CHAPTER 43

After meeting with Athos, Captain Treville took some time to consider his options on how to deal with the Athos-Roudon situation. No matter how hard he debated with himself, one course of action kept popping to the forefront and his gut told him it was the right one. So, the next morning at muster, when all the men were gathered once more, including Athos, who had been fetched from his room, the Captain announced his decision.

"As you are aware, there was an incident where a musketeer, while on a mission, not only disobeyed the orders of his commanding officer, but then went on to strike him. Discipline. Rank and order. Obeying orders. These are the backbone of a successful army. But it's trust, respect and confidence in your leaders that make a unit great. The musketeers are the King's chosen. We are supposed to be the best of the best. Yet what went on within our ranks should make us all ashamed."

The Captain raked the crowd with his piercing blue eyes, making some of the men shuffle their feet and look away.

"Athos," he continued, "Your behavior towards the officer, whose command you were under, was reprehensible. For disobeying orders and striking an officer you will spend the next month in the garrison's prison. Upon your release, you will spend the next month working as a laborer within the garrison. Your salary for the two months will be forfeited."

Athos stood still, head held high staring at a spot in the distance as his Captain announced his punishment. Aramis and Porthos gave their Captain looks of disbelief as they muttered under their breath. Treville saw this and called them out. "Gentlemen, is there an issue?"

The two musketeers exchanged glances and were about to speak when Athos interrupted. "There is no issue, Captain," he said, with a sharp glance at his two friends to ensure they knew he meant business. "I admit to the charges and submit to the punishment." After one more sharp look at his friends, to ensure they didn't contradict him, he dropped his eyes to the ground and stood there, the picture of submission.

The Captain gave Athos a little nod of gratitude and respect for his gracious submission to his fate. The crowd began to mill, but Treville wasn't done yet and called them to order once more.

"There is another issue that needs to be addressed in this regiment if we are to succeed. It also deals with respect…for your fellow musketeer."

The crowd grew quiet, though an undercurrent of unease ran through it.

"I'm a direct man so let me blunt. I'm aware that many of you who are nobility are questioning my decision to commission others, commoners, as musketeers. A good commander, and a successful one, takes advantage of all the assets available to him. Being nobility doesn't mean one is always the best at something. There are some truly great soldiers in the Army and it is those men I am bringing into this unit."

The undercurrent of rumbling grew louder as the nobility in the crowd uneasily glanced around at each other and then at the common soldiers. The common soldiers themselves were also uneasy, not quite believing what they were hearing and wondering if it was going to help, or cause more problems, a risk of which Captain Treville was well aware when he started down this path.

"Moving forward, it is my expectation that everyone in this regiment will be treated with respect. Officers and soldiers alike. And if I see otherwise, there will be consequences. Am I making myself clear?"

A half-hearted affirmation arose from the musketeers, most of whom, frankly, were still trying to process what their Captain had just said. Knowing he had planted the seed and there wasn't much more he could do at this point, Treville moved on to handing out the assignments of the day before dismissing the troops. With an air of tension, the musketeers went about their duties. The Captain had a feeling the next few months were going to be very interesting around the garrison.

Roudon had been instructed to report to Captain Treville's office before heading out to patrol the town, which was his assignment. He spoke briefly to the other men in the patrol before heading for the stairs to the Captain's office. As he passed through the crowd, a couple of the nobility stopped him for a brief word and Roudon seemed to be offering them advice, but of what sort was unknown.

Denis and Loys, who oversaw the garrison's prisoners whenever they had some, escorted Athos away. As he passed by his friends, Athos stopped, unbuckled his weapons belt and held it out to Porthos, who grudgingly accepted it. When he reached up, removed his pauldron and handed it to Aramis, a small cry of 'no' escaped Aramis' lips. But Athos' gaze on his friend was steadfast, ordering and pleading with him not to make a scene.

Aramis took the scarred leather, whispering, "I'll keep it safe."

After a curt nod to Denis and Loys to indicate he was ready, the three started toward the jail. When Aramis and Porthos began to follow, a sharp look and an unspoken order from Athos stopped them. So, they simply stood and watched quietly as he was led away.

When Athos was out-of-sight, Porthos finally exploded. "This isn't right." A few of the musketeers still nearby, surprisingly a mix of both nobility and common, nodded in agreement with the outburst.

Aramis, trying hard to trust in Captain Treville's decision, played peacemaker. "We have to trust in the judgement of the Captain. Athos striking an officer was wrong; he'll tell you that himself, and a punishment is in order. What we should be focusing on is what Captain Treville said about making this regiment, the musketeers, the finest fighting force in France. We need to work together, as a team. Support each other, help each other sharpen our skills until the mere word Musketeer, sends shivers down our enemy's spine!"

Treville who was able to hear Aramis' speech as he made his way back to his office suppressed a small smile when he saw the mixed group listening to the marksman. Aramis was respected by many on both sides of the equation and he was going to be a key if this was going to work.

