dank, stale and grubby air, a crowd had gathered into the small chamber to heed the fate of the man on trial. A man who was supposed to show that of honour and courage, a man of trust and reliability, one who would fight to the bitter end to save that of his King and Country. The kings musketeer stood rigid to the spot, sweat beaded his pallid features, his hands tethered behind his back.
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The woman suddenly twitched from her reverie as the gavel came down on the wooden ornate table, reverberating around the courtroom.
The crowd buzzed.
"I will ask you again Madame Jenelle."
"Is this the man who forced himself upon you? is it he who raped you? growled the midde aged judge as he screwed up his nose and squinted at the young woman, is it he who tried to murder you in cold blood?
The crowd gasped aloud in unison. A crowd of people from all walks of life, the faces showing that of heavy toll over the years, faces of rage, of sorrow, of sympathy for the woman giving evidence. The faces that averted from the judge to the woman as he spoke.
Madame Jenelle lifted her head and looked at the musketeer as he stood there, his face stared in her direction, a red guard stood either side of him, both finding the whole scenario rather amusing as smirks lit up there lived in features. She glared at him, his eyes pleading and glazed as he returned the stare. She had to speak, she had to answer, she had to declare.
The judge peered at her through his eye glass.
"Have you lost your tongue madame? he growled again.
The crowd chuckled aloud.
Madame Jenelle nodded.
"Speak girl speak!
The crowd buzzed and sneered with mockery only to be repressed by the middle aged man.
"SILENCE!
The buzz waned.
"Yes Monsieur...it be him...the musketeer...he raped me...and said if I tell...he would silence me forever."
The crowd buzzed again.
"Hang 'im!
Execute him!
Throw him to the wolves!
Castrate the bastard!
The heckles reverberated off the courtroom walls.
The gavel rapped down loudly once again.
"SILENCE!
Captain Tréville of the Musketeer Regiment walked forward enraged.
"This is a mockery...my musketeer is innocent...I demand the king will hear of this injustice."
The judge glared at the man.
"You are permitted to do as you desire Captain Tréville." roared the man. "But at the end of the day...your man is guilty and will pay for his crime."
"This woman is a liar! yelled Tréville extending his arm and pointing his finger.
"TAKE THE PRISONER AWAY! growled the judge. "He will remain in the Bastille until sentence."
The crowd buzzed again.
Captain Tréville was suddnely surrounded by red guard as he tried to get to his accused man. His eyes averted to his other three men as they stood in complete awe at what had just transpired. They knew their brother so well, he would never commit such a heinous act.
The three musketeers realised they were out numbered as more red guard surrounded them as they reached for their rapiers in vain. They each struggled with enrage to no avail. Each musketeer was held back as he struggled in vain to reach his condemned comrade.
They watched in horror as their brother was dragged and led away. His eyes glazed over in complete and utter horror.
Madame Jenelle was rapidly ushered away by court advisors, her eyes glazed with tears as she caught the eyeline of the enraged Captain Tréville.
"WHO ARE YOU WORKING FOR MADAME...WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?...THIS IS A MOCKERY!
Tréville was held back, he struggled with the red guards, his actions futile.
"WE WILL STAND RESOLUTE BROTHER! yelled one of the musketeers hoarsely as he was dragged away by red guard. "THIS IS NOT BY ANY MEANS OVER...WE WILL ENDEAVOUR TO SET YOU FREE!
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Bastille.
The musketeer was dragged and prodded as they ushered him along the dark and reeking passgeway, other prisoners yelled abuse and obscenites at the bedraggled accused man.
The red guard cursed him and smirked as they reached the gloomy and lonely cell were he was pushed to the dirt ridden ground disturbing two rats as they foraged for scraps of bread.
The guards roared with loud laughter as they mocked him and goaded him. He turned to them with gritted teeth and thrust towards them as they slammed the cell door behind them. The musketeer meeting the steel door with such force he fell back onto the ground with a loud groan. The guards continued their scrornful quips, leaving the broken man on the dirt ridden ground. The cries of other prisoners echoed down the passageways as they begged for food and forgivness, only to fall on deaf ears as the guards yelled and cursed back in return.
The broken musketeer sat against the stone cold wall, having nothing but a sacking covering for what warmth he could find. His hair hanging over his face as he rested his head upon his bent knees. His body shivering with the bitter cold.
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She walked towards him her beautiful face was glowing as she smiled at him. Her long tresses flowed down her back and caressed her shoulders like a shawl. Why do I feel like I am flying from the ground like a bird? I feel dizzy, I can see her, she is very beautiful. Who is this woman? where are my brothers? where is this place. Her face is near to mine now...
...the musketeer suddenly awoke with a jolt of the head, he sat upright, the only light was that of a nearly burned down torch in the passage as it emitted the dim light through the cell door slits.
He was brought back to reality as the low murmered cries echoed down the damp tunnel.
He pulled the sacking blanket tightly around his shoulders, he felt cold, he felt like he was finished, I never did this crime, who is this woman, this Madame Jenelle, how did I get into her house. He stirred as a loud screech emitted into the darkness, the screech of a woman as she begged the guards for scraps, only to be yelled at and told to shut the hell up or she would die sooner rather than later. Tears welled in his eyes as he thought of all various scenarios in his head. My brothers, I know they will make this nightmare go away.
TBC...
Hello Guys,
Well here I am, back with another story. I do hope you all enjoy this first chapter, a bit of a mystery at not knowing as to which of the boys has been confined in the Bastille.
I would love to know what you all think.
Please enjoy.
Speak soon
Pippa xxxx
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