Greetings from Elk City, Oklahoma. The weather is good and we will be back in Colorado tomorrow evening via Dodge City, Kansas. Great fun!
The plot thickens. I am about 8 chapters ahead of you at present and the plan is evolving daily. I really hope you will enjoy what's in store for the boys!
As always, many thanks to readers and reviewers. I love hearing what you think and that you take the time to respond. It is much appreciated.
Everything so far has happened in the space of 24 hours but now, suddenly, we leap forward three days.
CHAPTER 15
"We should adjourn to a more private place to discuss matters," Richelieu declared three days later when he and Tréville met with the King for their usual meeting. He inclined his head to indicate Porthos, Aramis and d'Atagnan who stood to attention behind their Captain.
"I disagree." Tréville stood his ground. "Athos is their friend and colleague and they understandably have concerns as to his well-being. Besides, Sire," and here he addressed the King directly," they need to be informed regarding the details of this mission so that it saves me the time spent having to repeat everything that passes between us here."
"You would deliberately leave here and disclose what has passed between us in confidence?" Richelieu was incredulous at the lack of secrecy.
"You make it sound as if I m going to leave here and make a proclamation to all and sundry," Tréville insisted. "I have given my reasons. As soon as I give the word, these men will head south in pursuit of Athos. They will not wait until he is long overdue."
Richelieu made to object, but the Captain stopped him with a raised hand.
"I have made my decision. If all has gone well, as we sincerely hope, they will meet him on the road when he is on his way back. If not, then they are there sooner to commence a search and try to ascertain what has happened. It's called a compromise, Cardinal. They will depart on the day of the meeting, no earlier and not a day later."
"I think that sounds very fair, Richelieu. Don't you?" the King interceded, for which Tréville was thankful.
"I still don't see why …" Richelieu began.
"And I don't see why they could not have followed and remained nearby," Tréville interrupted. "Why should you want him completely isolated?"
"That is a good point, Richelieu," the King added. "You were most insistent on that point. Do you know something we don't?" Louis smiled as if he were teasing the First Minister but his eyes narrowed with suspicion. At that moment, had it not been so utterly inappropriate, Tréville could have hugged his monarch.
"I know as much as you do, Sire," Richelieu persisted with a slight bow of deference. "Were I in possession of additional information, I would have shared it with you and the Captain here."
"That'd be a first," came a muttered voice from behind, audible enough to be heard by the Musketeers.
Tréville turned to glare at Porthos, who raised his eyebrows in feigned innocence as Aramis and d'Artagnan struggled to smoother their grins.
"I thought I had explained myself clearly enough when I initially broached the plan. Musketeer Athos has a certain air about him that would enable him to ingratiate himself with the plotters as if he were of a similar social standing." He looked directly at Tréville to see if his comment had touched a nerve that would indicate the Captain knew of Athos' aristocratic history, butthe seasoned soldier merely held his gaze and gave nothing away. "We have already heard from the Captain that an adequate story had been concocted as to why he was travelling alone, a disgruntled younger son of the nobility. He is unlikely to have a ragtag group of hangers-on."
Tréville heard the sharp intake of breath from Aramis at the clear insult and he bristled in their defence.
"I wonder that I have to remind you yet again, Richelieu, that these three men and Athos are my best men and I will not have you offend them like this and in their presence."
"You are abusing my Musketeers, Cardinal; I may well take it as a personal slight to me," added Louis reproachfully.
It had the desired effect and Richelieu was suitably chastened. He bowed again, giving himself time to recover himself. "My apologies, Sire; nothing was further from my mind."
It was obvious to everyone that his expression of guilt was merely to mollify Louis and not designed to include the others present.
"However," Tréville continued, "we are no further forward and cannot be until Athos furnishes us with the names of those involved. In the meantime, I hope Your Majesty has had time to peruse the increased security plans I have drawn up and find them to your satisfaction."
"I do, indeed, Captain. They are what I have come to expect of your meticulous planning."
It was all Tréville could do to stop himself looking at Richlieu with smug satisfaction. The Cardinal had, naturally, been awkward with the Captain when he had received a copy of the proposal and seen the extent to which his Red Guard were also being employed to supplement the Musketeer protection detail.
"It is a good thing, is it not, Richelieu, that we have the Captain's insight when it comes to our security?" asked Louis.
Tréville studied the King carefully and realised, with a stab of delight, that Louis was enjoying himself goading the stiff and humourless Cardinal. What was even more obvious and enjoyable was that Richelieu knew what he was doing and there was nothing he could do but suffer it.
"But I am a little surprised, Captain, that you have not supplied me with your plan for Versailles," Louis continued.
"Sire?" Tréville's pleasure disappeared in an instant.
"Yes, our usual visit to the hunting lodge. We always go at the end of this month. I am surprised that you did not remember it or are those arrangements to be handed to me separately? " Louis asked, smiling.
All differences forgotten in an instant, Tréville and Richelieu looked at each other with expressions that bordered on outright panic.
"Forgive us, Your Majesty," Richelieu, as the King's foremost advisor, began, "but given the current situation, neither the Captain nor I thought that you would continue with your annual trip until a plot is confirmed and we can act to apprehend those responsible. It is far easier to protect you here than at Versailles, unless you refrain from joining the hunting party."
"Don't be silly, my dear Cardinal!" the King admonished. "What on earth would be the point of my going to Versailles if I were not going to hunt? I have absolute faith in my Musketeers and your Red Guard to keep me safe. Besides," he added, his smile broadening, "I will have lots of my friends with me too."
A/N
I feel a little vindicated in using the word 'ragtag' as Shakespeare used it in 'King Lear' in 1605 so I can, at least, pretend that it made its way across the Channel in the next 25 years, or presume that there was something similar in French.