Duplicity

Chapter Nine

After establishing that LeGrange wasn't in the garrison they took up residence at the table in the yard. All were wrestling with the knowledge that one of their own had lost his life needlessly. If they hadn't been entirely committed before there was now no doubt that LeGrange had to go.

"How do we get rid of him?" d'Artagnan asked. "He was appointed by the King and has Rochefort's protection."

"The King dismissed Treville for disobeying the order to kill Emilie. Louis expects his orders to be obeyed and has no patience with anyone who disappoints him. Somehow we need to manoeuvre LeGrange into a position where the King believes he has been let down," Athos said thoughtfully.

"That won't be easy."

"No, Aramis, it won't. We might well have to compromise our honour."

Porthos frowned. "Honour's important to me."

"As it is to all of us. I will understand if you want no part of this."

"We're brothers." Porthos swept his arm to encompass all the Musketeers in the yard. "Family sticks together."

Athos inclined his head in thanks then looked up as he heard a horse entering the yard. "LeGrange is back."

They made no effort to go and meet him, waiting for him to approach them.

"I see you have finally returned. Was the letter safely delivered?"

Athos looked at him appraisingly. "It was." Was there the slightest reaction? He couldn't be certain.

"You encountered no trouble on your journey?"

"No." There was a definite look of puzzlement this time. "We have just heard about Claude's death."

"A pity but he was clearly medically unfit to be on active service." The tone was dismissive.

"Perhaps if you hadn't driven him so hard he might not have suffered so badly." Athos spoke mildly, concealing his true feelings.

"It is as well to root out those who might compromise the safety of the King," LeGrange said pompously.

"You feel no responsibility for his death?" Aramis asked.

"Why should I? I wasn't to know he had a weak heart. Now I suggest you go about your business. I have no intention of answering to you for my decision."

"You're a cold-hearted bastard," Athos said. He'd managed to restrain his urge to punch LeGrange. Apparently that was where his restraint ended.

Colour flooded LeGrange's face. "That is insubordination, and I will not tolerate it. I will have respect."

"Respect is earned," Athos said. "So far all you've earned is my contempt."

There was a long fraught silence during which LeGrange glared at each of them impartially. Finally his gaze settled back on Athos. "I am putting you on a charge. You will remain in the garrison until I decide on your punishment." He looked at Aramis, Porthos and d'Artagnan. "I assume you share his views?"

There was no hesitation at all before all confirmed that they were firmly aligned with Athos.

"Very well. Then you can share in his punishment. Now, get out of my sight."

"Not exactly our finest hour," Aramis said once they had made their way to Athos' room.

"I let my temper get the better of me," Athos conceded. "You have my apologies."

"You only said what the rest of us was thinkin'," Porthos said heatedly.

"True. Still it would have been better if you had distanced yourselves."

"All for one," d'Artagnan said.

Athos acknowledged that with a fleeting smile.

"He looked a bit rattled when you denied trouble on our journey," Porthos said.

"He is quite adept at hiding his feelings, but that caught him by surprise." Aramis, who was standing by the window, looked out thoughtfully. What he could see of the garrison was still eerily quiet. "I think it is safe to assume that he and Rochefort are working together. He is no innocent dupe."

"So it seems." Athos rummaged in the chest where he kept his clothes and personal possession. "I thought there was one left." He lifted out a flask of wine, removed the stopper and took a long swallow. He offered it to Porthos. "I wonder how long he will make us wait?"

It wasn't long. They were in the refectory eating a cold meal without any great enthusiasm. Serge had apologised and promised a proper dinner. No one complained. Serge and Claude had been good friends and the old cook was entitled to his grief.

"Athos. The Captain wants to see you," Maurice said as he came in for his own meal.

If it had been Treville Athos would have answered the summons immediately. He nodded his thanks and continued eating.

"How long are you goin' to make him wait?" Porthos asked.

"Just long enough to annoy him."

When Athos finally knocked on the office door the instruction to enter was curt.

"I sent for you half an hour ago," LeGrange said.

"Did you? I'm afraid I was occupied." Athos could see the anger on the other man's face but LeGrange didn't press the point.

"You and your friends are on night duty for the next two weeks."

"Very well." That was manageable and no great hardship.

"You will remain in the barracks except when on duty."

That was rather more unwelcome. "As you wish."

"I also require a public apology."

Athos gave that some thought. "I don't think so."

The heat was rising again in LeGrange's face. "There are far worse punishments I could impose," he threatened.

"That is certainly true. However you have already earned the enmity of the men and the situation will only worsen if you try to publicly humiliate me."

"I don't need you to give me advice on handling my command."

"I'm sure you don't but, given some more thought, I'm sure that you would have come to the same conclusion. I think you miscalculated the depth of the bond between soldiers who have served together. Of course it might have been deliberate; an attempt to destroy morale. That would certainly hasten the ultimate demise of the regiment." Unconsciously Athos had stopped speaking as a soldier to his commanding officer. This was the voice of the Comte de la Fere expressing his views to an inferior. He noted with interest that the colour in LeGrange's face was now trending toward purple.

"You dare to speak to me like that? You're nothing more than a drunken, gutter born common soldier."

Rochefort had clearly not enlightened LeGrange as to Athos' lineage and he had no intention of correcting the misapprehension. "I may be a common soldier, but I am good at my trade. Can you say the same?"

LeGrange was too angry to form coherent arguments. "Get out. I will speak to the King about your insolence."

Athos regarded him coolly. It might prove beneficial to have LeGrange complain. The King didn't tolerate incompetence and that would be evidence that LeGrange was losing control of the regiment. He waited for LeGrange to look away before turning and leaving the room.

Tbc