Dear all, thank you for reading and reviewing yesterday's chapter. I must apologise for the little errors that slipped through (like missing punctuation) yesterday. I do read things through but I always manage to miss something so I'm hoping this chapter is more accurate!
CHAPTER 45
I
"I will have my own physician attend upon him," Louis insisted when Tréville had finished recounting to the King what had happened to Athos. "He will accompany you to the garrison and wait in readiness for the return of your men." He chuckled. "We have no plans to require his services for the rest of the day, but should the need arise, we shall know where to find him."
The King's features darkened suddenly. "Do any of the names surprise you, Armand?"
Tréville had already apprised the Cardinal of events. They had spent some time comparing Athos' list with the one they had previously compiled before seeking another audience with the King to present him with the evidence.
"No, Your Majesty," Richelieu reassured him. "Always assuming that the Musketeer has given us a complete and accurate record, I am pleased to announce that there are several names we can strike from our list."
"Thank goodness for that, Cardinal! Do you mean to say that we do not have to suspect the greater portion of our nobles?" Louis may have been smiling as he spoke but there was no hiding the fear in his eyes. The prospect of many whom he had trusted actively plotting against him had filled an easily nervous man with utter terror. The news that some of his nobles were not traitorous brought marginal relief.
"There is still a sufficient number, Sire, but it does not conflict with the little information provided by your brother yesterday," the Cardinal continued.
Gaston had waited until the morning to give the three men a heavily truncated version of what L'Hernault had told him about the meeting near Troyes. He had made no mention of the nobleman with the assumed name for there was no need. It was obviously a private and historic matter between the man and L'Hernault and was therefore irrelevant. Besides, Gaston had no knowledge of a Musketeer infiltrating the meeting on behalf of Louis and L'Hernault was ignorant of Athos' new life in the King's regiment so they could not have made any worrying associations.
It was enough that Richelieu and Tréville had held their collective breath hoping that Louis would not divulge the truth about having sent a Musketeer to the gathering but, for once, he exercised absolute discretion and did not give away any advantage they held.
Gaston had furnished them with the identities of some nobles, but they assumed, correctly, that he was being selective as to the names he disclosed, and they were even more convinced that he was holding back on other matters. They desperately needed Athos to wake to confirm or correct what they knew and add what Tréville expected to be his own detailed report. Whilst the Captain was grateful for the promised services of the King's physician, he suspected it was offered more to gain the information Athos carried rather than genuine concern for the Musketeer's wellbeing.
Their suspicions regarding Gaston's news were heightened when they expressed a desire to question his informant further.
"I must apologise, brother, but my man stayed only as long as it took him to impart his news and then he departed for his own estate. Some pressing business, I understand."
It was all very convenient, especially when Gaston appeared to suffer a lapse in memory and could not recall the location of L'Hernault's estate. He was also reticent about naming the noble who was working for him.
Now, just over a day later, they were in possession of a far more reliable list, thanks to Athos' efforts. At the moment, as far as the King was concerned, the Musketeer could do no wrong and the Captain had to bite his tongue from reminding the monarch that he had sentenced the soldier to an ignominious death on the flimsiest of evidence only weeks earlier. Perhaps, Tréville thought, trying to be generous, Louis' provision of his own physician was his way of making an apology.
"Is any adjustment necessary to our plans?" Louis asked, not keen on repeating the time-consuming meeting they had held that morning.
"I think not, Your Majesty," Tréville reassured him. "We have covered many eventualities as it is; our existing strategies will suffice. The plotters have to be seen to take some kind of action to incriminate themselves fully. Naturally, we will intervene before any real danger can befall you, Sire."
Richelieu cleared his throat. "And there is the matter of your brother, Your Majesty. At which point do we reveal our knowledge of his part in this treachery and, more to the point, what will his punishment be? This is not the first time the Duc has acted against you, Sire, and you demonstrated admirable restraint before; nay, even a mercy beyond that which was expected. It would be understandable if you chose not to show such clemency again."
A heavy silence filled the room and Tréville hardly dared breathe as the King looked at the First Minister in horror. It was clear that this time, Richelieu would press for Gaston's execution.
II
"Porthos, stop!" Aramis yelled to make himself heard above the rumble of the cart.
It was early afternoon and they were making good progress towards Paris, despite coming to a halt at least four times to water the horses. The three Musketeer mounts – for they had brought Athos' animal with them – were tethered to the back of the cart. It also gave Aramis the opportunity to replenish the water skins with the fresh, cold water that he continued using in a vain attempt to cool Athos. The fever resolutely refused to break.
Terrified that a chill would add to Athos problems, Aramis had wrapped him in two blankets, laid him on a third in the straw-covered cart bed and covered him with a fourth. He repeatedly reached to feel the hot dry skin, hoping that there would be a change and fighting the disappointment when nothing noticeable had occurred.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Porthos said, twisting in his seat to look behind him even as he reined the horse in so that the cart stopped abruptly, nearly toppling Aramis as he scrambled from a sitting position to kneel beside Athos. "Is he worse?"
"No!" Aramis could not hide his excitement. "I could have sworn I heard him moan when you hit that rut."
If Aramis were correct, it was the first sign of life their friend had shown since they found him, and the marksman's anticipation was infectious. Porthos clambered over the back from his seat to join them.
"Athos?" Aramis leaned in close and was rewarded by another low groan. "Athos, can you hear me?"