Apologies for not posting sooner or replying to reviews. Not only have I been unexpectedly busier than usual but I'm having on and off computer problems as well.
No reunion between the boys yet (they will all be face-to-face in about two chapters time though so hang in there) the building blocks are starting though and Rochefort tries to get the upper hand.
A warning to the people,
The good and the evil,
This is war.
To the soldier, the civilian,
The martyr, the victim,
This is war.
This is war - 30 Seconds to Mars
The Cardinal was waiting outside his office the next morning as ordered.
"Why didn't you apprehend the intruder that was here last night?"
"I wasn't close enough."
"How close does the best shot in France need to be to fire?" The barely perceptible clench of the hands and jaw, the tightening of the jaw. Rochefort knew what to look for.
"I didn't realise we were unlawfully executing unarmed men."
"We do if they're a threat. Did you know him." The confusion was real as was the denial. They were all still strangers to each other.
"There is reason to believe some con artists are operating in Paris. They're targeting my fiancée with the likely intention of stealing our fortune and destroying our wedding."
"Mademoiselle Bourbon doesn't deserve that."
Rochefort leapt on the opening. "And how do you know what Mademoiselle Bourbon deserves or not?"
"Only from what I've heard. She's helped a lot of people and she's always well-spoken of."
Nothing more. Still Rochefort could not let it go. "And do I deserve it?" He didn't allow him the chance to reply. "Because I helped you. I'm the only one who would employ you after your dishonourable discharge. I'm the only one who took pity on a wretched, pathetic coward. Even your friend Marsac wanted nothing to do with you, do you remember?"
"I remember." Physical torture only got you so far. It wasn't the body that needed to be broken.
"Then you'll remember how much you owe me and do as I order in dealing with these criminals. I intend to keep my wife safe, unlike you." The words hit their target. It was the torment to the mind and spirit that truly worked, that lasted. Rochefort had learnt that long ago. "Dismissed."
He watched him leave. The man needed to remember his allegiance to Rochefort if he wanted to live. One day he decided, when Anne had had his son, the sniper would encounter them and know they belonged to Rochefort. And then Aramis would know the true pain of having your love stolen from you.
He opened the drawer and studied the ring, sliding it onto his hand. The ring that ensured nobody would stop him.
"Where were you?" It was officially morning a good hour ago, so Porthos fully understands Flea's worried tone. Charon just shrugged.
"I had to make sure I wasn't followed and make new arrangements." He shot an accusing look at Porthos. "You were almost caught!"
Charon's anger is justified. His friend's ire quickly turned to cheer. "Tell me you at least robbed them blind."
Porthos returns the grin, feigning indignation at the implication and showing his takings. Their small celebration was interrupted by his phone.
The closest hospital to his mother's small home was big and took everyone who came. It had too few rooms, too few staff and too many patients.
There's only so much they can do; the doctor tells him. Porthos feels like a little boy again, scared and lost. His mother looks so small and weak in the hospital bed. She's fading away, he knows that. Porthos has always been a fighter. It was how he grew up, how he survived, but he couldn't fight this.
He barely registers Flea's hand or her offer to get them something. He hardly notices Charon sit down beside him.
"There's a place in Normandy that might be able to help her." Charon's words rattle in his ears for a moment before he fully gets them.
"We won't be able to afford it." The reply is bitter in his mouth. As much as he wishes he could buy himself more, he hates he can't give his mother – the strongest, fiercest, kindest person he knows – this.
"Your dad – " Porthos cuts off the suggestion with a look. There's no way he's asking that man. Belgarde couldn't care less what happened to the proclaimed love of his life or his son. He'd use it to manipulate and control them. Besides the man was bankrupt anyway.
"I know someone." Porthos can only stare at his old friend. "He'll cover your mum's treatment."
"What's he want in return." People didn't just offer things like that.
"Few jobs done. Transport and haulage, things like that." Porthos frowned. "It'll be there so you'll be near her."
