Good afternoon.
Hope this finds you all well. Thank you so much for reading and leaving comments, and for the lovely private messages. I will respond in the next few days - probably Sunday when I take a 'day off' from the writing.
So, what happens next?
CHAPTER 121
I
The two men made their rounds together, first to the Musketeers and then to the Red Guard for Captain Tréville, as the overall officer in command of the enterprise, wanted to thank them for their part in the day's success.
There was much that had still to be done with both regiments.
The general duties had to be assigned for the next day and then the additional, more specific ones. Men were selected to take the arrested nobles back to Paris the following morning with Porthos, d'Artagnan and Claude in charge. A contingent of Red Guard was chosen to accompany the prisoners designated for release well beyond the lodge and its surrounding area whilst a group of Musketeers was identified for the afternoon's hunt.
Serge pressed bowls of mutton pottage into their hands and they stood and ate, the simple fare being more to their liking than the food ordered by the King. The cook regaled them with his version of the battle. Remarkably, both camps had survived with minimal damage.
"We escaped lightly in the end," Tréville admitted. "We had tried to foresee any eventuality."
The corners of Athos' mouth twitched. "We did go out of our way to imagine the most dire possibilities."
"And in so doing, we were not found wanting," Tréville reminded him.
It was two hours before they walked back towards the hunting lodge for the night. The Musketeer repeatedly shot sideways glances at the young man by his side as if he might still collapse.
"You will soon be able to rest."
"I do feel that I might sleep for a week," Athos conceded.
"Sleep as long as you can tomorrow," Tréville ordered. "With Grenouille out of action, I can easily look in on the Red Guard until you are out and about."
"Renege on my responsibilities!" Athos exclaimed in feigned horror. "Whatever will the Cardinal say? I am already demoted on his list of favourite people."
Tréville chuckled. "You think the Cardinal keeps such a thing as a list of favourite people?"
They reached their entrance to the lodge.
"I am going to visit Grenouille again to see if he is awake this time. I want to give him the good news," Athos said as he opened the door for the older man. "I was wondering if I might visit you afterwards, unless you were wanting to retire immediately, of course."
Tréville smiled. "I brought a bottle of brandy with me. I shall pour us a drink in readiness."
II
Grenouille was pleased to see the young Captain and immediately apologised for being asleep when he last visited. "Your friend probably slipped me somethin'."
"Aramis tends to do that," Athos quipped. "Anyway, you look considerably better than immediately after the battle."
"The only way I could look worse would be if I was dead."
Athos snorted. "I am glad to see that you have lost none of your humour, Grenouille."
They lapsed into a companionable silence.
"You were right about your friend Aramis. 'E's a good man with the needle." Grenouille was smirking. "Claimed you gave 'im plenty of practice."
"And I could say that I was merely giving him the practice he needed."
Now, the injured Red Guard laughed. "I like the banter between you all. It's a sign of a strong friendship, of men who care about each other. Don't ever take it for granted."
"I do not, I assure you."
"So, what's been 'appenin' since the battle then? Aramis didn't know much on account of bein' in 'ere workin'."
Athos quickly updated Grenouille on the clearing up process, casualty figures, the rounding up of the prisoners and what their future held.
"I'm glad the King's lettin' so many of 'em go; showin' 'em mercy. They should never 'ave been 'ere. They didn't know 'ow to fight, most of 'em."
"I agree; it was a terrible and unnecessary waste of lives."
"So it's the nobles that'll be facin' punishment?" Grenouille wanted to know.
"The charge is treason," Athos explained.
"What about the King's brother, the Duc then?"
"Ah!" Athos sighed. "No so straightforward. The charge cannot be proven as he ordered his men to fight for the King."
Grenouille puffed out his cheeks in exasperation. "So 'e goes free, pardoned by 'is brother!"
"Not exactly pardoned and not free either. His Majesty will have nothing more to do with him and demands that he is gone from Court early in the morning. He is confined to his estate."
"An' the King reckons 'e'll do as he's told an' stay there out of trouble?" Grenouille was incredulous.
Athos gave a slight shrug. "We can hope. Anyway, I did not come here to talk about the rebels and Gaston, I have brought you some good news."
"You're goin' to stay on as Captain?" Grenouille said, hope in his eyes.
"I will tell you what I told the Cardinal. I am honoured but the answer is no. I am a Musketeer."
"He tried to get you to stay then."
"Yes he did, but I do not wish to talk about him either. Are you going to listen?" He broke off until Grenouille nodded and made a big pretence of silence. "I have spoken to the Cardinal about you. In just over a day, you proved your worth to me time and time again; you gave me your total support without question; you prepared the men and were a fine example to them on the battlefield itself. And then, as if that were not enough …" Athos voice suddenly caught, and he cleared his throat.
"On a personal note, you saved Porthos' life. For that, you have my undying gratitude. If you ever need help, come to me and, if it lies within my capability, I will move heaven and earth to assist you."
Eyes tearing up at the heart-felt words, Grenouille extended his hand and Athos took it in a firm grip.
"In the meantime," Athos gave a small smile, "it pleases me to tell you that you are restored to lieutenant of the Red Guard with immediate effect."
Aramis was sitting with an injured man in the next room when he heard the joyous shout and he could not suppress a grin.