Chapter 6 All is Quiet
The Queen was in her private audience chambers with Constance as they waited for Athos to sneak through the service entrance with D'artagnan and Porthos. It was time to tell the two everything and for Athos to tell her what he had discovered in the north. She was terrified, excited, and anxious all at once for she did not know if the news Athos would bring would be good, bad, or nothing. As she was thinking this a small knock came from the servant's entrance, Constance went over and opened the door.
Athos entered followed promptly by D'artagnan and Porthos whom all bowed to her and D'artagnan wasted no time in giving his wife a generous kiss. This made Anne smile if only a little. But, the kiss was ended rather abruptly by Athos clearing his throat resulting rather identical embarrassed smiles from the two.
"D'artagnan, Porthos let me start by saying I am sorry for keeping the two of you out of this for so long. Do not blame Athos or Constance for they were under oath from me so as to not give anything away but, I can no longer afford to keep you in the dark. Whatever news Athos has brought you both have a right to know." Anne stopped and took a deep breath as she took the rosary that she now kept with her at all times from her the hidden pouch in her skirts and held it up for all in the room to see. "I found this four years ago in Philip's chambers. . ."
"WHAT?!" Porthos started but, Anne held up her hand silencing him in an instant.
She looked from Porthos' now reddening face clearly visible even through his chocolate skin to D'artagnan's shocked silence. Anne then continued, "that is when I got Athos and Constance involved. Three days ago Constance got a Cryptic letter from a Nun in the Northern part of France and Athos has come to deliver what he has found out." She then turned expectantly to Athos who had gone white which dropped her heart into her stomach.
Athos cleared his throat and managed to get only three words out, "Aramis is alive."
Anne's heart did a summersault, and she guessed the same look was on her face as she saw echoed in the other three shock, joy, terror. All at once every question she had ever had came tearing out of her mouth, "Is he ok? What has happened to him? Was Louis behind it? Why had Athos just left him there?" at that last question Anne put her hand over her mouth in shock she knew Athos would have an excellent reason.
He told her solemnly, " I could not simply rescue him in regular circumstances, and unfortunately these are far worse." Athos took a deep breath and told her everything about Aramis. When he was done, Anne was on the floor just staring into space Constance beside her with a hand on her shoulder. But, everything else was just a blur. She came out of her stupor when Athos gave her a letter saying that they came from the sister.
Taking the one addressed to her she opened it,
To her Royal Highness Queen Anne of France
Forgive me for not writing sooner. But I could not be sure if the mail would be secure. I know I can trust whichever musketeer you send to get these letters to you. My baptismal name was Claude fille de France my father is Prince du Sang François iii the second letter is to him but, I recommend that you only tell him if necessary. The name should be all the power you need. Along with the knowledge that his monster laid hands on me. I am only a first-year professed and so at anytime if I so thought that God was leading me somewhere else I would then again be Claude fille de France. With that information and the stamped seal on the second page of the letter, you may just have enough proof to force the king to pardon Aramis. And In the very least prevent him from taking action against you once you have rescued Aramis.
May God be with you All,
Sister Chiara
Anne looked up taking care to look each in they eyes as she said firmly, "you are going to rescue Aramis. And I am going to have a word with Louis."
The Abbey
Sr. Chiara was waiting for them when they arrived an hour or so before dusk. Before anyone could say anything, however, Sr. Chiara said, "we leave now for the Castle fresh horses are waiting for you."
Athos blinked confused, Porthos grunted, and D'artagnan started to ask, "Wha. ." but, she cut him off with three words.
"Grimaud is coming," She paused to make sure she would not be interrupted, "He will be here in a day or sooner. If you wish to save Aramis, we must move now." And, that is just what they did.
Aramis' Cell
Aramis stood in the blackness of his cell. Hands chained behind his back connecting with the chains on his ankles completely constricting his movements. His mouth was gagged, and Grimaud held a dagger to his throat with one hand and held his head back with another gripping tightly to his hair. Just as he began to wonder what was going on, he heard a voice he had not heard in so many many years.
"Aramis," whispered Porthos.