CHAPTER 10
The rest of the journey passed with the tension nearly unbearable. Roudon continued to be overbearing and condescending to the Inseparables, especially Porthos. Aramis and Porthos had to bite their tongues to remain silent and both had to take turns keeping Athos from doing something else stupid, which was not an easy feat. But for the sake of Captain Treville, who had put Roudon in charge and their friendship for each other, they persevered and were at least able to stop Athos from inflicting anymore physical damage on the pompous Lieutenant. However, Athos still riddled Roudon with the occasional verbal comment and what only could be described as an insolent attitude.
Finally, they arrived at the paddock-lined road that lead to Comte Vergy's mansion. In the lush green pastures grazed some of the most splendid horseflesh the musketeers had ever laid eyes upon. As they passed by one group of horses, Roger let out a little whinny, almost as if he recognized his birth place and some of his old playmates. Unobtrusively, Athos hushed him not wanting the horse to give away the fact they both knew this place. He hoped when he saw Jourdain, he would be able to do the same and stop the man from indicating he knew him, for Athos wished to remain anonymous.
As much as Athos had come to respect, like, and at some level trust Aramis and Porthos, life had taught him, harshly, it probably wouldn't last. He had been betrayed by too many people and the swordsman didn't want anyone else getting past his carefully crafted barriers. Aramis and Porthos had already proven themselves capable of getting around his defenses from time to time. He wasn't going to give them any more ammunition to aid in them in their efforts. His shameful past had to remain hidden.
The other night he could have put Roudon in his place, for as the Comte de la Fére, he far out ranked the man. As Roudon's family were only recently ennobled, it wouldn't take much time or effort to bring them to their knees. Even amongst the ruling class there were sub-classes. But Athos could not bring himself to do it, not because Roudon didn't deserve it, but because keeping his secrets, secret, was paramount to him. The Comte de la Fére no longer existed and it had to stay that way.
As they advanced towards the house, Roudon in the lead and Athos bringing up the rear, a fit looking man in his late twenties to early thirties stepped out onto the porch to watch them approach. The six musketeers came to a halt in front of the steps of the mansion and everyone dismounted, accept for Athos, who used his height from the back of his horse to catch the eyes of the man on the stoop. Athos gave his old friend Jourdain a sharp head shake when it appeared he might recognize and greet him.
Jourdain wasn't sure if the man on the black stallion was whom he thought, but he received the unspoken signal and quickly adverted his eyes. He thought that the musketeer who had been staring at him looked exactly like his old friend Olivier and his horse Roger. But why would the Comte de la Fére be wearing the uniform of the King's elite guards? Saving the mystery for later, he turned his attention to Roudon and formally stated, "Greetings. I am Comte Jourdain Vergy. You must be the musketeers the King promised to send to collect his horses.".
Roudon, being proper, gave a small bow to acknowledge the Comte's rank. "I am Lieutenant Roudon de Champ, of the King's musketeers. Indeed, we have come to transport your magnificent horses to the King. Perhaps you have heard of my father, the Comte de Champ? He spends much time in court attending the King."
"I'm afraid I don't know your father, but I am sure he gives the King good council," Jourdain returned with a polite smile. "Sorry to say, I don't get off my estate very often. My horses keep me rather busy."
"What of the Comtesse? I am sure she would enjoy Paris. My sister serves in the Palace, a lady-in-waiting for none other than the Queen," Roudon informed in a manner that left no doubt he felt it made him and his family even more prestigious.
A shadow crossed over Jourdain's face. "Sadly, my wife died last year from the fever."
Athos struggled to keep a shocked look off his face. Marie had died? He remembered when the two had wed for he had been at the wedding. The couple had been so excited, so in love, and it was the first time in his life Athos had seen such devotion between a man and a woman. He'd actually left the ceremony a little misty-eyed and wishing he'd find the same someday. When Anne came along, he thought he had found it. Oh, how wrong he'd been about the woman he married.
"I am sorry, Monsieur," Roudon said courteously, though he sounded less than sincere. Changing the subject as a proper gentleman did when the conversation grew awkward, he inquired, "Perhaps you could show us the horses we are to ferry back to Paris."
"Of course. But where are my manners. First, come into the house, have a cool drink, and then I will take you to the barn." He beckoned to a young teen walking across the yard from the stables. "David, take the musketeers' horses to the stable and get them settled for the night."
"No need," Roudon stated firmly. "Aramis, Athos and Porthos will take our mounts to the barn and care for them. We won't be a burden on your staff, Comte."
"It's no trouble…" Jourdain started to say, but Roudon cut him off.
"Even though most of us musketeers hail from nobility, we have willingly chosen to leave our estates to serve our King and country. My men don't expect to be waited upon by your staff, who, I am sure, have chores they need to complete for you, Comte Vergy." Roudon let his eyes sweep across the Inseparables and briefly rest upon Roger, the black stallion, before he continued. "Also, some of these horses are not as well trained as they should be and I would sorely regret if someone on your staff got hurt taking care of them."
