Greetings from Colorado Springs. Leaving here in an hour or so to go to Denver for the night and back tomorrow before the snow arrives! Departure for Nevada delayed until Friday. I will definitely upload one more chapter before then but my friend has warned me that internet is very 'iffy' where we will be. I will try hard to make best use of it when it is functioning!

Thanks, as always, to those who have been reading, marking as favourite and reviewing.

In this chapter, the Captain tries to explain to Richelieu what makes his men special and the best, and why they are so worried about Athos, but is he listening?

CHAPTER 19

"Your man is somewhat forthright," Richelieu said later as he and Tréville waited for the King in the palace's main library in order to give him the required update on the situation. "I am surprised that you allow him such a degree of insubordination."

"I am prepared to reprimand him and any man in my regiment when occasion demands it," Tréville insisted, prepared to defend Porthos against any unfounded prejudice that Richelieu had developed against the soldier. "He is an honest man and you know where you are with him. His trust is hard won but once you have it, you have his loyalty for life. Right now, he and Aramis have only one thing on their minds and that is Athos' safety," Tréville reminded him.

"And you actively encourage such loyalty and friendship between your men?"

Tréville eyed the Cardinal carefully, suspecting that another insult regarding his regiment was being generated but, to his surprise, Richelieu's curiosity appeared genuine enough. It was probably not something widely witnessed amongst the Red Guard.

"I do not have to encourage it," Tréville explained. "It seems to evolve naturally but the depth of brotherhood between those three is not something even I have frequently seen in my time as a soldier."

"And you believe that sets them apart and makes them your best men? You do not fear that their 'brotherhood', as you put it, is a distraction? That they would put each other first before a mission or their King?"

Again, Tréville readied himself for criticism and thought hard about his answer. "They are highly trained soldiers and know what is expected of them. The three of them are totally different in background, temperament and personality but they undoubtedly complement each other. They are, for want of a better description, three parts of a whole. They have their own skills and, put to the test, make a formidable trio, a force to be reckoned with. They do not live in each other's pockets but, when it matters, where you find one, the other two will not be far behind. They back up each other, which is why Porthos and Aramis are finding the current situation difficult; they are not close enough to support their brother should he need it."

"You do not see this concern as a weakness then?"

Tréville knew that Richelieu was finding it hard to understand what made the trio function so effectively. "Quite the opposite; it is what makes them stronger."

He was not about to admit that he, too, garnered a much-needed strength from their presence, even though they were equally capable of incurring his wrath, such were their antics.

"And what about the Gascon? D'Artagnan is his name, isn't it? How does he fit into their little clique? After all, he isn't a Musketeer yet. I presume that is his intention."

Tréville frowned. How had d'Artagnan come so quickly to the Cardinal's attention. The man was oblivious to the existence of the majority of the individual Musketeers. On reflection, it must have been the young man's part in the business involving Vadim. Or was there more to Richelieu's interest?

The Captain mentally reprimanded himself. What was happening to him that he suspected every word that emanated from the Cardinal and questioned the man's motives at every turn? The answer was swift and simple and he might have laughed out loud had there been anything amusing. The Cardinal's every decision and scheme warranted it, but it was wearing forever trying to remain one step ahead and weighing up all that he said in response.

"I am sure that you recall," Tréville began slowly and deliberately, "that when d'Artagnan first arrived in Paris not so long ago, he thought Athos responsible for the murder of his father. There followed that farcical trial with ridiculous, so-called evidence that condemned Athos to certain death. Well, d'Artagnan was instrumental in helping Pothos and Aramis find what was needed to overturn the judgement."

He saw Richelieu stiffen and decided to press home his advantage as he was convinced the Cardinal was involved somehow. "If I ever find the person or persons responsible for endangering Athos with those false charges, they will have me to answer to. I do not take kindly to the reputation of any of my men or my regiment being brought into disrepute."

Richelieu cleared his throat. "Indeed, I understand your sentiment entirely."

"I hoped you might," Tréville added pointedly. "Anyway, it all ended well thankfully. I am certainly grateful for what d'Artagnan did and the other three feel likewise. Since the boy was bereaved so violently, they seem to have adopted him and are assisting him in securing his commission. If he continues to make himself useful, I am sure it will not take him too long."

The Cardinal's features darkened, convincing Tréville that the interest in the young Gascon and the three Inseparables was far from innocent. The Captain would need to be on his guard to protect his men. Then he remembered Athos many miles south and alone and prayed that he would remain safe.

"So what do you think of our list of suspects?" the Cardinal abruptly changed subject.

"Worrying in its length and diversity. It ranges from the highest to lowest amongst the ranks of the aristocracy," Tréville admitted. "We have probably been overly cautious ..."

"Better that than recklessly negligent," Richelieu interrupted.

"Oh I agree and, given the potential numbers, our intended surveillance within the royal court is woefully inadequate. We need to try to be mindful of any meetings any of them might have with each other. They could be consolidating details for their absent confederates currently in the south but with the increased security we have already initiated around Their Majesties, any attempt upon their persons would be foolhardy."

"So all is good in Paris. If only we could persuade the King to cancel his trip to Versailles," Richelieu declared, oblivious to a door having opened behind him.

"And that will not happen, my dear Cardinal," Louis announced as he bustled into the room. His whole demeanour was much happier than in the preceding days. "I trust my wonderful Musketeers and the Red Guard to fulfil their roles. Never let it be said that the King of France hides away at the merest hint of danger. We will proceed with the hunting party as planned. Before that, though, you will tell me whom you suspect so that I will not allow them near my person."