December Desolation Chapter 47

"My dear Cardinal, what joyous news do you have for me this time?"

King Louis greeted one of his most trusted advisors in his usual overly jovial manner. It was only usual at this time of day to find the young monarch in council with one of his confidants, it only rested on the roll of a die which would have the pleasure of his company.

Today Cardinal Richelieu had drawn the short straw with the dubious reward of discussing foreign policy with Louis. It was a well-known secret that the two noblemen fought like cats and dogs in private, only a little more reservedly in public, and the biggest arguments arose over matters of military importance, given both controlled opposing military units. Frequently both would be present for these matters but Treville was understandably a little preoccupied with other matters currently, in other words he had palmed his duties off onto Richelieu so he could play nursemaid.

Needless to say, Richelieu was privately fuming, although he did understand to some extent the depth of the bond the other man cultivated with his sons, I mean men, he resented being saddled with this responsibility.

"Cardinal?" Louis asked, tone tinged with a hint of concern at the other man's complete lack of acknowledgement of his question and not a small bit of confusion.

The thin man jerked himself from his private counsel to blink at his King for a moment, the question only just beginning to penetrate his fugue and register in his brain.

"I apologise your Majesty, I must confess I am terribly distracted today what with Captain Treville's sudden absence"

"Rise Cardinal, you have no need to bow to me" Louis frowned down upon the back of the grey-haired man's head, unimpressed with his obsequious behaviour of late. "Treville is at his Garrison with his men, which is where he should be given I told him to do so. We owe Aramis a great debt of gratitude"

"As you say Your Majesty" the older man barely withheld a grimace, he would have much preferred for the unfortunate young man to perish at Savoy with the rest of his deceased regiment.

Now it should not be assumed that the reserved man was entirely without conscience or emotions, no, he did feel some sympathy for the trauma Aramis had suffered indirectly at his hands and would that he could have spared him. But he remained as a visual reminder of his sin and would it not have been kinder for him to have died and not live with the guilt and memories of such a tragedy. Not only this but Aramis and his aggravating companions were those amongst the Musketeers whom he had most contact with, outside of Treville, given they were always hanging around the palace like a bad smell and giving his men trouble.

It would be impossible for him to not feel something for the debonair and yet distressed man.

"However, there are more pressing matters to address, namely the treasonous behaviour of our dear friend the Duke D'Alcy, I do believe the Bastille is too good for traitors of his kind."

"My dear Cardinal, I am inclined to agree." The young King's face was stretched by a gleeful smile at the prospect, "not only has he disrespected my will by attacking multiple Musketeers, but he has doubly offended me by attacking my most beloved and esteemed Athos and Aramis. Despite his status as a noble, I believe an exception must be made and the death penalty given in this situation, no man shall go unpunished for perverting the will of the Crown."

The satisfied smirk that spread across the Cardinal's face was enough to send a prickling chill down the spine of the most courageous soldier. One lean fingered hand beckoned a waiting red guard to his side, the bored man snapping to attention with a guilty salute.

"Go and inform Frederic that he has a scaffold to build tout suite."

The same soldier executed a snappy salute, his boots squeaking on the marble floor on his about turn and quick march to the door. The room was bathed in the sound of silent contemplation or rather the absence of sound, the Queen having entered through the door from her quarters to join the discussion, slipping her hand comfortingly into her husband's in an effort to relax his tense shoulders.

A gunshot rent the peaceful silence and sent the occupants of the room scrambling to the floor in a hurry with panicked cries. No matter how often it happened, one could never become completely accustomed to attempts on your life, nor did it become less frightening. When no more attacks were forthcoming, the terrified group reluctantly raised their heads to stare at the door, the Cardinal ushering the royal couple behind himself, they were met with the sight of the red guard standing at the door with hand clamped around the door handle. The young man gave a sudden choking cough, glancing down in shock before his knees collapsed form beneath him and the next moment he was toppling backwards like a felled tree, hands scrabbling at a heavily bleeding wound on his chest.

Upon a second glance, there was a lightly smoking hole blown through the thick wooden doors to the room, splinters of wood littered the floor from the impact. They watched with bated breath as the gilded gold door handle began to turn agonisingly slowly before their very eyes, the door following suit moments later as it swung open to reveal a tall young man brandishing a pistol threateningly in their direction.

His long wavy brown hair was matted with dirt and goodness only knew what else, the same could be said of his tattered clothes, his breeches ended well above his knees and could almost have been ripped by a wild animal so jagged were the tears. The most striking thing about him however was the wild eyes, his insanity burnt like a flame in his blown pupils and his teeth were bared in a feral growl.

When he opened his mouth, he spoke just three words.

"Bring me Aramis"

A/N: I am aware that I keep apologising for posting late but I am just such a scatterbrain so I have to say sorry again for the massive gap in updates. I hope to have this finished in another three or so chapters. Thank you for sticking with me through this and I hope it's lived up to expectations. As always please let me know what you think and what would you would like to see as this story comes to an end.