Chapter 17 - Trial
Cosette, Athos, Porthos and Aramis rode out to Monastery of the Holy Cross as being one of the guardsmen around Ninon, along with several Red Guards. Once they were there, Cosette heard her brothers-in-arms speaking about the matter. They probably thought the same things she did about this trial, that it was a mockery and nothing else.
Why is she being tried here?" asked Porthos.
"The Cardinal wants to avoid a public hearing," answered Aramis.
"Does anyone really believe in witchcraft?" Cosette asked.
"The accusation is a fine way to stop the tongues of outspoken women," said Aramis. He felt a little uncomfortable around Cosette because of her being angry with him a few days ago. However, she looked fairly pale.
"She had the girls. She lied. She brought her fate on herself," Athos stated coldly. Aramis flashed a look to his comrade. Cosette was not sure what happened between Athos and Ninon, but whatever it was, it was not good.
"You're being too hard on her," said Aramis. "She was protecting the girl, not deceiving you."
Despite what Aramis said, Athos still remained unaffected by the conversation.
Cosette watched as Aramis walked away and went to talk to Ninon.
"For what it's worth, Madame," said Aramis as he shoved the Red Guard escorting her and grasped her hand, "this trial is a mockery of religion. The God I believe in stands for love, not cruelty."
"You are a contradiction, Monsieur Aramis," said Ninon. Cosette saw that Ninon was uneasy. This was an unfair trial. "The soldier who preaches love, and a famous libertine who cherishes women."
"We all search for truth in different ways. If you have faith in your heart... take this," Aramis took off his rosary and placed it in Ninon's hand before curling her fingers around it. "Please, take it. My God will not abandon you."
Ninon accepted the gift from Aramis. The Red Guard escorting her grabbed her by the arm, effectively ending the conversation. Cosette looked as the blonde woman was led away by her guards. Ninon shared a look with her. However, it was so fast, that none of the Musketeers saw Ninon look at either Cosette or Athos.
"Are you alright, kid?" Porthos asked. Cosette looked from Ninon's escort to Porthos. "You look a little pale, that's all."
"No, I'm…I'm fine," Cosette promised.
Throughout the whole trial, Cosette could feel her sweat coming down her face. She had never seen anything more atrocious in her entire life. Fleur Baudin was among the others to testify in Ninon's trial. Cosette could not help but flinch her eye where she stood. When it was enough from Fleur, Cardinal Richelieu dismissed her back into the crowd. Now what really had bothered Cosette was the fact that the Cardinal called on the woman Cosette had not heard from in a long time. It was Anne, or rather, Milady de Winter. Cosette knew from that moment on that there was definitely something going on. Except, it was not just that which had made her suspicious. It was that she was called "Madame de la Chapelle."
As the woman spoke, Athos slowly recognized her. He suddenly shouted from his place. Athos, who was usually stoic and calm, was now shouting accusations across the room. Guards had to restrain him, as Milady feigned her innocence. None of the Musketeers, not even Cosette had never seen him act like this before. Soon, Treville, Porthos and Aramis took hold of Athos, telling him to calm down. As soon as Milady was gone, Cosette saw Athos had calmed down but another part of him, she could see he had a murderous glare when she looked at his blue eyes. We wish we could say that Cosette put two and two together and saw that this woman she first met in Paris and Athos' wife were one and the same. However, she only knew that Milady as Anne, the woman who framed her for a murder and saved her life on that Vadim incident.
Based on Milady's "confession," the Cardinal pronounced judgement on Ninon. He found her guilty on accounts of witchcraft and sentenced her to death. Cosette saw the other court members gasping in their seats. She could not believe that Ninon was submitted to this kind of torture. However, the Queen came storming through the court room, followed by two of her ladies in waiting. The entire court stood up to acknowledge Queen Anne.
"Your Majesty," said the Cardinal.
"It is the King's wish..." Queen Anne began, "that unless the Comtesse de Larroque confesses her crimes freely and without torture, she be spared the death sentence."
Queen Anne held hands with Ninon to comfort her. However, what she did not count on seeing was her gift to Aramis being around Ninon's neck. Said Comtesse glared at the Cardinal.
"I have never consorted with the Devil until this moment," said Ninon. "I am looking at him."
"Condemned from her own mouth!" shouted the Cardinal, he pointed an accusing hand at her. "Such language amounts to a con... amounts to a...to... to..."
