Chapter 6

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Lazarus and René was the same person. I mentioned having boys from seven to fifteen years old in my little group. Well, René was not a boy anymore. He was a young man already, he was nineteen years old. He was the exception. I didn't know at the time, when I took him under my roof, that he was Lazarus; Beauvallon right hand man. Why did I take René in? Well, he helped me when I was lost in Paris. He was fifteen then and he needed something to eat. Since then we are working together. I even brought him with me in the court of Miracles when I have the need to go back. You will understand that seeing him here, threatening my life and the Musketeers is quite a shock. How could he do that to me? To us? How could he betray us this way? How could he have fooled me?

"How could you?" I asked my body boiling with rage

"I did as I was asked." René replied "Don't be mad." He paused "You should be thankful. I saved your life after all."

"That was your mistake, Lazarus" I spat before getting up and reach to punch him. One of his lackeys stopped me before I could.

"There, there, Nellie" he soothed "You wouldn't want to die, now would you?"

"Is there a reason why we are not dead already?" D'Artagnan asked

"Actually, there's none" Beauvallon said joining us "I just wanted to have a little fun." He smirked and looked me straight in the eye and his smirk faded "I should kill you first. You stole the wrong person" A dagger was pressed against my throat.

"I think I know that by now." I spat into his face "You are wrong, though. You should have killed me a long time ago;" I stomped his right foot. He yelped and that gave us enough distraction.

The musketeers and D'Artagnan were already fighting the men in the room. They get their swords back and fought. Each one of them was busy with at least two opponents. I decided to go after Beauvallon who tried to run away. Lazarus or René blocked my way and attacked me. "What do you think you are doing, Nellie?" He sneered. I didn't answer him and I blocked every one of his blow. I needed to be more offensive so I initiated the next attack. I stroke his sword a first and then a second time. I then hit his knees. It worked because now he was on his knees. I disarmed him and I was ready to kill, to have my revenge. But I simply couldn't and he laughed at me. "You are such a coward. You called yourself a heroine and the queen of the thieves. The truth is, you are nothing. You are just another poor girl who dreams of a better life." He mocked me. I knocked him out. "Obviously, you love to hear your own voice" I said. And I climbed the stairs following Beauvallon but he was nowhere in sight. I kicked one of the walls, when footsteps signalled me of the presence of the musketeers.

"He got away. We have to find him and quick." I said

"She is right, Athos. The day is coming." Aramis added

"We have to talk to Lazarus. He might have some answers." Porthos replied and Athos just nodded. We descended the stairs and Lazarus was still out cold. D'Artagnan one of the jugs filled with water and splashed him with it. Lazarus woke up with a start. Porthos grabbed him and pinned into a wall.

"Tell us, how Beauvallon is going to kill the King?" Athos asked politely. I found him really calm, too calm for my liking.

"I don't know" Lazarus laughed.

"Athos was being polite and really generous but I won't René and this time I won't hesitate before driving my sword into your flesh." I threatened and he laughed again.

"I know you won't, you are all talk."

"You are right she will not because she still cares about you. On the other hand I don't." Aramis added charging his musket. He then raised the musket to Lazarus' head and shoot. I closed my eyes. There was no sound. The musket didn't fire. I opened my eyes to see him looking sheepish and gave us a smile. "I forgot to put the powder, I guess. It will take a bit of the time; you actually have time to talk, Lazarus." The latter had the decency to look afraid but he refused to talk nonetheless. Aramis raised his musket again and was ready to shoot and I was ready to stop him. René was right I couldn't let him die. He was like a brother I never had. He was family and even if he betrayed me, I was happy he was alive.

"No, wait. I will tell you but don't shoot." Lazarus begged and Aramis lowered his weapon. "Beauvallon is not doing it. He hired a man, he's called Fontainebleau. He works as a cook for the King for months now." He laughed and he added "But you are too late musketeers. It will happen sooner than you thought."

"When?" Porthos asked urgently. Lazarus started to laugh hysterically. Porthos grabbed and pinned against the wall and pressed a dagger against his throat. Lazarus kept laughing.

"Porthos, let me handle this." I asked. Porthos wasn't sure what to do and he looked at Athos to know what to do. The latter just nodded. He gave me room to get closer to Lazarus. "Why did you save me?"

"What?" Lazarus asked surprised

"You heard me, why did you save me, Lazarus?" I spat his name. He didn't answer me. "You are so keen on telling me that I will not be able to kill you, to let you die. Surprisingly, you are not able to let me die either." I paused. I realised that René never existed. Maybe just during the night of the fire when he saved me, René did exist. But otherwise René died in the fire with all the boys. I unsheathed my dagger and pressed it against his crotch. "Listen really carefully, tell us when they are going to murder the King and you might be able to have children one day." He gulped.

"You wouldn't dare"

"You think. I might not be able to kill you that doesn't mean I cannot wound you. Speak, now." I spelled

"Tomorrow during the King feast." He said quickly. I sheathed my dagger and Lazarus sighed with relief.

