TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.

Chapter Three.

Bastille.

The large looming metal doors were pushed open as Tréville and his men entered the main gates of the Bastille. They were suddenly halted in their tracks as two red guard approached from the gatehouse.

"What be your business musketeers? sneered one of the guards, a slight distorting smirk on his lips.

Porthos clenched his teeth with vexation as he glared at the two men.

"We are 'ere to speak with our comrade...so open the doors...NOW! he sneered.

The two red guard swapped amusing glances.

"You are not permitted entry musketeers...you have wasted your time...so just turn on your heels and return from whence you came."

Tréville stood forward as he took a missive from inside his doublet pocket and held it out to the two guards.

"I think you will find that we have authority from the king himself."

The taller guard took the parchment, broke the seal and read down the page, noticing the royal insignia he handed it to his comrade to check.

"So if you would be so kind gentlemen and open the doors...so we can speak with musketeer d'Artagnan." retorted Athos.

"What is there to say to him...he is a rapist and would be murderin' reprobate." smiked the guard.

Porthos glared, his fearures that of enrage as he grabbed the guard by the scruff of the neck.

"That be my friend you slander...I don't take kindly to someone spreading untruths."

Aramis and Athos grabbed at their big friend as he let go of the guards throat.

Aramis patted his friends shoulder.

"Come Porthos...they know nothing...they are mindless oafs...they heed false rumour."

"I suggest you open the doors now." growled Tréville. "I do not think Captain Chabot will take kindly to his men impeding a royal demand."

"Or the king himself for that matter." added Aramis.

The two guards glared at the musketeer captain before turning to the others.

"Open the doors! seethed the taller guard.

Aramis quirked a brow and smirked.

That was not too difficult was it? he murmered sardonically.

"Now you will show us the way to our comrades cell." demanded Athos.

The taller guard nodded to his fellow guard to follow the order.

The man picked up a lighted torch from its sconce and began to lead the musketeers down the dark and reeking passage.

Screams and cries emitted into the darkness as the musketeers meandered down the cold and dim passageway. The lighted torch casting eerie shadows as they walked.

"Sooner we get him out of this hell hole the better." murmered Athos under his breath.

The red guard turned and smiked towards the swordsman.

"The only way he will be getting out of here musketeer is in a wooden box."

Porthos had clenched his fist obliviously as he heeded the guards words.

"You'll be in a bloody box if you say another word." he growled loudly, his enraged tones reverberating off the passage walls.

Tréville glared at the guard.

"You forget yourself man...I can always inform Chabot of your behaviour towards a prisoner who has not yet been sentenced to any crime as of yet. So if I were you I would hush your mouth."

The guard shot a glaring glance at each musketeer before carrying on down the passage. Leaving Trévilles men exchanging looks of iritation.

The guard suddenly paused at the door of a cell in he unhooked a large bunch of keys from his belt and shot a glance at Tréville and his men. He turned and began to twist the key in the lock prompting a rasping sound as he turned it.

"He's probably froze to death by now." sneered the guard turning and catching Athos' glare.

"If anything should happen to him, I will personally kill you myself without hesitation." he murmered into the guards ear.

The guards smirk waned as he pushed open the dirt ridden cell door, it scraped on the cold floor as it was forced open.

"And if he don't I will! sneered Porthos.

"You can leave us be now! ordered Athos suddenly.

The guard glared.

"Don't even think of trying anything musketeers...I am only down the passage."

Aramis grinned into the mans face and patted his shoulder.

"We are musketeers...we are always on good behaviour."

The guard looked from one man to the other before turning on his heel.

Tréville grabbed a torch from its sconce and entered the dark reeking cell followed by the others.

A sudden movement could be heard as their imprisoned brother stirred.

"Captain...is that you? came his hoarse sounding voice.

d'Artagnan was crouched in the corner, he looked up slowly as the brightness of the torch filled the cell, he placed his hand over his eyes and squinted realising his brothers were also withTréville.

Aramis moved swiftly to his younger brothers side and placed the blanket he had been carrying around his shoulders.

"How you faring mon ami." asked the medic softly.

The Gascon looked broken as he met Aramis' eyes. He shivered as he pulled the blanket around himself and glanced up at the others.

Tréville crouched on his haunches and looked into the young musketeers foreboding features.

"We will get you out of here d'Artagnan...but we need to know exactly what you can remember."

Porthos had taken bread and ham from inside his doublet and handed it to his brother.

"Here...get that down yer...I bet you 'avn't eaten anythin' he growled.

d'Artagnan took the bread and ham and ate ravenously.

"I thank you for this...all I was given was what they called broth...looked like it had been eaten once already."

Aramis winced at the very thought.

Athos handed the Gascon a waterskin.

d'Artagnan caught the swordmans caring stare and nodded his thanks before taking a gulp, he paused in mid swig and forced a smile from his dishevelled features.

"Wine...thank you my friend."

Athos quirked a brow as he took his place beside the Gascon. "As the captain has already stated...we need to know what happened my friend."

