Good afternoon, all,
Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read and leave comments.
I am sure you have realised by now that we are fast approaching the end of the story. The writing of it is now complete and I ought to warn you that the last instalment, an epilogue, will be uploaded on Sunday.
It's been a long, strange journey with this one. I first had the idea for it (and started writing it) back in 2014 when the first series was airing and it was actually begun before 'Renegade' - but then I 'lost' it when the laptop died and it was unrecoverable. Fortunately not much of it had been penned. In the end, it was fortuitous as the story then evolved into the much more complex plot you have been reading. It's been 10.5 months in the writing and 9.5 months in the uploading. It began as I started my 3-month adventure in the US and ends in lockdown, an enforced separation from friends and family that has lasted almost as long as the trip so far. That's when I set myself the challenge to upload a chapter every day and I have to say that I have amazed myself. Just checked and I missed one day (very early on) in the last 47!
I could say I don't know what I'll do next week but I have so many other writing projects on the go and need to turn my attention to them. I will be back - I would miss so many of you otherwise and hope we can stay in touch via PM. The next story will be 'Reliquary'. It is one that has been in mind for 2 years now and will again be novel length and I am really quite excited about doing it but it does require a period of research first. Please be patient with me regarding 'Repercussions'. I do intend finishing it but I still have a block about it, coming as it did at the worst time of my life. I do not want to leave you up in the air with it as I always thought/hoped it was a good storyline.
So, what did Richelieu want with Athos?
CHAPTER 120
As he sat waiting in Richelieu's office for the Cardinal's return, Athos spent the time considering what he wanted to say. It was not something that he found easy for his mind repeatedly went blank as exhaustion threatened to claim him.
"Soon," he chastised himself aloud. "You will be in your bed soon. You just have to keep going for a little while longer."
The sound of the door opening had him leaping to his feet, but Richelieu waved at him to resume his seat as he bustled around his desk and also sat.
"How do you think the Red Guard conducted themselves today?" the Cardinal demanded.
"Very well," Athos answered without hesitation. "They followed orders to the letter and all preparations had been completed. I could not have asked any more of them."
Richelieu huffed in satisfaction. "Casualties?"
"Two dead, unfortunately. Nine more were wounded, but they are all expected to make a full recovery."
"Good," the Cardinal acknowledged. "I will make sure the deceased have a fitting burial."
"Grenouille was among the injured." He saw the Cardinal raise an eyebrow in question and pressed on. "He risked his life saving that of a Musketeer fighting beside him. I have had much to do with the man in the last day or so and I would speak for him now. He deserves to be re-instated as lieutenant in the Red Guard. He is brave, organised and efficient when given the opportunity. That was Planque's failing, borne out by his entries in his journal. He did not give Grenouille the chance to demonstrate what he could do, to show why you had seen fit to promote him to that rank. You must have had your reasons. Consequently, the man was frustrated and understandably so.
"He knows he should not have behaved as he did but I can only speak highly of him; I have had nothing but support from him. He knows the men of your regiment well and they listen to him. It is he who relayed many of my orders and ensured that they were fulfilled. Give him a man worthy of following as Captain of the Red Guard and he will be completely loyal."
It was a veiled warning to Richelieu that he ought to take more care in selecting a permanent successor to the position of Captain. Athos bit back the comment he wanted to make about the Cardinal not having made a good choice with Planque and his predecessor.
Richelieu steepled his fingers. "I have given the situation much consideration and made my choice. It is by far the best for the regiment and me."
Athos nodded, relieved. "That is good, Your Eminence. So when will he assume command? Is he here at Versailles or do you wish me to take the men back to Paris first and hand over there?"
There was a long silence as Richelieu studied him hard.
"You misunderstand me. The man I have chosen is already in position."
Athos broke out in a cold sweat as his fears were realised.
"I hate having to admit this," Richelieu continued, "but you have long impressed me, Athos of the Musketeers. Yes, you have had disagreements with my men in the past but perhaps this would do much to create a more lasting peace between the two bodies of soldiers. I do not have your like within the Red Guard, and I would change that. You have a sharp mind; you're tactical, strategic, and you see alternatives. You are skilled with a sword, a fine example for the men to follow. If you can unite a fragmented regiment, sway them to follow you and lead them successfully into battle in the space of twenty-four hours, what could you not achieve when given the permanent command?"