Jourdain started to say, "I assure you my grooms are very…"
"It is settled," Roudon cut the Comte off again. To finish his point, the Lieutenant walked over and passed his reins to Aramis then motioned for Francis and Pierre to do the same. The other two musketeers handed their reins to Athos and Porthos, then the three horseless men turned and looked expectantly at their host.
"Yes, well, this way, gentlemen," Jourdain said smoothly, trying to hide the edge of uneasiness in his voice. A perceptive man, he was fairly sure there was something going on with the musketeers which had divided the group. He nodded to David to show the three musketeers holding the six horses to the stables, while he escorted the other three into the house.
When Aramis, Athos, Porthos and David arrived at a magnificent barn, the groom led them inside and the stablemaster, an older man, came out of a small side room to see what was going on in his barn.
"Jacque," David addressed the stablemaster, "These are musketeers. From Paris. Here to collect the team for the King. They will be staying the night. We need six empty stalls in which to put their horses."
When the stable master's eyes lit on Athos and Roger, his eyes narrowed and he started to say, "I know…"
But Athos summarily cut him off. "We will take care of our own mounts, Monsieur and not impose upon your staff. If you'd kindly show us to the empty stalls."
"Musketeers? You are all musketeers?" Jacque questioned again, his eyes lingering on Roger and Athos.
"Yes. Musketeers. The stalls?" Athos demanded politely, but with a sharp edge of insistence to his tone.
Like Jourdain, Jacque understood the message that he was to keep his thoughts to himself. "Of course. Near the end. There are six empty ones."
"Follow me," David instructed as he began to walk down the long dirt aisle between the stalls.
Roger, Athos and the horse he was leading, were the last to pass by Jacque, the stablemaster, who stepped near them. "Begging your pardon, but do I know you? And this horse, he appears to be one of our breeding."
"You must be mistaken. How could a lowly musketeer afford such quality horses as are bred here," Athos replied evasively before briskly moving away.
After they had disappeared down the long dirt aisle, Jacque realized that the man had not answered his question. He was sure that black stallion was one of their breeding. There may have been a lot of horses on this estate over the years, but they were like his children and he remembered each one of them. But if for some reason the musketeer wished to remain incognito, far be it from him to say anything more. He went back to his office to finish up the task he'd been working on before they'd arrived.
At the very end of the stable, David showed them the six empty stalls, evenly divided on either side of the packed dirt aisle way. Three of the stalls had a secondary door that led into a pasture and that is where Athos, Aramis and Porthos placed their three mounts. The other three horses they put on the other side. David offered to assist, but the three musketeers politely thanked him, insisting that they were used to doing this type of work. With some degree of hesitancy, David made his way back up the aisle leaving them alone.
The musketeers got to work unsaddling, grooming, watering and feeding their trusty steeds. As they were finishing up, David came back down to ask if they were ready to join their comrades in the main house for refreshments.
Porthos' eyes lit up at the thought of food. "That sounds good to me."
"And me as well," Aramis chimed in as he gave his mount a final pat before heading back into the aisle.
"Monsieur, are you not joining us?" David inquired when he noted that the third musketeer showed no signs of leaving with them.
Politely, Athos replied, "I will stay here with the horses for a while, to make sure they are…settled."
David ran a critical eye over each of the six stalls. "They appear very well settled to me."
Aramis and Porthos looked at Athos, who glanced away. As it was beginning to get awkward, Aramis breezily announced, "It is the human, not the horses, I wager who is unsettled and needs a little time alone. He gets that way sometimes."
David wasn't sure how to respond to that comment, so he simply nodded and started up the aisle with Porthos in tow. Aramis paused briefly to speak with Athos. "Are you sure you won't come up to the house? You know your absence will no doubt displease our Lieutenant."
"On the contrary, he will probably be relieved the drunk is nowhere near any wine," Athos sarcastically replied.
"Then he'd better check your saddlebags," Aramis joked before becoming serious once more. "Fine. Stay here if you must…"
"I must."
"…but I do want to check that wound and change the bandage, eventually," Aramis told him.
"It is fine."
Aramis laid down the law to his friend. "Still, I will check it later, when you come up to the house. But for now, if you will excuse me, I'm rather hungry and would enjoy some food. If you get hungry, there are still some apples and cheese in my packs. Do help yourself." With that, Aramis hurried up the aisle to catch up with Porthos and David.
With a sigh, Athos walked back into Roger's stall and sank down in the corner on the clean hay. Roger who had shared his stall more than once with his master, ignored him and continued munching on the well-filled manger. Tipping his hat over his forehead, Athos closed his eyes and wondered if he would be able to keep up his subterfuge until they departed from the estate. He had a feeling that Jourdain would be seeking him out at some point and he hoped he would be able to keep that visit a secret from his fellow musketeers.