"Indeed." added Aramis. "We have four days to clear your name."

The Gascon sighed loudly.

"Have you any clue's as to whom would conspire such a devious plot as to actually make me look guiltly."

The musketeers exchanged glances.

"I have my suspicions...but I need proof." replied Tréville as he stood from the ground and leaned against the door frame.

"Our dear Cardinal Durand is at the top of my list." growled Porthos. " Wouldn't put nothin' past 'im."

"Thats why we need to know everything that happened on your way to the garrison. Every detail you can." said Athos.

d'Artagnan was nodding as he swept his hair from his face. He looked at each of his brothers in turn before casting his glance at Tréville.

"From the beginning." murmered the older man.

The young musketeer leaned his arms on his bent knees and began to ponder as his mind thought back to that very morning, he took another swig of wine from the skin as began to muse.

Flashback...

Constance and d'Artagnan weaved their way between the market goers and traders as they meandered down the lane. Constance stopping to buys a loaf of bread, she handed the baker the coins and carried on walking.

"You are going to be late for muster if your not careful...Captain Tréville will be blaming me." smiled the young woman as she popped the bread into her basket.

d'Artagnan turned to her and stared into her beautiful face.

"Sounds like you are trying to get rid of me." he whispered into her ear.

Constance smiled.

"Of course I am not...I do not want you getting into trouble that is all."

"I know...I am teasing you." grinned the Gascon kissing her forhead softly.

Reaching up on her tiptoes Constance kissed his lips. She flicked his hair out of his eyes and smiled.

"Now go...I have chores to get on with."

d'Artagnan grinned as he returned the kiss.

"I might even see you at the palace." he murmered as he turned and began to walk away.

Constance watched after him as he turned the corner and vanished.

The Gascon walked at a rapid pace as he meandered down the street. His thoughts that of what today would bring, children ran past him as they played and laughed. The musketeer almost colliding with them as they raced around the corner.

d'Artagnan suddenly became aware of a womans voice as she pleaded to two men to leave her be. The Gascon pausing in his tracks as he wandered towards the group.

"You heard what the lady said gentlemen...leave her be!

The two men turned on the young man and glared.

"What 'as it got to do with you musketeer?

d'Artagnan looked from one to the other.

"It appears you are harassing her, I do not take kindly to men who torment women."

One of the men grinned, his yellowing rotten teeth on show.

"And what are you going to do about it musketeer?

d'Artagnan glanced from one to the other and quirked both brows.

"I will have you arrested for disorder and thrown into the garrison cells."

The woman moved swiftly between the men and d'Artagnan.

"Please monsieur...it be alright...they were askin' me for rent...I will fetch the coin, it be my own fault for not payin' on time."

d'Artagnan nodded as she spoke.

I'm seeing two of each man, why is the ground moving beneath me, I feel like I am floating.

Darkness came...

The Gascon awoke with a start, he could hear a woman screaming. He sat up in the bed, realising he was naked he scanned the dimly lit chamber for his clothes, what was happening, where was he, what is this place. He wrapped the blanket around his body noticing his uniform strewn on the floor, he began to dress, the scream became louder as three red guard burst threw the door followed by the crying woman.

"That is him...he raped me and said he would kill me if I did tell." screeched the dispairing woman.

The three red guard stood glaring at the half dressed musketeer, sneering snorts emitted into the air.

"Well! well! well! if it isn't musketeer d'Artagnan...not so honourable now are you we musketeer."

d'Artagnan stared with sheer confusion manifesting itself on his face.

"I do not know this woman, I have no clue as how I became to be in this place gentlemen, you have got it wrong, take me to Captain Tréville, he will tell you."

The three guard sniggered and smirked.

"That old story hey musketeer, but it would seem we have caught you red handed."

d'Artagnan continued to dress swiftly as he argued his innocence.

"Look...I do not know what is going on here...I never raped or attacked any woman. You have got all this wrong."

"Well we will see about that...you are under arrest and will come with us NOW!

d'Artagnan stared at the despairing woman.

"Madame...tell them...you have it all wrong...I am not the man whom attacked you."

The woman turned away and continued to sob into her cape.

The superior guard snorted.

"So why are you half dressed in her bed chamber...kindly justify that."

The other guards sniggered aloud, prompting the Gascon to clench his teeth with anger.

"This is a mockery...I have not done anything wrong...can you not see it is a ruse."

"TAKE HIM! retorted the belligerent guard.

d'Artagnan was seized and tethered as the guards hustled him out of the chamber and down the stone steps.

"I demand I speak to Captain Tréville...NOW! seethed the Gascon.

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH MUSKETEER! growled one of the guards.

oooooooOOooooooo

TBC...

Hi Guys,

I want to thank you all for the brilliant reveiws, you are all very kind with your words, thank you so much for taking the time to write them. I really apprecate your thoughts.

Well will Tréville and the boys clear d'Artagnan's name, or is there more devious plots to come.

Speak soon

Pippa xxxx

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