Thank you as always. Goodness, no sooner have I uploaded one chapter than it's time to put up the next one!
CHAPTER 81
I
Athos leaned against the wall and inclined his head towards the slightly open door as he eavesdropped upon the deliberately polite exchange between Vicomte Menier and Cardinal Richelieu.
Menier stated his business succinctly. He had with him a petition signed by twenty-six men of varying ranks within the nobility, all of them agreed on several pertinent complaints relating to crippling taxation, some disputed borders with specific crown lands, royal dictates on land use and restrictions from Paris regarding authority. The nobles were seen as the upholders of the law in their regions but some legal decisions were to be deferred to Paris.
"If you give me the petition, I will ensure that his Majesty receives it at an appropriate time," said Richelieu.
"No offence, Cardinal, but I would rather deliver it to him in person," Menier insisted.
"None taken, but I am the King's First Minister, his chief adviser."
"There is no need to remind me."
"You doubt that I would hand over your document?"
"Such a suspicion would never enter my mind."
It was a lie and the men – Athos included – knew that.
"I would like the opportunity of reading it before His Majesty so that I can start to formulate a response, to think how best I might counsel him," Richelieu explained.
"And I suggest that you would like to get your hands on it first to see who has signed it so that you can begin inviting them for a little téte-à- téte regarding their involvement," Menier retorted.
"That leads me to suspect that some of them may not be too far away, perhaps even guests of His Majesty as we speak," Richelieu snapped. He was not admitting that he already knew the names of those involved but was making it clear to the Vicomte that he was aware that danger might not be far away.
Menier would neither confirm nor deny the comment, preferring to change the subject slightly.
"I would not interrupt His Majesty during the hunt, but I request an audience with him at the first available opportunity. I will return this evening."
"I think not," said the Cardinal assertively. "You would not interrupt the hunt and I will not have you interrupt this evening's banquet. His Majesty is entertaining his guests."
There was a brief silence and Athos wished that he could see into the room; he had tried peering through the crack provided by the door and although he could see a part of Richeliue's face and his gestures, Menier was not standing within his eye-line.
"I will see His Majesty, Richelieu. I will return at nine in the morning." There was no mistaking the anger in Menier's voice now.
The exchange was growing increasingly strained and Athos briefly glanced to where he had laid his weapons within easy reach on a nearby table. He might not particularly like Richelieu, but he would, without hesitation, move to defend him against the self-appointed leader of the disgruntled nobles. Shifting position slightly, a sharp pain in his side reminded him of his limitations and he wondered how effective he might be if called upon to protect the Cardinal. Perhaps his sudden appearance would be all that was necessary.
"You may well have a long wait then," the Cardinal said icily. "His Majesty will be enjoying a day of rest and I doubt that he will be such an early riser."
"Then I will wait, Richelieu. You can make all the excuses you want, but I will deliver my petition to the King and I will hear his response from his own lips, rather than a second-hand message passed on by you. Try to stop me again, and you will be the one responsible for what happens next."
Angry footsteps.
"And what will happen next, Menier?" Richelieu called out.
A slamming door was the only answer.
Athos exhaled and opened the door wide to step into the outer room.
"You heard all that?" the Cardinal asked.
Athos nodded as he moved to join the Minister; the two stared at the closed door.
"I think we know where we stand now," Richelieu murmured and turned back to his desk.
II
"Tréville's orders were clear. We're to watch L'Hernault and do nothing unless he moves against Athos," Aramis said, hands on hips and standing in Porthos' path, moving to block it again as the big Musketeer attempted to get past him.
"That's madness!" Porthos was furious. "We could deal with 'im now so the danger to Athos is removed and we can concentrate on the rebels' threat."
"The Captain must have his reasons," d'Artagnan added, a hand on Porthos' arm in a half-hearted attempt to hold him back, "though I can't think what they might be."
"I feel as you do," Aramis said, looking at Porthos, "but d'Artagnan is right. Tréville was quite specific. Maybe he agreed something with Athos."
"Yeah?" Porthos spat out. "I bet he did. So why couldn't Athos agree something with us? Answer me that! More secrets. I don't like bein' left out of whatever it is. An' I'll say as much next time I see Athos. Isn't it about time he trusted us?"
Aramis ran a hand through his hair. "He does trust us - in his own way. He cannot help his inability to be as open with us as we would like; we've known that much for years. Now, after his injury, we must not press him any further. If he has chosen to share something with the Captain, rather than us - and we don't even know if he has - then I accept that. We will do what is asked of us … and that's protect Athos from this L'Hernault. He may try another attack but, equally, he may not."
"Then we will satisfy ourselves in the task we have been given and that is to watch over Athos," d'Artagnan asserted. He was not about to have anyone hurt his brother and mentor again, not if he could help it. He fixed Porthos with a stare, eyebrows raised and awaiting a response to his unspoken question.
Porthos huffed out his cheeks and spread his hands submissively. "Alright, I agree. Still doesn't mean I 'ave to like it an' I'll still be 'avin' words with Athos when all this is over."
And with that, three of the four Inseparables had to be content.