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Chapter XIII: Lasting Consequences
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Unto Dumas: Pax, Disney, Hallmark and United Artists too
Give credit where credit is due,
I'd be writing something subtly different…
If not for all of you.
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Chapter XIII: Lasting Consequences
For the most part, days drift in a leisurely fashion in Berry. One exception was the Great Q, an outdoor festival unique to Berry la Feré. Unlike saint's days and Holy days, this type of festival is called at a moments notice. It could be to celebrate something particular or simply to provide the laborers an unexpected break. When the first rays of dawn reveal the flag of Berry aloft on the pole in the town square, everyone knows they have till noon to complete any necessary labor. From noon to dusk they make ready for the festivities. As the sun sets, torches blaze and the fete begins and continues well into the night. Every celebration in Berry is a memorable event and there can be as many as six impromptu gatherings a year; but the first Q during the royal twins' stay in Berry was definitely something to behold.
Lewis was rather disconsolate, at first, expecting royal precessions and pageantry; it had been his birthday, after all, and he was accustomed to such things. Truth be told, he was sick to death of couriers and vying for his favor. It seemed most believed bowing and scraping to be an acceptable leisurely pursuit and backstabbing a neighbor's reputation an art form. The young king's expectations could not have been more wrong.
Firstly, the celebration was not for him. Louis XIV was not even the guest of honor. This Q was for the illustrious Captain Porthos and his Mistress Allie, joined in matrimony at long last. The legendary rover was finally ready to settle down and this exquisite damsel was the one to tame him. Of course, Count Athos went the extra mile on behalf of one of his oldest and dearest friends. He could do no less.
Aramis conducted the ceremony, despite his objections that he was not officially ordained. Athos gave the bride away, Anton was ring bearer and young D'artagnan tearfully stood in for his father as best man. The request had sincerely taken the young Gascon by surprise, and despite his presently conflicted feelings for his father, he was proud to serve Uncle Paulie in this capacity.
The next major surprise came as liveried guards brought the meat, spitted on large iron bars carried between them. There were four large stags, three boars and some fine sheep—cleaned, dressed and ripe for roasting. The Count bowed to the guard as the beasts were put in place over large roasting pits. Next Athos saluted the crowd assembled, rolled up his sleeves and donned an apron. The crowd watched expectantly as the venerable noble basted the meat with traditional Q- sauce. In the Palace, only the lowest servants in the scullery would perform such a menial task, which necessitated standing close to the open flame, not to mention the smoke and soot. Louis was stunned that any noble would willingly debase himself in such a way.
There was an air of ceremony to the de la Feré's actions, to be sure, but ritual without reality, is empty. Athos was not one to yield his place to servants once he had satisfied local custom. He stood firm, proudly turning the crank handle of the spit and fussing over the meat with the attention of an epicurean. His adopted son and heir, Grim, did likewise at the next fire pit. When the air was heavy with succulent aroma, Athos cut and served the meat to his people. The de la Feré was not the only one to contribute to the feast. In Berry, ALL were equal. Every family brought something-- fruit, salad, vegetables, bread cheeses, spicy sausages and a wide variety of desserts. All to be shared in common, regardless of class or station.
Such openhanded generosity was new to Louis. When he pointed it out to his twin, Philippe leaned over and whispered in his brother's ear, "The last shall be first and the first last." Epée grinned, ever alert. He drank it all in with wide-eyed awe.
The young king was not sure what his brother's comment meant except that it might not be such a good idea to shoulder his way to the front of the line. Still, he filed the cryptic saying away for further contemplation. In a very real way, Lew relished the fact that he was not the center of attention. Mother would have been appalled to see him snitching off the desert table like a common pageboy. The renegade king and his brother even crawled underneath one of the trestle tables to eat their purloined creampuffs, without a single un-approving glare from the adults. Several even winked at him as if fondly recalling boyhood intercessions of their own.
The wedding and feast were only two of many diversions of the evening. A Berry Q also featured games of skill and chance with prizes awarded. Philippe and Louis watched speechlessly as Ramón scurried monkey-like up a thin wooded stake, driven into the ground, to ring a bell hung at the top. The skillful Spaniard received a red silk ribbon and the kiss of a pretty maiden. There could be no doubt which of the two honors Ramón valued more.
There was also dancing at the festival. Louis's tutors had seen him agonizingly schooled in the proper steps almost since he could walk. He never had the opportunity just to skulk around the edges of the dance floor without having eligible young maidens thrust at him. At court, it was obligatory the young king lead the stately lines of coquettish couples as they traced each intricate pattern on the dance floor.
