TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
Chapter Ten.
Musketeer Garrison.
Captain Tréville stood staring over the roof tops of Paris, another storm had decided to make its presence known. The dark skies seemed a perfect backdrop for Notre Dame as the cathedral shone from the remaining daylight that lingered. The people of Paris rushed through the streets as the rain became heavier with every passing second. The events of the past few days had weighed heavily on the musketeer captians mind, he had had one of his men arrested for a crime that had become a charade of false allegations. Tréville knew Cardianl Durand was involved, but he also knew he needed that proof, he had been swift in throwing the blame on his missing deacon. Tréville sighed aloud as he turned back into the candlelit chamber and glanced over at his four men who sat in a semi circle around his desk. He picked up his fine brandy and re-took his seat at his desk and poured into five goblets.
"Durand is turning out to a reprobate captain." murmered Aramis as he picked up his own goblet and swished the brandy with a gentle wrist flick.
"Turning out you say...he was born a reprobate." responded the musketeer captain with a snigger.
"I truely believed we had gotten rid of such rogues when Richelieu died." commented d'Artagnan. "It would seem this cardinal makes him look somewhat mild in comparison."
Athos glanced at his brothers as he sipped back some brandy and placed his goblet on the desk.
"It baffles me as to why Deacon Arouet became involved in such guileful behaviour, he has always seemed such a placid and bashful man." added the swordsman.
Porthos sniggered aloud.
"That bloody cardinal has probably cajoled 'im into doin' somethin' he didn't want, I wouldn't trust Durand as far as I could throw 'im...he's as cunning as a fox dog."
"That's probably why he fled so swiflty...he was probably fearing for his life." commented Aramis.
Tréville swigged the rest of the contents in his goblet.
"We will leave Arouet to the red guard for the time being, they will no doubt find the man, in the meantime gentlemen I want to find out what our Cardinal is up to. And we need to find this Madame Anon."
"One thing captain." said Athos suddenly. "Aramis and I never did find this mystery woman, maybe we should pay another visit."
Aramis quirked both brows as he heeded his brothers words.
"Artus Bernas...the former red guard captain, he did say he would help us with our findings."
d'Artagnan furrowed his brows in response to the marksmans words.
"Former red guard!...tell me your jesting? queried the Gascon in awe.
All eyes turned on the young man.
"He was a red guard years before any of you boys were born d'Artagnan." answered Tréville swiftly, knowing full well he had had this same conversation with the others. "He was once a most honourable red guard of the kings father Henry lV."
d'Artagnan shot a glance to each of his brothers as Tréville spoke.
"Honourable!...do the red guard even know the meaning of the word?
Porthos snorted and sniggered.
"Thats now lad, they were once an honourable regiment, now they can't even spell honourable."
Aramis chuckled with a nod in agreement at the big man.
"The old king would be enraged at what he witnessed now." he murmered.
"King Henry would never have tolerated such a sham regiment now." added Tréville folding his arms behind his head. "He would have had the lot disbanded for insubordination against the crown."
"What misfortune our dear king Louis does not perceive such festering dishonour within the ranks today." retorted Athos. "It would certainly make our tasks much easier to endure."
"Indeed." commented Aramis.
That moment the musketeers converse was paused and glances were exchanged as loud footfalls reverberated on the wooden staircase outside Tréville's office, followed by the voice of an anxious Brujon yelling to whoever it was to stop, that the captain was busy.
Athos was first up followed by the others as they grabbed their pistols in anticipation.
A loud rap was heard prompting Tréville to respond.
"COME IN! he growled aloud.
The four musketeers stood weilding their weapons as the door opened.
Two red guards entered, both paused in their footsteps, faces red and flustered as they waited for the musketeers pistols to lower.
The smaller guard glared at each man.
"Calm yourselves musketeers...we are simply here with a message from our captain." he murmered.
The taller guard reached into his tunic pocket and handed Tréville a missive.
"Captain Venell conveys this...Tréville."
Porthos glared.
"Its captain Tréville to you...where's yer manners? he growled. "And why does it take two of yer to deliver a missive?
The smaller guard grinned as he caught the big musketeers glaring features.
Aramis sniggered as he placed a hand on Porthos's shoulder and laughed.
"Probably too afraid to enter the garrison alone my friend. Too great a risk."
Porthos chuckled with a guffaw laugh, prompting a warning glance from Tréville to both musketeers to cease the goading.
The tall guard smirked as Tréville took the missive and broke the red guard seal.
All eyes turned on the older man as he read down the page, his brows furrowed as he scrutinised the parchment.
Athos was watching his captains reaction, something in the missive had agitated the man. He had seen that look before and did not like it, something was very wrong.
Tréville glanced up at the two red guard as they tarried for a reply.
"Inform Captain Venell we shall come swiflty."
Both guards nodded, they cast a glance towards the musketeers before turning on their heel and leaving the chamber.
Brujon was red faced as he closed the door behind them and turned to Tréville.
"My apologies captain, they just suddenly appeared and were up the steps before I knew it."
