TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
Chapter Twenty Eight.
Porthos grabbed the prisoner, man handling him roughly the big man forced the renegade to a sitting position at the table. The big musketeer's deep irksome frowns said it all. How he wanted to wipe that smirk off the dolts face. Athos was blind because of him, he may never see again, he might never be a musketeer again. Porthos swallowed hard at the sheer thought. It would give me great pleasure to see him hang, but maybe that would be too swift, I could easily brake his body on the wheel.
The large man suddenly gained his self-restraint as Tréville's booming voice filled the cell.
"So your telling me that you were ordered to kill my musketeers one by one? growled Tréville turning sharply and leaning forward onto the table, he glared into the mans frowning features. "Tell me...whom was it that gave such an order?
The prisoner sat in silence and shrugged his shoulders before receiving a kick to the foot.
"Answer the captain! demanded d'Artagnan.
The man lifted his head and stared at the enraged musketeer captain.
"If you give me your word Tréville, that I will not be hanged, then I shall reveal to you as to whom I work for."
Porthos and d'Artagnan swapped glanced with the older man before he averted his eyes back to the prisoner.
"That is not my word to give, but I shall indeed speak with his majesty on your behalf, he may grant you clemency."
The prisoner threw back his head and chortled loudly.
Porthos glared at him.
"Somethin' amuses yer...you won't be laughin' when I've finished with yer." he growled catching Tréville's eye.
The prisoner looked from Porthos to the musketeer captain.
"You really expect me to believe that Tréville?...as I have already stated...I need your apsolute certainty I will be spared the noose. I will not hang for his deeds."
"Who's deeds? asked d'Artagnan suddenly.
The man smirked as he lifted his head up and scowled at the Gascon.
"You nearly lost your head did you not musketeer?...so very well planned, you all have your weaknesses, it would seem yours is damsels in distress."
The man laughed again.
d'Artagnan flew at him, grabbing him around the collar of his shirt.
"WHY YOU...
"D'ARTAGNAN! growled Tréville in warning.
The Gascon suddenly let go of his grip on the man, his teeth clenched with enrage as he glared into the prisoners scowling features.
Porthos had moved forward slightly, he cracked his knuckles prompting the man to wane his grin.
Tréville knew his men could rip the man apart given the chance, he also knew they needed vital information, he had to hear the prisoner actually divulge Durand's name, then he would have him.
"I will ask you again...who are you working for? seethed the musketeer captain.
The renegade sat back in his chair and stared into Tréville's enraged features.
ooo
Aramis was sitting at the table within the infirmary, an eerie silence had left the musketeer feeling somewhat overwrought, would this starnge concoction help his dear friend.
Aramis turned and glanced towards Athos as he lay inclined in the bed, the swordsman had fallen into a deep sleep after having been given honey opia to ease the pain in his side. The muslin cloths tied around his eyes like that of a blindfold looked strange to say the least, he knew the swordsman so well, he himself would find the whole scenario indeed peculiar.
Athos was a fine musketeer, it was his life, it kept him going from day to day, it kept the troubled swordsman occupied, it abated his nightmares he endured night after night. Was that now going to be taken away from him. Aramis felt his own eyes begining to sting, he blinked away the tears and reached for his crucifix, holding it between his fingers Aramis kissed it and began to mutter a prayer.
"I implore you Lord, please spare his sight, we all need Athos, he is our anchor, our comrade, our friend, our brother, without him we will never be one and all again."
The sombre orison had brought the salty tears steaming down the marksmans face as he quietly prayed, he took out his hankerchief from his pocket and wiped his face. He glanced back at Athos, his freind was still sleeping soundly.
ooo
Captain Tréville and his two men turned swifty as a loud rumpus reverberated off the stone walls.
Porthos hurried to the cell door swiflty, grabbing his pistol from his belt the big man peered down the passageway.
"Who goes there? he growled loudly.
Musketeers Jules and Eudes appeared around the corner, both men practically dragging someone by the arms, blood covered the mans face.
Both soldiers paused in their stride as they glanced up at the big man.
"The other assassin, we have him, we found him trying to buy his way onto a carriage heading for LaHarve." answered Jules.
oo
Captain Tréville and d'Artagnan caught each others eye as they heard Jules elated voice fill the passageway, both men in silent converse and nodding in acknowledgement as they comprehended the plot.
Tréville suddenly grabbed the prisoner and gagged him, re-locking the shackles that hung from the stone wall.
oo
d'Artagnan joined Porthos in the passage, both men swapping grins at the outcome as they approached the prisoner. The man was gasping for breath as Porthos lifted his chin and stared into his face, the prisoner coughed and spat out saliva to the ground.
"Your associate is dead, because he refused to tell us whom gave you the order to kill the musketeers." seethed Porthos.
The prisoner winced in pain as he glared in the musketeers enraged and frowning features.
"He could have saved himself." dead-panned d'Artagnan shooting a glance at Porthos before staring into the mans face.
The prisoner coughed again and spat.
"Saved himself...how may I ask? he grunted.
Jules and Eudes tightened their grip as he stuttered and coughed.
"He only had to inform us whom you were working for...the king himself would have granted him clemency...but he chose to be hanged." replied the Gascon.
oo
Tréville leaned against the cell wall heeding his mens ploy, a pistol aimed at the shackled and gagged prisoner as he too listened to his associates pained tones. His face turning crimson with frustration, his eyed wide with anger.
oo
"How do I know I can trust you musketeers? growled the prisoner.
Porthos glared.
"That is up to you, I meself...well I would wanner live...nothin' worse than yer back being broken on the wheel."
The prisoner swallowed hard as his mind filled with the slaughtering image.
"So...if I tell you...I will be set free? he snorted.
"In order for clemency to become valid, the king will want to speak with you, then you will be put on a ship at La Harve, there you will leave France for England for a new life." said d'Artagnan.
The prisoner glanced from one to the other as he was held fast by Jules and Eudes.
Porthos and d'Artagnan caught each others swift eyeline, both men oppressing their mirth.
The prisoner was deep in thought as he stared at both musketeers.
"Very well...I will tell you." he muttered.
oo
Tréville remained out of sight as his men played out their ruse cunningly, his pistol still aimed at the gagged man.
oo
Porthos and d'Artagnan stood rigid as they awaited the prisoners response.
The man looked up into the musketeers faces, he spat again onto the ground and sniffed.
"I was working for the cardinal. Cardinal Durand, he wanted you all dead one by one."
Both Porthos and d'Artganan exchanged glances, both men nodding.
oo
Tréville closed his eyes and took in a breath, he exhaled with sheer relief as he let his head fall back against the stone wall. They had the proof they had been searching for.
Cardinal Durand was the traitor.
ooooOOoooo
TBC...
Hi Guys,
Really sorry for the late posting, been busy with work.
I hope you still continue to read the story.
I now believe Tréville has all the proof he needs to bring down Durand.
Will the concoction work on Athos' eyes?
Until next time...I will do my upmost to post next weekend.
Thank you again for your comments, love them.
Cheers
Pippa xxxx
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