Chapter 36
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"Sebastian LeMaitre never made it to the Americas." Athos informed the Captain dropping chains on his desk.
"No, he bribed his way off the transport ship and disappeared." Porthos added.
"Now he's back plying his old trade." Aramis said.
"Snatching men off the streets and selling them to the Spanish." I continued.
The Captain got up thoughtful. "The King of France chained up in the belly of a Spanish ship. Dear God. Well, they can't have escaped the country yet. There hasn't been time."
"According to his brother, LeMaitre likes to take his captives to the border on foot." Athos told him.
"And do you believe that?" Tréville questioned.
"He'd be insane to smuggle men in irons all the way across France." Athos answered.
"So, if they're not walking all the way, how else can he get them to Spain?" Tréville asked.
"Simple." I shrugged. "By boats."
"We need a list of all Spanish vessels docked in French ports." Athos demanded to the Officer as we stepped into his office.
"And I need an official request to release that information." The man answered.
"This is the King's business." Porthos told him.
"Then I'll need to see your order signed by the King." The Officer insisted. "Rules apply in all circumstances."
Aramis took off his hat and walked around the desk to place himself next to the Officer. "Help us or we will help ourselves."
He glanced at Athos, Porthos and me before looking into his book. "Well, there are Spanish ships docked at Bayonne, Honfleur and Marseille."
"Honfleur is the nearest dock." I said walking to the map.
"Hey, LeMaitre can avoid the main roads by taking the Forest of Evreux." Porthos continued showing the Forest on the map.
"And then from Rouen, travel by river to the port." Aramis indicated.
"The ship in Honfleur, when is it scheduled to leave?" Athos asked to the officer.
"Tomorrow evening."
"We'll catch them in Rouen." Athos said as we exited the office.
We left Paris without wasting time. We rode all day from Paris to Rouen. We couldn't wait any longer. The Christening of the dauphin was to take place the day after and the King has to be there. Of course, we didn't want D'Artagnan to finish in a Spanish galley. We arrived at the docks at night and Aramis went to speak with the Harbor Master. While the three of us waited.
"What did the Harbor Master have to say?" Athos asked as we joined Aramis.
"That it's late and he was asleep, and he wasn't happy about being dragged out of his warm bed." Aramis replied.
"Apart from that, Aramis." I rolled my eyes at him.
"The Spanish ship leaves at high tide early tomorrow afternoon. The Captain told him that they expect to load their cargo soon after sunrise." Aramis continued.
"So we got here ahead of them?" Porthos asked.
"LeMaitre wouldn't rest up in town. He'll be holed up for the night somewhere isolated but not far off." Athos reasoned. "Get his prisoners on board early."
"Yeah, before anyone starts asking awkward questions." Porthos nodded.
"Well, we can wait here and risk having to fight the Spanish as well," Aramis started, "or we track down LeMaitre before he breaks camp."
"The longer the King is in their hands, the more danger he will be in." I sighed. "We can't risk any delays."
"Very well. We'll search every cove and tributary if we have to." Athos agreed. "We'll find them."
We dismounted our horses when we arrived on a small dirt road surrounded by boulders and bushes. We let them continue the ride without us and we ambushed the men that were ambushing us. Athos and Aramis rounded them on one side while Porthos and I rounded on the opposite side. Porthos took his pistols and shot them and once I was out of ammunition, I used my sword against them. One of the men swung his sword at my head, I ducked and punched him in the stomach. He staggered backwards and I drove my sword into his flesh. I fought another men while Porthos ran after the Blacksmith, LeMaitre's brother. I followed after him, Athos and Aramis. The Blacksmith has his foot caught in a wolf or bear trap.
"Don't kill me!" He pleaded immediately in agony. I flinched as I saw his foot in the trap, I could not imagine how much pain he was in. "I'll tell you everything. It's Gus! Not me!" I sheathed my sword. "It was all his idea. He's in charge."
"I'm going to kill that scum." I said to no one in particular.
"Your brother's camp, where is it?" Athos questioned him sending me a slight glare for the use of the language.
"A mile south, by the river." He answered. "Now for God's sake, get this thing off of me!" Porthos opened the trap with his hand and Aramis helped at keeping it open with his feet.
We got our horses back and mounted them. Aramis was binding Blacksmith's hands. We heard shot rang further away. We galloped all the way to the camp by the river. We had one mile to gallop. We just hoped that it wasn't too late for the King or for D'Artagnan.
"Am I glad to see you." D'Artagnan breathed in relief when he saw us. He was hiding behind the bushes with the King.
"Is the King safe?" Athos questioned him immediately. "Thank God, your Majesty."
We all breathed in relief. I bowed to the King as Athos dismounted his horse. "Allow me to introduce our savior. We owe this Lady our lives." The King declared and Milady De Winters stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, she was part of the criminal band that kidnapped you in the first place." D'Artagnan reminded him.
"Why am I not surprised?" I commented dryly.
"She should be held for questioning." D'Artagnan advised him.
"With respect, your Majesty, we don't know what other crimes she's committed." Aramis told the King. Athos turned to his horse. I realized then that it seemed trouble by Milady's presence. But why?
"This humble woman has shown true nobility of character." The King protested. "Her crimes are hereby pardoned." My eyes fell shut at The King's declaration.
