TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
Chapter Thirty One.
Captain Tréville stood almost rooted to the spot as he threw the Cardinal enraged and sickening glances. This so called Holy man had just attempted to take his own life by poison, he felt slight elation that his men had accompanied him to his chambers, they had thwarted his attempt, otherwise they may never have ascertain of his true crimes.
The musketeer captain then averted his eyes to the two Englishmen, they had been brought forthwith at the order of the king to the Palace, both men stood side by side, their hands shackled behind their backs as they perceived with agitation the spectical before them. James Payne and Ned Wade had both confessed to the king their actual implication into Cardinal Durands plot, Durand becoming paler as the minutes ticked by.
Also present was Cardinal Durands Confidant Benedict Edgar, the man could feel the musketeers captians eyes on him as he stood awaiting the crimes to be announced against his holy superior. Tréville had not known much about the small thin man, only that he seemed to disappear into the background of any event and whispering into the Cardinals ear.
Durand stood rigid and uneasy between Porthos and d'Artagnan, his features pallad to say the least as he swallowed the bile in his throat. The two musketeers swapped vexatious glances with each other, both men knowing full well what each other was thinking.
The king glared enraged at Durand, slowly sauntering towards the cleric, Louis paused and eyed the older man as though he could see right through to his very sole.
Durand continued his stare ahead, his stance that of someone who knew that his time was indeed up.
Those interfering damn musketeers, Richelieu was right about them. And those English oafs, I should have heeded my own foreboding inclination and returned to France without them, they have betrayed me.
Louis began to pace back and forth before pausing and shooting his glare towards Durand.
"You have disappointed me Cardinal, you have conspired behind my back, you have committed high treason by plotting with King Charles to have his men spy on my affairs, you have colluded with oafs to have my musketeers murdered in cold blood."
Louis continued to pace before turning swiflty and staring into the clerics ashen face.
"Musketeer Athos may never see again, because of your malicious ill will. You had Musketeer d'Artagnan imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.
The Gascon's eyes averted to Durand, the cleric did not look his way.
Tréville looked up swiftly as the king mentioned his lieutenant's plight, he caught his two mens glances as the king yelled at the cleric.
Porthos side glanced Durand, anger evident in the big mans features as he clenched his fists obliviously.
Tréville averted his eyes back to Durand, the man seemed to have aged ten years within a matter of hours. The musketeer captain had no sympathy for the man, he had reaped what he had indeed sowed.
Louis stood closer to Durand now as he reproached him, the seething look of fury as he glared into his face.
"WHAT HAVE YOU TO SAY ON SUCH DEEDS AS THESE Cardinal? he roared.
Cardinal Durand stood statuesque, his face suddenly suffused with crimson as he became almost as angry as the king.
That instant Benedict Edgar's voice filled the stifled air prompting everyone to glance his way.
The cardinals confidant bowed before Louis.
"Your majesty...If you will forgive my intrusion...might I be permitted to speak on behalf of the Cardinal?
The king and Tréville swapped glances swiflty before Louis turned back to the timid looking man.
"What is there to speak of man, you heeded the charges did you not?
Edgar cowered slightly.
"I did indeed your majesty...but...
Louis continued in strident tones.
"NO BUTS MAN...the Cardinal has not only conspired behind my back he has betrayed me, he has schemed, he has plotted...I want to know what he himself has to say about such treason as this."
All eyes turned to Durand, the man swayed slightly as he slowly moved forward. He licked his dry lips as he shot an uneasy glance at Louis.
"I was merely thinking of France your majesty, your own well being, the musketeers are becoming rather deficient and dated, I wanted a fresh regiment, I was...
Tréville glared enraged as Durand spoke.
"So you took it upon yourself to endeavour to get rid of my men...by killing them...YOU ARE A MAD MAN! he yelled vehemently.
Tréville extended his arm and pointed his finger at Durand.
"This man is a lair, he is excellent at telling fairy stories."
Porthos and d'Artagnan swapped swift disgruntled glances.
Louis held up his hand to pause Tréville before turning back to Durand.
"On occasions I have had cause not to heed advice from my dignitaries and the like, but this is not one of them Cardinal, this time I decisively agree with Captain Tréville, you are a liar and a traitor, you have gone quite mad, I denounce you."
The king looked from Porthos to d'Artagnan.
"Take him to the Bastille...I do not want to look at him a moment longer he has cut me to the quick."
"It will be my pleasure your majesty." murmered Porthos under his breath, only d'Artagnan heeded the words.
Durand swallowed hard, his face was white, his eyes bulged with fear as both musketeers grabbed him by the arms and marched him from the chamber.
"I implore you your majesty...I am at your mercy...your majesty...please...I beg your forgivness...
The Cardinals voice trailed off as the doors slammed shut behind them.
Benedict Edgar dropped his head into his hands.
"GUARDS! roared Louis, his voice sounding almost hoarse amid the anger.
"Get these renegades out of my chambers...I am feeling rather giddy."
oooo
Musketeer Garrison
Infirmary:
Doctor Lemay carefully unwrapped the muslin cloths from Athos' eyes, disgarding them onto the table he caught Aramis watching his every move, both men hoping the concoction had worked.
The swordsman was sitting upright in bed as Lemay tendered him carefully.
"I have to say...it was uncomfortable trying to sleep with these on my eyes." murmered Athos suddenly.
Aramis grinned slightly.
"I dare say mon ami...I dare say."
"The mixture has left your face rather viscid Athos, if you would be so kind Aramis and pass me the warm water." asked Lemay.
Before Lemay finshed Aramis had brought the bowl of water across and began to wash his friends face carefully.
"I shall do that doctor, its the least I can do." commented the marksman wringing out the cloth.
"Gentlemen please...I am certain I can wash my own face." said Athos flatly.
Aramis and Leamy swapped slightly amusing glances.
"In the infirmary my friend I am in charge...you are the patient." murmered Aramis. "And usually a very bad one at that."
Athos still wore a binding around his eyes as he lifted his head towards the sound of Aramis' voice.
"Aramis my friend you are indeed the mother hen of mother hens." murmered the swordsman with a hint of mirth.
"I shall now remove the last binding Athos." interjected Lemay. "If you would hold your head very still for me."
Aramis watched as the doctor began to slowly unwrap the last muslin bandage from his friends eyes. The medic becoming slightly nauseous as he prayed under his breath that Athos would indeed recover his sight, scenarios swirled around the marksmans head as he watched Lemay, obliviously feeling for his crucifix around his neck, Aramis put his lips to it and kissed it softly.
Lemay disgarded the bandage into a bowl, he turned back to Athos and wiped the swordmans eyes with a damp cloth.
Aramis took in a breath with anticipation as he looked at his friend.
"Athos...look at me...tell me...what do you see? asked Lemay.
oooOOooo
TBC...
Hi Guys,
Sorry about the cliffy...I know I am a tease!
Hope you are all doing ok and staying safe.
I know some rules have been relaxed, but we still have to be careful.
I am actually having my hair cut on Wednesday...I look like the wreck of the Hesperus.
Anyway guys I hope you are still reading the story and enjoying it. I thank you for it.
Speak soon
Take care
Pippa xxxx
.
.
.
.
.
.
