TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.

Chapter Eleven.

Rue La Huchette House.

Athos and Aramis slowly crept onto the top floor landing, the two musketeers waiting in the corner of darkness as they heard the womans voice speaking to the two men as they ascended the stairs and entered her chamber closing the door behind them.

Athos stepped forward slightly before pausing in his tracks as Madame Anon's door opened once more and the two men emerged and hurried down the stairs towards the front entrance. The two friends in silent conversation as they watched the men vacate the house.

"It seems she is now alone, they have left." murmered Athos.

Aramis nodded.

"I wonder where they are going at such haste? he commented as he followed Athos down the stairs.

Athos rapped on the chamber door, Aramis keeping his eyes trained on the entrance knowing the two men could return at any time.

The door opened slowly with a slight creek, Madame Anon's eyes peering through the small gap, she opened the door wider and eyed each man in turn.

"Ahh...musketeers, what brings you to my door? she smirked softly.

"You are Madame Evette Anon are you not." asked Athos.

The woman frowned slightly, lines forming on her forehead.

"I am...who wants to know?

"We wish to speak with you madame." replied. Athos.

The woman pursed her lips and smirked.

"You had better come in then gentlemen." came the reply.

Athos and Aramis shot a swift glance at each other as they followed her inside.

The aroma of primrose scent filled the air as she turned, her long tresses caressed her shoulders. Her tall frame walking gracefully towards a chaise longue were she sat draping her robes around the furniture.

She glanced towards the two men who stood watching her.

"Now...prey tell me...how can I help you musketeers?

"I think you already know why we are here madame." retorted Athos as he scanned around the chamber, the same chamber he and Aramis had searched only hours prior.

Evette stirred into the swordmans eyes, she turned to Aramis and smirked.

"It seems your friend thinks me a sorcerer...I do not know as to what you mean Monsieur."

Aramis quirked his brows and eyed her.

"A couple of days ago one of our comrades was arrested for rape and attempted murder...we believe the woman involved was yourself madame."

She glanced from one man to the other swiftly before gesturing to them both to sit.

The two musketeers sat at the table in the middle of her chamber.

Aramis noticed how she figited with her hair, and nervously scratched at her wrist.

"I am at a loss gentlemen...I have not been involved in any such heinous a crime...you must have the wrong abode."

Athos leaned one arm on the table and stirred at her in almost disbelief. How she takes us for fools, she sounds almost licit.

"Oh we have the correct house madame, we also know you are working for Cardinal Durand, it would be most wise of you if would accompany us to the Garrison forthwith. There are questions that need answering."

Evette began to chuckle out loud prompting both musketeers to swap rapid glances.

"Really musketeers you really need to find other tasks to keep you occupied, I always thought you were honourable men, but it seems you take enjoyment in involving innocent women in your fantasy crimes. Why don't you both run along and find some other gullible female to torment."

"Believe me madame the only one here living a fantasy is yourself, would you prefer I call you madame Anon or Jenelle? asked Athos bluntly.

Evette stood instantly as did Athos and Aramis, she stared into the swordmans face and clenched her teeth tightly with rage. She swung her right hand up towards his face, only to be thwarted by the musketeers tight grip to her wrist as he ceased the blow.

Athos stared into her face and shook his head slightly.

"Not a wise move madame." he murmered.

Aramis smirked at his friend and quirked a brow.

"It is usually I who has to impede a females slap to the face mon ami, especially one who discovers I have many lady friends." he murmered into his friends ear.

Aramis received an irksome roll of the eyes from the swordsman.

"Tether her, I fear she will not come quietly."

"I think I would remember if I had been involved in such repulsive goings on." she seethed in rage. Her words of anger were ignored.

Aramis took Evette by the hands and secured her wrists, he smiled into her eyes.

"Forgive me madame...I do not want to have to hurt you...it is not in my blood. But it seems you are standing belligerent."

Evette struggled against the marksman to no avail as he held the tethers.

"You are making one big mistake musketeers...I warn you both now...there will be reprecussions, your allegations are a complete charade."

Athos glared at her as she was led out of the door, he glanced upwards noticing the elderly woman watching the proceedings from the landing.

"We will see madame...we will see." he retorted.

Palace Mortuary.

Captain Tréville entered the palace mortuary followed closely by Porthos and d'Artagnan. The mortician glanced up at the three men as they scanned the large cold and sombre chamber. Captain Venell was already present as they approached the slab.

"Captain Tréville...I have been expecting you." greeted the mortician hoarsly.

Tréville nodded in acknowledgement towards Venell receiving a nod back.

The mortician pulled back the calico sheet revealing the body of Deacon Arouet.

