Chapter 5: Gained Trusts
Cosette stood with her friends at her back. Out of all the ludicrous plans, this had to have been the worse. They needed her to get arrested in order to catch this Vadim character that had been threatening all of Paris. Immediately, she was arrested for illegal dueling and thrown into the Chatelet Prison, right with that Vadim character. However, she said absolutely nothing to him, especially when he looked at her rather curiously.
She felt immediately unsafe being in a room with that Vadim person. He learned she was a Musketeer, at least until Cosette mentioned that they were no longer her friends because they abandoned her to that terrible fight. She hoped this whole thing would be worth it, especially coming up with a story of how they caught her visiting her "mistress." They were both forced to face the Hangman's noose.
"Not me," said Vadim. "I'm going to walk out of here in broad daylight. And not a soul will lift a finger to stop me."
Cosette began wondering what she got herself into.
Then she began wondering, how was everyone doing without her?
Meanwhile, Athos, Porthos and Aramis stood before Treville, with the rest of the Musketeers surrounding them. Most of the men there hated all three of the Inseparables because of their responsibility for letting new recruit, D'Artagnan engage in a duel with the Red Guard. Everyone knew w that any such action was illegal and punishable by death. Treville made it all to convincing to make the whole community think Athos, Porthos and Aramis responsible, made them pretty much hated. Honestly, Athos was feeling uneasy about the whole thing. Letting a young man like d'Artagnan into a world of dangerous criminals. He was kind of worried d'Artagnan might either get himself killed or Vadim escape.
You knew the penalty for dueling, but let d'Artagnan go ahead!" Treville shouted, the other Musketeers giving the trio a glare.
"I don't like this. I've never been unpopular before," Aramis muttered.
"Did any of you think at all?!"
"Try trading places with me."
"But you're used to it. I'm more the romantic hero type," said Aramis.
"D'Artagnan is in prison because of you!" shouted Treville. "Alone... friendless... condemned. I hope you're very proud Dismissed!"
The gentlemen were sent to Treville's office to discuss the mission. It was all the sick ruse they needed. Athos wished that D'Artagnan didn't do this. The boy was too new for this job. Athos was worried she'd ruin the plan and get himself killed and send the criminals running.
"D'Artagnan was taken to the Chatelet at ten this morning. He's awaiting execution, at His Majesty's pleasure." Said Treville. He looked at the trio. "Congratulations. You had me convinced - and I knew the whole thing was a charade."
"We certainly fooled the rest of the men," said Aramis.
"They hate us. They think we betrayed a friend. It makes me sick," Porthos said. Athos knew he was being honest to that. Porthos had just met the boy and was genuinely fond of d'Artagnan.
"Provoking a duel was a brilliant idea," said Treville. "The world had to believe d'Artagnan's arrest was genuine."
"I still think one of us should have done it," said Athos.
"Vadim would never trust a King's Musketeer," said Treville. "It had to be someone he didn't know."
"He's a Gascon farm boy - promising, but raw. There's too much at stake."
"Well, he has to prove himself sometime, so why not now?" said Treville.
"Well, I think he can do it," Porthos said. "And I'm a pretty good judge of character."
Aramis chuckled at his best friend. "You're a terrible judge of character, especially when you're sober."
"Vadim stole enough gunpowder to start a small war. Where is it? What was he planning? Where are his men? If d'Artagnan can bring us the answers, then his life is worth the risk. Tomorrow is Good Friday. The Queen pardons a few deserving prisoners at this time every year. I've put you all on her guard detail. You can check on him, then."
Constance could not believe the men's incompetence. As her husband went up to talk to Captain Treville of his new cape. Cosette was a very dear friend to her theses past few days, so she couldn't believe how careless Aramis, Athos and Porthos were. Of course, when she saw Aramis greet her with, "A beautiful morning, Madame Bonacieux," Constance couldn't help but want to snap at him.
"I doubt if it looks so good from inside the Chatelet prison," Constance hissed.
"You've heard about d'Artagnan?" said Athos. Constance just could not believe how cold they were about this. Cosette was her friend.
"You know, these stories can be greatly exaggerated" said Porthos.
"Really? Mm. I was told you led him into danger and then abandoned him."
"That one's about right," said Aramis.
"He's your friend. What are you going to do about it?"
"We've been getting along well, but I wouldn't say friends, exactly."
Infuriated, she glared at Aramis before raising her hand and giving Aramis a huge slap.
"He trusted you!" she screamed. Monsieur Bonacieux saw what hse had done.
"My most humble apologies, sir!" said Bonacieux, he grabbed his wife's arm.
