Equals
Chapter 5
News of the passing of the Baroness de Maronne reached the court quickly; it was taken very harshly, the woman having been very popular. It was the topic of conversation for most of the week.
Christine stood to the side gazing sadly out of one of the windows. Sometimes being at court felt like a prison to her. A gilded cage, but a prison nonetheless, and she longed to return to her estate or her role at the garrison where she felt more free and of value.
She turned as she felt a presence behind her and came face to face with the Baron de Carbonne.
Christine's eyes grew cold as she met his.
"Such a tragedy," said the Baron, his tone not reflecting his words.
"Yes," Christine said. "The Baroness was a good woman." The Baron chuckled in response.
"Did you disagree? Do you find something humourous in the way she was murdered?" she asked him scathingly, her outrage bristling over.
"Perhaps she might serve as an example for you – a warning maybe," he said icily as he slithered away with a smirk. Christine stared after him, fighting the urge to chase after the Baron and beat some sensitivity into him.
It was only later that night as she lay awake, with Aramis resting peacefully next to her, that she considered the possible meaning of those words.
oOo
Aramis escorted Christine to the palace once more the next day. Athos came riding into the palace courtyard leading Aramis' mare.
"Two more. The son of the Baron de Carbonne and a girl. His lover."
Christine gasped, her hand covering her mouth.
"Go," she said squeezing Aramis' arm. He kissed her and leapt to his horse as he and Athos thundered out of the courtyard.
They met Porthos and D'Artagnan outside the gates of the Baron's estate. Blood could be seen staining the gates from where the bodies had been hung in the most brutal desecration yet.
Porthos marched over to them. "Baron's not here," he growled. "This was around the son's neck," Porthos said handing Athos the placard. Aramis read over his shoulder. "Blood Traitor" it said.
"Have guards sent out to search for the Baron. We need to find that Viscomte," Athos said, to another musketeer nearby, as his brothers mounted their horses.
oOo
They found Marius sitting in a tavern. He wasn't drunk, but he sat like one dead, staring at the table in front of him.
"There he is," growled Porthos. "Enough games. You need to tell us what you know!"
The man looked at Porthos emotionlessly, unfazed by the anger of the larger man.
Aramis flung a hand out and placed it on Porthos' chest, preventing him from physically knocking some sense into the stunned nobleman. With a meaningful look at his brothers, Aramis took a seat across from Marius.
"I am sorry about Marie. She was very beautiful," he said softly, looking into the man's face. He saw the man's lips tighten as a single tear escaped him. "I know how it feels to be helpless when someone you love is in danger," Aramis continued.
"Four people are dead now Marius. Four lives lost because they fell in love. They fell in love with individuals that some madmen didn't approve of," he said, pain and anger colouring his words as he fought to control his emotions. "These are the same men that took your Marie. The same men that strangled her with their bare hands before hanging her dead body for all to witness. These are not men, Marius. Not like you and I. They are worse than animals. They are monsters cast out by Lucifer himself."
Aramis paused as a dry sob passed through the Viscomte. "But you can stop them," he said, reaching out and grasping the man's forearm. "You can bring peace and justice to Marie. You can help us catch and punish her murderers. Help us Marius. Help us stop these killings. If you do not," he said, removing his hand, "Then you are no better than they are. Her blood will be on your hands as well."
Marius stared at the place on his arm that Aramis' hand had vacated. Quietly he began to weep.
"My father," he began, "Is part of an ancient secret society led by the Baron de Carbonne. The membership is made up of representatives of some of the oldest noble families. They're maniacs," he laughed bitterly. "It is their goal to preserve the noble bloodlines. It used to be just a way to match noble sons and daughters…but the Baron… he became obsessed. I never dreamed that this would become so twisted, so grotesque. That they – that my father – would take my Marie…" he broke off, his tears falling freely as he looked at Aramis.
The marksman grasped his arm again, his own eyes burning with anger and tears for the young man. "Provide us with a list of names and they will pay for their crimes." He locked eyes with the miserable Viscomte and the man nodded.
oOo
The news of two more bodies spread like wildfire at the court. The King was beside himself and fled to his apartments, barricading himself inside. Christine saw D'Artagnan dash up the palace steps to make a brief report to Treville. Grim, but with eyes blazing with cold fury, Treville nodded to the Gascon who took off down the stairs once more, before he himself went to try to update the King.
