TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.

Chapter Thirty.

A heavy silence had fallen on the entire chamber as all eyes stared in anticipation at Cardinal Durand, the question asked of him by the king was swirling around his head.

"Answer me Cardinal and this time I do not want fallacious tales and untruths do you heed me?

Those interfering musketeers have once again thwarted my plans, how dare they even have such right as to stand before me , you are nothing more than dolts, Tréville is not worthy of such an honourable rank.

"I am still waiting Cardinal, I shall not ask again." demanded Louis sounding enraged and prompting Durand from his reverie.

Captain Tréville continued his stare, the cleric declining to even make eye contact with the musketeer captain.

Porthos and d'Artganan stood almost statuesque as they too perceived Durands agitated demeanour, both musketeers swapping discrete glances.

Durand's features were covered in beads of perspiration as he figited with his robe sleeves, he turned and looked at Louis.

"I was merely performing my expected duties Sire, looking out for your majesties welfare and security, that is all, why would I want to have your elite guard killed? The last few words sounding almost mocking.

Tréville could feel rage filling his whole body as he heeded the clerics untruths, he cast a glance towards his two men both catching the older mans vexed features.

"Your majesty the cardinal is a liar, it is etched upon his deceitful face." growled Tréville, his arm outstretched and pointing towards the ruffled cleric.

Durand snorted and chuckled nervously, his head shaking with the false disbelief as he rolled his eyes.

"Sire...the musketeer captain is a man whom is excellent at hoodwinking his superiors. I do believe he is known for it all over France."

The king had stood once again and slowly flounced towards Durand, he turned and looked into his agitated face.

"Are you informing me cardinal, that the words of Captain Tréville are untrue and someone else endeavoured to murder musketeer Athos and have musketeer d'Artagnan imprisoned on fallacious crime?

Durand swallowed the bile in his throat and grinned mockingly.

"Indeed I am Sire."

The cardinal turned to the two prisoners and glared.

"It would seem these two oafs are guilty of that, they are merely trying to escape the noose."

The two renegades figited.

Porthos had obliviously clenched his fists with sheer anger as he cast an enraged glance at d'Artagnan. The Gascon could feel his friends incensed presence beside him. Would the king believe this tale?

The fury on Tréville's face was evident as he glared with a tightened jaw at Durand. The cleric still refusing to even look his way as he moved forward.

"The two Englishmen, with whom he travelled with, I am certain they will speak out if prompted." he growled vehemently. "And Deacon Arouet...why was he suddenly found dead?

Tréville glared at the cardinal as he continued his probe.

"Why did he die...was it he found out about your malevolent schemes?

Durand clenched his jaw tightly, this time his glare found Tréville's fired up and intense stare.

The king lifted his gaze and peered at Tréville.

"Come now Tréville, let us keep this civil." he said through muted tones.

Durand smirked as Louis spoke.

"It would seem the captain thinks he is judge, jury and executioner Sire."

Louis turned his head swiftly and glared at the cleric, he had always had his doubts about the man, he had never been as honourable as Cardinal Richelieu, always something amiss, even though he knew that Captain Tréville would never agree about Richelieu, but this was not about him it was about Durand. Even Anne had warned him of his decieit.

Louis suddenly gestured with his right hand at one of the red guards.

The man stood to attention and swiftly strode towards the king.

Tréville exchanged glances with his two musketeers, the three men evidently appearing both dubious and angry at what was occuring.

The guard halted his stride in front of Louis and bowed.

"Your majesty?

Louis eyed the guard before turning to Durand.

"Have the two English prisoners brought to me forthwith."

Tréville smirked slightly prompting both Porthos and d'Artagnan to swap intrigued glances.

The guard bowed again.

"Yes your majesty." he said as he turned and walked towards the doors.

Durand swallowed hard before dabbing his brow, his head spinning with scenarios.

If anyone will remain honourable to me it would be the Englishmen.

Tréville couldn't contain his anger any longer.

"It would seem you have become rather pale Your Eminence." he muttered.

Durand glared at the musketeer captain.

oo

The king slowly wandered towards his table and began to pour out wine, he swigged from the goblet and glanced out of the window before tuning back into the chamber.

Captain Tréville and his two men stood patiently as they awaited the English prisoners. The musketeer captain paced back and forth, Porthos and d'Artagnan swapping raised brows, both baffled at the predicament they found themselves in.

Cardinal Durand stood rigid, his eyes following the kings every move as he refilled his goblet without offering any refreshment to his audience. Durand wanted to vomit, how was he to escape such cirumstances, his mind was a labyrinth of thoughts as he suddenly moved with a start and looked across at the king.

Tréville and his men watched as the cardinal suddenly and very slowly strode towards the king and bowed his head.

"Forgive me Sire, but if I might be permitted to return to my chambers in order to acquire the prisoners arrest parchments for yourself to look upon."

The king caught Tréville's eye as Durand's voice broke the silence, his agitated voice evident to both men.

The kings footfalls echoed as he walked slowly towards his seat and sat, he turned and looked at Durand, his features impassive.

"You take me as a fool do you not Cardinal? he asked stridently.

Durand smiled nervously and snorted.

"Certainly not Sire, you are my king, I serve you." he said.

Tréville glared at Durand.

"Your majesty, I am certain musketeer's Porthos and d'Artagnan would be gladdened to accompany the cardinal to his chambers."

Durand glared at the musketeer captain.

Porthos and d'Artagnan both bowed in unison towards the king.

"Certainly your majesty."

Louis waved his hand.

"Very well, be swift about it."

Tréville caught his two mens glances as they strode past him, all three men having silent converse between themselves.

ooo

Cardinal Durand meandered briskly along the passageway towards his chambers, his long cloak billowing out as he walked, his features stern as he went, knowing the two musketeers were in close pursuit behind him.

Porthos and d'Artagnan watched as he paused outside his chamber door and turn.

"You can await here for me whilst I retrieve the parchments, I shall be swift."

Porthos grinned slightly and shook his head.

"I do not think so Your Eminence, we were ordered not to let you out of our sight." growled the big man.

d'Artagnan moved towards the door and opened it, he turned to Durand and raised a brow.

"After you Your Eminence." he mutted.

The cardinal looked from one to the other before walking into his office.

Both musketeers followed him closely, the young men swapping glances.

Durand began to nervously rummage through his scrolls and parchments, his hands trembled slightly, before he took a key from his pocket and opened a small chest of drawers.

Porthos and d'Artagnan began to roam slowly around the chamber as Durand searched for his parchments unaware that man was watching their every move. The cleric reached for a small phial, his hands still trembled as he shook it and took off the spigot cap. Durand mutted to himself before bringing up the phial to his lips

"NO YOU DON'T" roared Porthos as he suddenly surged forward and grabbed the cardinal by the arm.

"YOU DON'T ESCAPE THAT EASILY...YOU BLOODY COWARD!

oooOOooo

TBC...

Hi Guys,

Hope you are all ok, sorry again for the late posting. Have been really busy with all kinds going on.

I am so pleased you are still enjoying the story, I will continue to write.

Well what is next for Durand?

Stay safe guys.

Thank you

Pippa xxx

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