It was tempting. Porthos didn't remember a life outside Paris but if it meant helping his mum, he'd take it in a heartbeat. He wanted to tell Charon yes, but a stone in his gut stopped him. He knew better than to believe this good fortune at face value. The jobs sounded dodgy – drugs maybe. Porthos didn't want to be a part of that, he'd seen what a life like that could do to a person. So many people in the Court ended up caught in that trap. Drugs dragged you down and rarely let you go. But it might just be the one chance Marie-Cessette had. "I'll think about it. Talk to mum and the doctor. See what they say."
"Don't think too long," Charon warned. "You ain't got much time and neither does she."
Tell me something I don't know, Porthos thought.
The private apartments of the Bourbon estate were quieter than the main reception hall but no less spectacular. Athos eyed his surroundings along with the rest of his family. Catherine quietly evaluated the furnishings and the art. Thomas let out a low whistle and grinned. Anne ran a hand over a chair, a smile playing on her lips.
Anne Bourbon met them with a warm smile. Rochefort stood behind her; his own greeting far less welcoming.
"We're so glad you could come after that … incident at the gala. It would be terrible if it damaged a potential friendship." She glanced at her fiancé. "Wouldn't it Rochefort."
"Yes, yes."
It was not the most painful experience of Athos' life, but it was far from the most comfortable either. The food and drink were again excellent. It was the servants and the company. Anne Bourbon was an excellent conversationalist and a gracious hostess but even she could not compensate completely for her fiancé's rude coldness especially when combined with the d'Athos' lingering fury.
"Be careful, you idiot!" Catherine snapped at the waitress beside her. The girl had been pouring coffee and had not moved back fast enough when his sister-in-law stood up. Catherine snarled in the girl's direction as she inspected her blouse.
Anne calmly sipped her own cup. "Calm down Catherine, she did you a favour. That outfit should be a criminal offence."
Catherine glared at her. "I could have been severely scalded. Not that you'd care. You'd relish having me out of the picture."
Athos shifted uncomfortably and took another mouthful of coffee. Neither woman hid their feelings towards each other, even among outside company. There was little to be done. Thomas' attempts at mediation and diffusion rarely worked. Both women were too strong of character to need protection, nor to forego a chance to defend or attack in their own right.
Unlike everyone else, who had remained seated, Anne – the other Anne, their hostess – had hurried over instantly. Once assured that Catherine that not been injured, she politely but firmly requested the mess to be cleaned up. Athos noticed that she got the waitress out of the room quickly but not before quietly reassuring her.
Once the matter had been sorted an uncomfortable silence descended over the already stilted conversation.
"When is the wedding?" Thomas was the natural conversionist of the family. He'd always been far more social and out-going than his older brother.
"Oh, not until- "
"The end of the month." Athos didn't miss the shock that flashed across the younger Anne's face, quick as it was.
"That's very soon."
"We're in love. Why wait?" The simple statement sounded almost as a challenge to Athos ears. He had no right to judge. He had fallen in love and married his Anne almost immediately. But the way Rochefort caught her hand seemed more possessive than loving. The young woman was careful to keep her expression neutral but there was something that ghosted across her features. Athos felt the sudden need to protect her.
"Mademoiselle Bourbon has a gift for inspiring fondness it seems. Many would ensure that she is well and happy in her marriage." Rochefort's stare hardened. He had heard the warning. Athos hoped it would be successful.
Anne glanced over to him for only a moment, but Athos caught the gratitude in her gaze. He made a mental note to get in touch with Treville. The man should know what was going on. Athos suspected the older man would be very interested in knowing how Rochefort treated his wife.
The meal ended soon after and they said their goodbyes. Rochefort insisted on escorting them out. To ensure they actually left no doubt rather than any inclination of manners.
"Rochefort!" The man pushing past the man on duty at the gate was middle-aged but well built. He had the look of a man who made his living physically and out of doors rather than an office. His skin was slightly weathered but not worn and his good-natured face was twisted in determination. The man succeeded in getting past and strode towards Rochefort stopping just short of him. "I need to talk to you."
"Who are you?"
"Alexandre D'Artagnan from Lupiac in Gascony. You're killing us." The shift in Rochefort's demeanour was miniscule but Athos caught it. What surprised him was that Rochefort had reacted to Alexandre's name not the accusation.