Tréville jolted from his muse as the cadet spoke, he picked up his goblet and swigged back the rest of the contents.
"Its fine Brujon...its fine...carry on with your tasks lad."
Tréville waited until the boy had closed behind himself.
The musketeers exchanging perplexed and fretful eye contact with one another.
"Captian? pressed Athos suddenly. "What is it?
Tréville stood from his chair and began to put on his doublet.
"Deacon Arouet...his body has been found in the forest...near to the LaHarve road...apparently shot through the head."
The men looked from one to the other as they swapped bewildered glances.
"Porthos! d'Artagnan! you will both accompany me to the palace, Aramis! Athos! continue your search for Madame Anon."
The musketeers moved swiflty as they responded to Captain Tréville's orders, the five men emerging from the office chamber as they discended the wooden steps.
ooOoo
Rue La Huchette House.
Madame Estelle Bernas stood aside as the two musketeers entered the house.
"My husband said you would be back." she said as she closed the door behind them. "He also told me to allow you entry."
Aramis bowed slightly with a winsome smile, his hat against his chest as he took the womans hand in his and kissed her white knuckles.
Athos rolled his eyes as he watched his brother's antics.
"You are most kind madame, we learned your husband was once a guard in the royal palace. And may I say how warm it is within the house, the weather outside is chilling to the bone."
The elderly woman nodded as she began to walk towards her scullery. The two men following her.
"I have some heated meade on the fire if you want to try some musketeers, I find it heats the body up when cold."
Athos and Aramis caught each others glances as they followed her into the scullery. A roaring fire burned in the grate, the flames licking up into the chimney breast.
"Why thank you madame...that would indeed be most gratifying I'm sure." replied Aramis.
Both musketeers sat drinking the meade as the elderly woman chopped up vegatables.
Athos quirked a brow as he took a sip and nodded his appreciation towards his friend.
"Can I ask madame." asked the swordsman.
"Is Madame Anon at home?
The old woman glanced up from her vegatables, her features deep in thought.
"Last time you two young men visited, you asked about a certain Madame Jenelle, I have never heard of, but yes Madame Evette Anon is in residence here, but whether she be home is another story, it be rare she is home in the day, she is occupied at night time, my husnabd may know, he sits all day watching everyone coming and going. But I tell you now, be careful, I heed she can be trouble if provoked."
"I am surprised you permitted her to lodge here Madame." murmered Aramis.
The elderly woman turned to stir her stewing pot.
"She pays me rent on time each week, we need the income to live on." came the answer.
"If we may be permitted to go up to speak with your husband madame." asked Athos suddenly.
She dryed her hands on her apron and nodded.
"Certainly...you know where he is."
Artus Bernas remained in his position of staring out of the window as he yelled come in to the two musketeers.
"I watched you both walk down the lane towards the house, I am glad you returned musketeers. I informed my dear wife to allow you access."
Athos and Aramis swapped quirked glances as the old mans hoarse voice murmered.
"We had to come back Monsieur, we need to find Madame Anon, we believe her to be involved in conspiring with Cardinal Durand." retorted Athos walking across the chamber towards the old man.
Artus Bernas glanced up at the swordsman.
"She was here this morning and went out, she sometimes returns a couple of hours later, by all means gentlemen you may tarry in wait."
"That is our intention Monsieur, it is most paramount we speak with her." said Aramis.
Athos had walked to the window, he stared down at the busy street below, people returning from market, children playing.
"In what direction does she come from? he asked as he continued his scrutiny of the street.
The old man stirred as he shot a glance up at the swordsman.
"The road straight ahead, she is usually accompanied by three men." he relied hoarsly.
Aramis quirked both brows as he took a seat.
"Do you know these men Monsieur? he asked.
Artus shook his head.
"Never seen two of them before, the other one was the man whom I seen talking to your musketeer before he was arrested."
Both Athos and Aramis switched curious eye contact.
Another hour ticked by as the two musketeers waited and watched at the window. The old mans wife had brought up broth and bread for all.
The streets were becoming less occupied, the winter light was beginning to fade, the first candles had been lit in the windows of the Parisian people.
Aramis suddenly stirred as he hit out at Athos arm with the back of his hand.
"I do believe she is on her way now." he murmered taking out his scope and peering though the lens.
Athos had joined his friend at the window, they had left the chamber dark as so not to be seen. Just a lone candle burned on the table near to Monsieur Bernas.
The swordsman had taken out his own scope and scrutinised the riders approaching.
"A woman and two men, could that be her Monsieur? asked Aramis turning to the old man.
"What colour is her cloak? he asked swiflty.
"Gold brocade." came the sudden answer from Athos.
Artus nodded.
"That be her gentlemen...that be her. "Be very careful musketeers...those men look fierce."
"Do not fret Monsieur...we are trained soldiers." replied Aramis.
oooooOOooooo
TBC...
Thank you for reading guys, hope you are still enjoying the ride.
I do hope you are all very well.
I will do my upmost to post new at the weekend.
Speak soon
Pippa xxx
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