Afternoon, all. Thank you so much for the brilliant reception for the first chapter of Revenge yesterday. I had some strange experiences uploading it and gave it the wrong category etc. Then it said it had two chapters but there was only the one SO I am uploading chapter 2 today.

The last chapter came to you from Colorado Springs and today's comes to you from Denver. Where will I be for the next one? We'll have to wait and see.

Hope you enjoy this chapter too.

CHAPTER 2

Church bells were striking the late hour when Athos reached the archway that was the main entrance to the Musketeer garrison, and he nodded a greeting to the two men on duty as he passed between them. Almost immediately he was forced to flatten himself against the wall to avoid a rider leaving the yard at speed, more than the men were allowed to employ, given that they were exiting onto a busy Paris street. Fortunately, there were few pedestrians about their business in the area at this time of day and fewer soldiers wandering the yard.

He recognised the livery of the royal household though and frowned. The messenger could only be the bearer of bad tidings if he had been sent to the Musketeer Captain so late and was in such haste to return to the palace. Athos felt a chill grip his heart. Had something happened to the King? Was he ill? Or worse? Without an heir to assume the throne, Louis' unexpected demise would plunge the country into chaos and open the floodgates to those determined to seize power.

He could think of several immediately, beginning with the King's own mother, Marie de' Medici. On the assassination of her husband, Henri, in 1610, she had acted as regent on behalf of the young Louis but had grown somewhat reluctant to relinquish the control. Athos only knew details of her subsequent attempt to overthrow her son from Captain Tréville, who was imprisoned on her orders for his part in defending the young King. Fortunately, her coup had ultimately failed, and she had been banished. Thinking of his own bitter experience with strong-willed women, he thought that she would take advantage of any situation and make her bid for the throne again.

If it were not her, then it would be her younger son and brother to Louis, Gaston, Duke of Orléans. Athos had had occasion to meet him once but it – and the Duke - were seared into his memory and he could not help but hate the younger royal with every fibre of his being.

Then there would be the line of foreign powers sniffing about the troubled country. At the front of that queue, no doubt, would be the King of Spain, brother to France's queen.

He chastised himself for thinking the worst. Knowing Louis, it was probably something quite trivial that could have been deferred until the morning but, to the monarch, it was something of major import.

Once again, he was forced to revise his thinking as, moving towards the centre of the yard, he heard a door slam above him and to the right – the door that led to Tréville's office.

The Captain strode along the balcony, donning his gloves and calling as he went. "Jacques, saddle my horse."

As he started his descent of the stairs, he caught sight of Athos, standing still and looking up at him.

"Make that two horses!"

The stable lad appeared in the doorway of the stable, looked at the two men, nodded wildly and disappeared back inside to fulfil his task.

Galvanised into action and aware of his heart beating fast in anticipation, Athos moved quickly to join the Captain.

"What is wrong?" he asked, convinced now that the news was not good.

Tréville craned his neck to see into the shadows of the stable, his impatience tangible. "I am glad that you are here. Would you ride with me to the palace?"

Athos was momentarily surprised at Tréville's apparent relief upon seeing him and the fact that the Captain had made a request rather than giving a direct order.

"Of course I will accompany you." If ever Athos were to question any of Tréville's decisions, it was never to countermand but to understand them better and he did so now as his concern increased. "What is the urgency though?"

Tréville shook his head. "That is what I intend to find out. The King's messenger had no details to share; he just about had breath to say that the King demanded my presence immediately. I have absolutely no idea what this is about. He was in a fine mood for once when I left him earlier."

The two men fell into a silent reverie for they had both experienced first-hand the mercurial nature of the French monarch, especially if Cardinal Richelieu, France's First Minister, had monopolised the ear of the monarch. An idea must have occurred to the Captain as he turned to confront Athos.

"Be honest and succinct with me; I have neither the time nor inclination to listen to your circumlocution."

Athos drew in a deep breath and tried to suppress the hurt he felt at the accusation.

"Have you or any of the others done anything wrong? Upset the Red Guard? Got into a fight or duel with the Cardinal's men? Just tell me for it must be serious to be summoned at so late an hour. Usually, both King and Cardinal wait until the next day. I do not want to walk into a major complaint without being forewarned."

"I swear to you that we have done nothing. We have not encountered any of the Red Guard for days given our increased duties and Aramis tending the sick. Our first time being any distance from the garrison was arresting some thieves and this evening at The Wren has been pleasant and passed without incident. We did leave Porthos there but even he cannot get into trouble so quickly."

Tréville managed a wry smile but it did not reach his eyes. "I am sorry to accuse you, but you understand that I had to ask." Athos nodded. "It only worries me more that I remain none the wiser." He looked again towards the stable. "Where is Jacques with the horses?"

"I will go and help him," Athos offered, more to placate the anxious officer than anything else but he had only taken a step when the stable boy appeared, leading two mounts.

The Musketeers' cursory check of the saddle, reins and length of stirrups arose more from habit than anything else. As they swung up into their saddles with the ease of the proficient horsemen they were, Tréville nodded at the boy, thanked him for his efforts and apologised for disturbing his sleep when he had such an early start to his day.

Perplexed, Athos rode through the archway in the wake of his Captain, only to draw level with him once out on the street. He glanced surreptitiously at the other man and could not help but wonder if the Captain knew any more than he was revealing.