Good afternoon, all.
Thank you for reading yesterday's chapter. There seems to be a problem on the site - again - with reviews not showing up but no doubt it'll be rectified at some point.
Meanwhile ...
CHAPTER 91
"It is good that you have seen sense and accepted my offer," Richelieu said when Athos and Tréville returned to his office.
"It is not without considerable misgivings," Athos admitted.
Tréville was eager to reassure the Cardinal. "But Athos and I will discuss how to alleviate those."
Richelieu stared at Athos' right shoulder and noted the absence of the pauldron; he nodded his approval.
"Naturally, there will need to be a formal announcement made to the Red Guard as to this change in leadership. It is not for me to go down to the camp to tell the men as I ought to visit His Majesty; I shall leave that to you, Tréville. You are in overall authority, after all, and the new Captain here was formerly your man. You will then carry out the punishment of Grenouille; look on this as being your first task." He directed this to Athos. "Ten lashes before dinner."
Athos took a deep breath. "No," and then he added, "Your Eminence."
Even Tréville's eyes widened in surprise at this open defiance.
There was a sinking feeling in the pit of Athos' stomach. He had known that there would inevitably be a locking of horns at some point with the Cardinal but never expected it to come so soon. How long had he been the Captain? Mere minutes. As with the short investigation, this could be the shortest captaincy ever known. He held his breath, willing Tréville not to intervene as Richelieu bristled at the insubordination. Athos was completely on his own.
"I beg your pardon?" Richelieu's menacing delivery and expression had cowed many a weaker man, but Athos stood his ground.
"Your Eminence is a busy man. Would you have troubled yourself with the discipline of your Guards had Planque lived?"
"Not under normal circumstances, no, but this was not normal. The man was dead," Richelieu countered.
"And you have made me his replacement; quite soon afterwards, I might add, therefore indicating that you consider me capable of the task. So I ask you to trust me in dealing with this matter in my own way." He hesitated. "There is the possibility, of course, that you are setting me up to fail in this position."
Richelieu was actually flustered, "No, no, not at all."
"Then there will be no whipping, public or otherwise."
Tréville chose that moment to succumb to a coughing fit and turned his back on the battling pair, ostensibly to pour himself a glass of wine to ease the irritation.
"I need to get these men on my side; we are going to need their co-operation and obedience and soon if Menier's petition is not well received by the King. I will not succeed in achieving that if I assume command and immediately mete out a heavy-handed punishment. I have learned from my Captain's example. I have deservedly been on the receiving end of his discipline in my time, but I have never known him give the order for a whip to be taken to a man."
In his peripheral vision, he saw Tréville compose himself and straighten, obviously listening to his words.
"There is no question that Grenouille was wrong in what he did," Athos continued. "To lose his rank and its associated pay will hurt, but it will be an example and a warning to the rest of the men."
The Cardinal considered his words. "What will you do for a second in command then?" he demanded, raising an eyebrow. "Give the position to one of your friends?"
"No," Athos declared and saw Tréville turn back to watch the exchange. "I would not deprive the Captain of good men at this time, nor is it advisable that I introduce an influx of Musketeers into your regiment. It is enough that I, a Musketeer, am now their captain." He paused and glanced apologetically at the two men. "And there is an additional problem. I confess that, in the past, I have been involved in certain altercations with some of these soldiers and their memories will be long. I have to be seen to be fair. Grenouille will continue to be my second, unofficially, for he will be without rank and remuneration, but I will make it clear from the outset to him and the rest of them that if he earns my trust, he will be fully reinstated."
"You would reward a ne'er-do-well?" Richelieu sputtered.
"No," Athos corrected him. "I would give a man a second chance and find out why he behaved the way he did. He has influence over the men, that much is evident; I would be foolish not to take advantage of that and turn it to my favour. However, should he disobey me or foment any other discord amongst the guard as a result of my appointment, he will find me neither tolerant nor forgiving."
Richelieu hesitated and then nodded his agreement. "You had better make that announcement, Tréville."
A sharp rap at the door sounded and the Cardinal called to whoever it was to enter.
Porthos and Aramis walked in and nodded in automatic deference towards the First Minister.
"We have L'Hernault and Allaire. We're holding them in separate rooms for questioning. D'Artagnan and some other Musketeers are watching them," Aramis reported.
"Why Allaire?" Tréville asked.
"They were together when we saw 'em. Allaire's got a lot to say for 'imself and seems to be doin' the talkin' for the other one too," Porthos took up the explanation.
"They may well have concocted some story together but L'Hernault's scared; that's clear enough from the way he's sweating. He may well give in easily to a little bit of pressure," Aramis added.
"How do you want to do this?" Tréville turned to Athos.
"Let's leave L'Hernault to sweat a little more. Allaire can wait as well; we'll question them later," Athos answered.
"'E's already shoutin' about how he's goin' to complain to the King," Porthos warned him.
"Good! If he's impatient, inconvenienced and more than a little angry, he might become reckless and unguarded in what he says."
"You think he'll make a mistake," Aramis said.
"We can hope so but, in the meantime, the Captain and I have something to do " Athos asserted before turning to Tréville. "We should be heading to the camp. Will you give me a few minutes to speak to Grenouille first?"
He was prevented from answering by the sharp-eyed Porthos.
"Any specific reason as to why you're not wearin' your pauldron and the Captain's got it in 'is 'hand?"
"Ah!" Tréville began, clapping Athos on the shoulder. "That's another of this afternoon's rapid developments. Gentlemen, allow me to present to you Captain Athos of the Cardinal's Red Guard!"