TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.

Chapter Fouteen.

The stallion's dark eyes stared at the man, jerking his head up and down he snorted his presence. James Payne scanned his surroundings of the Bastille stables. The darkening clouds overhead threatened yet another storm. The animal neighed loudly as James Payne stroked his forlock.

"You are a handsome beast are you not." he whispered into the animals ear. "But alas your master has no further use for you." The animal pawed at the ground and snorted as James Payne opened the stable door and slapped its rump, he watched as the lone horse whinnied and tossed its head before galloping off across the open meadow.

oOo

Palace:

Cardinal Durands

Office Chambers.

Cardinal Durand sat back in his chair and smirked as Captain Tréville and three of his men stood before him within his office chamber. He sipped brandy from his goblet and figited with one of his robe sleeves at the cuff. He stood rapidly as he heeded the accusations put to him. Leaning on his desk Durand had become suddenly irate, his features that of both anguish and rage.

"I do not know of this woman you speak of Tréville, and now you have the boldness and discourtesy to say I am in somewhat involved in her slaughter." What is it with your musketeer regiment, are you so bored that you think up fairly tales?

Tréville walked forward slightly, the three musketeers swapping disgruntled and perplexed glances.

"What was it Cardinal? did she threaten to reveal all? and you became fearful for your life...the king would have you hanged at dawn for treason." yelled the musketeer captain.

Durand was seething as he glared in Trévilles direction, he walked around his desk, his jaw clenched tightly.

"Pure and utter speculation on your part Tréville...and you know it. The king will think you have lost your mind."

The musketeer captain stared fiercely, he felt his whole being becoming more enraged by the second.

"Then we shall see shall we not Cardinal, I have assembly with him in an hour, I am certain his majesty will be most intrigued to hear what I have to say."

Durand swiveled around on the spot, his robes billowing out with the sudden movement.

"GET OUT! of my chamber Tréville and take your incompetent musketeers with you, I have better things to be getting on with."

Tréville shot a glance towards his three men before turning back to Durand.

"Oh do not fret Cardinal...we will take our leave...but mark my words, we will return."

Durand lifted his enraged face and watched as the four men turned and walked towards the doors before reclaiming his seat at his desk. The clerics mind was rife with notions of all scenarios as he picked up his fine brandy and filled up the goblet.

oOo

The dark hooves galloped on through the clearing and across the open field, the animal snorting as it sped, the empty saddle seemed eerie, the reins loose as they hung independently from the horses bit.

oOo

"Incompetent he calls us...I'll give 'im incompetent." growled Porthos as they walked down the passage towards the royal chambers.

"It would seem you have rattled his conscience captain." commented Aramis as he raised his hat towards two lady coutiers and gave them a winsome smile, the ladies giggling as they huddled together.

"That I have, and I will strive to keep him rattled as you put it Aramis. Richelieu tried it and failed, I will not allow it to happen again."

"It will be most intriging to see what the kiing makes of this misdeed of his." murmered d'Artagnan as they walked.

"The king seems to hold him in high acclaim." commented Porthos. "Let us hope he sees him for what he is."

Tréville nodded in agreement as he scanned the hall ahead looking for his lieutenant.

"Athos is tardy, he said he would meet us here on his way back from the Bastille. "He knows damn well the king is waiting for us."

The musketeers paused outside the royal chambers receiving a glare from the two red guard as they stood outside the large ornate doors.

"Is his majesty alone? asked Tréville to no man in particular.

"He is with the queen Captain...he asked us to permit you entry when you arrived.

Tréville nodded in acknowledgement.

"Then you better open the doors then." growled Porthos as he eyed each man returning a grimace.

Captain Tréville led his men into the royal chamber, the four men pausing with a bow as they reached the king and queen.

Louis had just dismissed his second adviser away as he glanced up at the musketeers.

"Ahh Tréville...I heed this Madame Anon has been slaughtered in her cell. Have your men distressed her in some way? he sniggered.

Tréville eyed the young monarch, he never did show decorum and respect when it came to mere average people of France. He had always shown his conceited side.

Anne glanced at her husband in disbelief vexation.

"Come now Louis, a woman has lost her life due to some renegade, I fail to see the amusement in such a deed."

The king averted his eyes towards his wife and quirked a brow.

"My dear, I am well aware of how she died, besides the woman was a whore."