Porthos and d'Artagnan swapped glances as they moved nearer to the slab.

All eyes stared down at the shattered scull of the cleric. The stench of dry rotting blood emitted into the air.

"Dear God...this is a cold blooded slaughter." gasped Tréville.

The mortician nodded.

"That it is captian that it is, prey tell me who kills a man of God?

"I would say someone who has a lot to hide and is fearful for his life." growled Porthos.

d'Arragnan scrutinised the wound carefully.

"Was he shot anywhere else? he asked glancing up at th mortician.

The man shook his head.

"No...just the head, it would have been instant looking at that shattered scull."

Tréville turned to Venell, he noticed how the man had remained hushed, he appeared fraught, almost reticent, the red guard captain had seen many a dead body over the years, he knew that would not bother him, but something certainly was.

"Where exactly did you find his body? asked the musketeer captain.

Venell jolted from his muse.

"The LaHarve road, I wrote it in the missive Tréville." he retorted.

"Just checking Venell...just checking." came the reply.

"How far from Paris? asked Porthos.

Venell glanced up at the big musketeer.

"About two hours away...hidden in the bracken, we would never have found him if it wasn't for his cloak, it had gotten caught on the thorns."

"Has Cardinal Durand been informed of this? pressed Tréville.

"No...I thought I should send word to you first Tréville...the king is not even aware of the finding."

Tréville caught Porthos and d'Artagnan's swift glances at Venell's words.

He was indeed acting very strange for a man who thrived on taking all the credit, he was in fact very melancholy.

The musketeer captain nodded slightly as he eyed him.

"Then I shall inform them both myself Venell...you should have notified the king staight away."

Tréville turned to go before glancing back at the mortician.

"Be aware...you may have visitors...have the Deacon's body moved to the chapel. No doubt the the king himself will want to pay his respects."

The mortician nodded in acknowledgement.

"What about the Cardinal...he was his friend was he not?

Tréville averted his eyes to Venell before answering.

"I do not believe Durand is a man who has many friends...but I am certain he has plenty a minion."

Tréville turned to his men and ushered them to the door. He could tell both musketeers were also perplexed by Venell's behaviour.

"Come...we need to speak to the king."

The three men walked down the passageway on their way to the royal chambers, unaware of the observing eyes of one of the red guards who stood on duty outside the Mortuary, the eyes of James Payne one of Durands English spies.

"Something is amiss in this whole parody, Venell knows more than he is willing to discuss." murmered Tréville as they walked swiflty.

"He didn't seem his usual contrary bloody minded self, I noticed that." growled Porthos.

"I find it rather a coincidence that the Deacon was murdered on the same road that the Cardinal was travelling on, wasn't Venell and his men escorting his eminence back to Paris? commented d'Artagnan.

"Gets more and more complex by the minute." murmered Tréville.

Porthos paused in his tracks prompting Tréville and d'Aartagnan to stop and look back at him.

"What? asked d'Artagnan.

"Wait...the Deacon fled the palace...the king had summoned him to ask him some questions about that letter Athos and Aramis found."

Tréville nodded in agreement, his mind a mudle of thoughts.

"Your right...I reckon he went to meet the Cardinal on his way back from LaHarve...maybe they were both involved in this charade."

oooOooo

Palace Crypt.

Cardinal Durand paced back and forth, his cloak billowed out as he turned sharply and glared at the the two men stood before him. The same two men that had accompanied Madame Anon back to her abode.

"Why did you not just kill them both you fools, you know what the musketeers are capable of."

"Too many witnesses cardinal, they took her back to the garrison cells, no doubt to question her whereabouts." came the reply. "If we had been seen killing two musketeers it would have made matters worse."

Durnad clenched his teeth fiercely distorting his features.

"You have get her out of there, I do not care how you do it, kill anyone who stands in your path, I will not have Tréville and his musketeers hinder my plans, they need to be obliterated from this earth." he almost spat out.

Durand glared at both men enraged.

"Do I make myself clear gentlemen? he seethed.

"I have never killed a musketeer before Cardinal...I feel somewhat joyful at the prospect." came the reply.

Durand eye both men.

"GO!...do not fail me...or you reap the consequences."

The two men bowed slightly before turning on their heels and vacating the cold crypt.

Durand stood almost stauesque as waited for their footfalls to abate before turning and leaving himself down the passageway to the palace.

ooooOOoooo

TBC...

Hi Guys,

So sorry for the late posting, had a very busy week. Hope you are still enjoying the ride.

Well what will become of the boys now? Lets hope they come to realise just how evil our dear Cardinal really is.

Speak Soon

Pippa

xxx

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