As Treville made his way up the stairs to his office, he lamented over the fact that the person who could bridge the gap between the two sides most effectively was Athos. He had the background, the talent and the persuasive ability to mold this unit into a cohesive fighting group. And, though the swordsman seemed unaware of it, he possessed a talent to lead. One of Treville's greatest desires and challenges was to get the young man to see what he could be if he let himself. He had no doubt that Athos had the intelligence, courage and skill to lead the musketeers someday, to be his heir so to speak; that is if the man didn't self-destruct first.

On the corner of his porch, Roudon stood watching the crowd below disperse. "You have stirred up a hornet's nest," he offered, unsolicited, to Treville.

Treville didn't respond other than to indicate Roudon should follow him into his inner sanctuary. Once inside with the door shut, he gestured for Roudon to sit in one of the two chairs flanking a small table in the corner of the room. Treville had debated in his mind how best to approach this necessary conversation and had decided to try to win Roudon's cooperation voluntarily rather than to order it. Sitting in the chairs should make it more like a conversation than a command, he hoped.

"Do you know some of the best armies in history have been destroyed by infighting? The inability to work as a team destroyed them more surely than their enemy. I don't want that to happen to this regiment." Treville paused a moment trying to judge if Roudon was following. He wasn't sure.

"When I chose you to be one of my Lieutenants, I entrusted you with the health and welfare of my men and I didn't do that lightly. I saw in you an accomplished soldier, tactician and leader of men."

Roudon smiled and tried to appear humble, even though he wasn't successful. Finally, the Captain was acknowledging his worth. Maybe now that they were talking as equals, he could advance his own agenda.

"I am truly honored you chose me and I too want to make this the best regiment in all of France, the world even," Roudon declared with hubris. "Everything I do is to further that goal. That is why I am…" He paused to choose his words, not wanting to come on too strong. He really wanted to say shocked, appalled, dismayed, livid, but chose a milder word. "I am concerned over some of the recruits."

Make his fingers into a steeple, Treville said evenly, "Yes. I do know you seem concerned over my including men from the regular army in the regiment."

"Commoners," Roudon couldn't help interjecting. "And men off the streets."

"Why does that bother you so much, Roudon?" Treville asked, curious as to how he would answer. "Surely you have to admit these men come with solid skills in many areas."

"A man's character and worth is defined by his birth and upbringing. After all, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. A regiment chosen by his Majesty to defend his royal family must be above reproach. Silk, not pig skin."

"And it is your belief that unless this regiment is made up of only nobility, it will not be able properly to serve its purpose," Treville summarized what was really the heart of the matter.

"If I may be blunt, Captain, with no disrespect, yes, that is my belief. I know you have brought people like Porthos and Aramis, common soldiers, into our ranks hoping somehow to strengthen the musketeers, though how you imagine that would happen, frankly I don't see. Nor am I clear how his Majesty would think it wise to commission them."

"Perhaps, his Majesty, who put me in charge of creating the musketeers, trusts in my judgement," Treville suggested with a slight edge of sarcasm to his voice.

Recognizing the briar-patch he was about to step into, Roudon changed course. "Have you considered that people like Porthos and Aramis might be better suited as workers in the garrison rather than actual musketeers? You say they bring a skill set from the Army that would benefit the regiment. Why not install them as teachers where they can impart their skills to all?"

"You mean, decommission them and hire them as workers in the garrison."

Roudon smiled, seeming pleased that his Captain was following his logic. "Exactly. They would still get paid, though not as much, of course, but more commensurate with their God-given position in life. I know there are many of us that would sleep better at night with this arrangement."

"I didn't realize my choice in musketeers was effecting your sleep," Treville declared mockingly, though it was lost on Roudon, who was too absorbed in his own ideas. "So, you want me to remove all the common soldiers from the regiment…"

"And hire them as workers, teachers. Really an excellent idea, Captain." Roudon was excited, feeling he was finally reaching his captain and was going to rectify the mistakes the man had made in developing the musketeers. "Yes, it would be very suitable, especially for men like Porthos."

"Like Porthos?" Treville prompted, curious to see how deep Roudon's prejudice ran.

Giving his Captain a frank look, he said, "Many of the nobility wouldn't even consider his kind fit to work anywhere but the fields. I am more enlightened and see a use for them in the Army."

As cannon fodder, Treville thought to himself.

"But his presence in this regiment is a distraction, one that could get someone killed," Roudon declared confidently, truly believing what he said. "Face it, the man is not a skilled rider, nor swordsman, but simply a street thug in clean clothes."

"You seem to have really thought this through."

"Oh, I have Captain. Ever since you brought them in. And I speak for all the nobility."

"All?" Treville questioned, knowing that at least a quarter of the regiment truly seemed unbothered by the 'commoners' as Roudon labeled them.

Roudon backed off a little, but with a caveat. "All of us of the nobility who may someday inherit our fathers' titles. Those of us who are first or second sons. I admit, by the time you get to the third sons and downwards, I think the seed gets a little frail, producing weaker sons."

