TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
Chapter Fifteen.
The loud thud and bang reverberated off the thick steel doors as Porthos' clenched fist hammered three times.
"OPEN UP! we are the kings musketeers! he growled loudly.
Tréville and his men swapped both perturbed and disgruntled glances as they heard the rasping sound of the bolts as they were yanked and tugged across the portcullis.
The large door finally creaked open, two red guard stood glaring as Tréville and his musketeers without hesitation pushed their way in past the two perplexed men.
"What is the meaning of this Captain Tréville...we were not aware you and your men had been summoned." seethed the taller guard.
"Evidently! murmered d'Artagnan quirking both brows.
Tréville turned and eyed the guard, ignoring the mans pleas.
"Musketeer Athos was here was he not? he asked hoarsely.
Aramis stared at both men in turn as he caught the enraged frown of Porthos.
The two guards exchanged curious glances.
"We have been on duty for almost an hour, we have not seen your musketeer Captain." answered the shorter man.
Porthos suddenly grasped the man by the top of his red cloak, the big musketeer had clenched his jaw tightly, his features that of incensed enrage.
The guard winced as the cloak ties became tighter around his neck.
"If any of you scum 'ave 'urt our friend, you will both be meetin' yer maker sooner rather than later."
Aramis grinned scornfully as he glared at both men, he put a hand on Porthos' shoulder and looked from one guard to the other.
"My friend here...is a man of his word, I have seen men pulled apart for less, so if you know where we can find our friend, now is the time to tell all."
Both guards turned as they felt an uneasy presence behind them, finding a peeved d'Artagnan impeding any exit through the doors. He gave the two men a wry smile as they turned back to Porthos and Aramis.
"NOW! would be a start." demanded Tréville.
"I swear...I have not seen musketeer Athos." croaked the guard who was still struggling in Porthos tight grasp.
Porthos glared before releasing his grip on the mans neck.
Aramis's face was deep in thought as he glanced at both guards. He moved closer to them as though scrutinising them in turn.
"The two guards that were on duty yesterday morning...where are they now." he queried.
The shorter man looked the marksman in the eye.
"I do not know their names...I heed they are new...probably at the red guard barracks awaiting their next shift." he replied.
Aramis and Tréville swapped curious glance.
A sudden movement and the sound of footfalls prompted all eyes to glance around as Captain Venell appeared around the corner. He halted in his steps as he stared at the musketeers before averting his eyes to his two guards.
"What in hells name is going on here Tréville, I can hear your mens demanding voices all the way from my office chamber. I might ask why your musketeer asks the whereabouts of my men?
The two guards gathered their composure swiftly as Venell eyed them up and down.
Tréville turned around and faced the red guard captain, his face that of both anger and frustration as he glared at the man.
"Maybe you can aid with our plight Venell, musketeer Athos is missing, the last time we seen him he was on his way here, we have not seen him since then."
"Hence, his horse returned to the garrison alone." added Aramis.
Venell could feel all eyes on him as he caught his guards shrugging shoulders.
"So you thought you would interrogate my men as you see fit Tréville? he sneered. "I have been here since early morning...I myself have not seem your missing musketeer."
"No one just vanishes into thin air." commented d'Artagnan.
Venell turned to the Gascon and grinned mockingly.
"Tell me...have you tried the local taverns or brothels...he is probably lying on one of the dirt ridden floors somewhere...DRUNK, afterall we all know he likes a bottle or two."
Aramis pushed past Tréville and grasped at Venells tunic collar, only to be impeded by the older man, as he pulled the medic backwards.".
"Who are you to slander our friend when you know nothing about him? growled the marksman.
"ARAMIS LEAVE IT! yelled Tréville.
Venell glared at Aramis and scoffed loudly as he shot an amused glance at his two guards.
"Your men are becoming rebellious Tréville...if I were you I would have him court- martialled."
Aramis glared at the man before turning away, he felt Porthos' comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I have one of my men missing Venell, I am not leaving here without searching this HELL HOLE!. And as for rebellious men, take a look in the mirror."
Venell clenched his teeth with rage as Tréville groused.
"Do what you will...and then take your leave musketeers! he seethed.
"Maybe you can answer our question Venell." asked Tréville suddenly.
Venell glared at the musketeer captain.
"WHAT QUESTION? he seethed.
"The two guards on duty yesterday morning...where can we find them?
Venell felt his stomach churn slightly, Durand had recruited them both, they had sailed from England with him. If Durand knew the musketeers were to find that out he knew he would be dead.
"I am not in the habit of watching my mens every movement, when they are off duty they are free to do as they so please." he answered sardonically.
Tréville eyed him before turning to his men.
"d'Artagnan! you will accompany me to the red guard barracks." he ordered. Aramis! Porthos! you two search the Bastille and all the passages. We will meet back here in an hour...GO!
The musketeers nodded the order as they went their two seperate ways.