"As you can see, I'm rather busy. You'll have to come back another time."
Alexandre wouldn't be so easily rejected though. He stood his ground. "I didn't come all this way just to be fobbed off. Your company is dumping illegally. You're polluting the rivers and the land. Half the livestock in Gascony has been poisoned, thanks to your lot. You may as well throw us out on the street with the way your desecrating our livelihood."
Rochefort turned away. "I'm not going to listen to a fanatical madman with no evidence."
"I have evidence. Plenty of it. Either you do something about it or we'll have no choice but to take legal action to make you."
Rochefort snarled. He looked about ready to strike Alexandre.
"Monsieur Rochefort is very concerned to hear this news and now that it has been brought to his attention, I'm sure he'll take every effort to resolve the matter. I know Mademoiselle Bourbon certainly will." Rochefort looked furious at the intrusion. Athos didn't know if he had known about the polluting beforehand, but it was obvious the man didn't care one way or the other. He was certain though that Anne Bourbon would.
"Indeed," Rochefort said through gritted teeth. "I have a meeting I need to attend now. But make an appointment with my secretary for this evening. I'll have had time to look into the matter and we can discuss it properly then."
"How do I know you won't cancel."
"My family and I are witnesses," Athos pointed out. "Monsieur Rochefort can hardly deny anything with us having seen and heard you inform him of your concerns."
Rochefort snapped a goodbye and stalked away. Athos held out his card to Alexandre. "In case he does try to deny it. If Bourbon Enterprises won't help, De la Fere Acquisitions will."
Rochefort fumed. How dare Athos! The man could not stop interfering in Rochefort's business. He had put a stop to the musketeers and yet still they persisted in trying to challenge him. And this man D'Artagnan. It was not the D'Artagnan that Rochefort knew but it wasn't a coincidence. Not now. He needed to get rid of the man before the other D'Artagnan arrived to join his friends.
'If Athos is so determined to get involved with other people's affairs he can get involved with his wife's.'
"Mademoiselle de Gouvaille?" The woman paused, with a haughty look. Rochefort swallowed his real feelings, adopting a humble air. This woman was a pawn like so many others. Rochefort would deal with her when she no longer had a use. "Forgive me. I have some information about Madame D'Athos. Information that I don't believe Monsieur d'Athos is aware of." Her eyes lit up. Rochefort hid a grin. The animosity between the two women had been unmissable. She would do exactly as he wanted. "I think Madame d'Athos is not who she says she is. Her husband should know the truth, but I don't think he would believe me. As a beloved sister-in-law it would be better coming from you."
"Of course, Monsieur de Rochefort. Thank you so much for telling me. Can you give me more information? It's best I know the whole story, so I can decide how best to break the news to Oliver." He silently handed over the memory stick. That would take care of the de la Feres. Now for Madame Bonaciuex and the others.
"This is really good."
"No need to sound so surprised."
D'Artagnan had the good grace to look sheepish. "I just meant the quality of the work. I think this is better than when I bought."
Constance hmphed, not quite willing to let it go, not quite willing to take it up with him either. "I'm not surprised. It isn't very good quality. I'm surprised your clothes don't have more holes in them. I've never seen so much mud and wear and slices."
"Well thank you. Maybe I could buy you a coffee? You could recommend what type of clothes I should be wearing."
She nearly slapped him for that. She wanted to take him up on the offer more. Which was ridiculous she chided herself. She had far too much on, much more important things. D'Artagnan quietly waited for her to answer. He was far too good-looking. It was more than that though. D'Artagnan exuded adventure and freedom. Constance wouldn't be surprised to learn if he never really sat still, always wanting to do instead of think. D'Artagnan was looking for excitement. Something Constance could do a little with herself.
"You could do with the advice, if you bother to listen to it." One coffee couldn't hurt.
She shooed him out of the shop once they'd agreed the time and place. When the bell rang twenty minutes later, she was still thinking of D'Artagnan's smile.
Her own fixed into a rather forced one. The man in front of her was not smiling warmly. In fact, he wasn't smiling at all. The moment he laid his cold eyes on her, Constance felt uneasy. The man looked at her like she was an enemy. Or prey.