It was quickly evident that dances of Berry were not among the court repertoire. Louis found them simplistic by comparison; many did not even require a partner. People formed rollicking circles, spinning this way and that…rushing to the center then out again. The people's faces were exuberant and joyful. They laughed wholeheartedly and cheered one another on with reckless abandon.
No one cared if Louis participated or not, but the music beckoned. Soon Louis and Philippe were drawn together into the fray. It was thrilling and both boys found themselves flushed and quite breathless before too long.
Lew and Epée both marked the non-birthday, when they turned 11, as being the very best in every way. There were many reasons for this of course…Not least of which was the fact that it was the first they shared together.
-o-o-o-o-
In Berry, young musketeers and Royal twins alike, garnered memories they would treasure for a lifetime. There was horse riding, hunting, and treks in the wood, picnics and other pleasant diversions. D'artagnan spent many long hours showing Jacques around, as this was her first time to Berry. Siroc wondered at their frequent absences as it somehow fell to him to chaperone Louis and Philippe usually in the company of Etienne and Anton. In attempt to keep the young ones nominally out of trouble, the inventor taught them to make kites and model sailboats. Boat races and kite fights became popular picnic diversions for all. That is all but Ramon, who seemed more than content to watching the others and scribbling verses in his notebook. The Spaniard claimed that even light wind and small boats made him a bit seasick; No doubt a side effect of the 'adventure' with Captain Porthos.
Louis was unspeakably grateful that, just as the kite fought and danced about on the wind… the fish in the waters of Berry did likewise. The lunacy of his last fishing trip still riled the young king… that a courtier would presume he could not tell the difference between a live fish and a dead one was simply inconceivable. That uncle Mazzie tried to perpetrate the fraud made it even worse. Louis wondered that perhaps he should have been aiming to do more than put a scare into the man who waited in the weeds to ensure his hook never came away empty.
After a day of fishing, Etienne and Anton convinced the twins to strip down to their small clothes and frolic about in the cool waters of the lake. As they played, Louis noticed the pale blue stains still marking his brother's arms and chest. After some prodding from the others, Epée finally explained the dangers of using indigo ink to play warrior Celt. He even pointed out a woad plant growing on the shore but admitted, "Aramis and I never did perfect easily removable dye. Perhaps Siroc ought to make it his next project." The young prince suggested.
Louis in turn told how he marked himself in a similar fashion, using mother's lip-color, while pretending to be a savage from the new world. He even threatened to scalp the inventor. "Imagine. He hung upside down in the tree, sword in hand, and the tip of his tongue sticking out the corner of his mouth in concentration." Lew mimed the activity and even Siroc, watching from shore, could not help but laugh. It was good to see the young king so relaxed. The destructive tantrums and stubborn pride seemed to wash away in the crystal clear waters of Berry. The young royal laughed and played like any normal eleven-year-old child. Of course, the taciturn inventor knew he was not a reliable judge of such things; but it was still nice to watch. Siroc wistfully considered joining in on the fun, perhaps…someday.
o-o-o-o-o
The young adventurers spent several wonderful months in Berry. Late summer burned away leaving a brilliant fall. Ramón led formal meetings of the BPBS - Berry Poetical Ballad Society. Everyone enjoyed many evenings of glorious Rhapsody in the gardens.
Those keen on observing might have noticed something more afoot in those same gardens, something that well might have greater consequences – albeit unseen ones -- than even the uprisings in Paris…For all, it started innocently enough.
"Stand up straighter. Royals don't slouch. Your crown falls off then everyone gets mad." Lewis was giving Philippe 'lessons'. Poor Epée was wearing Lewis's wig (a bit lopsided from being in Jacques saddlebag all this time).
"There is the king and the prince. Everyone must know you are younger than me." Lewis announced positioning his brother like some sort of living mannequin; head up, shoulders back, hand on hip, one foot slightly in front of the other like a Greek statue.
"Younger by two minutes, no more." Emris added from where he lazed. His cape spread over a pile of leaves made a fabulous cushion, toasty in the still warm sun.
Lewis frowned, "Not two minutes…the nobles, especially uncle Gaston, will either see him as a threat and try to poison him, or think to use him to replace me. Two years would be safer…that would make him born in…Bah…I've always hated lessons."
"1640." Epée said without thinking…he was good at academics. His jailors had not thought it prudent to teach a royal pawn even to read, but Emris made learning enjoyable and the young prince had blossomed under his tutelage.
"Good," Lewis nodded. "I'm reasonably sure mother spent time at the palace in St. Germain when I was a babe and XIII died there. We can have paperwork made that records you were born there as well. How about September 21? That's near enough that we can still celebrate together." the young king asked.
Philippe nodded in wordless accord and his brother turned his excited attention to Emris, "You do have people that can arrange that sort of thing don't you?"