Anne grimaced with a slight shake of the head.

Tréville caught his mens iritated glances.

"Indeed your majesty, I intend to find out who killed her, I believe she was involved in some kind of conspiracy against my musketeers."

"Prey tell me Tréville...do you still claim that one of my coutiers could be implicated in such clandestine schemes? asked Louis.

Tréville nodded as he thought.

"I am still scrutinising the likelihood of such matters Sire, and will continue to keep you informed."

oOo

The stallion cantered into the garrison courtyard, snorting and neighing in agitation.

Musketeers and cadets alike ran towards the unnerved animal as they strived to calm him down.

Marcel managed to grab at the reins and sooth the stallions nerves by stroking his nose.

"Its Roger...its Lieutenant Athos' horse." he yelled.

The others glanced at each other with perplexed shrugs.

"So where is Athos? asked a curious Brujon

oOo

"Very well Tréville...I want to know of any developments, even the slightest inclination."

Tréville and his men bowed in unison.

"Certainly your majesty."

Louis and Anne swapping glances as the musketeers turned on their heels and vacated the room.

oOo

Tréville and his men vacated the royal chambers swiftly and began their saunter across the grand hall.

The musketeer captain found himself scanning around in search of his lieutenant once again as he noticed a gathering of courtiers gossiping and laughing gleefully in groups.

"If Athos has gone straight to the tavern after his visit to the Bastille, I shall have him on stable duty for a week." he growled.

Aramis suddenly felt an unease wash over his very being as he slowed down his pace. The marksman turning to Porthos and d'Artagnan in turn, his features that of both curiosity and alarm.

"You told him to meet us here captain, Athos would never defy an order." he declared.

Porthos and d'Artagnan were both nodding in agreement.

"Aramis is right...I don't like this...it's not 'im." growled the big musketeer, his face forming a deep frown of worry.

Tréville knew Aramis was indeed right, his mind was already aware of that, something was niggling in the back of his head.

"The Bastille is mere minutes ride from the Palace Captain...he should have been here before we left the Cardinal's chamber." commented d'Artagnan walking towards the large windows and peering towards the paddock.

All eyes turned to the older man as he scanned the entrance willing Athos to appear in the doorway. He suddenly turned to his men.

"Come...we shall go to the Bastille."

oOo

Palace Stables and Courtyard.

The musketeers sped across the paddock towards the stables. d'Artagnan suddenly noticing Brujon riding at a gallop towards them. He nudged Aramis on the arm prompting the others to glance up.

The young cadet suddenly leapt from his mount and had begun running towards Tréville and his men before the horse had properly halted.

"What is wrong lad? yelled the musketeer captain as he eyed the boy.

Aramis and Porthos caught each others worried glances.

"Captain...it's Lieuenant Athos' horse Sir...it returned to the garrison alone."

"WHAT? WHEN? demanded Aramis.

Brujon turned to the marksman.

"About ten minutes ago...I came straight here to inform you." answered the cadet.

"Dear God...I should never have permitted him to go alone." sighed Tréville running his fingers through his hair before replacing his hat.

"Them two red guard he spoke of...he was suspicious of them was he not? asked d'Artagnan as he mounted his horse.

Porthos clenched his fists, his jaw twitching with sudden enrage as glanced at his brothers.

"If they 'ave 'urt 'im...I'll rip them apart with me bare 'ands." he growled.

Aramis turned back to Brujon.

"Are you certain the horse was not lame, Athos could have been thrown from his saddle?

Brujon shook his head.

"The farrier checked him over, he was fine." came the worried answer. "I was looking out for him on my way here...I saw nothing."

A moments silence washed over the musketeers as they each absorbed the news of their missing brother, before swiflty mounting their horses.

Tréville steered his mount and eyed each of his men.

"COME!...we will find him." he growled. "Brujon...go back to the garrison incase he goes there."

The cadet nodded as he put his foot into the stirrups and climbed onto his own horse.

"Yes Captain."

oooooOOooooo

TBC...

Hi Guys,

Hope you all had an awesome Christmas, I am tired of food now.

Yes I know another cliffy! I am such a bitch...sorry.

Thanks again for your lovely comments, love them all.

Hope you all have a fabulous New Year, I will speak to you again in 2020.

Have Fun

Pippa xxxx

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