TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
Chapter Nine.
Royal Palace
Paris.
It was early morning when the carriage of Cardinal Durand and his entourage trundled through the palace gates and into the courtyard. The horses snorting and whinnying as they came to an abrupt halt. The men dismounting their beasts and handing them over to the stable lads who had risen at dawn and tarried in wait for the entourage.
Royal Cambers
Two Hour Later.
Cardinal Durand had been summoned forthwith within twenty minutes of arriving back at the palace. The cleric becoming irate at being kept waiting outside the grand ornate doors. Right this moment his mind was in turmoil as he went over what possible questions the king would without doubt ask of him. His devoted Deacon Arouet had been foolish in his correspondence, the only outcome had been to hush his mouth, he would not hang for anyone. At least he knew he could rely on his two new recuits.
Durand jolted from his musing as the large ornate doors were suddenly opened by two guards.
"His majesty will receive you now Your Eminence." said the guard bluntly.
Durand had stood from the chaise longue, fixing his robes he slowly entered the chamber.
He felt a sudden enrage fill his very being as he noticed Captain Tréville and three of his men stood at Louis's left as he approached.
Just what is he up to? why are the interfering musketeer captain and his men in council with the oaf of a monarch.
Durand reached the group, he could feel all eyes on him as he bowed before his king.
Louis eyes peered right at him, what had these musketeers stirred up now.
"Your majesty, I gather you are most eager to discover my finding on trade with England.? murmered the cleric with a slight smirk. "The king sends his highest regards and has sent gifts of tea and his finest mead."
Tréville swapped discreet glances with his three men, each one catching each others rapid eyeline.
Louis stood abruptly from his chair and picked up a parchment from the table that stood to his right. The monarch had remained silent so far as he heeded Durands greeting.
"Right this moment Durand...gifts are the last thing on my mind...I trust you had a pleasant journey back from LaHarve? he asked almost theatrically.
Durand bowed his head once more as he caught Tréville's staring eyes.
"Slightly damp Sire, but we had no trouble on the road and were able to proceed through the storm."
The king re-took his seat and eyed his First Minister with intrigue, he waved the parchment between his fingers. Louis's features had become rapidly scarlet as he outstretched his arm and handed the missive to the perplexed cleric.
"Prey explicate to me Cardinal the meaning of such correspondence sent to a Madame Anon...written in Deacon Arouet's hand."
Durand felt the rage seething inside as he took the missive and read. His hand trembled slightly as he scanned down the page.
"Forgive me Sire...but may I enquire as to whom Madame Anon is...am I supposed to know this woman.?
Louis and Tréville swapped dubious glances before the king himself glared back at Durand.
"According to the message you yourself are mentioned withing its contents Cardinal." pressed the king sounding vexed.
Durand swallowed hard as he shot a enraged glance at Tréville and his men.
Look at them, standing there as if they own Paris. I will have my day you interfering mutineers.
"I am at a complete loss your majesty...I had become somewhat worried for my dear Deacon Arouet before I left for England...he was becoming rather fraught about certain tasks, I do believe Sire he was on the boundary of lunacy...his physician had discussed something similar with me months before."
Porthos clenched his teeth with hidden rage as he side glanced his brethren. The big musketeer knew they were feeling the same rage. What is this tale he was spinning, surely the king will see through his lies and deception.
Athos and Aramis swapped discreet iritated glances.
Tréville shook his head slightly in disbelief as he heeded the Cardinals words. The musketeer captain becoming more irked as each second ticked by, he could feel the incensed vexation emitting from his three men. He slowly saunted forward as he glared at Durand.
"Your majesty...this whole scenario is absurd...it is a complete fabrication...and I still have an innocent man confined in a cell within the Bastille because of this deception."
Louis shot a glance towards Tréville and held up his hand to pause the musketeer captains interruption before turning on Durand.
"Are you informing me that Deacon Arouet conspired to have one of my musketeers arrested for a crime that has unfounded proof of guilt?
Durand pursed his lips and stared down at the ground, he lifted his head up and stared at Tréville's enraged features before averting his eyes to Louis.
"I know nothing of such deception Sire...but as I explained prior, Deacon Arouet's behaviour has been somewhat unsettling."
Tréville sniggered and snorted as he glanced back at his men, he shook his head and turned to Louis.
The king had sat back in his chair and was pinching the bridge of his nose, his face that of dumbfounded curiosity.
"This is a travesty of justice your majesty...what would Deacon Arouet have against one of my men?
Louis sighed aloud and lifted his head up, he looked straight at the cardinal.
"Answer the captain Durand!
Durand felt his insides becoming a burning enrage as he stared at Tréville.
"I cannot Sire...I am at a loss myself."
The king eyed the cleric.
"You should have informed me about Arouet's behaviour sooner Cardinal, maybe we could have thwarted this whole charade."
Durand bowed his head.
"My humble apologies Sire...I was unaware he was capable of such deception...he was always a man of few words."
"WAS? retorted Athos suddenly. "You speak as though he is dead your eminence."
Porthos and Aramis not taking their eyes off Durand waited for his response.