The conceit of this man was never ending, Treville thought silently and he knew, at this point, he'd never convert the man to any other point of view. Unable to help himself, he asked, "And what of men like Athos?"

"There is no logic in the world that would allow dregs like him in the musketeers," Roudon spat with distain.

"Even if he is the best swordsman I have ever witnessed?"

"The best? Hardly. And what good are his skills if he is always drunk? He is not even fit to be a teacher."

"And yet he was, for a while, before he was commissioned. You himself took instructions from him," Treville pointed out.

"I tolerated his teaching, but learned nothing."

"Did Athos not defend the garrison against the thieves? At great peril to his person?" Treville reminded him of the incident shortly after Athos' arrival at the garrison.

Making a rude noise, Roudon countered, "He probably let them in and when the robbery went wrong, he switched sides. Captain Treville, and I mean no disrespect, but you seem blind to Athos' faults. I feel it is my duty to make you aware that there have even been whispers, ugly whispers, that he and you share an unnatural relationship. I, of course, know you are too upright a man to have such carnal desires. Your family has served our royalty for generations. Surely that speaks of the character of your forefathers and yourself. But when people cannot see a reason for something, such as making Athos a musketeer, they seek to explain it in other, unsavory ways."

Treville was not taken back by Roudon's revelations for he had heard the whispers himself. What did shock him was the depth of Roudon's hatred for Athos.

"Athos represents everything that is wrong and his removal, along with the reassignments we spoke of, will put this regiment on the path to glory," Roudon declared with utter conviction.

"You really do hate Athos, don't you?" Treville exclaimed. "You know nothing of his past. What if he were nobility, in hiding for some reason? Would your opinion of him change?

"Oh Captain. Don't be taken in by his manners and regal-sounding speech. At best he is some bastard son, raised near enough to the household to learn some manners. In fact, I believe that is the story I have heard of him. But I do not believe it. I think he is just another street rat that learned a little etiquette, perhaps from serving in a noble household at one point, and is trying to pass himself off as one of his betters. He needs to be thrown back into the streets where he belongs."

Treville gave up any last hope of convincing this man. He'd have to figure out another way to keep the regiment from dividing. No matter what, Roudon was going to be the wedge, not the bond.

"I appreciate your candor here today, though I find I can't agree with you on your perceptions. I was hoping you'd be able to see past your prejudices, but I now know that is an impossible task for you. As tempted as I am to strip you of your rank as Lieutenant, that would be wrong. You made some judgement calls that were questionable, but you have done no grievous wrong, other than the fact you are incredibly shallow-minded. But so are many in this world, I suppose," he ended wearily.

"I would like to be enlightened on the judgement calls you feel I made that were questionable." Roudon demanded haughtily.

"How about the decision to forgo a rescue attempt when Athos and the horses were taken by the Spanish?"

"As you have reminded us on countless occasions, Captain, the mission comes first over any personal hardships. Going after the horses and Athos was not the mission. Aramis and Porthos, by defying my orders, put the mission at risk. Look what their defiance caused. The men we lost in the forest. That would have never occurred if there hadn't been the attempt to rescue Athos. Many good men died for the life of one, and not even a good one. I made the right call. It is Aramis and Porthos who should be sitting here receiving your lecture."

"I believe they thought accomplishing the mission and the rescue were not diametrically opposed."

With a snort, Roudon pointed out, "The men who died in the forest might think otherwise."

Treville sat back in his chair letting the room go quiet. He was making no progress here and if anything was digging a deeper hole. No good was going to come of this conversation as he had hoped. So instead of prolonging this unsuccessful effort, he drew it to a close.

"I ask that you think upon our conversation of today. It is clear your mind is made up and you are firm in your convictions. However, know this. As a leader in this regiment, no matter how you feel, I expect you to treat all the men with the dignity and respect they deserve. And if I see or hear otherwise, we will be having a conversation about your removal," Treville threatened as he rose from his chair.

"And you too, Captain, should think upon the good council I freely offered today. This regiment can't survive otherwise," Roudon answered as he too rose from his chair.

Treville's eyes narrowed. "That sounds a bit like a threat, Lieutenant."

"It was not meant as a threat, but a mere statement of fact. As you yourself have said, the regiment can't continue in this manner. Something has to change."

Tired of this whole conversation, Treville dismissed Roudon. Once the man had exited the room, Treville walked over to his liquor cabinet and poured a stiff drink. As he downed the fiery liquid, he wondered where this would head next.

Roudon came down the stairs and was greeted by a pack of his supporters. "How did it go?" one called out to get his attention.

He stopped, turned and faced his followers. "Not well, I am afraid. Captain Treville remains blind to how his decisions are sullying our ranks. I fear we will need to escalate this to the next level."

Murmurs of the King and Cardinal travelled on a whisper through the crowd. Supporters of the other side of the argument, who were standing on the outside of the group, overhead the whispers and began to wonder if they were backing the wrong horse.