Aramis picked up a torch from its sconce enabling the two men to light their path as they went.
ooooo
Loud yells and shrieks reverberated off the cold stone walls of the cells as Aramis and Porthos meandered down the spine chilling beseeching cries of mercy was enough to make anyone mad. Rats scurried around cell doors in search of scraps each one squeaking and chattering.
Aramis held up the torch as he noticed a vacant cell and finding nothing but discarded sacking rags and soiled calico sheets. The reeking odour emitted into the already thick stenched air. The marksman carrying on to the next cell, he almost reared backwards as a thin dirty hand reached through the barred gate and spat out saliva towards the medic shreeching out obscenites. Aramis stared at the prisoner for seconds before continuing his meander down the passageway.
Porthos sauntered along the opposite side as he too searched for his missing brother, he turned a corner nearly colliding with a red guard, the big musketeer realised he had noticed the man on several occasions in the palace and suddenly grinned.
"I was wonderin'...I don't suppose you 'ave seen Athos, he came here hours ago and 'asn't been seen since."
The guard shook his head as Aramis appeared around the corner. "Im afraid not musketeer...why was he here?
Porthos turned as Aramis appeared.
"That is not foremost at present my friend." answered the marksman swiflty. "We are just eager to find him."
The guard shrugged his shoulder and shook his head once again.
"My apologies gentlemen...I have not seen him. If I stumble across him I shall infrom his you are looking for him."
Both Aramis and Porthos nodded his reply.
The guard acknowledged both men before moving on his merry way.
Porthos sighed aloud, he could feel the trepidation beginning to take hold in the pit of his stomach as he turned to Aramis.
"I am not liking any of this mon ami...I 'ave a bad feelin' in me stomach."
Aramis nodded slightly, he knew exactly what his dear friend meant.
"Come lets try down this way." he answered. "Lets hope the captain and d'Artagnan have better luck."
ooooooo
Red Guard Barracks.
Captain Tréville and d'Artagnan had dismounted and began their short walk towards the Barracks Gatehouse. Mocking grins and nudges from groups of guards were evident as both musketeers ignored the jibes and sneering glares.
The sentry on the gate gave both men a curious look.
"It would seem you are both out of your own domain musketeers, what brings you here? asked the guard.
Tréville scanned his surroundings as he paused in his tracks.
"I would like to speak to your superior officer, if you would be so kind to summon him."
The guard eyed the older man before opening the gate allowing both musketeers access.
"Captain Chabot is in his office chamber...I shall take you bith there myself." came the reply.
Tréville and d'Artagnan exchanged dubious glances, both men on the same line of thought and not expecting to be treated with courtesy.
d'Artagnan couldn't help but smile as they were led into the building.
oo
Captain Chabot's
Office Chamber.
"How long has your man been missing Tréville? asked Chabot as he sat back in his chair and ran his fingers through his unruly locks.
Tréville eyed him, he could never comprehend why the red guard had two captains, another one of Durands idiotic notions.
"He left for the Bastille first light...he has not been seen since...I have two of my men searching the Bastille as we speak."
Chabot cleared his throat and sniffed.
"I fail to see what has this got to do with the red guard? he interjected.
Tréville shot a glance to d'Artagnan then back to Chabot.
"Two of your men were on duty yesterday morning at the Bastille...I would be most obliged if I could indeed speak with them, they were the last ones to see musketeer Athos."
Chabot averted his eyes to d'Artagnan who hadn't taken his eyes off the red guard captain before looking back at Tréville. He suddenly stood and approached a wall chart that contained names.
Tréville and d'Artagnan stood and followed him to the chart.
"Yesterday morning you say." queried Chabot as he ran a finger down the list.
Both Tréville and d'Artagnan watched as Chabot's finger suddenly paused.
"Ahh yes...the two new recuits a James Pagne and Ned Wade." he declared turning to Tréville.
Tréville frowned at the names, he had heard some strange names in the past but these did not sound French, apart from Ned. Maybe he was thinking too much into it."
"When were these two men recuited Chabot? asked the musketeer captain eagerly.
Chabot re-took his seat and sat back.
"Cardinal Durand had them commissioned a week ago, just after he returned to Paris from England.
Tréville glanced up instantly on heeding the statement.
"DURAND?... are these men English?
Chabot glared.
"French...they are French...why would he recuit Englishmen...they hate us. It would never be permitted."
"Because that is what he does, he is a conniving and scheming renegade, just like Richelieu was." seethed Tréville.
"You should watch your words Tréville, you slander our cardinal so." said Chabot sounding agitated.
"I want to speak with these two men Chabot...now would be a good time."
"I wish I could help you Tréville...but they are on Palace duty as we speak."
ooooOOoooo
TBC...
Hi Guys,
Happy New Year to you all, hope you all enjoyed letting in 2020.
I know! we still don't know what has happened to Athos, but we shall find out in the next chapter...I promise.
Thank you for all your comments, love them. I hope you will continue to read.
Speak soon
Pippa xxxx
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