Athos and Aramis took Lazarus to the prison where he is going to spend the rest of his life. While Porthos, D'Artagnan and I went back to the musketeers garrison in the Rue des Fossoyeurs not so far away from this tavern, but not too close either. We informed the Captain of musketeers about the plot to murder the King during his feast. We also knew who the cook is. All we have to do was to stop him before he put the poison in the King's meal. The musketeers have to be present because they are the King's musketeers and they have to make sure of his safety. It was decided that I will work in the kitchen with this so called Fontainebleau. The Cardinal helped us; for once I might say he was not involved in this murder attempt. Everything was going according to plan. When the moment came to serve the King's meal, Fontainebleau insisted to do it personally. Fontainebleau was a skinny man, with long dark hair that he wore in a ponytail. He had this strange habit to always play with his moustache. A really thin one. Fontainebleau was serving the royal couple when the King to toast his wonderful cook. Fontainebleau poured wine in his glass that's when I saw it. While the King was talking and congratulating his cook, Fontainebleau poured a whit powder in the wine and was now mixing it. Everyone was so captivated by the King's speech that no one, except maybe the musketeers and myself saw it. The King took the glass of wine and was now raising the glass to his lips.

"No" I blurted out. Silence fell in the room.

"Excuse me?" The King said and everyone was looking at me. I did not know what to say. I have to admit I didn't think it through.

"I'm sorry, Sire. I didn't mean to cause any commotion." I started "If you allowed me, my lord. I would like to make a suggestion." The King was about to protest but the Cardinal supported me.

"I think you shall let her speak, my Lord. She might surprise you."

"If the Cardinal is ready to hear you my child, then speak we shall all listen." He allowed me to speak.

"My lord you are too kind." Flattery should work with the King. See, the King is a big child. A spoiled child trapped in the King's body. "Maybe you should let the cook, Monsieur Fontainebleau drink in the King's cup. I think it might be an honour for him to drink in the King's cup." I said not really convinced he will listen to my suggestion. I could have just told him the wine was poisoned but without any proof I might have been sent to the prison. The King pondered my suggestion with a frown.

"You were right, Cardinal. This young woman is really surprising." He smiled "What is your name?"

"Emmanuelle, my Lord" I answered

"Well, mademoiselle Emmanuelle, your suggestion is one of the kindest I have ever heard." He declared "It would be an honour indeed. Monsieur Fontainebleau, today you will have the honour to drink from my cup." The court applauded the King's suggestion completely forgetting that I existed. Fontainebleau became livid. He knew he couldn't refuse such an honour not in front of the court and the King.

"Oh, my Lord, I will be indeed honoured but I cannot do such thing." Fontainebleau refused politely.

"I insist Fontainebleau. Drink!" The King's ordered annoyed by the refusal. Fontainebleau was refusing again by shaking his head and making up another excuse.

"What are you afraid of, monsieur Fontainebleau?" The Cardinal asked this time.

"Nothing, your Eminence. I don't think it is appropriate." Fontainebleau justified himself

"And I invite you to accept this cup, Fontainebleau." The King said irritated.

"I know why he is refusing, my lord." The Cardinal said "It is because of the poison he put in the glass." The member of the court and the guest gasped at this revelation. And the King put his cup back immediately on the table. Could you be more dramatic? I don't think.

"Guards, arrest him!" The King ordered but Fontainebleau was already running. I took off after him, followed by Athos. Aramis run to the King and smelled contain of the glass. Fontainebleau used belladonna to poison the King. There was a small exit in the back of the kitchen. I almost tripped on my dress. The stupid dress I really have to get rid of it. Athos caught me before I fell on my face. "Are you alright?" He asked quickly. "Yes, I am. Just go after him and don't wait for me." I reassured him. He resumed his chasing to our murderer. I cut the bottom of my dress, so I won't trip on it next time. I run again hoping it wasn't too late. When I joined Athos, he was with the other two musketeers and D'Artagnan. Fontainebleau was unconscious on the ground. "Is he dead?" I breathed out. "No he is not. Just unconscious." Aramis replied. Then they looked at me, all in unison. They eyes widen in shock at the state of my dress. "What? Never saw a woman in a short dress before?" I asked coyly with my hands on my hips. They all chuckled, except Athos who only smiled.

Fontainebleau was going to be executed for treason to the throne. Lazarus was going to be transferred to la Bastille and stay there for the rest of his life. The King ordered an arrest warrant against Beauvallon. So if the man was clever he would leave Paris and France and never come back, unless he wanted to die. Constance scolded me for the state of her dress and told she will never borrow one to me, ever again. I exchanged the dress for trousers, a man's shirt, a purple one and black jerkin with long sleeves, and my new hat and my purple feather. I had new boots too. I was back at the musketeers' garrison to bid farewell to Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan.

"What are you plans for the future, Emmanuelle?" D'Artagnan questioned

"I don't know yet. Since I decided to be an honest woman and stop stealing, I have to find another way of living." I explained

"How are you going to do that?" Porthos asked

"I have no idea." I sighed. Captain Tréville called the five of us in his office.

"Mademoiselle de Sauvignon, I informed the King of your collaboration in this case." He started "He wanted to thank you for saving his life."

"The pleasure was mine, Captain" I answered sarcastically but he didn't acknowledge the sarcasm.

"I have an offer for you." He said "Since you have some knowledge of the criminal life, I want you to work with some of my musketeers; as an informant. You will be paid naturally and if you need you will have a place to stay here at the garrison. What do you think?"

"Well, it sounds like I'm not leaving you anytime soon, musketeers." I beamed.

It was really generous from the Captain and I suspect the musketeers to have made this suggestion. I was more than an informant for sure but this was the official reason of my staying and my salary. I wasn't going to complain. This is how my life with the musketeers and D'Artagnan really began.