Author's Note: Here's the next one, and no, sorry you do not get to find out what was in the trunk yet... oh, and the continuation for chap 10.. is chap 12.. so if you wanna see it... give me some reviews...;) Thanks to Nicole and Heather as always. Meg

Mazarin sat thinking. Who was the lady? He had sent some of his men to the tavern and dock to question anyone who had seen them and now he waited. His plan was forming. He would send a letter to London by the faster cargo ships. He would inform his contact on what he wanted his next move to be. He took a sip of his wine.

King Louis wanted to see him soon, no doubt about the royal wedding taking place in a fortnight. Mazarin frowned; he did not like it one bit. The girl had looked at him as if she knew he was not who he pretended to be. He had sent inquires on her as well, Lady Helen Anne Stuart of England. She was part of nobility being a cousin of the English crown and she was highly spoken of as being intelligent and just. Mazarin found the whole thing suspicious though. He took another sip of wine. Yes, waiting was most difficult.

Siroc stood in the lab mixing liquids once again. Ramon stood off to the side and out of the way. "Almost there," Siroc said.

Ramon frowned, "What does this do?"

Siroc looked up a bit startled. "It makes us an exit without revealing who we are. It is only a precaution."

Ramon smiled, "Mi amigo, you are a genius!" He patted Siroc roughly on the back causing him to turn and give Ramon an impatient look. Siroc poured the mixture into a flask and they left the garrison.

Outside the palace, they caught sight of one of the Cardinal's men and they followed him to the far side of the palace. The guard got off his horse and pressed the wall and a hidden door appeared allowing the man entry.

Siroc studied the wall as they got near it. Ramon pushed it and nothing happened. "There must be a trick, no?" Ramon asked suspiciously.

Siroc frowned as he thought. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers, put his left index finger, and left pinkie on the wall and it slide open for them. "It just has to be pushed a certain way," Siroc explained to Ramon who had a look of disbelief on his face. "Follow me, and be quiet," Siroc instructed as they started down the dark hall.

"Your grace, I have excellent news for you," the guard said.

Mazarin looked at him. I could use some good news Mazarin thought after the audience with the King. "Go on," he spoke aloud.

The guard cleared his throat. "The lady accompanying the musketeer known as d'Artagnan has been described. She is none other than the fugitive we have been seeking, Jacqueline Roget."

Mazarin sat up suddenly, smiling. "The fugitive, you are sure?" he asked cautiously.

The guard shifted slightly, "Also your grace one more thing."

Mazarin nodded, "Yes, go on."

The guard swallowed hard, "Witnesses report that the young lady and d'Artagnan were seen on more than friendly terms."

Mazarin's smile began to widen. So, our young musketeer sees fit to court a fugitive. That will prove useful for us. "Any report on what they are up to?" Mazarin asked him.

The guard bowed, "Some rumors of a treaty and papers from England to be brought back."

Mazarin thought he would need the girl alive for now. She would be killed later, but now she would serve a better purpose alive.

Siroc and Ramon waited and when it went silent, Ramon looked at Siroc panicked. "Well, we must do something!"

Siroc shook his head, "We need to discover Mazarin's plan before we can come up with one of our own."

Voices started up again and Siroc waved Ramon to be quiet. "Take this letter to the count and send it to our contact in London by cargo ship. I want this to land in England first." Ramon and Siroc started to back out in the hallway. "Yes, your grace," the guard answered.

Siroc opened the flask and the mixture poured out as the guard exited the room; he was enveloped in smoke. Siroc and Ramon hastily exited the palace and turned back to the garrison. "We need to head to Le Harve and intercept that letter," Siroc announced and Ramon acknowledged him as he headed back to his room to grab a few items.