"Actually, yes, but why?" the Jesuit leader mumbled, wondering just what Philippe had told his brother of the doings at the Abbey.
"I am King. Truth is, what I say, it is. If there are records that agree, who is to say otherwise? Every king needs heir and a spare…Uncle Mazzie has said so often enough. XIII would have known this as well. If Philippe was born sickly, the king would be obligated to keep him out of sight till he was stronger…history never need know otherwise."
The blunt assessment of the situation chilled Emris to the bone but he could not deny the fact.
Lew turned his attention back to Epée. "Everyone in court will refer to the prince as Monsieur; the king's brother, Duke of…how about…Duc d' Anjou. Most of the district is quite pretty and even the ugly bits should provide good revenues with proper stewardship. I just may give you all of Orleans next time Uncle Gaston annoys me." The young king pointed to both areas on the map. "Until you come of age your stipend will have to come through the royal coffers same as mine. I expect you'll have to fight for approval and get to know the superintendent of funds quiet well; he is the one holds the royal purse strings." Louie grimaced; his tutors HAD ensured he learned some things too well.
The audacious plan unfolded from there, Lewis explained to his brother, "Some nobles will want to make you king. A prince must not do anything to encourage them. In public you and I will try to be as different as possible -- the more extreme the better."
Philippe was only half listening, enjoying the novelty of bouncy blond ringlets. "Wigs, powder and such will help with that I'm sure." Epée mumbled idly.
Louis nodded; Mother taught him about such things early, the 'masks of royalty' she called them. Then he asked Philippe, "How are you with girls?"
Epée shrugged and stated almost casually, "I spent most of my life in a cell and the rest in a monastery. I can't say as I've had much experience. Before this week, my opportunities with females were rare. One was a blind oldster who looked after me when I was small…my keeper made me bury her in the garden when she died. Emris's daughter, Kate, was second. She taught me how to play; and for that, I am grateful. Last would be Andie. She is a girl too…isn't she? Three in ten years isn't a very good track record is it." Philippe shrugged.
As much as it hurt Aramis to be reminded of the boy's sorrowful past he was glad Philippe finally had begun to speak about such things. It was a sign the wounds had begun to heal.
"That's all right" Louis shrugged, "I suppose we'll figure that part out when we're older. What matters is we master each other's mannerisms so we can switch places whenever we want…" Louis folded his hands before him…bit his lip and did his best to look waif-ish. "How do I look?" he asked.
"Bend your shoulders more and don't tense your arms, so much." Philippe directed, trying to get brother's short sandy hair to flop in his face. "My hair is a shade or two darker than yours. Suppose we could get a wig as dark and wavy as D'artagnan's? That'll make the difference all the more extreme." Epée chuckled then went on to give his brother the essential tips necessary to portray him properly.
"I know it is useful for rulers to have relatives appear very much opposite in character. Keep your eyes low. I used to get hit for any suggestion of defiance." Philippe recalled, "I know things have changed…and from what you've said I may grow to like being as bold as you. But publicly, The Prince must maintain that beaten expression. I am accustomed to masks. As I see it, some are forced on us others we choose for ourselves. This façade will be less difficult than what I have already overcome. Court will underestimate me; I will certainly be the subject of idle gossip. But I will not accept history linking my name with sedition, never that. It would justify my imprisonment all those years. I will not have THEM win!" Philippe declared with a boldness Emris never imagined the young prince to possess.
"Y-yes Majesty." Lewis mimicked the tremulous voice that shielded his brother so often from jailor's fists. "Of course…Whatever you say." He said slouching meekly then ruined the effect with a very un-Philippe giggle. "This will be the greatest charade ever…Just like Moliere!" the king crowed.
Emris noted the boys were already opposites. But this – game of theirs – seemed good for them…making each more balanced, complete. Philippe became more confident by the hour and Louis less foolhardy. Hopefully when the time came the king (regardless of the head that wore the crown on a given day) would rule well, wisely and for a very long time.
The brothers could guard one another's backs as their own. Mazarin could not attempt to manipulate one without the other suspecting. Philippe in particular had a healthy aversion to being used. He had worn the mask long enough to be able to see through illusion. Mazarin would not find him easily taken in.
"Mother will have to know of course," Lewis admitted. "She's hidden your existence this long she's likely an old hand at these things …Did you know Queen's are no different from barmaids in the dark?"
– Please note: Louis has still never seen a barmaid with the exception of Porthos' new bride Allie. Who, it has been noted gives the best massage this side of…Well the young king never did find out. But it must have been true because many people have remarked that after Porthos was married, he tended to boast less... and smiled much, much more.
o-o-o-o
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Chapter XIV: Loose Ends, wrap things up neatly and set the stage for my next tale…Taken.
