Author's Note: 15 THAT'S THE HALFWAY POINT GUYS... enjoy. Meg
Siroc and Ramon stood behind a horse trying to decide how to best get a look at that letter. Ramon had on a blonde wig and it itched. "Mi amigo, why do I have to wear this?" Ramon complained for the fifth time that day.
Siroc sighed, "I explained it, and you are best fit to the disguise." Siroc studied the guard as he walked into a tavern. "Ramon, go distract him," Siroc commanded.
Ramon looked confused, "How, Mi amigo?"
Siroc sighed again, "Offer to buy him a drink. I do not care, just do something."
Ramon hurried off to the table and Siroc sneaked up behind them. The guard had put the letter on the table and was facing away as Ramon came up. Siroc could not hear them directly, but he could tell Ramon was offering to buy him a drink and the guard, after inquiring who he was, accepted. Siroc rounded them and grabbed the letter, catching part of their conversation as he did so. "Do a wonderful thing for France, no?" Ramon was saying and the guard was buying the suck up.
The guard was patting Ramon on the back. "Yeah, we do good work. Now those pests of musketeers…"
Siroc could hear them laughing as he backed away. He could not hear Ramon's reply, but he was obviously saying something to agree with the man. They were finishing their drinks as Siroc finished reading the letter, his face full of concern and sadness.
He neared the table again; their words became audible. "Well, it has been a please, but I must be going. Important mission and all." The guard laughed, and Ramon nodded steeling a concerned glance at Siroc.
Siroc managed to push the letter on the table before he ducked. He was just in time! The guard turned, picked up the letter, and headed out.
Ramon turned toward Siroc, "Well?" Siroc shook his head, "We must report to Duval immediately." Ramon nodded as they walked out.
Siroc looked grave as he looked around to make sure no one could hear them. "Mazarin knows where Jacqueline and d'Artagnan are headed. He has a spy on the ship watching them, and he is planning something. He wants her alive for now. I did not get to see the last few sentences."
Ramon shook his head; "There is no way to warn them?" Siroc shook his head. Ramon looked back at the dock, "What do we tell Duval?"
Siroc thought a minute as they rode. "We tell him that Mazarin has discovered where d'Artagnan and Laponte went." Ramon looked skeptical. "We leave Jacqueline out of it for now," Siroc paused. "That is the only way we can help her for the moment." Ramon nodded, "We best hurry back."
Captain Duval listened to Siroc as he explained about Mazarin and what he had discovered. "We must come up with a plan to help them," Duval said.
Siroc sighed, "I am working on something now."
Duval nodded, "We have a few days before it becomes urgent. Best to make use of the time and come up with a solid plan." Ramon shifted his feet, and coughed.
"One with no mistakes," Duval said, eyeing Ramon.
Ramon looked at the floor as Duval left. "Will he ever let me forget that?" Ramon whined to Siroc. Siroc shook his head. "You nearly got us killed." Ramon knew that had been a bad plan, but he had to think of something. Margot had been in danger, and the only way he could think of to stop Mazarin from using her as an 'experiment' was to storm the dungeon that night and get her out.
After Jacques and d'Artagnan had done it a few weeks before, the guards had been more alert. Thankfully, Jacques had gotten Siroc and d'Artagnan and insisted they follow him. They had dueled with the guards and freed Margot, who had been ever grateful to Ramon. Ramon smiled as he remembered her, he best go see her again before too long.
"I think better in my lab," Siroc said breaking into Ramon's thoughts.
"Mi, amigo, you go ahead, I have something I must do." With that, they went their separate ways.
The man in the dark cloak took the letter and read it carefully. Mazarin had been specific in his orders. Follow them, find out what was in the papers, and then find some way to get them Jacqueline Roget… The man knew about her. She was a pain, no women should fight. She made him sick. He wanted to slip a knife into her pretty little throat. He restrained himself; Mazarin said alive. He wanted her alive and if Mazarin wanted her alive, then alive she would be. However, that did not mean she had to be in perfect health though. That thought made him smile. He glanced up as Jacqueline and d'Artagnan entered a closed carriage, and he nodded to his driver to follow them, "I do not want to be seen," he instructed, and with the right money, anyone could be bought.
He smiled to himself as he rode along the road. The palace was heavily guarded, but there were places were he could hide and hear what was going on. At least in the throne room and that was where any important talk would be going on. Now, he would think of a plan.