Hi Guys,
I am so sorry for the very late posting, have been so so busy with work. Not even finding a bit of time to myself. I really hope everyone is staying safe and well with all that is happening at the moment. I do hope you will stay with the story. Will the king realise the truth about the cardinal?
Speak soon
Pippa xxxx
TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
Chapter Twenty Nine.
The muffled rap at the door prompted Aramis to glance up as Porthos and d'Artagnan suddenly entered the infirmary. Athos was still sleeping soundly, his injured body laying inclined, the muslin bandages wrapped around his eyes.
Both musketeers swapped perplexed frowns as they stared at their sleeping brother before turning to Aramis with questioning looks.
Porthos was first to ask.
"What the hell is...
Aramis couldn't oppress his mirth as he percieved their bemused faces. The medic grinned.
"Apparently the blood flows to the head when the body is inclined gentlemen, hence the eyes also."
Both Porthos and d'Artagnan stared back at Athos.
"Does he know what he actually looks like? murmered Porthos sounding almost perplexed by the whole appearance of his injured brother.
Aramis quirked a brow.
"He was awake when the mixture was administered, he never said a word." answered the medic.
d'Artagnan moved closer to Athos' side.
"I really hope this works, I have never seen the like before." whispered the Gascon as not to rouse his sleeping friend.
Aramis reclaimed his seat and glanced up at his two friends.
"Doroux informed me that it has worked on two people before now." he declared.
Porthos pulled up a chair and sat, his features filled with trepidation as he prayed in his own mind that his dear brother would see again.
Aramis' voice broke his reverie.
"How did you both fare with the prisoners, I trust they still live? he asked almost sardonically and raising both brows.
Porthos snorted with mild disapproval and smirked.
d'Artagnan patted his big friend on the back.
"He was indeed very lenient I might add." murmered the Gascon.
Aramis stood and began to pour wine in three goblets.
"Eudes and Jules apprehended the other renegade. To cut a long story short mon ami, one of them confessed...they were working for Durand all the time." declared the big musketeer.
Aramis handed around the wine.
"Let us indeed hope they disclose such a deed to the king, otherwise gentlemen we are back to where we began."
Porthos swigged from the goblet and peered at the medic.
"Come now Mis...have some faith, besides they both believe they will be sailing from LaHarve for a new life."
Aramis held up his goblet in celebration and grinned slightly.
"In that case I revoke my words my friend."
"The prisoners will be taken to the palace on the morrow, the king will then be told of their deciet and treachery." murmered d'Artagnan.
"What of the two Englishmen confined in the Bastille? asked Aramis.
"The king has asked they be taken back to England for King Charles to deal with." snorted Porthos.
Aramis swigged from his goblet.
"I am somewhat surprised the king didn't have them both hanged for committing such heinous crime on French soil, afterall they are as just as guilty as the other two renegades."
oooo
Palace:
Captain Tréville was first through the large ornate doors of the royal assembly chamber. The king was reclined back in his seat, an elbow leaning on the chair armrest.
Cardinal Durand stood to the kings left, Treville hadn't failed to notice how his demeanour suddenly changed from the relaxed cleric to almost agitation as he spotted the two prisoners.
Louis watched as the two reprobates were led into the assembly chamber, the young monarch figited in his chair as he turned slightly and eyed the Cardinal.
Captain Tréville caught Louis's swift knowing glance, before turning back to the prsioners. Both Porthos and d'Artagnan nudged them both forward roughly towards the king.
"Bow before your king." growled Porthos.
Both men caught each others glances as they sauntered forward.
Louis glared as the men awkwardly bowed their heads, his lips twitching with slight mirth at the sheer attempt to show decorum.
Cardinal Durand took out his hankerchief, his trembling hand wiping his brow.
Porthos and d'Artagnan side glanced each other as the cleric endeavoured to keep his composure.
Tréville's voice suddenly filled the chamber.
"Your majesty, the two reprobates whom tried to have one of my men killed and another imprisoned for a crime he did not commit."
Louis eyed both men, his eyes averting from one to the other as he perceived the filthy rags that hung on their bodies.
Durand stood rigid to the spot as he refused to make any sort of eye contact with the two prisoners.
"I trust you are both aware that you have committed an act of treason and the penalty for such a crime is hanging." asked the king in strident tones.
Both men side glanced each other, their features pallid and filled with dread.
"ANSWER THE KING! yelled the musketeer captain, his voice reverberating off the ornate walls.
One of the men swallowed hard and glanced up at the young monarch.
"We...were...ordered to...do the deed your majesty." he grunted.
Durand could feel the musketeers eyes on him, he wanted to vomit.
Louis swiftly stood and began to pace, he paused and looked straight at Durand.
"Are you well Cardinal, you are indeed looking quite pale?
Durand bowed his head slightly.
"I feel fine Sire, just a mild pain in the head, I am sure it will pass."
Tréville glanced at his two musketeers, both attempting to stifle their mirth.
"You will inform his majesty whom ordered you to kill my musketeers in turn before killing me." he growled.
All eyes fixed their stares on the prisoners as they awaited the response.
Captain Tréville hadn't taken his eyes off Durand, the cleric was almost swaying on his feet.
The king suddenly turned to the prisoners and pointed to the taller of the two men.
"YOU! speak man, have you lost your tongue? My musketeer Captain asked you a question."
Porthos and d'Artagnan side glanced each other before averting their eyes to Durand. The man was perspiring profusely, he dabbed his brow repeatedly.
This time the smaller of the two men stood forward, his gaze fixed on the agitated cleric as he lifted his hand and pointed towards him.
"It was...'im...he demanded that we...killed all the musketeer regiment...and if we refused he would 'ave us executed."
A silence fell on the assembly chamber as the man declared his revelation.
Durand glared at the two men, his features that of crimson hues as he began to laugh nervously, before turning to Louis.
"This is a mockery Sire, I have never seen these men before in my entire life, it seems evident to me that someone somewhere is conspiring to have me vanquished from office."
Tréville glanced towards Louis, he knew the monarch well, he could feel the anger festering within his very sole as he stared at Durand.
Louis suddenly shifted from his standing position and slowly moved towards Durand.
"You have served by my side in the most honourable of occurrences, am I to believe the word of these two oafs or that of my dear friend and confidant the cardinal."
Durand swayed slightly as he shot a hateful glance towards Tréville before turning back to Louis. The kings eyes met his.
"ANSWER ME CARDINAL!...and this time I want the truth.
oooOOooo
TBC...
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