TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.
Chapter Thirty Four.
The entire hall had fell silent as the king stood and approached Durand slowly, the young royals features seemed rather reserved and inscrutable as he stared vacantly at his former minister, his jaw twitched slightly, evident enrage etched on his features.
Durand lifted his head as the king neared, his face pallid, the man seemed to have aged ten years in a matter of days.
Louis glared at the former cleric from head to toe before turning and re-claiming his stance beside his throne. Anne swappped an empathetic glance towards her husband as he gestured towards the court principal to approach.
All eyes watched as the king handed a parchment to the man. The principal bowed and returned to his table.
Durand wanted to throw up, he could feel his legs becoming weak, bile had risen in his throat as he watched the principal read down the page and pass it to his associate. His head was a turmoil of scenarios as he pursed his dry lips tightly.
Surely I shall be banished to Rome, I will probably live out my days within the underground cells of the Basilica , or wiill Louis have me exiled from France, this oaf of a king is an imbecile, whoever takes over my role will soon discover such behaviour.
Durand was suddenly shaken from his reverie as the principal's voice reverberated around the hall. The popes representative moved towards him as the verdict was prepared to be read.
"Cardinal Theodore de Durand, you have been found guilty of high treason, you are now excommunicated, you will be taken from this place and incarcerated within the Colosseum Dungeons in Rome to await execution."
Captain Tréville side glanced Porthos and d'Artagnan as the principal spoke. Each musketeer swapping discreet but jubilant mirth.
Queen Anne lifted her face towards Durand as the verdict was read, before turning her gaze upon her husband. The king glared inscrutable at the doomed cleric.
How was this man ever permitted into his palace, I should have heeded Tréville's warning from the beginning, the man has a habit of turning out right.
Durand's featues had turned a grey hue, his hands trembled, bile had entered his throat, he wanted to throw up, He conceived mentally what had just been declared.
The principal spoke again.
"TAKE HIM!
How could his Holiness denounce him in such a way...to execute me would be an abomination.
"Your majesty...I plead for your mercy...I was ephemeral insane, I implore you majesty to see fit to...
Durand was silenced as two guards suddenly seized him.
Porthos grunted under his breath.
"'ow the mighty fall."
d'Artagnan raised both brows as he shot a glance to the big musketeer.
"I am somewhat dumbfounded." he said through muted tones. "I was indeed half expecting the pope to grant him clemency."
Tréville inhaled deeply as he heeded his mens words.
"Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill." he muttered.
Both musketeers turned to their superior with perplexed crinkled brows prompting Tréville to grin slightly.
"Shakespeare!...I read it in a book Athos gave to me."
Porthos nodded with eyes wide and snorted with mirth.
"I'm impressed."
d'Artagnan turned to Tréville.
"I was not aware a Cardinal could be executed captain." he mumbled.
Tréville suddenly straightened his stance and stared across the hall.
"He is no longer a cardinal, the pope denounced him to the king for trail, he has shamed the Catholic Church, something His Holiness would never permit."
Porthos and d'Artagnan swapped knowing glances, prompting both musketeers to pause as Durand was led past them towards the doors.
Durand lifted his eyes and glared at Tréville for a second as he was almost dragged by two guards, a swift tug of the arm as the doomed cleric suddenly turned and roared towards the musketeer captian, the two guards holding him fast as he seethed.
"This is all your doing Tréville...I will have my day...you and your incompetent oafs."
Saliva spewed from his raging mouth as he yelled.
"You are finished Tréville...you...
"SILENCE...GET HIM OUT OF HERE! yelled the king.
Tréville neared the guards as they gripped Durand's arms tightly.
"I think you will find you did all this to yourself Monsieur." he mutted.
Durand's teeth were clenched, his jaw pulsated slightly as he stared at Tréville before casting a glance towards both musketeers.
Both Porthos and d'Artagnan stared vacantly at the shamed cleric.
The guards dragged him again, vanishing through the large doors before they were slammed behind them.
ooooo
The Raven Tavern.
One Week Later:
The raucous and rowdy laughter filled the stale air as Red Guard and patrons became more inebriated by the minute, the thudding sound of pewter tankards re-sounded around the entire tavern as the men jested and played their usual drunken games. The serving wench winding around the tables as she did her upmost to keep the mens drinking vessels filled with ale, now and again she would roll her eyes as certain individuals became far too familiar.
The night air was chilly as the four musketeers sauntered towards the Raven Tavern. Now and then each man would guide Athos as the swordsman wandered off unaware in a different direction due to his poor vision.
"Maybe you would be better linking your arm around mine my friend." muttered Aramis as he grasped his friends shoulders.
Athos paused in his tracks and scowled.
"Indeed I shall not...I am quite capable of walking by myself thank you...I do not require the aid of a mother hen's fussing."
Porthos snorted and laughed.
"You walk like you 'av already been drinkin' in the bloody tavern."
d'Artagnan and Aramis stiffled their mirth.
"It's been a week now and the concoction Lemay mixed still has not worked, maybe I am never to see satisfactory again." said the swordsman sounding defeated.
"Come now Athos...you are not as bad as you were, Lemay said your sight will become clearer as time goes by." commented d'Artagnan guiding his friend once again.
"Time...how long is time may I ask? growled the swordsman."
Porthos grinned as he pushed the tavern doors wide open. The sudden loud din of laughter emitted into the air.
Aramis scanned the room and spotted a vacant table in the corner, he nudged Athos to walk forward and headed straight for it. The marksman could feel the eyes watching them, Porthos and d'Artagnan caught his knowing glance, a silent conversation taking place between each man.
The rowdy and raucous noise waned rapidly as every red guard's head turned and stared at the four musketeers.
"Well well...it would seem Lazarus has stumbled upon the tavern and desires some wine." snorted one of the guards.
The musketeers swapped iritated glances as the entire room resonated loud sniggering laughter.
Athos inhaled and sighed.
"We should have gone to the Wren...this is aimed at me." he mutted.
Porthos squeezed his brothers shouder.
"I will not be turfed out of the tavern because these dolts decide to churp."
"Doth this mean the musketeers are immortal, maybe we should put it to the test lads...what do you say? yelled another.
A loud cheer reverberated around the tavern.
Porthos stood instantly.
"We came 'ere for a quiet drink...we never came for trouble."
"We heeded that Athos has lost his sight." sniggered another guard.
"It would seem you are no longer the best swordsman now musketeer." came another comment.
Athos suddenly stood prompting his three friends to join him. His face was full of rage as he stared blankly across the room.
"I do not need my full vision to skewer any of you." he growled.
Aramis put an arm across the swordman chest."
"Athos...do not take the bait mon ami." he murmured.
One guard slowly approached the table, his booted footfalls could be heard as the entire room fell silent again.
This time Porthos stood, the tall guard came face to face with the big man, both men glaring into each others boiling features. The big musketeers jaws clenched tightly as he kept his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"You wanna fight...I'll give you one." growled Porthos. "You rile one of us, you rile all of us."
d'Artagnan and Aramis swapped irksome glances.
ooooOOOoooo
TBC
Hi Guys,
Hope you are all safe and well.
Sorry for another late posting, hope you will forgive me. Have been reall busy with both work and a sick relative.
Well what will become of the situation within the Tavern?
Thank you for your fab comments, love them.
Stay safe.
Pippa xxxx
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