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So, Aramis and Porthos are not very happy!
CHAPTER 92
I
Aramis and Porthos managed to keep their comments to themselves until they had left Richelieu's office and then they erupted, their disbelief and objections coming thick and fast.
"What the 'eck do you think you're doing?"
"You've resigned your commission with the Musketeers?"
"What about us? What're we supposed to do?"
"So you honestly think the Red Guard are just going to meekly accept this new arrangement?"
"A Musketeer as Captain of the Red Guard? Never thought I'd see the day. You must've lost your bloomin' mind!"
"And you agreed with this, Captain?"
Tréville did not have the chance to offer any explanation before Aramis went on.
"Do I have to remind you that it is not so very long ago you were nearly killed, Athos? You have not fully recovered yet, and the stitches have yet to be removed? How do you propose to lead a regiment effectively?"
"An' just because we've got L'Hernault right now, it doesn't mean he 'asn't got someone else lined up to take over where 'e left off. Just 'ow are we supposed to watch your back now? I shouldn't rely on the Cardinal's guard if I were you!"
The tirade paused as both angry men drew breath.
Athos stood, hands on hips, watching them and allowing them to vent their wrath and concern.
"Have you two finished?" he asked quietly. "The Cardinal's proposal came as a surprise to me too, and the Captain."
Tréville nodded in agreement.
"It's only temporary whilst we are here at Versailles and facing the current problem with Menier. I know it is not going to be easy but there are advantages," Athos said.
"And we can work together without my having to explain everything afresh to a newcomer. It is possible that there is someone within the Red Guard whom he can trust but we are just on our way over there to see him and introduce Athos as Captain," Tréville continued.
"You want us to go along with you?" Porthos offered, his expression grim.
"I thank you but no," Athos answered. "This is something the Captain and I have to do. We do not anticipate taking long and then we will be back to question L'Hernault. Perhaps, in the meantime, you could get Allaire's story from him."
"With pleasure," Porthos growled and cracked his knuckles.
"Just questions," Tréville warned, "and nothing more. You understand?"
Reluctantly, Porthos and Aramis nodded.
II
Curious, Grenouille followed Athos away from the main group of Red Guard who were still at the camp. Tréville sat waiting to one side on an upturned box he had found and scrutinised the resentful soldiers.
"You come to tell me how the Cardinal's goin' to punish me?" he asked, warily.
"He ordered that you receive ten lashes and lose your rank and pay," Athos told him bluntly, watching the man's reaction to the news.
Grenouille did not object; he merely sighed. "I was expectin' worse, but it still comes as a blow. I know I deserve it, especially when that fight broke out."
"Did you start it?" Athos wondered if he would get an honest answer.
"No, I swear I didn't, but I know I was guilty of windin' 'em up. Some of 'em were at your store carts before I knew what they were up to. Of course your lot came out to defend the stuff but 'and on heart," and he made the gesture with his right hand," I don't know who threw the first punch. Stupidly, I joined in. It's that an' the fact I can't keep my big mouth shut 'as got me into trouble." He squared his shoulders. "I'll take my punishment."
Athos looked beyond him to the men he was now leading. "Why did you take against Planque? You never did tell me."
If Grenouille was surprised by the question, he didn't show it. "He hadn't been a Red Guard long before the Cardinal made 'im up to Captain. It was right after that trouble you 'ad, when you were charged with all those things and imprisoned. When it turned out it was Red Guard that were behind it all, it sickened me, it did. That brought shame on all of us." He managed a half-hearted, embarrassed grin. "It's one thing to 'ave a fight with your lot after a few drinks but cuttin' a patrol down like that, settin' you up for things you never did …. It was all wrong an' I'm sorry. We're not all bad."
Athos' heart was racing. "And Planque?" he asked quietly, stunned by the man's admission and the totally unexpected apology.
"He was on the edge of that lot. Oh, he would've liked to 'ave been in the thick of it, I'm sure, but even they wouldn't 'ave him, not completely. There was somethin' about him that no-one liked. He was full of himself, looked down on most of us an' many of us thought money changed 'ands between 'is father an' the Cardinal for 'im to be made up to Captain that quick. He was never Captain material; he was weak an' didn't have a clue. 'E was just playin' at soldiers."
"So you thought to harass him?"
Grenouille's large, pale eyes studied Athos. "I did an' I'm not proud of it but 'is incompetence just made me mad."
"I am thinking that you are a career soldier."
The Red Guard nodded. "Only thing I've ever known."
"Did Planque make you his lieutenant?"
Grenouille huffed in sudden amusement. "No, it was actually Richelieu, same time as 'e appointed Planque. On account of what 'appened to you, there was a lot of unexpected vacancies, so the Cardinal said 'e was makin' some changes, only 'e called it 'restructurin'."
Athos could not suppress a smile. "You might have handled things differently."
"I know that now. So," he straightened, "when's this punishment 'appenin'?"
"It's not. Well, the physical one anyway."
Grenouille's jaw dropped in amazement. "I don't understand."
"It's simple really. When the Cardinal ordered me to deliver the lashing, I refused."
"Refused! But …"
"I could do nothing about the loss of rank or money in the first instance, but I believe I have thought of a suitable way around that if you prepared to help me," Athos told him.
"You? You did this? For me? But … why? Why would the Cardinal listen to you?" Grenouille was relieved but incredulous.
"Because he had just appointed me as the temporary Captain to the Red Guard. Do not worry, it is only while we are here at Versailles and then I can return to the Musketeers. Richelieu will then have to find a permanent replacement. Captain Tréville is here to inform you and your comrades about that decision."