"Madame Bonacieux."
"It's Mademoiselle."
"Mademoiselle," he drawled the correction, like it meant nothing to him. It probably didn't. "I want to offer you a position as a counsellor at the Saint Germaine Académie." She took the papers he flung at her in confusion.
"There must be some mistake. I didn't apply for a position at this academy. I'm not even a counsellor."
"You were recommended."
"By who?"
"Does that matter?" the man said impatiently. "You'd be giving your opinion, telling people what to think and do, interfere- advising them how to solve their problems."
She didn't want to tell people what to do and think. And she certainly didn't want to work for someone who seemed to have such dislike for her and the position. "So, you're just offering me a job at your school? Out of the blue?"
"It's not my school, I'm merely extending the offer on their behalf. As I said you were recommended." Thank God for small miracles. Nobody deserved to have this man as a teacher.
"I'll have to think about it." She hurried on before he could say anything else. "Like I said it's out of the blue. And it'd mean moving to Lorraine."
"Accommodation will be provided. You'd have more money than you'd ever make here".
"It's not about the money," Constance snapped, not liking the way he'd dismissed their surroundings. It was Constance's work, Louise's business, her livelihood. He had no right to look down his nose at it just because he thought he was better. "I have family here, friends."
"Well tell them. And hurry. You start next week." He finally sensed her mood. "These students need help. They need someone to listen to them and advise them. A confidant. They need you."
Damn! The man could be manipulative, she gave him that. "I'll need a few days." She refused to budge. She wouldn't drop her entire life in Paris just because a strange man said so.
But from the man's demeanour she wouldn't have much choice.
D'Artagnan was still smiling when he made it back to the hotel room he shared with his father. He flashed a brighter one at Alexandre who was sitting on his bed.
"I can't go over the files with you tonight. I've got a date."
Alexandre just groaned. It was an odd reaction for him. Normally he'd tease D'Artagnan mercilessly. Alexandre reached out, suddenly lunging forward. Instinctively D'Artagnan caught him. It was then he saw the blood,
"Who did this to you? Dad!"
"Athos. F-find Athos."
It's the moment of truth, and the moment to lie,
The moment to live and the moment to die,
The moment to fight, the moment to fight
To fight, to fight, to fight!
To the right, To the left
We will fight to the death!
To the edge of the earth
It's a brave new world
It's a brave new world
It's a brave new world!
My question this time is: who do you think is the most underrated actor - not the best or your favourite but the one who doesn't get enough credit.
It's tough because Howard Charles definitely gets the least (show) love. I think we all agree he's fab as Porthos but he and the character always get the short-end of the stick - episodes instead of arcs, his love interests (despite being the most sensible i.e. not falling for married women, queens, murderers, rebels (at least not so dangerously and stupidly as his friends)) are all really interesting but don't last more than an episode, his stand-out moments are more down to Howard's ability than the writing and even his episodes are usually over-shadowed by other plots, storylines and key moments.
Treville is another who's badly neglected, even though Hugo Speer does wonderful work with what's essentially the same dramatic arc every season (keeping terrible secrets from his proteges) and has fantastic paternal chemistry with his younger co-stars.
I have to give the overall award though to Ryan Gage. Louis is a poor king, a weak man, a bad boss, a negliglectful and abusive husband (he might not physically manhandle Anne but he clearly verbally and emotionally abuses her and twice oking your wife's murder no matter what she's done is low - even if it is accidental) and an affectinate and well-meaing but a negligent and terrible father (yeah he loves the kid but leaves him with homicidial minders and a kingdom of unrest). Louis should be at best a one-note plot device character or comic relief. Ryan though brings great emotional depth to Louis and I find myself sympathising with him even when I know I shouldn't and I don't think he gets enough credit for that.
On the ladies I'm going to give it to Tamla Kari. Both she and Alexandra Dowling got nothing of real substance to work with in S3 but I don't think Constance got any kind of storyline of her own in S3 at all, she was just a bit player in everyone else's or the overall plot so she edges it.
As always let me know what you think. Do you agree? Disagree? Or do you think someone else should get more credit.