Athos moistened his lips to deliver the answer he had practised, for he had seen this eventuality coming.
"I thank you for your faith and trust in me and for the opportunity you have provided. I know that circumstances dictated that you had to do something and quickly, but I am grateful for the experience. It was, however, only meant to be temporary and Captain Tréville released me to you – loaned me, if you like – on the understanding that I would return to the Musketeers as soon as possible."
"To be a lieutenant and waiting in the shadows until Tréville decides that he's getting too old for the position and steps aside to make room for you? I am giving you a command now, man."
Athos took a deep breath to suppress his rising anger; he was not happy hearing his Captain spoken of in such a manner. His Captain. His choice of words said it all.
"Again, I thank you, Your Eminence, but I must decline your kind offer. I agreed to this arrangement only because it was a matter of urgency and because I knew that I would return to my regiment and my brothers. I am a Musketeer. I swore an oath and I will not break it. I am the King's man and I am Captain Tréville's man."
"Tréville's man!" Richelieu scoffed.
"He has been good to me," Athos retaliated. "I owe him my life – not least this afternoon - and my loyalty."
Richelieu opened his mouth but whatever cutting remark was on his lips remained unsaid. Instead, he fixed Athos with a gimlet stare and seemed to reconsider his next comment.
His words were cold and calculated. "You expect me to re-instate Grenouille as lieutenant and you have demonstrated that you work well together. You have said as much yourself. Perhaps the restoring of his rank should be linked with your remaining as captain."
Athos was anticipating some kind of ploy to keep him but he had not thought of this. He took a deep breath, kept his voice light, and managed a wry smile to suggest that he had not taken offence.
"Come now, Cardinal, are you trying to blackmail me into accepting your offer of command?"
Richelieu's eyes narrowed. "Blackmail is a strong accusation. I would prefer to use the term persuasion."
Athos took time to formulate his response. "Then I fear that your persuasive technique has failed on this occasion, Your Eminence. Perhaps you were just testing me. I would hate to think that a man's prospects solely depend upon something I choose to do or not do. That does not seem considered persuasion but rather coercion. It is entirely my fault and I apologise if I have misinterpreted your words and intentions, Cardinal."
Athos maintained eye contact with Richelieu, his face giving nothing away although he could feel his heart pounding.
"You are an unusual man, Athos of the Musketeers."
"Cardinal?" Athos wondered what the man was going to say next.
"You give little away and yet I suspect you are a man of many secrets."
Once again, Athos felt a burgeoning panic. How much of his past had the Cardinal discovered?
"You are, however, a man of honour and duty; that is very apparent and for that I commend you." He waved a hand dismissively. "Grenouille will have his position. All I ask is that you stay as Captain until we have returned to Paris, at which point you will be relieved of your command. You need not wait until I have selected your replacement."
Athos nodded his acceptance.
"It is a disappointing loss for both of us, Captain. You are surrendering a role for which you are perfectly suited, and I lose someone on whom I can rely. I just hope that you do not live to regret it. Do not worry, though. I do not make the same offer twice. Dismissed."
Richelieu picked up a document and pretended to read it as Athos rose and left.
Tréville, having visited the injured Musketeers, was waiting for him when he emerged.
"What happened?" the Captain asked.
"I think," Athos said slowly, "I have just upset the Cardinal."
"And you've never done that before?"
"Not like this. He wanted me to stay in position as Captain."
Tréville sighed. "I suspected that he might do this." He looked at Athos sharply. "And you refused him?"
Athos was startled. "You have to ask me that?"
The Captain looked suitably chastened. "I thought I should not make assumptions."
Athos rolled his eyes.
Tréville huffed in amusement. "I wish that I had been a fly upon the wall when you did not accept his offer."
"He did look more than a little surprised." Athos admitted.
The Captain grew serious again. "He is a man not used to rejection. You may have just made yourself a formidable enemy, Athos."