Thank you to everyone following the story and for the lovely comments.
Athos is determined to go to Versailles - no matter what it takes!
CHAPTER 63
I
Between them, Tréville and Richelieu had thought of everything and there were no glaring omissions. Although Athos recognised the exercise for what it was – something to keep him occupied during his confinement - it served its purpose as well as challenging his mind and giving him much of the information he was so far lacking. It was clear that the Captain and Cardinal had been very busy whilst he was absent in the south, but he had a quiet sense of achievement when he thought of a couple of suggestions that he could make.
Tréville was as good as his word, returning late afternoon when he had been to the palace and concluded much of the remaining business for the day. It seemed his work was never done and rarely did he retire without some task outstanding for the following day, but such was the lot of a commanding officer and he had learned to live with it.
"How's he been?" he asked Claude, his gaze fixed on Athos sitting on the bed amidst the strewn papers.
"Good as gold," Claude answered with a grin. "Been playin' nicely with the pile o' papers you left 'im. I think he forgot I was even 'ere."
Athos rolled his eyes. "Don't mind me. I'll just sit here and listen to the two of you talking about me."
The two older men laughed.
"I'll leave you two to it," said Claude, heading to the door.
"That's it. Go and find someone else to annoy!" Athos called after him. He was rewarded by a gesture that would have offended the more genteel society.
"You are looking much better today," Tréville noted, taking the empty seat beside the bed.
"I feel it," Athos admitted. "I thank you for bringing me something to do. At least I know more now about what is awaiting us at Versailles."
Tréville could not miss the inclusive 'us' but did not comment upon it.
"So," he said," what have you found?"
They spent the next two hours discussing what Athos had read and Tréville, once he had listened quietly to the suggestions, nodded sagely, accepted them and vowed to implement them. He also took time to update the younger man on discussions at the palace, the prevailing atmosphere there and Gaston's activities; in short, everything else that had not been written down. They had just turned their talk to more trivial matters when Serge entered followed by Artus, both carrying trays.
"Good, caught you both in one place," declared the old man. "You can eat together. I'll be back later."
"More food!" Athos groaned when he and Tréville were alone again.
"Are you complaining?" the Captain asked lightly as he inspected the contents of the dishes.
"Not really."
Tréville raised an eyebrow.
"But he is on a personal quest to fatten me up. I awoke this morning to find bread and two eggs beside me. I later broke my fast with bread, meat and cheese. He sent Artus with a little more after you saw me this morning and then a pottage arrived at noon. Artus was back with a bowl of broth just before you came in, now this feast and, I suspect, there will be a little more before I settle for the night. I fear that I will explode but if I don't eat everything, he stands over me and scowls."
Tréville gave a low laugh. "Are you telling me you're afraid of Serge?"
"He has this way with him," and he dropped his voice as if the old cook were lurking nearby and might overhear. "He is more frightening than Aramis when the mood takes him."
The Captain leaned in conspiratorially, "And now you know what I have known for years!"
II
Replete and content after an evening of pleasant and diverting conversation with the Captain, Athos slept soundly. The jug of watered wine also helped, and it had not gone unnoticed by him that the Captain ensured that he drank more than half. He was so relaxed that he did not even mind when Claude appeared to take up his position on the neighbouring cot.
The next day was a totally different story!
It began when he refused to let Claude help him get out of bed to use the chamber pot. Gritting his teeth to the pain, he clung to the chair back until the room stopped moving whilst Claude hovered nearby, just in case he ended up on the floor again. Once he was steady, he was left in private. Business concluded, Claude did not immediately return, giving Athos time to formulate a plan. He was not going to spend another day consigned to bed.
Relying on the furniture, he slowly made his way round the room to a cupboard, hoping that it still contained what he sought. It did!
When Claude tapped on the door and re-entered, he found Athos standing in the middle of the room, away from any supporting furniture but aided by the t-shaped crutch he had remembered seeing injured Musketeers using in the past. Rudely carved from one piece of wood, the bar was padded and bound with rags to ease the pressure on the armpit. He leaned on it now, its top tucked under his right arm, and with a victorious expression on his face.
Claude was not so delighted. "What do you think you're doin'?"
"I am up, I am getting dressed and I am going outside to sit in the sun," Athos announced.
III
Tréville was on his balcony watching a few of the men sparring when he saw the infirmary door open and heard the argument before either participant emerged. Sighing heavily, he knew exactly what was going on without having to witness it. Carveau had been accurate in his assessment of Athos.
"Carry on!" he ordered the men, some of whom had stopped when they heard the raised voices.
The Captain descended the stairs and quickly crossed the yard to intercept Athos' escape.
"Going somewhere?" he demanded, thumbs hooked into his belt.
"I am going to sit over there at our table," Athos declared, his tone challenging the Captain to try and stop him.
"And what of the physician's order to stay in bed for four days?" Tréville asked.
"He is unreasonable!"
"Is he?" Tréville interrupted.
"I have to be moving," Athos hissed through clenched teeth. " It's Saturday already and we leave for Versailles Thursday morning."
Tréville seemed to consider the statement and then stood aside. "Proceed," he said as Athos shuffled past. He raised a hand to Claude who was about to object. "No, let him go. Get some weapons from the armoury for him to clean whilst he's sitting there."
"They've all been cleaned already," Claude began.
"Then he can clean them again," Tréville snapped.
The battle of wills had commenced.