"You have made a new woman of me, your Majesty." Milady said kneeling down in front of the King.
I dismounted my horse while Athos went to talk with D'Artagnan. I could see that whatever D'Artagnan's answer was, Athos seemed even more troubled. I heard horse neighing, I looked to the side and saw that Gus was there with his men.
"Athos!" I called over my shoulder.
"Porthos, D'Artagnan ride with the King to Paris." Athos ordered. "We'll hold them here as long as we can."
"What just the three of you?" The King exclaimed.
"Four. I'm staying." D'Artagnan replied to him.
"Help them now and I will grant you clemency for your crimes." The King offered to the Blacksmith.
"I will. Thank you, Sire." The Blacksmith accepted immediately. D'Artagnan cut off his bound. I took position behind a tree and waited for Gus and his men to attack.
They started to fire and Athos yelled for Porthos to go.
"And now." Athos gave us the nod to return fire.
The exchange of fire lasted for a few minutes before our enemies ran away. Gus yelled for them to stay. "They've had enough." Athos commented.
"Stay and fight you cowards." Gus shouted and shot his own men. Aramis readied his musket and was about to shoot Gus.
But D'Artagnan stopped him. "He's mine." Gus unsheathed his sword. D'Artagnan walked to us and stopped in front of Athos. "May I?" He ripped Athos' scarf from his neck.
He rolled Athos' scarf around his hand. Gus charged at him and D'Artagnan did the same. When Gus reached him, D'Artagnan grabbed his sword and pulled him down. Gus fell flat on his back and D'Artagnan stabbed him with his sword. And Gus was dead.
We all rode back to Paris and we brought the King back in time for the Christening of his son. We, as musketeers, had the privileges to assist to the christening from up close. When the christening was over, we bowed to the dauphin.
"D'Artagnan." The King started as we have a private audience with him and Rochefort. D'Artagnan stepped forward. "Your bravery and loyalty during our ordeal deserves recognition. I have a special gift for you. You have the honour of executing this traitor." Two red guards brought the Blacksmith forward.
"But you promised me clemency." He reminded the King.
"Which I am granting. A quick death, more than you deserve." The King answered.
"This man fought to protect you." D'Artagnan told him.
"He did it to save his own neck." The King countered. "Which you will now sever."
"You gave him your word." D'Artagnan reminded him firmly.
But the King will have none of it. "Are you taking sides with a traitor against your King?" Now, you know why I dislike him sometimes. He doesn't respect the promise he made. And this man, even though he is a criminal, has saved the King's life and only for this he deserved a second chance. I got a second chance.
"I am a soldier not an executioner." D'Artagnan bowed to the King.
"Allow me, your Majesty." Rochefort said unsheathing his sword happy to oblige. He drove his sword in the man's flesh. A dead silence fell in the room.
"Thank you, Rochefort. That was well done." The King congratulated Rochefort. "At least I have one loyal soldier." Oh, really? Has he already forgotten everything we have done for him yet? "First, you take me to that tavern, put my life in danger and now this. Why do you Musketeers insist on disappointing me?" And the King walked out of the room.
"Bruno was a thug." D'Artagnan said as walked in the streets of Paris. "The King made a deal and betrayed it. That's unforgivable."
"The King was frightened, angry." The Captain defended. "In his heart, he's not a bad person."
"We saved his life, we did!" D'Artgnan snapped. "And that's the thanks we get."
"He wanted a taste of the real world and he didn't like it." Athos added.
"And someone has to be to blame." Porthos stated.
"That would be us." Aramis observed.
"Since he doesn't want to recognize his own mistake." I finished digging through my pockets. We were gathering money for Pepin's family. Pepin has saved the King and even hasn't been recognize for his loyalty to the King. His family was left to fend for themselves.
D'Artagnan knocked on Pepin's house door. A woman opened the door. "Madame Pepin?"
"Yes." She replied.
"My name is D'Artagnan of the King's musketeers. I'm here about your husband." He informed her.
"Is he safe?" She asked hopefully.
"He died in service of the Crown, fighting to protect the King." D'Artagnan answered. She took in a shaky breath and her daughter joined her by the door. D'Artagnan took the purse with the gathered money. "His majesty sent me here today to give you this. To express his personal gratitude. Were it not for the Dauphin's christening, he would have come himself. I'm sorry." D'Artagnan crouched down in front of Pepin's daughter. "Hello! You know, your father was a very brave man. He loved you and your mother very much. Always remember that."
"Thank you." Madame Pepin said tearfully.
"You're welcome."
Conclusion, The King of France doesn't recognize foe from friends. He seemed to be crossed with The Captain, I have no idea why but he made it clear on several occasions. Treating us, his musketeers, as incompetent soldiers. And every word Rochefort was telling him was sacred word and he trusted the man more than he has trusted us. And now, there was Milady. But I wasn't worried about the influence she would have on the King. I was worried about the hold she still has on Athos. I'm not imagining things; I saw it. His confused look, the frown on his face.
Do I want to question the matter? No. Do I want to hear an answer that I might not like? No. One day or another I will have to. I'm not saying that Athos doesn't love me. I'm saying he might still have feelings for Milady. And knowing the woman she might use this against us. But for now, I didn't want to know.
