The moment arrived. The double door would open in any second and she would have to explain everything. Inside, her case was being exposed to all the musketeers and the probable punishments that could be applied.
The door opened. She felt how her feet moved inside, walking with steady step, and broken soul. She arrived in front of the king and the queen, took off her hat and kneeled. The low whispering kept her uneasy the whole time.
- Musketeer Larthis, your case has been exposed and now it's time for you defense. Why you joined the ranks of the musketeers, in spite of your condition?.-
Treville's voice was cold and hard as steel. Gathering all her courage to hide her weakness, Larthis raised her sight and began.
- I made an oath of honor.-
- Explain that oath.-
- My older brother and I swore that our life missions would be acomplished while one of us still lived. I must acomplish that mission in spite of everything and at any cost.-
The whispers began again.
- Where is that brother?.-
- You will find his tomb at 400 km south of Paris... he was murdered by treason several years ago.-
The whispering stopped. Treville's expression softened a little.
- So he died and you are doing his task. You have lied to us in many things during this years... How can you explain this?.-
- Yes, sir... I hide being a woman to acomplish my oath. My silence is due to the same reason... and the silence about my past is to protect the health of her Majesty, the queen.-
The whispering began again. The queen, until that moment quiet, raised.
- Musketeer Larthis, I thank you for your concern. I ask you to reveal your past.-
Larthis sank her head. This moment would be very difficult for both.
- As you wish, your Majesty...- her voice failed. She knew it would be very difficult. She took off her gloves in silence and removed the white bandage of her hand.
The queen's face changed to become the most terrorized expression that no one could imagine. Larthis kept silence when the queen fell on her knees crying desperately. She felt tears falling from her eyes too.
- I'm sorry...-
The queen's maids took her away. The reactions in the room were very different.
- Explain what happened.-
The musketeer took some seconds before raising her head again.
- The mark that I have in my hand showed her a fact that kept her preocupied for a long time... The only family she had in France died.- her voice broke for a second.- And I'm the bearer of such news... because I'm the last survivor... of them...-
She sank her head again. She had no more to say... it was now only time to wait.
The king raised.
- Musketeer Larthis, surrender your swords and wait outside the hall.-
She did as she was told.
When the doors closed she couldn't hold her tears anymore... Her world was shattering slowly...
***
Several hours passed. When the doors opened again she felt like almost fainting. The final hour arrived...
She headed to the throne and kneeled again.
- The trial has concluded. The veredict will be set by the musketeers.-
The king sat.
Larthis stood up and turned to face the musketeers. Silence took over the place. No one moved. The woman closed her eyes as her last effort to control her emotions.
She heard a sound of unsheating steel. She opened her eyes and saw Athos placing his sword at her feet. A low whisper raised again. Larthis closed her eyes and decided to wait before opening them again.
The sound of several more swords told her the veredict form: the swords in front of the throne were a sign of aproval, and the swords at the door were a sign of condemn.
The whispering ceased.
- The musketeers have spoken.-
Larthis remained with her eyes closed, afraid to know the result.
- Musketeers of the King! Recover your swords!.-
The noise took less time, while she remained in darkenss.
When silence took over the place again, she opened her eyes. Everyone were serious... in their faces nothing could be seen. She felt her strenght to fail again.
- The case is closed...- Larthis turned again and kneeled.- the musketeers have decided, by the reasons and proofs given here, that the woman Larthis can be one of them.-
The king gave her swords back and sat again, smiling.
For the second time, Larthis didn't knew what emotion to set free. She stood up and turned to see her friends.
- Thank you...-
The men broke the formation and carried her on arms to celebrate the end of the trial. They went outside, and she couldn't say anymore where were the ground or the sky.
A little behind, a musketeer followed them with a smile. Larthis succeded in both missions by herself, and she would surely be happy.
- Athos, join the party!.-
Instead of listening, he stopped.
- Musketeers of the King!.- everyone paid attention.
- One for all!...-
Joy invaded everyone. Larthis was thrown to the sky again at the same time the answer raised.
- ... and all for one!.-