Durand suddenly corrected his error as he caught the swordmans glare.
Damn musketeer!
"IS...I learned he has fled the palace, I was merely anticipating he will not return...knowing what he has done." came the answer.
"So does this mean we may release Musketeer d'Artagnan Sire? asked Tréville suddenly.
Louis stood and sauntered over to his table, he picked up a parchment and quill and began to scribble.
The king turned towards Tréville and his men, he handed the missive to the older man and cast a glance to each musketeer.
"This is an order for his immediate release Tréville."
The musketeer captain took the missive and bowed his head.
"I am most grateful Sire...thank you."
He turned to his three elated men and handed the letter to Athos.
"Go!
The three musketeers bowed to their king before turning to leave the chamber. Their booted footfalls reverberated off the walls as they approached the doors and closed them behind them.
Louis turned to Durand.
"When and if Deacon Arouet returns Cardinal...you will summon him to my chambers forthwith...I will not have the palace clergy conspiring behind my back...do I make myself clear?
Durand bowed his head.
"As you wish Sire...I shall have the red guard search for him without hesitation. I myself will scold him heavily."
"It sounds to me that scolding is not the answer Cardinal, you say he is unstable, he should be banished from Paris. I will not have him attend my court."
"I shall see to it myself Sire." murmered Durand.
oooOooo
Office Chambers Of
Cardinal Durand.
One Hour Later.
Durand sat at his desk, wine goblet in one hand. He sat back musing over the past hours proceedings. He averted his eyes towards the door as a subtle rapping was heard.
"Come in! yelled Durand.
The cleric watched as the door opened and Captain Tréville entered. The musketeer captain showing obvious indignation.
Durand put down his goblet and smirked slightly.
"Ahh...Tréville...I trust your musketeer has been released?
Tréville paused at the desk and glared into the clerics haughty features.
Durand refilled his goblet and swigged back a mouthful of wine.
"Was there something else Captain? he squirmed.
Tréville leaned both hands on the desk and clenched his teeth, his eyes boring into the Cardinals very sole as he leaned in closer.
"The king may believe your fairytale Durand...but alas I do not, If you so much as look at any of my men in the wrong way I will personally hang you myself, I have brought men more powerful than you will ever be down to their knees...I am not going to impede that now."
Tréville turned to go, he paused in his tracks as Durand spoke.
"Be careful Tréville...I may have your regiment disbanded." scoffed Durand taking another swig of wine. "I have more influence than you will ever know."
Tréville snorted a chuckle.
"Cardinal Richelieu said something akin to your words Durand...he is now in his grave rotting away."
Tréville turned again swiftly, his blue cloak swirling with his every movement.
He slammed the door behind him, leaving Durand staring after him.
oooOooo
Musketeer Garrison
Bath House.
d'Artagnan lay back in the warm water, his eyes closed as his mind mused over the past hours of sheer hell. Tiny droplets ran down his shoulders and onto the floor around him. The lavendar aroma filled the steamy air as he opened his eyes and ran the soap over his body. He knew he could rely on his captain and brothers, he knew they would come for him. The Gascon slid down beneath the water as he lathered his hair, it felt wonderful.
Garrison Dining Chamber.
d'Artagnan spooned up the stew ravenously, he broke the bread in half and dipped it into the gravy.
His three brothers swapping grins and glances as they watched their hungry younger brother fill his stomach.
Serge appeared with a large tureen and placed it on the table.
"Here lad...there be more if thee wants it, your must be starvin'
d'Artagnan glanced up at the veteren cook.
"Thanking you Serge...you are the best." he managed to say between mouthfuls.
Aramis chuckled as he watched the Gascon eat.
"This must be the only time I have seen someone actually eat more than Porthos."
Porthos swigged back some ale and frowned at the marksman.
"Rubbish...he has to get through that tureen yet...he will never do it." grinned the big musketeer.
"You carry on my friend you deserve it." said Athos patting the Gascon on the shoulder.
d'Artagnan nodded obliviously as he ate.
"You certainly smell better mon ami." smiled Aramis leaning in closer and sniffing his brother.
"Yeah...I got a slight whiff of rat and rottin' scraps when we opened the cell door." chuckled Porthos.
"Hope you are feeling well mon ami? murmered Athos.
"I feel just fine now." replied d'Artagnan as he wiped the bread around the bowl and ate it. "The bathe did me the worls of good."
That moment Brujon peered around the door.
"The captain wants to see you all when you have finished eating." he said as he entered.
"We may be a while." laughed Porthos eyeing d'Artagnan.
The Gascon sat back suddenly and puffed out his cheeks.
"NO! you win my friend...I have had quite my fill."
Athos turned to the cadet musketeer.
"Inform the captain we are on our way Brujon.
"Yes lieutenant." replied the young man heading for the door.
ooooooOOoooooo
TBC...
Hi Guys,
Hope you are all well.
Cannot believe how near to Christmas we are, where did the year go?
Well I hope you are staying with the story because the boys are in for a rough ride.
May be slightly late posting this week, work commitments, But I will do my upmost.
Speak Soon
Pippa xxx
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