Forty minutes later the Captain marched into the throne room and it was announced that court had been dismissed for the day. Christine made her way towards the Captain.
"Captain, is everything alright?" she asked as the storm clouds that always seemed to linger over Captain Treville seemed to grow heavier.
"The culprits for these vicious crimes are being gathered up as we speak," he said and Christine sighed in relief. "Apparently they were part of a secret society of nobles intent on maintaining the bloodlines of the old houses. The Comte de Coulombe and the Baron de Carbonne among them."
Christine gasped. "His own son?" she whispered horrified. Treville nodded.
"I'm relieved the musketeers caught them. They will pay for these horrendous acts," Christine said. The pride echoing through her voice made the Captain smile.
"Come," said Treville. "I will escort you home, or would you prefer to wait for Aramis at the Garrison."
"Home I think, please, Captain," she said with a small smile. He held out his arm for her and led her down the palace steps.
They walked in silence for a while before the Captain cleared his throat.
"You know that I'm not a man of many words," he began and she raised an eyebrow in surprise. "But I feel it is my duty to tell you how…proud I am to have you as part of my regiment."
"Thank you, Captain," she said as she blushed slightly and beamed at him. "It has been my honour to be able to be of service to you. I'd likely be there every day if my attendance wasn't required at court. Will you be requiring me to wear a pauldron when on duty now?" she asked, teasingly.
Treville's eyes flashed as he looked at her, fighting the smile that was trying to find its way to his lips.
"You two are truly meant to be together," he said with a slightly exasperated chuckle. "I mean that with the best intentions and the most joy," he said as he grinned at her as they slowed their pace slightly.
"Thank you Captain," she said again smiling. "I am very lucky," she said.
"The fact that you realize that, that you know the value of that man, is what truly makes you worthy of him. You, like Aramis, have the power to see through people, to see past the masks and the walls that people try to erect around themselves. You have the ability to see and know and love the true person hiding beneath. You see each other, your true selves, and so are the only ones who can truly love each other," he said. She blushed but said nothing.
"I have known Aramis since he was little more than a boy. He is…like a son to me," Treville admitted quietly. "I have seen him full of life, and I have seen him near death, but I have never seen him as joyful as he is when he is with you. He too is lucky," Treville said squeezing her hand. "You are a remarkable woman Christine. Your intelligence and heart do you justice and your bravery, loyalty and integrity are virtues to be aimed for. If I were to ever have had a daughter, I would have wished her to be like you," he said softly. They had reached her doorway and stopped. Christine's eyes were filled with warmth as she looked at the Captain. For a man of few words, Treville seemed to have nearly spent his monthly quota on their brief walk from the palace.
"Perhaps it is just my old age talking, but seeing the two of you together amidst the chaos of this world, brings my heart joy. Joy and hope," he said and smiled at her.
"Captain," she said beaming at him, "I had no idea you were a romantic," she said as she kissed him on the cheek.
"Where else do you think Aramis learned it?" he said gruffly, a small smile turning up his lips.
She beamed at him and laughed.
He bowed to her. "I'll leave you here, Comtesse." Christine grabbed his arm and gave it a squeeze as he turned to leave.
"Christine, for you, always Christine," she said, her grey eyes glowing softly as she looked at this captain of men with love and respect.
"Christine," he repeated, nodding to her. For once, the clouds around Treville parted and the storms and waters of his eyes were placid.
oOo
Christine walked into her home, savouring the rare silence of the house near midday. The maids would be at the washing and Marie would be at the market with the Chef. Marcel and the boys had made mention of visiting a saddle-maker for Philomena. There was something soothing about the quiet of the home, especially after the morning of rumours and scandal at court. Christine ascended the stairs, intent to get a few good hours of reading in before the staff returned around dusk to prepare for the evening's meal.
She ran her fingers along the edge of the desk and smiled to herself…
She pulled a thick bound book of poems from a shelf that she thought Aramis might like and began to turn through its pages.
The click of the pistol behind her made her freeze. She turned slowly, clutching the large book to her chest and the manic eyes of the Baron de Carbonne met hers.
oOo