"I can't think what came over her."
"Your wife's actions were justified. It is I who should apologise," Aramis said. Constance glared at him as much as she could before Bonacieux escorted her out of the garrison. After the Bonacieux married couple left, Aramis rubbed the part where Constance had slapped his face.
Cosette snuck out of Vadim's infernal criminal group. Ever since their escape from prison, she had been utterly terrified of being there. This really was supposed to be a one-act show. Not a three act one. These criminals weren't to be trusted, she reminded herself. However, she didn't know she was being followed by Vadim's criminal man, Felix. Quietly, she followed Vadim to where a woman came out. Immediately, Cosette was panicking. Who was that blonde woman?
Shes topped the man travelling past her.
"This house, do you know who lives here?"
"Suzette Pinault. Everybody knows Suzette around here!" the man laughed. Honestly, Cosette could not believe some men around these parts. She was so glad that no one knew she was a woman. However, the girl panicked when someone put a pistol up to her head.
"You've got five seconds to explain what you're doing before I blow your brains into the next street," said the gruff voice. Cosette looked back at him.
"I was visiting my mistress," Cosette lied.
"Prove it," Felix said, his gun threatening at her back. Luckily for Cosette, Constance was there, outside her house. The young woman pointed to her.
"That's her."
"How do I even know you've met her? Huh?"
Cosette glared at him before carefully walking all the way up to Constance. Also luckily for Cosette, Constance was shorter than her.
"Sh, we're being watched," Cosette muttered. "For God's sake, pretend to kiss me and make it look good."
Constance looked to Cosette.
"You're a wanted woman, Cos," Constance said. "The Guards are everywhere."
"Whatever you've heard about me, don't believe it." Cosette muttered in her friend's ear.
"Go to Athos. Tell him to get here, as soon as possible."
"Come inside," said Constance. "You're not safe on the streets."
"You are the kindest and best woman on Earth, you know that?"
"Or the most stupid," Constance hissed. She walked away, with Cosette looking back at Felix.
"She's in a good mood. I may be some time," Cosette said.
"Vadim will hear of this," Felix sneered.
"Tell him" was all Cosette said as she gave him a fake smile.
"Vadim plans to murder the King and Queen," Cosette said. Athos, Porthos and Aramis were in the room with her. "Some fantasy of a peasant rebellion."
"Have you seen the gunpowder?" Athos asked. Cosetet shook her head to any question the men asked her.
"Vadim's careful. He doesn't say much."
"Does he trust you?"
"As much as he does anyone. Felix doesn't, but I can handle him. Vadim said the secret to a good trick is to make people look the wrong way. What do you think he meant?
"Honestly? I have no idea," Cosette answered.
Athos nodded. Cosette's part of the plot was over. She'd done enough.
"You've done enough. We'll take it from here," said Athos.
"NO!" Cosette snapped, ignoring the look Athos was giving her. "Pick him up now and the King and Queen are still in danger."
"What do you suggest?"
"I go back in," Cosette answered.
The foursome stopped talking as Constance came in, with a trey of trinks. Constance glared at the men but looked at Cosette rather peeved and sympathetically at he same time.
"They told me about the duel and your imprisonment, that it was all faked," Constance sneered at Aramis.
"Rather well, you have to admit," Aramis blurted out. With another slap from Constance, Aramis rubbed the side of his cheek.
"What for this time?"
"Letting me think the worst. First I thought you were a condemned man, then a fugitive and now...this! How many ways can a man think of to get himself killed?"
Cosette had no shame in hiding the truth from everyone in the world, but she did when it came to Constance, the woman who practically became a sister to her. Aramis looked to D'Artagnan and smiled at her.
"I think she likes you," Aramis muttered to her. Cosette shook her head at Aramis' suggestion. Athos, meanwhile, didn't think he could take this anymore. This was too dangerous for any Musketeer, including d'Artagnan.
"It's too dangerous, d'Artagnan," Athos told her. Cosette looked a little betrayed.
"I can do this," Cosette said. "Please, trust me."
Athos looked at her for a few seconds before he genuinely smiled to her, and gave her a pat on the shoulder.
Cosette stared down at the dead body of Vadim. She had killed someone because it was in self-defense. Now, it was saving the whole country. Not even when Athos came up to her and told her she did good by putting a hand on her shoulder. However, she remained quiet. If this was her new life now, Cosette didn't want it any more. Declared a free woman, Cosette was allowed back into the Bonacieux house, and couldn't help but reflect on what had happened these past few days.
Whatever this life was, Cosette had no choice but to accept it.