Everyone watched as the Cardinal choked on his own words. Cosette watched as he collapsed on the floor, reacting violently to the sudden poison. Cosette pushed open the doors as Aramis and Porthos carried the Cardinal to his chambers. She watched them tend to his illness as the King rushed into the room. It had actually been the first time she ever saw the King and Queen. She heard of them from Athos, Aramis, and Porthos but never before had she seen them.
It was rather different for her, she might add. Cosette's main concern was the Cardinal. Despite him being the enemy of the musketeers, Cosette knew he was still important to France. He lied about Ninon but she highly doubted that anyone of the Musketeers wanted to see him dead. They were servants to the crown after all.
Aramis, Porthos and Cosette returned to the room where the Cardinal had fallen to the ground. Cosette stepped on a few broken glasses and apologized for making more of a mess.
"Where is the Comtesse?" Athos inquired.
"They took her back to her cell," answered Porthos.
"The Cardinal?"
"Still alive, just." answered Aramis.
"Who has a reason to poison him?" Porthos asked.
"Who hasn't?" Aramis returned. He turned his concern back to Athos. When the men were not looking, Cosette slipped away quietly, heading her way towards Ninon's cell. None of the boys saw her leave as she made her way towards the cells.
"Athos. That woman, Madame de la Chapelle. Who is she? How do you know her? How do you know she was lying?"
"Her whole life is a lie," was Athos' only reply.
The trio conversed for a while with Luca Sestini as they tried figuring out what to do. Athos promised the Father his things would be returned to him before he left for Rome the next morning. As they figured out what to do, Porthos suggested they try Fleur Baudin as a list of suspects.
"Where's D'Artagnan?" Athos asked. Aramis and Porthos looked around the room and saw that their young companion was nowhere to be found.
"You have five minutes, Monsieur," said the nun. Ninon saw it was Cosette, who came to visit her friend. She did not mean to come into Ninon's praying but it was a rather inconvenient for them.
"Mademoiselle d'Artagnan," the countess addressed her.
"Comtesse Ninon, I..." Cosette was not sure what she should say. "I am sorry that there's nothing I could do to help you. If only I could..."
"Oh Cosette, don't worry for me."
Cosette looked down and saw she was praying on the rosary Aramis had given her. "Worry for those poor girls who have been forced to lie in front of the entire trial council."
"I'm just-I can not imagine what you are all going through," said Cosette. "You are a good woman, Comtesse Ninon."
Ninon reached forward to touch Cosette's hand. The young woman in turn took the Comtesse's hand. Quickly, she took them off when she heard the door open.
"Good luck, Ninon," Cosette said. Now taking that her time was up, she dipped her head towards Ninon and walked when the jailer escorted Cosette out of the room. Aramis sighed in relief.
"D'Artagnan, there you are," Aramis said. "Athos and Porthos and I have been searching the whole place for you."
"Why must you constantly worry where I am?" Cosette asked herself.
Aramis remained silent with her. He felt extremely uncomfortable around her. It was the urge to apologize for his teasing a few days ago.
"d'Artagnan, about the teasing you of being lovers with Ninon," Aramis said. Cosette looked to see him flash apologetic looks.
"Forget it, Aramis, it's water under the bridge," she answered.
A while later, the group went to Fleur Baudin. Both she and Constance were appalled by their accusations. Fleur stormed off, unable to take anymore of this nonsense. Before she left, Fleur revealed her father planned to marry her off to someone way older than her. Constance had nothing but sorrow coming her way.
Meanwhile, Ninon continued praying even after Cosette was gone, when suddenly, Milady de Winter came in through the doors. Milady was the last person she wanted to see. Milady was there on a personal matter: on account of the Cardinal.
"Have you come here to gloat?" Ninon snapped.
"I wouldn't waste my energy," Milady responded.
"There is nothing worse than a woman who betrays her own sex."
"I can think of a few things. But let's not argue."
"Why do you hate me? How have I ever hurt you?"
"You didn't. You're simply a victim of circumstance. Now, sadly, you must die."
"Not unless I admit to the charges, and I shall never do that."
"If you don't confess, the women of your salon will burn in your place. As will that pretty little girl you've grown fond of if the Cardinal should discover the truth of Cosette d'Artagnan. Surely you wish to save the lives of your accomplices and that poor girl in Satan?"
"You would do this?" Ninon snapped.
"You would kill them, even though you know they are innocent?"
"Admit you poisoned the Cardinal, as well. We might as well be thorough."
Ninon could not let that happen to the poor women. She worried. Not just for the worry of the women of her salon but of Cosette as well. Despite hardly knowing her, Ninon had grown fond of her. With that, Ninon confessed and would die at dawn.